Verify In Field: The Millwork Podcast

Four Decades In. John Mercure on Risk and Resilience

Text us your feedback on the podcast!In this episode of Verify In Field, host Jacob Edmond sits down with John Mercure, President of Raydeo Enterprises, to explore four decades of leadership in architectural metals, millwork, and signage. From humble beginnings in neon signs to delivering complex scopes on stadiums, high rises, and major commercial projects, John shares the lessons that shaped his company and his philosophy on building.With nearly 40 years at the helm of Raydeo, John has navigated economic downturns, evolving general contractor dynamics, major technological shifts, and the increasing complexity of contract risk. Through it all, one principle has remained constant. Deliver the job.As John puts it, “One of our things is we've never failed. I ain't gonna tell you, we made money on everything, but we've never failed.” About Our GuestJohn Mercure is the President and founder of Raydeo Enterprises, a multidisciplinary fabrication company specializing in architectural metals, millwork, and signage for large scale commercial construction. What began as a neon sign operation in the early eighties evolved into a full scope fabrication firm serving stadiums, hotels, high rises, museums, and corporate environments across the United States Over the years, John expanded Raydeo through strategic reinvestment in technology, facilities, training, and people. Today, the company operates with approximately 85 to 100 employees in a 72,000 square foot facility, focused on complex projects that demand coordination, creativity, and precision Where To Learn MoreRaydeo Enterprises: https://www.raydeo.com John Mercure´s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-mercure-b081406/ Share The Love:If you like Verify In Field: The Millwork Podcast …Never miss an episode by subscribing via Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, Amazon Music, or by RSS!

Scaling with Systems. Jenny Gayfer on Culture and Automation

Text us your feedback on the podcast!In this episode of Verify In Field, host Jacob Edmond sits down with Jenny Gayfer, owner of Top 40 Woodworks, an OAC certified commercial millwork company based in Canada. Jenny shares her unconventional journey from vendor representative to consultant to ultimately acquiring the very company she once supplied materials to.With more than two decades of industry exposure, Jenny brought a rare perspective into ownership. She had seen the best and worst of millwork operations across Canada, understood the competitive landscape, and knew exactly where Top 40 stood in the market. What followed was not a quick overhaul, but a deliberate transformation focused on culture, systems, visibility, and long term strategy.About Our GuestJenny Gayfer is the owner of Top 40 Woodworks, a predominantly commercial architectural millwork company with long standing national contracts and a growing multifamily presence. Before acquiring Top 40, Jenny spent over 10 years as a decorative surface and materials vendor representative, working closely with millwork shops across Canada. Top 40 was one of her largest accounts, giving her deep operational insight long before she stepped into ownership After years of consulting and business development for the company, Jenny and her husband acquired Top 40 and began a comprehensive internal restructuring. Since then, she has led the implementation of an ERP system, adopted EOS from the book Traction, redefined the leadership team, and repositioned the company for scalable growth.What You Will LearnWhy culture must come before systems Jenny’s first priority was not software or machinery. It was people. She personally interviewed every employee to understand strengths, mindset, and growth potential before making structural changes.The underestimated challenge of change management Implementing an ERP system while restructuring a company revealed that the hardest part of transformation is not technology, it is helping people adapt.How visibility changes everything Before ERP implementation, scheduling lived in one employee’s head The power of combining ERP and EOS Energy provided operational control and data visibility. EOS provided communication rhythm, accountability, and alignment. Together, they created structure across both production and leadership.Why automation alone is not the competitive edge Jenny believes automation will become standard across the industry. The real differentiator will be communication, collaboration, and understanding general contractors, developers, and integrated project delivery systems.From technician mindset to strategic leadership Drawing from The E Myth and Traction, Jenny explains the difference between being an excellent technician and becoming an effective manager or visionary leader.Forecasting as a survival tool With long lead times in commercial projects, the ability to analyze market trends, housing cycles, tariffs, and political shifts is critical to steering a millwork company toward stability and growth.Why custom millwork iShare The Love:If you like Verify In Field: The Millwork Podcast …Never miss an episode by subscribing via Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, Amazon Music, or by RSS!

Leadership and Legacy in Millwork with Liz Ingebrigtsen

Text us your feedback on the podcast!In this episode of Verify In Field, host Jacob Edmond sits down with Liz Ingebrigtsen, Project Manager at Sprovieri’s Custom Counters and current Chair of the Board for the Architectural Woodwork Institute. With more than 15 years in the industry, Liz shares her journey from starting at the front desk during the height of the recession to becoming a respected industry leader at both the chapter and national level.Together, they explore the evolving role of AWI, the importance of industry involvement, and the real opportunities available for young professionals in millwork. This conversation goes beyond standards and titles. It is about ownership, workforce development, mentorship, and building a sustainable future for the trades.About Our GuestLiz Ingebrigtsen is a Project Manager at Sprovieri’s Custom Counters in the Chicago area and the current Chair of the Board for the Architectural Woodwork Institute. She has served for years on the Chicago Chapter board and recently stepped into national leadership.Liz began her career in the middle of the 2009 recession, taking a front desk position at a countertop company that would eventually become her long term professional home. Over the years she grew alongside the company as it expanded from residential work into large scale commercial fabrication. Through her involvement in AWI, she found not just professional growth but community, mentorship, and purpose within the millwork industry.Where to Learn MoreArchitectural Woodwork Institute https://awinet.orgSprovieri’s Custom Counters https://sprovieris.comConnect with Lizz Ingebrigtsen on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/lizingebrigtsen/ Blog: https://vifpodcast.com/leadership-and-legacy-in-millwork-with-liz-ingebrigtsen/↗ Share The Love:If you like Verify In Field: The Millwork Podcast …Never miss an episode by subscribing via Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, Amazon Music, or by RSS!

Leading the Next Generation of Millwork with Madison Fuzzell

Text us your feedback on the podcast!In this episode of Verify In Field, host Jacob Edmond sits down with Madison Fuzzell, Chief Operating Officer of Integrity Architectural Millwork, to explore what it looks like to step into leadership within a second generation millwork business.Madison shares her unconventional path into the industry, beginning with a corporate career in international supply chain and operations before joining her family’s millwork company. Together, they discuss the realities of succession planning, earning trust in a legacy shop, and introducing modern systems into an established operation. This conversation offers a candid look at leadership transitions, industry change, and the future of millwork from the perspective of a new generation of leaders. About Our GuestMadison Fuzzell is the Chief Operating Officer at Integrity Architectural Millwork, a Nashville based millwork company founded by her father more than 40 years ago. Although she grew up around the business, Madison initially pursued a career outside the construction industry, studying business and working in international grocery supply chain operations in Germany and the United States.After years of experience building systems, managing logistics, and driving operational efficiency, Madison joined Integrity Architectural Millwork during a pivotal transition period. Since then, she has helped modernize processes, implement scheduling and documentation systems, and guide the company through growth, a new facility move, and leadership succession. She is also actively involved in AWI and industry organizations that support collaboration, education, and workforce development. Where to learn moreIntegrity Architectural Millwork websitehttps://www.integritymillwork.net/ Integrity Architectural Millwork Linkedlnhttps://www.linkedin.com/company/integrity-architectural-millwork-inc./ Connect with Madison Fuzzell on LinkedInhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/madisonfuzzell/ Podcast blog:https://vifpodcast.com/leading-the-next-generation-of-millwork-with-madison-fuzzell/?utm_source=Buzzprout&utm_medium=Podcast Share The Love:If you like Verify In Field: The Millwork Podcast …Never miss an episode by subscribing via Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, Amazon Music, or by RSS!

Better Drawings, Better Builds: Jobsite Lessons with Katelyn Rossier

Text us your feedback on the podcast!Better Drawings, Better Builds: Jobsite Lessons with Katelyn RossierIn this episode of Verify In Field, host Jacob Edmond sits down with Katelyn Rossier, a licensed architect in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and the founder of MentorDINO, a training platform built to close the gap between architecture school and real-world practice. Katelyn shares how spending more than half of her career on job sites reshaped the way she thinks about drawings, detailing, construction administration, and the relationships that make projects run smoother.Together, they unpack a challenge both architects and trades feel every day: the disconnect between design and construction. From “design intent” that gets misunderstood to drawings overloaded with information that still miss the details people need to build, this conversation is a practical look at how teams can collaborate better and why mentorship is the real solution to the industry’s training problem.  About Our GuestKatelyn Rossier is a licensed architect and the founder of MentorDINO, an education and mentoring platform designed to help architects strengthen their technical skills, communication, and jobsite confidence. After working in both small firms and large, multi-location environments, she saw firsthand how understaffing, burnout, and limited training impact drawing quality and construction outcomes.Today, Katelyn runs two businesses: MentorDINO, and her architecture firm, Rossier Architecture and Design, bringing together field experience, practical detailing, and mentorship to help architects become stronger partners to contractors and trades. Where to Learn MoreMentorDINOS website link: https://academy.mentordino.com/pages/mentordino-home-pageMentorDINOSLinkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/mentordino-llc/Katelyn Rossier LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/katelyn-rossier/MentorDINOS  Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@mentorDINOFind out more about this episode's sponsor, Skillya: https://skill-ya.com/?utm_source=VIF%20Podcast Share The Love:If you like Verify In Field: The Millwork Podcast …Never miss an episode by subscribing via Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, Amazon Music, or by RSS!