Anirban Basu

ABC Chief Economist

Anirban Basu is chairman and CEO of Sage Policy Group Inc., an economic and policy consulting firm in Baltimore. He is also chief economist for Associated Builders and Contractors. The Baltimore Business Journal named him one of the region’s 20 most powerful business leaders in 2010. Basu teaches History of Economic Thought at Goucher College as their Distinguished Economist in Residence, and his radio show can be heard weekdays on WYPR, 88.1 FM Baltimore.

Jennifer Dewees

President, MCCEI and Co-Founder and Construction Lead, MAC

As a co-founder and the construction lead at the Maryland Apprenticeship Connector, Jennifer Dewees plays a pivotal role in championing apprenticeships as an essential pathway across the construction industry to help employers future-proof their workforce. Beyond MAC, she is also president of the Maryland Center for Construction Education & Innovation.

Paul Doherty

Registered Architect, CSI, CDT, IFMA Fellow, DFC Senior Fellow, The Digit Group

Paul Doherty is managing partner of The Digit Group, a Singapore-registered Smart City real estate development and investment company. Doherty has appeared on Bloomberg TV, been quoted in The Wall Street Journal and named one of CNBC’s America's Business Titans. Doherty is an award-winning architect, a senior fellow of the Design Futures Council and a fellow of the International Facility Management Association.

Randy Fichera

Vice President, Commercial Services Division, Barnhill Building Group

Randy Fichera leads the Commercial Services Division of the Barnhill Building Group, specializing in ground-up office projects, adaptive reuse and fast-track renovations across North Carolina. Known for his bold, energetic leadership and entrepreneurial spirit, he delivers nimble, efficient project execution with a focus on repeat clients. A frequent speaker at national construction conferences, he holds a construction management degree from East Carolina University and joined Barnhill’s Building Group in 2006.

Zach Giglio

CEO, GCM

Zach Giglio is CEO of GCM, an award-winning agency that shows organizations how to leverage cutting-edge artificial intelligence technology to become more efficient and profitable. He is certified by the Wharton School of Business in AI strategy for business, is a curriculum committee member on AI at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce’s Institute for Organization Management, a TEDx speaker and was recently honored as one of Charleston’s Forty under 40.

Dr. Seth Hickerson

Founder, My Steady Mind

Dr. Seth Hickerson is a decorated veteran and the founder of My Steady Mind, the world’s first mental defense company, revolutionizing mental health by shifting the focus from treatment to proactive mental fitness training. With expertise in psychology, neuroscience and emotional intelligence, Dr. Hickerson and his team are redefining the mental wellness landscape, empowering individuals to build resilience, enhance cognitive performance and protect their mental energy.

Joe Hileman

Co-Founder and Training Specialist, Blue-U Defense

Joe Hileman is a co-founder and training specialist for Blue-U Defense. He served as the assistant team commander of the Monadnock Regional Special Response team in New Hampshire and for 19 years as a detective with the Jaffrey, New Hampshire, Police Department. Prior to his career in law enforcement, he served as security supervisor at the corporate management level of a Fortune 500 company. Hileman holds two associate degrees in criminal justice.

Daniel Ivanhoe

Product Owner, McCarthy Holdings Inc.

Daniel Ivanhoe is an accomplished IT product owner at McCarthy Holdings Inc., where he plays a pivotal role in supporting the company's business development, marketing, communications and DEI functions through innovative technology solutions. Ivanhoe graduated from Arizona State University’s W.P. Carey School of Business, earning dual bachelor’s degrees in marketing and supply chain management. He has a strong commitment to continuous improvement and strategic innovation in the construction industry.

Rohan Jawali

Founder and CEO, Joist AI

With over 15 years of construction and technology experience, Rohan Jawali has committed his professional career to solving the challenges of the built world. He joined Hensel Phelps as a field engineer delivering numerous landmark construction projects. From there, Jawali was promoted to VDC manager, where he assisted in the development of the company’s technology and innovation programs. Today, as the founder and CEO of Joist AI, Jawali oversees the operations and advancement of Joist.

Jennifer L. Landon, M.Ed.

Vice President of Leadership and Total Human Health Initiatives, ABC New Hampshire/Vermont Chapter

Landon is vice president of leadership and total human health initiatives for ABC New Hampshire/Vermont, an ABC Mental Health Champion and Certified DISC Behavioral Analyst. After a friend’s loss in a military training accident, she became a certified grief educator, VitalCog suicide prevention trainer, Mental Health First Aider and advocate for recovery-friendly workplaces. In 2022, she launched YGM Consulting and has since incorporated psychological safety and leadership development into her practice.

David Lindquist

Director of Operations, Burns & McDonnell

David Lindquist is director of operations for Burns & McDonnell self-perform construction. He is responsible for the managerial direction, leadership and resources of field operations, execution and on-site facilities departments. This includes developing, supporting and executing business strategy and developing high-performance teams to support projects in various business lines.

Fernanda Lopes

Section Manager for Strategic Construction Initiatives, Burns & McDonnell

Fernanda Lopes is section manager for strategic construction initiatives. In that role, she takes ownership of initiative planning and development, conducts internal gap analysis, identifying needs and maps out strategies for implementation. She then manages initiatives driving approvals and implementation. Lopes spearheaded a comprehensive study on direct-hire/self-perform construction needs and advanced the vision for the Construction Academy, Burns & McDonnell’s construction workforce development program.

William D. McGrath

President, South Jersey Elevator

William D. McGrath, current ABC New Jersey Trust board member and former chair of the ABC New Jersey chapter, is a seasoned leader in the elevator industry, specializing in modernization, service and maintenance. As president of South Jersey Elevator, his leadership has fueled the company's growth and takes pride in mentoring the next generation of elevator professionals. McGrath is also president of the National Association of Elevator Contractors.

William R. McGrath

Vice President—Residential Division, South Jersey Elevator

William R. McGrath grew up watching his father build South Jersey Elevator from the ground up. McGrath began his career at SJE selling commercial maintenance contracts, repairs and modernization projects. He then transitioned into the field, working as a commercial and residential maintenance and repair mechanic, and obtained his New Jersey mechanic license. Under his leadership, the Residential Division has evolved into a thriving, self-sustaining part of the business.

Rob McKinney

Construction Safety Advocate, SALUS

Rob McKinney brings over two decades of experience in construction safety, risk management and technology integration. As the construction safety advocate at SALUS, he empowers teams to modernize safety workflows through technology, fostering collaboration and reducing risks. Rob is a recognized industry speaker, podcast host and advocate for mental fitness, combining his expertise to drive innovation and cultural growth in construction safety.

Nathaniel Peniston

Vice President, The Contractors Plan

Nat Peniston is a national expert on prevailing wage compliance and bona fide benefits strategies, working closely with contractors to ensure proper compliance on government-funded projects. Author of “The Contractor’s Guide to the Davis-Bacon Act,” he has been published extensively in Construction Executive magazine. A past chair of ABC’s Central Texas chapter, Peniston also supports various charitable organizations and holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of Miami.

David Pratt

Director of Corporate and Operational Technology, Robins & Morton

David Pratt has over 24 years of experience in construction technology and IT management. His journey has allowed him to engage deeply with building information modeling, virtual design and construction and construction project management software, helping to bring these technologies into practical use on jobsites. Throughout his career, Pratt has managed large-scale IT projects, striving to improve efficiency, reduce costs and enhance project outcomes.

Chad Prinkey

Founder, Well Built Construction Consulting

Chad Prinkey is the founder and CEO of Well Built Construction Consulting, dedicated to serving the construction industry. He has designed and delivered partnering programs that align and inspire high-performance project teams, helping deliver $1.7 billion in projects on or ahead of budget and schedule. An experienced speaker and performer, he energizes teams and organizations to collaborate effectively for success across all construction sectors.

Jeff W. Rashall

Vice President, Burns & McDonnell

Jeff W. Rashall is a vice president at Burns & McDonnell, leading the company’s self-perform construction group. Rashall has progressed through various roles, including project manager, manager of construction, vice president of construction and chief operations officer. He is dedicated to the development of construction craft workers, ensuring they have opportunities for growth, advancement and mentorship. The company works to lead the industry in providing meaningful careers, not just jobs.

Hal Routh

President and Founder, Equalizer9

Hal Routh is a 27-year construction industry veteran who has led teams to win over $4 billion in projects. Known for driving revenue and profitability growth, he is an expert in creating sustained growth strategies. As the founder of Equalizer9, a leading consulting firm, Routh mentors construction companies across 20 states. A sought-after speaker, he delivers thought-provoking insights with an engaging, entertaining style.

Chad Whetro

Workforce Development Director, Burns & McDonnell

Chad Whetro is workforce development director at Burns & McDonnell. In this role he is responsible for planning, developing, implementing and evaluating the organization’s workforce development programs to ensure sure individuals have the necessary skills to serve customers. Whetro also oversees all aspects of workforce development, including strategy, program design, delivery and evaluation as well as collaborating with government agencies, educational institutions and business to achieve sustainable growth.