Are Construction Financial Systems Ready for Next-Gen Technology?
Construction's financial future is being written today, but are CFOs ready for what's coming? In this strategic episode of The Power of Construction, Sam Cook, CFO of $1.3 billion employee-owned Brinkman Constructors, reveals how the modern construction CFO role has evolved far beyond traditional accounting. From implementing data analytics that drive hiring decisions to navigating ERP transformations and managing complex payment cycles, Cook demonstrates why today's financial leaders must be business partners who understand both spreadsheets and schedules. This conversation explores the cultural challenges of technology adoption, the power of small wins in driving change, and how employee ownership structures like ESOPs are reshaping construction finance—proving that the future belongs to leaders who can bridge financial expertise with operational excellence.
Episode Transcript
The Evolving Role of the Construction CFO
Sam Cook brings a unique perspective to the Chief Financial Officer role at Brinkman Constructors, a $1.3 billion national general contractor that is 100% employee-owned. With a background in architecture and construction management, Cook demonstrates how the modern CFO must be more than a financial steward—they must be a strategic business partner who understands operations, risk management, and technology integration.
Breaking Down Traditional CFO Boundaries
The conversation reveals how the CFO role in construction has evolved from purely transactional functions to strategic leadership. Cook oversees not only finance and accounting but also technology divisions, playing a key role in aligning strategic plans for future growth. This expanded scope reflects the industry's need for leaders who can navigate both financial complexity and technological innovation.
The Millennial Advantage in Construction Finance
Cook discusses how her millennial mindset influences her approach to technology adoption and change management. Having grown up with technology, millennial leaders bring a unique perspective to bridging the gap between traditional construction practices and modern digital solutions. They understand both the potential of new technologies and the importance of maintaining proven business processes.
Cultural vs. Technical Challenges
A significant portion of the discussion focuses on whether financial technology adoption challenges are primarily cultural or technical. Cook emphasizes that cultural resistance often outweighs technical limitations. While the construction industry has been slower to embrace technology compared to other sectors, the real barrier is often the willingness to change established processes rather than the technology itself.
Data-Driven Decision Making
The conversation explores how Cook has successfully implemented data analytics at Brinkman, starting with workforce analytics and expanding to financial forecasting and risk management. By beginning with data that matters to operations—such as hiring patterns and project performance metrics—she was able to build organizational buy-in for more comprehensive data initiatives.
The Power of Small Wins
Cook shares her strategy of implementing "small wins" to build momentum for larger technology initiatives. By solving everyday pain points like certificate of insurance tracking through automated systems, she demonstrated immediate value while building organizational confidence in technology solutions.
Integrated Platforms and Process Improvement
The discussion covers how integrated platforms are changing the construction financial landscape. Cook emphasizes the importance of choosing a core system (like Procore) and building around it rather than implementing multiple disconnected solutions. This approach reduces complexity while maximizing the value of technology investments.
ERP Transformation Lessons
Drawing from her experience with ERP implementations, Cook shares critical lessons about change management, training, and stakeholder engagement. She emphasizes that successful ERP transformations require adequate resources, comprehensive training programs, and strong executive support—not just technical implementation.
The Business Partnership Imperative
Cook stresses that modern CFOs must understand the business they serve. Whether it's construction schedules, change orders, or market differences between industrial and senior living projects, financial leaders must be deeply connected to operations to provide strategic value.
ESOP Structure and Employee Ownership
The conversation explores how Brinkman's Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP) structure influences financial strategy and employee engagement. Cook explains how being 100% employee-owned creates unique opportunities for transparency and shared success while requiring sophisticated communication about complex financial concepts.
Risk Management and Payment Cycles
The discussion addresses the critical challenges of cash flow management and payment cycles in construction. Cook explains how late payments and complex approval processes can destabilize projects and relationships with subcontractors, emphasizing the need for robust financial processes and technology solutions.
Rapid-Fire Q&A with Samantha Cook
Book Recommendation: Choose Strong by Sally McRae
Sources for Different Perspectives: Podcasts and LinkedIn
Advice to Younger Self: Stop and smell the roses
Most Impactful Innovation: AI for learning and development
Industry Tagline: "Reimagining what's possible one building at a time"
Key Takeaways
The episode reveals that successful construction financial systems transformation requires:
- Business Partnership: CFOs must understand operations, not just numbers
- Cultural Change Management: Technology adoption is more about people than systems
- Data-Driven Insights: Start with meaningful metrics that drive business decisions
- Integrated Platforms: Choose core systems and build around them
- Employee Ownership: Structures like ESOPs can drive engagement and performance
- Risk Management: Proactive approaches to cash flow and payment cycles
- Continuous Learning: The industry demands leaders who adapt and evolve
- Small Wins Strategy: Build momentum through solving everyday pain points first
- Millennial Leadership: Leverage generational advantages in technology adoption
- Strategic Vision: Align financial systems with long-term business growth plans
This conversation demonstrates that the future of construction finance lies not just in adopting new technologies, but in developing leaders who can bridge the gap between financial expertise and operational excellence while building cultures that embrace positive change. Sam Cook and Brinkman Constructors show that when CFOs become true business partners who understand both the numbers and the work itself, they can drive transformation that benefits employees, clients, and the bottom line.
