Explore Last Year’s Agenda
2024 Agenda Coming Soon — See Below for 2023
Day 1
11:00 AM – 12:30 PM
Golf Check-in and Box-Lunch Pick-up
1:00 PM – 5:30 PM
Golf Tournament
Join us for an unforgettable day of swing, strategy, and connections. Tee off with fellow attendees, sponsors, and industry leaders in a competitive yet relaxed atmosphere. Whether you’re a seasoned golfer or just starting out, this tournament is designed for fun and networking.
Sponsored by:
5:30 PM – 7:30 PM
Registration
6:30 PM – 7:30 PM
Welcome Reception
Sponsored by:
Day 2
7:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Registration
7:00 AM – 7:45 AM
Breakfast – Utility Infrastructure Roundtable
7:45 AM – 9:00 AM
Utility Infrastructure Roundtable
Join members from AGC’s Utility Infrastructure Division for a dynamic update and discussion that delves into the world of utility infrastructure construction. During this session, experts, practitioners, and thought leaders from the industry will come together to share the latest from AGC, challenges from around the country, and opportunities to shape the future of utility infrastructure development.
8:00 AM – 9:00 AM
Breakfast – Highway & Transportation Roundtable
9:00 AM – 10:15 AM
Highway & Transportation Roundtable
Join members from AGC’s Highway and Transportation Division for a dynamic update and discussion that delves into the world of transportation construction. During this session, experts, practitioners, and thought leaders from the industry will come together to share the latest from AGC, challenges from around the country, and opportunities to shape the future of transportation construction.
10: 15 AM – 10:20 AM
Welcome Remarks
Jeff Firth
Chair, AGC of America’s Highway & Transportation Division
Jeff Firth is the Vice President of Hamilton, in charge of company operations and contract management. With over 27 years of estimating, engineering, and project management experience on complex, heavy civil bridge and highway projects in Oregon and Washington, Jeff provides critical executive oversight on Hamilton’s most complex and demanding projects, as well as insight on elements of open-book accounting, value-engineering, preconstruction technical approach and management, and construction technical approach and management.
10:20 AM – 11:00 AM
Policy to Projects: The Latest Action from Washington, DC
Steve Sandherr
CEO, AGC of America
Stephen Sandherr joined the AGC of America staff in 1984 as Assistant Director of Collective Bargaining Services. From 1986 to 1989 he served as AGC’s Director of Congressional Relations. He practiced law with the firm of Thompson, Mann and Hutson in Washington, D.C., from 1989 to 1990, and served as Labor and Small Business Counsel for the National Association of Home Builders from 1990 to 1991. He rejoined AGC as Executive Director of Congressional Relations in 1991 and was promoted to Chief Executive Officer in 1997.
Currently, as Chief Executive Officer, his role is to maintain relations with AGC’s 89 chapters nationwide, coordinate government relations activities and enhance AGC’s involvement with business coalitions. A Capitol Hill newspaper, The Hill, listed Steve as a top lobbyist for the last twelve years, representing the only commercial construction industry association on the Top Lobbyists of 2009 – 2021 lists.
Steve has a B.S. in Political Science from the University of Scranton, where he serves on the Board of Trustees. He earned his law degree from the Catholic University of America and is a member of the Bar of the District of Columbia. He is an honorary trustee of the National Building Museum in Washington and has been inducted into the National Academy of Construction.
11:00 AM – 11:15 AM
Break
11:15 AM – 12:00 PM
Building Tomorrow: Unleashing Intelligence in Infrastructure and Construction
Paul Workman
Public Policy Advisor at ATRIUS Industries, Inc.
Bred, born and raised in Texas. Starting in Corpus Christi on the day the jet plane crashed on Port Avenue (in 1951 jets were new) and ending up in Austin with his life partner of 49 years, Sherry. Paul grew up the son of a carpenter and became one himself apprenticing with his father. There are two adult children, Kyle and Paula, who are both married and have provided six grandchildren.
Paul was a member of the Corps of Cadets at Texas A&M University and obtained the rank of Cadet Colonel as Adjutant of the 2nd Brigade and also a member of the famed Ross Volunteers, who serve as the honor guard for the Governor of Texas (and the Mardi Gras parade). Paul obtained a degree in Building Construction and was commissioned as an Engineer officer in the US Army Reserves where he spent ten years rising to the rank of Captain and line company commander.
Then Paul and Sherry moved to Laredo to join the family construction business and spent the next ten years building all manner of structures including banks, churches, college buildings, office buildings and even a wastewater treatment plant. Following the retirement of his father, Paul and Sherry decided it was time to move! After a few years with another company Paul begat Workman Commercial Construction Services, starting literally at zero and built a $72 million dollar a year company. Sherry embraced the life of construction with zeal (while doing her own thing as an association executive).
Paul served in various leadership roles of the Associated General Contractors culminating with the role of Chairman of the Texas Building Branch – AGC in 2008. It was during this time that Paul entered the world of politics, running successfully for the position of State Representative from western and southern Travis County where he served for eight years. While a legislator, Paul wrote and passed the bill that removed sovereign immunity from the state on matters of contract in the AEC industry. This changed 160 years of legal precedent in Texas (a pretty big deal).
After careful consideration, the family decided it was time to engage in other things. So, the decision was made to sell Workman Commercial and that sale was consummated in 2013 to an employee of the company (who continues to operate the company today).
Following the last election (or should I say tsunami) Paul and Sherry resumed life outside of politics. Making good on a promise of many years earlier, Paul became a trained arbitrator and mediator.
Paul is a licensed instrument pilot with most of his time in a Beechcraft Bonanza. He built a Rotorway helicopter that really flew and restored a 1953 Chevy 5 window pickup. Sherry and Paul make their church home at Austin Baptist Church.
As we embark on a new era of construction, the integration of intelligent solutions is becoming more vital than ever. Discover how cutting-edge technologies such as IoT (Internet of Things), AI (Artificial Intelligence), and data analytics are driving unprecedented advancements in transportation and utility projects. In this session, we will explore the exciting intersections of technology, innovation, and intelligence that are reshaping the landscape of transportation and utility infrastructure.
Whether you are a construction professional, engineer, urban planner, or simply curious about the future of infrastructure, this session will inspire new perspectives and highlight the incredible potential that lies at the crossroads of emerging technologies and construction. Prepare to be captivated by the possibilities and empowered to drive change as we collectively pave the way toward a smarter and more sustainable future for our transportation and utility networks.
12:00 PM – 1:00 PM
Networking Lunch
Sponsored by:
1:00 PM – 1:45 PM
The Future of AI & GPT in Construction
Patrick E. Murphy
CEO and Founder of Togal.AI and Former Congressman
Former Congressman Patrick Erin Murphy serves as CEO and Founder of Togal.AI, overseeing the company’s day to day operations. Additionally, he currently serves an Executive Vice President of Coastal Construction, the largest General Contractor in Florida. Patrick was recently appointed to serve on the President’s Export Council under President Joe Biden, where he will advise the president on strategies to promote American exports and support job creation through trade.
Having been raised in the business, Patrick first started in the construction industry as a laborer, then project engineer, estimating assistant and accounting manager. After graduating from the University of Miami, Patrick worked at Deloitte where he earned his CPA license that he maintains today.
Patrick served in U.S. Congress, representing Palm Beach and Treasure Coast in the House of Representatives for four years (2013-2017) and was the nominee for the U.S. Senate in 2016. After leaving office in 2017, he was named chair of the Future Forum Foundation, a nonprofit organization that researches key issues impacting millennials, such as automation, artificial intelligence and the sharing economy. Patrick proudly serves as a board member of the Miami Bridge Youth and Family Services, a homeless shelter for children.
Under Patrick’s leadership, Togal.AI won first place at the 2022 eMerge Americas Global Startup Showcase and The Big 5’s 2022 Startup City Global Pitch Competition.
Join the AGC Innovation of the Year Award winner for an insightful and dynamic discussion on the integration and transformative impact of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in the construction industry. Former Congressman and CDEO of Togal.AI, Patrick Murphy, will explore a few examples of how generative AI can make an impact in civil construction. Participants will gain valuable insights into AI applications, best practices, and the potential AI holds for a productive and safe future in construction
1:45 PM – 2:15 PM
Break
2:15 PM – 3:00 PM
Robotics and Automation in Construction
Danielle Proctor
President & CEO at Advanced Construction Robotics
Danielle A. Proctor joined the Advanced Construction Robotics, Inc. (ACR) team in 2020 as Director of Business Development and was named Chief Executive Officer in 2021, bringing over 25 years of technology, construction, new product development, and operational leadership experience. Danielle directs business strategy and operations, making ACR’s robots a commercial reality in the field.
Danielle got her start at the beginning of the software boom, working in product management and business development for business intelligence and analytical software firms, including Management Science Associates and FreeMarkets (later acquired by Ariba). Her entrepreneurial spirit quickly took over and, at the age of 28, she founded Amelie Construction & Supply, a certified Woman/Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (W/DBE) construction firm providing structural rehabilitation, erection, and foundation services where she served as President & CEO until selling her ownership in 2015. Danielle continued to pursue her passion of being involved with start-ups by forming several smaller ventures as well as providing consulting and private funding to companies during their critical formation stages until finding the perfect fit of launching new products into the construction industry with ACR.
Danielle obtained a B.S. in Industrial Management from Carnegie Mellon University
Tim Taylor
Vice President & General Manger at Brayman Construction Corp.
Tim began his career with Brayman in 2006 as a Project Manager working in estimating and on increasingly complex projects. After dedicatedly serving as a Project Manager, Tim was promoted to the role of General Manager of Brayman Construction’s Heavy Civil Division in 2015, where he acquired full profit and loss responsibility for all aspects of the Heavy Civil Division. Tim was thereafter quickly promoted to the role of Vice President and General Manager for Brayman Construction’s Heavy Civil Division in 2017.
Throughout his career at Brayman, Tim has contributed to a staggering $253.44 Million dollars in projects. Notable projects he’s contributed to include the Charleroi Lock & Dam, Masontown Bridge, SR 28 Widening, and the 16th St. Bridge project, along with many different oversight aspects pertaining to the myriad of projects the Heavy Civil Division has undertaken since his role as General Manager began.
Whilst overseeing and assisting with these projects, Tim was responsible for orchestrating tasks such as partnering with our Joint-Venture companion, Trumbull Corporation on the Charleroi project, along with project oversight and placement of 75′ deep, 10’ diameter drilled shafts on the Masontown Bridge in the Monongahela River, and the successful and safe construction of the 1700 LF river crossing, which included the demolition of the original 1920’s era through truss bridge. On the SR 28 project Tim oversaw the installation 6.5 miles of driven H-Piling for the support of 1.5 miles of new retaining walls that now allow SR 28 traffic to easily flow past the interchange with the 31st St. Bridge and the relocation of 2.5 miles of active Norfolk Southern track within the limits of the project. On the 16th St. Bridge Project, Tim assisted in coordinating the successful closure of I-64 Eastbound in Huntington, WV for a period of 170 days to completely remove and replace an existing two lane, three span interstate steel bridge with a new three lane, five span curved girder steel interstate bridge through the use of innovative construction techniques such as accelerated construction practices and precast integration.
In recent years, on-site construction robotics has emerged as a game-changing technology in the construction industry, promising increased efficiency, safety, and cost savings. This panel discussion will cover real-world examples of successful implementation of on-site construction robotics in various construction projects, highlighting the benefits and challenges associated with the use of these technologies. Danielle and Tim will provide insight into how their organizations approach technology at each stage of the construction process, and how they adopt a culture of innovation within their organizations. Join us and step onto the cutting edge of construction innovation.
Progressive Design Build: What You Need to Know
Eric Meisgeier
Project Manager at Stacy and Witbeck, Inc.
Eric has more than 29 years of experience, including 25 years on alternative delivery methods, in heavy civil construction up and down the west coast. He has been involved in the management of more than $3 billion in major structure, highway, and rail transit construction, including the award-winning $1.5 billion Mid-Coast Transit Corridor in San Diego. Eric is a true champion of bringing the contractor, owner, designer, and stakeholders together to maximize the overall value delivered on his projects. In 2018 he was named the Minority Small Business Champion by the Small Business Administration, currently sits on the Board of Directors for the San Diego Chapter of WTS (Women’s Transportation Seminar) and is co-chair of their Transportation YOU committee. Eric has a Bachelor of Science in Construction Engineering Management from Oregon State University.
Greg Gastelum
Senior Executive Officer at LA Metro
Greg Gastelum is a Senior Executive Officer for Project Management with the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority, having joined in February 2023. In his new role with LA Metro, Greg is responsible for the construction of the East San Fernando Valley Light Rail Project.
With over 35 years of both public and private sector experience, Greg has managed the delivery of major regional transportation projects in Southern California through traditional Design-Bid-Build and alternative construction delivery methods including the Mid-Coast Trolley Extension in San Diego, CA. A registered Professional Engineer in the State of California, Greg is a graduate of San Diego State University in Civil Engineering and has served as a lecturer of Highway Engineering and participated in the Aztec Mentor Program for the university.
Progressive Design Build (PDB) represents a paradigm shift in the way public infrastructure projects are conceived, designed, and constructed. In recent years, PDB has gained significant traction as an innovative project delivery method among public project owners. This session aims to equip you with the essential knowledge and insights required to navigate the world of PDB effectively.
3:00 PM – 3:15 PM
Break
3:15 PM – 4:00 PM
HWY 52 Emergency Contract: Utilizing Relative Surface Scan Data for Design, Optimization, and AMG Milling
Curtiss Dorr
Senior Government and Strategic Business Development Manager at Topcon Positioning Systems
Curtiss Dorr is the Sr. Government and Strategic Business Development Manager for Topcon Positioning Systems, North America – he lives in Arizona with Sharon, his wife. Dorr leads a team focused on informing and educating DOTs and Transportation Ministry teams on current, modern-day construction technology via seminars, webinars, and sessions specifically focused on the needs of Departmental staff members.
In the construction industry since 1987, Mr. Dorr served as Director of Sales and Marketing from 2019-2020 at Libra Systems, NA’s largest asphalt plant technology developer (Libra was acquired by Command Alkon). From 2013-2019 Dorr served as a Trimble Navigation National Sales Manager and National Strategic Accounts Manager. Mr. Dorr earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Computer Information Systems, and an Associates of Arts degree in Accounting from DeVry Institute of Technology.
Don Matthews
Technical Manager and Chief Engineer at Pavement Recycling Systems, Inc.
Don is Technical Manager and Chief Engineer for Pavement Recycling Systems, Inc. (PRS). Founded in 1989, PRS first provided cold milling services to the Southern California market. Now, PRS has subsequently grown into the premier general engineering subcontractor for cold-milling, soil stabilization, roller compacted concrete, and cold-in-place asphalt recycling in California and Nevada with a presence in Utah, Oregon, and Washington. Don focuses on the development of recycled products in pavement preservation, rehabilitation, automated machine guidance and other intelligent construction technologies. Don received his Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering (BSCE) from Cal Poly Pomona and his Master’s of Science in Civil Engineering (MSCE) degree from Cal State Long Beach. He is a registered Engineer in the States of California and Arizona.
In October of 2020, emergency maintenance work was performed on Hwy 52 in Southern California. This stretch of road was deemed highly unsafe to the traveling public. To complete the project the entire stretch of freeway was shut down for 48 hours over a holiday weekend. Due to the limited time frame, and complexity of the rehab work to be done, it was decided to utilize 3D LiDAR Scanning and AMG milling to re-design and correct the surface of this road.
This presentation will disclose, in detail, how an agency and contractors worked together on a difficult project to provide the best product for the taxpayer. The presenters will highlight existing conditions, design, methods, and equipment used to complete this project. Additionally, it will cover in detail the state of the art technology used to facilitate 70 percent smoothness improvement and successfully repair the extreme conditions of this road.
PFAS: From Regulatory Actions to Contractor Opportunities
Kristin Ratajczak
Physical Scientist at US Environmental Protection Agency
Kristin Ratajczak currently serves the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) as an Environmental Protection Specialist, working to support domestic manufacturing through implementation of domestic preference requirements applied to CWSRF projects and those funded with federal dollars. In this role, Kristin also supports efforts to mitigate emerging contaminants. Prior to her current role, Kristin worked as an inspector, evaluating compliance with the Clean Water Act. Before joining the EPA, Kristin served local utilities, ensuring that wastewater discharged to publicly owned treatment works (POTWs) was compatible with its treatment processes and monitoring the POTWs’ compliance with National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System Permits.
Kristin earned her degree in Environmental Science from the University of West Florida in 2013.
Wesley Smith
Client Director, Design-Build at Black & Veatch
Wesley Smith leads collaborative project development efforts for Black & Veatch, an integrated engineering and construction firm delivering projects in North and South America, Europe, and Asia. With experience ranging from work on the Central Artery Project in Boston to the Tunnel and Reservoir Program in Chicago to multiple components of the Southern Nevada Water Authority treatment and transmission infrastructure in Las Vegas, his resume includes a history of successful project delivery using design-bid-build, design-build, and CM at Risk.
Wesley has a Bachelor of Science in Engineering from the Colorado School of Mines and is actively engaged in the Design Build Institute of America (DBIA) and the Water Collaborative Delivery Association (WCDA). Throughout his career, he has acquired practical project delivery experience and knowledge specific to the water and energy sectors.
The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) appropriates $1 billion to the Clean Water State Revolving Fund (CWSRF) to address emerging contaminants, including perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in wastewater, stormwater, and nonpoint source pollution. This presents a unique opportunity to prioritize investment to local communities experiencing contamination that have few options to finance solutions through traditional programs.
As PFAS removal projects become more common, they present growing opportunities for contractors on the front line of mitigation efforts. This session will provide an overview of emerging contaminants, PFAS and PFOA, discuss types of projects that contractors may encounter to address these contaminants, and requirements associated with BIL-funded projects.
4:00 PM – 5:30 PM
Reception
Sponsored by:
