CSI Blog

This year, CSI welcomed Matthew Gregory, FCSI, Member Emeritus, CCS ® , CDT ® , to the CSI College of Fellows. He is one of only six distinguished professionals in the architecture, engineering, construction, and owner (AECO) industry named to the 2026 class. He was nominated through a rigorous application process, then elected by the Jury of Fellows for membership, one of the top honors given by CSI. Ahead of celebrating this achievement at the 2026 CSI National Conference , October 7-9 in Phoenix, AZ, we talked with him about his career and becoming a CSI Fellow. What does this honor mean to you? To receive this award ...

There’s no bigger story in business right now than the many ways AI is altering how professionals work on a daily basis, both at the office and in the field. Which is precisely why the upcoming CSI National Conference in Phoenix, AZ, October 7—9, will wrap up with an impactful keynote presentation on AI as a Leadership Imperative . “There’s a lot of buzz around AI and there certainly has been for the last three years,” said Stellis AI CEO Trent Gillespie, who will fill the closing keynote role. “But in my mind, it’s kind of met its peak, and everything that’s been hidden for the last three years is basically happening right now.” ...

Just six months ago, Greg Carr, CDT ® , of the Ayres Associates Engineering Services Team, sat down with CSI to discuss how the Construction Documents Technologist (CDT ® ) certification has positively impacted his career. Now, with his sights set on earning the CCCA ® and CCS ® , he shares how he continues to increase his understanding and expertise in the AECO industry, and how rewarding a career can be when you make a commitment to never stop learning. CSI: Greg, looking back at our previous conversation with you, I was really impressed by how many different aspects of the AECO industry you connect to. What are some of the bigger trends ...

CSI is proud to welcome six outstanding professionals from the architecture, engineering, construction, and owner (AECO) community into the CSI College of Fellows. CSI Fellows are members whom their peers select for this distinction based on achievements in the industry and their above-and-beyond contributions to CSI. The CSI community will honor and celebrate these individuals at the 2026 CSI National Conference , October 7-9 in Phoenix, AZ. Mary-Alice Avila, FCSI, CDT ® Joined CSI in 1989 Mary-Alice Avila exemplifies problem-solving and generosity in sharing knowledge, qualities likely instilled while ...

Every CSI certification tells a story. For Kathryn E. Fuller, CSI, CDT ® , CCCA ® , earning her certifications helped expand her expertise, strengthen her career, and deepen her understanding of construction documentation and contract administration. In this Q&A, Kathryn shares her journey, study tips, and advice for professionals considering a CSI certification. Tell me about your career and why you chose to work in this industry. And why earn a CSI certification? I decided to become an architect the summer before entering 8th grade. It was the only profession I could think of that combined all my interests of math, science, art, ...

Hundreds of AECO professionals from across the country got a live look at the new CSI Dynamic Standards℠ during a virtual webinar on June 25, featuring an interactive demonstration detailing the development of the resource, its primary functions, and its purpose to help professionals find relevant information faster across the industry, accurately navigate connected standards and classifications, and confidently verify the most recent, relevant information regarding products and specification protocol. CSI Dynamic Standards℠ (CDS) was built to combine MasterFormat ® , UniFormat ® , and OmniClass ® into one accessible and always-current ...

CSI members and community, The CSI Board met June 27 in Phoenix, and I want to follow through on the commitment I made in my last message : providing a fuller picture of where things stand on the four priorities (Trust, Value, Communication, Future) shaping the Board's work this year. Trust: The fact that so many members are engaged, asking questions, and seeking more clarity on Board priorities reflects how deeply this community cares about CSI, and that itself is a form of trust worth acknowledging and a foundation to build on. That trust was built over more than 75 years through the work of CSI volunteers ...

Below is a letter from Incoming CSI Board Chair Jarrod Mann, P.E., FCSI, CCCA, CDT. To the CSI community, On Saturday, the CSI Board of Directors held its June meeting in Phoenix, AZ. It was a full day of work on the issues that matter to this community and on the direction of this organization going forward. I am writing to you as your incoming Board Chair. William Sundquist passed the gavel, and I want to begin this role the way I intend to continue it: by communicating directly with the members I serve. What the Board Addressed The meeting covered five areas that reflect what this community ...

To the CSI community, This past weekend, I had the high honor of handing the board chair gavel to Jarrod Mann — and reflecting on my past two years in service to the board and all of CSI. When I came into this role, I set out to focus on three things: building up our people, building up the profession, and building better projects. I am proud of the progress we've made on all three fronts, and I am grateful to every board member, staff member, and volunteer who made that possible. What I did not fully anticipate was how much the ground would shift beneath us in two years. AI went from a topic on the horizon to a tool ...