Episode Details

In this episode of Titans of the Trades, Ryan Englin welcomes Ben Kossow, the CEO of Riley Construction, for a powerful conversation about servant leadership, building culture from the job site up, and how process can create a safer, more productive, and more people-centered construction company.

Ben’s journey from entry-level project engineer to CEO is inspiring on its own, but what really stands out is his dedication to mentoring others, empowering frontline workers, and staying grounded in core values. You’ll hear how Riley Construction’s “in-step” system creates clarity on every project, how culture lives in job trailers as much as the boardroom, and why employee engagement is the next big opportunity in construction.

If you’re a construction leader ready to scale, invest in your team, and build a workplace people love, this is an episode you can’t miss.

Key Takeaways & Time Stamps:

• 00:58 – Meet Ben Kossow: From project engineer to CEO in 26 years.
• 03:21 – “Riley-tizing” systems: How Riley Construction customizes best practices into their own.
• 04:56 – Visual project management: Big Mac diagrams and the power of visual planning.
• 06:16 – Walking the trailer: What clients and tradespeople see that proves culture isn’t just talk.
• 07:55 – Safety through planning: How Riley’s lean approach proactively reduces risk.
• 10:03 – Defining culture: How Hi-Fi (Humility, Integrity, Flexibility, Initiative) drives everything.
• 12:36 – Mentoring the next generation: From youth camps to apprenticeships and site visits.
• 19:40 – Measuring engagement: How feedback loops are improving culture and retention.
• 24:40 – Listening in leadership: Why small changes (like better safety harnesses) create loyalty.
• 30:16 – Looking ahead: Why investing in people is the key to sustainable growth.

Connect With Ben:

Website: https://rileycon.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ben-kossow-leed-ap-aa187511/

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