Word On The Street

The podcast version of real-time market and industry intelligence from Morrissey Goodale firm leaders.

Word On The Street is a business podcast hosted by Morrissey Goodale, with 17 episodes on record and a Required Pod Score of 80.

Morrissey Goodale hosts Word On The Street, a business show with 17 episodes published.

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  Episode #19

  People First: The Weston & Sampson Story with Frank Ricciardi, CEO

  Sep 20, 202643 min

  In this episode of the Word on the Street Podcast, Mick Morrissey, Mark Goodale, and Katharine Van Leer sit down with Frank Ricciardi, CEO of Weston & Sampson, one of the nation’s oldest and most respected employee-owned engineering firms. Founded in 1899, Weston & Sampson has spent more than 125 years building a legacy of service, innovation, and community impact. Frank shares what it means to lead a firm with such deep roots while preparing it for the future through strategic growth, technology investment, and a commitment to employee ownership. The conversation explores succession planning, leadership transitions, ESOP culture, AI adoption, organic growth, and the challenge of balancing long-term stewardship with the demands of a rapidly changing industry. Frank also discusses Weston & Sampson’s mission-driven approach to infrastructure, giving back through global community projects, and why people remain the most important investment any firm can make. Whether you're leading an organization through growth, preparing the next generation of leaders, or navigating the future of engineering and infrastructure, this episode is packed with practical lessons on leadership, culture, and long-term success. 0:00 Introduction and welcome 1:15 Leading a 125-year-old engineering firm 3:50 Stewardship, legacy, and accountability 5:20 Why people are at the center of Weston & Sampson 6:30 Preserving culture while embracing growth 7:30 How Frank uses AI as a CEO 10:15 Becoming CEO during the pandemic 12:00 Succession planning done right 14:40 Creating an authentic leadership style 16:30 From engineer to CEO: learning to make decisions 17:45 Leadership lessons from ACEC SEI 19:10 The journey to 100% ESOP ownership 21:15 Using employee ownership to attract talent 22:20 Rewarding top performers in an ESOP 23:30 Building the next generation of leaders 26:00 Strategic planning through multiple horizons 27:30 Investments that will pay off years from now 28:45 Organizational changes to support future growth 31:20 Lessons learned from an MWRA internship 32:45 Why technology has always been a differentiator 35:00 Expanding beyond the East Coast 36:00 Critical infrastructure and cybersecurity 37:15 Mission, vision, and sustainable growth 39:30 FICA and building infrastructure that changes lives 41:15 Why younger generations are redefining success 41:50 Word to the Wise Subscribe to the WOTS Podcast: https://www.morrisseygoodale.com/word-on-the-street-podcast/

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  Episode #18

  The Unconventional CEO: Chad Brown's Leadership Journey

  Sep 20, 202646 min

  In this episode of Word on the Street, Mick Morrissey, Mark Goodale, and Katharine Van Leer sit down with Chad Brown, CEO of Thompson Holdings. Unlike many leaders in the AEC industry, Chad did not come up through engineering or architecture. Trained as an attorney, he spent more than two decades helping shape Thompson's governance, ownership structure, employee stock ownership plan (ESOP), acquisitions, and long-term strategy before becoming CEO in 2025. The conversation explores what leadership looks like from a nontraditional path, how employee ownership changes culture and decision-making, and why governance, patience, and long-term thinking are critical to sustainable growth. Chad also shares lessons learned from acquisitions, succession planning, community leadership, and growing a business from a regional engineering firm into a diversified family of companies. Whether you're navigating leadership transitions, considering growth through acquisition, or looking to build a stronger ownership culture, this episode offers practical insights from a leader focused on creating lasting value for employees, clients, and communities. 0:00 Introduction and welcome 1:30 Chad Brown's path from attorney to CEO 4:10 Thinking like a lawyer vs. thinking like a leader 7:20 The value of outside boards and governance 10:15 Building a family of businesses beyond engineering 13:00 Source Toad and technology-driven growth 16:20 Eight-state strategy and regional expansion 18:30 What makes acquisitions successful 22:00 Governance as a growth tool 25:30 The power of employee ownership 29:00 Culture, ESOPs, and creating owners 33:00 Growth through recessions and economic cycles 36:00 Lessons from M&A integration 39:00 Why patience matters in leadership 41:30 Community impact and giving back 44:30 Building a culture of "Best Job Ever" 47:00 Word to the Wise: embracing unexpected opportunities Subscribe to the WOTS Podcast: https://www.morrisseygoodale.com/word-on-the-street-podcast/

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  Episode #17

  From Architect to CEO: Building a Global Design Firm: DLR Group CEO Steve McKay

  May 31, 202658 minS0

  In this episode of the Word on the Street Podcast, Mick Morrissey, Mark Goodale, and Katharine Van Leer sit down with Steve McKay, CEO of DLR Group, to explore what it takes to lead one of the most respected employee-owned design firms in the industry. Steve shares his journey from growing up in Scotland and playing competitive rugby to building a 30-year career at DLR Group—culminating in his role as CEO. Along the way, he breaks down how teamwork, resilience, and leadership lessons from rugby shaped his approach to business, culture, and growth. The conversation dives into how DLR Gr...

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  Episode #16

  From Endurance Sports to Engineering Leadership: Verdantas CEO Jesse Kropelnicki

  Apr 24, 202652 minS0

  What does it take to scale an engineering firm from a few hundred to nearly 2,000 people—without losing culture, performance, or purpose? In this episode of the Word on the Street Podcast, we’re joined by Jesse Kropelnicki, CEO of Verdantas (ENR #73), one of the fastest‑growing environmental and infrastructure consulting firms in the U.S. Jesse shares his unique journey from structural engineer to elite endurance sports coach—and how those experiences shaped his leadership philosophy. This wide‑ranging conversation explores how lessons from elite athletics apply directly to engineering leadership, including managing growth, building trust, giving effective feedback, navigating...

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  Episode #15

  Morrissey Goodale's Katharine Van Leer Joins The WOTS Podcast Team: M&A Trends, AI, & Leadership

  Mar 27, 202634 minS0

  In this episode of the Word on the Street Podcast, Mick Morrissey and Mark Goodale are joined by Katharine Van Leer, Senior Consultant at Morrissey Goodale, as she makes her debut as the newest member of the podcast team. Together, they discuss the forces shaping the AE industry today—from M&A activity and valuation trends to the growing influence of AI and private equity. The conversation explores market uncertainty, leadership transition, and why CEO‑only forums and peer connections are more important than ever as firms navigate rapid change.

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