Behind the Mic

Season 3

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Episode 1 | Episode 2

Episode 1

From Family Legacy to Industry Leadership: Cole Beadin on CFA Certification

In this episode, we sit down with Cole Beaudin, a third-generation concrete contractor whose family has been shaping the residential concrete industry for decades. Cole shares the inspiring story of his family’s deep roots with the Concrete Foundations Association (CFA), from his grandfather being one of the seven original founders in 1975 to their family business thriving since 1965.

Cole dives into the impact of CFA certification on his career and team, explaining how it has opened doors for superintendents and foremen while setting a higher standard for the industry. He candidly discusses the initial challenges of navigating the certification process and how CFA’s resources, like the learning management system with recorded PowerPoints and slides, provided a clear roadmap to success.

Beyond personal growth, Cole emphasizes how certification elevates the entire residential concrete industry by promoting consistent standards and signaling a commitment to quality over shortcuts. His advice to hesitant contractors? Pursue certification, not just for your business’s long-term growth, but to contribute to a stronger, more aware industry.

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Episode 2

Navigating Employee Benefits for Foundation Contractors – A Conversation with Marsh McLennan Agency

In this episode, Trenton Baty, CFA’s Membership and Marketing Director, sits down with Devin Pickett and John Puetz from Marsh McLennan Agency. CFA’s trusted partner for employee benefits and retirement plans. Together, they address the unique challenges faced by foundation contractors, such as rising healthcare costs, limited HR infrastructure, labor shortages and navigating complex compliance across state lines.

John shares how offering competitive, customized benefits can enhance a contractor’s total rewards package, helping attract and retain top talent. Devin highlights the advantages of CFA’s aggregated risk pool, which gives smaller contractors access to stable, big-company-level benefits.

They also encourage contractors to evaluate their current plans for a better fit and invite CFA members to connect with them through the CFA staff or at CFACON26 in Milwaukee.

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