United States
Podcast Episode
Leading from the Field: Lessons from the Superintendent Roundtable
November 21, 2025
This episode takes you behind the scenes of the STO Building Group Superintendent Roundtable, where collaboration and knowledge-sharing strengthen field leadership across the organization. Greg Dunkle, STOBG’s Chief Operating Officer, sits down with three Roundtable members—Ernie Tessein of Structure Tone Philadelphia, Brian Bernhoft of Abbott Construction, and Matthew Persico of Structure Tone New York. Together, they discuss emerging industry challenges, their paths into construction, and the unique value the Roundtable provides in elevating field excellence across STOBG.
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.
Highlights In This Episode
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
The SRT is focusing on onboarding, culture integration, retention, and helping new supers build confidence—especially around presenting, communication, and leadership.
Host
Greg Dunkle
Chief Operating Officer
STO Building Group
With over 30+ years of experience managing full-service construction companies, Greg Dunkle is an expert in development, design, pre-construction, and construction services spanning multiple markets and sectors.
As Chief Operating Officer, Greg is responsible for the overall direction and leadership of STO Building Group’s Corporate Services group, including Human Resources, Information Technology, Safety, Risk Management, Legal Services, and Compliance & Audit. He also plays a key role in the company’s merger and acquisition process, strategic planning, and various operational improvement initiatives. Prior to joining STOBG, Greg served as Executive Vice President, Eastern Division Manager, for Tutor Perini Corporation and spent 22 years with Gilbane Building Company.
Greg’s dedication to our industry extends to the community as well. He is a member of the national board of directors for the ACE Mentor Program, which connects architecture, engineering, and construction professionals to high school students to inspire them to pursue AEC careers.~ Greg is also a LEED Accredited Professional, a CMAA Certified Professional, and OSHA 30-Hour certified. He holds a bachelor of architectural engineering degree in construction management from Penn State.
Guests
Ernie Tessein
General Superintendent
Structure Tone
Ernie Tessein is a veteran superintendent with decades of experience and deep family roots in the construction industry. As a third-generation builder, he has spent his career managing complex projects, navigating evolving field challenges, and maintaining high standards for quality, safety, and communication.~ Ernie served as the founding chair of the Superintendent Roundtable, helping establish its structure, purpose, and culture. He remains an active contributor to both the SRT and the Superintendent Academy, focusing on training, mentorship, and strengthening superintendent support across the STO Building Group.
Matthew Persico
Superintendent
Structure Tone
Matthew Persico is a superintendent with Structure Tone New York whose background includes both engineering and construction. Coming from a family with deep experience in GC work, he transitioned into the industry looking for hands-on field experience and quickly developed strengths in coordination, communication, and daily field operations.~ Matthew is an active participant in the Superintendent Academy and has gained valuable insight from STOBG’s training and mentorship programs. He continues to build his expertise by learning from peers and senior superintendents, contributing to project execution, and supporting best practices across the New York market
Brian Bernhoft
Construction Manager
Abbott Construction
Brian Bernhoft brings more than 40 years of field experience to his role as Construction Manager at Abbott. A third-generation carpenter, he has worked across multiple sectors—from tilt-ups to commercial projects—and is known for his ability to lead teams through high-pressure, fast-paced builds.~ As the current leader of the Superintendent Roundtable, Brian drives initiatives that improve culture, onboarding, communication, and superintendent retention across STOBG. He also plays a key role in the Superintendent Academy, sharing practical field strategies and emphasizing leadership, consistency, and jobsite culture.
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