What does it really take to get a major urban infrastructure project funded, approved, and built?

Jack Cebe, President & CEO of The Stitch at the Atlanta Downtown Improvement District, shares how his team is working to transform three-quarters of a mile of interstate highway into a 17-acre urban park with the potential to generate $9 billion in economic value. The Stitch is designed to reconnect downtown Atlanta, unlock development opportunities, and create a new community asset above the Connector.

With a background in landscape architecture and civil engineering, Jack breaks down how infrastructure capping projects come together, from funding strategies and approvals to design, engineering coordination, and project delivery. He also shares practical guidance for AEC professionals on building authentic networks and developing the communication and project management skills needed to lead complex, multi-stakeholder urban initiatives.

Topics discussed in this episode:

• Infrastructure projects
• Atlanta Downtown Improvement District
• Park development
• Landscape architecture
• Grant funding
• Professional Networking

Connect with Jack Cebe, President & CEO of The Stitch:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/jackcebe/

https://thestitchatl.com/

Connect with Katie: https://smartegies.com/

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The future of the AEC industry is being shaped long before professionals step onto a jobsite, and it starts in the classroom.

Dr. Georg Reichard shares how Georgia Tech’s School of Building Construction is reimagining construction education to better align with industry needs. From hands-on, real-world projects to a renewed focus on communication, leadership, and emerging technologies, the program is designed to prepare students who are ready to contribute on day one. The conversation explores how academia and industry can work together to strengthen the talent pipeline, adapt to rapid technological change, and ensure the next generation of construction professionals is equipped for long-term success.

As the demand for skilled AEC professionals continues to grow, collaboration between educators and industry leaders has never been more important. This discussion highlights why investing in education today is essential to building a stronger, more innovative built environment tomorrow.

Topics discussed in this episode:

• AEC education
• Construction workforce shortage
• Georgia Tech building construction
• Construction leadership development
• Industry-academia collaboration
• Construction technology innovation

Connect with Katie: https://smartegies.com/

Rate, Review, & Follow on Apple Podcasts:

We hope you’re finding value in our AEC Marketing For Principals. Your feedback is important to us and we’d love to hear from you.

Here’s how you can help. Scroll to the bottom, rate our podcast with five stars, and select “Write a Review.” Let us know what you found most helpful from this episode!

And if you haven’t done so already, give the podcast a follow, and you'll be notified when new episodes come out.

The future of commercial real estate is being shaped by a more intentional, client-first approach that prioritizes alignment, transparency, and long-term value across every decision. As market conditions shift and expectations evolve, firms that lead with clarity and objectivity are redefining how real estate advisory supports business growth.

Jue Wang shares how T. Dallas Smith & Company has differentiated itself through a conflict-free advisory model that places tenant and buyer representation at the center of its work. She discusses how office, industrial, and mixed-use trends are evolving, how technology and data are raising the bar for insight and accountability, and why deeper collaboration between real estate advisors and AEC partners is essential to delivering better outcomes for clients.

This conversation offers a grounded, forward-looking perspective on what today’s decision makers value, how firms can strengthen trust through smarter advisory services, and what it takes to stay relevant as the built environment continues to evolve.

Topics discussed in this episode:

• Client-First Advisory
• Market Trends
• Real Estate Technology
• AEC Collaboration
• Workplace Strategy
• Next-Gen Leadership

Connect with Jue Wang, Director, T. Dallas Smith & Company

https://www.tdallassmith.com/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/jue-wang-ccim-b6a61851/

Connect with Katie: https://smartegies.com/

Rate, Review, & Follow on Apple Podcasts:

We hope you’re finding value in our AEC Marketing For Principals. Your feedback is important to us and we’d love to hear from you.

Here’s how you can help. Scroll to the bottom, rate our podcast with five stars, and select “Write a Review.” Let us know what you found most helpful from this episode!

And if you haven’t done so already, give the podcast a follow, and you'll be notified when new episodes come out.