Speakers

Dan Absher brings a unique perspective to teambuilding and leadership development, combining over three decades in the  construction with a lifelong passion for The Beatles’ timeless lessons about teamwork and organizational excellence. 

After graduating from Stanford University (1980) and Notre Dame Law School (1983), Dan briefly practiced law before joining the family construction business in 1985. As the third– generation CEO of Absher Construction Company for thirty-two years, he led the company through steady growth, industry transformation, and successful succession planning, ultimately selling to employees through an ESOP in 2022. 

Dan’s commitment to advancing the construction industry runs deep through his extensive involvement with the Associated General Contractors (AGC). He served as Past President of AGC of Washington and maintained active membership at both local and national levels, using these relationships to learn from the industry’s best and brightest leaders.  

Dan is the author of The Fab Four Pillars of Impact: Building Dynamic Teams The Beatles’ Way and founder of The Fab Four Academy, where he helps organizations discover how The Beatles’ journey provides a valuable blueprint for building wildly successful team and enduring excellence. 

Since stepping down as CEO of Absher Construction, Dan has remained busy serving as Professor of Construction Management at a local college, writing his book, and continuing as Board Chair of Absher Construction. 

Through engaging workshops and presentations, Dan demonstrates how four working-class lads from Liverpool created timeless principles for organizational excellence that apply across industries and generations. 

Dan lives in the Pacific Northwest with his wife Daria and dog Ringo, where he writes, teaches, and reflects on why the band that broke up over fifty years ago still has so much to teach us about working together. 

Jon Acuff is a New York Times bestselling author of 10 books. His titles, including Soundtracks, Finish and All It Takes Is A Goal, have sold more than one million copies. Named one of Inc.’s Top 100 Leadership Speakers, he’s delivered keynotes to companies such as Microsoft, Walmart, and Comedy Central. Host of the popular podcast All It Takes Is a Goal, Jon has inspired hundreds of thousands of people to overcome overthinking and finish what matters most. Jon lives outside of Nashville with his wife and two daughters.

Saurabh Agarwal is a Senior Project Engineer at Clayco with experience supporting large-scale industrial and commercial projects. Working closely with project teams on-site, Saurabh helps manage project coordination, scheduling, and day-to-day field activities to keep work aligned with project goals.  

He brings a detail-oriented mindset and a strong commitment to teamwork, ensuring issues are resolved quickly and progress stays on track. With a growing interest in technology and process improvement, Saurabh is focused on learning new tools that enhance efficiency and contribute to successful project delivery. 

James Alexander, CSP, CHST is a construction safety professional with over 20 years of experience in health, safety, and risk management. He works closely with contractors to improve jobsite safety, strengthen compliance, and reduce risk through practical, field-driven solutions. James brings a people-first, real-world perspective shaped by deep experience on active construction projects. 

TJ Andrade is a dedicated construction professional with a growing career in estimating and a deep-rooted passion for building. Since transitioning into estimating in 2023, TJ has brought sharp attention to detail, strong problem-solving skills, and a collaborative approach to every project he supports. 

Before his role in estimating, TJ served as a Bid Coordinator from 2022 to 2023, where he played a vital part in organizing proposals and assisting in the preconstruction process. His hands-on experience in these areas gives him a comprehensive understanding of project planning and execution, making him a valuable asset in any construction environment. 

TJ holds a Bachelor’s degree from Emporia State University, earned in 2014, and a Master’s degree from Northwestern Oklahoma State University, completed in 2019. Originally from Manhattan, Kansas, TJ combines Midwest work ethic with forward-thinking leadership in his day-to-day work. 

TJ is married to Megan Andrade. Megan works as an Account Administrator at Madewell Construction. Together they share a love for community, hard work, and family life. They live a full and joyful life with their three dogs, Chief, Copper, and Luna, and enjoy spending time outdoors and staying connected to their roots. 

Kelly Aust is a Project Manager with Skanska USA Building Inc., based in Portland, Oregon, where she delivers complex healthcare and higher education projects. With more than 15 years in the construction industry, Kelly brings a field-informed perspective to jobsite culture, safety, and workforce engagement. 

Throughout her career, she has focused on building inclusive, high-performing teams and creating environments where people can do their best work. Kelly has held national leadership roles within the construction industry, including serving as President of the National Association of Women in Construction (NAWIC), and remains actively involved in industry workforce development and education initiatives. She is passionate about translating inclusive practices into practical, jobsite-level impact that strengthens safety, retention, and project outcomes. 

Brandon Baker is the Director of Risk Management at Koontz Electric Company in Morrilton, Arkansas. He specializes in high-voltage safety and quality management for the construction and maintenance of electrical substations, hydroelectric and nuclear power facilities, solar fields, and heavy industrial facilities. Brandon has had the privilege of working with companies such as Ford, Fed-Ex, Entergy and others that has helped develop his knowledge and leadership skills in the safety community.  

A graduate of Arkansas Tech University, Brandon holds a CHST certification through the Board of Certified Safety Professionals. He is also a nationally certified EMT and firefighter, as well as the former Director of Emergency Services for Conway County, Arkansas. With 17 years of service in the Conway County Fire Department, including time as volunteer Fire Chief, Brandon brings extensive hands-on experience to his work. 

Brandon lives in Conway County with his wife, Alison, and their two daughters, Riley (6) and Sophia (4) 

Daniel Beatty is a seasoned construction leader with over 36 years of experience managing heavy civil construction teams as a project manager, estimator, and executive. Having worked on projects from the ground up, Dan understands that strong results begin with strong teams and effective leadership. 

As the founder of Constructive Leadership Solutions and a certified 5 Voices facilitator, Dan specializes in building workplace cultures that attract, retain, and develop top talent. He is passionate about equipping leaders at every level with practical tools for communication, conflict resolution, and leadership that make a real difference on the jobsite. 

Dan is also the voice behind the “Culture Under Construction” newsletter on LinkedIn, where he shares actionable advice for bridging generational gaps and making leadership tangible in the field. His interactive sessions are packed with real-world examples and focused on immediate, practical takeaways—empowering teams to elevate their performance and strengthen their impact in the industry. 

Chris Bell is driven to build strong teams, develop craft talent, and deliver consistent results across the various scopes that DPR self-performs.  In his role as National Self-Perform Work (SPW) Co-Leader, Chris oversees more than 5,000 craft professionals and 600 administrative and professional staff in trades such as concrete, drywall, and waterproofing.  He brings a thoughtful and steady approach to supporting people and preparing them for long-term success. 

Chris began his career in construction while studying at Purdue, working summers pouring basement walls and slabs.  Originally from West Lafayette, Indiana, he joined DPR in 2004 and has since completed major projects in Florida, Texas, and Missouri.  He brings a deep appreciation for the ever-changing nature of the industry and enjoys tackling new challenges with every project. 

Known for his leadership and commitment to empowering others, Chris is driven to create opportunities for those passionate about building.  He finds energy in developing teams, pioneering new paths for the company, and supporting career growth at DPR. 

His project portfolio includes Round Rock Premium Outlets, Bay Lake Tower at Disney’s Contemporary Resort, Disney’s Art of Animation Resort, USTA National Campus in Lake Nona, and Disney’s Wilderness Lodge Rehab & Cabins. 

Away from work, Chris values time with his wife and two sons.  He enjoys volunteering, both at his local church and with the local Boy Scout Troop.

Nitin Bhandari is Co-Founder and CEO of Planera, where he is leading the shift toward modern, collaborative construction scheduling. With a background in building and scaling B2B SaaS and mobile technology companies, Nitin brings deep expertise in product strategy, go-to-market execution, and innovation. A Caltech graduate and multi-time founder, he is passionate about transforming CPM scheduling into a more intuitive, team-driven experience for the construction industry.

Ro Bhatia is the Chief Executive Officer of PlanHub, the industry leading preconstruction platform that helps general contractors, subcontractors, and suppliers connect, collaborate, and discover new project opportunities in key markets. 

Ro brings more than 15 years of experience scaling high-growth technology and marketplaces, with leadership roles at companies including Yahoo, eBay, Home Depot, and Thryv. His career has focused on building products and platforms that help businesses operate more efficiently and grow faster. 

Since becoming CEO of PlanHub in 2022, Ro has focused on advancing technology that simplifies the preconstruction process and helps contractors find work, build stronger networks, and win more projects- smarter and faster. He is passionate about helping the construction industry adopt practical tools that improve productivity, strengthen collaboration, and create new growth opportunities for contractors of all sizes.  

Justin is a visionary with the ability to propel organizations forward. He lives and breathes reinvention, allowing his team and his clients to reach dreamed-about goals. Justin founded Mercury Creative Group more than 27 years ago in order to expand his creative approach to brand strategy and design, now known as The Mercury Method. Justin has an innate talent for encouraging deep collaboration by creating space for every voice to contribute. With the Mercury Method, Justin guides teams to share strengths, acknowledge

weaknesses and trust each other to get to the heart of what drives their business. Justin is proud to be a proven partner to over one hundred organizations, associations, and nonprofits, bringing his abilities to listen beyond what is being said and to see future success as he leads teams to clarity, alignment, and growth.

Tom Binkowski has more than 40 years’ experience in concrete operations. As Senior Trade Director for Barton Malow Company, Tom is responsible for all concrete operations on the union contractor’s projects. He sits on the ASCC CPC board, is an ASCC Technical Committee member, and is an ACI 302 slab on grade voting member. He oversaw the current world record for steel fiber-reinforced slab, a 250,000-SF pour completed in just 18 hours for General Motors in Arlington, Texas. 

Sonya Bohmann is the Executive Director for the Construction Industry Alliance for Suicide Prevention a 501 c (3) that was started in 2018. Our mission is to provide and disseminate information and resources for suicide prevention and mental health promotion in construction with the goal of creating a zero-suicide industry. 

Sonya comes from a reconstruction background having spent over a decade in the commercial remodel and refresh and facilities maintenance space. Giving her the unique understanding of how the industry works as well as the mental health challenges faced daily by construction workers. This experience has given her insight into how companies both large and small are tackling this worker crisis and what work still needs to be done. 

Britt joined Vision ESOP Valuation in 2019 and as a manager is actively involved in the firm’s annual ESOP valuations and transaction opinions. She utilizes her knowledge of financial modeling, cash flow analysis, and the analysis of guideline public companies and M&A markets in the application of various valuation methodologies and preparation of valuation reports. Throughout her career, Britt has worked with companies in a diverse array of industries across the United States. 

Prior to joining Vision, Britt spent four years at the Windquest Group, a family owned, private equity office in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Britt graduated from Calvin College in 2016 with a Bachelor of Arts degree with a concentration in finance and a minor in accounting. 

Britt is an active member of The ESOP Association, where she frequently speaks at conferences, has served on the fundraising committee for the Great Lakes regional conference, and has been an advisor to the Michigan Chapter officers. She is also a member of the ESOP Alliance, National Center for Employee Ownership (NCEO) and the American Society of Appraisers. Britt earned her Accredited Senior Appraiser (ASA) credential in 2026. 

Dr. Sarah Buchner is the Founder & CEO of Trunk Tools, the AI platform for construction. She began her career as a carpenter in Austria at 12, working her way up to superintendent and project manager before earning a Ph.D. in data science and an MBA from Stanford. A Forbes 30 Under 30 & 2026 Top 100 Women in AI honoree, Sarah is building the brain behind the $13 trillion construction industry. Based in New York City.

Vince has 43 years in the industry, the last 33 years with Lydig Construction. He has been involved in over $650 million in design-build projects including several using the progressive design-build delivery method.  Vince served on the AGC Inland Northwest Chapter Board including Board President in 2014 and continues to serve on the Government Affairs Committee.  He also serves on the Inland NW Chapter & Northwest Region Boards for DBIA and is in his second term as Chair of DBIA’s National Legislative Committee.  Vince was a General Contractors Representative on the Washington State Capital Projects Advisory Review Board advising the State Legislature on alternative project delivery including helping draft the original design-build authorization legislation for Washington State and was a member of the ConsensusDocs Progressive Design Build contract working committee.

Matthew Carter is Director of Scheduling at Gilbane Building Company, where he leads planning and scheduling efforts across the Mid-Atlantic Division. With more than 20 years of experience in construction management and project planning, he specializes in CPM scheduling, best practices implementation, and team leadership. A certified PMI Scheduling Professional (PMI-SP), Matthew is passionate about advancing scheduling excellence and delivering high-quality project outcomes. 

Shaun Carvalho is chief safety officer at Shawmut Design and Construction, leading the team in piloting and implementing processes and technologies to enhance Shawmut’s world-class safety program. Previously vice president and safety director, Carvalho was the driving force behind multiple initiatives including Safety Week, the implementation of a new safety app, and establishing safety communication channels.  

Carvalho won the 2024 AGC of Massachusetts Safety Leadership Award and the inaugural Industry Advancement Award, was named a BuiltWorlds Maverick, and a Building Design + Construction 40 Under 40. He is an active member of the Construction Safety Roundtable of Eastern Massachusetts; American Society of Safety Professionals New York City Chapter; Massachusetts and Rhode Island AGC Safety Committees; and the AGC MA CARE Construction Safety Program.  

Carvalho graduated from Keene State College with a B.S. in safety studies, is an OSHA-authorized instructor and Certified HSE-Mental Focus Specialist. 

Tom grew up in a long line of Industry Leaders, Father Stan (Case Pacific) and Grandfather Vern (Case International) owned deep foundation drilling businesses. Tom graduated from Cal Poly in San Luis Obispo in 1986 with a degree in Construction Management. He has spent over 35 years in the industry in civil, commercial, and industrial construction. He worked in senior positions in both private and public companies Granite and Sundt Construction. Tom recently led construction and design for owner/developer Replay Destinations on complex resort developments. In 2019, Tom formed TCM Services, LLC, partnering with firms to drive organizational improvements, cultivate operational efficiencies and improve succession planning.

As vice president, and an executive coach for Integrated Leadership Systems for nearly 20 years, M.J. Clark helps construction leaders foster more authentic communication in the workplace and help executives and employees better manage relationships, develop emotional intelligence, become more assertive, mentor others and fine-tune leadership and management skills.  ILS is based in Columbus, Ohio, and offers leadership training, executive coaching and consulting nationally.  

M.J. has a master’s degree in organizational communication from The Ohio State University and a bachelor’s degree in public relations from Ohio University.  She is the author of three leadership books.  

M.J. and her husband have been married for 30+ years and have two adult sons. In her spare time, M.J. enjoys hiking, snow skiing, playing bells in her church’s bell choir, and traveling. 

Cameron Clolinger has a strong background in client advocacy and account management. He currently serves as a Client Advocate for American Global, LLC. He proactively seeks opportunities that help him gain a better understanding of the construction industry. He obtained his degree in Finance and Financial Management Services from Florida Gulf Coast University and has used this knowledge to act as the eyes, ears, and voice throughout a project’s lifecycle.

Angela Crawford is in the business of people and content: She builds relationships through better understanding what people and businesses need, and then successfully helps them reach those goals. The Kansas City-area native, with more than a decade of experience in strategic communications, currently serves as Membership and Marketing Vice President for The Builders, a chapter of the AGC and as lead coordinator for the national Construction Suicide Prevention Week initiative. 

Crawford also serves as a member of the Construction Working Minds Summit Steering Committee and works collaboratively across the construction industry to find innovative ways to get more mental wellness support to workers.

Brian Daniel is President and CEO of Carroll Daniel, Inc., a construction, and engineering firm based in Gainesville, GA with offices in Atlanta, Savannah, Nashville, Greenville, SC and Mobile, AL. Carroll Daniel provides project planning, engineering, procurement, and construction services for industrial and public markets across the Southeastern US. Carroll Daniel is an award winning and nationally recognized industry leader, consistently ranking among the nation’s Top 400 Contractors by Engineering News Record Magazine. Brian serves as Chairman of the Board of Governors of the Georgia World Congress Center Authority; Member of the Consulting Contractors’ Council of America, Member of the Associated General Contractors of America Board of Governors, Current Member and Past President of the Associated General Contractors of Georgia Board of Directors, and Past Chairman of the Georgia State Licensing Board for Residential and General Contractors.

Bio Coming Soon.

Steve Dell’Orto is the founder and CEO of ConCntric, a preconstruction platform that is transforming the fractured preconstruction environment by unifying data, people and processes. Steve is also the founding member of “Built by Builders” network, a collaboration of construction tech startups led by founders with firsthand industry experience.  

As a 27-year construction industry veteran who has lived and breathed the world of delivering preconstruction projects, Steve is uniquely positioned to bring digital transformation to the industry. Steve is the former Executive Officer of one of the largest privately-owned domestic general contractors in the U.S. with revenues averaging $5-6 billion annually.  

As the Executive Officer, Steve led the major expansion of his former company’s Western Region, including the Northern California and Pacific Northwest division achieving 10x growth and increasing margins by over 40% through a committed focus on selective work acquisition and a more comprehensive preconstruction process. Some of the notable projects completed under Steve’s leadership include the: Golden State Warriors Arena and Development, Salesforce Tower, Facebook’s San Francisco Park Tower, Seattle Convention Center Expansion, Manchester Grand Hyatt, LA County Museum of Art Expansion and the LA Live Development among many others.  

Steve is committed to leveraging his 30 years in the industry to advance the level of innovation and technological advancement in the real estate and construction sector. In addition to the change he is driving through ConCntric, Steve is an investor and venture partner in several construction-tech-focused venture capital funds, including Builders VC and Argonautic Ventures. Steve is also an Advisor to eight emerging construction-tech focused startups bringing a wide range of solutions in areas such as autonomy, fintech, work acquisition, change order communication, project communication, marketplaces and artificial intelligence.  

Joey oversees all of the operations and financial details for Blythe Development, LLC including Blythe Brothers Asphalt Co.  Since joining Blythe in 2002 as Chief Financial Officer, he has helped manage the expansion of the business as we grew from $65 million to almost $300 million in annual revenue. 

Prior to joining Blythe, Joey began his career as an internal auditor for a small community bank. From there he worked at several different financial institutions before being named the Chief Financial Officer for Park Meridian Bank. Joey served as CFO for Park Meridian Bank until the bank was acquired in 2002.  

From the NFL to the finals of America’s Got Talent, Jon combines world-class magic with an awe-inspiring personal journey. Whether it’s a keynote, corporate event, or conference, Jon delivers your organization’s message through a powerful personal story that moves audiences and keeps them talking for years.

With 14 years in the NFL as a professional athlete, a finalist on America’s Got Talent and America’s Got Talent: The Champions, a regular on the ELLEN Show, and a world-class speaker on Fortune 500 stages, Jon shares his inspiring journey from tragedy to self discovery.

It’s an extraordinary and empowering story of resilience, forgiveness, and living a life of purpose in the face of unfathomable obstacles.

He seamlessly incorporates your company’s message through storytelling and world-class magic. Your audience is sure to be motivated and aligned with your organization’s mission by the end of his insightful and inspiring keynote presentation.

Mr. Fishman is the VP of Customer Success at Field1st, a technology company shaping the way innovation is applied to safety solutions construction and utility companies through frontline engagement and generating safety insights. 

For nearly 20 years, Mr. Fishman has been a driving force in the safety and emergency response industries, partnering with medium and high-risk clients to address their most pressing people-safety challenges.  He has led successful sell-side M&A activities and is an expert in managing seamless organizational transitions. Whether leading business operations or integrations, there is always one common thread for Mr. Fishman: people are at the center. 

Mr. Fishman’s commitment to empathic leadership and his people-centered approach to life empower him to focus on creating engagement and driving business results through a deep understanding of employee and customer needs. 

As AGC MA Vice President of Member Services, Lisa directs and oversees membership activities for the association including the development of programs, initiatives, and communications policies designed to retain and increase membership. The V.P. of membership creates, updates, and distributes information to current members as well as prospective members.

Lisa is responsible for designing and implementing membership growth and retention strategy that aligns with AGC’s strategic objectives. She is also responsible for leading the development, implementation, and evaluation of membership growth strategies, as well as day-to-day management of the AGC member engagement. 
Through-out her 10 plus years with AGC MA, Lisa has contributed to the advancement of the industry through her work as the President of the Society of Marketing Professional Services, Advisory Committee member for the Policy Group on Tradeswomen Issues, the AGC of America Business Development Steering committee and the Wentworth Institute of Technology Industry Advisory Board. Lisa is the staff liaison for the AGC Building Women in Construction Committee, the AGC Sustainability Advisory Committee and the AGC Program Advisory Committee. 

Lisa holds an MS in International Marketing from Boston University and a certificate in International Business from the Tecnológico de Monterrey. She lives in Stoughton, MA with her husband and two dogs and enjoys gardening, camping, and building and decorating show case dollhouses. 

Zach is an Assistant Project Manager for Findorff, a Large General Contractor out of Wisconsin. He has worked on a wide variety of projects and is currently on the travel team working in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Zach is in his second year on the National CLC and was involved for 8 years on the AGC of Greater Milwaukee CLC including being chair in 2023.

Ranjeet Gadhoke is Vice President of Project Controls at Zachry Construction Corporation, where he leads cost, schedule, and enterprise project controls initiatives across complex construction programs. With deep expertise in value engineering, claims management, and highway construction, he brings a strong background in civil engineering and project management to driving performance and predictability across large-scale infrastructure projects. 

Ryan Gammons is the Vice President of Health, Safety and Environment (HS&E) for Orion Group Holdings, Inc.  Working for over 20 years in the Construction Safety profession, Mr. Gammons has successfully managed award winning programs for multiple facets of the industry across a wide range of project sizes, geographic locations, and organizational structures. Throughout over two decades, he’s worked with projects and companies in Marine Construction, Dredging, Heavy Civil, Large Infrastructure, and Structural Construction, along with Geotechnical Engineering and Deep Foundation work.  Mr. Gammons has a Bachelor of Science degree in Construction Safety and Health Management from Central Washington University; he also holds Certified Safety Professional (CSP) and Construction Health and Safety Technician (CHST) certifications from the Board of Certified Safety Professionals. 

Austin M. Giesey, a key leader within The Christman Company’s Historic Preservation Group, brings a wealth of expertise in both exterior and interior preservation. A Michigan native, Austin holds a Bachelor of Science in Construction Management from Michigan State University.  

Throughout his career, Austin has spearheaded significant preservation projects, including the interior rehabilitation of the iconic Michigan Central Station, the restoration of the Henry Ford Estate Fair Lane Potting Shed and Powerhouse, The Belle Isle Aquarium & James Scott Fountain, the Basilica of Ste. Anne de Detroit Campus, and the Fisher Building Vestibules. 

With a deep passion for meticulous preservation practices, Austin has been recognized for his contributions, most notably co-authoring Ruin to Revival: Restoring Michigan Central Station: The Builders’ Journey, a coffee table book that chronicles the restoration of Michigan Central Station. 

In 2025 Michael Gifford opened Impact Public Affairs & Consulting LLC. This venture is a long-time dream of Michael’s where he can focus on his passion for strategic advocacy, public affairs, and advocacy consulting. Current clients include AGC Colorado, AGC America (and several other AGC Chapters), Home Builder’s Institute (National Assn of Home Builders) and Speedchain. Michael is also serving on the national board of the American Society of Professional Estimators and several prominent boards and coalitions representing his clients.

Michael was the President & CEO of the AGC of Colorado from 2008 – 2023 and Outgoing CEO in 2024. As the chief staff member of the organization, Michael led a non-profit trade association with 650 members, a $3.5 million budget, and a Construction Education Foundation with a $1.5 million budget. AGC focused on being the voice of the industry, effective economic development work, legislative and political influence, member services (including group health and work comp insurance programs); education programs (including safety and environmental; workforce development, Future Leaders Forum, and CITC apprentice training center) and networking and collaboration opportunities for members. Workforce Development was a main issue for AGC and the construction industry, and Michael’s helped create the Careers in Construction Colorado high school construction program in partnership with the Housing & Building Association of Colorado Springs. That program is now in 93 high schools serving 5,000 participants. In 2025 there were 1,000 graduating seniors and 591 took a pathway into the industry (a big win). Many of those entered the construction industry in field and professional positions.

Michael serves on the Board of several groups, including Past Chair of the Colorado Real Estate Alliance, Past-Chair of the Colorado Competitive Council (C3), a state-wide lobbying organization, current Chair of the BuildingJobs4Colorado Coalition, and Board member of the Colorado Civil Justice League. He is also a member of the Downtown Denver Partnership Public Policy Committee. He is also appointed by the state to the Wildfire Resiliency Code Board and the State Community of Practice for creation of an MWBE program for construction projects at 44 state agencies.

Before coming to the AGC Colorado, Michael served as Executive Director of the Idaho AGC from 1999 to 2007 and grew membership from 750 to 1,125. He was elected as Chairman and Director of the Eagle, Idaho Sewer District from 1998 to 2007. He served as Vice President of the Boise Metro Chamber of Commerce and Executive Director of the Downtown Boise Association and from 1993-1999. Prior to that Michael worked for the City of Huntington Beach, CA Redevelopment Agency, and Economic Development Department. Michael has also been an instructor at the University of Phoenix for Political Science (state & local government) courses.

Michael received his BS in Business Administration & Finance from the University of Southern California and his Masters Degree in Public Administration from Boise State University. He is also a graduate of the Institute for Organization Management, a 6-year continuing education course for non-profit association executives operated by the US Chamber of Commerce.

Michael lives with his wife Jenay in Denver, CO and has 3 daughters who graduated at Colorado Universities (CU Boulder, CSU in Ft. Collins, and CMU in Grand Junction) and are all working in their chosen fields. He counts his wife and daughters and now 4 granddaughters as his greatest blessing.

As a Managing Director at Lazear’s Charlotte office, Josh specializes in working with business owners across the Southeast, with a particular focus on the Carolinas. 

​With over two decades of experience in Middle Market Banking and Capital Markets, Josh has dedicated a significant portion of his career to serving the Charlotte, NC area since 2007. Prior to his time in Charlotte, he worked in the Financial Services Practice at E&Y in Washington, D.C. 

​Throughout his career, Josh has been extensively involved with privately held family businesses and public companies. He has provided valuable guidance to clients on debt capital solutions and strategic alternatives, including M&A financing. 

​In his most recent role, Josh successfully led the Middle Market banking group in the North Carolina and Virginia markets for SouthState Bank, a Southeastern-based institution with assets totaling $45 billion, making it one of the top 30 largest banks in the US. 

​Josh’s experience collaborating with family shareholders, CEOs, and CFOs throughout the Southeast uniquely positions him to provide strategic advice to clients as they navigate their business transition. 

​Josh holds a B.S. in Finance from Miami (OH) University and has been a resident in the Charlotte community since 2007. Josh is an active member of the Olde Providence Racquet Club and spends time with the Carolinas Association of General Contractors (CAGC) and the Construction Financial Management Association (CFMA) in Charlotte. 

Shelomith Gonzalez is the Vice President of Strategic Operations for Lee Construction Group, where she leads initiatives that drive innovation, operational excellence, and cross-functional collaboration.  

With a strong background in both operations and safety, she brings a unique blend of insight and creative problem-solving to complex organizational challenges. Shelomith has spoken at several prominent industry events, including the University of Virginia Safety Summit, CSHEMA Annual Conference, the National Association of Physical Plant Administrators, and the Virginia Department of Labor Safety and Health Conference.  

Her work spans construction, general industry, research, medical, and academic environments. She is passionate about designing systems that enhance the safety and wellbeing of tradespersons by leveraging cutting-edge technology and best practices.

Chris Greene is Vice President, Innovation & Insights at American Global Canada and serves as the architect behind C-RISQ—American Global’s proprietary construction risk platform. Based in Ontario, Chris leads technology, analytics, and automation strategies across all lines of business, helping contractors transform insurance from a reactive function into a proactive strategic advantage.  

With a dual background in business systems and insurance, Chris specializes in building real-time dashboards, streamlining SDI enrollment, and integrating data from platforms such as Epic, Origami, and Microsoft Power BI. He has helped develop automated workflows that improve visibility for clients and brokers alike—resulting in smarter decisions, cleaner data, and faster outcomes.  

Chris also acts as an internal advisor on the firm’s AI strategy, innovation marketing, and client tech enablement. He regularly speaks at industry events and moderates thought leadership forums on risk intelligence, parametric solutions, and construction technology. 

Brett is an experienced professional engineer with a diverse 14-year career spanning both design engineering and construction leadership. For this presentation he will give a case study of his experience on the Port of Port Arthur, Texas Flyover Bridge progressive design-build project from an engineer and contractor’s perspective and discuss his work with the Kansas Turnpike Authority and other city and state agencies. 

Mentoring the next generation of professionals is personally rewarding to Brett. He is excited to be part of this presentation to share knowledge with other contractors to help them thrive in our dynamic industry. Throughout his career he has contributed to and managed projects of varying complexity and magnitude, ranging from $10 million to $2 billion, always with a relentless focus on cost control, schedule performance and contract management. He excels at collaborating with multidisciplinary teams, bringing together engineers and construction professionals. His background includes subcontractor management, sharing lessons learned, and overseeing self-perform construction. 

His career began in design engineering for interstate highways, commercial site developments, essential municipal infrastructure, and industrial railroad facilities. His background includes construction roles as a contractor and estimator for heavy industrial sites, power plants, refineries, and more. 

Brett’s passion for construction leadership was ignited during his tenure as an EPC engineer and construction estimator for large industrial developments. That passion was further strengthened when he was the construction leader for several large projects including a $300 million USACE project. This path allowed Brett to not only manage and analyze complex contracts and schedules but also to lead high-performance teams of up to 10 individuals, spanning both design and construction disciplines. Brett holds an MBA in finance and international business from Washburn University and a bachelor of science in civil engineering from The University of Kansas and is a professional engineer in KS. 

Sam Hatchell, is easy going, people oriented executive level coach and teacher of leadership concepts. Loves ideation, brainstorming, networking, being curious about people and what they are interested in and why. Is passionate about God, family, kids, the power of self and others awareness and being intentional. Loves to read and learn from a variety of topics. Good listener and connector. 
 
Sam is Director of Quality and Leadership Development at Jaynes Corporation.

Carly Hayden brings extensive experience supporting construction teams through the development and execution of strong, consistent safety programs. She works closely with project teams to improve compliance, manage risk, and reinforce a proactive, people-first safety culture across complex projects, with a practical, collaborative approach to jobsite safety. 

Lars Herman is the CEO of Contracts Connected and CEO of Dawes Group, giving him a unique vantage point at the intersection of construction, technology, and leadership. A U.S. Naval Academy graduate and former Navy Civil Engineer Corps officer (Seabee), Lars has spent his career building teams, companies, and systems that perform in complex, high-stakes environments.

As founder and former CEO of Herman Construction Group, he grew and exited a construction business that delivered military, healthcare, secure, and other sophisticated projects. That experience led him to found Contracts Connected, where he now helps drive the industry forward through technology built specifically for construction contracting and compliance. At the same time, as CEO of Dawes Group, he is building an integrated investment, development, and construction platform focused on disciplined growth and long-term value creation. Lars also co-hosts the Construction Conversations podcast, focused on how technology and leadership are transforming the construction industry.

Sawyer Holt, a distinguished Project Manager at Caddell Construction and U.S. Army veteran, was recently selected for inclusion in Marquis Who’s Who for his outstanding achievements in construction project management. With a career spanning over $3.4 billion in construction projects and more than 1 million square feet of built space, he has demonstrated exceptional leadership, technical expertise, and a commitment to innovation and mentorship. He is currently in his second year serving on the AGC CLC committee and his first year serving on both the AGC Corps of Engineers Committee and the AGC NAVFAC Committee. Magna cum laude graduate of Florida A&M University, Mr. Holt continues to influence the industry through civic engagement, professional development, and his dedication to shaping future leaders in construction.

As Director of Preconstruction & Estimating, Baxter’s responsibilities include oversight and management of the preconstruction process.  He works with all stakeholders during the preconstruction phase of the project to ensure project and team success.  He emphasizes building trust and collaboration by empowering those around him through training, coaching, and working alongside project teams.  Baxter has been in the industry for 19 years with a successful track record in design-assist, design-build, and CM at risk delivery. 

Bill Hughes is a partner of Wipfli name number 6 on the list of Top 50 Accounting firms by CE.  He has 30 years of public accounting and management experience in the Construction Industry and works primarily with closely held private Construction organizations ranging from small, specialty subcontractors to national general contractors. He also spent time as a CFO of a Colorado Major Mechanical Contractor.  Bill is passionate about building long-term client relationships by providing the necessary services, knowledge and resources to help meet their business objectives and maximize their profits.  He has served on many Boards of Construction Associations. 

Dean Lincoln Hyers is a former filmmaker and a presentation / interview trainer with 20+ years of experience helping Architecture / Engineering / Construction firms land over $16 billion worth of new business.

Andrea Janzen is redefining what leadership in the built environment looks like. As the Founder and CEO of Ambition Theory, she works with companies across North America to close their leadership gap by developing high-potential talent—especially women—who have traditionally been overlooked.  

Andrea is the architect of the Leadership Accelerator, a transformative program that has helped hundreds of women in the built environment successfully move into senior and executive roles, leading major projects and influencing company culture in lasting ways. Her impact is data-backed: she also leads the influential Building Better research with NCCER, which has become a crucial resource for the industry to understand and retain strong leaders.  

What makes Andrea an exceptional leader and conversationalist is her rare ability to bring people in, not call them out. She addresses the industry’s toughest challenges—from workforce shortages to leadership pipeline issues—with a mix of honesty, empathy, and practicality, helping every person in the room see themselves as part of the solution. Attendees consistently leave her sessions with not just insight, but a clear path to action. 

Tim Jed leads the supply chain program at DPR Construction. He is a seasoned and collaborative business leader with nearly 40 years of construction industry experience. Tim has worked in commercial construction, multifamily, shared workspaces, manufactured housing, and homebuilding, much of it focused on building strong supplier connections and developing inventive and effective solutions. His deep construction knowledge base and strengths in cost management and process improvements span a broad career of roles in operations, supply chain and procurement, system design and implementation, and sales. 

Tim grew up just outside Detroit, MI and holds a bachelor’s degree in Building Construction Management from Michigan State University, has held contractor’s licenses in several states, and is LEED AP BD+C accredited. Prior to DPR, Tim worked at co-working space trailblazer WeWork, construction tech start-up Katerra, general contractor Clark Construction, and national homebuilders Richmond American Homes and NVR. 

His hobbies include bicycling, hiking, live music, theater, and movies, and he is a big fan of many types of foods, having traveled to 49 of the US states, and more than 30 countries. 

Christel Jimenez is a Vice President of ESOP Consulting at Principal. She has over 15 years of experience working with ESOPs, both from within the retirement industry and as an officer of an ESOP-owned company. She has extensive knowledge and experience in recordkeeping, ERISA plan compliance, and complex ESOP issues. Christel engages with business owners and companies to define their objectives and design, implement, and communicate ESOPs.

Steve Jordan, Vice President of Health, Safety, and Environmental at Flintco, LLC, is a relentless force in the commercial construction industry, driven by nearly 30 years of unyielding dedication. From humble beginnings as a carpenter apprentice, Steve’s grit propelled him through the ranks—becoming a Carpenter Foreman, Assistant Superintendent, Superintendent, Estimating, Preconstruction, Senior Superintendent, Safety Manager, and Corporate HSE Director. Now, as a Vice President at Flintco, he brings a wealth of experience, paired with specialized education and training, and has evolved into a multifaceted construction professional. 

Steve’s mission is nothing short of transformative—he’s driven by a fierce commitment to revolutionize the construction industry and human performance. He forges authentic connections, inspires and empowers those around him, and is laser-focused on strategic planning and execution to achieve the highest levels of safety and productivity in an “unwavering pursuit of the perfect construction experience”. 

Currently, Tricia serves as the Executive Vice President of Risk Management at Jordan Foster Construction, a prominent company renowned for its civil, multifamily, and general contracting projects throughout Texas. In this role, she provides exemplary leadership and direction to the risk management, safety, and leadership teams. 

Tricia is widely recognized as an authority in the construction risk management industry. She is a sought-after speaker on diverse subjects, including leadership, risk management, education across cultures, servant leadership, and diversity. Her contributions have earned her prestigious accolades, including the IRMI Bill McIntyre Leadership Award and the  BCSP Award of Excellence https://www.bcsp.org/About/BCSP-News/2020-award-of-excellence-recipients   Tricia is dedicated to mentoring and teaching the next generation of construction professionals and is a visiting lecturer at Texas A & M University MS in Construction Program teaching Construction Risk Management. As a safety professional and women’s leadership expert, she is committed to expanding the definition of Safety to include the physical and mental well-being of the workforce.  

Tricia holds a Master’s in Dispute Resolution from Southern Methodist University in Dallas, Texas. She also possesses a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration and a Bachelor of Arts in Communication from Regis University in Denver, Colorado. Tricia’s professional credentials include Chartered Property Casualty Underwriter (CPCU), Certified Safety Professional (CSP), Construction Risk Insurance Specialist (CRIS), Associate in Risk Management (ARM), Associate in Claims Management (AIC), and she is a licensed Texas claims representative and commercial agent. In addition to her extensive professional pursuits, Tricia plays a vital role as a member of the Board of Directors for the Board of Certified Safety Professionals (BCSP). 

Tricia’s hobbies include snow skiing, writing and spending time with family and her 2 dogs Avery and Sadie and cat Levi.  

As construction transportation director and company principal Stephen leads construction services for transportation projects nationwide at Burns & McDonnell. Projects include highways, bridges, roads and rail systems. Stephen will serve as panel moderator and offer an overall contractor and delivery method comparison perspective on the emerging trend of Progressive Design-Build for transportation and infrastructure projects.  He will also offer case study insights on the progressive design-build Port of Port Arthur, Texas flyover bridge project as well as work with KDOT, KTA and other entities and projects. 

He has more than 25 years of experience in bidding, partnering and constructing some of Midwest’s largest private and public infrastructure projects, including the new KCI airport single terminal. He brings a passion for alternative delivery and working with clients to bring innovative value-based solutions to projects. Steve is an active participant in the Heavy Constructors Association of Kansas City (KC), The Builders’ Association of Kansas City, and ACEC of Missouri where he currently serves on the transportation committee.  He also held various roles on the board of directors for the Heavy Contractors Association Kansas City.  

Stephen was formerly with another general contractor where he worked as chief engineer, gaining experience in managing and estimating for large-scale highway, heavy-rail and site development projects. Projects included work for KDOT and MODOT as well as the BNSF Logistics Park KC Expansion, Sporting KC Soccer Stadium, and large-scale retail developments throughout Kansas City. He has managed multiple scopes of work and coordinated with contractors, design professionals, utility companies, class I railroads and owners.  

Through these projects he has gained vast experience with alternate project delivery methods, including EPC, Progressive Design-Build, Design-Build and Construction Manager-at-risk methods. Stephen holds a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering from the University of Missouri-Columbia and is a professional engineer in KS and MO.

Bryan Kelley is a Senior Vice President with Balfour Beatty Construction and serves as Chief Legal Officer for its Northwest Division. He is a graduate of Vanderbilt University and earned his law degree from Pepperdine University. Before joining Balfour Beatty, Bryan was a Partner at the construction law firm Oles Morrison, now Smith Currie Oles, LLP. 

Bryan is the 2026 Chair of AGC of America’s Building Division and previously served as the 2025 President of AGC of Washington. His AGC of America leadership roles have included service on the CLC Steering Committee and chairing the Contract Documents Forum. Within AGC of Washington, he has chaired both the CLC and Local Government Affairs committees.  

Bryan is a past recipient of AGC of Washington’s Associate of the Year Award, the BCA Bar Association Writing Award, and has been repeatedly recognized by Washington Law & Politics magazine as a “Rising Star.” He is an active supporter of the arts and currently serves as President of the Board of Trustees for Seattle Children’s Theatre. 

Bryan is the son of Jack Kelley, Past President of AGC of America (2003) and AGC of Maine (1987). 

Bryan lives in Seattle, Washington with his wife, April—an architect at HOK—and their two children, Eliza (14) and Simon (11). 

Mr. Killingsworth is a graduate of Texas A&M University with a BS and MS in Civil Engineering specializing in design, materials and construction. For nearly 20 years, Mr. Killingsworth worked in private consultancy conducting research projects for national, state and local entities. He also conducted numerous designs, implemented asset management systems, and conducted forensic evaluations. 

For NRMCA, Mr. Killingsworth heads the Concrete Promotion and Codes Division which provides promotional and technical support as well as education to member companies, affiliate associations, and local owners and designers regarding concrete designs, specifying materials, or construction issues. Support primarily includes local roads and parking lots as well as low-to-mid-rise building markets. Mr. Killingsworth also represents NRMCA before organizations that develop codes and standards and provides input to sustainability standards for buildings and infrastructure. 

Within the American Concrete Institute (ACI) he is the Chair of the Pavement Design subcommittee of the Concrete Pavement committee, ACI 325. Killingworth is a Special Director on the American Society of Concrete Contractors (ASCC) Board of Directors and serves on the NRMCA/ASCC Joint Paving Committee.

Alex King is a construction lawyer with deep roots in the Colorado construction industry. Growing up and working on job sites across the state, Alex developed first-hand insight into the challenges and demands faced by contractors and their project teams. His experience extends from running crews in the field to estimating and managing jobs from the office. His practical experience shapes his approach to law, ensuring he understands the realities clients face every day, and leveraging his experience to provide efficient and thoughtful advice.  

In his legal practice, Alex divides his time between complex litigation and contract drafting and negotiation. He has led trial teams through complex litigation and arbitrations, and resolved numerous disputes through mediation and attorney advocacy. Beyond dispute resolution, Alex enjoys the collaborative aspects of contract work, helping clients manage risk and clarify rights and obligations through carefully crafted contract language. He has specialized in construction law his entire career.  

Alex actively participates in industry organizations and currently serves as Chair of the Future Leaders Forum for the Associated General Contractors of Colorado. As an emerging leader in the construction law community, his commitment to the industry extends beyond his legal work, as he regularly contributes to industry publications, provides client training, and speaks at industry conferences.  

Cutler Knupp established the corporate venture and innovation platform of The Haskell Company, Dysruptek, where he leads venture investing, technology scouting, and strategic innovation initiatives that accelerate the adoption of breakthrough solutions in the engineering and construction ecosystem. In this role, Cutler oversees early-stage investment strategy, portfolio development, and the evaluation of emerging technologies that improve productivity, safety, and business model innovation across the built environment. Cutler has a background in corporate development across Software & IT services businesses.  

Under his leadership, Dysruptek has established a diversified portfolio of companies spanning DeepTech, Energy, Modular, Robotics, and AI, and has played a central role in bridging corporate innovation with startup ecosystems. His work has been recognized globally in the corporate venture ecosystem. Cutler holds degrees in Finance and International Affairs from NYU’s Stern School of Business and Kennesaw State University, and serves as a board member, mentor and advisor across venture and innovation communities. 

Allison Koester has been working in the construction industry for 16 years, with 11 of those years dedicated to estimating and preconstruction at Austin Commercial. Starting as a Sr. Estimator, Allison has served as the Preconstruction Technology Lead for the past five years. In this role, she has led the evaluation, development, implementation, and training for the estimating tools Austin currently uses. This includes the early adoption of several software programs, where Allison closely collaborated with software developers. She is driven by the goal of delivering better value to our customers and enhancing efficiency. The success of new software implementation hinges on selecting the best fit, acknowledging and addressing users fear of change, and providing ongoing training and support to help users gain competency and ultimately achieve mastery.   

Bob Kunz is the Corporate Safety Director for Dimeo Construction Company, an ENR top 100 Construction Manager with offices in Boston – New Haven – Providence.  Kunz has over 34 years of building and civil construction, and surface mining experience.  He has held his current position for 18 years.  Kunz has assumed several leadership positions in the safety community, including serving as the past chairperson of the AGC RI safety committee, as the chairperson of the AGC MA safety committee, as a member of the Board of Directors and AGC America Board of Governors for the AGC MA, and serving as the chairperson of Building SAFER in RI an OSHA ambassador alliance with the RI construction industry.  He is a lifelong learner and has identified new ways to strengthen jobsite safety climate and safety leadership and improve worker mental health by implementing innovative training, educational, and assessment tools. He is also dedicated to training the new generation of safety professionals as a member of the America Society of Safety Professionals and as advisory board member for the Construction Safety Sciences degree program at Keene State College.  Kunz was recognized as the Construction Safety Professional of the Year by both, the AGC CT in 2012 and the AGC of America in 2023.  Bob is a certified American Heart Association First Aid/CPR/AED/Naloxone, Mental Health First Aid, Psychological First Aid, Recovery First Aid Responder, and NASP Psychological Health and Safety Manager. 

Robert Lambert is the Design Quality Manager at Austin Commercial, where he has led design excellence and quality initiatives since 2018. Based in Austin, Texas, Robert ensures that projects meet the highest standards of innovation, functionality, and execution, drawing on over three decades of architectural and design leadership. 

Before joining Austin Commercial, Robert spent nearly 30 years as a Principal at STG Design, where he guided teams across diverse architectural projects, building a reputation for balancing creative vision with technical precision. His experience also includes serving as a Design Architect at Hermonovski Lauck Design, where he honed his skills early in his career. 

In addition to his professional practice, Robert has contributed to community and mission-driven work as a team member with Reinvent Ministries and ACCD, bringing his expertise to support meaningful initiatives outside the traditional design sphere. 

Robert holds a Master’s degree in Architecture from Texas A&M University, equipping him with a strong foundation in both design theory and practical application. 

Throughout his career, Robert has been recognized for his ability to bridge design intent with construction reality, fostering collaboration between architects, engineers, and builders. His commitment to design quality continues to shape environments that serve clients, communities, and end-users alike.

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. 

After leading the Kansas Department of Transportation for four years, Julie joined 1898 & Co. as a principal consultant. With 25+ years of experience, she is a national leader in policy development, collaboration and implementing visioning initiatives. For this presentation she offers attendees valuable insight into delivery methods and infrastructure investment from an owner’s perspective. At 1898 & Co., she provides C-suite-level advisory services for private and public sectors and helps grow these services into other markets, including IIJA deployment across infrastructure sectors. 

She is also a board member of the Kansas Turnpike Authority.  

Julie was appointed Secretary of the Kansas Department of Transportation and Director of the Kansas Turnpike Authority in January 2019. While at KDOT, she launched the Kansas Infrastructure Hub in support of IIJA, created the $10 billion Eisenhower Legacy Transportation Program and led the Kansas Recovery Office, responsible for administering over $1 billion in CARES Act COVID-19 relief funding in six months. She was honored with the George S. Bartlett Award for leading development of a national vision for transportation for state DOTs, which was unanimously approved by all 52 state and territory departments of transportation.  

She previously led strategic consulting and public engagement services for Burns & McDonnell’s Transportation Group. Prior to joining 1898 & Co. she was the Director of Public Affairs at KDOT and led strategic planning and integrated collaboration/communication efforts. Notably, KDOT secured an $8.2 billion 10-year funding program in spring 2010, resulting largely from stakeholder collaboration and a focus on economic impact analysis. She holds a master’s degree in organizational psychology from The University of Kansas, a bachelor’s degree in business administration with a minor in economics as well as a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Drury University.  

Specialties: Infrastructure Funding, Analysis and Investment; Public Policy; Engagement and Coalition Building; Government 

Elizabeth is uncommonly passionate about the power of language, especially the ability of languages to connect and uplift people. To that end, she formed Freestyle Languages in 2012 to create an adult language learning community through fun, stress-free learning with a proven methodology.  

For the last 6 years Freestyle has been uniquely customized to the construction industry, known to have the largest language gap of all industries in the U.S. With a 100% online model, Freestyle provides an accessible workforce solution with bilingual (Spanish and English) learning options.  

When not busy with family, friends, and Freestyle, Elizabeth is finding new ways to serve and add value through language learning. Since 2021 she’s been on the Texas Anti-Poverty Project leadership team with the aim of helping communities leverage the many advantages of language. She particularly advocates for more accessible (and effective) English learning for Spanish speakers, as a critical life skill offering a path to wage equity and greater opportunities. 

Col. Nicole Malachowski defies stereotypes. A combat veteran, the first woman pilot on the USAF Thunderbirds, a White House Fellow, and an inductee into both the National Women’s Hall of Fame and the Women in Aviation International Pioneer Hall of Fame, she built a 21-year Air Force career that exceeded her wildest dreams. That career ended when a devastating tick-borne illness left her struggling to speak or walk for nearly nine months. Nicole fought back against overwhelming odds and prevailed.

Drawing on stories from her career and personal life, Nicole inspires audiences to rethink the challenges they face and to go beyond resilience to become resurgent. She shares three core beliefs: failure and risk are the price of entry for achieving something great; sometimes you need to yield to overcome; and her personal mantra, “Nobody wants to lead a scripted life.” Audiences are drawn in by her easygoing authenticity and hard-won perspective.

Nicole soloed an airplane at 16, before most of her peers had a driver’s license. After graduating from the U.S. Air Force Academy in 1996, she was among the first women to fly modern fighter aircraft. As an F-15E pilot, she logged more than 2,300 flight hours in six aircraft, including over 188 combat hours. Her proudest moment was leading the first fighter formation to provide security for Iraq’s historic 2005 democratic elections. She flew as Thunderbird #3, becoming the first woman on any Department of Defense jet demonstration team. She later commanded the 333rd Fighter Squadron, training the next generation of combat aviators and overseeing more than $1.1 billion in resources.

Beyond the cockpit, Nicole served in two senior Pentagon staff roles. As a 2008–2009 White House Fellow, she supported the Presidential Transition. She later served as Executive Director of the White House’s Joining Forces initiative, advising First Lady Michelle Obama and Dr. Jill Biden on issues affecting service members, veterans, and military families. She holds two master’s degrees in national security. At the U.S. Naval War College she earned the Admiral Stephen B. Luce Award as class honor graduate, the first Air Force officer ever to do so.

Today, Nicole is a passionate advocate for tick-borne illness awareness and veterans’ health. She serves on the Board of Directors of the LivLyme Foundation and on the Patient Advisory Board of The Dean Center for Tick Borne Illness, and she was named one of We Are The Mighty’s “Mighty 25” in 2020. She lives with her husband Paul, a retired Air Force Lieutenant Colonel and former F-15E Weapons Systems Officer, and their twins, Garrick and Norah.

John Mallory is the Director of Construction for the Hillsborough County Aviation Authority, where he oversees all construction activities across four airports: Tampa International, Peter O. Knight, Plant City, and Tampa Executive. His responsibilities encompass $60–$100 million annually in capital improvement projects and more than $2 billion in Master Plan expansion initiatives. Project delivery methods include both Design-Bid-Build and Progressive Design-Build. 

John earned his Bachelor’s degree in Building Construction from the University of Florida. He is a licensed General Contractor, a LEED Accredited Professional, and a graduate of Leadership Tampa Bay. With more than 40 years of experience working for major general contractors, developers, and owners, John brings a unique perspective. 

Charles Markham has worked in the construction industry since 2010, beginning his career as an assistant superintendent with Brasfield & Gorrie on hospital projects. In 2011, he joined Manson Construction Co., where he has spent nearly 15 years working on dredging and marine construction projects.  

His work has focused primarily on cutter suction dredging, including operations with the dredge Robert M. White and maintenance dredging in Gulf ship channels, as well as marsh and beach restoration projects. He lives in Jacksonville Beach with his three children—twin boys and a daughter—and enjoys flying, hunting, and spearfishing in his free time. 

Chris Martin is the Founder and President of Atlas Marketing, where he leads the agency’s strategy and helps construction and manufacturing industry clients tell powerful stories. He has directed public relations, crisis communications, and marketing efforts for iconic brands such as Zippo and Dow Chemical, as well as notable regional projects including the Flight 93 Memorial and PENNDOT. Chris also co-hosts the Building PA Podcast, interviewing leaders across the construction sector each week.

A construction industry leader with more than 35 years of experience in business development, sales leadership, and growth strategy, Rick Mazzone serves as Vice President of Business Development at Fessler & Bowman. Throughout his career, Rick has served as a provider of supply chain services and solutions to the construction industry, leading regional and national sales teams, building new business units, and integrating acquired organizations.

Carl McFarland is President of Big-D Construction Southwest, bringing more than 30 years of experience in the AEC industry. A transformational executive, he focuses on driving ROI through AI, prefabrication, and industrialized construction while building high-performing, values-driven teams. Carl is passionate about aligning technology, operations, and culture to deliver predictable growth and exceptional client outcomes in a rapidly evolving construction economy. 

Scott McKenna is the President of Catamount Consulting. He has over 24 years in the mining and construction industry and is a certified instructor with the Mine Safety Health Administration, and an OSHA Certified Construction Trainer. Scott coached for over 20 years in the sport of wrestling and learned the value of coaching to “the heart” to get the head and hands of his athletes to do anything. McKenna believes that we are all coaches within the People Business. Regardless of your team, you must have high levels of emotional intelligence to assure everyone around you is coached to their particular level of high performance. 

Sean McMaster is the Administrator of the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) at the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT). Nominated by President Trump on March 10, 2025 to lead the FHWA, he has more than two decades of public- and private-sector experience in government and transportation policy, with a résumé that includes prior Federal service at DOT during the first Trump Administration, as well as positions with the U.S. Congress, Boeing Company, and HNTB Corporation. 

McMaster previously worked at DOT during the Trump Administration’s first term as both the Deputy Chief of Staff and the Deputy Assistant Secretary for Congressional Affairs. In these roles, he served as a strategic advisor to the Secretary and other DOT leaders. He also played a lead role in creating and overseeing Trump Administration policies and programs, successfully managed the DOT’s congressional relationships, and was instrumental in developing the Surface Reauthorization proposal. 

Other public-sector positions include working as a Professional Staff Member for the U.S. House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee and the Deputy Chief of Staff for U.S. Congressman John Mica of Florida. 

McMaster’s private-sector experience includes serving as the Vice President for Commercial Aviation and Transportation for the Boeing Company and both a National Practice Consultant and the Vice President of the Advisory Services, Strategy, and Transformation Group for the HNTB Corporation. During his time in the private sector, he led a government-affairs team, developed and chaired a grant support services team, maintained relationships with Congress and government officials, conducted strategic planning and policy analysis, and shared his knowledge of federal transportation funding and policy. 

McMaster earned a Bachelor of Science in Finance from George Mason University. A proud husband and father, he married his wife in 2004. His eldest son is a newly minted lance corporal in the United States Marine Corps, where he serves as an air-traffic controller; his youngest son recently graduated from high school; and his daughter just graduated from the eighth grade. 

Annie Meehan is a professional keynote speaker, author, and transformational coach who inspires, educates, and activates her audiences with a clear and compelling message: Be the Exception. With a warm and dynamic presence, she helps people break free from counterproductive habits, rise above the status quo, and live more meaningful, impactful lives—both personally and professionally. 

A widely embraced international speaker, Annie has delivered powerful keynotes to corporations, associations, and nonprofits across the globe. Known for her signature blend of authenticity, humor, and actionable insights, she empowers teams to embrace change, eliminate long-held excuses, and leverage the power of words to unlock personal and organizational excellence. 

Before stepping into the spotlight, Annie spent nine years in the financial services industry, earning five promotions in a male-dominated workplace. She later became a successful entrepreneur, owning and operating two fitness franchises for over a decade and leading a thriving direct sales team. Her passion for health, wellness, and personal growth became a foundation for the empowering message she now shares with thousands each year. 

Annie holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Ministry and brings a deep sense of purpose, faith, and encouragement to every stage she steps on. She is a member and past president of the National Speakers Association (NSA) Minnesota chapter, a Certified Speaking Professional (CSP)—the highest designation in the speaking profession—and a proud inductee into the NSA Minnesota Hall of Fame. 

Annie is the author of 11 personal development books, including the award-winning Be the Exception and The Pineapple Principle, a refreshing take on customer service and hospitality. Her most recent passion project is helping organizations build H3 Cultures—Hopeful, Healthy, and Happy workplaces that retain engaged, motivated employees. 

Now based in the Orlando, Florida area with her husband Greg, Annie enjoys adventuring with her family, volunteering in her community, and walking her beloved dog Leo. Whether she’s on stage or one-on-one, Annie’s mission remains the same: to help others live fully, love boldly, and lead exceptionally. 

As CFO, Mike provides leadership and direction for the accounting, finance and corporate services related operations of the company. He has responsibility for all financial records, payroll, banking, purchasing, HR and daily operations of corporate services. Mike holds an undergraduate degree in Business Management from SUNY Stony Brook and a MBA from University of Phoenix. Mike also served 4 years in the Marine Corps working in airfield operations; installing and managing Emergency Air Field Services around the world. Mike has been a Weifield Group Contracting | A Loenbro Company team member since 2009 and is a LEED GA. 

Former Congressman Patrick Erin Murphy serves as CEO and Founder of Togal.AI, overseeing the company’s day to day operations. Additionally, he currently serves an Chief Innovation Officer of Coastal Construction, the largest General Contractor in Florida. Patrick was appointed to serve on the President’s Export Council in 2023 under President Joe Biden, where he advises the president on strategies to promote American exports and support job creation through trade. Patrick is proud to be the only appointee from the construction industry.   

Having been raised in the business, Patrick first started in the construction industry as a laborer, then project engineer, estimating assistant and accounting manager. After graduating from the University of Miami, Patrick worked at Deloitte where he earned his CPA license that he maintains today. 

Patrick served in U.S. Congress, representing Palm Beach and Treasure Coast in the House of Representatives for four years (2013-2017) and was the nominee for the U.S. Senate in 2016. After leaving office in 2017, he was named chair of the Future Forum Foundation, a nonprofit organization that researches key issues impacting millennials, such as automation, artificial intelligence and the sharing economy. Patrick proudly serves as a board member of the Miami Bridge Youth and Family Services, a homeless shelter for children. 

Under Patrick’s leadership, Togal.AI won first place at the 2022 eMerge Americas Global Startup Showcase and the Big 5’s 2022 Startup City Global Pitch Competition. Togal.AI was named 2023 Associated General Contractors National Innovation of the Year.

A nationally recognized attorney and thought leader in government contract law, Jim Nagle is sought after for his valuable counsel as consultant, expert witness or arbitrator/mediator by the government and its federal contractors. He has unrivaled experience working on supply, services, international, major systems and construction contracts. Throughout his distinguished career, Jim has represented owners, contractors, subcontractors, sureties, architects, engineers and all parties in the contracting process. In addition to representing contractors, he has mediated disputes between both the government and the prime and the prime and its subcontractors. Lawyers often consult Jim on government contracts, and he has been used as an expert witness by the United States Department of Justice, prime/general contractors, and subcontractors, in criminal and civil cases, in federal and state courts and arbitrations, in judge alone and jury trials.  Prior to joining the firm, he served as chief of the Logistics and Contract Law Branch of the Department of the Army staff and as a trial team chief in the Army’s Contract Appeals Division. 

Jim is committed to sharing his extensive knowledge of government contract law to advance the next generation of attorneys. He is the author of six books on federal contracting and more than 100 articles that have appeared in publications such as Public Contract Law Journal, Military Law Review, National Contract Management Association (NCMA) Journal, and Contract Management. Jim is a coveted lecturer on federal government contracts and construction law. He regularly teaches courses on all aspects of government contracts, construction law, and contract management for the Graduate Program on Contract Management of the Florida Institute of Technology, The George Washington University’s School of Business and Public Management, The George Washington University’s National Law Center, the University of Washington, Seattle University’s School of Law, The FAR Bootcamp, and other professional organizations. He has lectured in 33 states, the District of Columbia, and six foreign countries. 

Actively involved in professional organizations, Jim is a past president of the Board of Contract Appeals Bar Association (and has received its Life Services Award); served on the Board of Directors of the National Contract Management Association (NCMA), and on the board of editors of the NCMA Journal, as the book review editor for both the Public Contract Law Journal and The Construction Lawyer, and as the director of publications for numerous organizations. He is the founder and past chairman of the Public Contract Law Committee of the ABA’s General Practice Section and a Member of JAMS. He received the Federal Bar Foundation Award for Distinguished Accomplishment in the Study of Procurement Law, is listed in Who’s Who in American Law and Who’s Who in America, and is a Fellow of the American College of Construction Lawyers and the NCMA. 

Jim received the Federal Bar Foundation Award for Distinguished Accomplishment in the Study of Procurement Law. 

Barry Nelson is the CEO of FactorLab, a pioneering company at the crossroads of workplace safety, machine learning, and organizational science. For over 20 years, Barry has led the charge in using data-driven methods to identify and amplify the most impactful, controllable factors that reduce workplace injuries.  His groundbreaking research has been widely published, including The Lens of Language Intelligence: A New Perspective on Incident Prevention (ASSP, 2024), Conversations Are the New Currency to Operationalize Culture, Engage Employees, and Improve Planning (FactorLab, 2020), and Daily Planning Conversations and AI: Keys for Improving Construction Culture, Engagement, Planning, and Safety (AJIM, 2024), and his insights have helped clients win prestigious safety awards including the IRMI Gary Bird Horizon Award, AGC Safety Leader of the Year, and ABC National Excellence in Construction. A sought-after speaker and thought leader, Barry brings a unique perspective that fuses advanced technology with practical, people-centered strategies that deliver measurable outcomes. 

Steven Noble has extensive experience in commercial construction working as a Project Manager, and over the years, he has gained a depth of knowledge for bridge design and construction. 

Steve commenced working with InQuik Bridges USA in 2022, and became part of the CMC team in 2024, when CMC entered into a partnership with InQuik Group. 

CMC is the licensed provider of InQuik Bridges in the USA and Steven works closely with clients throughout the design and construction process when partnering with CMC. 

Sophie Noel-Pelletier is a Project Engineer at Kiewit with eight years of experience across the construction and energy sectors. She began her career in Alberta’s oil and gas industry, building expertise in field operations and asset management. Since joining Kiewit—one of North America’s leading construction and engineering firms—in 2019, Sophie has contributed to major infrastructure projects including the WMATA Platform Rehabilitation Program in Washington, D.C., and the Champlain Hudson Power Express (CHPE), a multi-billion-dollar underground transmission line connecting Canada to New York City. In January 2025, she began leading Project Engineering efforts for the progressive design-build Key Bridge Rebuild in Baltimore. Passionate about team development, Sophie also chairs initiatives that promote high-potential talent through programs such as the District Project Engineering School and leadership accelerators. 

Olagoke Olagbegi popularly called Goke is an experienced construction leader with more than twenty years in the industry and over ten years of executive-level leadership in commercial construction.  

As CEO of IBK Construction Company, he has overseen key departments, led estimating efforts, and managed projects from planning through closeout. His background also includes project management experience supporting budgeting, schedule coordination, day-to-day site activities, and stakeholder meetings.  

Goke holds a BSc in Construction Management from Kennesaw State University, with additional construction management training from New York University and a Higher National Diploma in Building Technology from Yaba College of Technology, Lagos Nigeria.  

Brett Parker is a seasoned safety professional with more than 24 years of experience in occupational safety and health, including the past 18 years with MEB General Contractors. He began his career in the field as a Site Safety and Health Officer, gaining hands-on experience across diverse construction environments before advancing into leadership. As Corporate Safety and Health Manager, Brett oversees company-wide safety and health programs, regulatory compliance, incident management, and risk mitigation strategies. He plays a key role in mentoring site safety personnel, supporting project teams, and driving continuous improvement initiatives that strengthen MEB’s safety culture and operational performance. Brett holds multiple certifications from the Board of Certified Safety Professionals (BCSP), including STSC, CHST, and SMP, and is also a Certified Workers’ Compensation Counselor (CWCC). His combination of extensive field experience, technical expertise, and strategic leadership supports safe, compliant, and productive project execution across all operations. 

Bio coming soon.

Janelle Pogodzinski is VP – Chief Human Capital Officer for J.F. Brennan Companies, Inc., bringing more than 25 years of human resources and executive leadership experience across construction, manufacturing, warehousing, and distribution. A strategic and results-driven leader, she is known for driving large-scale business transformation, building high-performing teams, and aligning people strategy with operational excellence.

Janelle has led complex organizations through growth and change, modernizing business practices, improving profitability, and fostering cultures rooted in collaboration, inclusivity, and accountability. She holds an MBA from Viterbo University and a bachelor’s degree in Business from the University of Wisconsin–Platteville. A sought-after speaker and mentor, Janelle is deeply committed to workforce development, leadership empowerment, and advancing opportunities in the skilled trades.

As Director of Estimating and Preconstruction, Brett leads Burns & McDonnell’s Preconstruction & Estimating Services in the US, Canada, Mexico, UK, and India. This includes business lines such as Mission Critical, Water, Power Generation, Solar, Battery Storage, Oil Gas & Chemicals, Transmission & Distribution, Commercial, Aerospace and Industrial Manufacturing, Food and Consumer Products, Transportation, Government, Environmental, and Onsite Energy for more than 70 North American offices, and 10 international offices.  He has over 18 years of experience working as a preconstruction manager and integrated project manager building over $2 billion in municipal, industrial, and commercial projects. Brett and his team develop more than $35 billion in total at-risk pricing proposals annually. He serves on the board of directors for the Design-Build Institute of America – Southwest Chapter and is the Chairman of their Legislative Committee. From October 2018-March 2021 he served as a Board Member – Construction Codes Board of Adjustments and Appeals, City of Mansfield, Texas. He has also been heavily involved as a Committee Volunteer for the Fort Worth Stock Show & Rodeo. In 2020, he was named a Forty under Forty honoree by the Fort Worth Business Press. Brett holds a bachelor’s degree from Texas State University. 

Cheri is a seasoned brand and marketing strategist, who possesses a unique talent for probing with candid inquiries and embracing diverse perspectives. Her innate curiosity extends across the spectrum of human interactions, organizational dynamics, and cultural nuances, fueling her passion for unraveling the intricacies of relationships, businesses, and communities. Her collaborative approach has revitalized brands for associations, cities, and corporations, infusing each endeavor with authenticity and resonance. Cheri is sought after for keynote addresses, workshops, and consultations, offering invaluable guidance to organizations navigating the complexities of rebranding and strategic evolution.

Holly Ransom is a global voice on leadership, change, and highperformance cultures—helping leaders lead what’s next.

As CEO of Emergent Global, Holly advises Fortune 500 companies, governments, and trailblazing brands like Microsoft, Virgin, and P&G on how to build future-ready teams, drive cultural change, and lead through complexity.

A globally sought-after keynote speaker, emcee and master interviewer, Holly has captivated audiences in 25+ countries across 6 continents—and is trusted by brands like Coca-Cola, Volvo, Mastercard, and EY to elevate their most critical events.

When Barack Obama visited Australia in 2018, he personally selected Holly to moderate their conversation. Since then, she’s interviewed, leaders and icons including—Sir Richard Branson, Malala Yousafzai, Malcolm Gladwell, Bill and Hillary Clinton, Venus Williams, Brené Brown and Matthew McConaughey—transforming every exchange into a masterclass in leadership through her signature mix of curiosity, clarity, and fearless questioning.

Holly has earned the U.S. Embassy’s Eleanor Roosevelt Award for Leadership Excellence, co-chaired the G20 Youth Summit, and the UN’s Coalition of Young Women Entrepreneurs. She delivered a Peace Charter to the Dalai Lama and is a Fulbright Scholar from Harvard Kennedy School, Class of 2021.

She is also the co-founder , event designer, and lead moderator of Energy Disruptors: UNITE, the award-winning summit voted Canada’s Best Conference three times.

Her bestselling book, The Leading Edge, is a practical playbook for navigating disruption and unlocking high-performance cultures— used by leaders and teams across the globe.

Offstage, Holly is passionate about mentoring the next generation, championing intergenerational collaboration, and bringing leadership insights to the world of high-performance sport. When she’s not advising global leaders or igniting rooms full of changemakers, you’ll find her on a sunrise run, baking something delicious, or brushing up on her already impressive Spanish.

Matt Raponi is the Sr. Manager of Data Center Construction Procurement for the Americas at Amazon Web Services (AWS), where he leads a high-impact team responsible for strategic sourcing of construction services at unprecedented scale. Under his leadership, AWS has brought online over 3 gigawatts of new data center capacity in the past 12 months across North and South America—doubling its online capacity since 2022 and on pace to double again by 2027. Matt manages complex relationships with general contractors, key trade partners, and critical material and equipment suppliers to ensure AWS delivers cutting-edge infrastructure on schedule, within budget, and to the highest standards of safety, quality, and sustainability.

A seasoned procurement professional, Matt brings over 10 years of experience across the industrial and technology sectors, with prior leadership roles in strategic sourcing at Alcoa and U. S. Steel. He is a Certified Professional in Supply Management (CPSM) and a Certified Professional in Supplier Diversity (CPSD), reflecting his deep expertise in building resilient, efficient supply chains. In 2021, Matt was recognized as an Institute for Supply Management (ISM) 30 Under 30 Rising Supply Chain Star, honoring his innovative leadership in driving procurement excellence.

A strategic leader at the intersection of procurement, project management, and supply chain innovation, Matt specializes in designing resilient construction procurement strategies that address industry-wide challenges such as trade labor shortages, volatile material pricing, and equipment supply constraints. His approach blends data-driven performance analytics with collaborative relationship management, driving contractors to exceed benchmarks for safety, quality, sustainability, and on-time delivery.

Tremain has 12 year experience in Glass and Glazing Industry. He currently works at Giroux Glass, Incorporated in Las Vegas as a Preconstruction Manager.

He completed National CLC term, is currently on the Specialty Contractor Committee, and is the current Vice Chair for his local CLC (Nevada Contractors Association).

Previously, Tremain held dual-roles as an estimator before being promoted to Preconstruction Manager in 2025.

His notable projects worked on include Circa Hotel and Casino, Wynn Hotel and Casino, Resorts World Las Vegas, Fontainebleau Las Vegas, Culinary Union Health Facilities, and Limelight Hotel.

Doug embarked on his professional journey with Orion in December 2018, assuming the role of Regional HS&E Manager for the Pacific Marine region. He came to Orion with a robust portfolio, having served as a Construction Safety Manager for a variety of large-scale civil, electrical, and geotechnical enterprises throughout the United States. Doug’s systematic approach to operational safety and his in-depth industry knowledge stem from a solid educational foundation—a Bachelor of Business Administration with a minor in Occupational Safety and Health, complemented by a Master of Science in Occupational Safety and Health from the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater. 

His dedication to continual learning is evident through several prestigious certifications, including Certified Safety Professional (CSP) and Construction Health and Safety Technician (CHST) from the Board of Certified Safety Professionals, as well as credentials as an Associate in Risk Management (ARM) and Professional in Human Resources (PHR). 

These qualifications and his unwavering commitment to the field have led Doug to his current role, where he provides HS&E oversight across all operational segments at Orion, encompassing Concrete, Marine, and Engineering groups. Doug’s leadership and expertise continue to drive significant safety improvements and innovations within the company. 

Mark is a professor at the Milwaukee School of Engineering in the Civil & Architectural Engineering and Construction Management department. He teaches classes in Project Management, Cost Control, Lean Construction, and Leadership. Prior to his work at MSOE, he worked as a general contractor for 40 years. His experience in the construction industry ranged from laborer, superintendent, project engineer, estimator, senior project manager, and vice president. Mark teaches Communication and Time Management for AGC of America’s Project Manager Program and teaches PMDP and CSF courses for AGC Wisconsin. He is a graduate of the University of Wisconsin– Madison in Civil and Environmental Engineering and is a registered Professional Engineer in Wisconsin. He received the Daily Reporter’s Educator of the Year award in 2018 for his work teaching in the construction industry. 

Keerthi Salecha is a Virtual Design and Construction (VDC) Manager at Clayco, where he leads technology-driven strategies that enhance collaboration, efficiency, and precision across complex construction projects. With over five years at Clayco and progressive experience from VDC Engineer to VDC Manager, Keerthi plays a key role in advancing BIM coordination, 4D scheduling, site logistics modeling, and emerging construction technologies. 

He holds a Master of Engineering in Civil Engineering from Texas A&M University, combining strong technical expertise with strategic business insight. Recently earning his DBIA certification from the Design-Build Institute of America, Keerthi continues to champion design-build best practices and innovation in the AEC industry. Passionate about leveraging technology to transform construction, he is committed to delivering excellence on every project she supports. 

Joey Schneider is a southeast concrete leader with 26+ years of leadership and over two decades in the craft. He’s placed, finished, and led his way from concrete laborer to industry leader, completing his first data center project in 2013.

Gregg Schoppman specializes in productivity and project management for general and trade contractors across the country. He also facilitates strategic planning and evaluation services focused on organizational transformation. Gregg was named one of the Top 25 Consultants in the World in 2014 according to Consulting Magazine and is also the recipient of the Association of Management Consulting Firms’ “High Five Award” for consulting excellence in 2013.  

He leads FMI’s Operations consulting practice as the discipline Leader. Gregg has been a featured instructor in FMI’s Project Manager Academy and regularly trains at all levels of construction from foreman to CEO.  

Gregg often addresses industry organizations and has also been a featured keynote speaker for Viewpoint, Sage and Autodesk. With Viewpoint, he is a founding member of the Alliance for Construction Productivity. Gregg has successfully completed engagements all over North America and throughout the world, including Mexico, Canada and Russia.    

Before coming to FMI, Gregg was a senior project manager for a general contracting firm in central Florida, completing complex and sophisticated construction projects in several niches and geographic markets.   

Rich Scopelliti is the Vice President of Preconstruction for Consigli Construction Co., Inc., a leading construction manager in the Northeast, Mid-Atlantic, and Caribbean. He plays a pivotal part in guiding the planning, coordination, and execution of all preconstruction operations for the firm. He works closely with clients, design teams, and project stakeholders to ensure seamless communication and early alignment that drives successful project outcomes. Rich has extensive experience working with high-profile clients such as the Boston Museum of Science, the University of Massachusetts Building Authority, the Massachusetts State College Building Authority, the Massachusetts Division of Capital Asset Management and Maintenance (DCAMM) and several other private and public partners. Rich holds a Massachusetts Construction Supervisor License, along with certifications in OSHA 30-Hour Training, Lean Six-Sigma, and as a LEED Accredited Professional. Outside of work, he volunteers his time with the Maynard Music Association and Open Table. Rich holds a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering from Worcester Polytechnic Institute. 

Bio coming soon.

Joe was born and raised in St. Louis, Missouri, and attended St. Louis University High School before earning a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering from Purdue University in 2018. After graduating, he worked for Traylor Bros., Inc., spending one year on a dam rehabilitation project in Parrish, Florida, and two years on the Houston Ship Channel Cable-Stayed Bridge project in Houston, Texas.  

He later joined BSI Constructors, where he has served as a Project Manager for the past five years. Joe began preconstruction on the Chapel of the Risen Christ project in early 2022 and managed the project through its completion in July 2025. He and his wife, Ali, have two children, Joe IV and Norah. 

Scott Shelton is a construction leader with 23 years of industry experience and a proven record of delivering complex, high-value projects. For the past seven years, he has played a key role at Austin Commercial, helping drive growth and operational excellence across the Southeast division.  As Vice President, Scott is recognized for his strategic leadership, commitment to safety and quality, and ability to build strong relationships with clients, partners, and project teams. He is passionate about building high‑performing teams, mentoring future leaders, and strengthening the construction community across Central Florida.

Justin Shields serves as the General Manager of Mass Excavation (Mass X), a leading civil construction firm headquartered in Anchorage, Alaska. With over 20 years of experience in Alaska’s oil and gas sector, Justin brings a proven track record of operational excellence, strategic leadership, and project delivery in remote and highly regulated environments.

Ken Simonson has been chief economist for the Associated General Contractors of America 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 more than 40 years of experience analyzing, advocating and communicating about economic and tax issues. 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.  

Joey Smith is part of the second generation at his family-owned general contracting, construction management & design build firm, Great Falls Construction based in Gorham, Maine. Joey has over seven years of experience in the construction industry, specializing in business development, marketing, and project administration. Currently serving as the Manager of Business Development & Marketing, Joey focuses on building and maintaining relationships with clients while supporting projects from conception to completion. His knowledge of project development and project management enables him to provide effective support to teams.

Cass Sobek, PE, is a project manager for Kiewit Infrastructure West Co. He brings more than 23 years of experience delivering infrastructure projects across the United States. 

Most recently, Cass managed two major design-build projects: ARDOT’s 30 Crossing Project in Little Rock, Arkansas, and NDOT’s Tropicana Interchange in Las Vegas, Nevada. 

Cass is focused on delivering infrastructure projects, building high-performing teams and strengthening long-term client partnerships. 

He earned a Bachelor of Science in Engineering Science from Trinity University in 2003. 

Stacy Frederick Spector is the primary content and curriculum developer for Catamount Consulting’s “People First” Leadership Programs. Stacy attended Albany Law School after college and was a practicing attorney in Lake George, New York for over 20 years. As a former college athlete and professional natural bodybuilding champion, Stacy has made fitness and mindset mastery part of her daily life. With over 15 years spent in the areas of empathy and social emotional support in the educational world, Stacy’s unique background and experience offers a broad range of value to many individuals and groups in relation to employee engagement, culture building, and mindset mastery. As a coach, Stacy believes we must train our emotional fitness just like our physical fitness. It’s a use it or lose it approach. 

John Stiegelmeier retired as the winningest head coach in South Dakota State University football history after winning the 2022 FCS National Championship. Coach “Stig,” as he is known to anyone and everyone, a Selby, South Dakota native, returned to his alma mater in 1988 as secondary coach and recruiting coordinator. In 1990, he was named defensive coordinator before being elevated in 1996 to head coach.

The Jackrabbits never had a losing season in Missouri Valley Football Conference play in the fifteen seasons it has played in what has proven to be the toughest FCS conference in the country. Stig led the Jackrabbits to the FCS playoffs twelve times and finished his career with a one-hundred-ninety-nine and one-hundred-twelve record in twenty-six seasons. In 2022, Coach Stiegelmeier was named the recipient of the Eddie Robinson Award as the top coach in the FCS, the FCS Coach of the Year by the American Football Coaches Association, the Bruce Craddock Missouri Valley Football Conference Coach of the Year, and was an AFCA FCS Regional Coach of the Year.

John and his wife Laurie have been generous supporters of organizations like Feeding South Dakota, and Stig serves on the Fellowship of Christian Athletes state board of directors. He recently accepted a position as a senior adviser for the SDSU Foundation.

Dan is a Managing Director at Lazear, focused on helping business owners navigate ESOP and M&A transactions. He works closely with clients to identify objectives, conduct financial analysis, and structure and execute transactions that achieve their goals. 

Dan brings a decade of institutional banking experience, with expertise spanning corporate and commercial banking, capital markets, syndications, and private wealth. He has served clients across a wide range of industries throughout the U.S., providing innovative, tailored solutions that meet their evolving needs. 

Prior to Lazear, Dan managed a portfolio of large corporate clients in Central Ohio and Michigan at Huntington Bank, where he also led a team of analysts serving middle-market and upper-middle-market clients nationwide. Dan earned his BSBA in Finance from The Ohio State University Fisher College of Business. 

Jolsna John Thomas, Founder and CEO of Illuminating Growth PLLC, is a dedicated advocate for creating inclusive and sustainable construction environments. During her tenure as President of The Rosendin Foundation, she directed over $4.2M in impact funding and pioneered TRF Camp Build, integrating the AGC Culture of Care into the foundational training of future craft professionals. An active voice in the industry, Jolsna is the Immediate Past President of NAWIC Austin and currently chairs AGC’s Culture of Care Committee. A lawyer by training, she leverages her legal and business background to help firms implement workplace practices that empower women and strengthen the field.

Scott has been part of the concrete industry for 39 years and founded Thompson Concrete 36 years ago. Today, Thompson Concrete expands across four states, and the Thompson Family of Companies has grown to include six businesses under its umbrella. In addition to his work in concrete, Scott has been active in real estate development and investment through Trevcor Development, which owns and manages commercial, multi-family, and industrial properties across six states. Scott takes great pride in fostering a culture of servant leadership—investing in and empowering people to grow and succeed within the organization. Outside of work, Scott enjoys life with his wife and best friend, Lauren. He has five children, two of whom work in the family businesses. In his free time, Scott enjoys boating, snow skiing, attending church, where he is honored to serve on the board at Xchurch, and spending time with family and friends. 

Jean-Pierre Trou is an entrepreneur, architect, and the CEO & Co-Founder of mbue, an AI-platform that simplifies the most tedious and time-consuming tasks in construction. At mbue, he leads a team focused on solving one of the industry’s most persistent challenges – ensuring compliant, accurate, and efficient workflows for contractors by applying cutting-edge artificial intelligence to real-world construction problems. 

Prior to founding mbue, Jean-Pierre built a successful career in architecture. He is the founder of Runa Workshop, an award-winning architecture and interiors practice known for its innovative design solutions and commitment to craft. His dual experience as both designer and entrepreneur gives him a unique perspective on the intersection of construction, technology, and human-centered problem-solving. 

Jean-Pierre earned his degree in Architecture from UPC in Peru and a Master’s degree from the University of Texas at Austin, where he deepened his expertise in design and building systems. His work has been recognized for blending creativity, technical precision, and a forward-looking approach to the future of the built environment. 

Now based in Austin, Texas, Jean-Pierre balances his professional endeavors with family life, enjoying time with his wife, their two children, and two energetic dogs. 

With a background spanning architecture and technology, Jean-Pierre is passionate about helping the construction industry embrace tools that reduce risk, improve collaboration, and unlock new efficiencies. At AGC, he shares how AI is moving from concept to practical application, delivering measurable impact on projects today. 

Alex Vess serves as Turner & Townsend’s Atlanta Project Management Sr. Director, responsible for leading project management delivery, talent development, and strategic growth across Atlanta and the broader Southeastern market. He brings deep experience delivering complex, largescale commercial real estate programs, with a particular focus on missioncriticalmission critical and hyperscale data center developments. 

Over the past five years, Alex and his teams delivered over 800 MW of hyperscale data centers across six largescale campuses ranging from roughly 20 to 650 acres, with individual facilities ranging from 48 MW to 300 MW per building. He and his team support the largest developer operators and hyperscalers, in both air cooled and liquid to chip environments, including greenfield developments, base build and tenant fitout projects, and renovation/conversion programs. 

Alex’s teams provide end to end Project Management and Schedule Management services throughout the full project lifecycle, from early feasibility through commissioning, integrated systems testing, and facility activation.  

As Atlanta LMA PJM Director and Southeastern Data Center Lead, Alex is focused on growing Turner & Townsend’s data center platform in the Southeast, building high–performing teams, and delivering predictable, transparent outcomes for clients in one of the region’s fastest–growing and most strategically important sectors. 

Isabelle Wahlert is the Marketing and Events Coordinator at The Builders, a chapter of the AGC, where she leads strategic marketing initiatives and member engagement efforts to strengthen the organization’s impact across the construction industry. 

In addition to her work at The Builders, Isabelle serves as the Associate Director for Construction Suicide Prevention Week (CSPW), helping guide national awareness campaigns and industry collaboration to advance mental health and suicide prevention efforts. 

A graduate of Park University with a degree in Digital Marketing, Isabelle is an active member of SMPS and NAWIC Greater KC, known for her creativity, attention to detail and dedication to meaningful industry change. 

Brian Watkinson is a proven leader in the construction industry, bringing over thirty five years of expertise to his role while working his entire career with Kiewit Infrastructure South Co.  

Throughout his distinguished career, Brian has managed numerous high-profile projects, consistently delivering complex assignments on schedule and within budget. His leadership style is defined by strategic vision, meticulous attention to detail, and a steadfast commitment to safety and quality.  

Brian is passionate about people development and takes pride in mentoring the next generation of construction professionals, helping them achieve success in the industry.  

He excels at fostering collaborative environments where open communication and teamwork are encouraged among diverse teams. As a forward-thinking professional dedicated to continuous improvement and innovation, Brian’s unwavering dedication and exemplary leadership have set new standards of excellence, consistently exceeding client expectations and advancing the industry.

Brian is Asst. Project Director/Senior Project Manager at Kiewit

Jamie Weaver is the Client Development Manager for Terracon Consultants, Inc. She has held business development roles in the AEC industry for over 26 years. Jamie earned her CPSM designation through SMPS (The Society for Marketing Professional Services). Jamie is also a contributing author in two bestselling women’s leadership books, GRIT- Growth and Upward. She has a passion for helping others succeed.

Meet Sarah Wells! She has charge-your-phone-battery energy! 

Olympian. Keynote speaker. Excellence architect. Mom to Everleigh. Cookie connoisseur. 

Sarah doesn’t just talk about overcoming adversity… she hurdled it on the world’s biggest stage. She even raced across deserts, mountains, and international airports on The Amazing Race, proving once again that grit, adaptability, and a little bit of laughter go a long way. 

Her mission? To prove that excellence is not exclusive, it’s contagious! 

Sarah’s philosophy centers on the idea that excellence isn’t about perfection. It’s about breaking free from limiting beliefs and constantly striving to outperform who you were yesterday. She believes that when you dare to break the blueprint, chase crazy ideas, and focus on doing the small things exceptionally well, excellence becomes contagious, elevating not just your life but those around you. 

Renowned for her practical strategies and compelling storytelling, and cell phone charging energy, Sarah empowers audiences to find their own excellence, transform challenges into opportunities for growth, and achieve lasting success. 

Michelle L. Wilson, FACI, is Senior Director of Concrete Technology and Industry Outreach at the Portland Cement Association. She has over 25 years of experience relating to concrete materials, specifications, performance, durability, troubleshooting and repair. 

Wilson is the primary author of PCA’s “Design and Control of Concrete Mixtures”. She is responsible for PCA’s technical resources covering the entire spectrum of cement and concrete technology including industry outreach and support for PCA’s Roadmap to Carbon Neutrality.  

Wilson served on the Board of Direction of American Concrete Institute and is past chair of 301 Specifications for Concrete Construction. She is a Fellow of the Institute and was awarded the Arthur R. Anderson Medal for her contributions to the advancement of knowledge of concrete. She is also an Honorary Member of ASTM International Committee C09 Concrete and Concrete Aggregates, has served on the C09 Executive Committee, and is current chair of Subcommittee C09.40-Specification for Ready Mixed Concrete. 

Wilson received her BS in architectural engineering from Milwaukee School of Engineering, Milwaukee, WI, with an emphasis in structural engineering and concrete materials. She was awarded the Outstanding Alumna of the Year from MSOE in 2022. 

Mercilessly bullied as a child, Justin responded by transforming himself into a champion MMA fighter. Yet despite his success, he quietly questioned the significance of his own athletic accomplishments. Each time his hand was raised in victory he thought, “Is this it? Is this as good as it gets?” As he fought his way to the top and battled never-ending injuries that accompany the profession, he slid into pain-killer addiction, battled depression and attempted suicide. He was a champion on the outside, but broken within.

It wasn’t until a chance collection of circumstances led Justin to one of the most remote places on earth, to live in the rainforest among the Pygmy people, some of the most impoverished and marginalized people on the planet, that he found his true purpose – helping others.

‘When I stopped fighting for myself and started fighting for others I felt passion, I felt purpose, and that is what led to my greatest impact.’

From that experience, ‘The Big Pygmy’ returned to the ring with purpose, founding the non-profit Fight For The Forgotten (FFTF) along the way. Since 2013, FFTF has provided more than 52,000 indigenous people with access to clean drinking water, replanted thousands of trees, acquired more than 3,000 acres of land in the name of the tribe and helped 1,800 people out of slavery and into freedom. Current projects include housing, education, healthcare and sustainable livelihoods through community empowerment.

Today, Justin shares his remarkable story on stages across the country and around the world teaching others the tools, tactics and techniques to navigate any adversity, find purpose, and achieve meaningful impact in business and in life.

Dane Zillioux is a Senior TAG Manager and technical enterprise resource supporting project pursuits and process development across the organization. He strengthens project delivery through bidding strategy, scope template development, and scalable best practices. 

With expertise in design and construction integration, Dane sets drawing standards, performs constructability reviews, and supports field teams with QA/QC, subcontractor coordination, and preconstruction planning. He also leads startup, pre-commissioning, and commissioning efforts—guiding energization planning and delivering commissioning services for both internal teams and owners to ensure quality and successful project outcomes.