Sargent: On-Track Podcast

In this episode of the Sargent On Track Podcast, President & CEO Eric Ritchie is joined by Controller Casey Flynn and Vice President of Accounting & Administration Carey Sheehan in the Flywheel Studio to share a behind-the-scenes look at the Finance team that keeps Sargent moving. Carey reflects on her transition after 25 years as Controller, Casey discusses her move into the Controller role, and both explain how accounting, cost control, and administration support the field, strengthen compliance, and protect the ESOP through reliable reporting and responsiveness. If you liked this week’s episode and are interested in becoming an Employee-Owner at Sargent, please visit our careers page on the Sargent website. https://sargent.us/apply/ If you have an episode suggestion, please send your idea to: sbennage@sargent.us

In this episode of the On Track Podcast, Marketing & Communications Lead Sebastian Bennage is joined by Superintendents Adam Tenan and Jake Stevens in the Flywheel Studio to talk through two Maine projects that highlight pre-planning, steady production, and a focus on safety. The conversation dives into Jake’s Lewiston Redundant Water Line, a 13,000-foot transfer line from Lake Auburn built to strengthen Lewiston’s water supply, including tight work zones along the river, stream crossing windows, ledge removal without blasting, and the teamwork it took to deliver the job with zero injuries. Adam then breaks down the Route 1 Millbridge-to-Cherryfield reconstruction, sharing how careful sequencing, breaking the job into sections, and staying ahead of in-water work windows helped keep the project moving and set the crew up for success, while also developing younger leaders along the way. If you liked this week’s episode and are interested in becoming an Employee-Owner at Sargent, please visit our careers page on the Sargent website. https://sargent.us/apply/ If you have an episode suggestion, please send your idea to: sbennage@sargent.us

In this episode of the On Track Podcast, Marketing & Communications Lead Sebastian Bennage is joined by Southern Maine Regional Manager Matt Thibault, Project Executive Seth Watts, and Junior Superintendent Steve Randall, Senior Foreman Spencer Whittemore, in the Flywheel Studio to discuss their tour of the American Cast Iron Pipe Company facility in Birmingham, Alabama, arranged through EJP. They walk through what stood out most, from molten metal moving through the plant to the impressive level of quality control. If you liked this week’s episode and are interested in becoming an Employee-Owner at Sargent, please visit our careers page on the Sargent website. https://sargent.us/apply/ If you have an episode suggestion, please send your idea to: sbennage@sargent.us

In this episode of the Sargent On Track Podcast, Sebastian sits down with Louie Hebert, who spent 42 years with Sargent. Louie shares what it was like to come in as a laborer during the early interstate years, learn the work in the field, and grow from flagging and pipe crews into foreman and superintendent responsibilities as projects expanded across Maine and beyond. Along the way, Louie reflects on what “the Sargent way” looked like in practice. The conversation closes with what steady work meant for Louie’s family, why teamwork matters, and what he believes will carry Sargent into its next century. If you liked this week’s episode and are interested in becoming an Employee-Owner at Sargent, please visit our careers page on the Sargent website. https://sargent.us/apply/ If you have an episode suggestion, please send your idea to: sbennage@sargent.us

In this episode of the On Track Podcast, Marketing & Communications Lead Sebastian Bennage visits Project Executive Kody Vining and Project Manager Trent Cullinan at the new Sargent Western Maine office to talk through their recent promotions and what the E.L. Vining & Son transition has looked like from the inside. Cody shares the Vining family legacy in Farmington, the type of civil work the team has built its reputation on (site work, DOT, utilities, and aggregates), and what he hopes stays the same: hard work, quality, and taking on the tougher jobs. Trent reflects on his path at Sargent, the mentors who helped shape his career, and why organization, communication, and keeping the big picture in mind matter in the shift from field leadership to an office role. Together, they dig into what’s gone smoothly, what’s been challenging (especially aligning “order of operations”), what “Winning in the Field” looks like heading into winter and the next season. If you liked this week’s episode and are interested in becoming an Employee-Owner at Sargent, please visit our careers page on the Sargent website. https://sargent.us/apply/ If you have an episode suggestion, please send your idea to: sbennage@sargent.us

In this episode of the On Track Podcast, President & CEO Eric Ritchie is joined by Herb Sargent, Board Chair, in the Flywheel Studio to look ahead to Sargent’s 100th anniversary. Herb shares what it was like to write the company’s 100th anniversary book, drawing from decades of family journals and company history, and why it mattered to honor the people and lessons that built Sargent, even when you can’t name everyone. Together, they talk about what really endures across a century: a heart in the field, humility, adaptability, and the Core Values that keep the company “on grade” and “on line.” The conversation lands on a simple but powerful theme: the hard work starts today.  If you liked this week’s episode and are interested in becoming an Employee-Owner at Sargent, please visit our careers page on the Sargent website. https://sargent.us/apply/ If you have an episode suggestion, please send your idea to: sbennage@sargent.us

In this episode of the On Track Podcast, President & CEO Eric Ritchie is joined by Tasha Gardner, VP-Finance & CFO, in the Flywheel Studio to wrap up the year with a simple message: Merry Christmas! They reflect on a strong finish to 2025, including board support for the ESOP, welcoming the former E.L. Vining team as Sargent’s Western Maine region, and continued growth in people and work, then look ahead to 2026 with the largest backlog in company history and big momentum heading into Sargent’s 100th anniversary year. The episode closes with a safety reminder, a couple of shout-outs from the field, and a genuine thank-you to employee-owners for the work that made the year possible.   12/OC – 100th Anniversary Party Band: https://open.spotify.com/artist/6BeyU5SW5d9NiTlzsG2LrU If you liked this week’s episode and are interested in becoming an Employee-Owner at Sargent, please visit our careers page on the Sargent website. https://sargent.us/apply/ If you have an episode suggestion, please send your idea to: sbennage@sargent.us

In this episode of the On Track Podcast, President & CEO Eric Ritchie is joined by recent Sargent Construction Academy graduate Isabella Moore in the Flywheel Studio, with Superintendent Troy Harvey and Junior Foreman Jesse Kennedy calling in from the Encompass Health project. The crew had a timely conversation about what mentorship really looks like in the field, especially when the pace is high. They walk through how an intentional “mentoring chain” formed on the job: Troy mentoring Jesse, and Jesse mentoring Isabella. They explain how that support system helped build confidence, competence, and trust. If you liked this week’s episode and are interested in becoming an Employee-Owner at Sargent, please visit our careers page on the Sargent website. https://sargent.us/apply/ If you have an episode suggestion, please send your idea to: sbennage@sargent.us

In this episode of the On Track Podcast, President & CEO Eric Ritchie is joined by Chief Operating Officers Justin Porter (Mid-Atlantic) and Douglas Morrison (New England) in the Flywheel Studio for a year-end wrap-up of 2025. Eric, Justin, and Doug reflect on how both regions navigated a late start, tough weather, and a busy season to deliver big wins. They dig into what really drove success this year: onboarding and developing great people, investing in Workforce Advancement and safety, mentoring a younger workforce, and integrating the E.L. Vining acquisition and key leadership transitions to keep building the company’s “bench” for the future. If you liked this week’s episode and are interested in becoming an Employee-Owner at Sargent, please visit our careers page on the Sargent website. https://sargent.us/apply/ If you have an episode suggestion, please send your idea to: sbennage@sargent.us

In this episode of the On Track Podcast, President & CEO Eric Ritchie is joined by Vice President of HR Amanda Martin and HR Generalist Jennifer Snow in the Flywheel Studio for a conversation that both introduces Jen to the Sargent team and leans into what it means to have “healthy holidays.” Eric and Amanda walk through why adding Jen to the HR team is such a big win, how her background in nonprofits and county government prepared her for Sargent, and what she’s noticing about our ESOP culture and the company’s commitment to people. From there, the group gets honest about the stress between Thanksgiving and Christmas. Short days, winter prep, money pressures, being away from home, they share practical, down-to-earth ideas for not overextending yourself, setting boundaries, using resources like the EAP, and simply checking in on each other. If you liked this week’s episode and are interested in becoming an Employee-Owner at Sargent, please visit our careers page on the Sargent website. https://sargent.us/apply/ If you have an episode suggestion, please send your idea to: sbennage@sargent.us

In this episode of the Sargent On Track Podcast, Sebastian sits down with Project Executive Nick Rosswog, Superintendent Andrew Leftridge, and Project Manager Bernard Lupini in the Project Flywheel Job Trailer Studio to talk about Sargent’s work on a 2-million-square-foot LEGO distribution center in Virginia. They dig into what makes Project Flywheel one of the largest, most complex jobs in the Mid-Atlantic, moving 360,000 cubic yards of earth through challenging wetlands and relying on a large team of subcontractors while still hitting aggressive schedule milestones. Along the way, Nick, Andrew, and Bernard share how they got into construction, what it’s been like joining (or rejoining) Sargent, how Andrew’s background in soil cementing has helped the team stay ahead of changing site conditions, and why “living and dying by the schedule” has sharpened their planning, communication, and trust in the crew in the field. If you liked this week’s episode and are interested in becoming an Employee-Owner at Sargent, please visit our careers page on the Sargent website. https://sargent.us/apply/ If you have an episode suggestion, please send your idea to: sbennage@sargent.us

Don’t miss this special edition episode of the Sargent On Track Podcast for an opportunity to win double or triple the profit-sharing bonus! Text your guess to the Sargent texting platform by Tuesday, November 18th, at midnight! If you liked this week’s episode and are interested in becoming an Employee-Owner at Sargent, please visit our careers page on the Sargent website. https://sargent.us/apply/ If you have an episode suggestion, please send your idea to: sbennage@sargent.us

In this episode of the On Track Podcast, Vice President of HR Amanda Martin is joined by Benefits Manager Renee Kearns-Powell and the Cross Insurance team in the Flywheel Studio to introduce Sargent’s new benefits partner and spell out how they’ll support employee-owners. They explain who Cross is and when to contact them directly. Give it a listen to learn exactly where to go with benefits questions and how to get the most from your coverage. If you liked this week’s episode and are interested in becoming an Employee-Owner at Sargent, please visit our careers page on the Sargent website. https://sargent.us/apply/ If you have an episode suggestion, please send your idea to: sbennage@sargent.us

In this episode of the On Track Podcast, President & CEO Eric Ritchie is joined by CFO Tasha Gardner, COO–North Doug Morrison, and Northern Region Manager Tim LePage in the Flywheel Studio to unpack Sargent’s acquisition of E.L. Vining & Son of Farmington, Maine. They break down why it’s a strong cultural fit, how it adds 40 seasoned employee-owners and significant aggregate resources, and what Day-One looks like on the ground. The team also talks succession done right, the months of behind-the-scenes work to close, and what integration through year-end entails. If you want the inside story on the strategy and people behind this milestone, give it a listen. If you liked this week’s episode and are interested in becoming an Employee-Owner at Sargent, please visit our careers page on the Sargent website. https://sargent.us/apply/ If you have an episode suggestion, please send your idea to: sbennage@sargent.us

In this episode of the On Track Podcast, President & CEO Eric Ritchie is joined by Tasha Gardner, CFO, in the Flywheel Studio to wrap up National Employee Ownership Month by zeroing in on the everyday ownership mindset that extends far beyond October. Eric and Tasha talk about what it really means to “own it,” showing up with accountability, looking out for your team, and making safe, deliberate choices (you never need permission to do the right thing). If you liked this week’s episode and are interested in becoming an Employee-Owner at Sargent, please visit our careers page on the Sargent website. https://sargent.us/apply/ If you have an episode suggestion, please send your idea to: sbennage@sargent.us

In this episode of the On Track Podcast, President & CEO Eric Ritchie is joined by Chris Horn, Regional Manager of Sargent’s Piedmont Triad Region, for an in-depth check-in on how the region continues to grow and establish itself. Eric and Chris discuss what it takes to build a new region from the ground up, focusing on culture, leadership, and long-term investment in people. Chris shares how the team has expanded from 13 to nearly 50 employees in just two years, the critical role of mentorship and support from Sargent’s broader network, and the importance of “doing the right thing” as they strengthen relationships. The conversation also explores the booming opportunities in North Carolina and how Sargent’s steady, people-first approach is setting the region up for long-term success. If you liked this week’s episode and are interested in becoming an Employee-Owner at Sargent, please visit our careers page on the Sargent website. https://sargent.us/apply/ If you have an episode suggestion, please send your idea to: sbennage@sargent.us

In this episode of the On Track Podcast, President & CEO Eric Ritchie is joined by Safety Director Cam Haggar and Mid-Atlantic Safety Manager James Joyner in the Flywheel Studio for a discussion on the importance of slowing down and Taking 5, not just in the field, but in every part of life. Together, they explore how intentionality, communication, planning, and servant leadership form the foundation of Sargent’s safety culture and how those habits help finish the year strong. The team highlights the role of CARE and Take 5 in shaping a company-wide “culture cake,” where safety is baked into every action. If you liked this week’s episode and are interested in becoming an Employee-Owner at Sargent, please visit our careers page on the Sargent website. https://sargent.us/apply/ If you have an episode suggestion, please send your idea to: sbennage@sargent.us

In this episode of the On Track Podcast, President & CEO Eric Ritchie is joined by Workforce Advancement Manager Pete Parizo and Superintendent Rob Wyatt in the Flywheel Studio to talk about what it really means to make new employee-owners feel like they belong at Sargent. Together, they explore the difference between simply welcoming someone and creating a lasting sense of belonging. Rob shares how he builds belonging on his North Carolina job site through engagement, positive reinforcement, and daily focus on Sargent’s Core Values, while Pete discusses how belonging directly ties to leadership, empathy, and employee well-being. The conversation reminds listeners that belonging isn’t just a slogan, it’s an intentional, everyday effort to invest in people. If you liked this week’s episode and are interested in becoming an Employee-Owner at Sargent, please visit our careers page on the Sargent website. https://sargent.us/apply/ If you have an episode suggestion, please send your idea to: sbennage@sargent.us

In this episode of the On Track Podcast, VP of Human Resources Amanda Martin dives into the ins and outs of Sargent’s self-funded health insurance plan with expert insights from Lisa Nappi, Sargent’s Senior Account Manager from USI Insurance Services, and Benefits Manager Renee Kearns-Pal. They unpack why Community Health Options is the plan’s TPA, the importance of matching your bills to your Explanation of Benefits, and how to keep out-of-pocket costs down by using resources like virtual visits and in-network providers. They also discuss the benefits of a High Deductible Health Plan (HDHP) with an HSA, share tips for choosing between different policies (including a spouse’s plan), and highlight additional services like Firefly for virtual primary care. Whether you’re new to health insurance or just looking to optimize your coverage, this conversation is packed with practical advice to help you navigate your benefits and save money, don’t miss it! If you liked this week’s episode and are interested in becoming an Employee-Owner at Sargent, please visit our careers page on the Sargent website. https://sargent.us/apply/ If you have an episode suggestion, please send your idea to: sbennage@sargent.us

In this episode of the On Track Podcast, the Man in the Corner, Sebastian, hits the field for National Construction Appreciation Week to talk with Sargent employee-owners about what the week means to them. From laborers and superintendents to technology managers and equipment operators, the conversations explore whether the public truly understands the skill, planning, and sacrifice that go into building and maintaining infrastructure. The crew shares candid thoughts on long hours, time away from family, public perceptions, and the joy they take in seeing a job well done. If you liked this week’s episode and are interested in becoming an Employee-Owner at Sargent, please visit our careers page on the Sargent website. https://sargent.us/apply/ If you have an episode suggestion, please send your idea to: sbennage@sargent.us