Under the Hard Hat #04 with Steve Bestard, Messer

Under the Hard Hat: Lessons Learned with ACI Young Professionals | Episode 4 featuring Steve Bestard In this episode of Under the Hard Hat: Lessons Learned with ACI Young Professionals, ACI Young Professional Committee Vice-Chair Dylan Lyon sits down with Steve Bestard, Sr. Vice President & COO at Messer Construction Co. (‪@messerwearebldg‬), for a candid conversation about leadership, workforce development, technology, company culture, and the future of construction. With more than three decades at Messer, Steve shares the lessons he's learned throughout his career, how Messer is investing in the next generation of craft professionals, his perspective on AI and emerging technologies, and the leadership qualities he believes matter most. He also offers practical advice for young professionals navigating career growth, work-life balance, and the challenges that come with building a long-term career in construction. Whether you're new to the industry or a seasoned professional, this episode offers valuable insights on leadership, resilience, and the importance of investing in people. About Under the Hard Hat: Under the Hard Hat: Lessons Learned with ACI Young Professionals is a live event and podcast series designed to capture the knowledge, experiences, and lessons learned from leaders across the commercial construction industry and pass them on to the next generation. Chapters: 00:00 Introduction 01:45 Steve's construction journey and why he chose Messer 03:21 Building the workforce pipeline through craft force development programs 06:46 Expanding company culture across new markets 08:45 AI, technology, and the future of construction 10:51 Leadership qualities and building strong teams 11:34 Handling challenges and learning from mistakes 13:02 Work-life balance and family decisions 15:04 Communication, technology, and industry changes 16:28 The evolving relationship between contractors and trade partners 19:43 What Steve wishes he'd known at the beginning of his career 20:46 Rapid-fire round 24:28 Audience Q&A 25:27 Leadership staying connected to the field 26:24 The origin of Messer's apprenticeship program 27:33 Career growth and professional advice 28:11 Steve's walk-up song and closing Learn more about Allied Construction Industries: [www.aci-web.com](http://www.aci-web.com) Subscribe for future episodes and industry insights.