In this live-recorded episode of The Blueprint Tour from the IIBEC Metro New York Chapter’s Building Smarter with AI conference in New York, hosts Kenneth Shultz, Engineering Director at PermitZIP, and Carter Huddleston, Electrical Principal Engineer at PermitZIP, sit down with Juan Vides, Vice President at Hire Point USA, Founder of Winning on Wednesday, and Business Development Manager at TechAcs, Inc.

With a background in programming turned business development, Juan shares practical insights on what actually drives sales in today’s world. From building a network through consistent outreach to creating meaningful relationships that go beyond transactions, the conversation explores the fundamentals of trust-based business.

The discussion covers the power of in-person networking, the limitations of digital-only communication, and why consistency is the most underrated advantage in sales and content creation. Juan also explains how his long-running networking group and podcast have helped him connect with professionals across industries, from students to executives, by focusing on authenticity and value.

Along the way, the trio dives into real-world lessons on personal branding, lead generation, and why many professionals struggle to promote themselves effectively. They also unpack the idea that people still prefer to work with those they trust, and how building that trust requires time, repetition, and genuine interaction.

Candid, relatable, and highly actionable, this episode is a practical guide for anyone looking to grow their network, improve their sales approach, and build long-term business relationships in an increasingly digital world.

Keywords

Sales strategy, business development, networking, relationship marketing, personal branding, B2B sales, lead generation, professional networking, content creation, trust-based selling, digital marketing, in-person networking, sales consistency, podcast marketing, LinkedIn networking, business relationships, entrepreneurship, client acquisition

Takeaways

• People still do business with those they know, like, and trust.

• In-person interaction remains one of the most effective ways to build relationships.

• Consistency in outreach, content, and networking compounds over time.

• Trust and rapport cannot be built instantly—it requires repeated interaction.

• Authenticity and sincerity are critical in building long-term business relationships.

• Personal branding and visibility play a key role in attracting opportunities.

• Many professionals underutilize self-promotion, which limits growth.

Chapters

1. Welcome and After-Hours Setup

2. Meet Juan Vides: From Programming to Business Development

3. Selling Safety Gear and Understanding Market Needs

4. Building Leads Through Networking and Digital Strategies

5. Why In-Person Networking Still Matters

6. The Impact of COVID on Business Relationships

7. Launching Winning on Wednesday: A Networking Community

8. Podcasting and Content Creation for Growth

9. Consistency as a Competitive Advantage

10. Building Trust Through Relationships

11. Authenticity vs Transactional Selling

12. Personal Branding and Self-Promotion

13. Golden Nuggets: Consistency and Genuine Connection

14. Final Thoughts and Where to Find Juan

Where to Find Juan Vides

LinkedIn · TechAcs · Winning on Wednesday

Where to Find The Blueprint Tour

YouTube · TikTok · TheBPTour.com
Kenneth Shultz (Host) · Carter Huddleston (Host)

From building relationships through networking to the power of consistency and authenticity in sales, this episode dives into what actually drives business today. Juan shares practical insights on in-person connection, personal branding, and why trust still matters more than ever.

Recorded live at the IIBEC Metro New York Chapter’s Building Smarter with AI conference.

🎧 Full episode drops Tuesday, May 5th, 2026.

Your AI better be able to explain itself in a deposition.

Not in a demo.

Not in a sales deck.

In a deposition.

The demo is easy.

The subpoena is where the system gets tested.

AEC is a long-tail liability business.

Something you stamped in 2024 can become a lawsuit in 2031.

Seven years later, your lawyer is not going to ask:

“Did the AI seem smart?”

They are going to ask:

“Why did you specify it this way?”

And the answer better not be:

“I think someone on the team remembered seeing that in an email.”

Today, most engineering firms defend decisions by digging through old PDFs, emails, RFIs, meeting notes, specs, code comments, and half-remembered conversations.

Then a grey-haired principal tries to reconstruct the logic under oath.

Terrible system.

Graph RAG changes the game for engineering firms, but not for the reason most people think.

Everyone talks about better search.

Fine.

Search is useful.

But the real value is the evidence trail.

When the system says:

“This detail applies to this project.”

It should also be able to show:

The spec section.
The code reference.
The AHJ ruling.
The RFI response.
The submittal comment.
The prior project precedent.
The internal standard.
The person who approved the exception.

Not vibes.

Not “the model said so.”

A defensible chain of reasoning.

That matters in MEP.

We do not just need AI that can answer questions.

We need AI that can prove why the answer was allowed.

Why this equipment was selected.
Why this clearance was acceptable.
Why this load assumption was used.
Why this exception was made.
Why this note ended up on the drawing.

The firms that figure this out will not just move faster.

They will reduce risk.

They will train younger engineers better.

They will stop losing institutional knowledge every time someone retires.

They will stop treating project memory like a scavenger hunt.

Graph RAG is usually sold as a knowledge management tool.

In engineering, it is also a litigation defense file.

Build the system so it can answer the lawyer seven years from now.

Not just the PM this afternoon.

Disclaimer: I’m not a lawyer. Please do not treat this as legal advice.

I’m using litigation risk as the thought experiment.

The point is simple:

If AI is going to influence engineering decisions, the system better preserve the evidence trail behind those decisions.

In this live-recorded episode of The Blueprint Tour from the IIBEC Metro New York Chapter’s Building Smarter with AI conference in New York, hosts Kenneth Shultz, Engineering Director at PermitZIP, and Carter Huddleston, Electrical Principal Engineer at PermitZIP, sit down with Spiro Markatos, President at Skyline Restoration Inc.

This episode dives deep into the hidden world of facade restoration, an industry responsible for maintaining some of the most iconic and historic buildings in cities like New York. Spiro shares firsthand insights from decades in exterior restoration, including working on nationally recognized landmarks and navigating the risks that come with repairing aging structures at extreme heights.

The conversation explores the origins of modern facade safety laws, including how real-world tragedies led to regulatory changes that still shape building maintenance today. Spiro explains how restoration companies calculate risk, manage complex projects, and coordinate across multiple trades to keep buildings safe and operational.

Beyond construction practices, the discussion touches on emerging technology in the field, including how AI is beginning to support quantity takeoffs, submittal generation, and workforce tracking. The hosts and guest also explore the growing issue of fraudulent claims in construction, an expensive and widespread problem that impacts insurance costs, project planning, and industry sustainability.

From skateboarding down the ramps of the Guggenheim during late-night restoration work to overseeing large-scale facade rehabilitation projects, this episode highlights the technical, legal, and human challenges behind maintaining the buildings we rely on every day.

Practical, candid, and grounded in real-world experience, this episode offers valuable insight into the people and processes responsible for keeping cities safe, functional, and standing strong.

Keywords

Facade restoration, building envelope, construction safety, historic restoration, exterior restoration, rope access, high-rise maintenance, construction technology, AI in construction, facade inspection laws, urban infrastructure, structural maintenance, waterproofing systems, restoration contractors, construction fraud prevention, skyline restoration, building safety compliance, historic landmark repair, urban building maintenance

Takeaways

• Facade restoration plays a critical role in preventing dangerous structural failures in aging buildings.

• Modern facade safety laws were created in response to real-world tragedies involving falling building materials.

• Historic restoration requires specialized expertise and careful coordination between engineers, contractors, and safety professionals.

• Restoration work often involves high-risk environments such as rope-access repairs and high-rise scaffolding systems.

• AI tools are beginning to support construction workflows, especially for estimating, documentation, and safety tracking.

• Fraudulent injury claims are a major cost driver in the construction industry, impacting insurance rates and project economics.

• Collaboration between design professionals and contractors is essential to ensure projects are both buildable and safe.

Chapters

1. Welcome and Guest Introduction

2. Meet Spiro Markatos: Restoration Industry Leader

3. Introduction to Skyline Restoration Inc.

4. Working on Historic and Iconic Buildings

5. The Reality of High-Rise Restoration Work

6. How Facade Safety Laws Were Created

7. Understanding Building Envelope Restoration

8. Design-Build Collaboration in Construction

9. Estimating Risk and Pricing Restoration Projects

10. AI Applications in Construction Workflows

11. Technology for Worker Tracking and Safety

12. The Growing Problem of Construction Fraud

13. Lessons from Decades in the Restoration Industry

14. Final Thoughts on Keeping Cities Safe

Where to Find Spiro Markatos

Skyline Restoration Inc. · LinkedIn · Instagram

Where to Find The Blueprint Tour

YouTube · TikTok · TheBPTour.com
Kenneth Shultz (Host) · Carter Huddleston (Host)

From restoring iconic landmarks to understanding how safety laws were shaped by real tragedies, this conversation dives into the risks, responsibilities, and evolving technologies behind exterior restoration work. The episode also touches on workforce safety, fraud challenges in construction, and how AI is beginning to support field operations.

Season 4 was recorded live at the IIBEC Metro New York Chapter’s Building Smarter with AI conference in New York.

🎧 Full Episode releases Tuesday, April 28th, 2026.

Every client email is not just an email.

Sometimes it is a change order wearing casual clothes.

Construction people know this.

One sentence can move a deadline.

One “quick question” can reopen a design decision.

One missing drawing can force a full reassessment.

One new piece of information can blow up the calendar.

But somehow the industry still treats email like it is free.

It is not.

Every time a client hits send, somebody has to read it, interpret it, decide if it changes the scope, figure out who owns it, check the contract, check the assumptions, check the exclusions, maybe call the client, maybe document the call, maybe price the work, maybe move the schedule, maybe explain why the “small ask” is not small.

Somebody pays for that time. Right now, too often, it is the engineering firm.

Most firms do not have a system for this.

They have inboxes.

They have memory.

They have hallway conversations.

They have a project manager who “knows what’s going on” until they are sick, underwater, distracted, or gone.

Then everyone acts surprised when responsiveness falls apart.

Maybe the team is not lazy.

Maybe the request is loaded.

Maybe nobody wants to touch it because nobody knows:

Is this in scope?
Is this billable?
Is this urgent?
Is this a client-created problem?
Is this going to wreck the schedule?
Is this worth interrupting design work?

That hesitation is where profit goes to die.

We have been building around a simple idea:

Treat inbound client communication like operational data.

Email comes in.

The system checks the contract, assumptions, exclusions, project context, and prior communication.

It flags whether the request looks in scope or out of scope.

It gives the team enough context to call immediately.

The call gets recorded, transcribed, attached to the project, and turned into next steps.

If it needs a work order, create one.

If it affects delivery, say so.

If the client keeps sending new information after the work is scheduled, the schedule moves.

Fine. That is reality.

Good clients organize their thoughts.

Good clients send complete information.

Good clients understand that every new input has a cost.

The industry already understands this.

They may not call it rate limiting.

They call it a later delivery date.

Same idea.

Send clean information, get cleaner execution.

Send chaos, get delay.

AI will not fix bad client behavior.

But it can finally make the cost visible.

Price the interruption.

Document the call.

Protect the calendar.

Stop pretending the inbox is free.

In this live-recorded episode of The Blueprint Tour from the IIBEC Metro New York Chapter’s Building Smarter with AI conference in New York, hosts Kenneth Shultz, Engineering Director at PermitZIP, and Carter Huddleston, Electrical Principal Engineer at PermitZIP, sit down with Eugene Gurevich, Senior Structural Engineer and Construction Phase Director at Rand Engineering & Architecture.

The conversation dives into one of the most pressing questions facing engineering firms today: what happens when AI tools gain access to proprietary drawings, reports, and internal company knowledge? Eugene shares real-world concerns about protecting intellectual property while still leveraging the massive efficiency gains AI can provide.

Together, they explore the technical and philosophical implications of integrating AI into engineering workflows, from prompt injection risks and data privacy tradeoffs to the rise of local AI models designed to protect sensitive information. The group also examines how licensing laws may keep engineers legally responsible in an increasingly automated world, even as AI systems handle more design and coordination tasks.

Beyond AI, the discussion expands into broader industry shifts, how engineering business models could evolve, whether intellectual property will retain its value, and what lessons the music industry’s transition to digital distribution can teach the design and construction world.

The episode also highlights Eugene’s unique dual perspective as both a licensed structural engineer and architect, including his work performing high-rise inspections using rope access systems, sometimes hundreds of feet above ground level.

Thought-provoking, technical, and forward-looking, this episode offers a candid look at how engineers must adapt to protect their knowledge, maintain responsibility, and navigate the rapid evolution of AI-powered design workflows.

Keywords

Artificial intelligence, AI security, intellectual property, AI in engineering, data privacy, prompt injection, engineering workflows, digital transformation, construction technology, structural engineering, rope access inspection, building inspections, engineering responsibility, AI risk management, Rand Engineering & Architecture, PermitZIP, IIBEC conference, local AI models, engineering automation

Takeaways

• AI tools can unlock massive productivity gains—but they also introduce new risks around intellectual property exposure.

• Combining private data, internet access, and external inputs creates security vulnerabilities such as prompt injection risks.

• Local AI models may become a key solution for protecting sensitive engineering data.

• Engineers will likely remain legally responsible for decisions—even as AI automates more workflows.

• Business models in engineering may shift, with value moving from drawings to real-time decision support.

• Intellectual property may become harder to protect as digital tools accelerate data sharing and duplication.

• Real-time feedback from AI can significantly improve decision validation and reduce long-term design risk.

Chapters

1. Welcome and Guest Introduction

2. Meet Eugene Gurevich: Structural Engineer and Architect

3. Engineering Hierarchies and the “Pencil Tip” Concept

4. AI Adoption Challenges in Engineering Firms

5. Understanding Prompt Injection and Data Security Risks

6. Protecting Intellectual Property in AI Workflows

7. Local AI Models vs Cloud-Based Systems

8. The Future of Engineering Responsibility

9. Business Model Shifts in Design and Construction

10. Lessons from the Music Industry’s Digital Transformation

11. High-Rise Rope Access Inspections and Real-World Risks

12. Final Thoughts on the Future of Engineering in an AI Era

Where to Find Eugene Gurevich

Rand Engineering & Architecture · LinkedIn

Where to Find The Blueprint Tour

YouTube · TikTok · TheBPTour.com
Kenneth Shultz (Host) · Carter Huddleston (Host)

In this Season 4 Episode 7 of The Blueprint Tour, hosts Kenneth Shultz and Carter Huddleston sit down with Eugene Gurevich, Senior Structural Engineer & Construction Phase Director at Rand Engineering & Architecture, to explore one of the most urgent questions facing the industry: how safe is your intellectual property in an AI-driven world?

Recorded live at the IIBEC Metro New York Chapter’s Building Smarter with AI conference, this episode dives into AI security risks, the future of engineering responsibility, and how rapidly evolving technology may reshape ownership, liability, and professional workflows.

🎬 Full episode releases Tuesday, April 14th 2026.

In this live-recorded episode of The Blueprint Tour from the IIBEC Metro New York Chapter’s Building Smarter with AI conference, hosts Kenneth Shultz (Engineering Director at PermitZIP) and Carter Huddleston (Electrical Principal Engineer at PermitZIP) sit down with Nicholas Ceme, Business Development Engineer at Peikko North America.

With a background in structural engineering and a transition into technical sales, Nicholas shares how he’s leveraging AI to solve a problem every professional faces: too many leads, not enough time. He breaks down how he’s building Python-based tools that analyze large volumes of contacts, prioritize high-value opportunities, and automate follow-up workflows.

The conversation explores the real-world applications of AI in engineering and business development, from lead intelligence and data synthesis to prompt engineering and workflow automation. The trio also dives into deeper topics, including how AI is reshaping hiring dynamics for junior engineers, the rise of engineers building their own AI systems, and the growing importance of privacy, local AI models, and data control.

Candid, technical, and forward-looking, this episode offers a practical look at how AI is moving beyond theory, into the daily decision-making processes that drive modern engineering businesses.

Keywords

Artificial intelligence, AI in engineering, lead generation, sales automation, business development, workflow automation, prompt engineering, Python automation, structural engineering, Peikko North America, Nicholas Ceme, PermitZIP, IIBEC conference, AI tools, data analytics, engineering workflows, local AI models, future of work

Takeaways

• AI can analyze and prioritize leads, helping professionals focus on the highest-value opportunities.

• Engineers are increasingly building their own AI tools using Python and automation frameworks.

• AI is more effective in workflow optimization and communication than in full design replacement, at least for now.

• Hiring dynamics are shifting, with AI increasing the productivity of senior engineers and reducing reliance on junior roles.

• Prompt engineering and structured context significantly improve AI output quality.

• Privacy concerns are real, local AI models and data anonymization are becoming critical considerations.

• AI is evolving from a productivity tool into a decision-making layer across engineering and business development.

Where to Find Nicholas Ceme, PE

LinkedIn · Peikko North America

Where to Find The Blueprint Tour

YouTube · TikTok · TheBPTour.com
Kenneth Shultz (Host) · Carter Huddleston (Host)

In this teaser for Season 4, Episode 6 of The Blueprint Tour, Nicholas Ceme shares how he’s building AI-powered workflows to analyze large volumes of contacts, prioritize leads, and improve decision-making. The conversation also explores how engineers are beginning to build their own AI tools, the shift in hiring dynamics as automation increases efficiency, and the growing importance of privacy and local AI models.

The full episode drops April 7th, 2026.

In this live-recorded episode of The Blueprint Tour from the IIBEC Metro New York Chapter’s Building Smarter with AI Conference, hosts Kenneth Shultz, Engineering Director at PermitZIP, and Carter Huddleston, Electrical Principal Engineer at PermitZIP, sit down with Josh Thompson, President of Thompson Exterior Services, to explore the overlooked but critical world of building envelope maintenance and façade access.

With over 15 years of experience operating in major urban markets like New York and Miami, Josh shares firsthand insight into the most common and costly problems facing buildings today, including water intrusion, deteriorating sealants, façade failures, and long-term maintenance challenges. He explains how routine services like window cleaning often become the first line of defense in identifying early signs of structural deterioration, helping building owners prevent expensive failures before they escalate.

The conversation dives into one of the most misunderstood aspects of building maintenance: access. Before any repair can begin, teams must determine how to safely reach the problem, whether through rope access systems, suspended scaffolds, or specialized equipment. Josh explains why solving the access challenge is often half the battle when dealing with high-rise structures.

The episode also features a mini-chat with Rubén Alexis Aguilera Hormazabal, an IRATA Rope Access Level 2 technician and Architectural Glass Restoration Specialist at Thompson Exterior Services. Rubén shares his journey from mechanical industrial maintenance into professional climbing, detailing how rope access skills are developed, the safety systems involved, and what it feels like working hundreds of feet above the ground on complex structures.

From diagnosing hidden water leaks to navigating the realities of high-rise maintenance, this episode offers a rare look into the technical expertise, teamwork, and precision required to maintain modern buildings, especially in dense urban environments where every repair begins with one critical question: how do you get to the problem safely?

Candid, technical, and filled with real-world insights, this episode highlights the people working behind the scenes to keep buildings safe, watertight, and operational.

Keywords

Building envelope, facade maintenance, rope access, water intrusion, building leaks, exterior restoration, high-rise maintenance, IRATA rope access, facade inspection, building waterproofing, sealant replacement, commercial building maintenance, building diagnostics, rope access technicians, construction safety, exterior building services, facade repair, urban construction maintenance, building lifecycle management, property maintenance strategies

Takeaways

• Water intrusion is one of the most common and costly building envelope problems across commercial properties.

• Routine maintenance services like window cleaning often provide early warning signs of façade deterioration.

• Access planning: rope systems, scaffolding, or specialized equipment, is often the first major challenge in high-rise repair projects.

• Strong professional networks, including architects and forensic specialists, are critical to accurately diagnosing complex building failures.

• Building failures are not always caused by negligence; many are the result of natural aging, movement, and material deterioration.

• Company culture plays a major role in attracting highly skilled rope access technicians and specialty workers.

• Professional rope access work relies heavily on certification, safety procedures, and accumulated field experience.

• Climbing and rope access skills can transition from recreational activities into highly specialized professional careers.

• Urban construction and maintenance operations require extreme coordination due to dense environments and limited access space.

• Preventative inspection and forward planning can significantly reduce long-term repair costs for building owners.

Chapters

1. Welcome and Guest Introduction

2. Meet Josh Thompson: Building Envelope Specialist

3. Understanding Water Intrusion and Leak Detection

4. Why Window Cleaning Reveals Hidden Problems

5. The Access Challenge: Reaching High-Rise Failures

6. New York vs. Miami: Differences in Building Materials

7. Choosing Between Rope Access and Scaffolding

8. Building Culture to Attract Skilled Technicians

9. Mini-Chat with Rubén Aguilera: Life as a Rope Access Technician

10. Climbing, Certifications, and Safety at Height

11. Working Hundreds of Feet Above Ground

12. Final Thoughts on Maintenance and Prevention

Where to Find Thompson Exterior Services

Josh’s LinkedIn · Rubén’s LinkedIn · Thompson Exterior Services

Where to Find The Blueprint Tour

YouTube · TikTok · TheBPTour.com

Kenneth Shultz (Host) · Carter Huddleston (Host)

Josh shares insights from years of working on high-rise buildings in major markets like New York and Miami, explaining how water leaks, deteriorating sealants, and façade failures are among the most common and most misunderstood issues in buildings. The conversation highlights why proactive inspections, strong technical partnerships, and the right access strategy are critical to preventing costly damage.

The teaser also features a mini-chat with Rubén Aguilera, an Architectural Glass Restoration Specialist and rope access technician, who shares what it’s like working at extreme heights and how climbing skills translate into real-world building maintenance.

This teaser offers a glimpse into the real challenges behind maintaining modern buildings, and the skilled professionals who solve problems most people never see.

🎧 Full Episode Releases Tuesday, March 31, 2026.

In this live-recorded episode of The Blueprint Tour, captured at the IIBEC Metro New York Chapter’s Building Smarter with AI conference, hosts Kenneth Shultz and Carter Huddleston sit down with Jessica Vail, Founder and President of Vail Marketing Solutions, to discuss one of the most overlooked drivers of business growth in the AEC industry, professional branding and marketing execution.

Jessica shares her journey into the construction and engineering world, starting as an intern in the industry and eventually launching a full-service marketing agency dedicated to helping architecture, engineering, and construction firms improve how they present their work. With nearly two decades of exposure to contractors, subcontractors, and engineering firms, she offers firsthand insight into the communication gaps that often exist between technical teams and marketing professionals.

The conversation explores the real-world challenges of marketing in the AEC space, from gathering project content and maintaining consistent branding to managing proposals that must compete visually as well as technically. Jessica explains how poor formatting, outdated logos, low-resolution graphics, and inconsistent messaging can create doubt in the minds of clients, even when technical capabilities are strong.

The hosts and Jessica also discuss how AI tools are beginning to change marketing workflows, enabling faster content generation and improved efficiency, while still requiring careful human oversight to verify technical accuracy and maintain brand consistency.

Throughout the discussion, a central theme emerges: many firms are deeply focused on delivering projects but neglect the long-term investment required to build a strong professional identity. From storytelling through project photography to maintaining cohesive visual branding across proposals, Jessica highlights how small improvements can significantly impact how firms are perceived, and ultimately selected, by clients.

Candid, practical, and grounded in the realities of the construction industry, this episode offers a clear message: technical excellence alone isn’t enough; presentation, storytelling, and branding matter more than many firms realize.

Keywords

AEC marketing, construction marketing, engineering branding, proposal development, Vail Marketing Solutions, Jessica Vail, Kenneth Shultz, Carter Huddleston, PermitZIP, IIBEC conference, building smarter with AI, AEC branding strategy, proposal design, marketing for engineers, construction business development, professional services marketing, engineering proposals, construction branding, digital marketing for AEC, marketing strategy for contractors

Takeaways

• Strong technical skills alone do not guarantee success; professional presentation and branding significantly influence client perception.

• Many AEC firms struggle with outdated websites, inconsistent branding, and poorly formatted proposals.

• Marketing professionals often act as coordinators who gather content, maintain brand consistency, and keep teams aligned.

• Storytelling through project visuals, from rendering to final construction, helps communicate value to clients.

• AI tools are improving efficiency in marketing workflows, but still require careful review and validation.

• Consistent branding across proposals, websites, and marketing materials builds trust and credibility.

• Firms often focus heavily on project delivery but overlook the importance of working on their business development strategy.

Chapters

1. Welcome to The Blueprint Tour

2. Meet Jessica Vail and Her Path into AEC Marketing

3. Why Marketing Is Different in the AEC Industry

4. Common Branding Mistakes in Engineering Firms

5. The Role of Proposals in Winning Work

6. Why Visual Presentation Matters to Clients

7. Storytelling Through Projects and Photography

8. AI Tools and the Future of Marketing Workflows

9. Working In the Business vs Working On the Business

10. Final Thoughts on Building a Professional Brand

Where to Find Jessica Vail

Vail Marketing Solutions · LinkedIn

Where to Find The Blueprint Tour

YouTube · TikTok · TheBPTour.com
Kenneth Shultz (Host) · Carter Huddleston (Host)

In this episode, hosts Kenneth Shultz and Carter Huddleston sit down with Jessica Vail, Founder & President of Vail Marketing Solutions, to talk about a topic many engineering and construction firms overlook: How they present themselves to clients.

Even highly capable firms can lose opportunities because of outdated branding, inconsistent proposals, or weak storytelling. Jessica shares what she sees behind the scenes while working with AEC companies, from mismatched logos and low-quality websites to the real challenge of gathering content from busy project teams.

The conversation also touches on how AI is changing marketing workflows, helping teams generate content faster, while still requiring careful review and validation.

More importantly, this episode highlights a key insight: many firms are so focused on delivering projects that they forget to invest time in presenting their work professionally.

🎧 The full episode drops March 24, 2026.

This is the S4E4 Teaser.

In this live-recorded episode of The Blueprint Tour, captured at the IIBEC Metro New York Chapter’s Building Smarter with AI conference, hosts Kenneth Shultz and Carter Huddleston sit down with Daniel Calabro, Co-founder of Ferris, to explore how artificial intelligence is beginning to reshape engineering and construction workflows.

Daniel shares his journey from structural engineering, working on high-rise design and large-scale infrastructure projects, to building Ferris, a platform focused on creating custom AI-driven tools for engineering and construction firms. The conversation dives into the reality that many firms still lack a defined AI strategy, despite the low barrier to entry and rapidly growing capabilities of modern AI tools.

The discussion covers practical applications of AI in engineering, including transforming decades of hand calculations into reusable digital tools, improving workflows through intelligent automation, and enabling engineers to interact with complex datasets more efficiently. The group also examines the limitations of AI, including hallucinations, and how engineers can balance prompting with verification to ensure accuracy.

Looking ahead, Daniel introduces the idea of “personifying” infrastructure, where engineers could interact directly with buildings, systems, and designs through AI-driven interfaces. But as capabilities grow, so do concerns.

The episode ultimately centers on a critical question: as AI becomes more involved in engineering decisions, how should responsibility and liability be handled?

Candid, forward-looking, and grounded in real-world experience, this episode explores both the opportunities and the risks of integrating AI into engineering practice.

Keywords

Artificial intelligence, AI in engineering, construction technology, AEC industry, engineering workflows, AI strategy, Ferris, Daniel Calabro, PermitZIP, Kenneth Shultz, Carter Huddleston, building smarter with AI, IIBEC, engineering automation, AI hallucinations, AI liability, digital engineering tools, structural engineering, engineering software, future of construction

Takeaways

• Many engineering and construction firms still lack a clear AI strategy despite increasing industry awareness.

• AI can transform decades of engineering knowledge, such as hand calculations, into scalable, reusable tools.

• The barrier to entry for using AI tools is low, but effective usage requires thoughtful prompting and verification.

• AI hallucinations remain a concern, but human error and bias are also significant factors in engineering workflows.

• Future applications may allow engineers to interact directly with buildings and systems through AI-driven interfaces.

• AI-assisted workflows can improve efficiency, but they must be designed to support, not replace, engineering judgment.

• Liability and responsibility will become central issues as AI becomes more integrated into engineering decision-making.

Chapters

1. Welcome to The Blueprint Tour

2. Meet Daniel Calabro and the Origin of Ferris

3. AI Adoption in Engineering Firms

4. Low Barrier to Entry: Getting Started with AI

5. Turning Hand Calculations into Digital Tools

6. AI Hallucinations and Trust in Engineering

7. Prompting, Verification, and Workflow Integration

8. The Future: Talking to Buildings and Infrastructure

9. AI Liability and Responsibility in Engineering

10. Final Thoughts on Building the Future with AI

Where to Find Daniel Calabro

Ferris · LinkedIn · X

Where to Find The Blueprint Tour

YouTube · TikTok · TheBPTour.com

Kenneth Shultz (Host) · Carter Huddleston (Host)

In this episode, hosts Kenneth Shultz and Carter Huddleston sit down with Daniel Calabro, Co-founder of Ferris, to discuss how artificial intelligence is beginning to reshape the engineering and construction industries.

From the surprising reality that many firms still lack an AI strategy to the powerful ways AI can turn decades of engineering calculations into dynamic tools, the conversation explores both the opportunities and the challenges engineers face as the technology rapidly evolves.

Daniel shares how Ferris is building software to help engineering and construction teams automate workflows, verify information faster, and integrate AI into everyday practice. The discussion also dives into the growing debate around AI “hallucinations,” trust in automated outputs, and how engineers can responsibly use AI as part of their decision-making process.

But the conversation ultimately leads to a much bigger question for the industry:

“If AI begins helping engineers make decisions, who is actually responsible for the outcome?”

🎧 Full Episode drops March 17, 2026.

This is the S4E3 Teaser.

In this live-recorded episode of The Blueprint Tour, captured at the IIBEC Metro New York Chapter’s Building Smarter with AI conference, hosts Kenneth Shultz and Carter Huddleston sit down with Cayla Hasner, Outside Sales Representative at New Castle Building Products, to explore how business actually gets done in the construction industry.

Cayla shares what day-to-day life looks like as a building materials sales rep, driving between job sites, meeting contractors, identifying projects in the field, and turning cold leads into real relationships. From roofing systems and waterproofing to the broader building envelope, she explains how product reps help contractors source materials and support projects across both commercial and residential construction.

The conversation dives into the realities of construction networking, why the industry remains “huge but extremely small,” and how reputation and relationships often determine who wins the work. Cayla also offers a candid perspective on marketing in construction, explaining why, despite studying marketing in college, she believes face-to-face meetings and phone calls still outperform social media when it comes to building trust and closing deals.

Along the way, the group discusses career paths into construction, the role of testing and product performance in the building envelope world, and the everyday hustle required to build a network in one of the most relationship-driven industries.

Candid, relatable, and packed with real-world insight, this episode offers a behind-the-scenes look at how construction sales, networking, and industry relationships continue to drive projects forward.

Keywords

Construction industry, AEC industry, construction sales, building materials, building envelope, roofing systems, waterproofing systems, contractor relationships, construction networking, job site sales, construction business development, women in construction, Cayla Hasner, New Castle Building Products, PermitZIP, Kenneth Shultz, Carter Huddleston, construction careers, building products sales, construction relationships

Takeaways

• Relationships still drive much of the construction industry, despite the rise of digital marketing and social media.

• Building materials sales often requires direct field engagement—visiting job sites, meeting contractors, and identifying opportunities in real time.

• The construction industry may appear massive, but strong networks and reputations make it feel like a small community.

• Face-to-face meetings and phone calls remain some of the most effective ways to build trust and secure business.

• Product reps play a critical role in connecting contractors with materials, manufacturers, and technical expertise.

• Hands-on experience—from testing labs to field sales—helps professionals better understand how building products perform in real-world conditions.

• Construction careers often evolve through unexpected paths, with many professionals entering the industry through referrals or opportunities.

Chapters

1. Welcome to The Blueprint Tour

2. Meet Cayla Hasner: Building Materials Sales

3. Life on the Road: Visiting Job Sites and Contractors

4. Roofing, Waterproofing, and the Building Envelope

5. Testing Building Materials and Performance Requirements

6. Construction Networking: Why Relationships Matter

7. Cold Calling, Job Sites, and Finding Leads

8. Marketing vs Real Conversations in Construction

9. Career Paths Into the Construction Industry

10. Final Thoughts on Sales, Networking, and Reputation

Where to Find Cayla Hasner

New Castle Building Products · LinkedIn · Twitter

Where to Find The Blueprint Tour

YouTube · TikTok · TheBPTour.com

Kenneth Shultz (Host) · Carter Huddleston (Host)

In this episode, hosts Kenneth Shultz and Carter Huddleston sit down with Cayla Hasner, Outside Sales Representative at New Castle Building Products, to talk about how deals actually happen in the construction industry.

From driving around job sites and spotting contractor signs to picking up the phone and setting up face-to-face meetings, Cayla shares what day-to-day life looks like on the sales side of building materials.

The conversation explores the realities of construction networking, the role of product reps in the building envelope world, and why relationships still play a major role in winning projects. Cayla also shares her unconventional take on social media and why she believes in-person connections still matter most in construction.

Candid, practical, and relatable, this episode offers a behind-the-scenes look at how relationships, hustle, and industry networks shape the construction business.

🎧 Full Episode drops March 10, 2026.

This is the S4E2 Teaser.

In this live-recorded Season 4 premiere of The Blueprint Tour, captured at the IIBEC Metro New York Chapter’s Building Smarter with AI conference, hosts Kenneth Shultz and Carter Huddleston sit down with Jonathan Ehrlich, CEO of T2D2, to unpack one of the biggest questions in the industry: Can AI truly replace engineering judgment?

Jonathan shares how T2D2 leverages computer vision, drone-based reality capture, and AI-powered reporting to automate building enclosure inspections, while also explaining why AI in AEC is fundamentally different from ChatGPT-style text generation. The conversation dives deep into image classification, instance segmentation, bounding boxes vs. crack-level detection, and the reality of training niche datasets in engineering environments.

Together, they explore the “engineer in the loop” model, why AI reviewing drawings isn’t quite there yet, the difference between hype and practical deployment, and how predictive maintenance, from vibration sensors to drone autonomy, fits into the real-world workflow of architects and engineers.

They also examine edge devices, NVIDIA platforms, 2D vs. 3D analysis, LiDAR, photogrammetry, and why data capture strategy may matter more than the model itself.

Technical, candid, and grounded in field experience, this episode separates AI ambition from engineering reality.

Keywords

AI in construction, AEC technology, computer vision, building enclosure inspection, engineering automation, predictive maintenance, drone inspections, T2D2, Jonathan Ehrlich, Kenneth Shultz, Carter Huddleston, PermitZIP, IIBEC Metro New York, NVIDIA AI, edge computing, reality capture, LiDAR, photogrammetry, machine learning in engineering, AI reviewing drawings, engineer in the loop

Takeaways

• AI in AEC functions best as a copilot, not a replacement for engineering judgment.

• Image detection in niche engineering applications is far more complex than general object recognition.

• Training high-quality datasets is one of the biggest bottlenecks in industry-specific AI.

• AI-powered reporting can reach 70–90% completion, but engineers still close the gap.

• Predictive maintenance requires structured data, not just sensors and optimism.

• Reality capture strategy (drones, LiDAR, imagery) directly impacts AI effectiveness.

• Edge AI plays a larger role in autonomous navigation than in inspection analysis, today.

Chapters

1. Welcome from IIBEC: Building Smarter with AI

2. Meet Jonathan Ehrlich and the Origin of T2D2

3. Computer Vision in Building Enclosure Inspections

4. Bounding Boxes vs. Instance Segmentation

5. Engineer in the Loop: Why AI Needs Oversight

6. AI Reviewing Drawings, Where It Stands Today

7. Predictive Maintenance and Sensor Data Reality

8. Edge Devices, NVIDIA, and AI Deployment

9. 2D vs. 3D Analysis: Point Clouds, LiDAR, and Drones

10. Data Capture Strategy and Workflow Integration

11. Final Thoughts: AI as Copilot, Not Replacement

Where to Find Jonathan Ehrlich

T2D2.AI · LinkedIn

Where to Find The Blueprint Tour

YouTube · TikTok · TheBPTour.com

Kenneth Shultz (Host) · Carter Huddleston (Host)

AI is everywhere in construction right now. Reviewing drawings. Predicting equipment failure. Automating inspections. Replacing engineers?

Or not.

In this episode, we sit down with Jonathan Ehrlich, CEO of T2D2, live in New York, and go deep into what AI can actually do inside architecture, engineering, and construction, and where it absolutely cannot.

We talk about:

• Why ChatGPT has distorted expectations for AI in engineering

• The reality of computer vision in facade inspections

• The “engineer in the loop” problem

• Why AI reviewing drawings isn’t quite there yet

• Predictive maintenance vs predictive fantasy

• 2D vs 3D detection, drones, LiDAR, and edge devices

If you work in AEC and are trying to separate AI signal from AI noise, this conversation is for you.

Full Episode drops March 3rd, 2026.

This is the S4E1 Teaser.