Connect with construction professionals

Hi there. I’m the vice president of marketing for Emery Sapp — a 100% employee-owned enterprise that constructs more than $1B worth of infrastructure annually. Let's talk about strategic visioning, brand positioning, experiential engagement, pursuit tactics and cultural integration.

Randy Blount entered the construction industry at age 17 working for his family contracting business. He was thrust into a leadership role at age 21 when a cancer diagnosis sidelined his father from the company. Taking lessons from a number of early mistakes, Randy maintained the business until his father’s passing, at which time he purchased the company and took over management of daily operations. Britton works for one of the mid-west leading specialty contractors; Veit & Company, Inc. With over 20 years in the industry, Britton’s background started in the field operating heavy equipment and has evolved into project supervision and Machine control support roles to his current position; Director of Construction Technologies, leveraging and training on current platforms, looking at new solutions, and advocating for the continued use of technology in the company. He has a passion for technology in the construction industry.

Dan Garcia is the President of C.W. Matthews Contracting Company, the largest Heavy Highway construction company based in Georgia, with revenues in excess of $700 Million per year. His expertise involves all facets of construction management, but his passion for the industry comes from building projects that have an impact in the community and for the people constructing these projects. Dan was born in Caracas, Venezuela and moved to the United States at the age of 17 to attend The Citadel, The Military College of South Carolina. After graduating in 1996 with a B.S. in Civil Engineering, Dan began his career in construction working in several states before moving to Georgia in 2002. In 2010, Dan completed his MBA from Mercer University. Dan currently serves as a board member for the Georgia Department of Natural Resources and the Georgia Highway Contractors Association. He volunteers his time serving at several non- profit organizations including Youth in Mission and Extra Special People. In addition, he also serves as a board member for North Cobb Christian School. Dan attends St. Joseph Catholic Church in Marietta, Georgia. Dan has been married to his wife Debbie for 25 years and they have 5 children.

Dave Lersch is in his 40th year with Miller Bros. Const., Inc. as the Vice-President of Administrative Operations. Dave’s career has spanned over three generations of the Miller family business and his oversite covers Risk Management, Safety, Marketing, and People/Culture. His passion is leadership development and he is a student of Extreme Ownership and a proponent of being a servant leader, by pursing “selfless exceptionalism”.

Eric has spent a 30-year career in the Dirt World and has a passion for the amazing people and purpose of this vital industry. His experience includes executive leadership roles at small, medium and large civil construction companies in the highway, bridge, federal, site development, water resources and renewable energy markets. He is very interested in giving back to the Dirt World as a coach and mentor to the next generation of leaders, and serves on a number of academic and corporate advisory boards.

Herb grew up around his family’s construction company, H. E. Sargent, Inc., working as a mechanic’s helper and laborer during his teenage years and eventually joining the company full-time in 1983 as a trainee foreman. From 1983 through 1991 Herb gained experience in all aspects of earth construction, working through positions of foreman, superintendent, estimator and project manager. Herb left H. E. Sargent in 1991 to start Sargent & Sargent with his brother, Shane. In 2005 Sargent & Sargent acquired H. E. Sargent, then the two were combined as Sargent Corporation, now known simply as Sargent. In 2013, as a means to ensure ownership succession and management continuity, Herb moved Sargent Corporation and its affiliated companies into the SC Holdings Employee Stock Ownership Plan, wherein the company’s employees became owners of the company. Herb continues in his role as President and CEO. Herb has enjoyed many roles in community and trade organizations throughout his career. He has two grown children, James and Savannah, a step-son, Colby, and he and his wife, Tristine, call Hampden, Maine their home.

Jordan Wilcosky is the Director of Training & Development for Garney Construction where she creates space and opportunities for people to explore possibilities and expand their capabilities.

Kierstin Janik is the Chief Talent Officer for Heritage Construction & Materials, a member of The Heritage Group family of businesses. In her role, she partners with the executive leadership team to set business strategies and design people processes that are aligned to support the construction, asphalt and aggregates businesses within the division. Prior to her current role she operated as the Director of People and Org. Capabilitiesfor the company's Asphalt Materials business. Kierstin has also held roles as HR Business Partner and Director of Talent Development for The Heritage Group's 20+ businesses. Before joining The Heritage Group she was a part of Ingersoll Rand’s Accelerated Development Program, having held titles of HR Generalist, Materials Project Manager and Talent Development Specialist. She holds a BS in Psychology and a Masters in Human Resources and Labor Relations from Michigan State University. Kierstin is a board member for the Indianapolis charter school, Invent Learning Hub as well as a member of Women's Fund of Central Indiana. She is also on the board for Ascend Indiana. She and her husband, Joe, love to travel and are local business owners of MashCraft Brewing Company with 3 locations in the Indianapolis area.

Kris Latimer’s professional experience includes work in program planning and development, professional training and coaching, management, partnership development, marketing, event planning, and executive experience in government, private and non-profit sectors. Kris spent 23 years in the workforce and economic development arena. This phase of her career culminated with seven years as CEO of the 23 rural county workforce development area known as The Oregon Consortium & Oregon Workforce Alliance. She left government to follow a personal mission for service to at-risk youth and accepted the position of CEO of the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Greater Santiam in 2012. During her tenure the organization’s annual budget grew from $1.25M annually to $2.8M, moving the organization from decades of operating losses to a solid balance sheet with a substantial endowment fund in place. Kris joined the Knife River Corporation team in 2022 as Director for Education and Training at the Knife River Training Center located in Albany, OR. In April of 2024 she was promoted to lead a new bigger team as Senior Director for Training and Development. In this position she is responsible for the Center, as well as the growing team of instructors and trainers that deliver content related to frontline operations, ELDT/CDL, Coaching and Leadership, and Sales serving team members throughout Knife River’s 14 state network of operations. Kris also leads efforts related to strategic partnerships with a goal to support the industry at-large. Kris’ education includes a Bachelor’s of Science from Oregon State University, and post-graduate work in Public Policy.

Matt left a career in strategy consulting in Chicago to acquire Bellwether Forest Products, a two-crew, 13-employee logging company in South Carolina in 2016. As owner and CEO, he grew the company to over 100 employees and $20 million in revenue while leading the industry forward in implementing much needed management, technology and safety practices. In 2021, Matt sold the company to LOTS Group AB, a subsidiary of the global commercial truck manufacturer Scania. Matt continued as CEO of Bellwether/LOTS post-sale until officially stepping down in March 2024 to spend more time in his role as Partner at Elmore Companies. He continues to serve on the board for LOTS Group USA and Bellwether Forest Products. At Elmore Companies today, Matt acquires small businesses from founders who are looking to hand their legacy to the next generation. Specifically, Matt helps source deals, conduct due diligence, and advise operating partners in growing these companies. Prior to Bellwether and Elmore, Matt was a Manager at Bain & Company in Chicago where he advised executives and senior leaders on long-term growth strategies, performance improvement and organizational change. Matt began his career at QuadGraphics, a magazine and catalog printer, where he specialized in pricing analysis and contract negotiation. Matt’s achievements at Quad also included creating the business plan for the company’s onsite clinic and healthcare offering, QuadMed, which has since grown to near $200 million in annual revenue. Matt earned his BS in Marketing, Finance and Telecommunications at the University of Wisconsin La Crosse and an MBA at Indiana University’s Kelley School of Business. He lives in Milwaukee, Wisconsin with his wife Cassandra and two young sons Timothy and Connor.

100% Owner, Founder and President of Petticoat-Schmitt Civil Contractors, Inc. Ryan has over 32 years’ experience in the civil contracting industry with the last twenty-seven in senior management. A proven leader in the civil construction industry bringing a consistent history of corporate and association leadership, his areas of expertise include strategic planning, organizational design, process development and implementation, recruiting and staffing, motivating work force, safety design and implementation, estimating, project management, equipment acquisition and managerial accounting.

I help with the implementation of process and the training of people to make sure we get the most out of our technology investments in the field.

Dr. Vince Hafeli is the President of Ajax Paving Industries of Florida, a leading asphalt paving and construction services provider. As an entry-level worker, Vince began his career in the paving and construction industry and has since risen to his current role as a President at Ajax. He has demonstrated exceptional leadership and management skills throughout his career, leading teams to complete complex projects. Since completing his Doctoral research at the University of South Florida, where he focused on mental health and suicide in the construction industry, Vince has become an international speaker, author, and mental health and suicide advocate dedicated to raising awareness about the importance of mental health and reducing the stigma associated with mental illness. With a personal passion for mental health and a deep understanding of the challenges faced by those struggling with mental health issues, Vince has become a leading voice in the advocacy community. He has dedicated his time and resources to promoting mental health awareness and reducing the stigma associated with mental illness. He works with organizations and advocacy groups to help break down the barriers preventing people from seeking mental health help. As a speaker, Vince is known for his thought-provoking and impactful keynote talks on mental health and suicide prevention.

Everyone knows the blue-collar world is facing a significant workforce challenge. While Aaron initially planned to become a contractor, he took a sharp left turn when he started sharing about civil construction on social media under the “BuildWitt” name. Today, BuildWitt employs about 65 people working across America to help contractors attract, train, and retain the next generation of workforce with software, storytelling, and events. Beyond leading BuildWitt, Aaron visits construction and mining operations worldwide in places like Australia, Chile, and Saudi Arabia to experience the industry firsthand and tell its story.

Alex is the Founder of Path for Growth, a business that exists to help impact-driven leaders step into who they were created to be SO THAT others benefit and God is glorified. Since its launch 4 years ago, Path for Growth has served hundreds of leaders through 1:1 Executive Coaching, developed a thriving virtual community of business owners, presented value-based team training curriculum to organizations around the country and hired 8 additional team members. Prior to launching Path for Growth, Alex was the Host of Dave Ramsey's nationally recognized EntreLeadership Podcast and Leadership Summit. In that role, he had the opportunity to interview and learn from world-class leaders like John Maxwell, Simon Sinek, Sarah Blakely, Craig Groeschel, and Jocko Willink. He is an accomplished endurance athlete who has finished 2 Ironman Triathlons, 27 Marathons, and two 50-Mile Ultra-Marathons. Alex lives in Phoenix, Arizona with his wife Aspen and their daughter Lily. Above all else, Alex and Aspen believe in the goodness of Jesus Christ and strive to follow His perfect example of truth, grace, service, and love in their life.

Craig is an equipment management professional with over 20 years of diverse experience, having held roles in accounting, equipment, and operations, working with top employers and managing some of the world's largest fleets.

Daron Earlewine is a passionate, catalytic, influential, and captivating dreamer. He serves as an author, speaker, podcast host and entrepreneur. His mission is to help people find passion, purpose and peace. Daron has helped thousands of individuals move from feeling insignificant to understanding their worth and creating their future through his online and live workshops. Daron’s first book The Death of a Dream was published in October 2022. Daron uses his honesty, humor and wit in the book to help resurrect your purpose when life doesn’t go as planned. Daron and his wife Julie have been married twenty-two years and have three teenage sons.

As CEO, Hamilton Baiden oversees Youturn Health’s long-term strategy and growth. He developed a deep knowledge of the pharmaceutical industry by working for prominent companies, including MedImmune, Serono, Daiichi, and Sanofi. Hamilton is in recovery and is committed to helping others on their recovery journey.

Jamie Cochran joined Leif Babin and Jocko Willink as the first employee at Echelon Front in 2014. She quickly expanded her initial role as Director of Operations and was named Chief Operating Officer in early 2021. After earning her degree in Business Marketing and Communications, Jamie served in leadership positions in several organizations to include Glacier Bay, a boutique hedge fund as the Client Relations Director; San Diego State University as a Programs Director; and Tiffany & Company as a Visual Creative Director. Here at Echelon Front, she leads a diverse team that oversees all business operations and events. Her team also coordinates Echelon Front engagements across the globe, ensuring a world-class client experience. Jamie embraces the mindset of Extreme Ownership and implements it across all aspects of her business and life. As a speaker and Leadership Instructor, she makes the connection between the combat leadership principles of Extreme Ownership and how she implements them in her life as a business leader, woman, mother of three, and wife of a former Navy SEAL.

Since 1990, Jeff has been professionally and personally committed to preserving the quality of life. In his professional coaching and consulting, he demonstrates a passion for the health and safety of workers and the success of his clients. A relentless advocate for workplace safety and health, Jeff successfully guides clients toward best-in-class thinking and actions by promoting culture over compliance. Jeff is a dynamic speaker and trainer, delivering his message with an energy that stems from a tireless drive for excellence and an evident concern for the physical, mental, and emotional well-being of others. Jeff resides in southeastern Pennsylvania with his wife and Jack Russell. His passion for his community is evident in his service on the township board of supervisors and planning commission and as the vice president of a local historic preservation non-profit organization.

Mark Miller is a Wall Street Journal and international best-selling author, communicator, and the former Vice President of High Performance Leadership at Chick-fil-A. Mark’s leadership journey at Chick-fil-A spanned 45 years beginning as an hourly team member in a local restaurant, and during his tenure the company grew from seventy-five restaurants to over 2,700 locations with annual sales exceeding $19 billion. Today, Mark serves as the Co-Founder of Lead Every Day. Mark began writing almost twenty years ago, and with over one million books in print in more than twenty-five languages, his global impact continues to grow. In addition to his writing, Mark enjoys encouraging and equipping leaders. Over the years, he’s traveled to dozens of countries teaching for numerous international organizations. Married to Donna, his high school sweetheart of forty years, they have two sons, Justin and David, a daughter-in-law Lindsay, and three amazing grandchildren Addie, Logan, and Finn.

Michael King is the CEO of KFE Solutions, a Fractional CFO firm based in Dallas, TX. An 11-year veteran of the United States Navy’s submarine service, Michael has spent the past 8+ years helping business owners increase their profitability and maximize their cash flows so they can hire more people, pay higher wages, and create generational wealth (without shelling out multiple 6 figures for a full time CFO). Michael enjoys traveling with his wife Mistie and his son Jesse and watching nerdy Star Wars shows on Disney.

Scott Peper is the founder and Chief Executive Officer of Mobilization Funding, a company he co-founded in 2013 to help contractors solve their cash flow challenges through guidance and short-term loans for purchasing materials, making payroll, and growing their businesses. Today, Mobilization Funding is known across the industry for the content and education they offer to the construction community and its’ expertise in helping construction contractors and other businesses successfully cash flow their projects and customers. Before his tenure at Mobilization Funding, Scott spent 17 years in the medical device industry, where he held various roles in Sales, Sales Management, Corporate Contracting, and Executive Management. His extensive experience in these areas contributed to his expertise in sales, marketing, business operations, and financial management. Scott earned his Bachelor's degree in Business with a concentration in Marketing and Hospitality Management from Keuka College in New York. He attributes his knowledge and success not only to his formal education and the books he has read, but also to his mentors, particularly the Arete Syndicate led by Andy Frisella and Ed Mylett. With over a decade of experience teaching courses and leading webinar trainings on cash flow management, business startup and operation, and leadership, Scott is deeply passionate about helping others succeed. His dedication to supporting the growth and development of others in their professional journeys is a cornerstone of his work at Mobilization Funding.

Building hiring systems for the construction industry with 25 years of hiring experience. Helping you improve your recruitment marketing, expand your reach, organize your talent pool, automate your process, treat your applicants well, and make the right hires.

Since 1995, I have been working with construction industry leaders in addressing their business succession + personal wealth management challenges in transitioning their ownership interests and creating clarity through sound financial and estate planning. As a financial advocate, I understand the challenges in addressing "how to" construct and manage financial affairs and keep planning projects on schedule. As a Certified Family Business Specialist and Accredited Investment Fiduciary dedicated to the Dirt World, experience and perspective, matter.

Wally Adamchik is dedicated to making better construction leaders. - In his youth, he worked with his father and brother in construction in NYC. - His mother was the first woman to referee a basketball game at Madison Square Garden. - At the University of Notre Dame, Wally was the mascot—that’s right, he was the Leprechaun. - As an Officer of Marines, Wally deployed throughout the world. In tanks and then Cobra attack helicopters, He served in operations and maintenance roles. - MBA from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. - President of FireStarter Speaking and Consulting. A national construction leadership consulting firm providing speaking, coaching and consulting to those in and around construction. - Author of No Yelling: The Nine Secrets of Marine Corps Leadership You Must Know to Win in Business. And of Construction Leadership from A to Z; 26 words to lead by - Certified Speaking Professional, Certified Management Consultant. - Father of two college athletes and married for 30 years. When you add all that up you get an honest expert who understands the multi-national as well as he does the family business and is able to modify his approach to make an impact in both. Since 2003 he has supported some of the most notable firms in the construction industry and is a regular presenter at industry gatherings. Wally delivers usable ideas and insights that you can put to use the minute you get back to work.

Whitney Butler is the Vice President, Planning + Business Development at Platinum XP, a single-source, full-service event planning agency. The XP in our name stands for experience. It starts with our creative planners and is powered by our in-house divisions of Planning & Logistics, Audio/Visual & Stage Design, Large Format Print Graphics, Media and Content Creation, & Fabrication Services. Our success stems not only from having these powerful resources under one brand, but the full-time, talented team within each division, who makes it all happen. Whitney has over 12 years of experience fully producing a wide variety of events in the corporate, association and non-profit sectors, in various cities across the country. From non profit galas to large corporate meetings, she believes she can better the world by leveraging her enthusiasm for creating and executing live experiences that bring people together and create lasting memories for her event attendees. Whitney has served on Meeting Professionals International Kansas City Chapter's Board of Directors in various positions for seven years and is currently serving as Chapter President. She has been honored with several awards and recognitions throughout her career including: -2024 BizBash Industry Innovator -2022 MPI Global 50 Up and Comers -2021-2022 MPI KC Planner of the Year Award Winner -2018-2019 MPI KC Planner of the Year Nominee -2017-2018 MPI KC Rising Star Award Winner From growing up and working in the construction industry, Whitney has a special niche for understanding her multiple clients in the AEC sector. She prides herself in being a true strategic partner to these clients and keeping their end goals top of mind throughout the entire event planning process. Whether the event is for field staff or high end clients, Whitney and her team will understand the expectations for each audience type and work to meticulously plan the best experience tailored to each event.