Schedule

Monday, Nov. 10

• 8 a.m.-4 p.m. National Committee Meetings

Tuesday, Nov. 11

• 6:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. National Board of Directors Meeting and Leadership Institute Registration Open
• 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m. National Board of Directors Meeting
• 5-6:30 p.m. Leadership Institute Welcome Reception

Wednesday, Nov. 12

• 7-8 a.m. Leadership Institute Breakfast
• 7:30 a.m.-3 p.m. Leadership Institute Registration Open
• 8-9:15 a.m. Opening Keynote
  
  Speaker: Anthony Huey, CSP®, President, Reputation Management LLC
  
  Stand Up. Stand Out. And Stand Apart! Making Your Message Memorable
  
  Whether you realize it or not, your communication skills are constantly judged by others, often subconsciously. How you communicate in everything from casual conversations to formal presentations can be the difference between success and failure. Don’t miss what is often your only opportunity to connect and leave a lasting impression. This pragmatic keynote offers attendees battle-proven communications techniques to ensure they and their messages are remembered.
• 9:15-9:30 a.m. Networking Break
• 9:30-10:30 a.m. Leadership Institute Concurrent Sessions
  
  The Foundation of ABC: Defining the Merit Shop Philosophy and How It Has Formed ABC
  
  Speakers: Mike Bellaman, CEO, Associated Builders and Contractors; Alicia Martin, President, ABC Illinois; Mike Uremovich, President, Manhattan Mechanical Services LLC
  
  ABC has a unique mission among our peer trade associations. Panelists will discuss what the merit shop philosophy is and how it has shaped ABC. With Articles I and III of the association bylaws as our guide, you will gain insights into why ABC takes certain policy stances to defend the construction industry and free enterprise.
  
  Board Member Basics: Leading and Volunteering With Purpose
  
  Speakers: Laura Barnes, President, ABC Central California; Greg Gutierrez, President and CEO, Truitt Corp.
  
  This session provides an overview of the key duties and expectations of chapter board members. Participants will gain a clear understanding of board roles, governance principles, fiduciary responsibilities and how to effectively contribute to the chapter’s mission and success. Ideal for new and current board members, this session sets the stage for confident, informed and effective leadership.
  
  Deeper Dive Into Making Your Message Memorable
  
  Speaker: Anthony Huey, CSP®, President, Reputation Management, LLC
  
  From casual chats to high-stakes presentations, your communication style is always under the microscope—often without you realizing it. This high-energy deep dive session equips you with proven strategies to craft messages that connect, engage, and stay with your audience long after the conversation ends. Learn how to elevate your delivery, command attention, and leave a lasting impression every time you speak.
• 10:30-10:45 a.m. Networking Break
• 10:45-11:45 a.m. Leadership Institute Concurrent Sessions
  
  Budgeting Blueprint: Use Your Estimating Skills To Prepare Your Chapter Budget
  
  Speakers: Lorri Grayson, Founder and Partner, GGA Construction and ABC Mid-Atlantic Region Vice Chair; Dave Porter, CPA, Chief Financial Officer, ABC National; G. David Sload, President and CEO, ABC Keystone
  
  Estimators prepare project budgets to win work and guide project performance, estimate, win work, perform successfully and repeat. Our chapter budgets provide us with the same tool. Using a chapter budget effectively will provide board members the tool to evaluate your chapter's progress. Still, many board members are puzzled by the methods necessary to prepare an accurate budget for your chapter. Join ABC National CFO Dave Porter and Chapter President David Sload to discuss best practices for preparing and using a budget to measure your Chapter's financial performance.
  
  Building Stronger Together: Navigating Board and Chapter Staff Roles
  
  Speakers: Steve Cona, President, ABC Florida Gulf Coast; Jason Spears, Vice President, Peninsular Mechanical Contractors Inc.
  
  The purpose of this session is to foster healthy working relationships among the chapter board, president and staff. What are the appropriate ways to work with chapter staff while maintaining clear lines of authority? You will leave this session with clarity and expectations of chapter staff and chapter board members.
  
  Get Work: How Construction Leaders Must Design and Manage a Playbook for Estimating and Sales Success
  
  Speaker: Chad Prinkey, Founder and CEO, Well Built Consulting
  
  Most contractors bid too much of the wrong work and only win when they're low. That's a recipe for disaster that creates a profitability rollercoaster for your business. In this session, we'll provide a system for methodically building a book of business that sets your company up to win more of the work you want at the profit margins you deserve. We'll outline the elements of a go-to-market strategy followed by the top-performing general and subcontractors in North America and get you started so you can create a best-in-class.
• 11:45 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Lunch
• 12:30-1:30 p.m. Leadership Institute Concurrent Sessions
  
  Tracking What Matters: Measuring Performance Against Your Plan
  
  Speakers: Mike Henderson, President, ABC Baltimore; Larry Lopez, COO, Workbridge LLC; Eric Mann, Business Development Manager, Emery Sapp & Sons Inc.; Michele Roberts Bauer, President, ABC Heart of America
  
  You’ve set the strategy—now how do you know it’s working? In this session, learn how to identify the right key performance indicators, track meaningful progress and align metrics with your chapter goals. This session will equip you with tools to evaluate performance, adjust strategies when needed and ensure your plan drives real results.
  
  Blueprint for the Future: Mastering Strategic Planning
  
  Speaker: Chad Prinkey, Founder and CEO, Well Built Consulting
  
  Learn the necessary steps for successful strategic planning. This includes planning and improving your chapter or company strategic plan on a regular and ongoing basis. You will learn what makes a strong plan, the importance of outside facilitation, time needed, the right number of goals and successful methods for executing and tracking your strategic plan.
  
  From the Field to the Future: A Construction Executive's Coaching Playbook
  
  Speaker: Laurie Richards, CEO, Laurie Richards & Associates
  
  As a construction executive, you've mastered delivering results—but are you building the leadership pipeline to sustain success for the long haul? This session explores why traditional management approaches fall short when it comes to retaining and developing high-potential talent. Learn how to coach at the executive level, create clear and compelling career paths and shift your mindset from managing for today to leading for tomorrow. Discover strategies for enterprise-level thinking, advanced coaching techniques and when to invest in outside support. Walk away with tools to build a succession-ready culture that keeps your top talent engaged, growing and driving your organization forward.
  
  
• 1:30-1:45 p.m. Networking Break
• 1:45-2:45 p.m. Leadership Institute Concurrent Sessions
  
  Beyond the Budget: Building Reserves and Investing Wisely
  
  Speakers: Peter Dyga, President, ABC Florida East Coast; Clare Golla, CFP®, National Managing Director of Philanthropic Services, Bernstein Private Wealth Management; Shandon Harbour, President, ABC San Diego; Ben Lucas, Wealth Advisor, Bernstein Private Wealth Management; Kelly Tourdot, President, ABC Wisconsin
  
  For nonprofit associations, financial stability goes beyond balancing the annual budget. In this session, we will cover strategies for building and maintaining reserve funds, making prudent investment decisions and aligning financial planning with your chapter’s mission. Learn how to strengthen your chapter’s long-term sustainability while meeting board expectations and fiduciary responsibilities.
  
  Built To Lead: Smart Board Selection and Succession Planning
  
  Speakers: Pat Dean, President and CEO, ABC Virginia; Mike Henderson, President and CEO, ABC Greater Baltimore; Frank Murphy, President and COO, TEI Electrical Solutions
  
  Selecting the right board members is critical to a chapter’s long-term success. In this session, we’ll explore how to identify, recruit and retain volunteer board leaders who align with ABC’s mission and bring the skill set that your chapter needs most. Learn best practices for succession planning that ensures leadership continuity, strengthens governance and builds a board that is prepared for the future.
  
  Investing in the Future: What’s Driving the Next Wave of Construction Technology
  Session Sponsored by:
  
  Speakers: Matthew Abeles, Vice President of Construction Technology and Innovation, ABC National; Jackson Feder, Vice President, MetaProp; Hamzah Shanbari, Director of Innovation, Haskell
  
  This session explores the key innovation trends that are attracting major investment and gaining traction across the industry. Attendees will get an inside look at where funding and momentum are heading—and what that means for the future of jobsites, workflows and business strategy. Discover insights on autonomous vehicles, robotics, artificial intelligence, 3D printing, drones and more.
• 2:45-3 p.m. Networking Break
• 3-4:15 p.m. Leadership Institute Concurrent Sessions
  
  Meet Your Peers: 2026 Chapter Chairs
  
  Speakers: Sam Baca, CDO and Co-Owner, AUI Inc., Past Chair, ABC New Mexico; Thomas “Murph” Murphy, President, Power & Construction Group, Chair-Elect, ABC National Board of Directors; Scott Uren, President and CEO, Titan Fire Protection, Chair, ABC San Diego and Chair-elect, ABC of California
  
  Hear a roundtable discussion with your fellow 2026 chairs and learn from a panel of past chapter chairs. Learn what to expect in the coming year and how to fulfill your duties as chair.
  
  Meet Your Peers: 2027 Chapter Chairs
  
  Speakers: Hunter Bendall, Senior Vice President of Surety, Marsh & McLennan Agency, Past Chair, ABC Chesapeake Shores; Roger Cannoy, Regional Director, Interstates, Chair, ABC of Iowa; Brandon Mabile; Performance Contractors Inc., ABC National Secretary and South Central Region Vice Chair; Doug Portner, Founder and President, Harbor Roofing and Contracting Inc.; Jason Wallack, Operations Manager, Hensel Phelps, Chair, ABC Rocky Mountain
  
  Network with your fellow chairs-elect and learn from a panel of past chairs. During this moderated discussion, panelists will explain what to expect in the coming year and how to fulfill your duties as chair-elect.
  
  From Clashes to Collaboration: Conflict Management Skills for Construction Professionals
  
  Speaker: Laurie Richards, CEO, Laurie Richards & Associates
  
  In construction, tight deadlines, budget pressures and competing priorities can turn small disagreements into costly disputes. In this high-impact session, you’ll learn how to transform conflict from a project-derailing problem into a strategic advantage. Using the proven STATE method, you’ll gain practical tools to resolve disputes quickly, prevent future clashes and strengthen critical relationships. Walk away with a personalized action plan to turn tension into teamwork—whether with employees, clients or stakeholders.
  
  Meet Your Peers: Chapter Presidents
  
  Speakers: Shandon Harbour, President, ABC San Diego; David Sload, President and CEO, ABC Keystone
  
  ABC is fortunate to have a strong peer group of professionals leading each chapter. This session, designed and led by chapter presidents, will provide an opportunity for best practice sharing and networking.
• 4:15-5:15 p.m. Peer-to-Peer Reception
• 5:30-6:30 p.m. Networking Event

Thursday, Nov. 13

• 7-8 a.m. Leadership Institute Breakfast
• 8-9:15 a.m. Closing Keynote
  
  The Edge of Possible: Unlocking Potential in a World of Rapid Change
  
  Speaker: Cameron Atlas, Songwriter/Live Performer, TEDx Speaker and Executive Coach
  
  We are living through one of the most accelerated periods in history, driven by advances in artificial intelligence, emerging technologies and global shifts that are redefining how we live and work. Success belongs to those who can adapt quickly, lead through uncertainty and turn disruption into opportunity. Gain insights on how to embrace change, move beyond fear and take bold, decisive steps into the unknown through powerful stories, real-world examples and practical strategies.
• 9:15-9:30 a.m. Networking Break
• 9:30-10:30 a.m. Chapter Financials: Your Mission and Your Money
  
  Panelists: Lynn Kent, Treasurer, Robert F. Audet, Inc.; Gene Jacobson, President, PDC—Electrical Contractors; Larry May, Construction CPA Partner, Carr, Riggs & Ingram and Treasurer, ABC National; Casie Sears Kerr, Sears Contract Inc.
  
  Spend an informative hour looking at financial oversight and fiduciary responsibility for your chapter including reporting basics. A panel of four ABC Board members will discuss their experiences and outline financial best practices. A bonus take-home checklist to guide your participation at your chapter will be provided.
• 10:30-10:45 a.m. Networking Break
• 10:45 a.m.-12:15 p.m. From Good to Great: Roundtable Discussions on Sharing the Secrets of Sustained Success
  
  • Political Fundraising
  • Accredited Quality Contractor and Top Performers Program
  • Membership
  • Total Human Health
  • Management Education
  • Young Professionals Program
  • Construction Technology Education
  • NextGen Leadership Program