In this episode of Blueprints & Banter, Steve Cona III, President & CEO of ABC Florida Gulf Coast, sits down with Jason Spears, the newly appointed 2026 Chairman, to discuss leadership, advocacy, and the future of the construction industry.

Jason shares his 20+ year journey with ABC - from his early days in the University of Florida student chapter to serving on the executive board - and how programs like NEXGEN Leadership became a national model for developing industry leaders. Together, Steve and Jason unpack what really happens behind the scenes at ABC, from boardroom conversations to legislative advocacy that protects merit shop contractors.

This conversation also dives into:

- Why leadership development matters more than ever in construction
- How ABC supports contractors through safety, workforce, and policy challenges
- Jason's vision for strengthening advocacy, permitting reform, and member engagement in 2026
- Why involvement—not observation—is the key to getting real value from ABC

Whether you're a longtime member or considering getting involved, this episode offers an inside look at how ABC works to move the industry forward -and why strong leadership is critical to what comes next.

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In this episode of Blueprints & Banter, ABC Florida Gulf Coast President & CEO Steve Cona sits down with Adam Handfinger - construction attorney and co-founder of Document Crunch - to unpack the real risks contractors are facing right now, and how technology can help keep projects on track. With 25 years practicing construction law and a front-row seat to jobsite realities, Adam explains how AI is changing the way contractors understand contracts, manage risk, and avoid costly mistakes—especially in today's volatile environment.

Here's what we cover:

✔️ How AI tools like Document Crunch support project teams-not just legal teams

✔️ Why undocumented fear, not just enforcement, is driving labor shortages

✔️ What contractors should do if ICE or Homeland Security shows up on a jobsite

✔️ How to track labor shortages before they derail your schedule

✔️ The return of material price chaos - from tariffs to steel, aluminum, and lumber spikes

✔️ Common contract mistakes that leave GCs and trades exposed to escalation risk

✔️ Why trade contractors must understand the prime contract - even if they can't negotiate it

✔️ How better documentation and real-time tracking prevent disputes before they start

Key insight from Adam Handfinger: "Most project teams don't fail because they don't care. They fail because they don't know what their contracts actually require - until it's too late."

This conversation is a practical, no-nonsense look at how contractors can protect themselves, their teams, and their margins - by combining legal insight, better process, and smart use of AI.

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In this powerful episode of Blueprints & Banter, ABC Florida Gulf Coast President & CEO Steve Cona sits down with Bob Buckhorn, Tampa's transformational 58th Mayor, to discuss leadership through crisis, city building, and Tampa's incredible renaissance.

Here's what we cover:

✔️ Leading Tampa through the Great Recession with a $30 million deficit
✔️ The permitting crisis that's choking construction growth statewide
✔️ How Tampa became the Southeast's top destination for young talent
✔️ Why Buckhorn is considering a 2027 mayoral run to finish the job
✔️ Transportation solutions that could make or break Tampa's future
✔️ The AI technology that could revolutionize permitting processes
✔️ Lessons in resilience, tenacity, and never settling for mediocrity
✔️ How public-private partnerships transformed a dying city into an economic powerhouse

Key insights from Mayor Buckhorn: "We literally were facing a $30 million deficit. We set about stabilizing the budget, but more importantly, trying to figure out how we could inspire this community to believe not in what they were experiencing, but to believe in what we could be."

"Time is money to somebody who's carrying a multi-million dollar loan. That interest clock is ticking every day. We can't cut our way out of this problem. We have to grow our way out."

"The job's not done. We're on such an amazing trajectory, and the transformation of this city... I got another tour of duty left in me."

This is your front-row seat to understanding how visionary leadership, strategic partnerships with the construction industry, and relentless focus on economic development can transform entire communities.

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#ABCMeritShopProud #ABCFLGulf #TampaRenaissance #ConstructionLeadership #BobBuckhorn