Dirt Talk by BuildWitt

Aaron recaps the wins and lessons learned at BuildWitt this week. Learn more about attending the 2026 Ariat Dirt World Summit by visiting https://events.dirtworld.com/event/summit-2026/summary Want to better train and develop your teams? Check out BuildWitt Improve! https://buildwitt.com/product Questions or feedback? Email us at [email protected]! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Casey Dillon is President and CEO of Atlas Excavating, an Indiana-based civil construction company specializing in tough projects, especially complex underground utility installation. Casey started at the company decades ago alongside his parents and now leads the business with his brother as the second generation, with planning now focused on what the third generation will look like. Follow Casey on LinkedIn at: https://www.linkedin.com/in/casey-dillon-91303517/ Learn more about Atlas Excavating at: https://atlasdigs.com Want to better train and develop your civil construction workforce and leaders? Check out BuildWitt Improve! https://buildwitt.com Questions or feedback? Email us at [email protected]! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Aaron recaps the wins and lessons learned at BuildWitt this week. Learn more about attending the 2026 Ariat Dirt World Summit by visiting https://events.dirtworld.com/event/summit-2026/summary Want to better train and develop your teams? Check out BuildWitt Improve! https://buildwitt.com/product Questions or feedback? Email us at [email protected]! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Daron is the founder of Blackbird Mission and, most recently, Rogue Collective, a coaching platform for leaders who want to discover and live out their God-given purpose in business. Not only are we huge believers in his mission, but he’s working with many folks in the Dirt World nowadays, too! Learn more about Rouge Collective at: https://www.daronearlewine.com/rogue/ Follow Daron on LinkedIn at: https://www.linkedin.com/in/daron-earlewine-1b625969/ Learn more about attending the 2026 Ariat Dirt World Summit by visiting https://events.dirtworld.com/event/summit-2026/summary Want to better train and develop your teams? Check out BuildWitt Improve! https://buildwitt.com/product Questions or feedback? Email us at [email protected]! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Aaron recaps the wins and lessons learned at BuildWitt this week. Learn more about attending the 2026 Ariat Dirt World Summit by visiting https://events.dirtworld.com/event/summit-2026/summary Want to better train and develop your teams? Check out BuildWitt Improve! https://buildwitt.com/product Questions or feedback? Email us at [email protected]! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Randy is the CEO of BuildWitt. THE BuildWitt. After building a civil construction company from a small family business to one of Arizona’s most capable contractors, he joined BuildWitt to develop the Dirt World’s next generation in a bigger way. Follow Randy on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/randy-blount-04a895a/ Learn more about BuildWitt here: https://buildwitt.com/ Want to better train and develop your civil construction teams? Check out BuildWitt Improve! https://buildwitt.com/product Questions or feedback? Email us at [email protected]! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Aaron recaps the wins and lessons learned at BuildWitt this week. Learn more about attending the 2026 Ariat Dirt World Summit by visiting https://events.dirtworld.com/event/summit-2026/summary Want to better train and develop your teams? Check out BuildWitt Improve! https://buildwitt.com/product Questions or feedback? Email us at [email protected]! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jeff is the Vice President of Safety Services at Graham Company, an insurance broker and risk-management firm specializing in high-risk industries, like construction. After spending decades working in and for the industry, he now spends most of his time educating teams on how to reduce risk and incidents through genuine care. Learn more about Graham Company at: https://grahamco.com/ Follow Jeff on LinkedIn at: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeffrey-spatz/ Want to better train and develop your teams? Check out BuildWitt Improve! https://buildwitt.com/product Questions or feedback? Email us at [email protected]! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Aaron recaps the wins and lessons learned at BuildWitt this week. Learn more about attending the 2026 Ariat Dirt World Summit by visiting https://events.dirtworld.com/event/summit-2026/summary Want to better train and develop your teams? Check out BuildWitt Improve! https://buildwitt.com/product Questions or feedback? Email us at [email protected]! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Keith is President of Brubacher Excavating, a large site work and civil contractor based in Eastern Pennsylvania. Taking charge of the company in his early 30s, he’s learned many fun and not-so-fun lessons along the way and is now considering what the third generation of leadership looks like within the long-standing company. Learn more about Brubacher Excavating, Inc. at: https://www.brubacher.net/ Follow Keith on LinkedIn at: https://www.linkedin.com/in/keith-brubacher-2b867814/ Want to better train and develop your teams? Check out BuildWitt Improve! https://buildwitt.com/productQuestions or feedback? Email us at [email protected]! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Aaron recaps the wins and lessons learned at BuildWitt this week. Learn more about attending the 2026 Ariat Dirt World Summit by visiting https://events.dirtworld.com/event/summit-2026/summary Want to better train and develop your teams? Check out BuildWitt Improve! https://buildwitt.com/product Questions or feedback? Email us at [email protected]! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

I’m back to answer listener questions! Got more? Send them to [email protected] for me to answer on future episodes! Learn more about BuildWitt at: https://www.buildwitt.com/ Learn more about attending the 2026 Ariat Dirt World Summit by visiting https://events.dirtworld.com/event/summit-2026/summary Want to better train and develop your teams? Check out BuildWitt Improve! https://buildwitt.com/product Questions or feedback? Email us at [email protected]! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Aaron shares an update about his recent visit out west for the vlog and other various company happenings. Questions or feedback? Email us at [email protected]! To learn more about attending the 2026 Ariat Dirt World Summit, visit www.dirtworld.com! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Aaron recaps the wins and lessons learned at BuildWitt this week. Learn more about attending the 2026 Ariat Dirt World Summit by visiting https://events.dirtworld.com/event/summit-2026/summary Want to better train and develop your teams? Check out BuildWitt Improve! https://buildwitt.com/product Questions or feedback? Email us at [email protected]! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jason is BuildWitt’s President of Dirt World, encompassing our annual leadership event (the Ariat Dirt World Summit), and our community-building efforts on Dirt World Connect. After decades working in the construction and materials industries, working his way up from a shovel to company leadership, Jason’s now putting his skills to the test to help build the Dirt World’s next generation of workers and leaders! Follow Jason on LinkedIn at: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jasonbrichmond/ Learn more about attending the 2026 Ariat Dirt World Summit by visiting https://events.dirtworld.com/event/summit-2026/summary Want to better train and develop your teams? Check out BuildWitt Improve! https://buildwitt.com/product Questions or feedback? Email us at [email protected]! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Clay Greene is the Construction Technology Department Manager at Garney Construction, America’s largest water and wastewater infrastructure contractor. Starting his career in the field, he now uses his experience to serve the thousands of Garney employee owners by effectively implementing the latest construction technology, from drones to software. Learn more about Garney Construction at: https://www.garney.com/ Follow Clay on LinkedIn at: https://www.linkedin.com/in/clay-greene-80163559/ Learn more about attending the 2026 Ariat Dirt World Summit by visiting https://events.dirtworld.com/event/summit-2026/summary Want to better train and develop your teams? Check out BuildWitt Improve! https://buildwitt.com/product Questions or feedback? Email us at [email protected]! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Aaron shares the run down on what the heck the BuildWitt Dashboard is for company use and how this important system plays a role in Transparency Wins. Questions or feedback? Email us at [email protected]! To learn more about attending the 2026 Ariat Dirt World Summit, visit www.dirtworld.com! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Judd is President of JP Excavating, a civil construction company that does just about everything, from mass excavation to paving, around the St. George, Utah area. He’s no stranger to trying new ways of doing things, most recently embarking on a fleet painting scheme and a new training effort. Learn more about JP Excavating at: https://www.linkedin.com/company/jp-excavating/ Follow Judd on Instagram: @jpex1993 Learn more about attending the 2026 Ariat Dirt World Summit by visiting https://events.dirtworld.com/event/summit-2026/summary Want to better train and develop your teams? Check out BuildWitt Improve! https://buildwitt.com/product Questions or feedback? Email us at [email protected]! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Aaron lays out and elaborates on the eight lessons he learned in 2025. Questions or feedback? Email us at [email protected]! To learn more about attending the 2026 Ariat Dirt World Summit, visit www.dirtworld.com! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Andrew Brown is the Founder and Host of Trades Media, an organization dedicated to growing the trades through attracting and developing Gen Z. After decades of running a nationwide safety supply company, he made the plunge into promoting the trades full-time. Odds are you’ve seen his stuff! Learn more about Andrew Brown at: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrew-brown-b1736a5/ Follow Trades Media on LinkedIn at: https://www.linkedin.com/company/trades-media/ Learn more about attending the 2026 Ariat Dirt World Summit by visiting www.dirtworld.com! Questions or feedback? Email us at [email protected]! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Aaron shares his thoughts on the two week Christmas break and it’s impact on the BuildWitt team. Questions or feedback? Email us at [email protected]! To learn more about attending the 2026 Ariat Dirt World Summit, visit www.dirtworld.com! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ben Warren is the President and Founder of Warren Land Solutions, a land clearing contractor working in the southern US. Now in his 30s, he’s learned a lot of lessons along the way! Learn more about Ben Warren at: https://www.linkedin.com/in/warren-solutions/ Follow Warren Land Solutions on LinkedIn at: https://www.linkedin.com/company/warren-land-solutions/ Learn more about attending the 2026 Ariat Dirt World Summit by visiting www.dirtworld.com! Questions or feedback? Email us at [email protected]! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

For the final installment of updates for 2025, Aaron recaps a recent office cleanup and why this is so important. Aaron also gives some final project and platform updates as the BuildWitt team closed out the year strong. Questions or feedback? Email us at [email protected]! To learn more about attending the 2026 Ariat Dirt World Summit, visit www.dirtworld.com! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Rod Bull is CEO of Komatsu North America… He leads a team of thousands building and supporting machines that move dirt, mine resources, and keep our world moving. Starting as an analyst, he worked his way through other OEMs, eventually landing at Komatsu with their acquisition of Joy Global in 2017. He officially took over as CEO of Komatsu North America in 2025. Learn more about Komatsu at: https://www.linkedin.com/company/komatsu/posts/?feedView=all Learn more about Komatsu North America at: https://www.linkedin.com/company/komatsunorthamerica/posts/?feedView=all Follow Rod Bull on LinkedIn at: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rod-bull-6136904b/ Learn more about attending the 2026 Ariat Dirt World Summit by visiting www.dirtworld.com!Questions or feedback? Email us at [email protected]! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Aaron gives a quick recap on his recent trip to Dubai, some new things coming to BuildWitt Improve, sales talk, and lastly, what the heck is up with benefits at BuildWitt. Questions or feedback? Email us at [email protected]! To learn more about attending the 2026 Ariat Dirt World Summit, visit www.dirtworld.com! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Randy Gravitt is Co-Founder of Lead Every Day, a business dedicated to helping develop leaders within the professional world. Starting as a high school teacher and then spending a career within Ministry, Randy has learned plenty about not only how to lead at work, but most importantly, at home. Learn more about Lead Every Day at: https://www.linkedin.com/company/lead-every-day/ Follow Randy Gravitt on LinkedIn at: https://www.linkedin.com/in/randygravitt/Questions or feedback? Email us at [email protected]! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Aaron dives into what’s been going on to plan for Q1 and shares some insight into the 2026 BuildWitt budget. Questions or feedback? Email us at [email protected]! To learn more about attending the 2026 Ariat Dirt World Summit, visit www.dirtworld.com! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Joel McKee is President of McKee Construction, a Mississippi-based site work contractor. After an upbringing around forestry, Joel saw earthwork and utilities as a way to escape his previous job as a land broker. After five years of building the business, they have learned many valuable lessons! Learn more about McKee Construction at: https://mckeecompanies.com/ Follow Joel on LinkedIn at: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joel-mckee-8886a3271/ Questions or feedback? Email us at [email protected]! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Aaron reflects on giving thanks to those involved in the Dirt World, gives a snapshot on internal BuildWitt employee time off, and covers some other various BuildWitt happenings going on right now. Questions or feedback? Email us at [email protected]! To learn more about attending the 2026 Ariat Dirt World Summit, visit www.dirtworld.com! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Aaron gives his 2025 Ariat Dirt World Summit talk, which focuses on the state of the construction industry, the enormous opportunity ahead, and how leaders can and must adopt a future-focused mindset. Learn more about BuildWitt at: https://buildwitt.com/ Questions or feedback? Email us at [email protected]! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Aaron shares some thoughts on YouTube and how it fits into the organization as a whole and updates on the money raised for charity at the 2025 Ariat Dirt World Summit. Questions or feedback? Email us at [email protected]! To learn more about attending the 2026 Ariat Dirt World Summit, visit www.dirtworld.com! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Michele and Mike O’Rourke lead O’Rourke Wrecking Company, a Cincinnati-based demolition company with a long history of challenging projects across Ohio and beyond. As a husband and wife who took over the business unexpectedly decades ago, they’ve worked together to not only grow the company, but the demolition industry as a whole. Learn more about O’Rourke Wrecking at: https://www.linkedin.com/company/o'rourke-wrecking-company/ Follow Michele on LinkedIn at: https://www.linkedin.com/in/micheleorourke/ Follow Mike on LinkedIn at: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-o-rourke-2a55a77/ Questions or feedback? Email us at [email protected]! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Aaron gives an update on meeting a huge sales goal for the 2026 Ariat Dirt World Summit and a breakdown of the 100 new training videos added to the Improve platform. Questions or feedback? Email us at [email protected]! To learn more about attending the 2026 Ariat Dirt World Summit, visit www.dirtworld.com! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Adam is the Founder of AIM Intelligent Machines, a US-based company that automates ground-engaging machines, such as dozers and excavators, using AI and machine learning. Now a few years into business, they’re scaling across construction and mining operations worldwide. Learn more about AIM at: https://www.linkedin.com/company/aim-intelligent-machines/ Follow Adam on LinkedIn at: https://www.linkedin.com/in/adamsadilek/ Questions or feedback? Email us at [email protected]! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Aaron recaps the wins and lessons learned after the close of the 2025 Ariat Dirt World Summit. Questions or feedback? Email us at [email protected]! To learn more about attending the 2026 Ariat Dirt World Summit, visit www.dirtworld.com! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Aaron's back to answer your questions. Send us your questions — [email protected]! Questions or feedback? Email us at [email protected]! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Aaron talks about a recent tough pickle he had to tackle, his Vlog trip to visit Casella and their waste management operations, and the latest surrounding Dirt World. Questions or feedback? Email us at [email protected]! To learn more about attending the 2026 Ariat Dirt World Summit, visit www.dirtworld.com! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Brian Anderson is President of Bear Construction, a site work company based in Middle Tennessee. Started in 2019 by driving to water service projects in a Kia, Brian’s shared much of his business journey online for others to see and learn from. Learn more about Bear Construction at: https://tnbearllc.com/ Follow Brian Anderson on LinkedIn at: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brian-anderson-08415560/ Learn more about attending the 2026 Ariat Dirt World Summit by visiting www.dirtworld.com! Questions or feedback? Email us at [email protected]! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Aaron recaps his recent speaking engagement at the annual Bring Back the Trades event, some quick thoughts on AI tools, and what it means to have had 1,300+ attendees at the 2025 Ariat Dirt World Summit. Questions or feedback? Email us at [email protected]! To learn more about attending the 2026 Ariat Dirt World Summit, visit www.dirtworld.com! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dick’s CEO of Bluelight Machines, an autonomous civil construction machine startup that’s already working with leading civil companies nationwide to automate rollers and articulated trucks. He’s using many lessons learned from building a previous technology company serving the civil construction and mining industries to help contractors build better than ever. Learn more about Bluelight Machines at: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bluelight-machines/ Follow Dick Zhang on LinkedIn at: https://www.linkedin.com/in/zhangr/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Aaron recaps his attendance at a recent Dale Carnegie conference and gives some thoughts on learning culture. Questions or feedback? Email us at [email protected]!To learn more about attending the 2026 Ariat Dirt World Summit, visit www.dirtworld.com! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Paul is President of Solomon Builders, a Nashville-based general contractor who’s performed notable work like the Ramsey Solutions HQ and the Nashville Zoo. After a tragic event in 2020 put the company's future in question, they’ve been on a journey to define who they are and double down on it. Learn more about Solomon Builders: https://www.solomonbuilders.com/ Follow Paul on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/paul-jones-378a6a46/ Learn more about attending the 2026 Ariat Dirt World Summit by visiting www.dirtworld.com! Questions or feedback? Email us at [email protected]! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Aaron recaps the latest at BuildWitt. Questions or feedback? Email us at [email protected]! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Joe is CEO of East Bay Tire, a California-based tire distributor and service provider, serving anyone from trucking companies to ports to quarries. With thousands of customers and applications, Joe is taking the company in a more service and data-driven direction, aiming to educate customers and provide greater value than the traditional tire model. And while not sexy, the whole world moves on tires! Follow Joe: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joepehanick/ Learn more about East Bay Tire: https://eastbaytire.com/ Listen to the Around the Bead Podcast: https://www.aroundthebead.com/ Questions or feedback? Email us at [email protected]! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Aaron gives a look ahead to 2026 and discusses churn. Questions or feedback? Email us at [email protected]! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jared Kuepfer started a crushing business in Ontario, Canada, in 2019 after spotting an opportunity in the market, and has been full-send since. He has learned through trial and error and has shared the lessons he's learned along the way online. Learn more about ARRO Crushing at: https://www.arrocrushing.ca/ Follow Jared on LinkedIn at: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jaredarrocrushing/ Learn more about attending the 2025 Ariat Dirt World Summit by visiting www.dirtworld.com! Questions or feedback? Email us at [email protected]! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Aaron recaps the wins and lessons learned at BuildWitt this week. Questions or feedback? Email us at [email protected]!To learn more about attending the 2025 Ariat Dirt World Summit, visit www.dirtworld.com! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

After a long career in equipment sales and dealer leadership, Alex Kraft thought there may be a better way to buy and sell machines. After realizing the bigger need was servicing equipment, he pivoted Heave to become a marketplace connecting independent technicians with contractors needing service. It’s NEAT. Learn more about Heave at: https://www.heaveapp.com/ Follow Alex on LinkedIn at: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alex-kraft-531408146/ Learn more about attending the 2025 Ariat Dirt World Summit by visiting www.dirtworld.com! Questions or feedback? Email us at [email protected]! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Aaron opens up about the latest changes at BuildWitt, including the tough decision to let several team members go. He talks candidly about what led to this moment, the lessons learned from past financial challenges, and how the company is shifting from investor-backed growth to true profitability. It’s a raw look at what it takes to stay focused, stay honest, and keep building for the next generation of the Dirt World. Questions or feedback? Email us at [email protected]! To learn more about attending the 2025 Ariat Dirt World Summit, visit www.dirtworld.com! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

While Peter Banks has spent his entire career in the demolition industry, working anywhere from Boston to Detroit, he’s now working on his biggest project yet—elevating the industry. Thanks to the National Demolition Association (NDA), the industry has common safety standards, training, and new legitimate certifications. Learn more by visiting the NDA website: https://www.demolitionassociation.com/ Learn more about attending the 2025 Ariat Dirt World Summit by visiting www.dirtworld.com! Questions or feedback? Email us at [email protected]! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices