Scratching the Surface: Real‑World AI Use Cases in Business

The Industry You Rely On But Never Think About

In this episode of On the Surface, Seth sits back down with Jeff Hotop and Blake Lingle for a candid, wide-ranging conversation about the construction industry, how it operates behind the scenes, and the external factors that influence pricing, strategy, and growth. The conversation starts with a simple but revealing question: what does Delta actually do? Jeff and Blake offer their outside perspectives, highlighting how even experienced professionals in adjacent industries only have a general sense of how construction companies operate. From there, Seth breaks down the reality of a vertically integrated business, walking through everything from quarries and asphalt production to large-scale infrastructure projects. A central theme throughout the discussion is how misunderstood the construction industry can be. Seth, Jeff, and Blake explore the idea that infrastructure is something people rely on every day but rarely think about. Whether it’s roads, electricity, or other essential systems, they discuss how these “invisible” industries become most noticeable only when something goes wrong, and why that creates a gap in public understanding. The episode also dives into how different industries intersect within construction. Jeff shares how Easy Equipment Zone plays a role through heavy equipment sourcing and distribution, while Blake explains how banking supports the industry through lending, cash flow management, and long-term financing. Together, they illustrate how construction is supported by a larger ecosystem of businesses all working behind the scenes to keep projects moving. Another key part of the conversation focuses on pricing and volatility. Using real-world examples, Seth explains how fluctuations in oil and material costs impact everything downstream, from large highway projects to small neighborhood repairs. Jeff and Blake provide the perspective of the everyday customer, highlighting how difficult it can be to understand why prices change so dramatically and why transparency matters in building trust. The discussion also touches on competition, growth strategy, and future plans. Seth walks through what it means to compete at different levels of a vertically integrated business, from materials to paving, and shares how Delta is thinking about expansion, diversification, and reducing reliance on public funding over time. Throughout the episode, Jeff and Blake bring an outside perspective that challenges assumptions and adds clarity to complex topics. They ask practical questions about risk, financing, and decision-making, offering listeners a look at how construction projects are evaluated from both a lender’s and a CFO’s point of view. Together, they explore the importance of education and transparency in an industry where the end product is everywhere, but the process is rarely understood. It’s a grounded, thoughtful conversation that highlights the intersection of infrastructure, finance, and public perception—and reinforces a simple truth: the most essential industries are often the least visible, but they shape nearly every part of our daily lives. Thanks for listening! Check us out: deltacos.com [https://deltacos.com/] Instragram [https://www.instagram.com/deltacompanies/] LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/search/results/all/?fetchDeterministicClustersOnly=true&heroEntityKey=urn%3Ali%3Aorganization%3A1811643&keywords=delta%20companies%20inc.&origin=RICH_QUERY_TYPEAHEAD_HISTORY&position=0&searchId=032c5840-55b4-43cb-b517-6722699e6cfa&sid=%3Af%2C&spellCorrectionEnabled=true]

Can the Middle East Affect the Midwest?

In this episode of On the Surface, Seth sits down with Brad Marotti to unpack the real-world impact of geopolitics on businesses—from tariffs and trade policies to wars, supply chain disruptions, and volatile fuel prices. What starts as a simple question—“What is geopolitics?”—quickly turns into a practical discussion about how global events ripple through industries, affecting everything from input costs and logistics to financing and long-term planning. Seth and Brad break down the concept in plain terms, framing geopolitics as not just distant policy decisions, but everyday forces that directly shape how businesses operate. A major focus of the conversation is how rising input costs affect operations. Using relatable examples—from lumber price spikes during COVID to current increases in fuel, steel, and asphalt—they explain how even small shifts in global supply and demand can drastically change the cost structure of a business. Through their own experience in construction materials, they illustrate how a 50% increase in fuel can translate into millions of dollars in additional annual cost. The discussion also explores how supply chain disruptions and trade restrictions force companies to adapt. Whether it’s navigating tariffs, rerouting logistics, or dealing with limited access to key materials like semiconductors, businesses must continuously adjust to an unpredictable global environment. Seth and Brad highlight how these challenges often require quick decision-making and creative problem solving just to maintain stability. They also dive into the broader financial implications, including how uncertainty impacts lending, investment strategies, and access to capital. As global volatility increases, companies and investors alike tend to shift toward safer, more stable options—often at the expense of growth opportunities. This shift creates ripple effects that influence everything from expansion plans to hiring decisions. Another key theme is the role of government policy and infrastructure funding. In industries tied closely to public investment, changes in things like fuel taxes or federal funding can significantly alter the amount of available work. Seth and Brad walk through how even well-intentioned policies—like temporarily reducing fuel taxes—can create unintended consequences for businesses that rely on those funds. Throughout the episode, they emphasize the importance of communication, adaptability, and proactive planning. From using pricing indexes to manage volatility, to staying connected with industry associations and policymakers, they outline practical ways companies can navigate uncertainty while protecting both their business and their customers. It’s a grounded, insightful conversation that connects global headlines to day-to-day business realities—showing how geopolitics isn’t just something happening “out there,” but a constant force shaping decisions, costs, and opportunities at every level. Thanks for listening! Check us out: deltacos.com [https://deltacos.com/] Instragram [https://www.instagram.com/deltacompanies/] LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/search/results/all/?fetchDeterministicClustersOnly=true&heroEntityKey=urn%3Ali%3Aorganization%3A1811643&keywords=delta%20companies%20inc.&origin=RICH_QUERY_TYPEAHEAD_HISTORY&position=0&searchId=032c5840-55b4-43cb-b517-6722699e6cfa&sid=%3Af%2C&spellCorrectionEnabled=true]

Visionaries vs Integrators, Career Changes, & Leadership Styles

In this episode of On the Surface, Seth sits down with Jeff Hotop and Blake Lingle for a candid, wide-ranging conversation about career paths, leadership development, and the roles that shape how organizations grow and operate. Jeff and Blake share how their careers unexpectedly led them into finance and banking—starting with small-town roots, early jobs, and moments where natural strengths began to reveal themselves. From Jeff’s transition from the banking world into a CFO role in a construction-adjacent business, to Blake’s progression into senior lending and leadership, they unpack what it really means to evolve professionally and take calculated risks along the way. A central theme of the conversation is the distinction between visionaries and implementers, and how both roles are essential to a healthy organization. They explore how visionaries think long-term and focus on direction, while implementers translate those ideas into actionable steps. Through real-world examples, they highlight how self-awareness plays a key role in understanding where you fit—and why high-performing teams need both perspectives working together. The discussion also dives into mentorship and leadership, with Jeff and Blake reflecting on the people who shaped their approach—both good and bad. They examine the differences between managers and true leaders, the importance of trust and autonomy, and how leadership styles must adapt to the individual rather than applying a one-size-fits-all approach. From servant leadership to people-first leadership, they share how their philosophies have evolved through experience. Together, they also explore how relationships and culture influence performance, why working with the right team matters as much as the work itself, and how authenticity plays a critical role in leading effectively. They share personal insights on accountability, growth, and the mindset shifts that come from stepping into new responsibilities or environments. It’s an honest, thoughtful conversation about taking risks, understanding your strengths, and growing into leadership over time—one that reinforces a simple truth: careers rarely follow a straight line, and the most meaningful growth comes from learning who you are and having the courage to act on it. Thanks for listening! Check us out: deltacos.com [https://deltacos.com/] Instragram [https://www.instagram.com/deltacompanies/] LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/search/results/all/?fetchDeterministicClustersOnly=true&heroEntityKey=urn%3Ali%3Aorganization%3A1811643&keywords=delta%20companies%20inc.&origin=RICH_QUERY_TYPEAHEAD_HISTORY&position=0&searchId=032c5840-55b4-43cb-b517-6722699e6cfa&sid=%3Af%2C&spellCorrectionEnabled=true]

The Culture–Skill Quadrant Every Leader Faces

In this episode of On the Surface, Seth sits down with Brad and Taylor for an honest, practical conversation about one of the toughest challenges leaders face: building the right team. Using a culture‑versus‑skills quadrant as the framework, they unpack how employees typically fall into four categories—and why where someone lands matters more than leaders often realize. Seth, Brad, and Taylor break down each quadrant in real‑world terms, from high‑culture, high‑skill “stars” to low‑culture, low‑skill “dead weight,” and the dangerous middle ground of high‑skill, low‑culture employees who can quietly undermine a team. They discuss what culture really looks like in practice—not just surface‑level friendliness, but values, integrity, accountability, and how people show up when no one’s watching. The conversation dives into hiring decisions leaders wrestle with every day: whether to hire for skill or culture, how urgency often drives rushed choices, and why “no help” can be better than bad help. Brad and Taylor share insight into why skills are often more teachable than attitude, how behavioral‑based interview questions can reveal far more than technical checklists, and why the elusive “purple unicorn” hire is rarely realistic. Together, they also explore how generational perspectives influence workplace culture, how attitudes and expectations have shifted over time, and why swinging too far toward either culture or performance can hurt a business. They examine the importance of ongoing evaluation, self‑awareness, and giving leaders the space to step back and assess what their team looks like today—and where it needs to be tomorrow. It’s a grounded, thought‑provoking discussion about leadership, accountability, and making tough people decisions—one that reinforces a simple but powerful truth: great teams aren’t built by accident, and culture and skills must grow together if a business is going to succeed. Thanks for listening! Check us out: deltacos.com [https://deltacos.com/] Instragram [https://www.instagram.com/deltacompanies/] LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/search/results/all/?fetchDeterministicClustersOnly=true&heroEntityKey=urn%3Ali%3Aorganization%3A1811643&keywords=delta%20companies%20inc.&origin=RICH_QUERY_TYPEAHEAD_HISTORY&position=0&searchId=032c5840-55b4-43cb-b517-6722699e6cfa&sid=%3Af%2C&spellCorrectionEnabled=true]

From the Ground Up: Leadership, Learning, and the Aggregate World

In this episode of On the Surface, Seth sits down with Kris Latham to unpack a career built from the ground up—one shaped by engineering roots, hard-earned lessons, and a deep respect for people, process, and perspective. From growing up around construction sites in central Florida to leading operations in the aggregates industry, Kris shares the winding path that took him through engineering, finance, consulting, and ultimately into leadership. Kris walks through his early career choices and pivotal moments, including earning his engineering license, navigating layoffs, working through an airline bankruptcy, and finding his way into the aggregates world. Along the way, he explains how those varied experiences—civil engineering, corporate finance, M&A, performance improvement, and operations—shaped how he approaches problem-solving today. His story highlights an often-overlooked truth: careers aren’t linear, but every stop along the way can become a critical building block. Together, Seth and Kris explore what stays consistent across roles and industries—solving problems, understanding people, and learning how to influence rather than dictate change. They unpack the difference between advising from the outside and leading from within, the challenges of credibility and trust, and why the “good idea fairy” approach rarely works without strong relationships. Kris offers candid insight into influencing operations, simplifying communication, and meeting people where they are—especially when the day‑to‑day pressures on the ground are very real. The conversation also spotlights the aggregates industry itself: why it’s misunderstood, why it’s essential, and why it offers durable, meaningful careers that won’t be outsourced or automated away. Kris explains the pride that comes from building something tangible, the importance of safety culture, and how one powerful safety moment reshaped his perspective forever. Throughout the episode, Kris emphasizes one recurring theme: success is built as much on who you know as what you know. From mentorship and networking to being dependable, likable, and willing to earn your stripes, he shares advice for young professionals—and a reminder that careers are built over time through relationships, curiosity, and consistency. It’s a thoughtful, grounded conversation about leadership, influence, and growth—one that goes beyond titles and resumes to focus on the people, experiences, and values that truly shape a career. Thanks for listening! Check us out: deltacos.com [https://deltacos.com/] Instragram [https://www.instagram.com/deltacompanies/] LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/search/results/all/?fetchDeterministicClustersOnly=true&heroEntityKey=urn%3Ali%3Aorganization%3A1811643&keywords=delta%20companies%20inc.&origin=RICH_QUERY_TYPEAHEAD_HISTORY&position=0&searchId=032c5840-55b4-43cb-b517-6722699e6cfa&sid=%3Af%2C&spellCorrectionEnabled=true]