Keynote Speaker: Gary Lee Anderton, Ph.D.
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers

Dr. Anderton is a native of Vicksburg, Miss., and has worked his entire 22-year career at the U.S. Army Engineer Research and Development Center (ERDC)—all within the Airfields and Pavements Branch of the Geotechnical and Structures Laboratory. He is presently Acting Chief of the Airfields and Pavements Branch and a Research Civil Engineer. Dr. Anderton has a bachelor’s degree in Petroleum Engineering (1983) and a master’s degree in Civil Engineering (1991), both from Mississippi State University. He also has a doctorate in Civil Engineering (1997) from the University of Texas.

He has worked in the field of pavement materials and construction technology during his entire ERDC career, authoring over fifty technical publications in this area. Dr. Anderton is frequently consulted on military pavement construction projects and has proudly provided onsite technical assistance through deployments to Bosnia, Oman, and Afghanistan. Over the last six years, Dr. Anderton has been manager for the $23 million Joint Rapid Airfield Construction program, directing the work of over 30 engineers and scientists representing four ERDC laboratories.

Dr. Anderton has received numerous honors and awards for his research efforts, including the Director’s Research and Achievement Award in 1995, the Commander’s Award for Civilian Service in 2005, and the ERDC Research and Development Achievement Award in 2005. He is a member of the Phi Kappa Phi academic honor society, the American Society of Civil Engineers, and the Society of American Military Engineers.

Mr. Dunlap started his career in advocacy and consulting in early 2004. His consulting practice area is focused in crisis communication, procurement, local government, executive branch and legislative advocacy and environmental consulting. Mr. Dunlapʼs expertise in environmental regulation and the many years of relationships that he has developed among regulatory agencies has been invaluable for the Company. In 2003, Mr. Dunlap was appointed by Governor Gray Davis to serve as Chairman of the State Compensation Insurance Fund, California's largest provider of workers' compensation.

He also served six years in Governor Pete Wilson's Administration as Chairman of the California Air Resources Board, where he was responsible for implementation of the California Clean Air Act and compliance with the Federal Clean Air Act. From 1993 to 1994, he served Governor Wilson as Chief Deputy Director of the Department of Toxic Substances Control where he managed external affairs, legislation, and technology development programs. Prior to his state service, John worked for the South Coast Air Quality Management District as public advisor, where he helped resolve disputes for businesses and developed outreach programs to educate the public and the regulated community about air quality issues.

Speaker: Susan Fitzsimmons
CSI, CDT, industry solutions Offer Manager,
AT&T Mobility

Susan Fitzsimmons, CSI, CDT, is responsible for wireless data business solutions targeting the architectural, engineering and construction vertical markets in the U.S.  Susan has an extensive background in the AEC community that dates back to 1987. Through her duties as a senior business analyst and director of strategic alliances for some of the industry’s leading construction information publishers, Susan has focused on bringing cutting edge technologies to the building, design and construction industry. As Industry Solutions Offer Manager for AT&T Mobility, she researches industry technology trends and develops strategies for wireless data solutions that will advance AEC business processes and, in turn, facilitate improved design, construction and building management.

Speaker: Richard LeFrancois
President
Equipment Maintenance Innovators

Richard LeFrancois, a graduate of the University of Utah is President of Equipment Maintenance Innovators (EMI) an 8 year old Technology Education and Integration Company headquartered in Lakewood, Colorado with a focus on voice recognition technology for field service applications, vehicle navigation, wireless fuel management, automated data collection systems, driver and operator management systems and machinery wireless-diagnostic systems for the truck and construction equipment industries. Mr. LeFrancois acts as a senior level consultant with a sharp focus on emerging technologies that impact equipment management: productivity issues; strategic and tactical planning; life-cycle costing; labor productivity improvement; operational evaluations; labor training; production and cost estimating. Mr. LeFrancois holds the industry certification MCFM (Master Certificate Fleet Management); he is a 20 year member of the AEMP (Association of Equipment Management Professionals); a member of the TMC (Technology and Maintenance Council)of the American Trucking Association and an member of GITA (Geospatial Information and Technology Association).

Mr. LeFrancois has extensive experience with GIS technology and led a technology team for the GIS project for implementation of the Panama Canal Treaty in 1999. Mr. LeFrancois has been a spoken at numerous AEMP annual conferences and was on the educational program of CONEXPO in 2005. Mr. LeFrancois has provided technology solutions to such companies as the Alyeska Pipeline Service Company, Artic Slope Regional Corporation, Red Dog Mine, Schlumberger and BJ Services.

Moderator: Steve L. Massie
President, AGC of America 2007
CEO, Jack L. Massie Contractor Inc.,
Williamsburg, Va.

Steve heads up Jack L. Massie Contractor Inc., a family-owned and operated highway, site and utility construction company in business since 1947, and an active AGC of America member since 1985. Steve Massie served as chair of the Highway & Transportation Division in 1997. He has also been an active member of many committees, including the Human Resources Practices, Environmental Resources, Workforce Development, Legislative Action, Asphalt Pavement, Sitework & Grading, Highway Bridge, Equal Business Access, Contractor Relations, Ethics, Rules and Tax & Fiscal Affairs committees.

Speaker: Steve McGough
Chief Operating Officer
HCSS

Steve is the Chief Operating Officer of HCSS, a software solution provider for the construction industry.  His educational background includes an undergraduate degree in engineering from Texas A&M and an MBA from Tulane University.  Steve’s professional career spans close to 25 years in software, heavy highway and the heavy equipment industry.  Before joining HCSS, Steve spent the previous 15 years as a senior executive in the heavy equipment industry. 

David Pinaire is the global commercial manager of the Caterpillar Productivity Solutions Division. For over eight years he and his team have had responsibility for developing and deploying machine control and guidance technology solutions that give customers unprecedented productivity gains for their Caterpillar equipment. These solutions include AccuGrade TM grade control for the construction industry and the Computer Aided Earthmoving System (CAES) for landfills. The team works closely with our product groups and marketing organizations to ensure Caterpillar Dealers and customers get industry-leading support as we engage in this exciting change. David has championed the advances that this technology brings to the construction industry. Passion for helping colleagues and customers “cross the technology chasm” is his hallmark.

He has an economics degree from Eastern Illinois University and an MBA from the American Graduate School of International Management in Glendale, Arizona. David has been with Caterpillar over 28 years. He has held assignments in Switzerland, England, the Middle East, Japan, and the U.S.

Speaker: Eric Schmidt
Sukut Construction Inc.

Eric Schmidt pioneered Sukut Construction’s diesel engine re-power program and today is the company’s repower program manager. He started his career in heavy equipment after graduating from University of California, Riverside, with a bachelor’s degree in soil science. After working as a mechanic for 20 years with the industry’s larger construction companies such as Granite, Yeager/Skanska, and ACI, he came to Sukut in 1997. While working as the Equipment Superintendent for Sukut, Schmidt developed a unique engine re-power program which has allowed Sukut to replace more than 175 high-horsepower diesel engines with newer, clean-air engines, reducing pollution by 70%, which led to

Sukut being recognized as one of ENR’s Top 25 Newsmakers for 2006. Schmidt’s innovative strategies on how to replace engines onsite—rather than sending the equipment to a dealership—decreased downtime by 500%, allowing the equipment to be back up and running within a period of one week versus six weeks.

Engines have been replaced on scrapers, loaders, motor graders, rock trucks and dozers. Schmidt’s innovations also have resulted in Sukut Construction’s recognition of being one of the Top 10 Green Companies in Orange County, Calif.

Speaker: Scott M. Tierney
Construction Manager
Cianbro Corp.

After graduating from Cornell University, Scott founded and managed his own construction business until joining Cianbro Corp. in 1996. At Cianbro, he has held the positions of Project Superintendent and Project Manager on heavy civil, industrial and marine projects. Scott is currently working at the Destiny USA project as the Construction Manager in charge of Operations.

He is responsible for overseeing all of the prime contractors¹ work, coordinating their schedules, logistics and tracking the work in progress as well as managing change. In addition Scott is involved in a number of client-driven initiatives including; "Go Green" (LEED)-recycling, alternate energy production, technology implementation (going 100% paperless in the office and working towards paperless field activities), utilizing biodiesel and helping the client develop an "Innovator Workforce" that will transition from building the expansion to managing the finished product.

As editor-in-chief, Janice L. Tuchman directs the editorial operations of the Engineering News-Record enterprise— delivering news and analysis online, in print and in person at events. She works on strategic planning and develops new editorial products, projects and issues. Under Tuchmanʼs leadership, the ENR team won two prestigious Jesse H. Neal awards in 2007 for Best Website and for Best Online Series of Articles.

Tuchman launched the “In Demand” series of magazines for the Dept. of Labor. These magazines connect high schools students to careers in industries that have a high demand for workers, such as construction. In 2002, she became only the sixth woman to be elected to membership in “The Moles,” a prestigious heavy-construction industry leaders organization. She also serves on the Industry Advisory Committee of the Department of Civil Engineering at Columbia University. She co-authored a book on Exposed Structure in Building Design and won McGraw-Hill Corporate Achievement Awards for Information Technology and Editorial Excellence. Tuchman earned bachelor's and master's degrees in journalism from the University of Colorado in Boulder.

Moderator: Tudor Van Hampton
Midwest Bureau Chief, ENR

Van Hampton is ENR’s award-winning midwest bureau chief who regularly reports from around the world on the construction industry’s tools of the trade. Van Hampton began his career as a journalist in 2000 after graduating from the University of Kansas with undergraduate degrees in English and Theatre & Film. Before joining ENR in 2002, Van Hampton edited magazines specializing in cranes, forklifts and aerial work platforms, where he reported product news, technology and trends, and even designed equipment used to test machinery in the field. Before that, he worked as a building engineer in one of the largest residence halls in the Midwest and coordinated backstage activities, such as rigging, lighting and sound, in more than a dozen live theaters across the country. Van Hampton also has worked as an auto mechanic and commercial painter, and is an aspiring do-it-yourselfer.

Speaker: David J. White, Ph.D.
Iowa State University

Dr. White holds a B.S. (Univ. of Missouri-Columbia, 1997), M.S. (Iowa State University 1999), and a Ph.D. (Iowa State University 2000), all in civil engineering. He has been on the faculty of the Department of Civil, Construction and Environmental Engineering at Iowa State University of Science and Technology since 2001, and currently holds the rank of Wegner Associate Professor of Civil Engineering and Division Leader. White has taught graduate and undergraduate courses in introduction to soil engineering, foundation analysis and design, experimental testing, soil behavior, and soil stabilization and compaction, with research interests in ground-improvement systems, compaction, intelligent-construction systems, soil stabilization, soil-structure interaction, and developing new in-situ testing equipment and sensor technologies.

Dr. White has advised more than 25 graduate students and has authored over 100 technical publications. Research sponsors include the Federal Highway Administration, National Science Foundation, state departments of transportation, and other industry partners. He is an affiliate of the Transportation Research Board (TRB) and an active member of the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE), and American Society of Engineering Education (ASEE), and last year became the recipient of the ASCE’s Arthur Casagrande Professional Development Award.

Speaker: W. Tom Witherspoon, Ph.D.
S&W Foundation Contractors

W. Tom Witherspoon founded Richardson, Texas-based S&W Foundation Contractors, where he has served for over 22 years as its President. His company is highly proficient in foundation repairs under extremely low-headroom applications, requiring innovative methods, labor, materials and customized uses of compact equipment. He holds a B.S. in Civil Engineering from Southern Methodist University, a masters degree in Business Management from the University of Texas at Dallas and recently completed his Ph.D. in Geotechnical Engineering from the University of Texas at Arlington. He maintains several licenses including: Professional Engineer (Tx), Surveying (Tx), GeoScience (Tx), Structural Engineering (US), Structural Repair (US), Foundation Repair (US), Sanitation (Tx) and Irrigation (Tx). Witherspoon’s interests include piering and piling for remedial repair, which was the basis for his dissertation. He is a frequent publisher in Foundation Drilling and many other industry and engineering publications.

He is the author of one book “Residential Foundation Performance” and several standards for foundation remediation. He is a frequent speaker at engineering conferences and other industry meetings.

Speaker: Norbert W. Young, Jr.
FAIA, President, McGraw-Hill Construction

Norbert W. Young, Jr. is president of McGraw-Hill Construction, the leading source of project news, product information, industry analysis and editorial coverage for design and construction professionals. McGraw- Hill Construction is comprised of such prestigious brands as Dodge, Sweets, Architectural Record, Engineering News-Record, Regional Publications and construction.com. Together, these brands serve as the leading provider of print and electronic products and services to the industrial, commercial and residential construction and building industry.

Norbert joined The McGraw-Hill Companies in December 1997 as vice president, editorial, for Dodge. Previous to Dodge, Mr. Young spent eight years with the Bovis Construction Group, a global leader in the management of high profile construction projects. In 1994, he was appointed president for the newly created Bovis Management Systems (BMS), which was established to serve the construction and project management needs for both private and public sector clients on a national, as well as global basis, with experience in over seventeen countries. Notable clients and projects which benefited from Mr. Young’s involvement include the 1996 Summer Olympic Games, Bank of America, NYNEX and Sun Microsystems.

During the 1980’s, Young was a partner at Toombs Development Company, New Canaan, CT. He managed all aspects of design and construction, including governmental permitting and approvals for the firm’s real estate developments in Philadelphia, Baltimore and New Jersey. He started his career in Philadelphia as an architect, where he gained 12 years experience covering a wide range of building types and projects. He holds a Master’s of Architecture from the University of Pennsylvania and a Bachelor’s of Arts from Bowdoin College, Brunswick, ME. A registered architect, his professional affiliations include membership in the American Institute of Architects, Urban Land Institute, and the Construction Specification Institute.

In addition, he serves as Vice Chairman of the national board of ACE Mentor, serves as a trustee of the National Building Museum, is past-chairman of the board of regents of the American Architectural Foundation and is an Overseer for Penn Design University of Pennsylvania. He is also a McGraw-Hill representative to CURT (The Construction Users Roundtable) and very active on their AEC Productivity Task Force. He is a Fellow of The American Institute of Architects and in 2005 he received the Edward C. Kemper Award from the AIA for outstanding service to the profession of architecture.

In April 2007, Norbert received the prestigious Henry L. Michel Award for Industry Advancement of Research. Established in recognition of the outstanding contributions made by the late Henry L. Michel to the design and construction industry, the award is presented each year by the Civil Engineering Forum for Innovation (CEFI) to a person in the design and construction industry who has helped to increase industry participation in research and in efforts to bring innovations into practice.

Norbert resides in Greenwich, Connecticut with his wife, Christine.