‍

Innovation is exciting. But growth without grounding is empty. At Clayco, I believe the future is shaped not just by new tools, but by people who use them with care.

A Moment That Reveals Who We Are

We recently hosted AI + Pizza at our RBB office in St. Louis and streamed it to teams across the company. More than 100 people gathered in person and another 130+ tuned in remotely. But this wasn’t just a tech demo or a training session. It was about learning together.

Teammates chose what they wanted to explore. Breakouts formed. Screens were shared. Real questions were asked, and real problems were solved. Not in theory, but in real time, side by side.

This is how Clayco grows: through hands-on collaboration, shared knowledge, and the courage to try new things.

Thank you to our Clayco AI team, IT leaders, Human Agency, and the many volunteers who led sessions and supported others. And congratulations to William Dunaway, who took first place in the in-person hackathon.

When Leadership Meets Curiosity

After a recent town hall in St. Louis, I encouraged our team to keep leaning into AI. I mentioned that I use it every day in my own work and offered to help anyone who wanted a quick lesson.

The next morning, Jared Kenik, one of our process engineers, reached out. We sat down together and walked through some of my go-to ChatGPT tips. It was a simple, helpful conversation. And it’s a reminder that innovation often starts in moments like these.

It brought me back to Clayco’s early days, when I would walk job sites and ask our team what they needed. Staying close to the work has always helped us move fast without losing sight of who we are.

Why It Matters

With the launch of Clayco Compute, our business unit focused on digital infrastructure and data, we’re weaving AI deeper into how we work—from design to delivery. But the real value in these tools isn’t just speed or efficiency. It’s about helping our people do their jobs better, make smarter decisions, and grow their skills.

In past posts, I’ve written about how innovation shows up everywhere. Whether it's how we pour concrete or how we build for the communities we serve, the principle is the same. Tools are only as powerful as the people using them.

A Simple Invitation

Whether you’re in the field, the office, or anywhere in between, AI has something to offer. Don’t be afraid to test it out—you might be surprised how useful it can be. Ask a question. Talk to a teammate. Experiment. You don’t need to be an expert to get started.

AI is shaping the next chapter of Clayco. But connection is what keeps us grounded. And that’s what will keep us growing, together.