CSI is proud to recognize Lane Beougher, FCSI, Lifetime Member, CCS®, CCCA®, CCPR™, CDT® as its 2024 Distinguished Member. With 35 years of experience in facilities planning, architectural design, specification preparation, and construction contract administration, Lane works as an architect and program manager for the Ohio Facilities Construction Commission. He’s also served as Ohio’s state architect.

Serving in leadership at every level of CSI, Lane was a member of the CSI Board of Directors for nearly a decade, including Board President from 2015 to 2016). Under his leadership, the Board implemented a new governance framework to help CSI better serve members and the broader CSI community. Lane also served as Chair of the CSI Foundation Board of Trustees and Chancellor of the CSI College of Fellows.

Beyond CSI, Lane contributed to the work of the National Institute of Building Sciences, serving as a member the U.S. National CAD Standard Committee, National BIM Standard Committee, and NIBS Board of Directors. He’s also volunteered as the Chair for the AIA Public Architect’s Committee and AIA Contract Documents Committee.

Read our Q&A below where he shares more about his professional journey, gives advice for engaging with the CSI community, and shares insight about technology’s role in the construction industry.

While there are a few activities that have broader reach like leading AIA’s Contract Documents Committee and serving as Board Liaison to NIBS’ BIM Council and Building Enclosure and Environment Council, the most meaningful contribution had a major impact on public construction within the State of Ohio.

Shortly after a new governor took office, I was asked to be State Architect. This gave me the opportunity to offer the recommendations of our Construction Reform Panel to modernize Ohio’s public project delivery methods that required use of multiple-prime contracts.

We passed legislation that authorized Design-Build, Construction Manager at Risk, and single-prime Design-Bid-Build project delivery. The legislature gave us a one-year deadline to implement the program, which we met.

This has had a huge impact on public sector vertical construction and the entire design and construction industry within Ohio.

What originally made you want to make a career in the AECO industry?

To be honest, this career wasn’t my first choice. I wanted to be a graphic artist. My family moved from an area that offered that training in their vocational school program, to one that didn’t, and I ended up learning to be a drafter. 

I was blessed to get a job in the engineering department at a Fortune 500 company just a month after High School. I worked in the computer industry and had an early opportunity to learn Computer-Aided Design, which I used to design assembly line layouts, office rearranges, and even a few building additions. I applied to Ohio State’s architecture program and entered college as a 27-year-old freshman. I had finally discovered the career I was created for.

How would you describe the arc of your professional growth in the field, and what are your favorite memories?

I’ve described my career as a chaotic journey that I couldn’t have planned if I tried. I think I would have aimed too low at the beginning of my career. By remaining curious and open to new adventures, I have had incredible opportunities and impacts.

Favorite memories include huddling in a cold trailer on a construction site at The Ohio State University watching its Veterinary Medicine Building grow out of the ground, knowing that my grandfather, who attended the college would be proud. Another favorite project is building a much-needed mental health facility at Ohio’s Reformatory for Women and attempt certification in both the LEED and WELL programs.

I also take a great deal of personal pride in becoming a Fellow of CSI in 2009 and a Fellow of AIA in 2017, but the all-time favorite is what the CSI Board of Directors did the year I served as President. It was a demonstration of setting aside our differences and rolling up our sleeves to rebuild the transmission. I am very honored to watch the Board continue its disciplined adherence to the governance framework we created.

How has being a member of CSI informed your life and career?

CSI prepared me to confidently represent my clients and understand the critical relationships in every construction project. Studying for CSI’s credentials provided me with a deep understanding of written construction documents. This gave me skills that I was able to leverage in writing legislation as a member of my city’s legislative body, maintaining the agreements and conditions published the State Architect’s Office, and finally influencing the direction of AIA’s Contract Documents program. It also provided opportunities to collaborate across professional organizations with similar missions. CSI gave me the skills to respond to numerous opportunities that took my career far beyond my wildest expectations.

What advice would you give to any CSI members—new or established—on how to continue to have a rewarding professional experience?

Just say “yes.” Be open to opportunities to lead or volunteer within CSI or other opportunities. My trajectory would only be possible because I didn’t reject additional responsibilities or opportunities for training and growth. Be an “active” member and participate as much as you can stand. CSI is so much more than three letters on your business card.

What do you see as the most significant opportunities in the construction industry in the next 5 to 10 years?

We’ve already begun to see evidence of the future of our industry. Digital Twins exchanging sensor data with a physical facility to predict failures and schedule maintenance. Think of asking your AI assistant to run scenarios on the twin to determine the potential solutions to problems in nanoseconds. We have installed pumps that share vibration data with an AI to predict the optimum date to replace seals to avoid failure. We are starting to see Building Information Models replace Contract Documents. New materials and transformational technologies have already been developed and will have huge impacts.

Anything else you’d like to add?

I would like to thank the Awards Committee, Board of Directors, CSI Staff, and the entire CSI family for providing me with an incredible CSI experience. I would also like to thank the CSINext Chapter for nominating me and Salvatore Verrastro, FCSI, Distinguished Member, AIA, NCARB for being a superb sponsor and friend. This is truly an honor!