In this episode of The Decision I Didn’t Make, a spinoff of the Construction Leaders Podcast, host Nick Soto, CAE, welcomes Carrie Rocha, PE, CCM, of ECC Corporation, to explore a bold decision that transformed the rehabilitation of MARTA’s Airport Station at Atlanta’s Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport. Carrie shares how a $50 million renovation project, originally facing an extended construction timeline while maintaining daily station operations, took an unexpected turn when the project team proposed a complete station shutdown. Through collaboration with transit officials, construction partners, and operations staff, the team developed an alternative transportation plan that allowed construction to proceed around the clock. The result was a six-week shutdown that dramatically accelerated the project and saved at least $6 million. Carrie reflects on the importance of challenging conventional approaches, engaging stakeholders early, and recognizing opportunities to rethink project delivery. The conversation offers valuable lessons in planning, communication, and collaborative decision-making that can lead to better outcomes for complex construction projects.

The Decision I Didn't Make Presents is produced by Association Briefings.

In this episode of The Decision I Didn’t Make, a spinoff of the Construction Leaders Podcast, host Evan Hendershot welcomes Drew White, CCM, of MOCA Systems, to share a lesson in the value of making decisions quickly and collaboratively. He explains how bringing the resident engineer, design manager and project manager together for daily meetings created greater transparency, accelerated decisions and strengthened trust among the project team, contractors and Department of Public Works. The approach ultimately helped reduce delays and change orders while delivering high-quality buildings under budget. Drew also discusses why decision speed can have a direct impact on cost and schedule and shares lessons about partnering, putting people first and investing in professional development through CMAA and the CCM credential.

The Decision I Didn't Make Presents is produced by Association Briefings.

In this episode of The Decision I Didn't Make, a spinoff of the Construction Leaders Podcast, host Evan Hendershot welcomes Barbara Reynolds, CCM, of RK&K, to discuss the challenges of stepping into a $1.2 billion federal program after critical project decisions had already been made. Reynolds shares how inadequate early staffing created immediate challenges and why bringing certified construction managers into the process before design begins can help owners anticipate needs and avoid costly problems. She also reflects on the importance of researching opportunities before taking on a new role, the value of strong people management and communication skills, and why even the toughest projects can provide valuable lessons for construction leaders.

The Decision I Didn't Make Presents is produced by Association Briefings.