In this episode of On the Surface, Seth sits down once again with fan‑favorite guest (and unofficial co‑host) Taylor Kirn for an honest look at what really happens when you step into a management role for the first time. From the shock of overnight responsibility to the emotional weight of leading people you once worked beside, Taylor breaks down the challenges new managers face—and the parts no one warns you about.

Taylor shares her early experiences overseeing team members, including her struggle with delegation, learning to trust others’ processes, and discovering that there’s more than one “right” way to get things done. Through stories about mentors, technology mishaps, and even a paper‑folding machine she found way too late, she explains how growth often comes from embracing discomfort, letting go of control, and making room for people to surprise you.

Together, Seth and Taylor unpack the toughest parts of becoming a manager: balancing daily tasks with new leadership responsibilities, navigating the pressure of constant communication, managing personalities, setting boundaries with former peers, and building resilience when the job feels like “getting punched in the face for a year.” They explore why the first management jump is the hardest in any career—and why trusting your team, asking for help, and being honest about what you don’t know are essential skills, not weaknesses.

Taylor also sheds light on the critical role HR plays in supporting new supervisors, from handling sensitive conversations to navigating policies like FMLA, time off, and compliance issues that can quickly go sideways without guidance. She explains why bringing HR in early matters, how communication shapes culture, and why consistency and follow‑through are the foundations of effective leadership.

It’s a candid, insightful conversation about the human side of managing people—the mindset shifts, the uncomfortable moments, the lessons learned the hard way, and the growth that happens when you finally realize: management isn’t about doing the work…it’s about leading the people who do.

Thanks for listening!

Check us out:

deltacos.com

Instragram

LinkedIn

In this episode of On The Surface, Seth and Brad welcome back Taylor Kirn for a deep dive into one of the most pivotal decisions any company faces: internal promotions vs. external hires.

From the real costs of leadership transitions to the morale boost of promoting from within, the trio breaks down what makes these decisions so impactful—and so challenging. They explore how to identify true leadership potential, when a fresh external perspective is worth the investment, and why succession planning matters more than ever in today’s shifting workforce.

Taylor sheds light on the growing skills gap and what it means for career paths in construction and manufacturing, while Brad talks candidly about performance, cultural fit, and why soft skills often outweigh technical ability at higher levels of leadership. The group also shares practical advice for anyone who's been passed over for a promotion—and how to turn that setback into fuel for growth.

Whether you're leading teams, building a career, or just curious about how organizations make people decisions, this episode is packed with insight, transparency, and a few hard truths.

Thanks for listening!

Check us out:

deltacos.com

Instragram

LinkedIn

In this episode of On the Surface, we sit down with Justin Counce—Delta’s Safety Coordinator—to explore the unconventional path that led him from chemistry labs and chromatography machines to job sites, quarry pits, and the front lines of safety culture. From studying finance for “30 minutes” to working in manufacturing and eventually discovering a passion for helping people work smarter and safer, Justin shares how curiosity, real‑world experience, and relationship‑building shaped his entire career.

He walks through the evolution of safety at Delta—from the early days of reactive compliance and paper forms to proactive culture-building, CI teams, and digital inspections that keep crews protected and projects moving. Justin opens up about the shift toward collaborative safety, the importance of trust on a job site, and how complacency can sneak in even for the most experienced workers. He also breaks down what safety really looks like today: navigating regulations, supporting crews across multiple states, investigating incidents, managing environmental compliance, and preparing for a future filled with sensors, AI tools, autonomous equipment, and smarter training.

Justin also draws surprising parallels between his role at Delta and his life coaching youth sports. From teaching attitude and effort to managing emotions, building mental toughness, and holding people accountable with empathy, he explains how lessons from the baseball field translate directly into leading teams and keeping people safe. Along the way he shares stories about wins, missteps, tough inspections, community complaints, and why treating everyone with respect—no matter their job title—remains his guiding principle.

It’s an inside look at the human side of safety: the culture, conversations, and coaching that make a difference long before any paperwork ever does.

Thanks for listening!

Check us out:

deltacos.com

Instragram

LinkedIn

In this episode of On the Surface, we sit down with Brad Marotti and Jordan Janet to dig into the habits, mindsets, and daily choices that shape who we are as men, husbands, fathers, and leaders. What starts as a light conversation about podcasts turns into a deep exploration of why people crave long-form dialogue, how modern culture is reshaping connection, and why intentionality matters more than ever.

Brad and Jordan open up about the flood of information young people face, the difficulty of staying grounded in your values, and the ongoing work of building routines that support physical, emotional, spiritual, and intellectual wellbeing. From balancing the “five F’s” to shifting your personal bell curve, they share the frameworks that have helped them navigate busier careers, growing kids, and the realities of adulthood.

They discuss what it means to stay patient, aware, and present in a world full of noise, the challenges of raising children in a tech-heavy era, and the importance of carving out quiet space to think. The conversation hits on discipline, confidence, marriage, burnout, and the deceptively simple practices—early mornings, movement, reading, prayer, undistracted presence—that can change the trajectory of your life.

It’s an honest look at how hard it is to stay balanced, how easy it is to drift, and how powerful small, consistent choices can be over years. Whether you’re a parent, a leader, or someone trying to build better habits, this episode offers perspective that hits differently depending on where you are in life—and that’s exactly the point.

Thanks for listening!

Check us out:

deltacos.com

Instragram

LinkedIn

In this episode of On the Surface, we sit down with Craig McClellan and Russell Goss—Delta’s IT Manager and IT Technician—to uncover the technology, teamwork, and troubleshooting that keep our construction operations running every single day. From dial‑up internet and building their first PCs to supporting hundreds of employees across multiple states, Craig and Russell share how they each found their way into IT and why the role has never been more essential.

They walk through the realities of modern tech in a construction environment—networking, VoIP systems, cybersecurity, cloud servers, and the never‑ending stream of access requests and password resets—while also breaking down the “boots on the ground” part of IT that most people never see. From plant outages and high‑pressure fixes to organizing messy network rooms and prepping for AI‑driven support tools, they explain how IT touches every dollar made in the company.

Craig and Russell also explore the future: fully connected plants, AI‑powered troubleshooting, drones that analyze job sites, and the expanding need for digital security as cyber threats grow. They open up about leadership, staying curious, adapting to constant change, and why construction is a rock‑solid industry for young people entering the workforce—especially those interested in technology.

It’s an inside look at the people behind the screens who keep the business online, secure, and moving forward—one ticket, one server, and one reboot at a time.

Thanks for listening!

Check us out:

deltacos.com

Instragram

LinkedIn

In this episode of On the Surface, we sit down with Austin Williams, Senior Estimator at Delta Companies, to explore a career built through unexpected turns, steady growth, and a willingness to step into unfamiliar territory.

Austin grew up with sports at the center of his life and initially expected to follow his parents into education. A college drafting class changed everything and introduced him to construction management, eventually leading to an internship with MoDOT. That experience became his first exposure to horizontal construction and ultimately guided him to Delta, where his career took shape through trial, learning, and a lot of night work he didn’t see coming.

Austin reflects on what it felt like to walk into an asphalt plant role with no experience and lead people who had spent years mastering their craft. He explains how leaning on others, staying humble, and being open to learning helped him gain trust and confidence. His time at the plant became a turning point in his career, giving him hands‑on knowledge he still depends on today.

We talk through his move into project management after the Ace Asphalt acquisition, the unique world of commercial estimating, and the emotional side of bidding work. Austin shares how competitiveness can be both motivating and challenging, why teamwork keeps estimating grounded, and how strong relationships inside the office help maintain perspective when the pressure is on.

Finally, he discusses his goals for the future, including expanding Delta’s reach beyond its traditional footprint and focusing on work that is fulfilling, not just profitable.

Thanks for listening!

Check us out:

deltacos.com

Instragram

LinkedIn

In this episode of On the Surface, we sit down with Derrick Schatte, Delta’s Paving Superintendent for Missouri, to trace an unconventional path from a thousand-acre farm to leading crews and building winning asphalt operations. Starting on a tractor at nine years old, Derrick shares how farming shaped his work ethic—and why increasing red tape, unstable margins, and debt pressure pushed him to find a more sustainable future for his family.

From land investing (including strategic flips and big “catapult” moments) to habitat creation and waterfowl management, Derrick explains how passion projects can become real businesses—and how construction became the perfect blend of building something tangible and solving problems in real time. He tells the story of how fate (and one very unlucky paver operator) put him in the driver’s seat early at Delta, and how he grew from paver operator to foreman, to estimator/project management, and now into a superintendent role.

Along the way, Derrick opens up about leadership learned in the field—earning respect through empathy, calm, and consistency—plus the real challenges of stepping up: new terminology, paperwork, pay requests, and the fear of missing details that matter. It’s a candid conversation about taking opportunities before you feel “ready,” staying grounded in faith, and building a life your family can enjoy—not just endure.

Thanks for listening!

Check us out:

deltacos.com

Instragram

LinkedIn

On this week’s On the Surface, Seth Stevens and Brad Marotti talk with Zach Green, Executive Vice President of Colas Inc., about his career journey and the leadership lessons he learned along the way. Zach shares how he grew from an entry level role in quality control at the Cape Girardeau Quarry to leading multiple business units across the country, and how accountability, mobility, and strong mentorship shaped his development.

He also discusses the challenges of managing managers, the importance of surrounding yourself with the right people, and how honest feedback helps leaders grow. The conversation covers work life balance, major transitions in his career, and the tough decisions that come with senior leadership.

Zach closes by looking ahead at the future of the industry, including technology, automation, workforce changes, and his upcoming role as Chair of NSSGA.

Thanks for listening!

Check us out:

deltacos.com

Instragram

LinkedIn