Session Speakers

Dr. Ali Agha is a co-founder and CEO at Field AI. Field AI is focused on developing next-generation robotic autonomy and embodied AI in complex and offroad environments. Prior to FieldAI, Dr. Agha was a Technologist and Group Leader at NASA-JPL and Caltech. During his tenure at JPL and Caltech, he was the principal investigator for and led NASA’s team in several flagship autonomy-focused projects, including the DARPA Subterranean Challenge, DARPA Racer, and the prototype Mars Helicopter-Rover coordinated autonomy. Prior to his work at JPL, he was a researcher at Qualcomm Research and MIT, leading the technical efforts on perception and planning for autonomous robotics vehicles. 

Brandon Anderson, Vice President of Safety at AGC of Missouri; has 26 years of experience in the construction industry; holding various positions from leadership to senior safety and senior employee development specialist roles. Mr. Anderson is not only a lifelong construction professional but also an advocate for total worker wellbeing, with a focus on Mental Health, Suicide and Substance Misuse. In 2022 he co-found AGC of America’s National Task Force; Mental Health, Suicide Prevention. He currently serves as the co-chair; and serves on numerous other committees nationally. His passion and personal experience runs deep and his impact is recognized throughout the Midwest; as well as nationally. 

Representing the third generation of her family to work in the construction industry, Kelly Powers Baria shares key executive and management responsibilities for Powers & Sons operations in Chicago, Northeast Illinois, and Northwest Indiana.  

As a company principal who oversees general contracting and construction management projects, Kelly embodies core values focused on excellence, integrity, client care, and inclusion. 

While living in the San Francisco area during her early career, Kelly earned a California real estate license and worked in corporate real estate, partnering with key clients to strategically manage a portfolio consisting of over 140 locations. In 2005, Kelly returned to the Midwest, practicing real estate as a broker for Century 21 Powers Realty. In 2012, Kelly rejoined the family general contracting and construction management firm as director of new business development. During her tenure in that role, company revenue more than doubled and exceeded $100 million in 2018, at which time she was promoted to vice president. 

Kelly leverages her knowledge of civil engineering and construction, connections in the Midwest construction industry, and commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion to forge partnerships that benefit clients and communities. She was instrumental in leading Powers & Sons to become a founding member of the Chicago Community Builders Collective, a nine-firm joint venture delivering the new $1.7 billion Bally’s Chicago casino, hotel, and entertainment complex 

Active in the community, Kelly serves a number of civic and cultural organizations. Appointed to the board of Methodist Hospitals in 2024, she is a trustee for the Lincoln Park Zoo, Chicago Architecture Center, and the Morton Arboretum. She also serves on the Black creativity advisory committee for the Museum of Science & Industry and is a Class of 2021 Leadership Greater Chicago Fellow.  

Graduating with distinction from Purdue University’s Lyles School of Civil Engineering, Kelly was appointed to the school’s Civil Engineering Advisory Council in 2023. For more information about Powers & Sons, follow the company on LinkedIn and visit powersandsons.com. 

Blaine Beckman received his Master’s Degree in Business Administration with a focus in Management from Texas A&M San Antonio with high honors. Blaine began his construction career as a framing carpenter and due to his work ethic and desire to learn, he received promotions through the construction ranks as lead carpenter, foreman, superintendent, project manager, and Vice President. He was recently named President for F.A. Nunnelly General Contractor, a commercial contractor in San Antonio that was established in 1922. Blaine is heavily active in the construction industry as well as in the San Antonio community. Blaine also prides himself on his involvement with AGC and is active on both the local and national level. Blaine most recently served as President of the AGC Board of Directors for the San Antonio Chapter.  

A few notable awards that Blaine has been the recipient of include Boy Scouts of America Eagle Scout Award, San Antonio Business Journal 40 under 40, and the AGC Bubba Moeller Award for Outstanding Service. 

As the Chief Operating Officer, Darrell excels in managing diverse teams across various projects, showcasing exceptional leadership in sectors such as healthcare, K-12 education, high-end tenant interiors, and hospitality. His primary objective is to ensure projects are completed on schedule and within budget while upholding rigorous quality standards. His success stems from effective team management, where he inspires and motivates team members to excel. Darrell fosters a collaborative environment that emphasizes open communication and allows team members to leverage their unique skills. He ensures all projects align with the organization’s goals, promoting accountability and clear roles, which enhances productivity and project success. Through his adept leadership and strong management skills, Darrell navigates challenges to deliver projects on time, within budget, and to the highest quality standards. 

Brandon Carlson is Granite Construction’s Nevada Regional Safety and Health, Environmental and Quality manager with a proven track record of sustained results. Under Brandon’s leadership, a strong safety culture has been developed and is now transforming from traditional employee ownership of physical safety and health to that of a total worker health initiative and “working athlete” mentality. As the Nevada Chapter AGC Safety Committee Chair, Brandon has been an integral part of championing the construction community’s focus on worker mental health initiatives. He has first-hand experience with the physical safety consequences of workers who are struggling mentally without proper tools, training or resources on the job, and how this impacts organizations and the industry as a whole.

Chaitanya Naredla Krishna, widely known as NK, stands at the forefront of the rapidly evolving technology industry. As the Co-founder and CEO of Constructn.ai, NK is pioneering the future of construction monitoring, bringing simplicity and automation to complex processes across the build timeline. His rich experience weaves together advanced domains such as robotics, computer vision, extended reality (XR), machine learning/artificial intelligence (ML/AI), and Internet of Things (IoT) technologies. 

Jimmy Christianson leads the Associated General Contractors of America’s government relations efforts in Washington D.C., both on Capitol Hill and in the federal agencies. In this role, he is responsible for advancing the interests of more than 27,000 construction firms utilizing a network of 89 chapters on issues including but not limited to public and private construction investment, workforce development, tax, labor, safety and health, environmental and procurement.

Prior to joining AGC, Jimmy worked as an attorney for the international law firm of K&L Gates and as a government affairs specialist for the American Road & Transportation Builders Association. Jimmy received his Bachelor of Arts degree with magna cum laude honors from the University of Pennsylvania and Juris Doctorate degree with cum laude honors from the University of Maine School of Law.  He is licensed to practice law in Virginia, Massachusetts and the District of Columbia.

Sam Clark continues the Clark Construction Company lineage as President and CEO, being the fourth to serve over the firm’s 75 years. He served in the U. S. Army from 1991 to 1994 and was stationed in Fort Lewis, Washington. Upon his honorable discharge, Sam enrolled in Northern Michigan University where he obtained a B. S. in Building Construction Management. 

Sam joined Clark Construction Company as a Project Manager in 1996 and has held progressive roles during his rise to President. During his career, Sam has been involved in many market sectors and is most notably known for his expertise in casino, resort venues. Through developing, implementing, and living our core values, Sam has proven himself as a visionary leader within the organization. The company mission “We Build on a Foundation of Trust” aligns the team in success. Sam has led the organization through significant cultural changes with a strategic focus on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. 

JocCole “JC” Burton, LEED AP BD+C, is the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Maven Construction, the full service general contracting firm under the Woodline Solutions umbrella. Maven Construction, a women-owned Boston, Massachusetts based company provides full service general construction management, energy solution and energy retrofits in the built environment.   Over her 20+ year career, Ms. Burton has acquired invaluable expertise from the most competitive general contractors where she has completed more than 65 projects with more than a billion dollars of construction.   

Her expertise in high-performing green projects stems from directing more than 40 LEED new construction and energy retrofit projects where geothermal, solar arrays and solar farms are reducing traditional energy sources on average of 23%. 

Her leadership is recognized by industry peers and organizations. Ms. Burton has won numerous industry awards including the coveted Associated Builders & Contractor’s Eagle Award, White House Champion of Change, Clean Energy, Women’s Magazine Business of the Year, ABL Non-Traditional Business of the Year, Associated General Contractors and Urban Land Institute, among others. 

Benjamin Crosby, CM-BIM, CM-Lean, CCM, LEED AP BD+C, is passionate about building and education. He earned a Construction Management Degree with Math and Physics Minors, from Brigham Young University, is a member of the AGC IT Forum Steering Committee, and instructs the AGC BIM and Lean Education Programs. Benjamin is currently the Site Manager for a Mega Project (over $1 Billion) in Ohio, so he currently has the opportunity to apply Technology in an active production environment. As a builder educator, he motivates people to how to improve their projects and careers. Family is important to him and Benjamin has been married to Bethany for 24 years, they have 7 children and a Son-In-Law.  Benjamin started in construction on a framing crew building custom homes, then moved into management of large projects with an emphasis on electronic project management and scheduling.  He tried something different for 2 years, teaching High School in Arizona, then returned to construction management in 2006. As BIM emerged, he fully engaged in Virtual Design and Construction.  As Director of VDC, Benjamin oversaw implementation of VDC for over 300 projects, representing various divisions of the Yates Companies, he implemented BIM and Lean as an Owner, Designer, Construction Manager, General Contractor, and as Trade Contractors. He has had significant influence in his company’s Lean journey and was the Yates Companies Innovation Champion. Benjamin is now back in operations and is directly implementing all this tech experience on his project. 

I hired on at Nabholz in 1997 as a carpenter. Since then I have worked as a foreman, Superintendent, trainer, and Quality Director. I have been the Corporate Quality Director at Nabholz since 2019. 

I have been a member of DCX (formerly CQEC) since 2019 and a board member for two years. I will be chairing the Advancing Construction Quality (Hanson Wade) conference in October. 

I believe Quality Risk Management is a critical tool in addressing the challenges to commercial construction that we all face today – interpreting and communicating complex design documents; shortages of skilled workers at all levels; increasing discernment and demands from customers, evolution of methodologies and influence of technology. 

Rashawn Day has been an integral part of Hays Electrical Services for six years, serving as a Senior Electrical Estimator. Beginning with a strong foundation in field experience, Rashawn has grown tremendously, mastering preconstruction processes and gaining valuable insights into operations. His expertise lies in accurately estimating electrical scopes of work while contributing to business development efforts that drive project success. Rashawn’s adaptability and commitment to continuous learning have allowed him to bridge the gap between field execution and project planning, ensuring precise, strategic estimates. His well-rounded perspective and dedication make him a key asset in delivering successful electrical projects and fostering company growth. 

With over 20 years of experience in manufacturing and construction, I specialize in driving digital transformation and advancing emerging technologies. At DPR Construction, I lead the adoption of innovations like AI and Computer Vision to enhance project delivery and management. Passionate about collaboration and education, I actively engage with teams to solve challenges and improve productivity through data-driven solutions. As a thought leader, I serve on industry boards and speak at events on BIM, VDC, and Reality Capture, focusing on developing standards and best practices to elevate the construction industry.

With a strong background in management defense and traditional labor law, Adam advises clients on union avoidance, union relations, union contract administration, unfair labor practice allegations, collective bargaining negotiations, contract administration and grievance investigations. In addition to providing day-to-day counsel, he regularly represents employers in National Labor Relations Board proceedings and arbitrations, as well as in litigation in both state and federal courts. 

While Adam works with clients in a variety of fields, he concentrates much of his practice on manufacturing companies, as well as on their distributors in the transportation industry. He is extensively familiar with the issues driving those industries’ relatively high union participation rates, and the legal issues that arise as a result. 

After pursuing a degree in business administration, Adam chose to concentrate on labor and employment law, which allows him to help a wide variety of employers work through workplace legal issues every day. He understands that clients’ primary concern is their business and its operational strategy, so while managers and employers want to follow all laws and regulations, they rarely have the time or capacity to stay on top of every facet of quickly-changing labor and employment laws. That’s where Adam comes in: his goal is to know and study the law so that he can serve as clients’ trusted business partner. Adam works to protect clients’ interests by advising of risks and best practices to avoid litigation, and by defending against claims that cannot be avoided, so that business owners and managers can focus on their operational goals. 

Stephen Dummit is President of Tradewinds Leadership, a professional coaching and development firm focused on improving mental health in the trades. He is an active member of the Nevada AGC Safety and Workforce Development Committees, as well as the Construction Leadership Council. As a former electrical contractor turned coach and facilitator, he leverages years of hands-on industry experience to connect with tradesmen and their leaders as “one of their own”. He equips front line managers and leaders with the communication, resilience and culture building tools needed to address the alarming mental health statistics in the construction industry. Stephen’s ability to bridge the gap between the field and the office is a unique perspective that drives total worker health initiatives toward tangible action. 

Alex Etchen joined the Associated General Contractors (AGC) in early 2021 as the Senior Director for Infrastructure Advancement. Prior to joining AGC, Alex served as Associate Administrator for Highway Policy and External Affairs for the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) at the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT). He served to advance the mission and goals of FHWA while working with Members of Congress and external stakeholders. Alex oversaw a staff responsible for a variety of critical and diverse topics ranging from housing FHWA’s traffic and transportation performance data, to collaborating with the international community on new highway technology, transportation research, and program innovations, and to performing studies and analyses of national transportation policy options.

Prior to joining the Department, Alex worked in Congress for nearly seven years; first for a Member of Congress from Idaho and then on the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee. During his tenure on the Committee, he worked on the federal-aid highway portfolio and drafted provisions included in the Fixing America’s Surface Transportation (FAST) Act.

Originally from Ligonier, Pa., Alex earned a Bachelor of Science in Marketing from the Pennsylvania State University and a Master of Business Administration from the Johns Hopkins University.

Danielle Feroleto is the President and CEO of Small Giants, a full-service marketing agency in Arizona and Colorado. Feroleto has dedicated the last 25 years of her career to growing companies in the commercial real estate and construction industry through marketing and business development strategies. She is recognized for her strategic approach, strong networking practices, creative marketing strategies, and practical training skills. Small Giants is a Certified Woman-Owned Business, and Feroleto remains heavily involved in many organizations including serving as an AGC board member on the Arizona Builders Alliance (ABA), the Society for Marketing Professional Services (SMPS), the National Association of Industrial and Office Properties (NAIOP) Arizona Board, and on the Industry Advisory Executive Committee at ASU’s DEWSC, and recently appointed to the ASU Alumni Board of Directors. 

Feroleto has become an industry mentor and coaches the next generation of industry leaders through her work as an associate faculty member at ASU at the Del E Webb School of Construction. Additionally, Feroleto has positioned Small Giants as one of the only firms in the nation exclusively serving the commercial real estate and construction industry and is certified as an Approved Training Provider, allowing clients and participants of workshops that Small Giants presents to receive continuing education units (CEU) through SMPS by participating in training and coaching. Having built a team of 50 employees in two cities and multiple service lines, the firm has served more than 400 clients and been a part of the successful selection of firms when completing negotiated project work, totaling more than $2 billion in projects won on behalf of clients. 

Leon has been involved with the AGC since his move to the Gulf Coast Region in 2012. He has been an active member of AGC Louisiana and is a lead instructor for the AGC CM-Lean course, having instructed numerous cohort trainings for his organization since he came a AGC Lean Construction Education Instructor in 2021. On a national level he now serves on the AGC Lean Construction Committee. Leon has worked in the New Orleans, LA area and surrounding region since 2012, with a passion and focus on Operational and Organizational effectiveness including Best Practices Identification and Implementation. His drive for continuous improvement and proactive innovative solutions dovetailed well into Lean Construction Principles & Processes. He became CM-Lean certified in 2019 and took the Leadership role as an Executive for the Lean Implementation Program and overall Lean Transformation for his organization. 

Nate Fuller is a passionate and accomplished construction technology leader with a diverse background in corporate innovation, construction technology, and entrepreneurship. He contributed to engineering design and project management for global construction projects before helping to create Bechtel’s Office of Innovation in 2016. He then ventured into entrepreneurship and later founded Placer Solutions, a management consultancy firm in 2020. Nate’s proven track record defining strategy and directing change management in construction has led to successful consulting engagements with North America’s largest construction contractors. 

Gretchen’s father telling her she could not attend engineering school because “girls don’t study engineering” not only inspired her to complete a degree in mechanical engineering; it also fueled her passion for inclusivity. After a successful career as Ralston Purina’s first female manufacturing operations manager, Gretchen transitioned to advising large mining, energy, and construction industry organizations as a Director at FMI. She collaborates with her clients to solve strategic challenges that improve capital program delivery, senior leadership effectiveness, inclusivity, and profitability. Her clients included GM, Intel, Procter & Gamble, Dominion Energy, Newcrest Mining, DPR Construction, and TYLin. Gretchen holds an MBA and in 2018 completed her doctoral studies in leadership, organization culture, and change/agility.  

Gretchen’s 2021 induction into the National Academy of Construction, along with her creation of a successful women’s leadership program in the pipeline and crane industries in Australia, inspired her to devote more energy into building inclusive mining, energy, and construction industries. Her book, Building Women Leaders: A Blueprint for Women Thriving in Construction (Wiley US), is available on Amazon.com, and you can find her leadership podcast, Greatness, on Spotify. Gretchen is also the Founder and CEO of Women Thriving in Construction – A Global Institute created to lead and fund collaborative stakeholder efforts to promote women in the construction industry. Gretchen divides her time between Australia and the US and enjoys time with her two wonderful grown children, traveling, and playing as much golf as possible!  

Max Gallaway’s journey in the electrical industry began at the dinner table, where he was immersed in discussions about the intricacies of the business by his parents. This early exposure sparked a passion that would drive Max’s career in the years to come. 

After completing his college education, Max embarked on a professional journey that included nearly a decade of valuable experience working for two distinguished electrical contractors. This hands-on experience equipped him with a deep understanding of the industry, from technical nuances to project management intricacies. 

Max’s dedication to the electrical field extends beyond his day-to-day work as he actively engages with industry associations at both local and national levels. His involvement with the Associated General Contractors (AGC) showcased his commitment to the industry’s growth and development. Max’s contributions to the Builders’ board and the Construction Leadership Council (CLC) underscore his leadership qualities and his dedication to fostering collaboration within the construction community. 

On the NECA (National Electrical Contractors Associations) front, Max has been an active participant in as well. His roles within NECA, including contributions to the National Joint Apprenticeship & Training Committee (NJATC) and a focus on innovation, demonstrate his commitment to staying at the forefront of industry advancements. 

Max’s journey took a pivotal turn when he joined the family business, Max Electric, Inc. Bringing together a blend of experience, technological acumen, and a knack for salesmanship, Max has played a crucial role in driving steady growth for Max Electric. His leadership has not only shaped the trajectory of the family business but has also left a positive impact on the industry at large. 

As a speaker, Max Gallaway has previously spoken twice at the NECA EMERGE conference about Data Center Construction as well as Service & Maintenance Technology. Max brings a wealth of experience and insights, offering audiences a unique perspective on the evolution of the electrical industry, the significance of industry involvement, and the intersection of technology and business in achieving SAFE sustained growth. 

As President and CEO of Trinal, Inc., Mrs. Garcia-Abner manages the company and supervises key personnel, including the Chief of Operations and Senior Project Managers. She oversees the enhancement of Trinal’s proprietary software, the Global Project Tracking System® (GPTS®), ensuring it meets industry standards. Her expertise includes construction and project management, procurement policy development, and contract compliance monitoring. She also assists in marketing consulting services, negotiating contracts, and managing projects from start to finish. 

For nearly two decades, Mrs. Garcia-Abner has led a consultancy focused on the economic development of women and minority-owned businesses. Under her leadership, Trinal has served various industries, promoting diversity in hiring and advising senior management in both public and private sectors. Previously, she held significant roles in the City of Chicago’s Department of Procurement and Chicago Public Schools. 

Mrs. Garcia-Abner holds a Master’s Degree in Health Care Administration from Governors State University and a Bachelor of Science in Public Affairs from Indiana University. She is a certified Master Compliance Administrator and has received numerous awards, including the HACIA Professional Service Firm of the Year and the Keeper of the Dream Award. Appointed by Chicago mayors as Commissioner for Special Service Area No. 42, she is active in trade associations and serves on the Committee for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion for the Chicagoland Associated General Contractors. She is also a Board Member of the Better Government Association. 

As Head of Construction Innovation and Sustainability at AXA XL, Cheri provides strategic leadership and direction in sustainable construction and innovation via the implementation of processes, technology, unique insurance solutions, and enhanced customer service initiatives across all construction lines of business.

She is dedicated to supporting AXA XL’s clients’ innovation efforts, sustainability, and technological maturity, which improve both individual enterprises and the industry as a whole. She is committed to developing innovative insurance solutions to support sustainably focused, technology-forward, innovative companies.

She is also a thought-leader, ambassador, and spokesperson for AXA XL, presenting at industry events and educational organizations.

Cheri has more than 30 years of industry experience in insurance, sustainable building, preconstruction, operations, and project management. Before joining AXA XL, Cheri’s most recent role was with Yates Construction’s Fort Worth Texas office in Operations and Sustainability Management. Prior to that, she served in Preconstruction and Sustainability for LendLease Dallas. Her passion for construction risk management has its roots in her experience as a Partner in a small residential and tenant improvement construction company.

Cheri is a Construction Risk Insurance Specialist (CRIS), LEED Accredited Professional (LEED AP), and a Construction Document Specialist (CDS).

Nick is an Accredited Drug Screening Industry Consultant, advisor, subject matter expert, professional researcher, trainer, and speaker who has built, implemented, and managed drug-free workplace programs for thousands of employers across the U.S. and abroad for over 18 years. 

The Drug Screening Compliance Institute (DSCI) focuses on state, federal, case law, subject-specific compliance research, policy, training, education, litigation support, research, and consulting. 

Eric Hays founded Hays Electrical Services in 2007 with a focus on strategic growth and delivering a full range of electrical solutions. Known for his exceptional drive and dedication, Eric has led the company’s rapid expansion across all business aspects. At the core of his leadership is a commitment to relationship-building and contract negotiations, which have been key to Hays’ success. Eric places immense value on maintaining strong partnerships, earning the trust and respect of both customers and staff. Outside of work, Eric is an avid hunting enthusiast who brings the same positive, goal-driven mindset to the woods as he does to leading the company. 

Jennifer Johnson is the Chief Product Officer (CPO) for ConstructConnect, overseeing Product Management, Product Marketing, User Experience, and Research. Since joining the company in 2008, Jennifer has provided leadership to the Product Management, Product Development, and Marketing teams. She has a passion for solving complicated problems and continuously enhancing the user experience. Jennifer has an undergraduate degree in Computer Science and an MBA, both from Georgia Tech. 

Overseeing the technological infrastructure, strategy, and innovation initiatives to drive business growth. 

Richard Jones is an experienced therapist, clinician, and healthcare entrepreneur operating primarily in the behavioral health space. Richard has wide-ranging professional experience across nearly all behavioral health domains. This includes mental health, substance use disorders, co-occurring disorders, and intellectual disabilities. He has over 20 years’ management experience and has been instrumental in the launch and rebuild of multiple programs nationwide. Richard is passionate about providing quality care and supporting people in need. He has been the founding CEO of two non-profit organizations and two for-profit businesses dedicated to disrupting the behavioral health space for the betterment of people in need.  

Neil Jones is Egnyte’s Cybersecurity Evangelist. He possesses more than 15 years of experience in the IT Security space, and has worked in a variety of different roles in the field, including product marketing, sales and even product pricing. He’s been a designated Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP) since 2008. In his spare time, he’s an avid hiker, traveler and blogger.

Bill is an award-winning attorney with over 38 years of experience in the workplace drug and alcohol testing industry. He is the Co-Founder & Chief Research Attorney of the Drug Screening Compliance Institute (DSCI), focusing on state, federal, and subject-specific compliance research, policy development and review, training, education, litigation support, and consulting. 

Nick Kakasenko, VP of Health and Safety for Sterling Infrastructure – Nick Kakasenko brings a deep knowledge of construction safety, backed by 25+ years of experience in the industry. In his current role as VP of Health and Safety for Sterling Infrastructure, he oversees safety for 9 national divisions and over 3,000 employees. Sterling has a world-class safety program with some of the lowest incident rates in the industry. 

Mandi is a Central Washington University alum of the safety and health management program and currently serves as the director of safety for AGC of Washington. She also has a bachelor’s degree in foreign language and teaches Spanish for supervisors in the construction industry. She recently earned her master’s degree in Safety & Health Management and published a thesis and employer best practice guide on mental health interventions in construction. Mandi has worked in AGC’s safety department for 20 years, helping members with safety programs, training, doing safety team inspections, working on legislative/regulatory issues pertaining to safety, and serving on various safety committees. Mandi currently serves as the co-chair of the AGC of America Chapter Safety Leadership committee. Mandi enjoys spending time camping and traveling with her family, including her 14-year-old daughter and 10-year-old triplets. Mandi was the only safety professional selected by Construction Business Owner for the 2019 class of top 20 Outstanding women in construction from 200 nominees and was featured in their November 2019 issue.

Karrie Kratz is vice president and business leader for Gilbane Building Company’s Chicago operations. In this role, Karrie is responsible for driving consistency and excellence in Chicago while overseeing all projects and employees in the local area. She combines her business background, strong technical building skills, and collaborative approach to lead more than 270 team members in Chicago and surrounding areas effectively. 

Karrie started her career with Gilbane in 1999, where she moved through the ranks as a field accountant, quality control manager, superintendent, project manager, and operations manager for Gilbane’s Chicago business. In 2021, Karrie was named business leader for the Chicago office. Recent key projects include Illinois Institute of Technology’s Student Housing Program and Ivanhoe Cambridge/Hines 10 and 120 S. Riverside Plaza Redevelopment. In addition, Karrie is representing Gilbane on the Chicago Community Builders Collective (CCBC), and eight-firm minority-led joint venture partnership, serving as the general contractor for the Bally’s Chicago Casino project. 

As a leader, Karrie participates in several local organizations that reflect her passion for improving advancement opportunities for women in the construction industry and mentoring and engaging youth in local communities to explore potential career opportunities in the construction industry. Karrie leads Gilbane’s Chicago chapter of empoWer, an employee resource group that advocates for the advancement of women within the construction industry, and also serves on the board of directors for the ACE Mentor Program Chicago. 

In addition, Karrie enjoys bringing positive change to the industry by participating in local industry organizations such as the Chicagoland Associated General Contractors and the Lean Construction Institute.  

Karrie holds a bachelor’s degree from the New England Institute of Technology in architectural building engineering technology and is a LEED Accredited Professional. Karrie was named vice president in 2016. 

With over a decade of experience with the 3M company in a variety of technical and leadership roles, Jason Kunz demonstrates his passion for the safety and health profession across multiple platforms. A forward-thinker, with the objective to elevate the safety, health and well-being of all workers, Jason uses his voice to amplify the profession and the professional. His life journey, blessings, and struggles have inspired a commitment to building professional communities that ensure an empowerment of their people. Jason is a husband, co-founder of Best Christmas Ever speaker, coach, and community advocate. He’s a CIH and CSP, but mostly grateful to have a J-O-B and work with some of the most passionate and compassionate people on the planet. Married since 2019, Jason and his wife Malia recently welcomed their first child and call Minneapolis-Saint Paul home. 

Jennifer Lacy has been in the construction industry for over 20 years and is Robins & Morton’s Building Forward® Lean Practice Leader. She is responsible for the continued advancement of the company’s Building Forward® approach, which is based on Lean philosophies. She is a published author, hosts a weekly YouTube live stream and is a frequent speaker at national conferences such as Lean Congress, Associated General Contractors’ Annual Conference, Healthcare Facilities Symposium and more. Jennifer holds a Bachelor of Science in Operations Management from Texas A&M University-Commerce. 

Brian Langhorst is an Industry Partnerships Manager with Procore Technologies based in Austin, TX. Brian has a passion for finding and collaborating with the best technologies available in the construction industry. After moving to Austin, TX in 2007, he spent 4 years in electrical distribution sales, and another 5 years in heavy equipment rentals. Brian joined Procore in 2017 to pursue his passion for bringing technology and innovation to the construction market. With nearly 20 years of experience in the construction industry, Brian now connects technologists, thought leaders and industry associations to continue to drive advancement and innovation. 

Jay Langston is an experienced Construction Executive with a demonstrated history of managing teams and projects in the construction industry. Skilled in Value Engineering, Project Scheduling, Project Estimation, Feasibility Studies and Design-Build Projects. Strong program and project management professional with a Bachelor of Business Administration (B.B.A.) focused in Business Administration, Management and Operations from the University of Florida. 

Joe Leone is a partner in the construction law firm of Drewry Simmons Vornehm, LLP located in Indianapolis, IN.  Joe concentrates his practice in the areas of construction and public contract law. He represents all participants in the construction industry, including public and private owners, general contractors, construction managers, design-build contractors, trade contractors, and design professionals in drafting and negotiating contracts, providing general counsel, and in all types of performance and payment dispute resolution. He obtained a B.S. in Civil Engineering from Purdue University and a J.D. from the McKinney School of Law, Indiana University.  Through his practice and his prior experience in the construction industry, he has developed particular expertise in alternative project delivery systems such as construction management, both agency and at-risk, design-build, and Integrated Project Delivery. 

Joe is currently the chair of the Contract Documents Forum of the Associated General Contractors of America and is active in the American Bar Association Construction Law Forum, Indiana State Bar Association Construction and Surety Law Section as the past-chair, Associated General Contractors of Indiana, and Indiana Constructors, Inc.  Joe has been recognized as an Indiana Super Lawyer in the practice area of Construction Litigation, 2013-2024. He has received an AV Preeminent Peer Review Rating from Martindale Hubbell. Joe also received honors for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design Accredited Professional (LEED, AP), and Outstanding Service Award, City of Indianapolis. 

Pete Malmberg, Senior Lead Estimator at CNC Drywall, draws from 35 years of construction industry experience spanning residential development through large-scale commercial projects. Currently managing estimates for multi-story mixed-use developments, educational facilities, and healthcare centers, he develops practical technology solutions for construction processes. His background in both construction management and software implementation provides insight into streamlining industry workflows. 

A labor lawyer with 36 years of experience, Andy is the President and CEO of Martone Legal concentrating in the practice of labor and employment law, with a background in industry and human resources. 

Andy routinely counsels clients and handles matters before the NLRB, EEOC, the Department of Labor, OSHA, and numerous other federal and state agencies. He regularly represents clients in employment-related litigation in federal and state courts throughout the country (including cases based on race, gender, disability, religion, harassment, national origin, FMLA, veteran status, retaliatory discharge, the False Claims Act, and public policy discharge cases). Andy has defended clients in more than 275 federal cases. 

Andy has extensive experience in opposing union organizing campaigns, union decertification, negotiating labor agreements and arbitrating contract grievances and has advised clients in labor and employment matters in 49 states, Canada, Mexico, Singapore, Japan, France, and the UK. Andy regularly negotiates an average of twelve collective bargaining agreements per year, advises clients on labor relations issues on a day-to-day basis, arbitrates several cases each year and acts as national counsel for labor and employment matters for numerous companies and employer associations. 

Bob McCall is the Director of Safety for the Master Builders’ Association of Western Pennsylvania (MBA). He has headed MBA’s safety department since 1996, assisting members with safety program development, training, safety audits, and bringing best practices in construction safety and health to the regions’ jobsites.

Bob is an active participant in several industry initiatives. He is a member of the Associated General Contractors of America’s Safety and Health Committee where he serves as a member of their Steering Committee and the vice-chair of the Chapter Safety Professionals Subcommittee. Additionally, he serves on the National Safety Council’s Board of Delegates and is the immediate past chair of their Construction and Utilities Division.

In 2022, Bob was awarded the National Safety Council’s most prestigious individual honor, the Distinguished Service to Safety Award.

Bob McCall is the Director of Safety for the Master Builders’ Association of Western Pennsylvania, where he supports the construction safety and health programs of 250+ member companies. He is an active member of NSC, having served on their Delegates Committee, Impairment Advisory Board, and Construction and Utilities Division. In 2022, he was awarded NSC’s Distinguished Service to Safety Award. 

Beginning as a trainee in the surety department at St. Paul (Seaboard) Insurance Company in 1988, and eventually working his way up to Branch Manager in Los Angeles by 1994 and Regional Underwriting Director in the New York region by 1998, Mr. McMahon offers considerable surety underwriting experience.  

Over the last twenty-three years at Alliant Insurance Services, Mr. McMahon has been instrumental in the management of large surety placements, providing his expertise in all areas of surety. His extensive network of surety and construction industry professionals coupled with his vast base of surety knowledge proves to be an invaluable asset. 

Qualifications 

Mr. McMahon has been in the surety industry for over 35 years, providing surety and construction management advice to clients nationwide. His continued efforts in education, both in learning and teaching, have kept his expertise current and relevant, allowing him to provide the highest quality service to clients.   

Education  

Mr. McMahon earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Political Science from Siena College, studied Construction Management (CM) Classes at New York University, obtained his Associate in Fidelity and Surety Bonding (AFSB) designation, and attended the Management Development Program at the University of Southern California. 

Affiliations  

Mr. McMahon a Past President of the National Association of Surety Bond Producers (NASBP). He served on the board of the Associated General Contractors (AGC) of San Diego from 2002 through 2005 and returned to the board in 2012 until present.  In 2024 he was also appointed to the AGC National Board of Directors. 

Personal  

Larry is married to his high school sweetheart, Heather, and they have three children, Dillon (30), Mary (28) and Bailey (25). 

Paul Messenger is the President of our Texas operations. Paul leads a team of innovative and technical construction surety and insurance professionals dedicated to delivering best-in-class service and solutions to our clients. Paul has 20 + years of construction risk management experience, helping clients with their most challenging insurance and risk management issues. With a focus on identifying contractors’ total cost of risk, Paul works tirelessly to help his clients reduce their cost of risk, putting more to the bottom line. Prior to joining American Global, Paul previously held leadership positions at large international brokerage firms. Other areas of expertise include risk financing, contractual risk transfer, controlled insurance programs, and subcontractor default insurance. Paul is active in several industry trade organizations and was on the board of directors for the Associated General Contractors of America from 2017-2018. Paul is a graduate of West Virginia University with a bachelor’s degree in finance. 

Jeff Montgomery is the Corporate Safety Director at IWR North America, a leading specialty contractor in building enclosure systems. Jeff has over 13 years of experience in the construction industry, with a focus on safety, health, and risk management. He is also the Vice President of Risk Management at MHS Legacy Group, a parent company of five subsidiaries that provide roofing, scaffolding, insulation, metal fabrication, and building envelope solutions. He holds several professional certifications, including SMS, CHST, CRIS, and CIT. He is an active member of the American Society of Safety Professionals and the Associated General Contractors of America. Jeff is passionate about creating a culture of safety and educating his team members on how to make the right choices. He believes that safety is not only a philosophy, but a way of life. 

Executive Director of Construction and Facilities Strategic Acquisitions. Leading team providing procurement and contract administration support to University System of Maryland and University of Maryland Baltimore construction project delivery. 

James Murphy joined Willmeng in 1999 as a project manager and spent time in every position in the firm, as he brought leadership to the most technically and time-challenged projects the firm had built to date. In January of 2006, he purchased the company when the owner died unexpectedly and became President and CEO. 

In addition to his role as CEO of a $800+ M general contracting firm, Murphy’s experience now leads him to teach at one of the largest construction colleges in the United States, where he works with students growing their careers. As an ASU Del E Webb School of Construction associate faculty member, his class on Field Leadership discusses the importance of leadership skills, career pathing, personality assessments and having important conversations to grow your career in this industry.  

One of the areas of focus and success for the growth company has been a comprehensive Public Relations plan to maximize digital and traditional communications and exposure to compliment the growth and change of the company. 

As the national leader of Wipfli’s Construction and Real Estate Strategy team, Tina works with construction and real estate clients across the country to assist them in getting all they want out of their business.  From creating the ideal future vision of the company, to attracting and engaging the right workforce, and ensuring an efficient operation, Tina helps owners and top executives achieve their individual and company ideal future state. 

Mark Ostach helps people find the courage to connect. A globally recognized speaker on Digital Wellness and frequently featured in the USA Today, Mark has done two TED talks, written 2 books, and spoken to thousands of people encouraging them to embrace a spirit of courage through vulnerability. Mark has degrees in psychology, technology, and an interest in behavioral neuroscience. His mission is to remind the world that human connection is the most powerful connection we have. So please check your phones one last time and get ready to be inspired by Mark Ostach! 

Jennifer Pawlewicz, MBA, brings over 2 decades of employer relations experience to her role as Business Outreach Specialist within the Yang Tan Institute at Cornell University. Jennifer’s areas of focus include employer best practices to recruit, hire, retain, and advance employees with disabilities, accessible and inclusive workplace cultures, small business, and universal design principles. 

Jennifer supports the USDOL-ODEP funded Employer Assistance and Resource Network on Disability Inclusion/EARN grant providing national technical assistance and training on topics related to disability and employment policy. She is also the liaison for the Federal Workforce Recruitment Program that connects employers with highly motivated postsecondary students and recent graduates with disabilities. 

Mr. Perlberg is on the ABA Forum on the Construction Law Steering Committee for the Contract Documents, the Executive Committee for the National Construction Dispute Resolution Committee (NCDRC) of the Arbitration Association of America (AAA), and the Advisory Board for Construction SuperConference Board. Previously, he served as General Counsel for the Design-Build Institute of America (DBIA).

Ashley Phelps is the Assistant Director of Supply Chain Management at Gilbane Building Company. With the use of Lean strategies and tactics, her focus is ensuring project teams have the capacity and capability to streamline the procurement process and enhance relationships with key business partners. Prior to her roll in Supply Chain, Ashley lead Gilbane’s Advanced Planning and Scheduling department. With a background in scheduling, she coached teams on Lean planning and scheduling techniques with an emphasis on continuous improvement.

In over a decade of construction experience ranging from superintendent work to drafting, Ashley thrives on the complexities of building construction and building relationships with trade workers, owners, and architects.

In addition to her role at Gilbane, Ashley is vice chair of AGC’s Lean Forum and sits on the Board of Governors for the Associated General Contractors of America. She is also a board member for AGC’s Education and Research Foundation. Ashley is currently an adjunct professor at New England Institute of Technology where she teaches Construction Delivery Methods and Lean for Construction. She received her BS degree from New England Institute of Technology and her MBA from Nichols College.

Leah Pilconis is the Associated General Contractors of America’s (AGC) in-house attorney and advisor on construction and environmental risk management. Her work includes a wide range of legal advocacy, government relations, as well as compliance and risk management support for the construction industry. Leah launched and continues to direct the association’s environmental program. Working at the intersection of business and government, Leah represents AGC’s 27,000+ member companies in federal agency rulemakings and permitting, manages successful advocacy campaigns to balance business and economic interests with top environmental concerns, works with government staff on policy and program implementation, and identifies opportunities for regulatory reform. She has been called on to testify before U.S. Congress on ways to improve the environmental approval process for infrastructure projects. Leah also engages in public speaking and publishes articles and other resources for industry on minimizing liability exposures and ensuring legal compliance.

More broadly, Leah oversees AGC’s efforts to improve the construction risk environment by monitoring and reporting on the financial, legal, safety, environmental, and reputational risks that construction firms and their workforce may face. This includes organizing meaningful peer-to-peer dialogue on recent trends, potential problems, and best practices to mitigate and manage project risk. Similarly, Leah maintains the association’s critical relationships with the surety and insurance industries – with a focus on facilitating outreach/engagement to better align interests and identify opportunities to support each other.

Leah holds a B.S. degree in Biology from Gettysburg College and a J.D. degree from the Dickinson School of Law of the Pennsylvania State University. She is a member of the American Bar Association’s Section of Environment, Energy, and Resources; Forum on Construction Industry, Division 10 (Energy and Environment). Admitted to practice in Pennsylvania.

Lauren is an owner and Controller at Reiman Corp. A family owned construction company in business for over 75 years.  Lauren is also an active AGC supporter serving as the Board President of the AGC WY chapter for years. 

Jodi Rennie is the Senior Vice President of Turner Construction Company’s construction group covering Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Delaware, (PANJ) Connecticut, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and Maine (New England).  She joined Turner in 1987 and advanced through various positions within the company including a long tenure in progressively responsible business development roles. 

In 2015, she was named Vice President and Regional Business Development Manager for Pennsylvania, NJ and supported the Maryland business unit when needed for strategic pursuits. She relocated to Pittsburgh in 2017 when she was promoted to General Manager of the Pittsburgh business unit. Following on the success of rebuilding the Pittsburgh operation, she was promoted to Regional General Manager for all of Pennsylvania in December 2020. The New Jersey business unit was also put under her leadership in 2022, and prior to being promoted to Senior Vice President, Jodi was the VP and General Manager for the PANJ Region.  Recently, she took on additional leadership responsibilities as Senior Vice President for Turner’s New England operations. 

Jodi graduated from Rutgers University with a degree in Psychology. An active and engaged leader who believes the company has a role to play in positively impacting the communities in which Turner works, Jodi sits on the Board of Directors for the Master Builders’ Association of Western Pennsylvania (MBA) as the first woman to be appointed to a Board seat, she is a member of CEO’s for Sustainability, the March of Dimes executive leadership team, and is on the Allegheny Conference Regional Growth and Competitiveness Committee.
 

Jodi Rennie is the Senior Vice President of Turner Construction Company’s construction group covering Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Delaware, (PANJ) Connecticut, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and Maine (New England).  She joined Turner in 1987 and advanced through various positions within the company including a long tenure in progressively responsible business development roles. 

In 2015, she was named Vice President and Regional Business Development Manager for Pennsylvania, NJ and supported the Maryland business unit when needed for strategic pursuits. She relocated to Pittsburgh in 2017 when she was promoted to General Manager of the Pittsburgh business unit. Following on the success of rebuilding the Pittsburgh operation, she was promoted to Regional General Manager for all of Pennsylvania in December 2020. The New Jersey business unit was also put under her leadership in 2022, and prior to being promoted to Senior Vice President, Jodi was the VP and General Manager for the PANJ Region.  Recently, she took on additional leadership responsibilities as Senior Vice President for Turner’s New England operations. 

Jodi graduated from Rutgers University with a degree in Psychology. An active and engaged leader who believes the company has a role to play in positively impacting the communities in which Turner works, Jodi sits on the Board of Directors for the Master Builders’ Association of Western Pennsylvania (MBA) as the first woman to be appointed to a Board seat, she is a member of CEO’s for Sustainability, the March of Dimes executive leadership team, and is on the Allegheny Conference Regional Growth and Competitiveness Committee.
 

Sean has been involved with the AGC since his days as a member of the Texas A&M University student chapter. He has been an active member of AGC Houston serving as a former Chair of the Construction Leadership Council, currently sitting as a member of the Houston Education and Professional Development Committee and is a lead instructor for the AGC CM-Lean course, having instructed numerous trainings for both his organization and AGC members since its implementation.  

On a national level he serves on the AGC Lean Construction Committee. Sean has worked in the Houston, Texas area and surrounding region since 2001, running projects in the role of Project Manager, and most recently as Preconstruction Manager, where he enjoys the early involvement in project development, and engagement with the client and design teams, and the opportunity that provides for ideal Lean implementation. 

Jeff Sample has devoted the past 25+ years to transforming companies. Jeff optimizes companies throughout the construction industry by designing solutions, optimizing strategic advantages, and breaking down information silos. His passion for outdoor adventure and Ironman competitions garnered him the moniker “The Ironman of IT.” 
 
As Industry Evangelist for Join, Jeff promotes collaboration and the transformation of preconstruction to help project teams reach their potential. His depth of IT experience in various industries and his passion for continuous improvement has made Jeff a popular speaker and vocal thought leader in construction, spending much of his time educating on multiple topics to better the industry as a whole. 

Casey Savlov is the Executive Vice-President at Vita Industrial. Vita’s mission is to eliminate preventable deaths and accidents in the industrial/construction and aerospace industries through modern technology solutions.  

Mr. Savlov’s background is a testament to his passion for moving the construction industry forward bringing technology solutions to the industry that support safety, productivity and innovation. Before joining Vita, Mr. Savlov held the position of Vice President of Sales at Versatile, many years prior as Regional Manager of Oracle’s Construction and Engineering business unit and before then as Vice President of Aconex.  In all roles, he and his teams delivered innovative technology solutions around the world to enhance productivity and safety across the industry. 

When Mr. Savlov isn’t working to help advance the construction industry with technology, you can find him enjoying live music as well as his children’s hockey, swimming, and dance competitions. 

Harry Schmidt is the Director of Business Strategies for O’Shea Builders.  In addition to guiding the organization’s strategic planning efforts, Harry also assists with financial and operational planning.  He has been a key leader of various Lean initiatives for the organization teaching, coaching, and mentoring design and construction teams in the field. Harry formerly served as the President & CEO of Passavant Area Hospital and as the Vice President of Facilities Management at Memorial Health System.  Before his tenure in healthcare, Harry served in the U.S. Navy and U.S. Air Force as an F/A-18 and F-16 pilot.  During that time, Harry was both a graduate and instructor at both the Navy’s TOPGUN fighter weapons school as well as the Air Force weapons school.  The principles of continuous improvement that applied to creating the best fighter pilots in the world apply directly to operational excellence in healthcare and construction.  

Jennifer Simon is the Vice President of Finance at Hays Electrical Services, where she manages financial operations for over 600 employees. With more than 15 years of experience as a controller, Jennifer has honed her skills in overseeing annual budgets, preparing financial reports, and conducting audits for organizations with up to 300 employees. Her dedication to improving productivity through best accounting practices and her passion for the company’s family-like culture define her role. Outside of work, Jennifer enjoys shooting and fishing, reflecting her commitment to balance and dedication in all aspects of her life. 

Ken Simonson has been Chief Economist for the Associated General Contractors of America, the leading construction trade association, since 2001. He provides insight into the economy and what it implies for construction and related industries through frequent media interviews, presentations, and the Data DIGest, his weekly one-page e-newsletter that goes to more than 20,000 subscribers. 

Ken has over 40 years of experience analyzing, advocating and communicating about economic and tax issues. He currently serves as an advisor to the Census Bureau’s construction data re-engineering initiative. He is a Fellow and past president of the National Association for Business Economics, and he is co-director of the Tax Economists Forum, a professional meeting group he co-founded in 1982. 

Ken has a BA in economics from the University of Chicago, and an MA in economics from Northwestern University. 

Ellice Switzer, MA, is an Extension Associate for the K. Lisa Yang and Hock E. Tan Institute on Employment and Disability. She provides content development, training and technical assistance for the Employer Assistance and Resource Network on Disability Inclusion EARN.  As an Extension Associate, she provides national technical assistance and training on topics related to disability and employment, and U.S. disability policy. Her areas of focus include employer practices to support workforce disability inclusion, good jobs principles, demand-side strategies to improve employer engagement among disability service providers and evidence-based practices to support post-school success for youth with disabilities. Her work has included various local, state and national initiatives to support and promote employment opportunities for people with disabilities, spanning nearly 30 years. 

Sweeya Tangudu is a VDC Manager at DPR Construction, where she drives innovation in design-to-build workflows. She has over 10 years of experience in the AEC industry and champions digital information & integration across project lifecycles. Her expertise in process implementation has supported the successful delivery of large-scale projects across the data center and healthcare sectors. She is passionate about leveraging advanced technologies to enhance quality and safety on construction sites. With a commitment to improving project outcomes and experience, Sweeya’s strategic vision is to provide measurably more value: predictable results, less rework and reduced risk. 

As the Director of Sales Acceleration at Procore, Morgan Traynor leads specialized teams of both product and industry who partner alongside our customers. Prior to Procore, Morgan was with Ryan Companies US, Inc. for over 10 years, with her last position being the Senior Director of Operational Excellence. Morgan spearheaded corporate initiatives and promoted best practices across the organization. Morgan is passionate about advancing the construction industry’s use of technology and is a proud advocate for women in construction. 

Matt is the Sr. Director of Congressional Relations for Building and Infrastructure Finance for the Associated General Contractors of America.  In this role, Matt oversees advocacy for the building division, and all issues related to taxes and accounting for the construction industry.   Matt oversaw the AGC advocacy effort during the consideration of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, and Congress’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic, resulting in numerous positive outcomes for the construction industry, including an increase in the “small contractor exemption” from percentage of completion accounting, ensuring construction was eligible for the newly created 20 percent deduction for qualified business income, and resolving a number of issues faced by contractors with the Paycheck Protection Program.

Previously, Matt was the Senior Manager of Government Relations at the National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB).  He also chaired the Family Business Estate Tax Coalition, a group of over 50 trade associations committed to estate tax relief for family-owned businesses, and oversaw the coalition’s advocacy effort in 2012 that resulted in the estate tax relief in the American Taxpayer Relief Act.

Matt has extensive experience on Capitol Hill, working as the Legislative Director for Rep. Nan Hayworth (NY), and the Senior Legislative Assistant for Rep. Scott Garrett (NJ).  He also worked on the Committee on Ways and Means as the Senior Committee Clerk, where he oversaw the Committee’s hearings and markups.

Matt graduated from Gettysburg College in 2002, and grew up in Bergen County, New Jersey.  He currently resides in Alexandria, VA with his wife two children.

Satyam Verma currently serves as the Construction Practice Leader at Egnyte, where he excels in driving value through market recognition, product positioning, and collaborative execution. Verma is a seasoned professional with a robust track record in revenue operations, go-to-market strategies, and strategic partnerships. His diverse experience spans roles across early-stage startups and Fortune 1000 companies. Satyam is renowned for his exceptional relationship-building skills, revenue development expertise, and agile leadership.

Richard F. Vitarelli is a principal with the firm and co-leads the firm’s nationwide Labor Relations Practice and Transactional Services (M&A) groups. 

He has almost three decades of experience representing employers in strategic labor relations and collective bargaining matters, including in the context of mergers and acquisitions, restructuring and bankruptcy. He serves as strategic labor and employment counsel for employers and multi-employer associations in various industries, including construction infrastructure, new energy (offshore wind and solar), manufacturing, health care and senior living, airline, logistics, transit, higher education and state and local government. 

Rick’s collective bargaining practices includes the negotiation of national, multi-employer, specialty and industry agreements. His practice also includes representation of employers in multi-employer benefits matters, including multi-employer pension withdrawal liability and Taft-Hartley Fund collection matters. He represents employers covered by the National Labor Relations Act and the Railway Labor Act. 

Rick supports employers, transactional law firms and investment firms throughout the U.S. with the labor, employment, employee benefits and immigration matters implicated in corporate transactions, leads legal diligence teams and negotiates definitive agreements within these areas. He also advises clients on post-transaction legal structure, operations and integration. 

Rick regularly provides legal advice to clients in developing proactive employee relations programs, establishing and maintaining lawful double-breasted operations, and advising clients in the context of union organizing and decertification efforts.
 

Ashley Wallis, Marketing Manager for GH Phipps Construction, has almost 20 years of experience in Marketing and has been a part of the A/E/C industry for the last 14 years. She holds an Associate’s in IT Communication and Web Design, and graduated Summa Cum Laude with her Bachelor’s in Marketing. She was heavily involved in entertainment marketing before her immersion into the world of construction, and thus brings a unique graphical perspective on qualification and proposal design. Ashley is a member of SMPS Colorado and enjoys helping fellow members with design ideas and one-on-one training in Adobe Illustrator, Photoshop, and InDesign. 

Kristen Wendler is Lead Solicitor Counsel for JV Driver Group, a private investment company with headquarters in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.  Kristen’s practice focuses on transactional matters, both in the United States and internationally, with an emphasis on construction, real estate, corporate finance and M&A transactions.  Prior to joining JV Driver Group’s in-house legal team, Kristen represented JV Driver Group as external counsel and was a partner at a law firm in Tucson, Arizona.  Kristen is a graduate of the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee and the University of Arizona, James E. Rogers College of Law.  She is an active member of the AGC Construction Law and Operations Subcommittee, the AGC Contract Documents Forum, and a frequent contributor to ConsensusDocs working groups. 

Melissa Williams is the Chief of Operations for Trinal, Inc. reporting directly to the President. Ms. Williams has over 18 years of demonstrated leadership in the areas of EEO, affirmative action and labor compliance, community outreach, and business development and is responsible for the general oversight and supervision of all project management staff and subconsultant relationships. She provides quality control and client management in the areas of strategic sourcing and outreach, data authentication, compliance monitoring and reporting, and program evaluation and development. She also assists in the development and implementation of business‐to‐business and workforce diversity programs. Ms. Williams is responsible for the development, facilitation, and implementation of client and their users’ training programs for Trinal’s Global Project Tracking System (GPTS®) software solution. 

Ms. Williams earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Electrical Engineering Technology and Master’s degrees in Business Administration, Education, and Finance from Purdue University in Lafayette, Indiana. She is also certified as a Master Compliance Administrator from the American Contract Compliance Association and has a Certificate of Completion from Turner School of Construction Management. 

Mr. James Young is the Senior Director of Congressional Relations for Labor, HR and Safety for the Associated General Contractors of America (AGC). In this role, he works directly with members of the U.S. Congress, AGC members and press on a multitude of issues that directly affect the construction industry. Previously, Mr. Young worked for Direct Impact, the preeminent grassroots firm in Washington and Democracy Data and Communications which provides a comprehensive array of grassroots and political action solutions. Mr. Young began his career on Capitol Hill working for Congressman Benjamin Gilman (NY). 

James holds a B.S. in Business Administration from the College of Charleston, Charleston, SC.