• Cherise Lakeside

Cherise Lakeside is a seasoned Senior Spec Writer at RDH Building Science. With a rich career path spanning construction, architecture, and building science, Cherise has acquired a profound understanding of the design industry. She has been actively involved in teaching and mentorship, notably being a long-time instructor for the Construction Specifications Institute Education Program. In addition to her professional work, Cherise is the host of the detailed podcast produced by ARCAT, where she shares her industry insights and engages in deep discussions about architectural design and project execution.

In this episode of the Zweig Letter Podcast, host Randy Wilburn sits down with Cherise Lakeside, a notable figure in the architecture and design sector. With a career that began unexpectedly in high school, Cherise narrates her journey from administrative roles to becoming a respected spec writer and public speaker in the industry. She emphasizes the importance of mentorship and shares her experiences with speaking engagements and the impact of social media on her career. This episode offers listeners a compelling narrative about career evolution and the diverse paths within the architectural industry.

Cherise Lakeside discusses her unexpected foray into the world of podcasting as the host of the detailed podcast on ARCAT. Initially hesitant, Cherise embraced the opportunity and has since relished the engagement with various experts in the field. Her podcast focuses on sharing knowledge and offering practical insights, making it a valuable resource for professionals in the design world. Throughout the conversation, Cherise highlights the importance of authenticity and connection, which resonates deeply with the podcast's growing audience of listeners seeking technical and inspirational content.

• Career Evolution in Design: Cherise Lakeside shares her unique journey within the architectural industry and the benefits of exploring cross-disciplinary opportunities.
• The Power of Mentorship: Emphasizing the significance of mentorship, Cherise elaborates on her teaching ventures and the impact of guiding the next generation of design professionals.
• Insights into Podcasting: Learn how Cherise transitioned to becoming a podcast host, her strategies for engaging conversations, and the benefits for both mentors and mentees within her content.
• Industry Impact: The detailed podcast serves as an educational platform, addressing real-life challenges in architecture and offering detailed insights that encourage positive changes within the industry.
• Networking and Collaboration: The episode highlights how developing relationships through conferences, social media, and podcasting can lead to substantial professional growth and brand elevation.

Chapters:

• 00:03 - Introduction to the Zweig Letter Podcast
• 02:49 - The Journey of Shareese Lakeside: From Receptionist to Spec Writer
• 14:15 - The Importance of Mentorship in the Design...

"The ownership transition is not just about percentages; it's about value and creating a legacy."

• John R. McAdams

About the Guest:

John R. McAdams is the founder of McAdams, a leading engineering, planning, and design firm that has shaped communities for over 40 years. Known for his entrepreneurial spirit and dedication to innovation, John has led transformative projects in land development and infrastructure. In this episode, he shares his journey as an industry leader, offering valuable insights into business growth, leadership, and passing the torch to the next generation of design professionals.

This episode of the Zweig Letter Podcast dives into the journey of founding the John R. McAdams Company in 1979 by John R. McAdams himself. He discusses the company's initial funding, the deliberate planning, and the establishment of a professional services firm rather than a solo practice. The episode focuses on the company's continuous ownership transition program, highlighting the importance of valuation, crafting a shareholder's agreement, and the procedures for transitioning ownership. McAdams elaborates on the criteria for inviting new owners and the benefits of a systematic ownership distribution to retain talent, ensure fairness, and promote growth without needing to sell the firm at retirement. Specific strategies, including leveraging Zweig Group's industry ratios and avoiding ESOPs to concentrate ownership among key contributors, are explained. The episode concludes with McAdams's personal story and plans for his shares as he approaches retirement.

• Founding and Vision: John R. McAdams established the John R. McAdams Company in 1979 with initial funding and deliberate planning to create a professional services firm, distinguishing it from a solo practice.
• Ownership Transition Program: The company emphasizes a structured ownership transition program, including valuation, crafting a shareholder's agreement, and defined procedures to transition ownership, ensuring talent retention, fairness, and growth.
• Strategic Ownership Distribution: The firm uses industry ratios from Zweig Group and avoids ESOPs, focusing on concentrated ownership among key contributors to sustain the firm's success and avoid selling at retirement.
• Criteria for New Owners: McAdams outlines specific criteria for inviting new owners, ensuring that ownership is distributed to those who significantly contribute to the company's success and align with its long-term vision.
• Personal Reflections and Plans: The episode concludes with McAdams sharing his personal story and discussing his plans for his shares as he nears retirement, providing insight into his leadership philosophy and succession planning.

All this and more on this episode of the Zweig Letter podcast.

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"You never know where you are going to learn information that is going to potentially be game-changing for you."

• Justin Smith

About the Moderator:

Justin Smith is a renowned expert in project management strategies and tactics, providing strategic consulting and training for the Zweig Group. With an impressive track record in business growth and leadership, Justin brings a wealth of knowledge to the discussion.

Join us as Justin Smith moderates a panel of esteemed experts, including Aaron Lauinger, Tiara Marcus, and Brian Sielaff, representing firms excelling in client engagement, project leadership, and culture protection. Discover how to drive return on investment (ROI) and ownership of your most valuable initiatives throughout your organization in this engaging panel discussion from the ElevateAEC Conference. Industry experts share their insights on the essential role of high-level sponsorship and the importance of aligning initiatives with company culture. They emphasize that achieving significant change requires a commitment to client engagement and empathy, which ultimately enhances brand identity and client experience. The conversation also highlights the necessity of ruthless prioritization and accountability in implementing successful strategies. Through real-world examples and candid reflections on missteps, this episode offers valuable takeaways for any firm looking to elevate its operations and foster long-term growth.

• Client Engagement: Developing a differentiated brand through meaningful client interactions is crucial for standing out in a crowded market.
• Project Leadership: Empathy and client-centric approaches are essential for transforming project management into project leadership.
• Culture Protection: Maintaining a strong organizational culture requires intentional decision-making and aligning office environments with company values.
• Strategic Initiatives: Successful initiatives require high-level sponsorship, clear ROI measurement, and a commitment to long-term goals.
• Change Management: Adapting to change involves ruthless prioritization and ensuring the right people are driving initiatives forward.

All this and more on this episode of the Zweig Letter podcast.

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