<![CDATA[Behind the Build]]>Construction is more than what shows up on the drawings. Hosted by Clearstory founder and CEO Cameron Page, Behind the Build goes inside the real stories, decisions, and trade-offs that shape modern construction. Through candid conversations with builders, GCs, subs, and construction tech leaders, the show explores what actually happens behind the scenes. No fluff. Just real conversations from the people who build.

]]>https://www.clearstory.build/Riverside.fm (https://riverside.com)Sat, 02 May 2026 09:40:25 GMTTue, 24 Feb 2026 22:59:44 GMT60Clearstory<p>Construction is more than what shows up on the drawings. Hosted by Clearstory founder and CEO Cameron Page, Behind the Build goes inside the real stories, decisions, and trade-offs that shape modern construction. Through candid conversations with builders, GCs, subs, and construction tech leaders, the show explores what actually happens behind the scenes. No fluff. Just real conversations from the people who build.</p>episodicClearstorycnicodemus@clearstory.buildno<![CDATA[ From $20M to $600M: Ryan Wall, CEO, Silicon Valley Mechanical]]>About This Episode

Most contractors wait for an ownership opportunity to come to them. Ryan Wall went and found one. In this episode, the CEO of Silicon Valley Mechanical breaks down how he and two partners acquired a $20M contractor in 2014 and built it into a $600M business with over 1,000 employees, and what he'd tell anyone in construction who wants to do the same.

Ryan and Clearstory Founder and CEO Cameron Page cover the acquisition structure, the culture shifts that made SVM what it is today, and how the AI and data center boom is reshaping mechanical contracting from the ground up.

What You'll Learn

  • How three PMs quietly acquired SVM without tipping off the market
  • Why buying an existing company beat starting from scratch
  • How SVM broke down the office/field divide and made it a competitive advantage
  • Where AI is delivering results in mechanical contracting, and where it fell flat
  • What PMs should be doing now to position themselves for ownership

Timestamps

  • 0:00 Ryan's path into mechanical contracting
  • 9:50 The SVM acquisition: how the deal came together
  • 22:41 From project manager to CEO: imposter syndrome and leadership
  • 28:39 Why field experience matters in construction leadership
  • 35:23 Early AI adoption: what worked and what flopped
  • 40:51 How AI is changing construction processes on the ground
  • 46:47 Career advice for PMs with an entrepreneurial spirit
  • 53:38 The future of construction and AI

Key Takeaways

  • Buy, don't build from zero. Doubling $20M is easier than doubling nothing.
  • Succession gaps are opportunity. Healthy business, no exit plan. More common than you think.
  • Communication is the job. Over-communicate, especially when things go wrong.
  • Break down the wall. Office and field on the same side. It changes everything.
  • AI improves process, it doesn't replace people. Yet.
  • Train your replacement. Every transition opens a door for someone below.
]]>e43fca0a-fa34-42f8-951b-8ccdcd0d54deThu, 26 Mar 2026 21:30:00 GMT<h2>About This Episode</h2><p>Most contractors wait for an ownership opportunity to come to them. Ryan Wall went and found one. In this episode, the CEO of Silicon Valley Mechanical breaks down how he and two partners acquired a $20M contractor in 2014 and built it into a $600M business with over 1,000 employees, and what he'd tell anyone in construction who wants to do the same.</p><p>Ryan and Clearstory Founder and CEO Cameron Page cover the acquisition structure, the culture shifts that made SVM what it is today, and how the AI and data center boom is reshaping mechanical contracting from the ground up.</p><h2>What You'll Learn</h2><ul><li>How three PMs quietly acquired SVM without tipping off the market</li><li>Why buying an existing company beat starting from scratch</li><li>How SVM broke down the office/field divide and made it a competitive advantage</li><li>Where AI is delivering results in mechanical contracting, and where it fell flat</li><li>What PMs should be doing now to position themselves for ownership</li></ul><h2>Timestamps</h2><ul><li>0:00 Ryan's path into mechanical contracting</li><li>9:50 The SVM acquisition: how the deal came together</li><li>22:41 From project manager to CEO: imposter syndrome and leadership</li><li>28:39 Why field experience matters in construction leadership</li><li>35:23 Early AI adoption: what worked and what flopped</li><li>40:51 How AI is changing construction processes on the ground</li><li>46:47 Career advice for PMs with an entrepreneurial spirit</li><li>53:38 The future of construction and AI</li></ul><h2>Key Takeaways</h2><ul><li><b>Buy, don't build from zero.</b> Doubling $20M is easier than doubling nothing.</li><li><b>Succession gaps are opportunity.</b> Healthy business, no exit plan. More common than you think.</li><li><b>Communication is the job.</b> Over-communicate, especially when things go wrong.</li><li><b>Break down the wall.</b> Office and field on the same side. It changes everything.</li><li><b>AI improves process, it doesn't replace people. Yet.</b></li><li><b>Train your replacement.</b> Every transition opens a door for someone below.</li></ul>no00:49:541 From $20M to $600M: Ryan Wall, CEO, Silicon Valley Mechanicalfull<![CDATA[Trailer]]>This is Behind the Build — a podcast hosted by Clearstory founder and CEO Cameron Page. Each episode goes inside the real stories shaping modern construction, with candid conversations with builders, GCs, subcontractors, and construction tech leaders about the decisions, trade-offs, and realities that almost never happen in public. Hit subscribe so you don't miss an episode.

]]>e820d0c0-8753-493d-badc-76270ef8863fSun, 15 Mar 2026 20:57:24 GMT<p>This is Behind the Build — a podcast hosted by Clearstory founder and CEO Cameron Page. Each episode goes inside the real stories shaping modern construction, with candid conversations with builders, GCs, subcontractors, and construction tech leaders about the decisions, trade-offs, and realities that almost never happen in public. Hit subscribe so you don't miss an episode.</p>no00:00:38Trailertrailer