On-Demand Options

Ms. Verley believes knowledge is power and there is always a solution for every situation. With a focus on sustainability, longevity and energy efficiency she stays up to date on the most innovative solutions for the building envelope. Through public speaking, digital media and articles, she is able to bring the forefront of information to local markets with a focus on proper use of materials situationally rather than a cookie-cutter approach. Ms. Verley’s building envelope focus includes masonry restoration and moisture management, waterproofing, roofing, single-ply and protected membranes, garden roofs, and assembly solutions. She earned her undergraduate degree in Civil Engineering.

Dr. Omar Abuodeh is an accomplished professional specializing in structural health monitoring and finite element modeling for civil/structural engineering structures. He combines these skills with machine learning techniques to drive comprehensive analyses and innovative contributions to the field. His interdisciplinary mindset and commitment to excellence make him an asset in complex infrastructure resiliency and engineering systems projects. Dr. Abuodeh has expertise in structural health monitoring, output-only operational modal analysis (OMA), finite element analysis (FEA), machine learning (ML) techniques, data-driven analysis, signal processing, Python automation, and interdisciplinary collaboration. 
During his Ph.D. studies at Clemson University, Dr. Abuodeh utilized Output-Only OMA techniques and FEA to identify the system dynamics of bridges using the signals measured by vehicles. Before that, he conducted validation studies of tested retrofitted reinforced concrete members using FEMs. This work extended to employing data-driven techniques like machine learning to analyze and quantify parameters affecting structural responses under varying loading conditions.

Cecily Barclay advises clients on land use and entitlements, real estate acquisition and development, and local government law matters. She assists with land use application processing, drafting and negotiating purchase and sale agreements, and negotiating and securing the approval of development agreements. She also handles general plan amendments, annexations, initiatives and referendums, and tentative and final subdivision maps. Ms. Barclay’s projects include redevelopment of land for market rate and affordable housing, life science campuses, hotels and resorts, and transit-oriented mixed-use development projects. She has significant experience in processing entitlements for redevelopment and expansion of regional retail centers, resort hotels, entertainment centers, biotech/R&D campuses, large mixed-use master-planned communities, and multifaceted reuse of former military facilities and other infill development sites. Her work involves advising on land use initiatives, negotiating school fee mitigation agreements, preparing conservation easements to mitigate for loss of biological resources, and drafting affordable housing programs, Williamson Act contracts, and related issues pertaining to agricultural properties. Ms. Barclay works with local agencies on drafting ordinances relating to updating general plans and housing elements, planned development zoning, specific plans, mitigation fees, affordable housing, and growth management. She focuses on how agencies and developers can apply state housing laws, particularly antiNIMBY (Housing Accountability Act) and density bonus laws. Ms. Barclay is a lead author of Curtin’s California Land Use & Planning Law, a publication summarizing the major provisions of California’s land use and planning laws. She also co-authored Development by Agreement, an ABA publication providing a national analysis of laws and practices concerning various forms of development agreements. Ms. Barclay regularly speaks and writes on topics involving land use and local government law, including programs and articles for the American Bar Association, American Planning Association, Urban Land Institute, and other state and national associations and conferences.

Ms. Graham has practiced law in the area of real estate transactions and litigation for over 30 years, and has served as a mediator for over 15 years. Her law practice focuses on transactional real estate law and civil appeals. Ms. Graham’s mediation practice emphasizes business and real estate matters. She has also mediated personal injury, unlawful detainer and civil harassment disputes. Ms. Graham is an author of a chapter of the CEB treatise Neighbor Disputes: Law and Litigation, which she continues to update annually. She also edits chapters CEB’s California Easements and Boundaries: Law and Litigation. Ms. Graham has been a panelist at various California State Bar and local bar events on the topics of easements, neighbor disputes, contract issues, elimination of bias and advanced negotiation skills. Ms. Graham has a background in title insurance and liability insurance. She litigated an insurance bad faith matter which ultimately went to the California Supreme Court. She served as a mediator for the Los Angeles Superior Court Alternative Dispute Resolution Panel, serving on both its pro bono and pay panels during which time she mediated contract, business, real estate, unlawful detainer, personal injury and civil harassment matters, as well as private mediations. Ms. Graham has served as a member of the Executive Committee of the California State Bar Real Property Section and as a member of the Board of Trustees of Santa Monica Bar Association. She is an active member of the Los Angeles County Bar Association Small Firms and Solo Section and presently serves on its executive committee. Ms. Graham trained as a mediator with the Strauss Institute for Dispute Resolution of Pepperdine University School of Law. She holds a B.A. degree in English from UCLA and a J.D. degree from Loyola Law School.

Lauren Layne is a shareholder at Baker Manock & Jensen, PC, in Fresno, where she chairs the firm’s Business Department and leads the firm’s Water Law and Public Agency practice groups. Her law practice focuses on general water and environmental law, including CEQA and NEPA compliance, and includes various business transactional matters in the areas of water rights, water quality, public agency law, agribusiness, and real property. She also assists clients with land acquisitions and eminent domain proceedings. In addition to representing private farming clients, she serves as general counsel to various irrigation and water districts, flood control districts, and a number of groundwater sustainability agencies. Ms. Layne attended California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo, where she majored in Soil Science, and earned her J.D. degree, with distinction, from McGeorge School of Law. She is a native of Porterville and has an agricultural background that includes farming and raising sheep. She was very involved in both 4-H and FFA, is a past 4-H Leader, and received her American FFA Degree. She is currently serving as vice chair of the Dean’s Advisory Council for the Cal Poly College of Agriculture Food and Environmental Sciences and as immediate past president to both the Cal Poly Alumni Association and the McGeorge School of Law Alumni Association. She is the chair of the Association of California Water Agencies (ACWA) State Legislative Committee and serves on the ACWA Legal Affairs Committee. Ms. Layne is co-chair of the Fresno County Bar Association Ag Law Section and is a member of Fresno County Farm Bureau.

Mr. Offord graduated from the University of California at Santa Barbara in 2005. Thereafter, he remained in Santa Barbara to work at a general litigation firm before attending law school at Santa Clara University and earning his J.D. degree in 2009. As a student at Santa Clara, he was named top of his class (receiving the CALI or the Witkin Award) in four of his courses, in addition to graduating on the Dean’s List. Mr. Offord joined the firm in 2009 after clerking for a law practice that primarily focused on real estate litigation and transactions. His experience includes law and motion practice and all stages of civil trials, including serving as lead counsel in many bench and jury trials. He has participated in State and Federal trials. He is heavily involved in the local real estate community, with an active role in several local real estate associations. He has also obtained his Real Estate Broker’s License from the California Department of Real Estate. He is regularly asked to be a speaker for local real estate organizations and brokerages, including SILVAR, Santa Clara County Association of Realtors®, and San Mateo County Association of Realtors®. He has also guest lectured at Menlo College for the Real Estate Law and Introduction to Law courses. In addition, Mr. Offord has been a speaker for both the Santa Clara County and San Mateo County Bar Associations. At Brewer Offord & Pedersen LLP, Mr. Offord works on matters representing real estate professionals and homeowners involved in neighbor and property disputes, as well as on commercial leasing matters and homeowner association issues. 

Pallamary & Associates is owned and operated by Michael J. Pallamary, a professional land surveyor licensed by the State of California. Mr. Pallamary has 42 years experience in the land surveying, land planning, land use consultation and engineering professions. He is a nationally recognized authority on land surveying and local land development regulations. Mr. Pallamary is a founding member of the Land Surveyors Advisory Council on Technical Standards (LSACTS). He writes a regular column for The American Surveyor magazine. He owned and operated Precision Survey & Mapping from 1983 to 1999. Mr. Pallamary has also been the owner and president of Land Survey Service of La Jolla since 1983. He is recognized as the preeminent authority on the redevelopment of property in La Jolla and San Diego’s coastal regions. Mr. Pallamary is also the owner and operator of www.tiepoints.com, the state of California’s premiere Land Surveyor Resource and Research Site. This site is also used as a tool to locate City of San Diego Tie Points. Pallamary & Associates specializes in land use litigation and the processing of complex land use permits, land planning, discretionary permits and coastal development permits issued by the City of San Diego and the California Coastal Commission. The company also provide project management services and land development consultation services for conventional projects and also in connection with insurance matters. As the owner of Land Survey Service of La Jolla, Mr. Pallamary owns the largest private collection of property records and survey maps of La Jolla properties. Mr. Pallamary is also a former member of the City of San Diego’s Board of Zoning Appeals in addition to having spent many years as a member of a variety of planning organizations including a term as the elected chairman of the Clairemont Mesa Planning Group, an elected member of the North Bay Project Area Committee and an appointed member of the Mission Bay Park Committee and Mission Bay Park Planners. In these capacities, he has co-authored the Mission Bay Park Master Plan, the Clairemont Mesa Community Plan and the North Bay Redevelopment Master Plan. Mr. Pallamary is also a co-author of the City of San Diego’s Mapping and Land Title Document Preparation Manual.

Dr. Hoskins earned his B.S. and M.S. degrees in Fire Protection Engineering from the University of Maryland. He also received his Ph.D. degree in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Maryland in 2011 with an emphasis on building egress. Dr. Hoskins spent one year working for Arup on projects primarily dealing with life safety design and people movement. He then spent two years working for the National Institute of Standards and Technology working on projects dealing with building evacuations and emergency messaging. He is a registered fire protection engineer in the state of Oklahoma. Professor Hoskins is the chair of the Society of Fire Protection Engineers (SFPE) working group that developed a research roadmap for fire protection and a member of the Human Behavior in Fire Task group for SFPE. He serves on multiple code and standards committees. He has authored more than 20 articles related to building evacuations and human behavior in fire.

Mr. Taylor grew up in Purvis, Mississippi. He earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Architectural Engineering Technology at the University of Southern Mississippi. He began his career as a plumbing designer in Houston straight out of college. Mr. Taylor began by designing different types of local commercial projects. After two years, he advanced to senior plumbing designer at HOK, one of the largest architectural/engineering firms in the world. There he gained experience working on international projects, learning to meet unusual criteria for a variety of clientele. After earning his certification in plumbing design, in a joint effort with a co-worker, he decided to start helping other designers in Houston prepare for the CPD exam. He has been teaching this course for roughly 18 years now and has expanded to the Society level both in and outside the United States. Mr. Taylor became a full member of ASPE in 2004 and served as a delegate at the 2004 convention in Cleveland, Ohio, 2010 convention in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 2012 Convention in Charlotte, North Carolina, 2014 Convention in Chicago, Illinois, 2018 Convention in Atlanta, Geogria and 2022 Convention in Indianapolis, Indiana. He is currently serving on the board of directors of the Houston Chapter as chair for the Board of Governors. Mr. Taylor served as co-chair, then chair of the ASPE Houston Product Show, as past Houston Chapter president and is currently on the Society Education Committee. With a coordinated effort, along with the DFW ASPE chapter, started the OKC ASPE chapter and was an interim president for two years. Mr. Taylor is currently at CRB as a senior plumbing/fire protection designer. After nine years in Houston, he decided to move to Norman, Oklahoma for a slower pace of life and to start a family. Before moving back to the Houston area, he was in Oklahoma for five years. Mr. Taylor has been back with the Houston Chapter of ASPE since 2013. He and his wife Jean are blessed with one child, Savannah Jane Taylor.

Mr. Hanrahan has more than 45 years of industry experience. In addition to presentations in Canada, Taiwan and the Dominican Republic, he has also presented at the national level for many organizations, including the International Erosion Control Association, Land Improvement Contractors of America, the Geotechnical Fabrics Institute, the National Working Waterfront Network, and the American Water Works Association. Mr. Hanrahan’s articles have been published in many magazines, including Erosion Control, Land & Water, Geosynthetics, and Landscape Architect & Specifier News. He has produced webinars for the International Erosion Control Association, the International Association of Hydroseeding Professionals, the New York State Society of Professional Engineers, and Forester University. Mr. Hanrahan has also served as a guest lecturer at the University of Mississippi, Ohio Northern University, University of New England, and Vermont Technical College. He has also been has also been active in industry organizations. He was national president of the International Management Council in 1991-92 and served four terms as president of the Northeast Chapter of the International Erosion Control Association. Mr. Hanrahan is also a member of the Senior Advisory Committee of Envirocert. He has developed and delivered training events throughout his career. From 2008 to the present, he has organized coastal erosion control training events up and down the New England Coast, with multiple seminars in Maine, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and Connecticut. Event co-sponsors for these events have included the Maine Department of Environmental Protection, Maine Sea Grant, the Rhode Island Coastal Management Council, the University of Rhode Island Coastal Resources Center, Connecticut College, and Connecticut Sea Grant. Mr. Hanrahan has also assisted with the development of erosion control standards with the Illinois Tollway Authority, and the State Departments of Transportation in New Hampshire, Vermont, Maine, Oklahoma, Missouri, Arkansas, and Illinois.

Mr. Nudelman has represented members of the construction industry across a broad spectrum of matters for over 25 years. He works with owners and developers, construction managers, general contractors, subcontractors and design professionals to prepare and negotiate contract documents for construction in the New Jersey and New York metropolitan area. Mr. Nudelman drafts, modifies and negotiates customized contracts, as well as contracts based on standard industry forms from groups such as the American Institute of Architects, Consensus Docs and Design Build Institute of America. His construction contracting work helps his clients manage the risk inherent in construction projects so they may adequately protect their interests now to avoid claims and disputes in the future. When claims and disputes are unavoidable, Mr. Nudelman draws upon his wide-ranging experience in construction litigation, representing clients in state and federal courts throughout the New Jersey/New York metropolitan area, as well as in local and international mediations and arbitrations.

Mr. Taylor grew up in Purvis, Mississippi. He earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Architectural Engineering Technology at the University of Southern Mississippi. He began his career as a plumbing designer in Houston straight out of college. Mr. Taylor began by designing different types of local commercial projects. After two years, he advanced to senior plumbing designer at HOK, one of the largest architectural/engineering firms in the world. There he gained experience working on international projects, learning to meet unusual criteria for a variety of clientele. After earning his certification in plumbing design, in a joint effort with a co-worker, he decided to start helping other designers in Houston prepare for the CPD exam. He has been teaching this course for roughly 18 years now and has expanded to the Society level both in and outside the United States. Mr. Taylor became a full member of ASPE in 2004 and served as a delegate at the 2004 convention in Cleveland, Ohio, 2010 convention in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 2012 Convention in Charlotte, North Carolina, 2014 Convention in Chicago, Illinois, 2018 Convention in Atlanta, Geogria and 2022 Convention in Indianapolis, Indiana. He is currently serving on the board of directors of the Houston Chapter as chair for the Board of Governors. Mr. Taylor served as co-chair, then chair of the ASPE Houston Product Show, as past Houston Chapter president and is currently on the Society Education Committee. With a coordinated effort, along with the DFW ASPE chapter, started the OKC ASPE chapter and was an interim president for two years. Mr. Taylor is currently at CRB as a senior plumbing/fire protection designer. After nine years in Houston, he decided to move to Norman, Oklahoma for a slower pace of life and to start a family. Before moving back to the Houston area, he was in Oklahoma for five years. Mr. Taylor has been back with the Houston Chapter of ASPE since 2013. He and his wife Jean are blessed with one child, Savannah Jane Taylor.

Mr. Brislin has been a professional engineer for more than 21 years and has designed many structures and performed many different types of analysis in that time. He has worked for a steel fabricator, an architectural/engineering firm and a seismic consultant, and he has been in private practice for over 13 years. Mr. Brislin earned his BSCE degree from The Citadel in Charleston, South Carolina, and his MSCE degree from the University of South Carolina. He has completed all his course work for his PhD degree but has not completed his dissertation. His graduate study work has been in mathematical elasticity. Mr. Brislin has worked on a wide variety of projects from arenas such as Gund Arena in Cleveland, Ohio, and the Edward Jones Arena in St. Louis, Missouri, to renovation and seismic retrofit of the South Carolina State House and the design of the Columbia South Carolina Museum of Art. He has done stress analysis on weapons systems for the Department of Defense and has consulted on cellular telephone concealment projects. Mr. Brislin’s company routinely performs modal analysis of structures to provide more accurate seismic loads and to reduce the cost of seismic requirements through more advanced analysis techniques. The company is knowledgeable concerning structural dynamics and can perform a full dynamic analysis for complicated structures, and ductility requirements in concrete and masonry as well as welded steel moment connection requirements on toughness of steel.

Ms. Allison is the Outreach Director for Safer + Simpler Missouri, a coalition working to get a state building code passed in Missouri.

Mr. Iliff has been a certified building official for 10+ years serving communities in Texas, Illinois, and Missouri. He has taught classes on the residential, building, and property maintenance codes with a focus on preparing students for certification exams and effective administration. Mr. Iliff has 30+ years of experience and certifications as a city planner, floodplain manager, and code enforcement officer. He earned an undergraduate degree in Urban Planning and Development from Ball State University.

Sherry Fabricant, MLA, is a registered consulting arborist operating out of SavATree’s Dallas-Fort Worth branch providing comprehensive tree and shrub care services. Some popular services that she offers to clients include tree risk assessment, tree and landscape appraisal, permitting, construction and compliance, tree surveys and preservation plans, municipal services, and more. Ms. Fabricant has diverse experience working in arboriculture-horticulture, design, and business. She has been a lifelong volunteer and liaison focusing on environmental sustainability and recovery projects. Ms. Fabricant earned her master’s degree in Landscape Architecture from The University of Texas at Arlington.

Dr. Jairo Garcia develops innovative policies and educational programs to make communities and cities cleaner, sustainable, resilient, and equitable. He is the lead author of Atlanta’s Climate Action Plan, and he led a collaborative effort with more than 40 stakeholders to the 100 Resilient Cities application, awarded to the City of Atlanta in 2016. Dr. Garcia is a member of the Georgia Research Roadmap steering committee, an initiative of the Georgia Climate Project lead by University of Georgia, Georgia Tech, and Emory University, which has a goal of improving understanding of climate impacts and solutions in Georgia. He received the Individual Climate Leadership Award by the EPA in 2017 and the Green Ring Award by the Climate Reality Project. These awards recognized Dr. Garcia’s leadership in addressing climate change and engaging organizations, peers, and partners. He represented the Mayor of Atlanta at COP23 in Bonn, Germany, and he presented at an event organized by the International Urban Cooperation Programme related to global cooperation to address climate change. Dr. Garcia’s publications on urban sustainability, climate change and sustainability education are numerous. His academic experiences include a position as a research assistant and two teaching assistant positions at Columbia University, a faculty adjunct and thesis advisor position at Concordia University, and faculty adjunct positions for the UCLA-Extension Program, the Georgia Institute of Technology and Johns Hopkins University. Dr. Garcia holds an engineering degree, an MSc degree in Management of Information Technologies, an MSc degree in Sustainability Management, and a doctoral degree in Educational Technology and Sustainability.

Jay Hood is a principal landscape architect with Catalyst Design Group. He has over 35 years of experience with master planning, urban design, and landscape architecture for public spaces. He takes an integrated and comprehensive approach to design, striving for sustainability and multiple community benefits on each project. His innovative approach to green infrastructure is featured in the design of places, such as Gainesville’s Cade Museum of Creativity + Invention; PK Avenue Streetscape in Auburndale, Florida; and the public realm design for the NoMa Business Improvement District in Washington D.C. Mr. Hood is a frequent guest lecturer at universities and conferences and has spoken on low impact development and the benefits of green infrastructure investment at APWA, FSA, FDOT Design Conference and FRPA. His design philosophy focuses on functional and timeless design, grounded in context and equity of users. He brings this integrated approach to each project, leveraging his client’s investment to create a public realm that enhances the quality of life of residents, businesses, and visitors.

Jessica Lubell-Brand is a professor of Horticulture at the University of Connecticut. Her research and outreach on native plants has focused on the identification and development of novel species as landscape plants and their propagation to broaden the palette of natives available to consumers. She earned her B.A. degree from the University of Rochester, her M.S. degree from the University of Connecticut and her Ph.D. from the University of Connecticut.

Mr. Mulholland has become a visionary in the waterproofing, restoration and construction industry. His background as a Sniper Scout Instructor for the United States Marine Corp has equipped Mr. Mulholland with the tenacity and drive to become an industry leader in quality control, forensic studies, moisture engineering, building envelope science and failure analysis. He travels globally as a full-time consultant who holds multiple licenses and has performed full-scale waterproofing and restoration services for residential, commercial and high-rise buildings for almost four decades.

Jay Shafer is heralded as the visionary creator of the tiny house movement and as the “brainy misfit behind the tiny house trend” (Alec Wilkinson, The New Yorker). Mr. Shafer’s journey into tiny living began in 1997 when he embarked upon building his own little home on wheels. Through his architecture and books and through regular appearances in the media mainstream, he has fundamentally changed how the world views housing. Mr. Shafer’s prescriptions for subtractive design integrate sacred geometry with functionality for the creation of spaces that are both exceptionally efficient and beautifully proportioned. His work continues to inspire designers within and beyond the Movement to create less consumptive dwellings that provide for a way of life once sought, almost exclusively, in much larger houses. Moreover, Mr. Shafer’s philosophy and designs have had a significant impact on zoning law and building codes as state, local and federal officials are recognizing them as viable solutions to environmental and housing crises. Since 1997, countless municipalities have adopted legislation that now allows for the efficiency, beauty and affordability Mr. Shafer’s teachings and designs so clearly embody.

Stanislava Dobreva is a dedicated project manager with a successful track record in the construction industry. Currently based in MGAC’s Los Angeles office, her experience encompasses a diverse range of projects in commercial real estate, luxury living, and biotech/life sciences, featuring budgets that span from $15 million to $300 million in states such as Arizona, Texas, Michigan, and Florida. Ms. Dobreva diligently engages in all project phases, from design to construction management, consistently delivering high-quality outcomes while building strong relationships with her clients. Passionate about purposeful design and the use of natural elements, she continually seeks innovative ways to add value to projects and spaces creatively, showcasing her dedication to both her professional and personal interests.

Deep Thakkar is a seasoned professional with a strong background in industrial engineering and project management. Currently pursuing a master’s degree in Project Management at the University of Cumberland, Mr. Thakkar holds a previous master’s degree in Industrial Engineering from Texas A&M University and a bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering. He brings a wealth of technical expertise, specializing in Advanced Excel, Tableau, SQL, ERP & MRP Systems. Mr. Thakkar’s certifications include Green Belt Lean Six-Sigma, Data Analysis, Production and Inventory Management, Continuous Improvement, Process Optimization, Engineering Economics, and Business Development. In his current role as senior supply chain Analyst at Topcon Positioning Systems, he excels in generating global inventory forecasts for 15 locations, contributing significantly to sales and materials forecast processes. Previously, at Cepheid, he led a team to successfully deliver a $300M order in four months and spearheaded many improvement projects to streamline supply chain planning.

Dr. Michael Liptak is a senior ecologist at EnviroScience, Inc, where he specializes in wetland ecology, wetland restoration, and mitigation wetland design. Dr. Liptak earned a B.S. degree in Biology at the University of Toledo and a Ph.D. degree in Environmental Science at Ohio State University under the noted wetland ecologist Dr. William Mitsch. He has over 25 years of experience in wetlands research and consulting and is a Certified Senior Ecologist (Ecological Society of America). His primary responsibilities at EnviroScience Inc. include wetland mitigation planning, wetland assessments and delineations, technical report preparation, and permitting. Dr. Liptak is a member of the Society of Wetlands Scientists and the Ecological Society of America, and regularly gives seminars on wetland issues and regulations.

Sheila Rayman, P.E., is EnviroScience’s most experienced environmental engineer specializing in stormwater design and permitting and is the director of EnviroScience’s Compliance Services Practice Area. Ms. Rayman has spent 26 years as a consultant and municipal engineer, project manager, stormwater compliance advisor, and infrastructure and restoration designer. She has a B.S. degree in Civil Engineering from the University of Akron, Ohio, and is a registered engineer in six states. She has extensive experience in infrastructure assessments, optimization, planning, and design; stormwater and wet weather master planning; and construction management and inspections. Her wide range of experience includes implementation of stormwater retrofits in urban areas, environmental studies, compliance with government regulations, and flood plain permitting and certifications. Ms. Rayman maintains a strong focus on stormwater management and incorporating green rather than gray solutions to both new and redeveloped areas.

Since 1995, Mr. Alexander has proudly represented the victims of negligence. He only represents those people who are injured, mostly by big corporations and hospitals. He is proudest of his work representing children who have been injured at birth and have been left with profound brain damage and the victims of sexual abuse. Mr. Alexander concentrates his practice on representing the victims of catastrophic injuries in the areas of medical malpractice and complex personal injury litigation.

Mr. Banks is the principal attorney at Banks & Associates, PLLC, a Houston-based law firm focused on meeting the needs of government and construction contractors throughout Texas. He is a trusted advisor for licensed professionals, CEOs and managers in construction firms, and government contractors. Mr. Banks was licensed as a CPA in 2003 and has more than 20 years of experience as a lead accountant and CFO for successful government contractors. He earned his B.B.A. degree with a double major in Accounting and Finance from the Bauer College of Business at the University of Houston and secured his J.D. degree from South Texas College of Law. Mr. Banks is a member of the State Bar of Texas, the Association of Corporate Counsel and the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA). He is a member of the Construction Law Section of the State Bar of Texas.

Ms. McCarthy is a trial attorney at Schwartz Jambois and focuses her practice in the areas of personal injury, wrongful death, medical malpractice, nursing home abuse and neglect, as well as other catastrophic injuries. She has tried in excess of 100 jury trials to verdict, has successfully argued and achieved reversal before the 7th Circuit United States Court of Appeals, as well as in the First District Appellate Court, and obtained hundreds of settlements for both individual and corporate clients. Ms. McCarthy is a leader in the Chicago legal community. In 2020, she was named to the highly-selective Illinois Super Lawyers list, and voted as #1 of the “Top 10 Emerging Lawyers” and also voted as #1 of the “Top 10 Emerging Women Lawyers” by her peers in a survey conducted by Leading Lawyers. Ms. McCarthy was named by Crain’s as one of the “Most Influential Women Lawyers in Chicago” in 2017, as an “Emerging Lawyer,” in 2016, and one of the “40 Illinois Attorneys Under Forty to Watch” in 2014 by the Chicago Daily Law Bulletin.

Mr. DeSalvo, a Chicago native and DePaul University graduate, has been a fiercely independent Plaintiff’s Personal Injury lawyer for more than 25 years. He is the son of a catastrophically injured truck driver whose injury case dragged on for more than 17 years and has dedicated his career to fighting for the rights of injured people. A real trial lawyer, Mr. DeSalvo is a graduate of the Gerry Spence “Trial Lawyers College”, as well as the prestigious “The Keenan Edge” advanced programs for trial lawyers, post-law school curricula than not one in 100,000 lawyers has mastered. He brings his working class work ethic and a ‘tell it like it is’ approach to the thousands of clients he has helped, and continues to help from his Oak Brook and Chicago offices.

Ms. Niles has handled over 4,000 cases throughout her career, where she fought tooth and nail to achieve the best settlements possible for her clients. She has gone to trial nearly 300 times and boasts an impressive 93% winning record in appealed cases. She is one of the hardest working women in Illinois, evident from the beginning of her law career when she put herself through law school at IIT-Chicago Kent College of Law. During Ms. Niles’s very first job out of law school, she tried the Smith Case that became the seminal reference for the proposition that an employer cannot create a job and artificially inflate a wage just to avoid paying an 8(d)(1) wage differential. From there she has gained over 24 years of experience, working on both sides of workers’ compensation law. Her experience provides insight into how the defense thinks and allows her to anticipate their arguments, thus making her clients’ cases stronger in advance.

Unlike others, Mr. Breuning is one of a few innovative people on earth who actively shaped the beginning of the modern green roof industry in Europe/Germany more than four decades ago. In addition, he introduced green roofs to North America in 1999. Thus, he has over 40 years of experience in two fundamentally different markets for green roofs and green walls. Today, his skills in biophilic design and sustainable engineering go beyond green roofs and include specialties with living plants like: solar garden roofs, green walls, green railroad tracks, natural swimming pools, sustainable product and resilient system development, plastic-free green roofs, and solutions for circular economy through urban mining.

Mr. Breuning believes that it is great to see an increasing number of masterminds for sustainable design, influencers for environmentally friendly solutions, and initiators for cradle-to-cradle principles, however he likes to help those who actively convert these innovations into reality on a small or large scale, who are true practitioners, and who are not afraid of having their hands in the dirt.

“Well done is better than well said.” — Benjamin Franklin

Mr. Hanrahan has more than 45 years of industry experience. In addition to presentations in Canada, Taiwan and the Dominican Republic, he has also presented at the national level for many organizations, including the International Erosion Control Association, Land Improvement Contractors of America, the Geotechnical Fabrics Institute, the National Working Waterfront Network, and the American Water Works Association. Mr. Hanrahan’s articles have been published in many magazines, including Erosion Control, Land & Water, Geosynthetics, and Landscape Architect & Specifier News. He has produced webinars for the International Erosion Control Association, the International Association of Hydroseeding Professionals, the New York State Society of Professional Engineers, and Forester University. Mr. Hanrahan has also served as a guest lecturer at the University of Mississippi, Ohio Northern University, University of New England, and Vermont Technical College. He has also been has also been active in industry organizations. He was national president of the International Management Council in 1991-92 and served four terms as president of the Northeast Chapter of the International Erosion Control Association. Mr. Hanrahan is also a member of the Senior Advisory Committee of Envirocert. He has developed and delivered training events throughout his career. From 2008 to the present, he has organized coastal erosion control training events up and down the New England Coast, with multiple seminars in Maine, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and Connecticut. Event co-sponsors for these events have included the Maine Department of Environmental Protection, Maine Sea Grant, the Rhode Island Coastal Management Council, the University of Rhode Island Coastal Resources Center, Connecticut College, and Connecticut Sea Grant. Mr. Hanrahan has also assisted with the development of erosion control standards with the Illinois Tollway Authority, and the State Departments of Transportation in New Hampshire, Vermont, Maine, Oklahoma, Missouri, Arkansas, and Illinois.

Mr. Nuño is a senior project manager at the Denver office of Ware Malcomb. A 2008 graduate of the University of Notre Dame with a specialty in structural and environmental engineering, he has established himself as a leader in the field of drainage and erosion and sediment control. In his 15-year career, Mr. Nuño has excelled in the design of land development projects including grading, utility design, stormwater management, and erosion control. Through his experiences as a consulting engineer, he has prepared civil construction plans for such clients as Marriott International, San Diego Gas & Electric (SDG&E), Lennar Homes, Oakwood Homes, and Kiewit Infrastructure West. In the field, Mr. Nuño has provided stormwater inspection services for SDG&E, Caesars Entertainment Group, and public agencies such as the City of Carlsbad, California, and the Town of Elizabeth, Colorado. He has managed civil projects in 17 different states and prides himself on working with developers, architects, and contractors to bridge the gap between regulatory compliance and constructability in the field. Mr. Nuño is a registered professional engineer in Colorado, Montana, Wyoming, and California; a Certified Floodplain Manager; a certified professional in erosion and sediment control, a Colorado LEED accredited professional, and a qualified SWPPP developer/practitioner. He is an active member in the American Society of Civil Engineers, the Urban Land Institute, and the Colorado Association of Stormwater and Floodplain Managers.

Dr. Souza is the founding partner of Princeton Hydro, LLC. From its inception in 1998 through 2018, he served as president of Princeton Hydro, retiring from the company in 2019. Over the past 35 years he has dedicated his career to the management and restoration of aquatic ecosystems, in particular lakes, ponds and reservoirs. Dr. Souza received his B.S. degree in 1974 from the University of Massachusetts, Dartmouth, his M.S. in 1976 from Rutgers University, and his Ph.D. in 1981 from the University of Connecticut. He has served over the past 25 years as an instructor and course coordinator for the Rutgers NJAES Office of Continuing Professional Education, developing and implementing multiple short courses focused on the management and restoration of aquatic ecosystems. Dr. Souza is also an adjunct professor at Temple University (Ambler Campus), teaching a graduate studies course in the Department of Landscape and Horticulture (Tyler School of Art and Agriculture). He also conducts a professional continuing education course focusing on green infrastructure stormwater management for CPES through Montclair State University.

Mr. Moseley has 26 years of experience providing holistic, multi-objective watershed management planning services for regulatory compliance, infrastructure implementation and resilience, floodplain management, stormwater management, and public engagement. He has a background in program development and implementation for both water quality and quantity concerns for municipal, state, and federal clients across the United States. Mr. Moseley specializes in National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) compliance, flood resilience planning, Community Rating System (CRS) application and program review, and on-site flood disaster assistance. He also brings extensive experience in stormwater management to clients, having managed numerous municipal National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) regulatory, planning, and implementation projects in support of Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4) permit applications and compliance plans. Mr. Moseley’s experience also includes stormwater program financing feasibility and implementation, including establishment of stormwater utilities in multiple states. He presents at – and facilitates – public and advisory committee meetings. Of note, Mr. Moseley has served on four different technical advisory committees addressing stormwater management regulation, practice, and process in Virginia, including the most recent Stormwater Handbook update in 2023. He holds a bachelor’s degree in American government and a master’s degree in Urban & Environmental Planning from the University of Virginia, and is a member of the American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP); a Certified Floodplain Manager (CFM) through the Association of State Floodplain Managers; and an Envision Sustainability Professional (ENV SP) through the Institute for Sustainable Infrastructure.

Liam Braber is a shareholder with Charlson Braber McCabe & Denmark, P.C., located in Philadelphia and serving Pennsylvania, New York and New Jersey. Over the course of 22 years, Mr. Braber has established an extensive construction law practice. He also has a considerable employment, labor and ERISA practice. In his construction practice, Mr. Braber drafts and negotiates construction contracts of all types, including general contracts, construction management agreements, subcontracts, supplier and vendor agreements, architect and design-build agreements, and many other commercial instruments that are fundamental to the construction industry. He also litigates construction cases in court and in mediation/arbitration throughout the Mid-Atlantic region of the United States. Mr. Braber
has received many recognitions for his work, including being named a Best Lawyer, a Superlawyer, and a Lawyer on the Fast Track. He maintains an active commitment to the community and to legal service for those in need.

Vittoria D. Greene is a partner at Milber Makris Plousadis & Seiden LLP. Her practice focuses on the representation of engineers, architects, and other design professionals. She regularly acts as their advocate by negotiating contracts, addressing potential claims during design and construction, and defending them in litigation. Ms. Greene is also a contributing author to the Pennsylvania section of the Cumulative Supplement of the State-By-State Guide to Design and Construction Contracts and Claims (2nd Edition), published by Wolters Kluwer.

David Makara is a partner of Davis Bucco & Makara, having joined the firm in 2006. He has practiced in Pennsylvania since 1996, primarily representing clients in business litigation. Mr. Makara has litigated and arbitrated hundreds of cases to verdict in Pennsylvania and has argued numerous cases before the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania and the Pennsylvania supreme court. Specifically, he argued two cases before the Supreme Court, involving interpretation of the Pennsylvania Mechanics Lien Law. Prior to joining the firm, Mr. Makara worked with a general practice firm in Luzerne County, Pennsylvania, where, in addition to handling commercial litigation matters, he represented parties in all types of civil litigation. He then worked with a large Philadelphia defense firm, where he practiced in the Architects, Engineers and Contractors Liability Department.

Veronica Morrison is an experienced litigator who focuses her practice on construction law. She also assists with a range of commercial, real estate and environmental litigation issues as well as procurement and administrative matters. Her clients include commercial real estate owners and developers, general contractors, subcontractors, local governments, national health care insurance providers, and large and small commercial business owners. Ms. Morrison counsels clients, particularly those with large construction projects, on risk avoidance and options for alternative dispute resolution. She also represents clients in mechanic’s lien claims and cases before the Board of Claims. Ms. Morrison is a Hearing Committee Member for the Supreme Court Disciplinary Board, serves on the Pennsylvania Supreme Court Committee on Rules of Evidence and sits on the PBA Civil Litigation Section Council. She also serves as chair of the Associated Builders and Contractors’ Inclusion, Diversity and Unity Committee and is a member of the organization’s Workforce Development Committee.

Mr. Gregory is a professor emeritus of civil engineering technology and former department head at Purdue University Northwest in Hammond, Indiana. He is registered as a professional surveyor in Indiana and Illinois and consults as a project surveyor at Abonmarche through their Hobart, Indiana, office. Mr. Gregory has presented numerous seminars on various land surveying topics to professional land surveyors, surveying technicians, attorneys, title company officials, and real estate professionals through various settings. He is a member of the Indiana Society of Professional Land Surveyors (ISPLS), the Illinois Professional Land Surveyors Association (IPLSA), and the National Society of Professional Surveyors (NSPS). Mr. Gregory previously served on the ISPLS Board of Directors and is a past society president. He currently serves on the Board of Directors of NSPS and chairs the NSPS Education Committee. Mr. Gregory and his wife, Jen, previously co-pastored a church congregation in Grove City, Ohio for two and a half years.