Strong Conversations
Welcome to Strong Conversations hosted by Simpson Strong-Tie where we bring partners, colleagues, innovators and leaders together for insightful conversations. We dive into the subjects and issues that we all face — forging stronger connections and relationships along the way.
In this episode of Strong Conversations: Real Stories, Sam Marcoux sits down with Steve Swinney, CEO and co-founder of Kodiak Building Partners, to unpack what it really means to bet big—and do it thoughtfully.
From launching Kodiak during the Great Recession to leading a 5,500-employee organization into its next chapter with QXO, Steve shares lessons on risk, culture, scaling, and leadership. The conversation blends hard-won business insight with humor, reflection, and a few 1980s hair-metal references along the way.
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Episode Highlights
· Why Kodiak’s biggest bets were bold but calculated
· Lessons from starting a company during the Great Recession
· How culture became the #1 diligence factor in acquisitions
· What it’s like being acquired after 15 years of growth
Steve is the Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Kodiak Building Partners, a transformative force in the building materials industry that he has steered through strategic growth and 40+ acquisitions throughout the past 13 years.

Women in Construction
Welcome to our podcast on Women in Construction hosted by Simpson Strong-Tie, a leading manufacturer and technology services company of engineered building products in the residential and commercial space. In this podcast we take a closer look at the women who make up the residential construction industry. We are going to have an open discussion about how we got here, what challenges us, motivates us and what makes us succeed. In each episode we will be joined by three guests to get their perspective on what it’s like to be in this field. We will talk about how women can effect change and create an environment where other women want to be a part of.
How We Got Here
In our “How We Got Here” series, we talk to leaders in the building industry about how they got to where they are. Some of us are born into the building industry. Some of us fell into it. And some of us took a few detours to find our place. Our guests share stories and insights of not only how they got here but more importantly what made them stay.
Building the Brand
In our “Building the Brand” series, we talk to leaders and entrepreneurs in the building industry about what it takes to start a venture or business and build it into a brand. We talk about taking a chance on yourself and the determination and resilience that it takes to stay the course. Our guests share with us what it means to be a heart led leader and the importance of not just building the brand but building a culture that your employees can thrive in.