7:30-9:00 am

Aaron Witt

KEYNOTE

Why Construction's Best are the Best

Two unique factors shape Aaron's message: a global perspective gained from visiting sites across America and five continents, and an online following of millions. He won't tell you how to build better... Rather, he's reporting on the change in the industry driven by the workforce, what the top companies are doing to take advantage of it, and how you can do the same.

9:15-10:15 am

Dyanne Ross-Hanson

Family Business Transitions: Beating the Odds

What could be easier than transferring a family business to its natural successor, the heir apparent or offspring? For many family members and their advisers, answers range from world peace in the Middle East to bipartisanship in Congress!  Statistics, widely quoted, indicate that "only" one-third of family-owned business are passed on to the second generation, "only" ten percent to the third generation and “only” three percent survive transition to the fourth generation. The reasons cited for failure are numerous.  The key is to begin planning well in advance of the parent’s desired departure dates. With professional guidance and time, family ownership transitions can indeed defy the odds.   

9:15-10:15 am

Shae Birkey

The Four Domains of Safety Leadership: A Conduit for Overall Operational Excellence

Employees make choices every day that impact the safety of themselves and others. The most powerful influence on those choices is the leader, who must inspire safe behavior in employees through their consistent actions. After five years of research, Caterpillar statistically validated exactly what those actions are and how to measure them. To be an effective safety leader requires mastery of four core domains and fourteen elements. The most effective leaders create a strong culture of accountability; develop meaningful connectivity with those they lead; demonstrate credible safety consciousness; and build trust amongst their team. Participants will learn how to begin fostering and measuring these leadership behaviors personally and across their organization as they hear inspirational real-world stories of leaders living out these domains.

9:15-10:15 am

Babette Buckner
Troy Parkinson
Jessi Wagner
Kyle Willems

Navigating Change Orders with Confidence - A Panel Discussion

Join industry experts for a dynamic panel discussion on best practices for managing change orders, from documentation and communication strategies to avoiding common pitfalls. Learn practical tips to streamline processes, protect margins, and strengthen client relationships in the field and office.

9:15-10:15 am

Mike Schechter

Negotiations & Behavioral Economics

This session begins with an overview of negotiation strategy and tactics, and then pushes the envelope by incorporating negotiation theories with behavioral economic heuristics and nudges.

11:00-12:00 noon

Sam Bloedow
Clinton Steingraber
Jake Bloedow

The New Blueprint for Cybersecurity: What Every Construction Executive Needs to Know

Federal contracts, client demands, and escalating cyberattacks have changed the rules for construction firms.  Fractional CIOs will cut through the noise and deliver clarity. We’ll explore today’s most pressing cybersecurity challenges, what attackers are really after, and how executives can build a cybersecurity program that’s practical, scalable, and audit-ready—without slowing down business or costing a fortune.

11:00-12:00 noon

Shae Birkey

Accountability for Safety: Is it Really Everyone’s Job?

"Safety is everyone’s responsibility” is a slogan that many companies have used for years, yet when we dig into who is responsible for what, how that expectation is communicated, how success is measured, and how we hold people accountable, these same companies struggle to move from intention to action.  With today’s focus on changing the mindset of employees at all levels to avoid simply blaming people as a root cause of incidents, the concern is HOW to still hold people accountable.  Accountability for safety is no different than accountability for any other business metric, but the devil is always in the details. This discussion will also include lessons learned and best practices in accountability successes and failures using Caterpillar’s four components of a resilient safety culture.  Participants will learn what good accountability looks like and how to drive results through a practical and realistic accountability model proven in the field.

11:00-12:00 noon

Alex Etchen

Federal Advocacy Update

The last year has brought big changes to Washington D.C. - with the new Republican congress and the Trump administration.  Attendees will hear an insider’s perspective from AGC of America’s VP of Government Relations, Alex Etchen, covering everything you need to know about what is happening in Washington and how AGC of America is engaging to protect your interests. Takeaways will include increased knowledge and understanding of new legislative and regulatory details and an enlightened perspective of the importance of industry advocacy at the federal level. 

11:00-12:00 noon

Josh Peterson

Contracts: Bidding

This session will analyze the benefits, disadvantages, risks, and legal issues attendant to bidding, including projects that are evaluated on low bid and value bid, impact of responsible contractor law, importance of scope, review of Spearin Doctrine (and latest court case that AGC appeared as amicus), and relation with change orders. 

1:30-2:30 pm

Speaker

Business Continuity: What’s the Back Up Plan?

As a business owner, you plan your business’s growth, success, and future. Hopefully, this includes your plans for transitioning ownership. But what happens if a “triggering event” forces ownership transition prematurely, i.e., disability, death, divorce, disagreement (the 4 “D’s). What are the vital issues that need to be addressed including stock transfer, loss of financial resources/talent and loss of key employees and customers? What about Real Estate? Do these issues differ between sole owned and multiple owned businesses?    

1:30-2:30 pm

Sam Bloedow
Clinton Steingraber
Jake Bloedow

From Chaos to Clarity: Why Construction Firms Need Executive-Level IT Leadership

Construction companies are hemorrhaging time and margin due to random tech purchases, poor system integration, and lack of strategic IT leadership. This session exposes the hidden cost of treating IT as a support function instead of a business driver—and makes the case for embedding a Fractional CIO at the executive table. Through real-world examples and candid dialogue, we’ll show how forward-thinking firms are using targeted IT leadership to eliminate inefficiencies, unify office and field operations, and drive scalable growth.

1:30-2:30 pm

Mark Becker
Jesse Orman

Contract Management

This session will analyze the benefits, disadvantages, risk and legal issues related to contract management including CM, CMAR, Design-Build, how contracts should be customized for different relationships, and potential terms needed to comply with certain laws including retainage/indemnification, labor, IRA, and worker misclassification.

2:45-3:45 pm

Melissa DeLay

Before It Blows Up: A Leader’s Guide to Preventing Crisis Through Communication

In construction, it’s not just the crisis you see coming—it’s the one you don’t. This session is for leaders who want to stay ahead of the explosion. You’ll learn how to recognize early warning signs of conflict, misalignment, or disappointment and stop issues before they escalate. We’ll cover practical, jobsite-tested strategies for delivering difficult messages without sparking defensiveness, plus the subtle communication habits that quietly build trust across crews, clients, and contractors. Walk away with phrases, timing techniques, and tactics that make you the calm in the chaos—no matter what’s coming next.

2:45-3:45 pm

Henning Roedel

Robots on the Jobsite: Navigating the New Landscape of Construction Safety

Robots are increasingly touted as solutions for construction’s toughest challenges, but what does that mean for jobsite safety? This session moves beyond the marketing and delves into the practical safety considerations of integrating robotics onto construction sites. We'll explore real-world near misses, clarify the crucial differences between industrial robots and collaborative robots ("cobots"), and discuss relevant safety standards evolving in other industries—and what they might mean for construction. Join us to learn from real-world experience and navigate new challenges for the workforce of tomorrow.

2:45-3:45 pm

Jevon Bindman
Nena Lenz
Kyle Willems

Contracts: Negotiating with Owners, General Contractors, and Specialty Contractors

Negotiating construction contracts can seem tricky with each party having distinct worries and hopes. Understanding which issues can be discussed, how hard to push them, and when to relent is the line between lesson and art. This session features an expert panel who will role play each role and challenge whether you can tell the dancer from the dance.

8:00-9:30 am

Zach Giglio

KEYNOTE

How Construction Companies are Using AI Right Now: A Report from the Field

This keynote will explore how construction leaders are actually using AI today project management, safety analysis, estimation, subcontractor/vendor management and proposal writing. We’ll share insights from GCM’s work with contractors across the country, including strategies that are gaining traction and practical tips for getting started without needing a technical background. We’ll also cover what to avoid and how to align your AI approach with your business goals.

9:45-10:45 am

Live AI Use Cases: Real Workflows You Can Apply Right Now

This breakout will take a deeper dive into specific AI workflows we’ve implemented with contractors, such as pre-construction planning, proposal support, and job cost analysis. We’ll walk through several use cases live and show how small changes to daily workflows can lead to big gains in productivity and accuracy. Attendees will leave with actionable prompts and workflows they can bring back to their teams immediately.

9:45-10:45 am

Stacy Arnold

Construction Safety Best Practices – The Case for Safety Excellence

Construction industry has a history of being slow to change, OSHA rulemaking process takes an average of 7 years. The only factor that consistently seems to be moving fast, is schedules, which can have an inverse effect on Safety. As Director of a Construction Health and Safety Excellence (CHASE) program, I evaluate some of Minnesota’s safest contractors, walk their job sites, audit their programs. I will share parameters that the AGC currently uses to define our “Best in Class” contractors, and engage in a discussion to share best practices, with evidence of the benefit to raising the bar.  

9:45-10:45 am

Amanda Cefalu
Amy Court

Union Fringe Benefit Funds 

Overview of the duties, benefits, and decisions made by trustees on union Taft Hartley Funds, with focus on fiduciary duties and the legal obligations in which a fund operates and affects its decision-making, and understanding how to avoid ERISA law penalties from unintended mistakes.

11:00-12:00 pm

MN Project Owners As Partners

Sessions with project owners are some of the liveliest! Public and private project owners will share their insights into 2026 opportunities and challenges in Minnesota. Here from the most impactful project owners and how they are demonstrating partnership amongst the uncertainties in the marketplace and funding sources.

11:00-12:00 pm

Alyx Johnson
Scott Johnson
Brittney May
Larry Wall

Building a Safer Future: Innovative Approaches to Risk Reduction in Construction Projects

This session explores innovative strategies for enhancing safety across construction projects. Topics include the use of leading indicators for continuous improvement, technology-driven advancements in safety training and communication, and tools that support claims defense. Attendees will also learn about equipment innovations, fall protection systems tailored to unique project needs, and recent improvements to drug testing protocols that streamline field operations.

11:00-12:00 pm

Erik Williams

Unlocking the Backlog of Emerging Leaders: How to Identify, Develop, and Activate High-Performance Leadership in Construction

Labor shortages; retention; mounting backlog; increasing uncertainties. These are just a few of the challenges keeping construction leaders up at night. Yet the greatest challenge facing construction firms: lack of ready-now leaders capable of driving performance through uncertainty. Join us for a rousing session in which you'll learn how to unlock the backlog of emerging leaders in your organization, leverage real-world experiences to activate potential, and drive sustainable, effective development for leaders at all levels.

11:00-12:00 pm

Chris Chantry
Dave Danley
Bill Marshall
Ryan Pecinovsky

Working with Unions: Avoid Pitfalls & Reap Benefits

Understanding and working with Unions: The trade unions provide certain advantages or benefits that, when misunderstood, can also cause unintended problems. This panel will explain and differentiate the two, providing best practices to realize the gains and avoid the potential challenges.

KEYNOTE: Aaron Witt

Founder, BuildWitt

Aaron Witt grew up in Scottsdale, Arizona, without a thought of who builds our world. That was until a construction project appeared in his neighborhood... Following high school, he started working on the same project as a laborer, and he was hooked.

After earning an engineering degree and a short career in construction, Aaron started telling Dirt World stories on social media for fun under the "BuildWitt" name. One follower became one hundred, and one hundred became millions...

Today, BuildWitt is a leading construction software company helping hundreds of Dirt World businesses train their workforce. Aaron's job is simple—grow their brand, which is now one of the most influential in the construction industry, as big as possible.

To do so, he travels to construction and mining operations worldwide to tell the stories of those who keep our world moving, generating nearly one billion views annually online!

KEYNOTE: Zach Giglio

CEO, GCM

Zach Giglio is CEO of GCM, an award-winning agency that helps organizations use AI to become more efficient and profitable. He is Wharton-certified in AI strategy, a TEDx speaker, and serves on the U.S. Chamber of Commerce’s AI curriculum committee. As a frequent keynote speaker, Zach leads AI trainings and implementation programs for companies and associations nationwide. He lives in Charleston, S.C., where he balances his work with a love for travel, storytelling, and family life.

Stacy Arnold

Director of Safety & CHASE, AGC of Minnesota

Advocator and mentor for contractors trying to raise the bar for Safety. As a diligent, insightful, collaborative leader she provides guidance and innovative solutions to practical challenges that can become barriers to safe work practices. With her perceptive knowledge combined with her keen attention to detail and communication skills, she upholds safety to the highest standard.

Mark Becker

Shareholder, Fabyanske, Westra, Hart & Thomson, P.A.

Mark Becker is a leading construction lawyer recognized for his skillful advocacy and professionalism in resolving his clients’ most challenging construction related disputes or negotiating their most significant construction contracts. Mark’s experience and practice focus in innovative early mediation methods of dispute resolution sets him apart from other lawyers with a traditional litigation-centric focus.  Through his effective early mediation advocacy, Mark has successfully resolved many high-stakes, multi-party, and complex construction disputes for his clients before the onset of the most significant litigation expense.  Mark employs early case evaluation, quantitative analysis, and strategic planning methods to guide clients through their disputes. Mark has significant experience in public procurement and public contracts.  Mark brought the first Qui Tam whistleblower claim under the Minnesota False Claims Act, achieving an important settlement that benefited over 240 Minnesota public entities.

Jevon Bindman

Partner, Maslon

Litigator Jevon Bindman works with clients in a range of industries, with a focus on assisting policyholders in insurance coverage disputes and representing stakeholders in construction and real estate matters, as well as appeals. Describing Jevon’s construction and insurance coverage practice, a fellow member of the Construction Lawyers Society of America recently noted, “Over the last decade, Jevon Bindman has enjoyed a well-deserved meteoric rise in law.”

Shae Birkey

Safety Leadership Advisor, Caterpillar Safety Services

Shae has more than 20 years of Environmental, Health, and Safety experience working in consulting, governmental, commercial, industrial, and private industry settings. His range of work experiences, from front line field positions to corporate management roles allows him to empathize and connect with employees and leaders at all levels. His current role as a Safety Leadership Adviser and Industry Account Manager with Caterpillar Safety Services allows him to bring his passion of educating and challenging customers on people-related topics to light. He holds a Master of Science degree with an emphasis on leadership skill development from the University of Illinois-Urbana Champaign and is a Certified Safety Professional.

Jake Bloedow

Fractional CIO, Thriveon

Jake Bloedow is a Fractional Chief Information Officer at Thriveon. He partners with executives to align technology with business goals, ensuring scalability, security, and profitability.  Jake brings deep expertise in IT leadership, guiding organizations to eliminate technology frustrations, improve operational efficiency, and maximize the value of their IT investments. Known for his consultative approach, he helps companies turn technology into a true business advantage.  As a thought leader on IT strategy and cybersecurity readiness, Jake frequently advises executives navigating the challenges of growth, compliance, and digital transformation.

Sam Bloedow

CEO, Thriveon

Sam Bloedow is the Founder and CEO of Thriveon, the leading IT provider in Minnesota. With a mission to empower people to create business success with information and technology, over the last two decades Sam has built Thriveon into the go-to partner for midsize companies seeking enterprise-level IT results.  Under his leadership, Thriveon has pioneered a Fractional CIO + Cybersecurity + Proactive IT Management model that transforms IT from a constant frustration into a competitive advantage. Thriveon works with construction executives who are frustrated with the lack of IT strategy, under pressure to improve cybersecurity, or tired of IT investments failing to deliver results.

Babette Buckner

CEO, Moltron Builders

Babette Buckner is the CEO of Moltron Builders, a family-run commercial and civil construction firm based in the Twin Cities. With more than thirty years of experience in business and construction, she leads the company’s strategic direction, operations, and workforce development efforts.

Under her leadership, Moltron Builders has become recognized for delivering large-company performance with small-business agility. The company specializes in general contracting, construction management, and design-build services. Babette’s leadership philosophy centers on excellence, inclusion, and partnership, bridging relationships between owners, contractors, and the workforce to achieve high-performing, community-centered outcomes.

A passionate advocate for equity and opportunity in the trades, Babette serves on the boards of WomenVenture and the Association of Women Contractors (AWC). Through these roles, she advances initiatives that expand access to capital, mentorship, and contracting opportunities for
women and underrepresented business owners. Her entrepreneurial journey reflects resilience, collaboration, and a vision of commitment to not only building structures but also pathways for the next generation of construction professionals.

Amanda Cefalu

Shareholder, Reinhart

Amanda Cefalu is a litigator and legal adviser who is passionate about protecting employee benefits. As a shareholder in Reinhart’s Employee Benefits and Litigation practices, she handles ERISA litigation and counseling, Taft-Hartley issues, employment law and commercial litigation. She represents and counsels both employers and clients in discrimination claims, retaliation, sexual harassment, FMLA, wrongful discharge and non-compete claims, among others.

Christopher Chantry

Of Counsel, Larkin Hoffman

Christopher J. Chantry is a labor and employment attorney advising and representing clients in both the public and private sector. He is experienced in negotiating collective bargaining agreements, representing clients in mediations and arbitrations, addressing employee grievances and navigating labor relations and union organizing efforts. He provides counsel on regulatory matters and regularly represents clients before the Minnesota Bureau of Mediation Services and the National Labor Relations Board. He is also an Alternative Dispute Resolution qualified neutral under Rule 114 of the Minnesota General Rules of Practice.

Prior to joining the firm, he served as General Counsel for a construction union representing employees in Minnesota, North Dakota and South Dakota.

Amy Court

Managing Partner, Shumaker

Amy Court centers her practice on advising plan trustees and administrators regarding a wide variety of benefit matters, including plan design and amendments, eligibility, enforcement and interpretation of plan provisions, administrative appeals of benefit denials, withdrawal liability, fiduciary responsibility, and prohibited transactions. She identifies potential subrogation claims and ensures health plan assets are recovered in accordance with plan documents and applicable laws and regulations.

Dave Danley

Executive Director, Minnesota Laborers Benefits Funds

Bio coming soon.

Melissa DeLay

Owner, TruPerception

Melissa DeLay is a communications strategist and principle owner of award-winning consultant agency TruPerception. She’s also the author of the new book “The Truth About Scandal: The Everyday Guide to Navigating Business Crises”. She’s given over 300 speeches about workplace communication and techniques for improving workplace culture at companies across the U.S., including the Royal Bank of Canada, City of Minneapolis, and the State of Minnesota.

Alex Etchen

Vice President, Government Relations, Associated General Contractors of America

Alex Etchen is the Vice President of Government Relations at the Associated General Contractors (AGC) of America. In this role, Alex leads all of AGC’s government relations efforts on Capitol Hill. Before being named Vice President of Government Relations, he served as the Senior Director for Infrastructure Advancement at AGC. Prior to joining AGC, Alex served in positions at the U.S. Department of Transportation and the U.S. House of Representatives.

Alyx Johnson

Safety Coordinator, C.S. McCrossan Construction

Alyx Johnson has nearly six years of experience in occupational safety, spanning both the mining and construction industries. Her path into the safety field was unconventional—starting as a scale operator in the mining industry after marrying a mine equipment operator. With no formal safety background, Alyx stepped into a compliance role she initially knew little about and quickly discovered a deep passion for protecting people. What began as unfamiliar territory has grown into a meaningful career rooted in care, connection, and purpose.

Alyx holds a bachelor’s degree in business marketing, which has shaped how she communicates safety in the field—making it relatable, practical, and people-focused. Her marketing background helps her build trust, influence behavior, and connect meaningfully with field employees. She believes deeply in C. S. McCrossan’s core values of Safety, Professionalism, Teamwork, and Continuous Improvement, and works to model those values in every interaction—helping to build a culture of care, accountability, and shared responsibility for everyone’s safety.

Scott Johnson

Enterprise Safety Leader, C.S. McCrossan Construction

Scott Johnson has 30 years of experience as C. S. McCrossan’s lead safety professional developing and implementing successful safety programs across diverse highway and civil operations—including grading, sewer and water, bridge and structures, asphalt paving, concrete paving, mining, and light rail projects. At C. S. McCrossan, Scott has been instrumental in advancing a proactive safety culture rooted in the company’s core values: Safety, Teamwork, Continuous Improvement, and Professionalism.
With a master’s degree in industrial safety and hygiene from the University of Minnesota Duluth and a focus in psychology from Concordia College in Moorhead, MN, Scott brings a unique blend of technical expertise and human-centered insight into his work.

Nena Lenz

Officer, Fredrikson

Nena leads Fredrikson & Byron’s Government Contract and Grants Group. She advises clients with federal, state, local and tribal government contracts and grants. She helps clients pursue and negotiate contracts, understand and comply with regulatory requirements, manage contract changes and terminations, and investigate and resolve allegations of noncompliance. Nena advises clients across industries, with particular experience in the construction industry and small business programs.

Bill Marshall

Program Director, Union Construction Workers' Compensation Program

Prior to becoming Program Director at the UCWCP, Bill spent 13+ years as a Minnesota Workers’ Compensation Judge with the MN Office of Administrative Hearings (OAH). In that time, he presided over and mediated hundreds of MN workers’ compensation claims. Prior to becoming a Judge, Bill represented employees with MN workers’ compensation claims, long-term and short-term disability benefit claims, social security claims, as well as veterans seeking VA benefits. Before Law School, Bill spent over eight years as a Safety and Security Manager at a steel plant in St. Paul (North Star Steel). Bill received his Bachelor of Business Administration, Marketing/Economics, and a Masters in Industrial Safety, both from the University of Minnesota Duluth. He obtained his JD from William Mitchell College of Law. Currently, Bill is a volunteer shopper with Vision Resources for the Blind. He has been a volunteer coach with the Special Olympics, MN Special Hockey, and the Metro League North Baseball League.  

Brittney May

Safety Coordinator, C.S. McCrossan Construction

Brittney May holds a bachelor’s degree in Exercise Science and Psychology from the University of Minnesota Duluth, along with a Master’s degree in Environmental Health and Safety. She began her career at C.S. McCrossan as a safety intern in August 2024 and joined the team full-time in November of the same year. In her role as Safety Coordinator, Brittney is dedicated to promoting workplace safety, ensuring regulatory compliance, and advancing best practices in environmental health and safety. Her strong academic foundation and hands-on experience reflect her commitment to fostering a proactive safety culture.

Jesse Orman

Shareholder, Fabyanske, Westra, Hart & Thomson, P.A.

Bio coming soon.

Troy Parkinson

Consultant, SagePresence

Troy Parkinson is driven by a deep passion for fostering meaningful connections with individuals, communities, and businesses. He thrives on helping teams express themselves with confidence and clarity. During his two decades in the film and television industry, he worked on projects for HBO, Netflix, Discovery and History. At SagePresence, Troy has coached and trained companies to over $5 billion in project wins, helping teams increase their confidence and communication skills for live, virtual, and hybrid presentations.

Ryan Pecinovsky

Business Representative, North Central States Regional Council of Carpenters

Bio coming soon.

Josh Peterson

Partner, Faegre Drinker

Josh Peterson is a trial lawyer with extensive experience representing clients in courts around the country. He leverages robust trial skills to counsel clients in complex financial, commercial and construction disputes. Josh is also a recognized leader in the practice of federal Indian law. He uses a deep understanding of the law and a practical approach to help clients surmount challenges facing Indian Country.

Henning Roedel, Ph.D.

Founder, Hardhat Robotics

Henning Roedel is a visionary in the field of construction technology, with a career that spans from leading robotics initiatives to pioneering extraterrestrial construction methods. As the founder of Hardhat Robotics, Henning has been instrumental in bringing a physical AI platform to the construction industry. This innovative platform tackles the skilled labor shortage and productivity gap, while addressing critical safety risks. Henning’s passion for technology in construction began at Stanford University and continued through implementing Virtual Design and Construction practices with Scandinavian contractor Veidekke Entreprenad and cutting his teeth in construction tech with ALICE Technologies. His most recent role as the Robotics Lead at DPR Construction was pivotal in crafting and implementing strategies for new technologies, enhancing safety, and boosting productivity on construction sites.

Earning his doctorate in Civil and Environmental Engineering from Stanford University, Henning led innovative research on protein-bound concretes for structural applications, both terrestrial and extraterrestrial, in partnership with NASA Ames Research Center. His academic journey is marked by a Master’s in Construction Management, focusing on Virtual Design and Construction, and a Bachelor’s in Civil and Environmental Engineering from UCLA, with a concentration in structural engineering and hydrology.

Over the past 15 years, Henning has honed an impressive array of technical and business skills. His past  endeavors include coordinating enterprise innovation, sales, marketing, and IT, which have allowed him to practice company management and experience rapid growth. Outside of his professional life, Henning is actively involved in lunar development groups, enjoys brewing and cooking, and values spending time hiking and gathering around the table with family. His career is a testament to his commitment to innovation and his belief in the transformative power of technology in construction.

Dyanne Ross-Hanson

President & Founder, Exit Planning Strategies, LLC

Dyanne Ross- Hanson is President & Founder of Exit Planning Strategies, LLC. A firm dedicated to helping business owners navigate the most significant financial transaction of their lives, exiting their business. She collaborates with owners and their Advisory Team who are 3-10 years from divesture in capital and/or contribution. Helping to evaluate options and to create an Action Checklist. So that owners can depart on their terms, to their party of choice and for the dollars they deserve. 

Mike Schechter

General Counsel/Director of Labor Relations, AGC of Minnesota

Mike Schechter is the director of labor relations and general counsel for AGC MN, where he facilitates negotiations with the basic trades on collective bargaining agreements, helps contractors with questions or concerns, and manages the disputes board to resolve differences with the unions. 

Clinton Steingraber

Fractional CIO, Thriveon

Clint Steingraber is a Fractional Chief Information Officer at Thriveon, where he partners with business leaders to transform IT into a strategic advantage. Clint helps midsize companies eliminate technology frustrations, improve security, and maximize the value of their IT investments.  Drawing on years of experience guiding organizations through digital transformation, Clint is known for his ability to simplify complex technology challenges and deliver clear, actionable strategies that drive growth and efficiency. His deep understanding of the construction industry allows him to expertly align technology with business goals, driving impactful and lasting improvements.

Jessi Wagner

Vice President & Deputy General Counsel, McGough

As Vice President and Deputy General Counsel at McGough Construction Co., LLC, Jessi Wagner provides strategic leadership and direct management of the company’s Legal and Risk Management team. In this role, she oversees McGough’s contracting, insurance, and claims management functions, ensuring effective risk mitigation and alignment with business goals.

Prior to joining McGough, Jessi served as a risk manager for another large Minnesota-based general contractor. She holds a Juris Doctor from William Mitchell College of Law and a bachelor’s degree from the University of Wisconsin–Madison. In addition to her professional role, Jessi is an adjunct professor in the Construction Management Department at Minnesota State University–Mankato, where she teaches a construction law seminar to future superintendents, project managers, and estimators.

Larry Wall

Safety, Health, and Security Manager, C.S. McCrossan Construction

Larry J. Wall is a seasoned Safety, Health, and Security Manager with over 25 years of hands-on experience across heavy civil construction, regulatory compliance, law enforcement, and emergency medical response. He specializes in overseeing safety for large-scale infrastructure projects, ensuring strict adherence to OSHA, MSHA, DOT, and state standards. As a CHST-certified professional, Larry has built a distinguished career focused on risk mitigation, workforce training, safety software integration, and fostering a proactive, top-down safety culture through field engagement. His background in law enforcement and EMS further reflects a lifelong dedication to public and workplace safety.

Kyle Willems

Shareholder, Bassford Remele

Kyle Willems serves on Bassford Remele’s board of directors and is co-chair of the firm’s construction and real estate practice group. He is a business litigator who represents clients in construction, real estate, and finance disputes, guiding them through every phase of the process. Kyle’s industry involvement includes leadership roles in the Minnesota State Bar Association and the Associated General Contractors of Minnesota. His work has earned him recognition as the 2025 Minnesota Real Estate Lawyer of the Year, a Top Lawyer by Minnesota Monthly, and a Minnesota Rising Star, in addition to being listed in The Best Lawyers in America.

Erik Williams

Principal, Construction Leader, MDA Leadership

Erik Williams is an experienced and passionate talent strategy and leadership development expert who leads the Construction practice at MDA Leadership. For 15 years, he has helped builders across the country become future ready through building and executing intentional practices to identify and develop great leaders. It's one of the greatest privileges of his life to help construction and building leaders achieve their potential to create greater impact for themselves, their teams, and the communities they serve.

Tim Worke

CEO, AGC of Minnesota  

Tim Worke is the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) for the Associated General Contractors of Minnesota, the state’s oldest and largest commercial contracting trade association with over 400 members statewide representing both building and transportation infrastructure market sectors.  Prior to being named CEO, Tim served as AGC’s Director of Highways & Transportation from 2003-2017. 

The first half of Tim’s career was spent with the Minnesota Department of Transportation working in the areas of legislative relations and policy development.  Tim served as the DOT’s Director of Federal Government Relations throughout most of the 1990s and managed the DOT’s Office of Government Relations from 1999-2003 overseeing both state and federal legislative matters for the agency.  Tim is a 1985 graduate of the University of Minnesota with B.A Degrees in Political Science and Criminal Justice. Tim and his wife Karen live in Eagan, MN.  They have 2 children and 2 grandchildren.    

Laura Ziegler

Director of Highway/Heavy & Government Affairs, AGC of Minnesota

Laura Ziegler joined AGC of MN in 2018 and serves as the Director of Highway/Heavy & Government Affairs.  Laura's role includes being the principal staff resource for managing and directing AGC's legislative policy and regulatory agenda.  She represents the construction industry at the Minnesota Legislature and with state agencies, as well as the federal government and Congress. She has a passion for the three P’s: policy, puns, and not the Packers.