<p>In this special re-release of <em>The ConTech Crew </em>Podcast, we&#39;re revisiting a powerful crossover episode from <em>FreeTo CTO</em> series, where hosts <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/ironmanofit/" rel="nofollow">Jeff Sample</a> and <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/trent-leinenbach-plmb-466018177/" rel="nofollow">Trent Leinenbach</a> are joined by Jen Clark, Project Integration Manager at General Sheet Metal. This conversation remains just as relevant today, diving into how unconventional career paths and curiosity-driven problem-solving can foster a new wave of construction technology leaders.</p><p></p><p><a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/jenniferaclark1/" rel="nofollow">Jen Clark</a> is the Project Integration Manager at General Sheet Metal, a Portland-based mechanical contractor with nearly 100 years in business. With a background in civil engineering, Jen carved her own path from software support to field engineering, eventually stepping into a self-defined tech leadership role. Whether you missed it the first time or want to revisit Jen’s inspiring journey, this episode offers timeless insights into low-code innovation, managing shadow IT, and bridging the divide between operations and IT in the construction industry.</p><p></p><h3>Expect to Learn</h3><ul><li>How Jen transitioned from field engineering to a tech leadership role without formal tech training.</li><li>What it means to act as a “human API” in a construction setting.</li><li>Practical lessons from building low-code applications for project and data management.</li><li>Strategies to drive tech adoption and gain executive support.</li><li>How to handle shadow IT while fostering innovation in smaller firms.</li></ul><p></p><h3>Episode Breakdown with Timestamps</h3><p>[00:00] - Introduction</p><p>[01:21] - FreeTO Series by Construction Dorks</p><p>[04:40] - Jen’s Unconventional Career Path</p><p>[06:49] - Building a Role from Curiosity: Project Integration Manager</p><p>[15:22] - Lessons from Low-Code App Development</p><p>[19:01] - Jen Outlines Her Decision-Making Framework</p><p>[26:57] - Collaboration and Strategic Growth</p><p>[32:09] - Digital Transformation in the Fabrication Shop</p><p>[37:22] - Selling Vision to Leadership</p><p>[41:06] - Final Thoughts</p><p></p><h3>Follow the Guest & Company</h3><ul><li><strong>LinkedIn: </strong><a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/jenniferaclark1/" rel="nofollow">https://www.linkedin.com/in/jenniferaclark1/</a></li><li><strong>LinkedIn (Company):</strong> <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/company/general-sheet-metal/" rel="nofollow">https://www.linkedin.com/company/general-sheet-metal/</a></li><li><strong>Website (Company):</strong> <a href="https://www.gsmw.com/" rel="nofollow">https://www.gsmw.com/</a></li><li><strong>Instagram (Company):</strong> <a href="https://www.instagram.com/generalsheetmetal/" rel="nofollow">https://www.instagram.com/generalsheetmetal/</a></li><li><strong>Facebook (Company):</strong> <a href="https://www.facebook.com/GeneralSheetMetal1932" rel="nofollow">https://www.facebook.com/GeneralSheetMetal1932#</a> </li></ul><h4></h4><h3>Follow the Host:</h3><ul><li><strong>LinkedIn:</strong> <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/ironmanofit/" rel="nofollow">https://www.linkedin.com/in/ironmanofit/</a></li></ul><h4></h4><h3>Follow the Co-Host:</h3><ul><li><strong>LinkedIn:</strong> <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/trent-leinenbach-plmb-466018177/" rel="nofollow">https://www.linkedin.com/in/trent-leinenbach-plmb-466018177/</a></li><li><strong>Company: </strong><a href="https://www.stratus.build/" rel="nofollow">https://www.stratus.build/</a></li><li><strong>Blog: </strong><a href="https://www.constructiondorks.com/" rel="nofollow">https://www.constructiondorks.com/</a></li></ul><h3></h3><h3>Follow The ConTech Crew:</h3><ul><li><strong>Website: </strong><a href="https://thecontechcrew.com/" rel="nofollow">https://thecontechcrew.com/</a> </li><li><strong>YouTube: </strong><a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCBDRThvRmSpyTZmMWY4EAjg" rel="nofollow">https://www.youtube.com/channel/</a></li><li><strong>LinkedIn:</strong> <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-contechcrew/" rel="nofollow">https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-contechcrew/</a> </li><li><strong>Facebook:</strong> <a href="https://www.facebook.com/TheConTechCrew/" rel="nofollow">https://www.facebook.com/TheConTechCrew/</a> </li><li><strong>Instagram:</strong> <a href="https://www.instagram.com/thecontechcrew/?hl=en" rel="nofollow">https://www.instagram.com/thecontechcrew/?hl=en</a> </li><li><strong>Tiktok:</strong> <a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@thecontechcrew" rel="nofollow">https://www.tiktok.com/@thecontechcrew</a> </li><li><strong>Twitter: </strong><a href="https://x.com/TheConTechCrew" rel="nofollow">https://x.com/TheConTechCrew</a></li></ul>

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