MORNING KEYNOTE
Leadership & Technology for Better Business
Micah Rodman Co-Founder/COO of Kojo
Micah is COO and Founding Team Member of Kojo, the industry-leading construction procurement platform that’s raised $84m to date from leading VC and industry partners. Kojo brings the pen-and-paper world of materials procurement into the 21st century, by streamlining the way materials are planned for, ordered, and paid for, reducing costs and saving valuable field time.
Micah started his career as a manager on Ray Dalio’s team at Bridgewater Associates. He is an alumnus of Yale College.
BREAKOUT SESSIONS (#1) 10:45am
BIM in Practice: Misconceptions, Value and Real-World Outcomes
A PANEL DISCUSSION
Dan Audette, AIA Associate, Technology in Practice Specialist, GWWO Architects
Carlos Zuluaga Virtual Design & Construction (VDC) Manager, Harkins Builders
Matt Harraka Practice Manager, Construction, Arkance USA
David Kim President, Washington Fire Protection
Patrick Scarpati (moderator) Director of Construction Technology & Innovation, ABC National
The panel will focus on where BIM truly adds value, how it is applied in day-to-day project execution, and what often gets misunderstood. Panelists will share real-world experiences and outcomes to help contractors determine when BIM is worth utilizing, when it may not be, and how to make informed decisions that drive better coordination, efficiency, and results.
Wage Misclassification and Labor Laws
Marc Furman Partner, Labor & Employment Group, Cohen Seglias Pallas Greenhall & Furman
Dive into the complexities of wage misclassification, particularly in public work and prevailing rate contexts. We'll explore key compliance concerns and uncover often-overlooked opportunities to boost your company's competitiveness, such as leveraging apprenticeship programs and strategically utilizing fringe benefits. Stay ahead of the curve as we discuss recent and upcoming changes in labor law that impact construction contractors. Don't miss this chance to enhance your understanding and position your business for success.
Aligning Operations for Growth: The CEO-COO Mindset
Diane Mentzer COO Coach, Diane Integrates, LLC
Companies where the CEO and COO trust each other and are in alignment consistently outperform their peers with higher sales and net profits. While typical companies lose 20–30% of revenue every year due to inefficiencies.
Join Diane and dig into four core elements you can use to create a powerful CEO-COO Mindset that capitalizes on your differences and unlocks smooth scaling.
You’ll leave equipped with greater insight into your own unique situation as well as actionable strategies and tactics you can use immediately.
From Contacts to Clients: Networking Skills That Fuel Business Development
Diane Darling Keynote Speaker, Author, Consultant
Business development succeeds or fails on the strength of your relationships, but most professionals were never taught how to build them intentionally. In this session, Diane Darling shares a practical, human-centered approach to expanding your network, nurturing key connections, and turning conversations into meaningful business opportunities. You’ll explore proven strategies for staying top-of-mind, communicating your value clearly, and building trust both in person and online. Whether you’re new to business development or looking to sharpen your skills, you’ll leave with actionable techniques to grow your pipeline, strengthen client loyalty, and position yourself for long-term success.
BREAKOUT SESSIONS (#2) 11:45am
Hierarchy of Controls/JHA Hazard Assessment
A PANEL DISCUSSION
Jon Mosebach Safety Director, L.R. Willson & Sons
Edward Arthur Territory Manager, Sales Solutions
Gene Cobb, CHST Director of Safety, ABC Greater Baltimore
A critical first step in safety management, focusing on tasks, equipment, environment, and human factors to create a safer operation. This process is common in all industries and one of the most important systematic processes of identifying potential sources of harmful hazards in a workplace, system, or process, assessing the risks they pose, and determining engineering control measures to eliminate or reduce those risks to an acceptable level, preventing accidents, injuries, and property damage before they happen. Successful operations require this critical step as it also allows growth of a safety culture and provides leading and lagging indicators for companies to analyze to improve safety in all operations.
Building Your Team: Strategies to Strengthen Tomorrow’s Workforce
DeAnna Thomas VP, Human Resources, ABC National
As labor shortages continue to challenge the construction industry, employers must rethink how they recruit, support, and sustain a strong workforce. This breakout session focuses on building organizational resilience through intentional workforce planning, talent development, and supportive workplace practices. Participants will learn strategies for creating talent pipelines, enhancing retention, and strategies to support overall workforce well-being. This session provides forward-looking, practical guidance to help companies prepare for the future and effectively “build the bench” needed for long-term success.
DC Insider: Federal Policy Outlook and What It Means for Your Business
Ben Brubeck CEO, Government Affairs Solutions
ABC National alumnus Ben Brubeck, principal and CEO of Government Affairs Solutions – a multi-client lobbying firm - will provide insights and updates to help you prepare your business for policies pushed by the Trump administration and Congress related to workforce development, labor and employment, taxes, tariffs, permitting, and energy that will affect your bottom line. Learn about the 2026 mid-term elections and why ABC members need to Get Into Politics or Get Out of Business.
Building Intelligence: AI’s Role, Risks, and the Future of the Built Environment
Andrew Gregg Real Estate & Land Use Attorney, Bean, Kinney & Korman, P.C.
Building Intelligence: AI’s Role, Risks, and the Future of the Built Environment explores how artificial intelligence is reshaping every stage of the construction lifecycle, from early design and bid analysis to job-site automation, predictive maintenance, and long-term asset management. Using real-world case studies and emerging technologies highlighted in the presentation, attendees will learn how leading firms are leveraging machine learning, computer vision, robotics, and digital twins to improve safety, productivity, and sustainability. The session also addresses the rapidly evolving risk landscape surrounding AI adoption, including liability, contractual responsibility, data governance, workforce impacts, and system security.
Lunch & Keynote Speaker
The People Puzzle: Managing Difficult Personalities and Across Generations
Diane Darling, CGSP Author, Keynote Speaker, Consultant
Today’s workforce spans multiple generations, each bringing different expectations, communication styles, and approaches to work - yet leaders are still expected to keep teams focused, productive, and collaborative. In this keynote, Diane Darling breaks down why difficult behaviors emerge across age groups and how leaders can respond with clarity, confidence, and composure. Attendees will learn practical strategies for defusing tension, improving communication, and creating an environment where people of every generation can thrive. You’ll walk away with real-world tools to strengthen relationships, reduce friction, and turn challenging interactions into opportunities for better teamwork.
Legacy of Leadership Fireside Chat
Main Ballroom (2:00PM)
From tech shifts to leadership transitions, our industry doesn’t slow down. Leadership from some of the most recognized names in construction will reveal how they’ve grown, adapted, and maintained company strength across generations - proving that real leadership is built over time.
Dolores Navia JBG Smith, Vice President of Real Estate Development
Jerry Shapiro President, Shapiro & Duncan, Inc.
Lynn Stith Bennett CEO, Coakley & Williams Construction (CWC)
Michael Bellaman CEO, ABC National