Speakers

Cody Belton, AScT, PTech, CPHD

Passive House Specialist, Building Enclosure Consultant, Morrison Hershfield Ltd.

Cody Akira Belton is a passive house specialist with Morrison Hershfield’s Building Specialty Services team. He has served as a building enclosure consultant for over 15 years, with mature engineering knowledge in building science and experience developing building enclosure design packages for various building typologies, ranging from single-family homes to high-rise buildings. Cody has been a strong passive house advocate since 2010 and eagerly promotes its benefits to anyone who cares to listen. He has trained product manufacturers and architecture firms transitioning into the high-performance sector, along with providing passive house consultation and design implementation strategies for new building construction and retrofit projects. Cody is an enthusiastic communicator and champion for passive house, sharing his passion with various networking groups by delivering presentations on the significant advantages of super-insulated building enclosure design.

Session: Thermal Bridging Tools to Optimize Large Passive House Buildings

Kaley Blackstock, CSI, CDT®, LEED & WELL AP, Fitwel Ambassador

Sustainability Director & Specifications Specialist, Gensler

Kaley Blackstock is the Director of Sustainability at Gensler, and one of Gensler’s in-house sustainability specialists. She works with clients and project teams to establish and implement sustainable design measures on projects, as well as coordinate third-party green building certifications. She is also one of Gensler’s specifications specialists, responsible for developing project manuals for local projects as well as working to advance Gensler’s specifications practices through educational programs and documentation protocols across the firm. Kaley is a core member of Gensler’s Carbon Neutral Task Force, responsible for developing documentation strategies and specification language to meet Gensler’s commitment to designing carbon neutral projects by 2030. Kaley has a true passion for understanding the role and function of building materials in architectural design. Kaley is a licensed architect, LEED and WELL AP, Fitwel Ambassador, and holds her CDT® certification.

Session: Specifying Sustainability in a Rapidly Changing Market

Susan W Bliss, FCSI, CDT, CCS, CCCA, LEED AP, SCIP

Principal | Specifier, Spec Services, LLC

With over 40 years’ experience in specifications writing, construction contract administration, interior design, and accessibility consulting, Susan Bliss now focuses on specification writing as principal of Spec Services, LLC. She is passionate about sharing her knowledge of writing specifications with others and especially about training the next generation of specifiers. As an extension of her in-house specifier training, Susan created Spec-LAB, an online educational library designed to educate architects and builders in construction materials, products, systems, and assemblies.

Session: Writing Specifications for Modern Project Teams

Connor Christian, PE

CEO, Vendetta Software

Connor Christian is a licensed professional engineer in Minnesota with 18 years of experience in construction, consulting, and software development. He specializes in implementing new technology and processes, collaborating with industry experts, and finding the best technology solutions for his clients. Connor's drive to standardize technology in the industry has led him to be involved in several organizations, including AASHTO, the National BIM Council, buildingSMART International and USA, the BIMForum, US Army Corps of Engineers (USACE)/Industry BIM Consortia, and the United Brotherhood of Carpenters.

Session: How Digital Delivery Changes Your Practice AND What You Deliver

Paul Doherty, RA, CSI, CDT®, IFMA Fellow, DFC Senior Fellow

President and CEO, The Digit Group (TDG)

Paul Doherty is chairman and CEO of TDG (the digit group www.thedigitgroupinc.com). He is a globally renowned and award-winning architect who is one of the world’s most sought-after thought leaders, strategists, and integrators of process, technology, and business. As seen on The Wall Street Journal & Bloomberg TV, acknowledged by CNBC as one of America's Business Titans and reported by Forbes as “Changing the World”, Paul is a senior fellow of the Design Futures Council and a fellow of the International Facility Management Association (IFMA). Currently he is chairman of TDG Global Ventures, a Smart City real estate development company that provides financing, design-build and innovative technology solutions around the world. He is also the co-founder and producer of the critically acclaimed AEC Hackathon (www.aechackathon.com) that launched at Facebook Headquarters. His past successful ventures include Revit Technologies (Sold to Autodesk 2002), Buzzsaw (Autodesk 2001), and TRIRIGA (IBM 2011).

Session: Unlocking the Metaverse: What It Means to You

Timothy J Dufault, FAIA

Chief Revenue Officer, Concert

Tim Dufault is a founder and the chief revenue officer for ConcertVDC, a blockchain-based platform for registering and sharing digital design information in the AECO industry. Concert solves the problem of data ownership and the secure sharing of digital information during the design and construction process. The company was established in 2019 and attracted investment from major international architecture and engineering firms. With more than $10 billion in project work across the platform, Concert is leading the transformation to a true digital ecosystem in architecture and construction. Before joining Concert, Tim served as the chief executive officer of Cuningham, an award-winning firm with a solid history in designing a wide range of successful projects. As CEO, he was responsible for the direction of the firm and was focused on building the company while effectively moving resources across the organization to create award-winning environments. Tim is a licensed architect in Minnesota.

Session: How Digital Delivery Changes Your Practice AND What You Deliver

Julie Foley, CSI, CDT®, AIA, NCARB

Architect, Summit Design and Engineering

Based in Michigan, Julie Foley has 16+ years of experience in project management, project architecture, spec writing, and tradeshows. Throughout her career, she’s engaged thousands of professionals across the AECO industry. Her diverse professional experiences allow for a multifaceted perspective when communicating and collaborating with others. Through her personal and professional experiences, she’s learned the valuable lesson of “I’m not the first. I won’t be the last. I’m going to help the next one.” She will unwaveringly support you in your personal and professional endeavors. In addition to her career as a project manager and architect with Summit Design and Engineering, Julie has co-founded Emerge AEC, written professional exam questions for CSI and AIA, and tutors architecture licensure candidates.

Session: Cultivating Collaboration In a Changing Industry

Ronald L Geren, FCSI, Lifetime Member, AIA, CCS®, CCCA®, CDT®, SCIP

Owner, RLGA Technical Services LLC

Ron Geren has over 35 years of experience in the design and construction industry and holds a Bachelor of Architecture from the University of Arizona. Ron is a professor of architecture at The School of Architecture, Founded by Frank Lloyd Wright, where he taught construction documents, building construction technology, and practice management, and currently teaches building codes. Ron coauthored CSI’s Project Delivery Practice Guide and Construction Specifications Practice Guide.  He is in his third year as a member of the AIA Documents Committee.

Session: Evolving Project Delivery: Mastering Change with AIA Contract Documents

Mark Gies, Mechanical Engineer, Speaker

Director of Product Management, S-5! div. of Metal Roof Innovations, Ltd.

Mark Gies is director of product management at S-5! with 13+ years of solar experience and 30 years of engineering and management experience. Prior to S-5!, he held management positions at a mounting system company and with a solar project developer. His solar expertise includes product development, operations, installation, codes and standards, sales, and business development. Mark is vice-chair of the Mounting Systems Manufacturers Committee at SEIA, a member of SEAOC’s PV Committee, and a founding member of UL2703’s Standards Technical Panel. He earned a Master of Business Administration from Babson College and master’s and bachelor’s degrees in mechanical engineering from Dartmouth College.

Session: Mastering Solar/Roof Integration

Shelly Higgins

Architectural & National Accounts Director, S-5!  Metal Roof Innovations Ltd.

Shelly Higgins builds and manages architectural and national accounts for S-5! Her focus is to develop a strategic, specification network and support the AECO community. Shelly joined S-5! Metal Roof Innovations in 2018 with a successful career in the building industry stemming from design work to architectural sales and representing manufacturers since 1989. Today, she creates, manages, and provides training through presentations, and she manages the specification programs. Her vast experience enables her to see things from a different perspective and understand the various roles and expectations of the people with whom she interacts. Shelly actively participates in industry organizations and trade shows. Her passion has always been working, learning, teaching and sharing knowledge in the construction industry.  She is currently organizing a construction camp for girls in NE Ohio, helping bring together various industry associations and trade unions to encourage junior and high school girls to consider a career in the construction industry.

Session: Mastering Solar/Roof Integration

Tarek Khan, FACI, Associate DBIA

Architect and Designer Solutions, Master Builders Solutions

Tarek Khan has worked in the concrete industry for 41 years. He joined the National Ready Mixed Concrete Association (NRMCA) in 1982, where he led research projects, and taught concrete technology and EHS compliance. Tarek joined Master Builders in 1996. Heis an expert in sustainable concrete, helping concrete producers, engineers, and architects specify, design, and build with low-embodied carbon concrete on numerous projects. Since 2008, Tarek has helped contractors and concrete producers meet Caltrans’ requirements for low-embodied carbon concrete. He helped Central Concrete Supply revamp their mix catalog to be low-carbon concrete leaders in the San Francisco Bay Area and produce the first EPD for concrete in the US. Since then, he has helped many concrete producers design low-carbon concrete mixes with verified EPDs. He is an ACI Fellow, a co-recipient of ASTM’s Sanford E. Thompson Award for research, and an accredited member of the Design-Build Institute of America.

Session: Specifying Sustainability in a Rapidly Changing Market

Sneh Kumar

Director, Arconic Building and Construction Systems (BCS)

Sneh Kumar is the director of global sustainability for Arconic Building and Construction Systems (BCS), which includes Kawneer. Sneh is responsible for the development and execution of sustainability strategy to deliver an increasingly sustainable product offering to customers and stakeholders. This entails reducing GHG emissions, delivering increasingly sustainable product offerings to customers and stakeholders, enhancing product design and certifications, improving resource efficiency, enhancing supply chain transparency, and optimizing the company’s manufacturing footprint. With more than 20 years in the building products industry, Sneh has been involved in the commercialization of over 40 high-performance building facade products and has received multiple patent grants. He is a visionary leader with proven abilities to solve complex and relevant problems to unlock business value. Sneh has been actively involved with industry associations, architects, and customers, and has served on the Board of the National Fenestration Rating Council (NFRC). He is an invited speaker and panelist at multiple industry conferences.

Session: Specifying Sustainability in a Rapidly Changing Market

Bill McHugh, CSI, MBA

Executive Director, FCIA, NFCA, CRCA

Bill McHugh is the executive director at the Firestop Contractors International Association (FCIA), National Fireproofing Contractors Association (NFCA), and Chicago Roofing Contractors Association (CRCA). Bill participates in the code development processes at the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), International Code Council (ICC), State of Illinois, and City of Chicago. He has served on the ICC’s Fire Safety Code Development Committee, serves on the NFPA Fire Protection Features Committee, and is a past member of the International Accreditation Services (IAS) Board of Directors. At the American Society for Healthcare Engineering (ASHE), he serves as organizer and moderator for the ASHE/TJC/FCIA/UL Barrier Management Symposiums. He is also a past Institute director, chapter president (No.IL), and region president (North Central) at CSI. Bill produces Life Safety Digest, the magazine of effective compartmentation, is principal author of the FCIA Firestop Manual of Practice, NFCA Handbook of Accepted Fireproofing Knowledge, and other documents. He presents at industry events locally, nationally and internationally, and liaisons with many other associations. Bill can be reached at bill@FCIA.org. 

Andrew Miller, CSI, CDT®

Principal, President, Dakota Safety

Andrew Miller has 30+ years of industry experience with the last 12 years particularly focused on safety products specified and used in the built enviornment. In 2010 Andrew established Dakota Safety to market safety products that could be specified and included as construction building products. In 2021 in the midst of the pandemic, Dakota Safety was approached by a new healthcare technology company for disinfection and pathogen reduction to introduce the new technology, developed in healthcare, to the general building market as well as healthcare projects. Andrew is a 30+ year member of CSI and has been active in the Minneapolis St Paul Chapter, serving on the board and as Certification Committee chair. He is a published author, consultant, and a leader and volunteer on local boards.

Session: Engineered Building Solutions for Continuous Surface and Air Disinfection

Robert Miller, PSP, CDT®

Owner, Imperial Professional Consulting Services

Robert Miller is a perimeter security consultant with over 35 years’ experience and who offers proactive insight into physical security solutions needed in today’s challenging world. He has been hands-on both in the office and in the field, providing him the ability to professionally guide those looking to secure their perimeter by assessing the vulnerability of their site and determining the correct products and design layout relative to their needs. Robert is a member of Security Industry Association, American Society for Industrial Security, CSI, ASTM, and SAME. He also is a board-certified ASIS physical security professional (PSP) and CSI construction document technologist (CDT). He currently serves as chair of the SIA Perimeter Security Terminology group and as technical advisor on the ASTM F14.50 Subcommittee on High Security Fence and Perimeter Barriers. He is committed to lifelong learning to ensure that the latest trends and standards are being utilized to ensure a complete and effective perimeter security solution.

Session: Protective Design Concepts and Standards: Navigating Product Solutions

Caitlin Morgan, CSI-EP, CDT®, Assoc. AIA

Project Designer, Moseley Architects

Caitlin Morgan is a goal-oriented emerging professional who strives to elevate industry standards and people across the architecture, engineering, construction, and owner (AECO) community. After experiencing first-hand how much of a toll the pandemic took on emerging professionals, she focused her professional development on networking and continuing education through co-founding Emerge AEC. Caitlin is a national speaker on topics ranging from goal-setting to continuing education standards, fueled by her passion for mentoring those entering an AECO profession. As a member of CSI, Caitlin is the 2022 inaugural recipient of the CSI Outstanding Emerging Professional award and serves the Central Virgnina Chapter board of directors as the communications chair and marketing chair.    

Session: Cultivating Collaboration In a Changing Industry

Frank Mruk, FAIA, CSI, RIBA, LEED AP

Senior Director Building Innovations, NRMCA

Frank Mruk is an architect and technology strategist. He is a founder and executive director of the NY Center for Strategic Innovation, the Boston Center for Smart Building Technology, and is a senior director of Building Innovations at NRMCA. He was educated at Pratt Institute, Pace University, and the University of Oxford. He has taught architecture at the School of Visual Arts, the Rhode Island School of Design, Roger Williams University, Parsons School of Design, New York University, and New York Institute of Technology, where he served as associate dean for the School of Architecture and Design. Frank has been a visiting critic at the United Nations, Oxford Brooks University, the University of Chile, the Fashion Institute of Technology, Columbia University, Yale University, and MIT. He also taught at RISD, NYU, Parsons, SVA, and RWU.

Session: Decarbonizing Concrete Now: Reports From the Field

Scott Neal, AIA

Principal, Wendel

Scott Neal is an award-winning, registered architect with over 25 years of experience in public transportation projects across the country as well as multiple international projects and competitions. As one of the firm’s design directors, Scott’s primary responsibilities include fulfilling the project sponsor and lead project designer role in which he is intimately involved in project development from kickoff meeting through construction. Natural daylighting, sustainable building design, and simplicity of form are the focus of his design philosophy. He is an expert at driving award-winning designs by implementing a heavy client- and public-participation approach in his work. Scott also helps steer Wendel’s strategic vision as a member of the board of directors. He has co-authored and presented multiple papers on mobility, public transportation sustainability, and firm leadership.

Session: How Digital Delivery Changes Your Practice AND What You Deliver

Hana Nguyenky, CSI-EP, CCS®, CCCA®, CDT®, AIA, LEED AP

Architect 1, VMDO Architects

Hana Nguyenky has an educational background in architecture, anthropology, and design research. She intends to craft a professional career path that will allow her to pursue her interests in education design, specifications writing, material studies, and fabrication methods. Her goal is to be involved in work that will prepare, provide for, and help in nurturing the next generation. Three things she endeavors to accomplish in her life are to investigate, innovate, and inspire. Hana’s greatest passion is knowledge, and as a co-founder of Emerge AEC, she is able to use the platform for sharing knowledge across the industry. As a member of CSI, Hana serves on the Central Virginia Chapter board of directors as the education and certifications chair.

Session: Cultivating Collaboration In a Changing Industry

Alejandra Nieto, MBSc

Sustainability Manager, ROCKWOOL

Alejandra Nieto's role as sustainability manager at ROCKWOOL is defining and implementing sustainability strategy and initiatives, ensuring the development of high-performance stone wool insulation products with the lowest embodied footprint. Her role includes managing the sustainability profile of ROCKWOOL products through certifications and listings, keeping to date with policy and regulatory work on the topic of life cycle assessment and decarbonization, and working with industry leaders to drive the use of low carbon sustainable products. Her background also includes building science and building materials expertise, focusing on low carbon and energy efficiency design. Alejandra is an active member on multiple ASHRAE technical committees including her role as chair for TC 4.4 Building Materials and Building Envelope Performance. She teaches part-time at George Brown College in Ontario and is also a certified passive house consultant.

Session: Specifying Sustainability in a Rapidly Changing Market

Michael J Parkyn, MRICS

Regional Director/Senior Project Manager/Lead Trainer, Leland Saylor Associates

Michael Parkyn entered the construction industry in the UK as a junior trainee at 16 years of age, engaging with construction technology training at community college before completing a university bachelors degree in quantity surveying in London. Becoming certified with the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors in 2006, Michael has developed wide experience and expertise, including construction cost estimating, cost planning and management, budget validation/benchmarking, and value engineering, mostly in building projects. Sector experience (UK/USA) includes Education, Transit, Cultural, Commercial, Aviation, Healthcare, Entertainment, and Infrastructure, with project values ranging from $100,000 to multiple $billions. Signature projects include Salesforce Transit Center San Francisco, Apple Park Cupertino, and The Shard, London. Today, he mostly manages teams, projects, and processes for successful outcomes. In 2020 he became a certified team member of Maxwell Leadership (John C. Maxwell) bringing revolutionary personal growth that he loves to share as an inspiration and growth pathway for others.

Session: Steady the Ship: Achieving Budget Stability through Intentional Cost Planning

Richard J Ruppert, RA

Supply (Building Product Manufacturer, Product Representative), Director of Partnerships and Strategic Alliances, RIB Software

Rick Ruppert is a registered architect with over 20 years of professional practice experience prior to a move into building product manufacturing and now building project delivery software. As director of partnerships at RIB Software, he is focused on topics concerning the delivery of effective and integrated resources driving architectural design, building construction, and facility operation processes. An architect himself, Rick has a well-informed perspective regarding the transformational technologies impacting successful, environmentally responsible project outcomes. The results of his efforts can be seen in the collaboration, education, and process management consultation he regularly provides to the building design and construction community.

Session: RIB – AI/Technology

Allison Verley

Building Envelope Specialist, Construction Innovations

Allison Verley believes knowledge is power and there is always a solution for every situation. With a background in civil engineering and a focus on sustainability, longevity, and energy efficiency, she stays up to date on the most innovative solutions for the building envelope. Through public speaking, digital media, and articles, Allison is able to bring the forefront of information to local markets with a focus on proper use of materials situationally rather than with a cookie cutter approach. Her building envelope focus is: Masonry Restoration and Moisture Management, Waterproofing and Reducing Litigation Nightmares, Roofing, Single-ply and Protected Membrane, Garden Roofs and Plaza Decks, Claddings and Attachment, and Proper Insulations for Specific Conditions, Dewpoint Calculations and Assembly Solutions.

Session: Green Roof Design: A Sustainable Approach to Waterproofing

Adam Wilbrecht, AIA

Chief Product Officer, Concert

Adam Wilbrecht is the chief product officer and cofounder at ConcertVDC. He is a registered architect and specialist in building and design technologies. Today, Adam’s core interests focus on Web3 blockchain-based services for AECO, IoT edge technologies for buildings, and enabling digitalization of the design and construction industries. Adam was formerly the chief knowledge officer at the architecture firm Cuningham, where he worked as an architect, technologist, and researcher for 30 years. Adam received his Master of Architecture from the Southern California Institute of Architecture (SCI-Arc).

Session: How Digital Delivery Changes Your Practice AND What You Deliver

Jay Yowell, AIA

Principal, Professor, Oklahoma State University - Stillwater

Jay Yowell has practiced architecture since 1994 and has led sustainable design efforts since 1998. In starting a firm’s Sustainable Design Task Force, he saw the impact that adapting specifications had with making projects more environmentally-friendly. This began his interest in building products and the impact the elements from manufacturing, installing and end-of-life handling had on the environment. Jay has been fortunate to have had the opportunity to share his work and research at various conferences. Presenting and teaching professionals led him to eventually begin teaching as an adjunct in 2004 while still maintaining an architectural practice. In 2017 he began a more formal teaching career, still practicing architecture. Jay’s teaching focuses on materials and biomimicry – working with nature. In 2020, he was awarded a grant to research mycelium to be used as bricks, which has led him to explore this material as an alternate to current building materials.

Session: Mushroom Mycelium for Construction Materials

Corey Zussman, CSI, AIA, NCARB, ALA, RBEC, RRC, REWC, RWC, RRO, CDT®, CQM, CxA+BE, BECxP, CABS, LEED AP BD+C Level II Thermographer

Director of Quality, Pepper Construction

As a forensic architect registered in several states, Corey Zussman has practiced in the construction industry for more than 30 years. He specializes in building envelope, restoration, preservation, life safety, and interior finishes. While working on an average of 50 to 75 projects a year, Corey conducts constructability reviews, pre-installation meetings, comprehensive envelope meetings, and construction observations. He has also become known for providing educational opportunities throughout the industry and has produced more than 150 "lessons learned" papers. Topics include building envelope and life safety concerns, which enables Corey to proactively address issues during design review, pre-construction, and construction. In addition, he has written over 10 industry articles about building envelope and life safety topics and is also a frequent presenter at local and national conferences and association meetings. Visit www.pepperquality.com homepage to access all of Corey's lessons learned papers and a list of over 40 AIA CES presentations.

Session: What Every Architect Should Include in Drawings and Specifications