Meet the ITCON ’22 Speakers
JACK ABATE
VICE PRESIDENT, CONSTRUCTION OPERATIONS, MILLER-DAVIS COMPANY
Meet the Speaker: Jack Abate
Jack Abate is Vice President – Construction Operations at Miller-Davis Company based in Kalamazoo, Michigan. With over 30 years in the construction industry, he has guided dozens of high-profile projects through the preconstruction phase to successful project completion. He is a member of the AGC of Michigan Continuing Education Committee, an AGC Educational Endowment Fund Trustee, and is a LEED Green Associate. Today, Jack lends his expertise to drive Miller-Davis’ ambitious approach to meet the demands of 21st-century construction and enhance its level of service.
Session: Embarking a GC Digital Transformation Journey
GAY LYNN ANDERSON
IT DIRECTOR, McALVAIN COMPANIES
Meet the Speaker: Gay Lynn Anderson
Gay Lynn Anderson has been the IT Director at McAlvain Companies in Boise, ID for 20 years. She has a BA in Political Science from the University of North Dakota. Her experience prior to McAlvain includes accounting, dispatching, and local newspaper film criticism.
STEVE BARET
HEAD OF STRATEGY & PARTNERSHIPS, EYRUS
Meet the Speaker: Steve Baret
A proven construction expert with over 13 years of experience, Head of Strategy & Partnerships at Eyrus Steve Baret brings a diverse wealth of knowledge and experience to the industry. Steve has previously worked at Mortenson, where he worked for the past 8 years in VDC and most recently as Innovation Manager in their Data Center group. Steve is an integral part of the Eyrus team, ensuring that the development of our partnership and that the strategy results match the current needs in the industry to provide a key return on investment for our customers.
TRACY BELL
ASSOCIATE VP, CONSTRUCTION TECHNOLOGY CONSULTING, TILSON
Meet the Speaker: Tracy Bell
Tracy leads the Construction Technology consulting division at Tilson, overseeing approximately 40 consultants providing business and technology services to construction companies of all sizes up to the top 10 of the ENR. With extensive experience in the construction industry, Tracy is passionate about helping construction companies solve problems and advance their businesses through the selection and implementation of technology solutions. Tracy has served as panelist, panel moderator, and keynote speaker at a variety of construction technology events, specializing in technology strategy, implementation methodology, and digital transformation topics.
CHRIS BETLACH
IT DIRECTOR, UMC
Meet the Speaker: Chris Betlach
Chris Betlach has 20 years of experience working in IT for the construction industry. He spent the first 17 years working his way up in IT for a specialty contractor in Minnesota, starting in technical support, becoming a network administrator, IT Manager and then IT Director. He is now the IT Director at UMC, a mechanical contractor based in Seattle, Washington.
RACHEL BLAIR WINKLER
VICE PRESIDENT & CATEGORY GENERAL MANAGER, TRIMBLE VIEWPOINT
Meet the Speaker: Rachel Blair Winkler
THOMAS BROWN
2022 AGC BOARD VICE PRESIDENT & PRESIDENT, SIERRA PACIFIC WEST, INC.
Meet the Speaker: Thomas Brown
Position on AGC Board: 2022 Vice President
Mr. Thomas L. Brown has been associated with the construction industry since 1972. In 1989 Mr. Brown and his wife Sandy established Sierra Pacific West, Inc., a general engineering contractor based in San Diego, California. Sierra Pacific West, Inc. has completed a variety of commercial, industrial, roadways, schools, memorials, community parks and hospitality facilities. Additionally (SPW) is heavily engaged with military projects.
Prior to establishing Sierra Pacific West, Inc., Mr. Brown attended the University of California (USC). Mr. Brown is a veteran of foreign wars and served in the United States Army Intel Group, 79th Combat Engineers and was attached to the 10th SFG in Europe.
Mr. Brown is an active member of the Associated General Contractors of America. He is a Past-President of the San Diego Chapter, National Board of Directors of AGC of America, National Political Action Committee, and Chairman of the Board for the San Diego Apprenticeship and Training Trust. In addition, he is a member of the Consulting Constructors Council of America (CCC), past chair of the Highway Division, Open Shop Committee, and Work Zone Safety Committee. Mr. Brown is currently the Chair for AGC Charities and has been active since its inception.
Community service and involvement are extremely important to Mr. Brown as he has served as President of the San Diego Family Justice Center Foundation, a non-profit organization established to combat domestic violence. Brown was also instrumental in the development and organization of Camp Hope, which serves as a refuge and place of healing for the children of families torn by domestic abuse.
Mr. Brown was an appointee to the California State Contractors Board under Governor Wilson and a brief period under Gray Davis. Other community participation efforts include serving on of the board of directors for the San Diego International Sport Council, North County Trade Tech, and San Diego Women in Construction. He is also an active member in the San Diego County Sheriff and is a past member of American Society of Professional Estimators (ASPE), Construction Specification Institute (CSI), Building Industry Association (BIA), and Lincoln Club of San Diego.
As a result of his many charitable contributions and community support, Mr. Brown has been the recipient of numerous awards such as “Boy Scout of the Year”, named as “Patron of Youth” YMCA, and “Just Say No to Drugs.” Brown was also named as one of San Diego’s 50 most influential people. More notable awards have included: (SIR) Skill Integrity Responsibility received from the Associated General Contractors along with being recognized as Contractor of the year three times as listed by Engineering News and Records top 600.
Tom and his wife Sandy have been married for 52 years and have two children Christopher and Nicholas. Christopher works for Sierra Pacific West, Inc. and holds a position of Executive Vice President. Christopher is married to Lauryn, and they have two children Hawk eight years and his brother Wyatt five years. Nicholas is a Battalion Chief with the State of California. He currently overseas all flight operations for CALFIRE in southern California.
CHRISTIAN BURGER
PRESIDENT, BURGER CONSULTING GROUP
Meet the Speaker: Christian Burger
Christian is the president of Burger Consulting Group, an IT consulting firm based in Chicago. Christian has worked within the construction industry for nearly 25 years, originally with FMI before starting his own firm in 1997. Much of his work at the firm is focusing on IT strategy and leadership for BCG clients. Christian is also involved in best practices process work during the implementation phase.
Christian publishes regularly for industry journals and is a frequent speaker at industry conferences and trade shows. He also teaches a technology course at Northwestern University’s Masters in Project Management program.
DUSTIN BURNS
VICE PRESIDENT, IT, McCOWNGORDON CONSTRUCTION
Meet the Speaker: Dustin Burns
Dustin has led the technology efforts at McCownGordon since 2005—when “construction tech” was considered a joke without a punchline by most of the industry—he strongly advocated for its adoption at McCownGordon. Since then, McCownGordon’s evolution has paralleled the tech revolution. Scaling from $50m to $750m in revenue. He has strong feelings about construction technology, and most of those sentiments are about giving people the means to optimize their gifts. He’s driven to keep McCownGordon, indeed our whole beloved industry, on the leading edge of tech; because from the wheel forward, ingenuity is worthless if it doesn’t improve human lives.
GEOFF CAMP
DIRECTOR OF PROCESS INNOVATION, SUFFOLK CONSTRUCTION
Meet the Speaker: Geoff Camp
Geoff Camp is Director of Process Innovation at Suffolk Construction. In this role he supports and guides project operations teams across the country through Suffolk’s Plan & Control process. He also supports Suffolk’s Construction Solutions and Technology groups which incubate and scale new tools and processes across the company.
Geoff has been with Suffolk since 2017 and has more than 15 years’ experience in the construction industry. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Architectural Studies from the University of Wisconsin- Milwaukee and is based out of Suffolk’s Miami office.
ARIEL CASTILLO
STRATEGIC PROCESS & VDC SPECIALIST, MILLER-DAVIS COMPANY
Meet the Speaker: Ariel Castillo
Ariel Castillo is Strategic Process and VDC Specialist at Miller-Davis Company. Working in the industry since 2010, he has become a reference in the Latin America region. His focus is on promoting and utilizing emerging technologies to create new experiences that allow companies to maximize resources, whether they’re designing, building, maintaining, or selling a project. Ariel has proven his expertise by working on high-demand construction jobs, implementing new technologies, and incorporating new project delivery processes in multimillion-dollar projects. He also creates BIM content for the industry through his BIMnomad Newsletter and podcast, Shared Coordinates. Ariel was featured in 40 Under 40: Construction Champions of 2019.
GREG COLLINS
DIRECTOR, PRODUCT RESEARCH, CONSTRUCTCONNECT
Meet the Speaker: Greg Collins
Greg Collins is a construction information veteran, having worked in the field for over 15 years. His experience leading Project Management, Product Management, and User Research teams has provided him with a robust understanding of the challenges today’s precon pros have to manage. Greg’s mission is to reduce the frustration of the precon process and deliver a superior user experience.
MEGAN CONRAD
SENIOR DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONAL INSIGHTS, RYAN COMPANIES US, INC.
Meet the Speaker: Megan Conrad
As a part of her 15 years of industry experience, combining a degree in Architecture with years of construction project management experience and technical VDC/BIM experience, Megan served as Ryan’s Senior Director of Virtual Design & Construction before turning her sights on company-wide operational excellence.
Megan has previously spoken and presented at BIMForum, Midwest University, LCI Congress, AIA Iowa, Bentley Synchro Conference, CoreNet Global and an array of industry panels. She has been recognized as one of Builtworld’s Top Adoption Leaders and ConstrucTech’s Women in Construction. Prior to the pandemic Megan Co-chaired the Society for Construction Solutions Chicago chapter.
BENJAMIN CROSBY
DIRECTOR OF BIM/VDC, W.G. YATES & SONS CONSTRUCTION
Meet the Speaker: Benjamin Crosby
Benjamin Crosby, CM-BIM, CM-Lean, CCM, LEED AP BD+C, is passionate about building and education. He earned a Construction Management Degree with Math and Physics Minors, from Brigham Young University, is a member of the AGC IT Forum Steering Committee, CMAA Professional Development Committee, and instructs the AGC BIM and Lean Education Programs. As a builder educator, he motivates people to how to improve their projects and careers. Family is important to him and Benjamin has been married to Bethany for 20 years and they have 7 children.
Benjamin started in construction on a framing crew building custom homes, then moved into management of large projects with an emphasis on electronic project management and scheduling. He tried something different for 2 years teaching High School in Arizona, then returned to construction management in 2006. As BIM emerged, he has fully engaged in Virtual Design and Construction. As Director of VDC, Benjamin has overseen implementation of VDC for over 300 projects, representing various divisions of the Yates Companies, he has implemented BIM as an Owner, Designer, Construction Manager, General Contractor, and as Trade Contractors. He has had significant influence in his companies Lean journey, and is currently the Yates Companies ingenuity champion.
WESLEY DuBOSE
CUSTOMER SUCCESS MANAGER, OPENSPACE
Meet the Speaker: Wesley DuBose
Although I now work in the tech industry, my background lies in the construction. I have a combined 2 1/2 years of experience in commercial construction, with a focus on large healthcare projects, and a bachelor’s in Construction Science from Texas A&M University. I recently switched over to OpenSpace from my job in construction, a decision that was largely driven by my passion for technology, and the increasing need to use technology-based solutions to increase communication, efficiency, and transparency in the construction industry.
NICK ESPINOSA
CYBERSECURITY CONSULTANT TO NECA & MCAA
Meet the Speaker: Nick Espinosa
An expert in cybersecurity and network infrastructure, Nick Espinosa has consulted with clients ranging from small businesses up to the Fortune 100 level. Nick founded Windy City Networks, Inc in 1998 at age 19 and was acquired in 2013. In 2015 Security Fanatics, a Cybersecurity/Cyberwarfare outfit dedicated to designing custom Cyberdefense strategies for medium to enterprise corporations, was launched. A nationally recognized speaker, member of the Forbes Technology Council, TEDx Speaker, regular columnist for Forbes, award winning co-author of a bestselling book “Easy Prey”, host of “The Deep Dive” nationally syndicated radio show, on the Board of Advisors for Roosevelt University’s College of Arts and Sciences as well as their Center for Cyber and Information Security and is the Official Spokesperson for the COVID-19 Cyber Threat Coalition.
Nick is known as an industry thought leader and sought after for his advice on the future of technology and how it will impact every day businesses and consumers.
ANGUS FROST
SENIOR CONSULTANT, BURGER CONSULTING GROUP
Meet the Speaker: Angus Frost
Mr. Frost was heavily involved in the agcXML Initiative as both the Chief Architect and Advisory Board member. Angus used his vast technical experience to interface with members of the construction industry and software developer community as well as work with the Advisory Board and Application workgroups to prioritize and test the schema. Angus has a Bachelor of Science degree in Information Management from Thames Valley University London, England and a Bachelor of Arts, Business and Finance from Kutztown University Kutztown, Pennsylvania/ Brunel University Gerrards Cross, England.
DEVIN GRAY
DIRECTOR OF ENTERPRISE SOLUTIONS, VIATECHNIK
Meet the Speaker: Devin Gray
Devin Gray is the Director of Enterprise Solutions at VIATechnik, where he focuses on supporting general contractors with VDC, BIM, and data related projects. Prior to joining VIATechnik, Devin earned his Master’s in Data Science down the street at UI Chicago and spent 12 years working in AEC technology with companies like Oracle/Textura, Fieldwire, and HammerTech.
ALISON HART
MANAGER OF PROJECT SOLUTIONS, MORTENSON
Meet the Speaker: Alison Hart
JACK HINEMAN
VICE PRESIDENT OF BUSINESS INTELLIGENCE, GAYLOR ELECTRIC
Meet the Speaker: Jack Hineman
Jack Hineman serves as the Vice President of Business Intelligence at Gaylor Electric. As an Information Technology professional of nearly 20 years, he spent the first 12 years of his career working as an IT Consultant. Jack joined Gaylor as the Network Administrator in 2016, and soon after his role evolved into a sole focus on Business Intelligence. With the ability to develop leading-edge reports and visualizations, Jack was able to reveal a story within Gaylor’s data that reinforced existing theories or helped to cultivate new insights regarding Gaylor Electric’s future.
In Construction, decisions are often made based on anecdotal evidence. Jack’s mission is to empower users to make data-driven decisions by analyzing data and creating intuitive visualizations to mitigate emotion from the decision-making process.
PEYTON KRINGLIE
BUSINESS ANALYST, LS BLACK CONSTRUCTORS
Meet the Speaker: Peyton Kringlie
Peyton Kringlie is a Business Analyst at LS Black Constructors where he leads the company in Technology and Innovation. Peyton has a variety of experience from Project Management, Supply chain, IT, and Marketing. His range of experience helps contribute to his industry implementation strategies and connected insights. His peers recognize him as a fresh perspective for old and common challenges.
MATT LAMB
CHIEF INFORMATION OFFICER, ROSENDIN
Meet the Speaker: Matt Lamb
ANDY LAMBERT
DIRECTOR OF PRODUCT, MILWAUKEE TOOL
Meet the Speaker: Andy Lambert
Andy Lambert is responsible for leading digital product and construction technology at Milwaukee Tool. Andy leverages over 20 years’ experience in construction and construction technology as a proven leader in evolving the adoption of technology throughout the construction industry. Andy began his career as an IBEW Inside Wireman, but has since held positions of Solution Consultant, Director of Account Management, and Director of Construction Technology at a Construction ERP firm, and most recently Group Program Manager and Director of Product at Milwaukee Tool.
PATRICK L’HEUREUX
LICENSED ENGINEER, SEVERINO TRUCKING
Meet the Speaker: Patrick L'Heureux
Patrick L’Heureux is a licensed engineer for Severino Trucking. He has been employed with Severino Trucking Co., Inc. for 13 years. His primary responsibilities include estimating, field engineer, 3D Surface designer and managing Severino survey equipment fleet. He has been involved in many of Severino’s technology implementation programs such as machine automation on their heavy iron, digitizing their field solution for tracking billable hours and pay items, and implementing telematics for machine location and equipment usage. Patrick’s goal is to integrate the vast technologies across a company to improve efficiency and collaboration between decision makers and end users while keeping simplicity and user experience in mind.
JUSTIN LIPSEY
TECHNICAL SOLUTIONS EXECUTIVE, AUTODESK CONSTRUCTION SOLUTIONS
Meet the Speaker: Justin Lipsey
For over a decade, I’ve dedicated my career to the continuous improvement in the AEC industry using construction technology. In addition to working on a wide variety of projects across multiple industries as a mechanical engineer, I also led internal software projects, provided support, training, and education for users on reality capture, Autodesk Construction Cloud products, and other custom enterprise solutions at a global AE firm. Now at Autodesk, as a Technical Solutions Executive, I use the insights gained from my industry experience to deeply understanding our customers technological framework and business needs, with the goal of assisting and empowering them during their digital transformation journey.
RYAN MAYS
DIRECTOR OF SALES, HCSS
Meet the Speaker: Ryan Mays
BRIAN MILLER
CEO & FOUNDER, FUSIONTEK
Meet the Speaker: Brian Miller
As the CEO of an award-winning MSP, Brian Miller understands the IT issues that many business owners face today. Founding the company almost 16 years ago, Brian has built his team to serve the local businesses in his community. With over 25 years in the IT industry, and experience serving hundreds of businesses in a variety of industries such as health care, legal groups, local government, educations, finance, and more – he has earned his reputation of being a technical knowledge base.
Over the past few years, he has begun focusing on our clients’ cyber resilience and security postures, looking for ways to better protect them from malicious actors. The FusionTek team has remediated ransomware events nationwide. The team has spent countless hours learning about how these attackers approach a network, what they do as they infiltrate, and gaining insights to how they think about these attacks – In this presentation, we will share what we have learned with you.
RYAN NIKOLICH
DIRECTOR OF NETWORK ADMINISTRATION, PEPPER CONSTRUCTION GROUP
Meet the Speaker: Ryan Nikolich
Ryan is a seasoned System and Network Director who manages Pepper construction’s Cyber Security, Infrastructure, Storage, Networks and Connectivity to all their jobsites. Ryan has a master’s degree in Project Management and is a Evolve Security Alumni. Ryan brings a positive attitude along with a candid truth containing 20+ years of experience in construction I.T. into all his speaking engagements.
During his free time, he identifies as an avid outdoorsman, homesteader and is a dedicated volunteer for multiple non for-profit’s including Ducks Unlimited, and Team Carone Foundation. He is a trusted mentor, coach, and entrepreneur.
JOE OLEKSAK
PARTNER, CYBERSECURITY CONSULTING
Meet the Speaker: Joe Oleksak
Joe has more than 23 years of Cybersecurity and information technology audit experience helping clients plan, develop, implement, and test organization wide control infrastructures in both regulated and non-regulated environments. Joe’s experience includes: Cybersecurity strategic planning, Cybersecurity risk assessments, vulnerability management design and execution, penetration testing and vulnerability assessments, web application & API security, PCI compliance, IT audit, incident response planning, and business continuity and disaster recovery management.
Joe is a member of the Information Systems Audit and Control Association (ISACA), and the International Information Systems Security Certification Consortium (ISC)². He attends and presents at multiple security and industry conferences annually, and is a member of both the Indiana Bankers Association Information Technology Committee and the Illinois Bankers Association Technology Committee. Joe is a Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP), Certified in Risk and Information System Controls (CRISC), and a former PCI Qualified Security Assessor (QSA).
DJ PHIPPS
STRATEGIC PRODUCT CONSULTANT, PROCORE
Meet the Speaker: DJ Phipps
With over 20 years of experience in the AEC industry, he is passionate about leveraging technology to improve workflow efficiencies, boost project coordination and provide valuable operational insights that drive corporate process improvement initiatives. When he is not actively engaged with his network of Construction Technologists, he enjoys providing guidance to multiple developers at cutting edge con-tech platforms. Building strong relationships with various technology vendors, he promotes and tests enhancements to their tools for the benefit of the AEC industry.
NICKY POND
TECHNOLOGY SPECIALIST, BALFOUR BEATTY
Meet the Speaker: Nicky Pond
Nicky Pond’s passion is to assist construction project teams through the implementation of technological solutions and enhancements. Upon completing her undergrad in Construction Engineering and Management with a focus in Construction Technology at Virginia Tech, she now works as a Technology Specialist and BIM Coordinator for Balfour Beatty Construction on the Broward County Convention Center and Hotel—a $1.3B project in the heart of Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Nicky’s goal on projects is to show teams how the integration of powerful, cutting-edge technology such as OpenSpace can save the project time and money. After piloting the AI software on several projects in the southeast, OpenSpace is now used on Balfour Beatty projects across the nation, as it has proven to significantly streamline progress tracking and documentation.
ANDY PUTCH
FOUNDER & CEO, SITESCAPE
Meet the Speaker: Andy Putch
Andy Putch came into AEC technology by way of drone. An aerospace engineer and private pilot by training, Andy started working with the founders of Aerotas to provide drone-based photogrammetry services to land survey professionals in 2015. He became one of the first drone pilots to receive a Section 333 Exemption before the FAA got their act together with Part 107. This led him to DroneDeploy, where he led solutions for survey & construction and the drone flight app team. Today, he’s the founder and CEO of SiteScape, working on iPhone scanning for commercial construction.
JEFF SAMPLE
INDUSTRY EVANGELIST, JOIN
Meet the Speaker: Jeff Sample
Jeff Sample has devoted the past 20+ years to transforming companies. Jeff optimizes companies throughout the construction industry by designing solutions, optimizing strategic advantages, and breaking down information silos. His passion for outdoor adventure and Ironman competitions garnered him the moniker “The Ironman of IT.”
As Industry Evangelist for Join, Jeff promotes collaboration and the transformation of preconstruction to help project teams reach their potential. His depth of IT experience in various industries and his passion for continuous improvement have made Jeff a popular speaker and vocal thought leader in construction, spending much of his time educating on multiple topics to better the industry as a whole.
JAY SNYDER
PRESIDENT, BIG BLUE INNOVATIONS
Meet the Speaker: Jay Snyder
Jay is the founder and president of Big Blue Innovations, a technology startup advisory firm, M&A advisory firm, and technology consultant to construction companies. Jay has been in the engineering and construction industry throughout his 23-year career. He has industry experience executing project management with a national general contractor, construction project executive of a southeast general contractor, corporate director of planning, design and construction for a healthcare system, founder of multiple technology startup companies, and founder of FMI’s technology and innovation practice.
Jay’s experience is unique, and the numbers reflect that. He has led nearly $1 billion of construction as a construction project manager and executive, participated in the acquisition of four tech startups, participated in venture capital fundraising, advised contractor tech spinouts, and has been published over 20 times.
Jay earned a bachelor’s degree in construction management from SUNY ESF at Syracuse University and a Master of Business Administration from Emory University. Jay is a decorated Air Force officer that has served on active duty and completed seven deployments around the globe leading combat operations and providing humanitarian assistance. He continues to serve in the Air Force reserve as a Lieutenant Colonel.
KEVIN SOOHOO
DIRECTOR OF AEC, EGNYTE
Meet the Speaker: Kevin Soohoo
Kevin Soohoo is Director of AEC for Egnyte, a modern content and sharing platform that is depended upon by 1000’s of AEC firms worldwide. With 15+ years of experience in the Construction Technology space, Kevin is responsible for supporting Egnyte’s newly formed AEC vertical and its growth efforts within the AEC sector. Of those 15 years, Kevin spent the first 11 leading technology and innovation for a subsidiary of an ENR-ranked contractor. Since then, Kevin has transitioned over to the Construction software/start-up world having been with two other early-stage contech startups where he held various roles that contributed to both customer growth and industry thought-leadership.
JENNIFER STASTNY
CONSULTANT, TILSON
Meet the Speaker: Jennifer Stastny
Jennifer is an accomplished project leader with 15 years of experience providing professional consulting services in the construction industry. Jennifer has led numerous software selections since 2007 and is sought after for software selection guidance and management. Other areas of specialization include ERP Implementation and End User Training.
JENNIFER SUERTH
VICE PRESIDENT – TECHNICAL SERVICES, PEPPER CONSTRUCTION
Meet the Speaker: Jennifer Suerth
Jen has more than 15 years of experience in architecture, engineering and construction.
She is a leader in the Chicago virtual construction community, speaking frequently and running workshops educating others on BIM. She has been recognized among Crain’s 2020 Notable Women in Stem, 2017 BD+C’s 40 Under 40, Builtworlds Top 50 Technology Adoptions Leaders of 2017, 2016 Women in Construction by Constructech Magazine, Chicago Building Congress Future Leaders and ENR Midwest’s Top 20 Under 40.
Jen holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Architectural Studies and a Master of Architecture, Structures, both from University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.
SAM TIJAN
SENIOR VIRTUAL CONSTRUCTION SPECIALIST, MIRON CONSTRUCTION CO., INC.
Meet the Speaker: Sam Tijan
With 25+ years of experience in the AEC industry, Sam uses his wealth of experience with designers, engineers, owners, and contractors to find solutions to project challenges. Understanding and engaging technology is part of that, but more important is understanding how the technology can be implemented and provide value and benefit to the project environment. This experience level and approach to using technology for construction projects is what gives Sam an opportunity to understand value of a potential technology, test that technology, understand what applications that technology is suited for and how best to implement that.
TRAVIS VOSS
LEADER OF INNOVATIVE TECHNOLOGY, HELM MECHANICAL
Meet the Speaker: Travis Voss
Travis came into the construction industry in 2016 from the software development world and is currently serving as the Leader of Innovative Technology at Helm Mechanical. Travis uses his experience in research, development, and the application of emerging technologies toward helping Helm Mechanical lead the construction industry’s digital transformation.
BILL WAGNER
PRESIDENT, STRUXI AND PENTA TECHNOLOGIES LLC.
Meet the Speaker: Bill Wagner
Bill Wagner is an inspirational executive, passionate about creating exceptional employee and customer experiences. As Penta’s President, Wagner developed a long-term strategy for business growth around Penta’s innovative-product portfolio of SaaS solutions. These solutions tackle some of the most challenging issues in construction, including labor productivity, job-cost accounting and complex payroll.
Wagner leads Penta’s transformational journey to become a full Scrum Agile organization. This cultural revolution empowers employees with a greater sense of ownership, creates a high-performance culture and led to a 50% increase in employee engagement. The Scrum Agile business-model positions Penta for sustained growth in the competitive-construction sector.
Prior to Penta, Wagner worked for start-ups, mid-size and Fortune Global 500 firms. Wagner generates business growth through the application of cutting-edge best practices for business, science, marketing and economic industries.
Wagner holds a degree in Communications from Marquette University. He is a current member and past President of the American Marketing Association’s Milwaukee Chapter. Wagner was a featured presenter for Engineering News Record, ACHR News, EC&M Magazine, Construction Executive, ASCC, ABC National, ABC Wisconsin, The EBFC Show and Construction Revolution. His expertise on product management, digital disruption, business strategy and the impact of digital experiences on the customer journey provides audiences with relevant workplace knowledge.
LAUREN WILLIAMS
VDC MANAGER, McCARTHY BUILDING COMPANIES CENTRAL REGION
Meet the Speaker: Lauren Williams
Lauren Williams is a VDC Manager at McCarthy Building Companies Central Region in St. Louis, MO. She graduated from Stanford University in 2005 with a BS in Civil Engineering and has since established herself as an ambitious Construction Management professional who demonstrates a strong passion for construction technology, process management, and virtual design and construction. At McCarthy, Lauren is responsible for leading the VDC team for the $1.7B new National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency western headquarters construction project in St. Louis, MO – an effort managed and executed in partnership with the U. S. Army Corps of Engineers and a team of Design-Build partners – in which she and her team advocates for and implements integrated VDC solutions for the lifecycle of the project, from design through handover and operation. Lauren holds a Certificate of Management – Building Information Modeling (CM-BIM) from the AGC of America and is the current Chair for the AGC of America’s IT Forum Steering Committee.
KAREN WUERFL
STRATEGIC IT EXECUTIVE, KLW CONSTRUCTION TECHNOLOGY SOLUTIONS
Meet the Speaker: Karen Wuerfl
Karen Wuerfl is a senior operations/technology executive and leader who has spent her career in the construction industry. She graduated with an electrical engineering degree from Northeastern University and has served many roles including Project Engineer, Cost Control Manager, and Vice President of IT and Administration. For most of her career, she served as CIO at J.F. White Contracting Co, a heavy civil construction company based in Boston, Ma. And has extensive ERP, business system and acquisition integration experience. Karen has participated on several boards and committees including AGC National IT Forum Steering Committee, Viewpoint industry Advisory Board, Construction Industries of Massachusetts, Women in Transportation, J.F. White Executive Committee, NAWIC and most recently, Tenna Industry Advisory Board. As an avid outdoors person, she enjoys biking, paddleboarding, hiking, swimming, and fishing.
RUSSELL YOUNG
CHIEF BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT OFFICER, TENNA
Meet the Speaker: Russell Young
As Chief Business Development Officer for Tenna, Russ oversees the growth strategy for the organization by working with sales, partners and customers to ensure success. Russ brings two and a half decades of experience from Google, Amazon, Oracle and FMI in best practices for technology strategy, selection and adoption. He applies his knowledge from these organizations to build awareness and provide thought leadership to the construction industry. He emphasizes the importance of technology and picking the right tool for the job.