The Comms Exchange: a Podcast by 30|90 Marketing — Season 2 | Episode 6
Building People First: How Wes Palmisano Is Redefining Construction Culture, Branding, and Growth
In this episode of The Comms Exchange, hosts Rachel Ledet and Christianne Brunini sit down with Wes Palmisano, Founder and CEO of RNGD, to explore what it truly means to build a construction company where people, culture, and brand drive growth.
Wes shares how RNGD evolved from a young startup into a regional construction powerhouse by investing in company culture, leadership development, and marketing with the same intentionality as operations. From publishing five internal culture books to launching the Renegade Academy, building a $25M training-center-focused headquarters, and creating a nonprofit foundation tied directly to workforce development, RNGD has redefined what modern construction leadership looks like.
This conversation goes deep into how branding creates trust, why culture is a competitive advantage in the construction industry, and how leaders can scale without losing authenticity. Wes also reflects on lessons learned, including early branding missteps, the shift from a house of brands to a unified identity, and why growth must pause at times to protect values and alignment.
If you’re a leader in construction, AEC, real estate development, or any people-driven organization, this episode offers a practical and inspiring look at how intentional culture, storytelling, and community engagement fuel long-term success.
Key topics include:
• Construction branding and marketing strategy
• Building and scaling company culture
• Leadership development and workforce training
• ROI of brand and culture investments
• Community engagement and nonprofit impact
• Authentic growth in the AEC industry
Whether you’re growing a construction firm, leading a team through change, or rethinking how culture supports performance, this episode delivers real-world insight from one of the industry’s most forward-thinking leaders.
