2025 Conference Agenda

Agenda for the 2026 CLC Leadership Development Conference is in the work. Stay tuned for an exciting, all-new CLC LDC in 2026, co-located with the AGC Technolgy Conference.

Day One

Wednesday, October 1, 2025

9:00 AM – 6:00 PM

Registration / Information Desk / Exhibits

8:30 AM – 10:30 AM

AGC of America
National CLC In-Person Meeting

Chapter CLC leadership are also invited to participate

This is an in-person business meeting of AGC of America’s National Construction Leadership Committee. The ​Construction Leadership​ Committee’s mission is to fulfill the need to cultivate the next generation of leaders in the construction industry as well as the association both at the local and national levels.  Chapter CLC Leadership are also invited to participate.

11:00 AM – 12:30 PM

AGC of America

CLC Chapter Leadership Networking Luncheon

Invite Only

Shella Chainaranont, the Beck Group (Vice Chair, National CLC)
Josh Fetcko, Gulisek Construction Company (Member, National CLC)
Sarah Lawrence, IMAGINiT Technologies (Member, National CLC)
Michelle Ewing, Director of Member Engagement, AGC of America
David Ashinoff, Senior Director of Political Affairs, AGC of America
Jimmy Christianson, COO, AGC of America

Chapter CLC Leadership are invited to participate in this networking luncheon to learn more about what your AGC membership has to offer, AGC’s Political Action Committee, and next steps in your leadership journey.

Do you already know you want to take the next step in your leadership journey? Apply to the National CLC by October 17.

1:00 PM – 1:15 PM

Welcome Address

Trey Pebley, Foremost Paving (Vice President, AGC of America)
Jeremy Wheeler, Burleson Construction (CLC Chair, AGC of America)
Dara Collins, PJ Dick (Master Builders’ Association of Western Pennsylvania)

1:15 PM – 5:00 PM

CONCURRENT SESSION
Construction Innovation Field Trip: Carnegie Mellon University Robotics Innovation Center and Pitt BioForge Tour

All attendees will participate in both sessions. The designated color on your badge color will indicate which session you will attend first. Instructions will be given during opening remarks.

  • Gain insights into a successful rebuild of Pittsburgh’s industrial riverfront
  • Understand what goes into the construction of an advanced research facility
  • Discover the role construction plays in the client’s / owner’s sustainability goals

Hazelwood Green is rebuilding Pittsburgh’s riverfront as a beacon of innovation, creativity, and wellbeing—in ways that align with Pittsburgh and the surrounding communities. The tour also includes two stops: Carnegie Mellon University’s Robotics Innovation Center and the University of Pittsburgh Bioforge!

Through 150,000 square feet of research space and dedicated areas for robotics testing, the CMU RIC brings together fundamental and applied robotics research in a dynamic and adaptive environment, working across traditional disciplinary boundaries to tackle future challenges. The facility will also provide opportunities for the community to engage with roboticists and to learn about robotics and artificial intelligence.

The University of Pittsburgh Bioforge is a 175,000 sq. ft., 3 story building owned and operated by University of Pittsburgh. The project consists of the tenant improvement construction of approximately 110,000 sq. ft. for ElevateBio. The tenant space includes: cGMP manufacturing of viral vectors and cell and gene therapies, support QC/Micro Labs/MSAT support labs, office and administrative support areas, shipping, receiving, GMP and non-GMP warehouse, and kitting and a mechanical penthouse.

Networking Break

CONCURRENT SESSION
Build-A-Bike Challenge: Trivia with a Purpose

Wade Kramm & James Wilder, The Promise Center

All attendees will participate in both sessions. The designated color on your badge color will indicate which session you will attend first. Instructions will be given during opening remarks.

  • Develop networking skills by engaging with peers in a collaborative environment
  • Hone problem-solving skills through an interactive bike-building exercise
  • Understand elements in succesful community service and service learning projects

  • Play Trivia: Teams will participate in four rounds of trivia, hosted by Buzz Worthy Pub Trivia. Topics will include geography, entertainment, current events, and more. At the end of each round, the host will discuss the correct answers. Teams earn bicycle parts as they answer questions correctly.
  • Build Bikes: Following the trivia, teams will use their collected parts to assemble their bikes. If necessary, additional pieces will be provided to ensure every team can complete their bike.
  • Donate Bikes: All assembled bikes will be donated.

5:00 PM – 6:00 PM

AGC of America
Welcome Reception

Sponsored by:

Day Two

Thursday, October 2, 2025

7:00 AM – 4:00 PM

Registration / Information Desk / Exhibits

7:30 AM – 8:30 AM

Continental Breakfast

8:30 AM – 9:30 AM

Mental Health in Construction

Richard Jones, YouTurn Health
Jason Malatak, Mosites Construction Company
Kara McCaffrey, MBA, Houck Group, Inc.

  • Describe the role leadership plays in fostering a mentally health workplace.
  • Identify the key components of an employee support plan including training staff to recognize and check-in on struggling staff, holding open discussions on mental health, and providing easily accessible and confidential support resources.
  • Discuss what other AGC member companies have done to successfully support employee mental health.
  • Determine how to talk about mental health support resources in a way that makes employees and their family members more likely to engage with them.

You’ve likely seen the stats about the state of mental health in construction: Studies by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) show that construction has the highest rate of overdose deaths, and the second highest rate of suicides compared to all other U.S. industries. Further, shame and stigma keep 78% of construction workers from getting the help they need. The good news is that employers can positively impact employee behavioral health.

In this session, attendees will get actionable advice for top-down leadership to help foster a mentally healthy workplace and break the stigma that prevents people from getting help. Hear how to train management and supervisors to identify the signs of a struggling employee and approach them from a place of care and support. Understand the importance of offering employees and their family members access to support for behavioral support and how to promote these resources in a way that people will use them. Attendees will also step through real-world examples of what leadership at other AGC member companies have done to address and support the behavioral health of their employees, such as providing dedicated resources and training staff to recognize the signs of someone struggling and approaching them from a place of care.

9:30AM – 10:00AM

Networking Break

Sponsored by:

10:00AM – 11:30AM

KEYNOTE
The Power of TALK in an AI World

Anthony Huey, CommunicateClearly

  • Understand the critical importance of verbal communication in an AI-driven world.
  • Transform your first impression instantly with three simple strategies.
  • Discover six key reasons to prioritize verbal communication over written communication.
  • Explore the importance of small talk in business & life, and how to master it.
  • Leverage AI to dramatically enhance your verbal communication in meetings, conversations, presentations and more.

In a world where ChatGPT enables everyone to write like a Harvard graduate, the true power to stand out now lies in verbal communication. Unfortunately, many studies show that the fear of public speaking ranks higher than the fear of death, and those who struggle to talk in front of others will quickly find themselves and their organizations falling behind. Join Anthony Huey in this lively and thought-provoking keynote as he explores the power of verbal communication. Anthony helps his audiences understand the importance of perception and how first impressions are primarily formed when we speak, whether in person, virtually, or on the phone.

11:30AM – 11:45AM

Meet the 2025 CLC Scholarship Recipient, Philip Williams, University of Pittsburgh

Through endowments made by AGC members and supporters, as well as AGC Chapters, the Foundation is able to award 150 or more undergraduate and graduate scholarships each year to deserving students. The national CLC is one of these generous donors, endowing a fund to support students from across the nation.

This year, the CLC Scholarship was awarded to Philip Williams, a rising Senior in the Civil Engineering program at the University of Pittsburgh. Philip is an active member of the AGC Student Chapter and has participated in the annual estimating conference. He is also involved in the Beta Theta Pi fraternity and ASCE, while serving as Vice President of Community Involvement for the University of Pittsburgh’s chapter of Letters of Love.

Upon graduation, Philip hopes to begin his career as a project engineer at a local consulting firm. You can support students like Philip by visiting www.agc.org/foundation or texting CLC2025 to 76278 to donate.

11:45AM – 1:00PM

Networking Lunch

Sponsored by:

1:00PM – 1:45PM

Managerial Effectiveness

Len Petrancosta, Peak Performance Management, Inc.

Learn how to prioritize what truly matters by cutting through the noise of daily demands. This session introduces the Eisenhower Matrix to help identify low-value tasks, delegate effectively, and reclaim time for high-impact work.

1:45PM – 2:00 PM

Networking Break

Sponsored by:

2:00 PM – 4:00 PM

CLC Best Practices Roundtable

Shella Chainaranont, The Beck Group
Justin Hilton, The Demo Comapny
Kyle Gillen, Turner Construction Company
Henry Kruger, AGC of MA
Emily Duewiger, Lease Crutcher Lewis
John Shields, Interstate Concrete and Asphalt
Chelsea Barton, Inland Northwest AGC
Tawny Thompson, Shamrock Paving
Sarah Lawrence, IMAGINiT Technologies
Ellianna Fry, Master Builders’ Association of Western Pennsylvania
Dara Collins, PJ Dick
Korie Palmer, Clearwater Construction
Cam Clolinger, American Global
Zach Gaatz, J.H. Findorff & Son Inc.
Josh Fetcko, Gulisek Construction Company

  • Gain insights into proven strategies for improving engagement in various CLC initiatives
  • Identify opportunities for CLC growth in participation and engagement in initiatives
  • Develop ability to plan and execute member-led CLC activities

Join CLC leaders from top CLC Chapters around the country to learn best practices in organizing and energizing your local CLC. This roundtable discussion will cover everything from CLC’s charity and community engagement projects to facilitating the success of students and student chapters.

6:00PM – 8:00PM

Master Builders’ Association of Western Pennsylvania
Reception

The closing CLC LDC reception, hosted by the Master Builders’ Association on October 2nd will be held at Acrisure Stadium. Set within one of Pittsburgh’s most renowned venues, this event will offer guests the opportunity to enjoy panoramic views of the stadium, history of the Steelers, great food, and even better company.

Please join us for an evening of meaningful connections, and lasting memories in a truly exceptional setting.

Transportation will be provided from the hotel and back. If you would like to stay in the North Shore Area to check out the nearby attractions (highly encouraged) you will need to make other arrangements to get back to the hotel.

Sponsored by: