2021 Summit Speakers
May 11-13, 2021 | 7:30 am - 10:00am
Hear from Owners and Industry leaders in the
Private & Public Sectors for Arizona Construction
Industrial
Jackob Andersen
President & CEO, Saint Holdings, LLC
Jackob Andersen oversees real estate development assets in excess of ¼ of a billion US dollars in the areas of industrial, commercial, retail, residential and renewable energy. Specialties include acquisition, finance, land use planning, zoning, entitlement, government affairs, infrastructure, construction, real estate management, water resources/rights and Arizona Agribusiness. Well known for his ability to create smart, quality growth projects, Andersen works hand-in-hand with community and business leaders and government agencies as evidenced by his successes in attracting high-profile companies such as Lucid Motors, Nikola Motor Company, and Tractor Supply Company to his industrial parks. Andersen serves as the Vice Chairman for Pinal Partnership, sits on the board of Arizona at Work - Pinal County, and is an active member of Greater Phoenix Economic Council, Arizona Association of Economic Developers, and sits on the advisory committee to the Governor's office for the Pinal Active Management Area, the economic development advisory committees for Pinal County, The City of Casa Grande and The City of Coolidge
Construction Costs
Bradford Blissit
President, Integrated Structural Concepts (ISC)
Bradford Blissit is the President of Integrated Structural Concepts (ISC), based in Glendale, AZ. ISC is a pioneer in the use of BIM and pre-fabrication for multifamily wood-framed projects. ISC’s offsite pre-fabrication is driven by a fully coordinated BIM model. ISC pre-fabricates sub-components, wall panels, floor trusses, floor cassettes and roof trusses in their Glendale, AZ based manufacturing facility. ISC contracts as a turnkey framing contactor specializing in large multifamily projects. ISC advocates Integrated Project Delivery (IPD) or Design-Assist (D-A) techniques combined with BIM to develop a fully coordinated model and a concise bill of materials for each project well in advance of construction activities to limit stakeholders’ exposure to cost escalation. ISC’s recent projects include U of A Honors Village, Century Hall at ASU Polytechnic, and Canvas Student Housing in Tempe, AZ.
Construction Costs
James Carusone
Senior Vice President of Sales, Salt River Materials Group
James Carusone serves as the Senior Vice President of Sales for Salt River Materials Group (SRMG) executive team providing sales management, expert analysis, strategy development, and financial modeling for SRMG’s product lines of Portland cement, Fly Ash and Pozzolans, and aggregate throughout the SW United States. Mr. Carusone has over thirty years of consulting and management experience in Arizona and the Southwest United States with focus on cement, aggregates, Pozzolans, asphalt, and ready mix concrete. Prior to working for SRMG, Mr. Carusone was an Operations Manager for Hanson Aggregates in Arizona from 2006-2007, Vice President and Regional Manager for AMEC/Wood Engineering from 1999-2006, and the Head of Engineering for Vulcan Materials in Arizona and New Mexico from 1996-1999. Mr. Carusone currently serves as Chairman of the Arizona Rock Products Association’s (ARPA) and is a member of several committees within ARPA and the AGC on technical specifications.
Housing
Shelby Duplessis
President of Land Development, The Empire Group
Ms. Duplessis has more than 24 years of experience in civil engineering, zoning, entitlement and land development. Shelby received her Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering from Arizona State University and received her Professional Engineer License from Arizona and her Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED), Professional Accreditation. Along with these accreditations, Ms. Duplessis has prioritized her professional and volunteer affiliations with Leadership West, as an alumni and past board president of Class XX, member of the National Society of Professional Engineers, active WESTMARC member, City of Peoria Historic Preservation Commissioner, and graduate of the Leadership in Engineering Administration Program (LEAP), plus she is also active in the American Council of Engineering Companies of Arizona and the City of Peoria Leadership Institute.
Industrial
Kevin Evernham
Principal, Ware Malcomb
Kevin brings over 25 years of architectural experience to the Ware Malcomb team. As Principal, he is responsible for the overall growth and management of the Phoenix office, providing strong architectural and interiors expertise to clients with an emphasis on excellence. Kevin has significant experience in project management including design direction, project management, code analysis and staff development. Kevin is a licensed architect in all 50 U.S. states, District of Columbia and Puerto Rico leading projects from initial conceptual planning and design stages to successful construction completion. Kevin has worked on a wide variety of projects including industrial, retail, restaurants, commercial office, manufacturing, education, master planning and tenant improvement.
Industrial
Jeff Foster
Vice President, Market Officer, Prologis
Jeff Foster is Vice President, Market Officer for Prologis overseeing asset management responsibilities for the greater Phoenix, AZ metro portfolio. He is responsible for managing the overall marketing and leasing efforts for a 12 MSF portfolio encompassing 70 buildings with over 150 customers and nearly 1 MIL SF currently under construction. He joined Prologis in May 2005 and has 18 plus years of experience in the industrial real estate industry. Prior to joining Prologis, Jeff was an industrial broker at CBRE in Torrance, CA doing tenant and landlord representation in the South Bay submarket. Jeff has been an active member of NAIOP since 2002 in the SoCal, Arizona, and Southern Nevada chapters. Jeff currently serves on the Board of Directors for the Arizona chapter and is the Board Liaison for the Best of NAIOP committee and a mentor of the Developing Leaders Institute. Jeff was also a board member for the Southern Nevada chapter from 2013-2017. He graduated from University of California, Santa Barbara with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Sociology. He is married with three daughters Brooke, Ashley and Kaitlynn and enjoys cooling off at the pool and playing baseball for the 45 As in the Men's Senior Baseball League (MSBL).
INdustrial
Riley Gilbert
Executive Vice President, JLL
For over 16 years Riley has been creating real estate solutions aligned with the objectives of institutional real estate owners, corporate clients and private real estate owners. Riley’s expertise is in industrial leasing and industrial building and land sales throughout the Greater Phoenix area, with a primary focus in the West Valley.
MOderator - INdustrial
Brock Grayson
Vice President, Layton
Brock Grayson is a Vice President at Layton Construction. He has been in the design and construction industry for over 24 years. He attend the University of Arizona, receiving a degree in architecture. He practiced architecture for 16 years, designing millions of square feet of industrial projects across the western United States. He maintains his license as an architect, heading up preconstruction services with Layton Construction. His focus is office and industrial, design-build projects. Noteworthy projects in Arizona include: Marshalls, Macy’s, Amazon, Home Goods, First Solar, Mark Anthony Brewing, FedEx, Ball Corporation, and Red Bull. He has been involved in millions of square feet of construction in the west valley and especially along the 303 Freeway.
HOusing
Eric Jaegers
Head of Construction, Katerra
Eric brings 35 years of experience in development and construction management to Katerra. He has held senior-level positions with national development and construction firms. During this time, he has developed a very versatile skill set as his career path has included positions as jobsite laborer, concrete testing technician, project engineer, project manager, estimator, business developer, operations manager, development manager and various director and vice president positions. His past even includes a summer working as a roughneck on an oil rig in western Oklahoma. In addition to the various positions he’s held, Eric’s project experience boasts an equally diverse range including mixed use, multi-family/student housing, office, retail, health care, institutional, distribution, sports/recreation and hospitality developments.
HOusing
Dan Klocke
Development Project Manager, Gorman and Company
Dan Klocke recently joined Gorman and Company after being the executive director of the Downtown Phoenix Partnership for the past 4 years. He began work at the Partnership 17 years ago running the economic development program and the community development corporation which sought out potential affordable housing developments. In 2013 Dan worked with Gorman and Company to help with the creation of the Lofts at McKinley in Downtown Phoenix. Previously, he ran a business improvement district in Baltimore, Maryland as well as a business development program in a Baltimore city neighborhood. Dan has a masters from Tufts University and undergraduate degree from the University of Notre Dame. He is married with four children.
Moderator - Construction Costs
Scott Macpherson
Executive Vice President, Rider Levett Bucknall
Scott Macpherson is Executive Vice President of Rider Levett Bucknall’s North American practice and is responsible for business development, client relations, and project leadership for both public and private sector clients. Scott joined Rider Levett Bucknall in 1999. In his career of over 25 years, he has worked on projects in the education, healthcare, municipal, tribal, hospitality, and commercial sectors, contributing his expertise in cost management services by providing highly detailed cost estimates. Active in many professional organizations, Scott is a member of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors, and an affiliate member of the American Institute of Architects, among others. Scott holds a Bachelor of Science degree in quantity surveying from Glasgow Caledonian University.
Construction Costs
Jason Mikkelson
Associate Vice President and Managing Principal, HDR
As an Associate Vice President and Managing Principal of the HDR Architecture studio in Phoenix, Jason is responsible for the strategic vision, leadership, and business operations of the office. He is a registered Professional Engineer, LEED Accredited Professional, and Envision Sustainability Professional, but has always been an Architect at heart. Jason’s diverse experience in complex, multi-discipline facility projects helps him guide teams to provide outstanding client service, build excellent relationships, and deliver successful projects of all types and sizes in the Higher Education, Advanced Technologies, Healthcare, Industrial, Government/Military, Recreation, and Energy market sectors. He brings strength in strategic planning, professional development and training, business development, and communication to his teams and the organization. Living in the Downtown/Midtown Phoenix area, Jason has really missed the thriving arts, music, and restaurant culture over the last year.
OUTLOOK ON FUTURE CRE
Rebekah Morris
President & Founder, BEX
Rebekah started the twice-weekly AZBEX publication in February 2010, and has since grown the service into a multi-faceted resource for local Commercial Real Estate & A/E/C firms to find leads on upcoming projects, industry news, trends, and market insights. In 2015, AZBEX started producing events and now features four annual half-day conferences and six breakfast panels known as the Leading Market Series. In 2016, the AZBEX Database or DATABEX was launched. Both the events and database are engineered to bring opportunities to clients – whether it’s the contacts made at a half-day conference or bi-monthly breakfast program or the early stage notice of a project in the database, every service of AZBEX is focused on bringing opportunity to clients. Rebekah’s background as a large General Contractor enabled her to spot the opportunity to start BEX, but it is her grit, determination and eternal curiosity for the industry that has kept it going and growing each year. In her spare time (what spare time?!?), Rebekah enjoys reading, cooking, hiking and playing with her three kids. It is her dream to travel more. Realistically, that’ll happen when the youngest turns 18.
Construction Costs
Todd Nessler
Vice President of Preconstruction, Controller, Estimator at Sun Valley Masonry
Todd has been with Sun Valley since its inception. Todd grew up working for the family company during the summer and dedicated himself full-time in 1990, the year that he graduated from Arizona State University with a bachelor’s degree in accounting. Throughout Todd’s 37 years in the industry, he has worked on iconic Arizona projects such as Chase Field, Talking Stick Resort Area (formerly US Airways Center) and Cardinals Stadium. Associations that he belongs to include the Arizona Masonry Guild, the Arizona Mason Contractors Association and the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Program (VITA). Todd is an innovator and thrives on professionalism, attention to detail and building lasting relationships within the industry. He pushes Sun Valley to complete jobs on time, within budget and with the quality his team is renowned for. Todd values faith, family, his beautiful wife and enjoys scuba diving, flying, skiing, kayaking and fitness training.
Moderator - Construction Costs
Ben Rathke
General Manager, Ferguson Waterworks
Ben Rathke is the General Manager for Ferguson Enterprises, LLC - Waterworks division for Arizona, New Mexico and El Paso, Texas. Ben is a Phoenix, Arizona native and has covered many industries in his 30 short years with Ferguson Enterprises. He began his wholesale career in HVAC and plumbing sales in Tucson, Arizona. He then served 13 years in engineered piping systems sales working in the PVF domestic and international mining and power industries as Sales Manager. After becoming a General Manager, he green-fielded the company’s Arizona entry into the waterworks industry 16 years ago by opening Ferguson’s main branch in Phoenix. Ben is responsible for markets in public and private waterworks utilities, water and wastewater treatment plants, civil infrastructure and municipal in the Southwest. Ben has P&L responsibility for the Waterworks division in the Southwest and works closely with associates, customers and vendors to provide best-in-class service. Ferguson is the largest omni-channel wholesale distributor in America, capable of supplying project materials for utilities, civil, plumbing, fire protection, HVAC mechanical and PVF from the ground up. In the past 68 years, Ferguson Enterprises has grown from a local distributor to a $20 billion-dollar North American organization with more than 1652 locations, 11 strategic distribution centers, more than 29,000 associates nationwide and a listing on the NYSE (ticker FERG).
Housing
Bret Rinehart
Residential Land and Lot Advisor, Land Advisors Organizarion
Bret is a recognized industry expert, a reputation he built by working with national homebuilders, master-plan and lot developers. He is a trusted source for his clients and is unmatched in his ability to understand the current land market and identify opportunities that meet the specific requirements of his homebuilder, developer, investor, and speculative clients. Prior to joining Land Advisors in 2010, Bret was principal at Lee & Associates and senior land specialist at Hogan & Associates. A Phoenix native, Bret graduated from the University of Arizona with a bachelor’s degree in management information systems, and is currently an active member in industry associations such as the Pinal County Partnership and Home Builders Association of Central Arizona.
Moderator - Housing
Samantha Pinkal
Economic Development Project Manager for City of Surprise
Samantha is focused on strategic business attraction, analyzing trends and economic markets, developing strong working relationships with key industry leaders, negotiate complex agreements, and conduct sales presentations and prospect tours for the city of Surprise. Sam brings extensive industry expertise with her, including over 10 years of client service experience and a successful record of commercial construction project delivery.
Construction Costs
Chandra Reilly
Project Executive, Sundt Construction
Chandra Reilly provides leadership on hospitality, multi-family, entertainment and commercial projects within Sundt’s Building Group, Southwest District. She works closely with Sundt’s pre-construction and construction teams to identify and deliver innovative, timely and cost-effective solutions to her clients, keeping the team focused on the things Sundt can do to truly add value. Consistently recognized as an industry leader, Chandra was selected in 2016 as one of Building Design+ Construction’s 40 under 40 as well as ENR’s Top 40 under 40. She serves as a member of the Industry Advisory Board and a student mentor for ASU’s Advancing Women in Construction. She has also served as a team industry coach and problem sponsor for the Associated Construction Schools Reno Competition, and currently serves as the Vice President of the REACH Council, a parent organization focused on supporting gifted education within the Madison School District.
Housing
Clay Richardson
Managing Director, Wood Partners
Clay Richardson is the Managing Director in Phoenix for Wood Partners. He manages origination, development, design, and financing of new multi-family projects. Since joining Wood Partners in 2011, Richardson has played a key role in closing more than 2,500 multi-family units with a total capitalization in excess of $440 million. Prior to Wood Partners, Richardson’s experience includes both development and asset management of market-rate and affordable housing with Cardon Development and Gray Development. He began his career as a chemical engineer, consulting with global mining firms including Freeport-McMoRan and BHP Billiton. Richardson holds a masters of real estate development and a bachelor’s degree in material science engineering from Arizona State University, and is a member of the Arizona Multihousing Association’s Developer Committee.
Industrial
Daniel J. Slack
Principal, Baker Development Corporation
Daniel J. Slack, former President of Calamos Real Estate and Vice President of The Alter Group, has been involved in over $1B of real estate development over his 28-year career. Development expertise includes multi-family residential, commercial office and retail as well as hospitality and mixed-use. Dan handles all aspect of the investment and development process including land acquisition, entitlements, public incentives, financing, design and construction oversight as well as marketing and leasing. Some of Dan's most notable projects include the one million square foot City Gate Center mixed-use project in Naperville, Illinois, the $100M Dearborn Plaza mixed-use project in Chicago's River North and the AT&T/USG Building complex in Chicago's Loop.
Industrial
Cathy Thuringer
Managing Director, Trammell Crow Company
Catherine Thuringer has responsibility for the Development and Investment Group for Trammell Crow Company and High Street Residential, TCC’s residential subsidiary, in the state of Arizona. With more than 30 years in the real estate industry, her experience encompasses leading all phases of development from site acquisition through land use/entitlements, design/construction, marketing, financial performance and project disposition and includes more than six million square feet of development projects with a market value approaching $1 billion. Cathy serves as one of eleven members of Trammell Crow Company’s Leadership Council, a senior leadership group that is charged with identifying, vetting and implementing strategic company initiatives. She also frequently participates as a subject matter expert for Trammell Crow Company’s national investment committee reviewing the Company’s investment in development projects throughout the United States.
Construction Costs
Todd Stanfield
VP Construction Sales, Comfort Systems USA
Todd serves as Vice President of Construction Sales for Comfort Systems USA Southwest, where he has been a team member since 1992. Throughout his career, Todd has held positions as Sheet Metal Foreman, Field Superintendent, Project Manager, and Estimator. Todd’s trade background and experience, including residential, tenant improvement, retail, healthcare, education, and industrial manufacturing, give him a solid foundation of HVAC trade knowledge. Todd developed the company’s Special Projects Division and managed that department for ten years prior to his shift in focus to construction sales. As VP of Construction Sales, Todd is a key member of the CSUSASW executive team, balancing the management of the Estimating Department, business development, and is a sought-after expert in providing conceptual preconstruction estimating to our clients. Todd enjoys spending time with his wife, Kerry, and their friends up in northern AZ, in addition to engaging in family activities with their three children. Todd has a passion for adventure sports. He is an avid Windsurfer and Mountain Biker, and loves sailing and surfing when he gets the opportunity.
Construction Costs
Mike Thomas
President, Kinney Construction Services
Mike Thomas is President of Kinney Construction Services, Inc. (KCS), which is headquartered in Flagstaff with an office in Phoenix, and which does work around the state and country. Mike oversees strategic planning and operations for all three of the company’s divisions – Building, Civil, and Renewable Energy – and across all markets, which include Healthcare, K-12 and Higher Education, Industrial, Hospitality, Municipal, Retail, and Commercial Office. Originally from the Chicago area, Mike Joined KCS 18 years ago as an Estimator and went on to become Project Manager and Project Director before becoming President in January 2019. The company has seen annual revenue continuously grow during his tenure thanks to his strong communication and relationship-building skills. Mike also directs KCS’s National Award-Winning Estimating Department, which earned its title under his leadership. One of northern Arizona’s first LEED Accredited Professionals, Mike is dedicated to incorporating sustainability into projects at every opportunity, and under his guidance KCS has completed more LEED certified projects than any other northern Arizona General Contractor. Mike is also passionate about giving back to the community and volunteers his time with STEM City and Flagstaff Shelter Services, among other organizations. When Mike is not working within the community, he enjoys spending time with his family and running the trails around our beautiful state of Arizona.
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