2025 Construction Financial Management Conference
As of Aug 14th, 2025 | Agenda subject to change.
All times listed are Pacific Standard Time.
Wednesday, November 5, 2025
Registration open from 11:00 AM – 6:00 PM
1:00 PM –
1:15 PM
Opening Remarks
1:15 PM –
2:30 PM
CFO Roundtable
Opening General Session
1.5 CPE Credits
Join us for an enlightening and interactive panel discussion on the dynamic landscape of construction financial management. Our esteemed panel of experts brings together a diverse range of perspectives, insights, and strategies to address the evolving challenges and opportunities in the construction industry.
Learning objectives:
- Describe the greatest risks and challenges that construction companies face, as seen through the lens of the Chief Financial Officer (CFO).
- Identify the strategies used by leading construction organizations and their CFOs to manage financial and business risks and opportunities in the current economic environment.
- Explain how the evolving responsibilities and expectations of the CFO role have influenced the career paths and experiences that prepare individuals for this position.
Meet the Speaker: Bill Ball
Bill Ball is the Chief Financial Officer of Frank L. Blum Construction Company, a North Carolina general contractor founded in 1923, with specific expertise building for the healthcare, higher education and senior living industries. In his role, he leads all aspects of accounting, finance, risk management, human resources, and information technology. During his tenure, Blum Construction experienced tremendous growth. Since 2006 when Ball joined Blum, the company has expanded from one office to five offices in North Carolina and has grown from $40 million to over $400 million in annual revenue.
Bill is active in his community, and is a founding member of The Do School, a North Carolina-based nonprofit. This organization provides construction skills training to at-risk men and women in underserved communities – a cause close to his heart.
He received an MBA from the Kenan-Flagler Business School at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in 1992 and a BA in Economics from Hampden-Sydney College in 1986.
Bill lives in Winston-Salem, NC with his wife Pam. They have two sons, both grown and gone, thankfully. Away from work he enjoys spending time on the water, especially sailing and enjoying his newest hobby – wakesurfing.
Meet the Speaker: Jyll Waters
Jyll Waters, CPA, CGMA, CCIFP is the Treasurer/Chief Financial Officer at Vancon, Inc in Springville, UT. She oversees all aspects of accounting, finance, risk management, human resources, information technology and serves on the leadership team for business strategy. She is a member of the board of directors for the company and for the company’s group captive insurance companies.
Jyll earned her BS at the University of Utah and her MBA at Brigham Young University. She has over thirty-five years’ experience in construction industry financial management. She is a past president and currently serves on the CFMA Utah Chapter board of directors and is a member of the CFMA Heavy Highway committee.
Meet the Speaker: Michael Azarela
As Chief Financial Officer, Mike brings more than four decades of financial leadership and operational expertise to JRM. Throughout his career, he has held executive roles at prominent firms such as LK Comstock, RailWorks, Suffolk Construction, and DN Tanks. Across these positions, Mike guided successful mergers and acquisitions, led initial public offerings, and optimized organizational structures to support exponential growth in revenue and enterprise value.
A Certified Public Accountant, Mike holds a B.S. in Accounting from Northern Illinois University and an MBA in Finance from Iona College. His commitment to strategic financial management and process improvement has consistently helped organizations achieve greater profitability, transparency, and operational efficiency. In addition to his executive responsibilities, he has served on multiple boards, overseeing corporate governance and providing critical financial insight.
2:30 PM –
3:00 PM
Networking Break
Grab a quick coffee in between sessions and be sure to visit our sponsors.
Sponsored by:
3:00 PM –
4:15 PM
Concurrent Sessions
1.5 CPE Credits
Guided by an experienced surety broker and a surety underwriter, Surety Secrets for Contractors provides a glimpse into surety underwriting and the surety underwriter’s mindset. The presentation will touch on topics ranging from to underwriting hot buttons to financial metrics. The presentation will also address emerging trends impacting surety, such as AI and bank-fronted surety. Surety Secrets for Contractors will answer some burning surety questions posed to sureties by contractors. The information provided could help to improve the dialogue between contractors and their sureties and ultimately allow for smoother surety relationships.
Learning objectives:
- Understand risk elements (e.g., financial metrics, debt profile, etc.) and emerging trends which are the focus of surety underwriting.
- Provide deep insight into the surety underwriting process and how underwriters are approaching risk.
- Explore concrete examples of red flags for surety underwriting and how contractors can address them.
Speakers: Mike Bond, Chief Underwriting Officer – National Accounts, Markel Surety; Scott Rooney, Manager, Surety Marsh & McLennan Agency
Meet the Speaker: Mike Bond
Michael Bond joined Markel Surety in January of 2021 as Chief Underwriting Officer – National Accounts. In that role, he oversees the underwriting of accounts requiring surety capacity from $50 million to $500 million. The National Accounts offering adds to Markel Surety’s well-established track record and existing business in Contract and Commercial Surety. Markel Surety’s primary mission is to help our partners profitably grow their business through all market cycles.
Prior to Markel Surety, Mr. Bond was Head of Surety for Euler Hermes North America. Prior to Euler Hermes, Mr. Bond work at Zurich Insurance Company in a variety of executive roles, including the Head of the Zurich Credit & Political Risk team and the Head of Zurich Surety. As Head of Zurich Surety, he was responsible for a $600 million surety business, which serves contract and commercial surety customers in North America and around the world.
Prior to joining Zurich, Mr. Bond served as a senior insurance officer at Overseas Private Investment Corporation (OPIC), underwriting political risk insurance coverage for projects in a variety of industrial sectors. Previously, Mr. Bond worked as a municipal development advisor with the U.S. Peace Corps in Honduras and as a project manager with Law Environmental in Atlanta, Georgia.
Mr. Bond is a past member of the Board of Directors of the Surety and Fidelity Association of America (SFAA), the Management Committee of the International Credit Insurance & Surety Association (ICISA), and the Executive Committee of the Pan American Surety Association.
Mr. Bond holds a B.S. from Rutgers University, an M.S. from the Georgia Institute of Technology, and an M.B.A. from Loyola College. He is fluent in Spanish. He resides in Olney, Maryland. He is actively involved in fundraising and advocacy on the behalf of the ALS Association.
Scott Rooney
Scott Rooney is a Manager of Surety with Marsh & McLennan Agency in their Richmond office, where he has worked the past 8 years years helping find solutions for clients’ surety bonding needs. Formerly, Scott was a Territory Manager in the Richmond Branch of Zurich Surety for 25 years.
Scott is a graduate of the University of Richmond and holds an MBA from Virginia Commonwealth University. He also holds the Associate in Fidelity and Surety Bonding certification.
Scott has been actively involved in the construction industry and its organizations. Currently he is on the Legislative Committee for the AGCVA, is a member of ABC and the National Association of Surety Producers (NASBP). He has also been a long-time member of CFMA and its Central Virginia chapter, serving on its board of directors since 1996 and as Chapter President from 2003-2006. Scott has also served on various CFMA national committees including the Conference Planning Committee where he 2009-2023. He also served on the Executive Committee from 2007-2010 and was CFMA National Secretary in 2011-2012.
Scott lives in Glen Allen, VA with his wife Sandy and his four kids.
1.5 CPE Credits
Not for women only! All are welcome to join this conversation with a dynamic panel of female leaders who will share their unique strategies for navigating the industry’s challenges and opportunities. Whether you’re a woman seeking career insights, or an ally who wants to support and understand female leadership, this session will provide valuable and timely perspectives. Women occupy less than 13% of the overall construction workforce (with less than 3% in the field) – are there ways to effectively close the labor gap by making construction a more welcoming, safe, and appealing career choice? How can men be effective allies for the females in their companies? Bring your questions and ideas – let’s talk about it!
Learning objectives:
- Identify the factors that make construction a challenging work environment for females and discuss strategies for overcoming those challenges.
- Discuss practical strategies for overcoming “imposter syndrome”, setting boundaries, and becoming a confident leader.
- Understand practical steps that men can take to support and champion women in construction leadership roles.
Moderator: Pam Hummel, Business Development Executive, Baker Tilly US
Speakers: Sarah Rowe, CFO, Gray Construction ; Jennifer Murphy, CFO, Pleune Service Company ; Kari Juvera, CEO, Enterprise Builders; Katie Burton, CFO, Lydig Construction
Meet the Speaker: Pam Hummel
Pam joined the Baker Tilly (formerly Moss Adams) in 2023 as the National Business Development Executive for the construction industry group. She brings over 30 years of service to the construction industry, with more than 20 years in risk, and a decade in the construction technology space. Her core competencies are sales & business development, client retention and expansion, and subject matter expertise around the intersection of finance, risk, and technology. Pam is known for creating long-term client relationships that produce exceptional value and client loyalty. At Baker Tilly, she participates in the PRiDE BRG, and Forum W. Pam also serves as the National Officer for the Family, Friends, and Ally peer group of Baker Tilly’s PRiDE BRG.
In addition, Pam is an active participant in construction industry associations. She is a member of the Associated General Contractors of America (AGC) and a longtime member of the Construction Financial Management Association (CFMA). She was the CFMA 2023-2024 National Executive Secretary, currently serves on CFMA’s National Leadership Development Committee and the CFMA National DEI+ Committee. She is a member of the CFMA Southwest Regional Conference planning committee, as well as the CFMC (joint AGC and CFMA annual conference) steering committee and serves in an ad-hoc advisory capacity to the Board of CFMA’s Orange County chapter. In 2017, Pam was the recipient of CFMA’s Debra Hahn Memorial Association Award and in 2021, Construction Dive Magazine named her a “Construction Industry Champion” in the mentor category.
As a community advocate and ally, Pam is a founding member of the Southern California chapter of Free Mom Hugs. She is an annual volunteer for the “Love in the Mirror” community holiday gift drive in Long Beach, CA, and actively participates in clothing drives for the Long Beach Center.
Meet the Speaker: Sarah Rowe
As a certified public accountant, early in her professional career Sarah worked with Arthur Andersen as an auditor in Nashville, TN, and Dallas, TX. This was followed by five years at Lincoln Property Company Development in Dallas. In 2005, Sarah landed her “forever career” and joined the Gray family as manager, special project cost. She quickly adapted to the “Gray Way,” eventually growing into the lead financial professional position for the company.
Recently, Sarah has played a key role in Gray’s Enterprise Resource Planning system and helps to facilitate the selection of Gray’s charitable recipient.
When she’s not working, Sarah enjoys running, spending time with friends and family, reading, and watching University of Kentucky basketball.
Meet the Speaker: Jennifer Murphy
Jennifer Murphy is the Chief Financial Officer at Pleune Service Company in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Since 2006, she has been a member of CFMA and is an integral part of the Western Michigan Chapter. Currently, Jennifer serves as Vice Chair on CFMA’s Executive Officers Committee and serves on CFMA’s Finance Committee.
Meet the Speaker: Kari Juvera
Kari M. Juvera, CCIFP, CPA, CGMA, CRIS–President of Enterprise Builders Corporation, a large Commercial General Contractor located in Albuquerque, New Mexico, Kari is responsible leading the company’s daily operations, executing strategy and promoting business development. Prior to joining the construction world, she spent 11 years in the public accounting and banking industries. Kari became a member of CFMA in 2004 and is currently a member of the Albuquerque chapter. She has served in various leadership roles within the Albuquerque chapter, including President (2014‐2015, 2009‐2010), Vice President, Secretary, and Treasurer. She is an alumnus of both CFMA’s National Mentoring Program and CFMA at Spring Creek, served on the CFMA Executive Committee (2016-2018), CFMA Membership Committee Chair (2016-2017), Certification Board (formerly ICCIFP Board of Trustees (2019-2022), and ICCIFP Job Practice Analysis Task Force. Kari is currently a member of the CFMA Certification Board serving as Secretary, LDC Committee, LDC Task Force, CCIFP Exam Development Committee, and CCIFP Item Writing Committee.
Meet the Speaker: Katie Burton
As a key member of the executive leadership team, Katie oversees financial planning, cash flow management, and long-term business strategy. She has led major initiatives, including joining a group captive insurance program, optimizing internal equipment rentals to drive profitability, and updating policies to align with evolving labor laws.
In addition to her role at Lydig, Katie is committed to industry leadership and community service. She serves on the board of the Inland Northwest Construction Financial Management Association (CFMA) and is the Vice Chair of Second Harvest Food Bank in Spokane. She is also the Vice Chair of her local YMCA board, where she recently led a successful CEO search. She is actively involved in workforce development, guiding her company through leadership transitions and succession planning.
Katie is passionate about financial leadership, risk management, and fostering mentorship opportunities for women in construction.
“It is no accident I work at Lydig—Lydig is family. I’m inspired every day by the individuals who collaborate and problem-solve to make our company better, from our administrative team to business development to project management. Plus, we build really cool stuff! Personally, I love connecting with family and friends, traveling, old-school rap, and basketball. I also enjoy coaching and watching my two kids compete in sports.”
1.5 CPE Credits
This session will cover the essentials of the construction business for project leaders and non-financial managers to enable them to track and interpret financials throughout a construction project’s life cycle. The content covers detailed elements for financial tracking, monitoring, communicating, and adjusting as the construction project evolves while also balancing budget and forecasting financials. Attendees will be provided with a solid understanding of the essential financial aspects of managing any project to ensure its successful conclusion.
Learning objectives:
- Understand key financial concepts
- Interpret financial statements
- Communicate financial information
Speakers: Caryl Coronis, CFO, NAPCO Precast ; Joe LaPolla, CFO, Driver Pipeline
Meet the Speaker: Caryl Coronis
Caryl Coronis, CFMA’s 2024-25 Chair, has been an active member of the Houston Chapter since joining CFMA in 2006. During her tenure, she has held numerous leadership roles, including serving as Chapter President. At the national level, Caryl has been a member and leader of the Executive Committee, Financial Survey and Benchmarker Committee, Conference Program Committee, Finance Committee and many task forces. She has also helped develop and present CFMA education courses and editorial content.
Currently, Caryl is the CFO of NAPCO, one of the top precast firms in the United States. NAPCO designs, manufactures, and installs precast concrete products. Prior to joining NAPCO, Caryl served as CFO of NBG Constructors, a Houston-based bridge builder.
Caryl’s background also includes experience in equipment management, human resources, mergers and acquisitions, and risk management from her time working with a large commercial landscaping company. A Houston native, Caryl attended Houston Baptist University, where she earned dual degrees in accounting and political science, and subsequently obtained her CPA and CCIFP credentials.
Outside of her professional responsibilities, Caryl is an avid outdoor enthusiast and was actively involved in fundraising events for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society as a coach and mentor. She also enjoys spending time with her grandchildren.
Meet the Speaker: Joe LaPolla
Joe joined Driver Pipeline in 2025 as Chief Financial Officer, bringing over 15 years of accounting and finance experience within the construction industry. Joe is from upstate New York and a graduate of Calvin University in Grand Rapids, Michigan with a degree in Accounting. He began his career as an auditor in the Denver, Colorado area serving a variety of contractors before transitioning to industry leadership roles. Joe has held executive finance positions at companies specializing in heavy civil and infrastructure construction. He brings expertise in construction accounting, heavy equipment finance, and operational support for labor-driven contractors. At Driver Pipeline, Joe oversees the accounting, finance, treasury, and human resources functions. Joe holds active licenses as a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) and a Certified Construction Industry Financial Professional (CCIFP).
4:15 PM –
4:40 PM
Networking Break
Grab a quick coffee in between sessions and be sure to visit our sponsors.
Sponsored by:
4:40 PM –
5:55 PM
Concurrent Sessions
1.5 CPE Credits
Find out more about the overall state of the economy, financial markets, and how best to structure your investment strategy. Topics for discussion will include the stock market, interest rates, individual stocks, and selected investment ideas for the balance of 2025 and into 2026.
Learning objectives:
- Candid, up-to-the-minute conversations about the state of the economy and the outlook for financial markets.
- Learn to contain risk in investment portfolios whether they be in individual IRAs, 401k plans, or company plans with fiduciary responsibilities.
- How to avoid typical money-losing behaviors.
Speaker: Colby Feane, Vice President, Financial Advisor & Portfolio Manager, Wealth Enhancement
Meet the Speaker: Colby Feane
Colby started his career in New York City on JPMorgan’s Institutional Foreign Exchange sales desk before relocating to the Rochester area where he worked at Manning & Napier Advisors and Armbruster Capital Management. A CFA Charterholder, Colby’s professional success and significant civic contributions were recognized when he was honored as one of the Rochester Business Journal’s “Forty Under 40” award winners in 2018. Colby joined Wealth Enhancement Group in 2021 through the QCI acquisition. He sits on the Board of the Directors for the Greater Rochester YMCA, the Monroe Community College Foundation and the Statesmen Athletic Association (SAA) of Hobart College. Colby lives in Pittsford with this wife, Leah, and two young daughters. In his spare time, he enjoys exercising and socializing with friends and family.
1.5 CPE Credits
Session will be an interactive review and discussion of construction contractor’s Federal and State income tax questions and concerns for 2025 (and beyond!)
Learning objectives:
- Participants will be updated on Income tax law changes for 2025 and how they impact the construction industry.
- Recent Tax Rulings and Regulations related to construction contractors will be discussed.
- Attendees will review income tax planning opportunities, tricks and traps for contractors for 2025 (and what we might see in our crystal ball!)
Speakers: Jim Lundy, Managing Director, CBIZ; Kelli Franco, Retired Tax Partner, Baker Tilly
Meet the Speaker: Jim Lundy
Jim Lundy is a managing director in the Tax & Business Services Division and a member of CBIZ’s national Construction Industry Practice group. With over 40 years of experience, Jim is a highly respected tax consultant in the construction industry, regularly working with more than 300 construction entities. His services include tax compliance reviews, continuity and succession planning, and dealing with federal and state tax authorities.
Jim is an accomplished speaker and author, recognized multiple times by the Tennessee Society of CPAs as Speaker of the Year and by the Alabama Society of CPAs with the Thomas A. Ratcliff Outstanding Discussion Leader Award. He has been the highest-rated speaker at AICPA’s National Construction Industry Conference and the AICPA National Tax Conference.
Jim often provides in-house training for CPA firms and organizations on tax rules and regulations in the construction industry. He has testified before the Tennessee Tax Commission on multi-state contractor taxation and has served in leadership roles, including past chair of the TSCPA Construction Committee and former chairman of the AICPA National Construction Committee. He has also been active in the Continuing Education Committee, the Accounting Careers Committee, the Tennessee Road Builders Investment Committee, and the Board of Directors of the Middle Tennessee Associated Builders and Contractors.
Meet the Speaker: Kelli Franco
Kelli has been in public accounting since 1993. She provides taxation and financial accounting services to a variety of clients in the real estate, construction, and professional services industries. Kelli also consults on S corporation and LLC issues, structural tax planning, techniques to increase shareholder value, and succession planning.Kelli leads the firm’s Construction, Hospitality, Real Estate, and Professional Services Tax Committee. Kelli sits on the National Construction Financial Management Association Tax Committee and the National Associated General Contractors Tax and Legislative Affairs Committee. Her close, hands-on approach to client relationships enables her to effectively and creatively advise clients on a wide range of business matters.
1.5 CPE Credits
Don’t miss this lively and interactive session that joins four of the top construction CPAs in the country as they field your questions about, well, anything! Have you been wondering about new tax provisions? Ask them! Thinking about if there’s a way to make your audit process more efficient? Just ask? Unsure about how recent tax legislation will affect your company? You’ve got the mic. Curious about who will win the Super Bowl? They might not have the right answer, but you’ll probably get a prediction or two.
Bring your own questions, spin the wheel of questions, or listen in on what others want to know. Whichever you choose, you’ll leave this session with the answers you need.
Learning objectives:
- Understand the implications of recent tax legislation and provisions
- Recognize best practices for preparing for your FYE audit
- Identify what’s useful in supplemental schedules – and what’s just overkill
Speakers: Chris Gewain, Principal, Baker Tilly US; Alan Villanueva,
Principal, Baker Tilly US; Heather Alley, Partner, Forvis Mazars; Scott Yandle, Partner, Forvis Mazars
Meet the Speaker: Chris Gewain
Chris is a Principal with Baker Tilly US. He has practiced public accounting since 2003. He manages audits for construction and employee benefit plan clients. Chris provides business consulting and accounting services to financial management personnel and owners of construction businesses, including internal control and financial reporting system matters; billing practices and cash flow improvements; business owner succession planning; and tax planning and other compliance issues. He has presented on various topics related to the construction industry and employee benefit plans and has written numerous articles for construction organizations including Building Profits. He currently sits on CFMA’s Publications committee.
Meet the Speaker: Alan Villanueva
Alan has practiced public accounting since 1987, including nine years with a Big Four firm, providing tax compliance and consulting services to a variety of public and privately held companies as well as individuals and their families. Alan spends the bulk of his time working with closely held businesses on tax strategies, identifying value-added service opportunities, handling IRS and state tax examinations, and managing day-to-day tax compliance work. His experience includes corporate M&A transactions, buy-sell transactions, entity formation and liquidation, ASC 740, accounting method changes, and multistate taxation.
Meet the Speaker: Heather Alley
Heather has more than twenty years of experience in public accounting advising clients on complex tax issues. Heather leads Forvis Mazars’ Washington National Tax Office (WNTO), a group focused on evolving tax authority and other federal tax developments emerging from the Nation’s capital. In this role, Heather provides analysis, insight and advice on complex tax issues, emerging legislation and other evolving tax developments. Prior to taking on her current role with WNTO, Heather was the Forvis Mazars National Director of Tax Quality. In this role she worked with tax professionals and clients across the firm’s national footprint to identify potential tax opportunities, minimize risk, address mitigation of exposure, resolve tax issues and lead implementation of changes resulting from changing tax law.
Heather is a member of the American Institute of CPAs and North Carolina Association of Certified Public Accountants (NCACPA). She is a member of the NCACPA Advocacy Committee and is immediate past Chair of the NCACPA Tax Resource Group.
She is a graduate of Mars Hill University, North Carolina, with a B.S. degree in accounting.
Meet the Speaker: Scott Yandle
Scott is a partner with Forvis Mazars and is based in the Greenville office. He has more than 15 years of experience leading large audit and consulting engagements in a variety of industries including construction, healthcare, and nonprofit. Scott has presented at various educational events for Forvis Mazars, South Carolina Asphalt Pavement Association, and Construction Financial Management Association.
He is a member of the American Institute of CPAs, South Carolina Association of CPAs, Professionals United for Leadership and Social Enrichment, and Healthcare Financial Management Association. He is a Certified Construction Industry Financial Professional (CCIFP®).
Scott is a graduate of University of South Carolina’s Darla Moore School of Business, Columbia, with a B.S.B.A. degree in accounting and an M.Acc. degree.
6:00 PM –
6:45 PM
Welcome Reception
Open to all attendees
Sponsored by:
Thursday, November 6, 2025
Registration open from 7:00 AM – 5:00 PM
7:30 AM –
8:15 AM
Continental Breakfast
Open to all attendees
Sponsored by:
8:15 AM –
8:25 AM
Opening Remarks
8:25 AM –
9:40 AM
Building the Future: The Las Vegas Ballpark and the Business of Stadium Construction
Thursday General Session
1.5 CPE Credits
This dynamic keynote, led by Marc Badain, will trace his journey from Allegiant Stadium to the visionary development of the new $1.75 billion Athletics ballpark in Las Vegas. Attendees will explore strategic planning, public-private funding, and innovative design features—including Strip views and seat-level air cooling. The session also highlights the Mortenson-McCarthy joint venture’s construction execution, advanced tech like Synchro 4D and drone logistics, and a workforce mandate favoring local labor. The discussion wraps with insights into financial stewardship, regulatory navigation, and the stadium’s lasting impact on Las Vegas as a major league sports destination.
Learning objectives:
- Analyze the financial and operational complexities of large-scale stadium construction, including budgeting, funding sources, and risk management.
- Evaluate the role of technology and innovation in modern construction practices, with real-world applications from the Athletics stadium project.
- Understand the strategic impact of sports infrastructure on urban development, workforce engagement, and community branding.
Meet the Speaker: Marc Badain
Marc Badain was named president of the Athletics on March 6, 2025.
Before joining the A’s, Badain served as President of Oak View Group Las Vegas – Arena and Entertainment, where he oversaw the planning of a multi-billion-dollar integrated resort and arena project in Las Vegas.
Badain spent three decades with the NFL’s Raiders, including seven years as team president. He was instrumental in their relocation to Las Vegas and led the team responsible for the successful development of Allegiant Stadium. His career with the Raiders began in 1991 as a training camp intern. Over the years, he advanced through the ranks, eventually becoming the team’s chief financial officer in 2004 and later its president.
A native of Rochester, N.Y., Badain holds a bachelor’s degree in economics from Emory University and an MBA from the University of California’s Walter A. Haas School of Business. He is deeply committed to community engagement and serves on the boards of several organizations, including Opportunity Village, the Grant a Gift Autism Foundation, the University of Nevada Sports Management Executive Board, and the Las Vegas Bowl Committee. Badain and his wife, Amy, have three children, Ali, Bernie and Zach.
9:40 AM –
10:00 AM
Networking Break
Grab a quick coffee in between sessions and be sure to visit our sponsors.
Sponsored by:
10:00 AM –
11:15 AM
Concurrent Sessions
1.5 CPE Credits
Find out more about the overall state of the economy, financial markets, and how best to structure your investment strategy. Topics for discussion will include the stock market, interest rates, individual stocks, and selected investment ideas for the balance of 2025 and into 2026.
Learning objectives:
- Candid, up-to-the-minute conversations about the state of the economy and the outlook for financial markets.
- Learn to contain risk in investment portfolios whether they be in individual IRAs, 401k plans, or company plans with fiduciary responsibilities.
- How to avoid typical money-losing behaviors.
Speaker: Colby Feane, Vice President, Financial Advisor & Portfolio Manager, Wealth Enhancement
1.5 CPE Credits
The WIP meeting is a unique opportunity for finance and operations teams to collaborate, resulting in better oversight that can improve project outcomes. Taking a collaborative approach to project reviews builds alignment and promotes the sharing of information between two key groups within a construction organization.
This session is designed to review the essential skills, strategies and techniques to conduct efficient WIP meetings that foster clear communication, accountability, and tracking; utilize data to analyze and validate cost to complete estimates.
Learning objectives:
- Cultivate a trusting and communicative environment between finance and operations.
- Leverage the WIP meeting to gain comfort over the cost to complete and address sensitive topics such as profit fade and aggressive estimates.
- Integrate processes for change order follow up and accountability into WIP meetings.
Meet the Speaker: Richard King
Richard F. King, CPA, CCIFP is the Treasurer/Chief Financial Officer at Schlouch Incorporated in Blandon, PA. He manages all aspects of accounting, finance, IT, insurance, contracts, Human Resources and administration.
Rich has over thirty-five years’ experience in public accounting and industry. He has spoken on accounting, WIP, equipment, project management, leadership, technology and HR topics at Construction Financial Management Association, Con Expo, YPO, AEMP and AICPA construction conferences, webcasts, software users’ conferences and trade association meetings.
Rich has been very active in CFMA having served in multiple roles on national committees. He serves as Co-chair for the AEMP-CFMA Heavy Equipment Comparator. In 2023, Rich received CFMA’s Danny B. Parrish Leadership Award and was named CFO of the Year by Lehigh Valley Business in 2015. In 2016, Schlouch Incorporated received AEMP’s Fleet Masters Award.
1.5 CPE Credits
As the impacts of traditional (and emergent) CAT risks grow, we need to step up as an industry to meet these evolving challenges.
Learning objectives:
- (Re) Defining CAT risks in 2025.
- CAT risks aren’t just a property issue.
- Insurance is a blunt instrument, but the industry is evolving.
- Managing CAT risks across the entire spectrum, both “left of loss” and “right of loss”.
Speaker: Kirk Chamberlain, EVP, HUB Insurance National Construction Practice
Meet the Speaker: Kirk Chamberlain
Kirk Chamberlain currently serves as an Executive Vice President, leading HUB’s National Construction Specialty Practice, based in Chicago.
Mr. Chamberlain’s background comprises more than 30 years of leadership roles within the construction & large capital projects sector as a broker, risk manager, underwriter and risk consultant, working with a wide range of public and private contractors, project owners & developers, and their legal & financial advisory teams.
Kirk has led and managed service teams working on behalf of numerous clients in the heavy civil, street & road, general building, residential and municipal infrastructure sectors. He has also structured, placed and managed numerous wrap-ups and project-specific programs
(CCIP/OCIP, MCIP, etc.) for multiple sponsors across a wide range of construction sectors.
Mr. Chamberlain sits on several private company and nonprofit Boards, and is an advisory board director with a San Jose-based VC firm focused on developing and investing in a range of emerging technologies targeting the construction & real estate development sectors
11:15 AM –
11:35 AM
Networking Break and Lunch Pickup
Grab your lunch in between sessions and be sure to visit our sponsors.
Sponsored by:
11:35 AM –
12:50 PM
The Secret Science & Critical Art of Negotiation
Lunch General Session
1.5 CPE Credits
Life, and certainly the life of a contractor, is a series of negotiations. Whether you’re securing a project, negotiating with an employee, or sizing up a potential spouse, the question is not whether you negotiate — it’s whether you negotiate well. In this session, attendees will learn the simple skills and critical mind-shift that creates extraordinary agreements. Updated from a critically acclaimed breakout session presented at CFMA National 2023, this session ensures that what is learned today can be of immediate (and profitable) use tomorrow.
Learning objectives:
- The one indispensable rule to ensuring that the other side will accept your position or offer.
- How to limit risk on mission-critical (and often one-sided) terms.
- How to revise contracts to lower risk and avoid conflict.
- How to streamline any negotiation.
Speaker: Eliot Wagonheim, Founder / Co-CEO, First Rule Contract Manager
Meet the Speaker: Eliot Wagonheim
Eliot Wagonheim serves as the ‘Contract Coach’ for First Rule, a company that offers two distinct products: First Rule Contract Manager, an AI-powered platform that simplifies contract management and risk assessment, and First Rule Contract Training, a comprehensive education program for the construction industry. With over 30 years of experience as a construction attorney, Eliot brings his expertise and passion for simplifying complex legal concepts to help businesses thrive.
Eliot’s expertise as an attorney has earned him recognition as a Maryland Super Lawyer, an AV-Rated attorney, and one of SmartCEO Magazine’s Legal Elite. His legal practice focuses on serving as general counsel to contractors across virtually every trade, from emerging companies to some of the nation’s largest construction firms. His work as both transactional and litigation counsel includes guiding clients through high-stakes contract negotiations, with agreements ranging from $1 million to $750 million, and representing clients in arbitrations and trials nationwide.
A dynamic speaker and published author, Eliot has presented on construction and contract-related topics at events hosted by CFMA, Construction Executive, Associated Builders and Contractors, Building Congress & Exchange, and more. In addition to leading industry workshops, Eliot has taught public speaking and business law at the university and graduate levels and studied improv, bringing a unique blend of depth, humor, and approachability to his teaching.
12:50 PM –
1:10 PM
Networking Break
Grab a quick coffee in between sessions and be sure to visit our sponsors.
Sponsored by:
1:10 PM –
2:00 PM
Concurrent Sessions
1.5 CPE Credits
Do you want to be trusted and add value to your career? Now is a great time to earn your Certified Construction Industry Financial Professional (CCIFP) designation to position yourself for new career opportunities, higher earning potential, and greater credibility. What are the benefits of certification? Do you meet the eligibility requirements? What is the best way to prepare? What is required to maintain my certification? The answers to these questions and more will be answered during this session. Learn firsthand from your peers about the certification process and how achieving the industry’s only accredited certification for construction financial professionals enhances your career. Having a CCIFP designation ensures that your firm has someone who understands the nuances and complexity of construction finance and can communicate confidently with everyone involved in the project. 1.5 CPE credits in the field of Specialized Knowledge
Learning objectives:
- Discover exam eligibility requirements, the application process, and certification maintenance.
- Review the revised topic areas that are now included on the exam.
- Identify exam preparation resources.
Meet the Speaker: Joel Dziedzic
Joel R. Dziedzic, CCIFP, CPA, CIT ‐ Joel is a member of FORVIS’ Construction & Real Estate Practice with more than 30 years of public accounting experience. In addition to traditional accounting, audit, and tax services, he focuses on profit improvement issues, internal operation reviews, cost accounting procedures analyses, and growth and acquisition strategies. His focus is attest services in the construction industry, but he also works with entities in real estate and manufacturing and distribution. He is the lead audit/engagement partner on multiple Chicago office audit engagements for contractors with revenue approaching and exceeding $1 billion.
He has testified as an expert witness in contract cases involving disputes and cost accounting discrepancies. He has presented at various seminars about issues such as workpaper presentation, audit and accounting software usage, and construction productivity improvement.
Joel holds the Certified Construction Industry Financial Professional (CCIFP®) and Construction Industry Technician (CIT) certifications.
He is a member of the American Institute of CPAs, Illinois CPA Society, and Construction Financial Management Association. Joel currently serves as a national officer for CFMA’s Certification Division and is the Chicago CFMA chapter’s CCIFP chapter champion.
Joel is a 1993 cum laude graduate of Saint Joseph’s College, Rensselaer, Indiana, with a B.B.A. degree in accounting.
1.0 CPE Credit
Economic and Borrowing trends outlook for 2026. How key policies and economic trends are shaping the economy and how they are relevant to your businesses.
Learning objectives:
- Understand the latest trends in lending, including current interest rate movements and emerging ideas for reducing interest expenses.
- Analyze banks’ current lending receptivity and criteria to assess opportunities and challenges in obtaining financing.
- Evaluate key economic trends affecting lending markets with a detailed outlook to inform strategic financial decisions.
Speaker: Ian Wyatt, Director of Economics and Commercial Market Strategist, Huntington National Bank
Meet the Speaker: Ian Wyatt
Ian Wyatt is a Commercial Bank Economist, Director of Economics and Commercial Market Strategist. Ian leads Huntington Bank’s Commercial Bank strategy and data insights team. His background is in data analysis for economic developers and banks. Ian can share recent macro level updates focused on consumer spending, construction activity, federal administration policy, and interest rate markets.
1.0 CPE Credit
This session will cover what is going on in the world of worksite enforcement – raids, warrants and audits. Additionally, we will discuss what’s ahead with the infusion of billions of dollars into Dept. of Homeland Security and ICE. Finally, we will discuss the prospects for immigration reform and a guest worker program.
Learning objectives:
- Better prepare your business for impacts of increased funding.
- Better prepare construction industry for how to protect yourself in raids and audits.
- Prepare construction of how to respond to raids and audits and the risks for failure to do so.
Speaker: Bruce Buchanan, Senior Counsel, Littler Mendelson P.C.
Meet the Speaker: Bruce Buchanan
Bruce E. Buchanan counsels employers on immigration compliance issues, conducts internal I-9 audits, represents employers in U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) inspections and audits, Immigrant and Employee Rights (IER)/Department of Justice investigations, E-Verify issues, and employment-based visas. Also, Bruce practices labor law where he represents employers before National Labor Relations Board and U.S. Department of Labor’s Wage & Hour Division and in collective bargaining. Before focusing on immigration, Bruce served as senior trial specialist for the NLRB for 20 years, counseled clients on union-filed representation petitions, represented employers in collective bargaining, and advised on wage and hour and Family and Medical Leave Act matters.
In addition to his legal practice, Bruce regularly writes and speaks on immigration compliance and labor law issues for employers and served as Adjunct Professor at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock William H. Bowen School of Law for 10+ years. Among his many publications, Bruce co-authored the book, I-9 and E-Verify Handbook, 2017 and 2024 editions, and was an editor of the Employer Sanctions of Kurzban’s Immigration Law Sourcebook, 2024 edition. He was a longtime member of the Verification and Documentation Liaison Committee of the American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA).
Bruce has extensive experience representing companies in the following industries:
- Manufacturing
- Restaurants/Hospitality
- Healthcare
- Education
- Staffing
- Construction
- Food processing
2:00 PM –
2:20 PM
Networking Break
Grab a quick coffee in between sessions and be sure to visit our sponsors.
Sponsored by:
2:20 PM –
3:10 PM
What Now? The Ever Changing Economic Landscape
Afternoon General Session
1.0 CPE Credit
It has not exactly been a predictable year as far as the economic trends have been concerned. What can we expect as far as inflation, recession threats, tariffs and trade wars? What can we count on and what will be a mystery for the remainder of the year?
Learning objectives:
- Understand implications of tariff policy
- Understand inflation threats
- Understand recession risk
Speaker: Chris Kuehl, Managing Director, Armada Corporate Intelligence
Meet the Speaker: Chris Kuehl
Dr. Chris Kuehl is a Managing Director of Armada Corporate Intelligence. He provides forecasts and strategic guidance for a wide variety of corporate clients and business organizations around the world. He is the economic analyst for several national and international organizations.
Prior to starting Armada in 1999 he was a professor of economics and finance for 15 years – teaching in the US, Hungary, Russia, Estonia, Singapore and Taiwan. He holds advanced degrees in economics, Soviet studies and East Asian studies.
Chris is the co-author of The Flagship and The Watch- both publications from Armada.
He presents to over 125 associations and businesses each year – in the US and globally.
3:10 PM –
3:30 PM
Pre-Roundtable Mixer
Grab a beverage and network before the roundtable breakout sessions begin.
Sponsored by:
3:30 PM –
4:45 PM
Roundtable Breakouts
1.5 CPE Credits
This interactive session will explore the impacts of the One Big Beautiful Bill and other anticipated changes to Federal and State tax law. We’ll review significant legislative and regulatory developments from the past year and provide a practical, industry-focused primer on Federal and State pre-year-end tax planning for 2025. In addition, we’ll look ahead to 2026, when several key tax provisions are set to change, and discuss how construction companies and their advisors can prepare now to navigate those shifts effectively.
Learning objectives:
- Identify pending or proposed Federal and State tax legislation — including provisions from the One Big Beautiful Bill — that could affect construction companies and their advisors.
- Discuss current tax issues and evaluate best practices used in the industry to address them.
- Apply pre-year-end planning techniques to optimize tax outcomes and take advantage of timely strategies.
- Anticipate 2026 tax law changes and incorporate forward-looking planning into current strategies.
Facilitators: Kelli Franco, Retired Tax Partner, Baker Tilly; Jim Lundy, Managing Director, CBIZ
1.5 CPE Credits
Join us for an engaging and interactive session where we will delve into the pressing issues and emerging trends facing construction industry financial professionals today. This session is geared to be very interactive and the more input you can bring regarding successes and challenges the better this session will be and the more everyone will learn.
This session will cover a broad spectrum of topics, including Financial Processes, Risk Strategies in an uncertain environment, Workforce Management, State and Local Tax (SALT) Compliance, Succession Planning, ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) Requirements, and the latest in Construction Technology and Digital Transformation. Come ready to participate in this essential and interactive discussion to gain insights from your peers and learn how to navigate the complexities of the modern construction landscape successfully.
Learning objectives:
- Understand Financial Processes: Gain insights into the latest financial management techniques and tools that can help streamline operations and improve financial performance.
- Workforce Management: Explore best practices for managing and retaining talent in the construction industry, including addressing labor shortages and enhancing employee engagement.
- State and Local Tax (SALT) Compliance: Stay updated on the latest SALT regulations and compliance requirements to ensure your organization remains compliant and avoids penalties.
- Succession Planning: Understand the importance of succession planning and learn how to develop a robust plan to ensure business continuity and leader
Facilitators: Aprille Bell, Partner, Forvis Mazars; Dan Gaston, Partner, Forvis Mazars
Meet the Speaker: Aprille Bell
Aprille serves as the National Sector Leader for Infrastructure at Forvis Mazars, which includes the architecture and engineering, agribusiness, construction, and energy and natural resources industries. She is a former member of the Forvis Mazars Governing Board. As an assurance partner, she has served a variety of companies throughout her career, gaining broad and extensive knowledge of accounting principles, auditing standards, and financial reporting. Aprille enjoys working closely with clients and owners to identify strategic and operational issues facing their individual businesses and creating a plan to address these challenges.
Her advisory services have assisted clients with regulatory requirements, complex accounting issues, mergers and acquisitions, internal control structure design and modification, and cash flow analysis and budgeting.
Aprille is a frequent speaker on industry and leadership topics.
She is a member of the American Institute of CPAs, North Carolina Association of Certified Public Accountants, and Construction Financial Management Association. She is the treasurer and an executive committee member for Greater Winston-Salem, Inc.
Aprille is a graduate of UNC Charlotte, with a B.S. degree in accounting.
Meet the Speaker: Dan Gaston
Dan is the construction subniche leader of Forvis Mazars’ Construction & Real Estate Practice. Dan provides audit, accounting, and financial consulting services to companies within the construction industry. He assists clients with business and strategic planning, succession planning, operational and control reviews, consolidations, business process improvement, and audit issues.
He is a member of the American Institute of CPAs and Kansas Society of CPAs (KSCPA) and previously served on the board of directors for KSCPA and currently is a member of the Kansas State Accounting Advisory Council. He is a Certified Construction Industry Financial Professional (CCIFP®) through the Institute of Certified Construction Industry Financial Professionals.
Dan serves on the Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts Ensemble Advisory Council, the Heart Ball Executive Leadership Team, and the Construction Financial Management Association (CFMA) Conference Planning Committee and Finance Committee and previously served on the board of the Kansas City chapter of CFMA as the Education Committee chair.
He is a graduate of The University of Kansas, Lawrence, with a B.A. degree in economics, and a graduate of Kansas State University, Manhattan, with an M.Acc. degree.
1.5 CPE Credits
In this hands-on, interactive session, participants will roll up their sleeves and dive into two powerful tabletop exercises designed to bring clarity and strategy to their contracting business operations. First, you’ll map out your current technology stack to uncover redundancies, gaps, and opportunities for integration. Then, you’ll take a deep dive into one of your core business processes—like invoicing, time tracking, or change orders—and reimagine it with automation in mind. Whether you’re a tech-savvy contractor or just starting to modernize your operations, this session will help you visualize your systems, streamline your workflows, and walk away with actionable ideas to improve efficiency and profitability.
Learning objectives:
- Visualize and Evaluate Your Technology Stack: Participants will identify all the tools and software currently used in their business, categorize them by function, and assess their effectiveness, integration, and overlap.
- Map and Analyze a Core Business Process: Participants will break down a real-world workflow step-by-step, identify inefficiencies or bottlenecks, and explore how automation can reduce manual effort and improve accuracy.
- Design an Optimized, Tech-Enabled Workflow: Using insights from the exercises, participants will redesign a business process using automation tools and integrations, and articulate the potential ROI and operational benefits.
Facilitators: Brendan King, Regional Director, Suffolk Construction; Kathryn Schneider, Director, Consulting, Forvis Mazars
Meet the Speaker: Brendan King
Brendan currently serves as a Regional Controller for Suffolk Construction based out of Tampa, FL. He has worked in multiple facets of the organization between their Information Technology, Corporate Accounting, and Operational Accounting teams over his decade with the organization. He is passionate about advancing the role of technology within the construction finance and obtained his MBA from the University of Chicago
Meet the Speaker: Kathryn Schneider
Kathryn Schneider is a Director at Forvis Mazars (forvismazars.us) in Newport, RI. With more than 25 years as a technology evangelist, Kathryn serves as a trusted advisor and industry ambassador. She leverages her knowledge and deep construction industry experience to advise companies on rationalizing their existing tech stack, identifying redundancies, and strategically selecting tools that align with business goals. By simplifying and consolidating technology resources, Kathryn helps organizations achieve cost savings, agility, and improved performance. She serves on the Construction Financial Management Association Maine Chapter Board and is actively involved with numerous industry associations, such as Women in Manufacturing (WiM) and Women in Technology (WIT). She also volunteers her time with local clean water nonprofits. She is a summa cum laude graduate of University of New Hampshire, with a B.S. degree in Business Administration.
1.5 CPE Credits
Richard Forrestel, Jr. and Joseph Suk will lead a conversation about succession planning and execution in the construction industry.
Learning objectives:
- Review the elements and objectives of transition.
- Identify the pitfalls and concerns, both organizationally and individually, observed thus far in our transition.
- Defining a successful transition while accepting the reality that we are from dramatically different generations.
Facilitators: Richard Forrestel, Treasurer & Secretary, Cold Spring Construction Co.; Joseph Suk, Controller, Cold Spring Construction Co.
Meet the Speaker: Richard Forrestel
Richard Forrestel, Jr., is Treasurer and Secretary of Cold Spring Construction Company in Akron, NY. While he earned his BA from Princeton University and MBA from the University of Michigan, Richard spent eight summers in the field for Cold Spring – primarily a highway contractor that was founded in 1911 by Richard’s grandfather, Eugene P. Forrestel. Richard spent the first two years of his career at Peat, Marwick, Mitchell & Co. He then returned to Cold Spring and became Treasurer two years later. Richard is a member of the AGC Tax and Fiscal Affairs Committee as well as the Small Business Advisory Committee to the FASB.
Meet the Speaker: Joseph Suk
Joseph Suk, CCIFP, is the Controller at Cold Spring Construction Company, a heavy highway contractor headquartered in Western New York. He began his career as an intern with the company in 2018 and was hired full-time as an engineer, where he supported the delivery of a major design-build project over two years. Joseph transitioned into corporate leadership and now oversees the company’s financial operations, including budgeting, forecasting, AP, IT, payroll, and internal controls. His field experience provides valuable insight into aligning financial strategy with project execution. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering and a Master of Business Administration, both from the University at Buffalo.
Sponsored by:
4:45 PM –
5:30 PM
Networking Reception
Open to all attendees
Sponsored by:
Friday, November 7, 2025
Registration open from 7:00 AM – 12:00 PM
7:30 AM –
8:00 AM
Continental Breakfast
Open to all attendees
Sponsored by:
8:00 AM –
9:15 AM
Inside the Political Circus: AGC Political Update
Morning General Session
1.5 CPE Credits
Our panelists from AGC of America will be providing an update regarding the current political and economic landscape surrounding the construction industry.
Learning objectives:
- Understand political trends driving decision making in Washington, D.C. and the country in general.
- Identify policy priorities of the Trump administration and Congress.
- Understand the impact of fiscal and regulatory policies on construction employers.
Speakers: Alex Etchen, VP, Government Relations, AGC of America; Deniz Mustafa, Senior Director, Infrastructure Finance, AGC of America
Meet the Speaker: Alex Etchen
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 as Associate Administrator for Highway Policy and External Affairs for the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) at the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT). He served to advance the mission and goals of FHWA while working with Members of Congress and external stakeholders.
He also worked in Congress for nearly seven years; first for a Member of Congress from Idaho and then on the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee. During his tenure on the Committee, he worked on the federal-aid highway portfolio and drafted provisions included in the Fixing America’s Surface Transportation (FAST) Act.
Originally from Ligonier, Pa., Alex earned a Bachelor of Science in Marketing from the Pennsylvania State University and a Master of Business Administration from the Johns Hopkins University.
Meet the Speaker: Deniz Mustafa
Deniz Mustafa is the Senior Director of Infrastructure Finance at the Associated General Contractors of America. In this role, he advocates for contractors on issues including infrastructure investment, procurement, and tax policy.
Prior to joining AGC, Deniz worked for construction companies specializing in commercial and multi-family buildings and gained valuable experience both on the field and in the office. He grew up in Dallas, TX and earned his Bachelor of Arts degree with honors from Texas A&M University.
9:15 AM –
9:40 AM
Networking Break
Grab a quick coffee in between sessions and be sure to visit our sponsors.
Sponsored by:
9:40 AM –
10:55 AM
Concurrent Sessions
1.5 CPE Credits
In this session, get a review of the CFMA’s 2025 Financial Benchmarker results. This inside look will highlight the industry’s key financial ratios as well as other information, including Best in Class, backlog, and some information related to the new lease accounting methods (ASC Topic 842).
Learning objectives:
- Demonstrate the vital importance of benchmarking.
- Identify the key ratios of financial performance.
- Preview the 2025 Financial Benchmarker results, which includes information on lease accounting (ASC Topic 842).
Speakers: Rhett Ennis, Managing Director, CBIZ; Samantha Spalding Davis, Director, FP&A, Rose Paving LLC
Meet the Speaker: Rhett Ennis
Rhett Ennis, CPA – Rhett is a managing director and shareholder at CBIZ MHM in our Bellevue, Washington office. CBIZ is one of the top 10(ish) CPA firms in the U.S. and also one of the top 10(ish) firms specializing in construction, as ranked by a publication that competes with CFMA’s Building Profits and won’t be named here. Rhett leads the local office’s construction practice and is the Construction Industry Specialty Teams CBIZ West Region sub-leader. He provides audit, review, accounting and advisory services to construction and real estate clients in the western U.S. Rhett has over 21 years of experience serving the construction industry and has been active in CFMA for most of those years. He joined the Puget Sound CFMA board in 2011 and has served as the chapter’s membership committee chair for the past several years. He has served on the National Membership Committee since 2018 and served as the Committee Chair starting in April 2022 and ended his two year term in April 2024, but is looking forward to joining the Executive and Finance Committees in 2024.
Meet the Speaker: Samantha Spalding Davis
Samantha E. Spalding Davis, CPA, CCIFP is an experienced professional in the financial industry. With a background in auditing and financial planning at Rose Paving LLC and Crowe Horwath LLP, Samantha E. has successfully managed various projects to meet control objectives. Samantha graduated from the Gies College of Business at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign with a Master of Accounting Science degree with an emphasis in Taxation, following a Bachelor of Science degree in Accountancy. Samantha E. also attended the Illinois Mathematics & Science Academy prior to their college education.
1.5 CPE Credits
Session will be an interactive review and discussion of construction contractor’s Federal and State income tax questions and concerns for 2025 (and beyond!)
Learning objectives:
- Participants will be updated on Income tax law changes for 2025 and how they impact the construction industry.
- Recent Tax Rulings and Regulations related to construction contractors will be discussed.
- Attendees will review income tax planning opportunities, tricks and traps for contractors for 2025 (and what we might see in our crystal ball!)
Speakers: Jim Lundy, Managing Director, CBIZ; Kelli Franco, Retired Tax Partner, Baker Tilly
1.5 CPE Credits
This session explores AI’s transformative potential in construction for senior leaders, including CFOs. Discover how AI enhances efficiency, mitigates risk, and supports strategic decision-making. We will delve into key applications such as predictive analytics, intelligent automation, and AI-powered optimization, while also addressing AI readiness within an organization. Attendees will gain insights into the latest advanced models like Google Gemini, OpenAI’s GPT-5, and more, and see their practical applications to streamline operations.
Learning objectives:
- Understand how AI-powered predictive analytics can enhance project planning, proactive risk mitigation, and strategic decision-making.
- Learn how AI-driven automation streamlines operations, boosting efficiency and minimizing human error in key tasks.
- Discover how AI enables optimized resource allocation, supporting informed investment decisions and overall enterprise stability.
Meet the Speaker: Bruce Rasa
Bruce Rasa bridges cutting-edge AI with practical equipment management through hands-on education. As Principal Consultant at Knowledge Systems LLC, he guides professionals from AI pilots to full implementation. As an IBM Product Manager, he grew a product from zero to $500M revenue in three years. He holds an MBA from the University of North Carolina. His experience includes marketing of tech in off-road equipment at AGCO and pioneering hands-free data capture as a Google Explorer. Bruce delivers sessions that combine industry use cases with immediately applicable learning.
10:55 AM –
11:00 AM
Transition Break
11:00 AM –
12:15 PM
2025 Engineering & Construction M&A Update
Closing General Session
1.5 CPE Credits
Macroeconomic and geopolitical uncertainty, increased interest E&C sectors, and pent-up demand for exits from private equity – this presentation will explore the latest trends in M&A activity in the E&C sector. How has surging demand for electricity and power changed the landscape? How are key themes like aging infrastructure, digitalization, urbanization, etc. impacting M&A activity? What is the current international interest in the U.S. from an M&A perspective? Join Alex Miller and Ryan Foley, senior investment bankers with FMI Capital, as they discuss the latest trends in E&C M&A and what that means for owners, CFOs, and their advisors
Learning objectives:
- Understand current trends in today’s construction M&A environment.
- Identify how valuation is changing in today’s market.
- Understand the unique challenges and opportunities faced by owners of E&C firms trying to exit their businesses.
Speakers: Alex Miller, Managing Director, FMI Capital Advisors; Ryan Foley, Managing Director, FMI Capital Advisors
Meet the Speaker: Alex Miller
Alex Miller focuses on mergers and acquisitions, growth strategy and ownership transfer planning for engineering and construction firms. He has written numerous articles on mergers and acquisitions trends in the E&C industry and speaks often to industry groups about overall trends, mergers and acquisitions, international activity in the U.S. construction market and ownership transfer issues.
Previously, Alex worked at a middle-market private equity firm where he served on the board of portfolio companies and sourced and executed acquisitions of privately held companies. Prior to that, Alex worked in Raymond James Investment Banking, assisting private equity firms and middle-market companies with mergers and acquisitions, private placements and public offerings.
Meet the Speaker: Ryan Foley
As a Managing Director with FMI Capital Advisors, Ryan provides strategic M&A services to the construction industry. He primarily serves specialty trades such as mechanical, electrical, and plumbing contractors in addition to general and heavy civil companies.
Before joining FMI, Ryan worked at Green Manning & Bunch, a Denver-based M&A advisory firm. Prior to that, he worked at Allegiance Capital, where he led the execution of sell-side M&A transactions on behalf of privately held, family-owned businesses across a wide range of industries, including oil field services, electric power services, and construction. Ryan began his career at Janney Montgomery Scott, a full-service investment bank in his hometown of Philadelphia.
Ryan earned his MBA from The University of Texas at Austin and a Bachelor of Science in Finance from Boston College. He has Series 79 and 63 licenses.
* Select overlapping sessions will be offered through webinars to conference attendees for free following the conference.
The Construction Financial Management Association (CFMA) is registered with the National Association of State Boards of Accountancy (NASBA) as a sponsor of continuing professional education on the National Registry of CPE Sponsors. State Boards of Accountancy have the final authority on the acceptance of individual courses for CPE credit. Complaints regarding registered sponsors may be addressed to the National Registry of CPE Sponsors, 150 Fourth Avenue North, Suite 700, Nashville, TN, 37219-2417. Website: www.nasba.org.
The Certified Construction Industry Financial Professional (CCIFP) designation is the only standard to recognize financial professionals who truly know the business of construction. Credits earned at this conference are eligible toward CCIFP recertification requirements.