In this episode of Behind the Barricade, Jim Christian sits down with Meri Gregg, Senior Project Manager at Avon Design Group, to explore what really drives performance in retail construction projects.

With more than 20 years of experience in the industry, Meri shares how she found her way into retail design, why she thrives in fast-paced project environments, and what Avon Design Group brings to the table across both commercial and retail architecture.

The conversation dives into the behind-the-scenes realities of project performance from the importance of upfront planning and clear communication to the systems, forms, and processes that help projects stay on budget and on schedule. Meri also shares practical insight into site surveys, as-builts, MEP coordination, and where collaboration tends to break down when projects go off track.

They also explore what the industry should be paying attention to moving forward, including the pressure to move faster, the risks of sacrificing quality for speed, and why some parts of construction simply can’t be rushed without consequences.

This episode is packed with practical insight for project managers, architects, contractors, and anyone involved in delivering successful retail construction projects.

Key Themes Throughout the Episode

• Why strong processes and planning create better-performing projects
• How real estate, design, and permitting all impact project success
• The role of clear communication in preventing costly mistakes
• Why surveys and site documentation are game changers in modern construction
• How better MEP coordination improves field execution
• What causes projects to break down — and how to avoid it
• Why the push for faster timelines often creates bigger downstream problems

Jenny Kim joins host Jim Christian to discuss her path from architecture into luxury retail construction, and the performance breakthroughs she's experienced managing store development projects.

Her Background Jenny started in NYC architecture before transitioning into real estate and then luxury retail, building her career through brands like YSL before landing at Canada Goose. She thrives in cross-functional team environments managing architects, engineers, and consultants.

The Standout Project Story Jenny's most compelling insight centers on a Chicago-area (Oak Brook) Canada Goose store she opened despite a U.S. government shutdown threatening the timeline. Her solution: procure and begin fabricating the bespoke storefront before a GC was even contracted. Working from survey dimensions and taking a calculated risk, she engaged a storefront vendor as a design assist, then transferred that contract to the GC once they came on board. She estimates this saved roughly three months on the schedule.

Key Themes Throughout the Episode

• Pre-construction diligence is the foundation of every successful project; reading every page of contract documents sets the baseline for change orders and accountability
• Partnerships with AORs, GCs, and QS firms create built-in checks and balances, though she acknowledges the risk of over-relying on a small circle
• Communication and no blame culture is her biggest tool against productivity breakdown
• AI is already influencing her Asia Pacific design teams and she expects it to reshape the industry

Sustainability is a priority at Canada Goose through their Reset material tracking system, though she candidly notes the tension between luxury retail's constant refurbishment cycle and genuine green practices

What does it really take to make construction projects successful?

In this episode of Behind the Barricade, Jim Christian sits down with Jim McNally of The Dimension Group, a construction veteran with more than 50 years of experience across civil engineering, retail development, grocery store construction, and large-scale rollout programs.

From building bridges across the Ohio River to delivering over 100 retail stores in a single year, Jim shares real-world lessons about what drives productivity and performance in construction projects.

In this conversation, Jim discusses:

• Why strong partnerships between developers, contractors, and construction managers are critical
• The importance of pre-construction planning and due diligence
• How supply chain challenges are impacting project timelines today
• Why spending time in the field with superintendents and project teams still matters
• The growing need for skilled trades and the next generation of construction professionals

Whether you're a construction manager, developer, engineer, or industry leader, this episode offers practical insights on improving project outcomes and navigating the challenges facing construction today.

🎧 Listen now to hear lessons from five decades in the construction industry.