FootBridge Leadership Series: A Conversation with Industry Leader Laura Nee

To celebrate 25 years of helping organizations navigate disruption through people-first staffing solutions, FootBridge has launched the Leadership Series—a monthly interview spotlighting leaders who bring clarity, grit, and humanity to complex challenges in energy, construction, and industrial sectors.

In our debut episode, host Luke Somers, Client Services Business Manager at FootBridge, speaks with Laura Nee, CEO of VPO—a Pittsburgh-based firm pioneering digital transformation in construction project management. From the early days of Primavera to AI, digital twins, and remote work, Laura shares the lessons she has learned and what she sees coming next.

At its core, this conversation is about adaptive leadership in a changing world—how to stay relevant, drive innovation, and remain human when technology, expectations, and industries are evolving rapidly.

Q&A with Laura Nee, CEO of VPO Construction Project Management Software

Q: You didn’t start in construction. How did your early career in software and IT lead to running a construction tech company?

A: I studied computer science and started in IT at an energy company. But I wanted to make a bigger impact—generate revenue, not just support it. That led me into consulting. Eventually, I bought the business my father started, which sold Primavera scheduling software. That move pulled me deep into the construction and engineering space, substantial capital projects.

Q: What made you pivot from consulting to creating your own software platform?

A: I didn’t love the unpredictability of consulting revenue. I aimed to develop a scalable product that consistently delivers value. In 2008, we launched VPO—Virtual Project Office—a digital platform that manages RFIs, submittals, job costs, and change orders. It was designed to streamline collaboration among project teams, particularly across companies. At the time, the “cloud” wasn’t even a mainstream concept. But we believed in the vision.

Q: How did the industry react to a cloud-based platform back then?

A: Slowly. Construction tends to be a tech laggard. In 2008, we had to wait for the market to catch up. But now, people see the benefits—centralized communication, data consistency, accountability—and they’re hungry for digital solutions that actually work.

Q: The pandemic changed how people work. How did COVID reshape the construction industry’s mindset around technology and remote work?

A: COVID forced construction to get creative. It’s a field-based business, but when people couldn’t be on-site, they still had to get things done. So tech like drones, virtual site visits, and remote collaboration tools became essential. My company has been remote for 17 years—long before it was trendy—so we understood the importance of structure, systems, and good data.

Q: Will hybrid and remote work stay in construction, or is it just a phase?

A: Some roles will always require boots on the ground, but hybrid is here to stay. The key is balance—tech can support remote collaboration, but relationships and culture still need human connection. You can’t replace trust and team dynamics with software alone.

Q: What technologies are creating the biggest impact right now in construction?

A: Digital twins are huge—virtual replicas of job sites that let you simulate and test before breaking ground. Also, energy infrastructure is booming. Steel plants are so energy-intensive they’re building on-site mini nuclear reactors. The power needs of data centers and AI are also reshaping construction priorities.

Q: There’s so much change happening with technology in construction—AI, cloud platforms, digital twins. For professionals trying to stay sharp, where should they focus their energy?

A: Honestly, I’d say start getting comfortable with AI. It’s not here to take your job—it’s just another tool, like anything else. I use it every day, even for small tasks, just to continue learning what it can do. Those who lean into it now will be in a much better position a few years down the road. And beyond that, understanding your data is huge. You don’t need to be a data scientist, but if your information is scattered or difficult to access, even the best technology won’t help. Clean, structured data—that’s what makes the difference when you want to move fast or make wise decisions.

Q: You’ve hired and interviewed people in this hybrid era. What mistakes are job seekers making in virtual interviews?

A: People confuse “remote” with “casual.” I’ve had candidates show up to video interviews looking completely unprofessional. It’s still a job interview—dress the part, show energy, and communicate clearly. The format may have changed, but expectations remain the same.

Q: Can you share a project that speaks to the scale or innovation happening in construction right now?

A: One of our clients is a steel producer who’s building a new plant in a rural area—essentially creating an entire town around it. They’re such massive energy consumers that they’re incorporating mini nuclear reactors on-site. These types of mega-projects are becoming increasingly common as industries demand more localized and resilient infrastructure.

Q: Beyond the tech, what about networking or continuous learning? How do you stay informed?

A: I’m involved with CMAA’s Three Rivers Chapter—it focuses on best practices in project management. I also closely follow LinkedIn, especially professional groups that aren’t just promotional. Podcasts, fireside chats, and bite-sized learning tools, such as masterclasses, are also great ways to stay sharp without needing a full day out of the office.

Q: Looking ahead, what’s one trend you think could really reshape the construction industry in the next 10 years?

A: Honestly, it’s not just AI itself; it’s how we manage our data. Everyone’s excited about AI, but if the data it pulls from is disorganized, it won’t be much help. Many companies have 20 years of files stored in unstructured folders. If someone can figure out how to organize that—how to make it searchable, relevant, and actually usable—they’ll be way ahead. That’s where the real value is going to come from. Not just having data, but knowing what to do with it.

Q: For readers who want to connect with you or learn more about VPO, where should they go?

A: Visit vpocloud.com or connect with me on LinkedIn. We’re also launching a podcast series soon to keep these conversations going—focused on helping construction professionals lead smarter.

To listen to the full episode, you can check it out on YouTube. Interested in being a guest or chatting with Luke Somers? You can contact him at: lsomers@FootBridgeCompany.com