As head of innovation and creativity at Disney, Duncan Wardle and his team helped Imagineering, Lucasfilm, Marvel, Pixar and Disney Parks innovate, creating magical storylines and experiences for consumers around the globe. As founder of iD8 & innov8, he now brings his extensive Disney experience to audiences around the world using a unique approach to design thinking. Wardle is a frequent TEDx speaker, a contributor to Fast Company and teaches master classes at universities like Yale and Duke.
Matthew Abeles is vice president of construction technology and innovation for Associated Builders and Contractors. Abeles spearheads efforts to integrate construction technology and innovation into all aspects of ABC’s strategic initiatives, including total human health, world-class safety and workforce development, through projects like the annual Tech Report, Tech Marketplace, Tech Alliance and educational sessions.
Anirban Basu is chairman & CEO of Sage Policy Group, Inc., an economic and policy consulting firm in Baltimore. He is 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. His radio show can be heard weekdays on WYPR, 88.1 FM Baltimore. Basu teaches History of Economic Thought at Goucher College as Distinguished Economist in Residence.
Ben Brubeck is vice president of regulatory, labor and state affairs for ABC. In this role, he works with his team to shape policy on local, state and federal issues important to the construction industry, and represents ABC before lawmakers, the media, construction industry executives and stakeholders. His expertise across a portfolio of issues includes labor and employment, workforce development, infrastructure, federal contractor regulations, small businesses and public works procurement.
With over 35 years of experience, Jack Callahan serves as CohnReznick’s construction industry leader, overseeing a team of 200 professionals across the United States. He has served as a trusted adviser to contractors throughout their entire lifecycle. Callahan was the lead partner for CohnReznick on the monitoring and investigative work performed at ground zero and continues to spearhead the ongoing initiatives at LaGuardia and O’Hare airports.
Christopher Durso is editor-in-chief of Constructive Executive magazine, which is published by Associated Builders and Contractors. He has 30 years of experience as an editor, writer and content strategist across a variety of industries.
After a long career in manufacturing and property management, Glover joined GLB Concrete Construction, which provides turnkey services to a range of clients, including general contractors, schools, state facilities and high-security facilities such as Fort Meade and the Pentagon. Over the past three years, she has led GLB’s safety journey and worked with her team to achieve STEP Diamond level.
Thomas “Murph” Murphy is vice president of Aggregates Division, Power & Construction Group, Scottsville, New York, where he has served as general manager at for over 15 years. He is the 2023 Northeast region vice chair of Associated Builders and Contractors and is a trustee for ABC PAC. Murphy is a former chair of the board of directors for the Empire Chapter.
Ryan Odendahl is president of Kwest Group, a 100% employee-owned, merit shop civil construction firm partnering with clients in the energy, rail, industrial, petrochemical, defense and public-private infrastructure markets. Odendahl served eight years in the U.S. Marine Corps and went on to attend The University of Findlay, earning both a bachelor’s in safety and environmental management and an MBA.
Melanie Pfeiffenberger serves as director of political affairs for ABC. Prior to joining ABC, she served as executive director of the Republican Legislative Campaign Committee, the premier national organization dedicated exclusively to electing more Republicans to state legislatures. Additionally, Pfeiffenberger has experience working in fundraising, grassroots advocacy, and local government.
Sabra Phillips leads organizational and talent development for MAREK, an 85-year construction contractor recognized for its deep commitment to growing its people throughout operations in Texas and the Southeast. She is a strong advocate for industry talent and chair of the National Center for Construction Education and Research Workforce Development Committee.
Jeff Sample has devoted the past 20+ years to transforming companies. He optimizes companies throughout the construction industry by designing solutions, optimizing strategic advantages and breaking down information silos. As industry evangelist for Join, Sample promotes collaboration and the transformation of preconstruction to help project teams reach their potential.
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Stephanie Schmidt is president of Poole Anderson Construction, State College, Pennsylvania, where she is responsible for the company’s strategic direction and day-to-day performance. She is immediate past chair of ABC’s national board of directors and is a past board chair and member of the ABC Central Pennsylvania Chapter.
Jay is the founder and president of Big Blue Innovations, a technology startup adviser and investor and innovation enabler to construction companies. He has extensive industry experience as a construction project executive; corporate director of planning, design and construction for a health care system; founder of multiple technology startups; and most recently as a consulting practice director at FMI.
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Kristen Swearingen is vice president of legislative and political affairs at ABC. Known as one of the top lobbyists year after year, she leads the association’s lobbying efforts on Capitol Hill and coalition efforts in the business community, chairing the 600-member Coalition for a Democratic Workplace. Prior to joining ABC, she was a staffer in the office of former Sen. Jim Bunning, R-Ky.
Frank Trujillo, CSP, MSOS, MBA has worked in the construction industry as a safety professional for the last 20 years. He has spent the last 12 years as the Vice President of Safety for Miller and Long Concrete Construction and has focused on tackling difficult issues like silica exposures, falling object protection and crane safety. He serves as the incoming chairperson of the national safety committee for the Associated Builders and Contractors, Executive Board Member of the Chesapeake Region Safety Council, Maryland Occupational Safety and Health Advisory Committee, President of the Washington Metropolitan Construction Safety Association, and as a member of ANSI A10.
Vance Walter helps lead the federal affairs team at ABC in a legislative and political capacity. He serves as ABC’s lead representative on transportation and infrastructure; energy; environment; natural resources; and small business issues, advocating for ABC’s legislative positions on Capitol Hill. Walter also directs the political operations for ABC, serving as staff liaison for ABC PAC.