Annual ElevateAEC Conference

Aaron Lauinger’s 18-year history serving Midwest and Western clients covers multiple civil engineering disciplines. He has transformed Ulteig’s transportation and water sectors, and his strategic leadership resulted in new markets in Colorado and Texas, resulting in a 90 percent growth rate and service offering expansions through new traffic, environmental, and bridge teams. Aaron created the “Energy and Infrastructure” podcast and published thought leadership on electric vehicle impacts to the AEC industry. Aaron has a passion for teaching, mentorship, coaching, and advocating for diversity and women in engineering.

Chad Clinehens is the president and CEO of Zweig Group. Passionate about the business side of design and technical service firms, Chad has built a career on leading them through growth and change. He has worked with AEC firms throughout the U.S. on a variety of needs – strategic business planning, turnarounds, partner separations, organizational restructuring, mergers and acquisitions, marketing and sales, growth campaigns, and more.

As a registered professional engineer, Chad brings an in-depth knowledge of what makes professional service firms and the people who work for them unique. Working in the industry for more than 20 years, he has been involved in many aspects of the business including design, project management, department management, regional office management, and directional leadership. He holds a MBA and BS in Civil Engineering from the University of Arkansas and is a registered professional engineer in several states.

Chad Coldiron is a Principal, and the Director of Development, at Zweig Group, where he helps AEC firms that are experiencing critical leadership transitions. Chad’s passions are focused on all things involving the team and culture-building process, whether it is internally or externally focused. He has coordinated executive searches to fill C-Suite, Board of Directors, and other top-level positions within nationally recognized design firms. His professional background has included experience in the areas of leadership, retention, recruiting, employee experience, sales, risk management, social behaviors and contract negotiation.

Prior to joining Zweig Group, Chad developed and directed the client retention department for one of the fastest growing independent insurance brokerages in the U.S. Since joining Zweig Group as an advisor, he has worked with AEC firms throughout the U.S. on a variety of strategic hiring initiatives as well as organizational restructuring, ownership transition, employee training, marketing, and growth campaigns. He brings a commonsense approach to building the right teams in order maximize the client’s growth potential while driving down their overall cost per hire.

Chad launched his career by developing strong and valuable relationships in the local and professional communities around Northwest Arkansas. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Financial Management from the University of Arkansas’ Walton College of Business. Outside of his work at Zweig Group, he enjoys spending time with his family and friends while engaging the community that raised him. You’ll often hear him say “My life is pretty simple, and I love that”.

Chris has 25 years of robust experience in:

- Deploying innovative technologies through Automotive OEM & Dealer partnerships

- Managing Agile Product Development & Software Engineering via SCRUM methodology

- Devising B2B2C marketing strategies to drive conversion / retention

- Sourcing, negotiating, and closing strategic alliances and M&A deals

- Effectively leading cross-functional teams through strategy and execution while resolving challenges and conflict

Driven to be a motivating team player and effective communicator who is proactive, listens, and inspires trust both internally as well as with external business partners.

Don Young has 44 years of construction and program management experience for large-scale programs, including Department of Defense facilities with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and strategic planning coordination for supporting projects in K-12, higher education, state/municipality/local sectors government, and healthcare. For the last ten years, he has led several municipal and county clients through the Virginia Public-Private Education and Infrastructure Act (PPEA) process for successful project delivery on a wide variety of buildings and utility infrastructure projects.

As Executive Vice President of Operations and Organizational Development, Don leads the processes that support MBP’s long-term strategic plan to increase organizational capacity by enhancing recruiting, retaining, and developing talent for future leadership roles. Don oversees MBP technical team members across MBP’s different geographic locations and is responsible for building best practices for improving capabilities and skillsets to meet the changing demands of MBP’s clients and the industry.

Iona plays a pivotal role in shaping the McAdams long-term vision and translating it into actionable strategies to drive growth and competitive advantage. Known for her strategic mindset and collaborative leadership style, Iona is dedicated to guiding the company towards success across dynamic markets and geographies. With over 30 years of experience providing high quality consulting services to federal, state and local governments, Iona also leads public client development. Her professional passion is greenway trail planning and design. She is the in-coming president of the American Council of Engineering Companies of NC and co-founder of the Great Trails State Coalition.

A decorated Air Force combat veteran and seasoned recruiting professional with extensive experience inside corporate, agency and consultant-based recruiting environments, in both domestic and international markets. Deep recruiting expertise across multiple industries to include: Architecture, Engineering, Construction, Retail, CPG, IT/Telecommunications, Energy, Aerospace and others.

Jeremy Pelphrey’s background teaching and lecturing in the areas of tax, statistics and labor management relations reflects the depth of knowledge he applies to counseling businesses, fiduciaries and investment funds on employee stock ownership plans (ESOPs) and other tax-qualified plans, as well as on strategic transactions, ERISA and various fiduciary matters. Jeremy has extensive experience facilitating strategic transactions for corporate clients and advising mature companies on their business succession plans.

ERISA

Jeremy has deep experience in the area of fiduciary consulting, as well as advising tax-exempt and governmental organizations on their tax-qualified and deferred compensation arrangements. Jeremy routinely negotiates with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) on correction programs for ERISA-covered plans. In this role, he drafts submissions, negotiates settlements, and resolves issues with governmental officials and agencies.

Strategic Transactions

Privately held, middle-market and emerging growth companies rely on Jeremy’s representation to consummate mergers and acquisitions, manage spinoffs, and negotiate private-sponsor and institutional-buyer transactions, with a particular focus on, and the utilization of, employee stock ownership plans in these transactions. He also represents private investment funds in the acquisition, recapitalization and disposition of portfolio companies.

Faculty Positions

• City University of New York — Adjunct Professor, Statistics, 2000-01
• Bradley University — Adjunct Professor, Labor Management Relations, 2005-06
• Golden Gate University — Adjunct Professor, Tax Law, 2015-17

John McAdams is the visionary leader who founded McAdams in 1979. He has grown the company to be one of the largest and most respected design, engineering and planning companies in the Southeast. In addition to building the company and involvement in the firm’s largest projects in the early years, John has served on the Board of Directors of Harrington Bank, served as Board Member and Chairman of Triangle Land Conservancy and Carol Woods Retirement Community and currently serves on the North Carolina Environmental Management Commission. John chairs the company’s Board of Directors and works on corporate strategy initiatives, including acquisitions, the ownership transition program, shareholder communications and represents McAdams at the national conference level.

Joseph Campos thinks about Campos Engineering's future. He elevates the client experience by incorporating technology and innovation into Campos' services and internal processes. Capitalizes on the staff's technical knowledge and hands-on experience to develop new and enhanced solutions provided by Campos. Joseph is also integral in expanding Campos' competitive edge.

Joe Furey provides strategic leadership and guidance for Michael Graves Architecture and the growing number of related companies. He has over three decades of experience in the AEC and other professional industries leading business operations, mergers and acquisitions, and strategic and financial planning, analysis, and reporting. He joined the firm in 2008 as the CFO focused on the business, growth strategies, and succession planning, and became President in 2018. He has built the continued growth and prosperity of the Michael Graves companies around common purpose, cooperation, and teamwork. Based on his passion for sports (meaning football), he knows how to coach a team to win and have fun at the same time.

Justin Smith, SE, PE, MBA is a subject matter AEC leadership and project management expert with a proven track record of business growth and profitability in diverse and highly technical programs. Having led teams successfully completing high pressure projects throughout the country and internationally, he is no stranger to the challenges that organizational leaders and team leaders in the AEC industry face.

Having held nearly every role that exists in a modern AEC firm, Mr. Smith brings a practitioner’s eye to consulting and training and regularly offers his expertise to firms, universities, and professional organizations looking to develop skills and offerings that provide a competitive advantage for talent. Mr. Smith has consulted on projects and with companies on matters including workplace culture improvement, leadership development challenges, business system implementations, and project leadership for highly technical subject matters.

I’m the founder and President of Quire, the #1 cloud-based technical report writing platform for companies in environmental consulting, construction, energy, architectural, seismic/geotechnical, facilities engineering, and accounting.

The concept for Quire grew out of my own experience struggling to create complete, accurate technical reports without the benefit of the right technology tools. I decided to combine my analytical education, technical experience, and creative drive to start a business dedicated to improving the productivity, speed, and efficiency of the technical report writing process. And that led to Quire: a robust online platform that transforms technical report writing.

Before founding this company, I was a Senior Environmental Engineer specializing in environmental due diligence, regulatory compliance, and commercial/industrial redevelopment projects. I also led the sales and new product initiatives for an environmental data company as Vice President of Sales & Marketing.

My environmental consulting background shaped my vision for the first version of Quire: To create a product from the user perspective, with common-sense features and an intuitive interface. As this unique technical report writing tool gained traction, I collaborated with my growing team to develop Quire 3.0. Built as a Ruby-on-Rails application and hosted by Amazon Web Services (AWS), Quire 3.0 created an even more fluid user experience, provided enhanced security measures, broadened the platform’s API, and set a foundation for adding more features and mobile applications. Today, Quire helps countless companies develop ESAs, PCAs, construction monitoring reports, NEPA reports, SPCC plans, proposals, audits, sampling reports, and many more technical report types, whether they’re in the office or in the field.

I’m a big believer in the Agile method of software development, which allows the Quire team to incorporate iterations and continuous feedback to refine and deliver the best report writing software to meet our clients’ needs. I also work to create a collaborative culture that empowers our team to make the best decisions together, quickly and effectively.

Dr. H. Kit Miyamoto, CEO of Miyamoto International, transformed a small engineering
practice into a global engineering and humanitarian company with 30 locations across four continents. Driven by a singular mission to make the world a better, safer place, the company’s purpose-driven approach and strength-focused culture fuel its growth and attract passionate, collaborative team members.
Dr. Miyamoto earned his graduate degrees from the Tokyo Institute of Technology and California State University, where he has been honored as a Distinguished Alumni. His achievements include Engineering News Record’s “Awards of Excellence” and the U.S.
President’s “E Star Award.” Major media outlets such as CNN, the LA Times, the NY Times, and Rolling Stone have featured him, and he was also showcased in the
“Designing for Disaster” exhibit at the National Building Museum in D.C.

With over 25 years of experience, Kristin specializes in marketing and business development communications (both strategic and tactical) for B2B and B2C organizations. This includes sales and process development, client stewardship, brand materials management, planning and maximizing budgets, public relations, and research. She is able to generate measurable and definitive results in the pursuit of overarching strategic initiatives by planning/implementing/evaluating the creative concepts - from origin to completion to distribution - that achieve them.

As Corporate Communications Leader, Laura Nick leads the in-house communications team for Garver, charged with all facets of branding, strategic marketing, and internal communications throughout the firm’s 14-state footprint. Since joining the firm in 2011, she created the firm’s competitive recruitment program; developed GarverGives, the company’s employee-driven charitable giving program that prioritizes STEM partnerships; and spearheaded Garver’s multi-state centennial year celebration. Laura was named to the Arkansas Business 40 Under 40 Class of 2019. She is a graduate of Leadership Arkansas (Class XI) and serves on the steering committee of Women Empowered for the Women’s Foundation of Arkansas.

Named a Top Diversity and Inclusion Influencer, I take the science of diversity, inclusion, and belonging into organizations to make true impact. I've been told I am one of the world's foremost a scientific experts on I&D - and I'll take it. I translate the science into practical strategies that organizations and individuals can use to support more diverse and inclusive workplaces. I lock arms with my clients to help them recruit, hire, develop and retain top talent. My super power is designing data-driven, inclusive work atmospheres where everyone feels like they belong and are able to do their best work.

Named 40 Under 40 in San Francisco for founding the one-of-a-kind I&D consulting practice at Forshay, we co-created innovative I&D strategies and tools for leading-edge companies like Airbnb, eBay, Gilead, Clif Bar and newly minted startups. I love to meet my clients with humility, warmth, and humor, wherever they are in their diversity journey. In a typical meeting with me, we'll have some laughs, I'll take the time to really listen to your challenges, then we'll nerd out on some data and use design-thinking methods to drive co-created solutions.

My research examines how people work together in communities—how they communicate and connect with others, and how people see themselves fitting in, feeling valued and respected, at work. My research demonstrates how to create a sense of belonging for all individuals in an organization.

Before the consulting world, I was a research scientist at Stanford University. I designed brief programs which raised students’ sense of belonging and perception of their own potential to succeed in science, tech, and engineering. I also studied how subtle team dynamics impact peoples’ motivation, performance, and sense of inclusion in the workplace.

Later, I turned my research into actionable strategies as a diversity officer at Stanford University. I co-directed and re-designed a diversity fellowship and mentorship program for Stanford graduate students. I designed scientifically informed workshops and mentor trainings that helped students thrive in their work.My work has been published in Physics Today, Gender News, the Journal of Experimental Social Psychology, Journal of Personality, and Cyberpsychology, Behavior, and Social Networking.I been featured in Fast Company, Yahoo, HRCI, Top Employer, ZDnet, Popsugar, the Women in Science Forum. She was named a “40 Under 40” by San Francisco Business Times, “Top Diversity Influencer” by Culture Amp, and a “Distinguished Emerging Global Leader” by Womensphere.

Leslie is a leader in the wealth management industry for business owners and exceptional families. She has dedicated her career to advising owners on their succession options, including employee stock ownership plans (ESOPs). Today, as a multi-credentialed member of The ESOP Group with a diverse professional career in the ESOP industry, Leslie is well qualified to assist owners on the nuances, benefits and challenges of selling their business to their employees. ESOP sustainability and investment consulting post implementation are also at the core of her team’s service offering to business owners and the companies they operate.

With more than 35 years of experience, she and her team are well qualified to assist clients on the various aspects of estate and retirement planning, asset allocation, insurance solutions, lending and strategic philanthropy. She also advises corporate client relationships and family offices, providing them with cash management, executive compensation and captive insurance company asset management.

She has undergone rigorous training to strengthen her knowledge and proficiency in wealth management to help manage the investment, business, passion and legacy needs of sophisticated, ultra-high-net-worth clients and their families. Leslie understands the complexities of intergenerational wealth and the challenges faced by exceptional clients. She aligns their specific needs to the full suite of RBC Wealth Management capabilities to help them pursue their most important goals.

Education

• Passed the Series 7 and 66 securities exams
• Life, health, variable annuity, variable life and long-term care licenses
• Bachelor of Business Administration degree from University of Toledo in finance

Credentials

• Certified Exit Planning Advisor
• CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ certificant
• Chartered Financial Consultant®

Linda Bauer Darr’s career spans over 30 years focusing primarily on transportation and infrastructure policy.  In her current role, she works with a federation of 51 state, and regional organizations and serves as the 2021 FIDIC North America Chair. ACEC is the business association of the nation’s engineering industry.  Linda has proudly served as ACEC’s CEO since August 2018 defending the interests of its 5,600 member firms that drive the design of America’s built environment and its transportation, water, and energy
infrastructure. She successfully
lobbied for the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and established ACEC as a leader in implementation. Leading the Engineering and Public Works Roadshow by bringing
together ACEC, APWA, and ASCE, and marking the first time engineers and operators have celebrated successful infrastructure projects and encouraged workforce development amidst a shortage.

Before ACEC, Linda served at the helm of two other trade
associations: one for the railroad industry and one for the moving and storage industry.  Her association work began at the American Trucking Associations heading up ATA’s international trade
policy.  From there she was appointed to serve as Deputy Assistant Secretary of Budget and Programs at USDOT in the
Clinton Administration presiding over a $50 billion budget and helping the President build initiatives to drive development in the Mississippi Delta.   Post-DOT, she spent 7 years overseeing
policy, communications, and research at the American Bus Association. Linda serves on the Board of the University of Denver Transportation Institute, the
Management Committee of the Americans for Transportation Mobility Committee, and the Transportation Construction Coalition and sits on the US Chamber’s Committee of the top 100 trade association CEOs.

Linda is a Washington area native, a graduate of the University of Maryland, and has completed the Executive Education Program at the Harvard Kennedy School.  She is a
proud mom of twin boys, a daughter, and Gigi to her grandson.

Mark Zweig is an entrepreneur. He is founder and Chairman of Zweig Group, a three-time listed Inc. 500/5000 management consulting/publishing/media firm and Mark Zweig, Inc., an Inc 500/5000 design/construction/development firm as well. He has authored 13 books on management, and is the former publisher of The Zweig Letter and Civil + Structural Engineer Magazine. He is also a founder/investor and current/past outside director for several other entrepreneurial ventures/non-profits.

Michael Makris is an experienced Civil Engineer specializing in land development and project management. With over eight years at BHC in Overland Park, Kansas, he has a comprehensive background in private development, telecommunications, AutoCAD Civil 3D, and LEED design. Currently a Project Manager, Michael has been instrumental in guiding projects through every phase, from initial planning and entitlement to design and construction. His previous roles as Project Engineer and Design Engineer have equipped him with a strong foundation in site design, site acquisition, site selection, entitlements, environmental permitting, and interdisciplinary coordination. A driven professional, Michael is dedicated to personal growth and making a positive impact in his community.

Since January 2016, Mitch has served as KSA’s president. He joined KSA in 1984 after graduating, with honors, from Texas A&M University with a BS in civil engineering. Mitch has over 30 years of experience designing engineering solutions for a wide range of airport, municipal, industrial and development clients. He is proud to continue the tradition of thoughtful and positive leadership fostered by previous presidents, Toby Kindle and Joncie Young. Mitch is dedicated to improving KSA’s ability to provide quality consulting services to the clients in each service group.

The risk of not measuring the cost of structure during design? At least 5%.

Why risk it? We aren't.

At H+O, we combine technology and cost data to inform structural design so you don't pay for structure you don't need.

With the H+O Cost Index, you will make design decisions informed by cost implications and rest assured with the Cost Index Guarantee.That's investing with confidence.

H+O Structural Engineering is an Inc. 5000 Fastest-Growing Company serving Architects and Commercial Real Estate Developers nationally.

About me:
➕ Co-founder of H+O alongside Jeremiah O'Neill
➕ Host of the Design Development Podcast
➕ Professional Engineer
➕ Certified Value Growth Advisor, Mergers & Acquisitions
➕ Obsessed with golf ⛳🏌🏼‍♂️🔨
Follow me for thought-provoking content on personal growth, leadership and business.

With over 8 years of experience in the AEC industry, Shelby Harvey serves as the Talent Development & HR Director at BHC, a civil engineering consulting firm in Overland Park, KS. She works alongside her incredible team to oversee training and development, culture, performance management, and recruitment. She is also a certified Gallup CliftonStrengths coach and has her MBA with an emphasis in HR Management from Baker University.

Driven by her passion for employee growth, development, and engagement at all levels of the company, Shelby has managed BHC’s innovative internship program, analyzed employee engagement survey, made recommendations and influenced progressive policy changes, managed internal communications, and served as co-lead of the DEI committee. In her spare time, she also serves as a member of the Johnson County SHRM DEI committee, volunteers with Inclusion Connections KC, and was a member of the 2023 Zweig elevateHER cohort.

Tiara, a Project Management Group leader, brings over a decade of hands-on industry experience and a strong engineering background. Her experience includes working on the owner’s side of projects, which brings a distinct and valuable perspective.

Tiara’s expertise in strategic site development planning allows her to tailor each project to client needs. Her leadership approach blends empathy and accountability, and she believes in nurturing the strengths of team members to align with a project's success. Outside of work, Tiara enjoys hunting, reading a good book, and camping with her family.

Tom joined Zweig Group after a 19-year career as the Chief Operating Officer of a Washington DC-based engineering company. In that role, he was responsible for the business operations of a multi-office firm, to include oversight of the finance, accounting, human resources, information technology, facilities, and legal functions. Tom was a member of the firm’s Executive Committee and helped guide it through two economic shocks (the 2008 Great Recession and the 2020 Covid Crisis), an ownership transition from founders to the 2nd generation of leaders, and periods of high growth. Prior to this, he held operations and management roles in the telecommunication industry and served on active duty as a nuclear power-trained Submarine Warfare Officer in the United States Navy.

Systems thinking is a particular area of interest for Tom. He brings a strong understanding of the complex interactions between clients, employees, and the economic/business goals of AEC firms.

Tom holds a MBA from the University of North Carolina, and a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering from Duke University.

Over the last 19 years, Tracey has completed valuations ranging from small businesses to multi-million dollar operating companies to holding companies with a variety of assets.  She has worked in the industry since 2010 and specializes in valuations for architecture, engineering and planning firms. Assignments include companies in the United States, Canada, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, and Spain.  Additionally, Tracey serves as an expert witness on business valuation litigation matters. Tracey holds the senior-level Certified Business Appraiser (CBA) designation conferred by The Institute of Business Appraisers, the Certified Valuation Analyst (CVA) designation conferred by the National Association of Certified Valuators and Analysts, the Business Certified Appraiser (BCA) designation conferred by the International Society of Business Appraisers, and the Certified Machinery and Equipment Appraiser (CMEA) designation conferred by the NEBB Institute. Tracey currently serves as the co-chair of the International Society of Business Appraisers’ Board of Governors.  She holds a BS from Louisiana Tech University and an MBA from the University of Arkansas, Sam M. Walton College of Business.  She is a member of the Institute of Business Appraisers, NACVA, the NEBB Institute, and the International Society of Business Appraisers.

Traci Petcoff Wong, PE, is a Principal at Miyamoto International where she serves as one of the Southern California firm leaders. Her efforts focus on company leadership and strategic vision, small and large project management, team building, and building new and existing client relationships. She enjoys applying her two decades+ experience to a wide variety of building types and market sectors to include Healthcare, Higher Education, K-12, Commercial, Civic, Institutional, Mixed-Use, High Density Residential, Parking Structures, Aviation, Entertainment, Hospitality, Retail, Commercial Tilt Up, and Government.

Traci is passionate about earthquake resiliency and supports her Company’s mission of global engineering expertise with a humanitarian focus. She is also active in the AIA OC Healthcare Committee and SEAOSC Women in Structural Engineering.

https://zweiggroup.com/pages/will-swearingen

A firm believer that complacency breeds failure, Ying is driven by innate curiosity and life-long learning with a growth mindset. She is passionate about leading with purpose, inclusion, and authenticity. With over 13 years of diverse experience in the AEC industry, Ying has served in various capacities including strategic planning, design, and implementation; marketing and business development; CRM operations and commercial pipeline; client team management and capture win plans; as well as proposal development and oversight. Her unique strengths lie within her ability to integrate tactical thinking and strategic insights into business planning and capture qualitative and quantitative components to convey a cohesive message.

Prior to joining Zweig Group in 2022, Ying served as the Deputy Chief Strategy and Growth Officer for the US Operations of a Paris-based multinational architectural and engineering consulting firm specializing in public transportation and mobility solutions. Recognized as an innovative strategist who can integrate multiple perspectives into a shared vision, Ying was promoted to this growth-focused strategic role at the onset of COVID to partner with C-suite executives and cross-functional teams to develop a 2-3 year strategic plan for organizational survival and return to growth. She was also responsible for managing the implementation and execution effort of the strategic plan by facilitating regular performance reviews against pre-established KPIs to drive organizational growth and profitability.

Ying holds an MBA with a concentration in management and strategies and a Bachelor of Business Administration in international marketing, both degrees from the City University of New York (CUNY) Baruch College. Spurred by simple curiosity and a genuine interest in sustainability, Ying obtained her LEED AP BD+C credential in 2021. She is also multilingual - fluent in English, Korean, and Chinese, with intermediate proficiency in French and Japanese.

Randy first worked for ZweigWhite in the firm’s executive search team in the 1990s/2000s and was an owner in the firm. He left the firm when it was sold in 2004 to join a private equity group. When Zweig Group returned to the hands of the original founding partner, Mark Zweig, Randy rejoined the firm to help them rebuild a key part of their business.Randy is an accomplished podcaster,  speaker, consultant, trainer, and business coach. He is a  leading expert on podcast strategy consulting for businesses, and teaches on a variety of topics including communication and leadership skills, and the role of routine. Randy has been featured in Business Week, The Boston Globe, and the Blog of Timothy Ferriss, Author of the NY Times Best Seller, “4 Hour Work Week.”Randy is a graduate of Howard University and The Summer Leadership Institute at Harvard University. He sits on several Boards including the largest Coop in the State of Arkansas and is a certified Business Coach and Teacher in Biblical Entrepreneurship through the Nehemiah Project.