Leading from the Field: Lessons from the Superintendent Roundtable
November 21, 2025
From fostering collaboration to sharing best practices, this episode goes inside the STO Building Group Superintendent Roundtable. Join Greg Dunkle, STOBG’s Chief Operating Officer, as he sits down with three members—Ernie Tessein, General Superintendent at Structure Tone Philadelphia; Brian Bernhoft, Construction Manager at Abbott Construction; and Matthew Persico, Superintendent at Structure Tone New York. Together, they explore evolving industry challenges, their personal paths into the industry, and the unique value the Roundtable brings to field leaders across STOBG.
HOST
Greg Dunkle
Chief Operating OfficerSTO Building Group
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GUEST
Ernie Tessein
General SuperintendentStructure Tone PA
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GUEST
Matthew Persico
SuperintendentStructure Tone NY
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GUEST
Brian Bernhoft
Construction ManagerAbbott Construction
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Here are the episode highlights:
- [00:30] How it Started
Ernie, Brian, and Matt share their paths into construction. Both Ernie and Brian come from long lines of carpenters and tradespeople, while Matt transitioned from hardware engineering into construction after recognizing the growth and hands-on learning the field offered. - [02:30] The Purpose Behind the Superintendent Roundtable
Ernie explains how the SRT launched in 2022 to bring superintendents from across STOBG together to discuss challenges, align best practices, and give field leaders a unified voice within the company. What started as a small idea quickly became a high-impact, high-chemistry group. - [06:30] Why the Roundtable Works
Brian highlights the instant camaraderie and honesty that emerges when supers connect. The group focuses on sharing real issues—schedule pressure, burnout, tech overload, staffing challenges—and supporting each other rather than operating as isolated teams. - [09:30] The Real Challenges Facing Supers Today
The panel breaks down the biggest pressures on today’s field leaders: inconsistent design documents, accelerated schedules, increased tech demands, and balancing safety and quality when everything is moving faster. Mental health and long-term sustainability for field staff are major concerns across the industry. - [14:00] Training, Mentorship & The Superintendent Academy
The guests discuss how training has evolved from “baptism by fire” to structured programs like the Superintendent Academy. Mentorship, peer instruction, and sharing field-proven techniques continue to be essential to developing future leaders. - [19:30] Learning Across Regions
Meeting supers from other STOBG companies has broadened perspectives, revealing differences in building types, technologies, and workflows across markets—from interiors and healthcare to ground-up and data centers. - [24:00] Balancing Speed, Quality, Safety & Cost
All three emphasize leading from the field, setting culture on day one, and keeping communication strong. Respect among trades, clear expectations, and hands-on leadership remain the foundation for successful jobsite execution. - [30:00] What People Don’t See About the Superintendent Role
Supers carry the weight of the entire operation—people, safety, logistics, schedule, and quality. The mental strain, responsibility, and expectation to always “show strength” are rarely understood outside the field. - [37:00] What’s Next for the Superintendent Roundtable
The SRT is focusing on onboarding, culture integration, retention, and helping new supers build confidence—especially around presenting, communication, and leadership.
Key Takeaways
- The SRT creates alignment, support, and shared problem-solving for superintendents across STOBG.
- Today’s field leaders face accelerated schedules, tech-heavy workflows, and significant mental and operational pressures.
- Mentorship and structured training programs like the Superintendent Academy are central to growing the next generation.
- Culture, communication, and respect on the jobsite directly impact safety, quality, and schedule success.
- The future of the SRT includes stronger onboarding, retention, and leadership development for supers at every level.