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Professor White’s 48 years’ experience in the electrical industry and his 25 years of teaching apprentices and CEU courses for electrical contractors, architects and engineers has provided perspectives he enjoys sharing. Professor White has written and revised more than 150 college course syllabi. He transitioned the entire skilled trades catalog of courses from quarter hours to semester hours. Professor White has created and changed numerous college programs of study for associate degrees and various trade certificates. He has taught for IEC Central Ohio, Columbus State Community College, and most recently Midlands Technical College Columbia, South Carolina. He has also been teaching CEU seminars for various training agencies and private companies since 2007. Professor White has a strong understanding of the National Electrical Code and tries to create interactions with seminar attendees. Regarding electrical system design, he has completed more than 100 projects including simple single buildings, multiple occupancy strips, and multi-use buildings.

Mr. Clemens is a carpenter by trade with a love for plying his craft. He joined the construction industry in 1999, and currently serves as a Senior Superintendent and Lean Operations Director at O’Shea Builders. Mr. Clemens is responsible for the growth and development of our field team, empowering them to deliver on O’Shea’s mission of delivering exceptional construction experiences. He champions the O’Shea Production System, which has an emphasis on Lean implementation, elevating field teams, and continuous improvement.

During his time at O’Shea Builders, Mr. Dorks has served as lead project manager on several state-of-the-art healthcare projects that have successfully used lean and Target Value Delivery practices. These projects have produced tremendous results for the client, construction team and the trade and design partners. His background and experience in the industry serve as a vital part of the construction process from start to finish.

Mr. Fitch leads a team that oversees the Planning, Design and Construction to support the growth of the second largest physician owned multi-specialty medical group in Illinois. He as licensed structural engineer, brings a wealth of experience to his current job due to his previous building design experience and 15 years serving in an executive leadership position at a large commercial construction company.

Mr. Park with 27 years of experience in the industry, he has a heart for continuous improvement for himself and his team. He has been a lead superintendent on multiple projects that have been structured and designed with O’Shea’s Production System. Mr. Park has been a part of the efforts in integrating Target Value Delivery at O’Shea to help provide exceptional construction experiences for our clients, trade partners and design partners.

As Director of Business Strategies, Mr. Schmidt helps in developing and implementing effective business strategies for O’Shea Builders as an organization and for individual team members. He also helps support other areas like leadership development, business development, data analytics, and operations improvement. Mr. Schmidt’s certifications in Scrum, Target Value Delivery, and Lean practices provide value to our field teams and help them to create exceptional construction experiences.

Mr. Sinclair leads and supervises a team of skilled plumbers and pipe fitters in various construction projects, specializing in healthcare and education. He has 30 years of experience in the plumbing and pipe fitting trade with an OSHA 30 certification, Illinois State Plumbing License, and a Medical Gas Piping Installer and Instructors certification. Mr. Sinclair has a passion for learning and has participated in several Lean training programs. It’s his mission to be a better leader and to provide the best service to his clients and company.

Mr. Wheeler manages architectural services for Farnsworth’s Springfield, Ill. office. He has served as project manager and design architect on a multitude of projects in both the public and private sectors. His 30+ years of experience as a registered architect have helped him hone his design sense and given him a wealth of experience to draw from for each new project he takes on.

Mr. Heinrichs is an experienced floodplain program manager with 28 years of proven success. He has bachelor’s and master’s degrees from UW-Madison in natural resources communications and organizational management. Mr. Heinrichs has a demonstrated knowledge of state and federal regulations and organizational missions. He is a retired Wisconsin DNR Floodplain Management Team Leader and department representative on the state’s Hazard Mitigation Team. Mr. Heinrichs coordinated the federal National Flood Insurance Program in Wisconsin, and served as liaison to the FEMA Region V office and coordinated with FEMA regional staff and supervisors. He researched and prepared revisions to state statutes, administrative codes and model ordinances. Mr. Heinrichs wrote, edited and revised department training manuals, guidebooks, videos and other outreach materials. He provided training to department regional staff and other state staff. Mr. Heinrichs has worked successfully with a variety of professional organizations in the fields of floodplain management, flood insurance, zoning, planning and mitigation. He developed the administrative rules and structure for the state’s Municipal Flood Control Grant Program and served as technical review lead. Mr. Heinrichs served as past co-chair of ASFPM’s flood insurance committee. He’s currently an adjunct instructor for the federal Emergency Management Institute and a contract instructor for the Association of State Floodplain Managers.

Mr. Nechamen was the Floodplain Coordinator for the State of New York Department of Environmental Conservation for 21 years. During that period, he helped to promote higher floodplain standards in New York, including enacting a two foot “freeboard” requirement in New York’s building code, saving property owners millions of dollars in flood losses and flood insurance premiums. One of the founders of the New York State Floodplain and Stormwater Managers Association (NYSFSMA), a professional association with over 500 active members, he was their first Chair and currently serves the Association as its treasurer.

Mr. Nechamen has been a Board member of the Association of State Floodplain Managers (ASFPM) at various times for 13 years. ASFPM represents over 15,000 professionals across the United States and internationally and is a key national voice in policies designed to reduce flood risk while preserving the natural and beneficial functions of floodplains. He served as chair (2013-2015), vice-chair (2011-2013) and treasurer (2008-2010) and is currently co-chair of the Floodplain Regulations Committee. Mr. Nechamen has received the ASFPM Meritorious Lifetime Achievement in Floodplain Management Award.
In his capacity as Floodplain Coordinator, he has led workshops and training sessions on the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP), floodplain management and regulations, understanding and interpreting flood maps, flood insurance and the Community Rating System.

Mr. Simpson founded Gradelta Engineering in 2020 with the intent to help clients better understand the combination of geotechnical and structural engineering that he has worked with for the past 20 years. He earned his B.S.C.E. and M.S.C.E. degrees from Georgia Institute of Technology. He currently provides engineering services to contractors and fellow engineers for earth structure pricing, along with the plans and calculations needed for construction. He frequently consults with clients regarding the optimal structure type and location on the construction site to minimize risk and maximize useable space. He also works in the education sector providing not just seminars such as this one, but also acting as a subject matter expert creating study guide and test prep content for the NCEES Professional Civil Engineer exam. Mr. Simpson has also worked with lawyers and insurance companies during forensic investigation and lawsuits surrounding retaining walls and slope failures. His hope is that through the instructional services that he currently provides, slopes will remain stable and retaining wall failure will be eliminated.

Ms. Eurenius, is delighted to help seniors, individuals with disabilities, and their families. She has always focused her practice in the area of elder law, special needs planning and estate planning. Ms. Eurenius, is a certified specialist as a CELA® by the National Elder Law Foundation. Her passion for elder law stems from her personal experiences with her grandmother, Helen. Ms. Eurenius,’s grandmother helped to raise her while living with the family. Around the age of 84, Helen was diagnosed with dementia and a few short years later suffered from a stroke. She watched the repercussions of not planning ahead for these devastating occurrences in life. Ms. Eurenius, went to doctor’s visits and hospital calls at 3:00 A.M. and visited the nursing home. She saw the guardianship and Medicaid process firsthand. Ms. Eurenius, understands the stress and anxiety that a family can be dealing with during these situations. She will take the time to listen to your concerns and work with you to prepare a plan. Ms. Eurenius, plans to use her personal experience and legal knowledge to understand your situation and benefit you. Her goal while practicing law is to be a helping hand through the process, easing the tensions and fears that our clients and their families may be experiencing. Ms. Eurenius, works in the areas of estate planning, Medicaid, asset protection, Veterans benefits, special needs planning, and probate and trust administration. She earned her Undergraduate and M.B.A. degrees from Cleveland State University and her J.D. from Cleveland Marshall College of Law.

Ms. Houck believes strongly in the ability for seniors to have self-determination in the decision-making process regarding their care. She also believes in compassion, empathy, and listening. Her job is to hear her clients concerns, help them discover unknown or unanticipated issues, and work through them to provide options we implement together. Ms. Houck is honored everyday to be able to build relationships with clients and their families, educating and counseling them through what is one of the most difficult times in their lives. She has earned the title and distinction of being certified as an Elder Law Attorney (CELA) by the National Elder Law Foundation. This certification is the highest level of specialty for Elder Law attorneys, and it pushes her to remain at the front edge of Elder Law planning. It allows her to provide the counsel and service my clients and their families need and deserve. Ms. Houck is also certified with the Veteran’s Administration to assist in helping war time veterans and their surviving spouses obtain special benefits to help with long-term care. She earned her J.D. degree from Ohio State Moritz College of Law.

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 as a city planner, floodplain manager, and code enforcement officer. He earned an undergraduate degree in Urban Planning and Development from Ball State University.

Mr. Peachey is a passionate advocate for outdoor adventure and accessibility. His participation in adaptive sports spans over 30 years, including wheelchair racing, road cycling and most recently the discovery of his passion for mountain biking. As a co-founder of the Adaptive MTB Trails Project, Mr. Peachey has dedicated his efforts to improving access to mountain biking trails for riders of all abilities. As an adaptive mountain biker, he enjoys the freedom and adventure that going off road provides and is driven to help make that experience available to as many people as possible.

Mr. Adamson has been providing full-service plaintiff’s counsel to clients who have suffered personal injuries since 2001. His consistent focus on high-quality service and top-notch representation has brought about significant results for their clients. In 2015, a jury returned a $72 million verdict for a client who was injured in a dog attack, and in 2018, he achieved a $30 million judgment in a case involving a tractor-trailer explosion. In addition, Mr. Adamson’s cases have resulted in numerous six-figure and seven-figure verdicts and settlements.” He is also a registered arbitrator and mediator with extensive experience handling contract negotiations for a variety of professional services, including athletic contracts. Mr. Adamson earned his undergraduate degree from LaGrange College, his MBA from Lynchburg College, and his J.D. degree from Samford University Cumberland School of Law.

Ms. Monsewicz is proud to be a trial lawyer and has dedicated her career to representing her clients with passion and determination. Like the rest of the Tobin Injury Law team, She sees clients as people; not a case number. Armed with knowledge of the industry, she analyzes cases with the goal to get clients the best possible result. If a case should settle, Ms. Monsewicz will work to resolve the case as quickly as possible. Before joining Tobin Injury Law, she practiced with a well-respected insurance defense firm in Atlanta, where she defended various personal injury cases, including automobile crashes, truck crashes, and high-exposure insurance coverage disputes. She uses her insider’s knowledge of the insurance law industry to now advocate for deserving families. Ms. Monsewicz earned her B.A. degree, summa cum laude, from Marshall University and her J.D. degree from Emory University School of Law.

Mr. Newcomb is a seasoned litigator specializing in professional liability. For the majority of his career, he has handled complex matters arising from allegations of negligent and intentional misconduct by attorneys, accountants, trustees, dentists, real estate agents, insurance agents, and other professionals. He has successfully tried cases involving claims for legal malpractice, breach of fiduciary duty, breach of contract, defamation, and fraud. Mr. Newcomb has regularly represented attorneys, accountants, and real estate agents in connection with investigations by professional review boards and agencies. He is often retained before litigation to assess and control his clients’ exposure to potential legal risks and assist with the development of internal risk management policies and procedures. Mr. Newcomb also has significant experience drafting and negotiating commercial leases, asset purchase agreements, nondisclosure agreements, restrictive covenants, employment agreements, buy- and sell-side access letters, and other transactional documents. He is a rare native of Metro Atlanta. Before returning to Georgia, he worked for several prominent and well-respected defense firms in Florida and New York. Mr. Newcomb has been recognized as a SuperLawyer® and Best Lawyer in America® numerous times by his peers. He frequently lectures on litigation techniques at Georgia State University School of Law. In 2014, Mr. Newcomb was one of 25 attorneys in the United States selected to the American Bar Association’s TIPS Leadership Academy. The Leadership Academy’s stated mission is to serve the public by providing participants with the knowledge and skills necessary to lead the legal profession as well as the general community. He served on various ABA/TIPS task forces and committees over the years. Mr. Newcomb is a member of the Georgia and Florida Bars and is admitted to practice in state and federal trial and appellate courts.

Upon graduation, Mr. Thomas was inducted into the Order of the Barristers, which is a national honorary organization recognizing those who have excelled in advocacy and service. Mr. Thomas returned to his hometown of Savannah where he was practiced law since 2004. Over his 18 years of experience, he has worked at two well respected plaintiff’s law firms in Savannah and most recently launched his own firm representing plaintiffs throughout Georgia. He has received numerous recognitions during his professional career including an AV Preeminent Rating by Martindale-Hubbell, the highest peer rating given to attorneys for their professional excellence, legal expertise, communication skills, and ethical standards by their peers. Additionally, Mr. Thomas has been recognized as a Super Lawyer by Georgia Super Lawyers, a Rising Star by Georgia Super Lawyers and named as a Top 25 Medical Malpractice Trial Lawyers by The National Trial Lawyers.

Mr. Tobin in 2019 after having won headline verdicts and settlements that for years–including a $150 million dollar jury verdict–he formed Tobin Injury Law dedicated exclusively to pursuing justice for injured victims. Some of His more notable wins include winning in 2022 a hard-fought two-week jury trial in federal court that resulted in a $100 million dollar jury verdict. That landmark verdict is one of the, if not the, largest verdicts ever recorded in United States history for a civil rights violation. Also in 2022, he set a record for securing the highest settlement amount ever reached in a rural Georgia county. In 2023 after three years of legal battle, he settled just before trial a disputed liability wrongful death trucking case for $22.7 million dollars. Finally, in 2024 he won a $1.6 million jury trial verdict which set the record for the largest jury verdict in Georgia history for a bicycle-on-bicycle accident. Mr. Tobin is regularly honored as one of the top lawyers in the country and named a “Super Lawyer” by Super Lawyers Magazine and Atlanta Magazine. He has also been recognized as one of the State’s “Legal Elite” by Georgia Trend Magazine, and Georgia Trend Magazine previously named me Georgia’s most popular personal injury attorney. At 35, Mr. Tobin was selected by the Daily Report as one of Georgia’s “On the Rise”, one of only 20 lawyers in Georgia to receive the honor. He holds an AV Preeminent Peer Rating as well as an AV Preeminent Judicial Rating from Martindale-Hubbell, and U.S. News & World Report lists him in the “Best Lawyers” category. Mr. Tobin earned his B.A. degree, magna cum laude, from the University of Georgia and his J.D. degree from the University of Georgia School of Law.

Mr. Deliberato’s practice is focused on estate planning that incorporates wills, trusts, powers of attorney for administration and healthcare to protect the assets of an individual that have been earned over a lifetime. His elder law practice counsels clients on how to plan for nursing home care and how to establish successful Medicaid planning strategies. Mr. Deliberato was born and raised in Garfield Heights, OH. He attended St. Ignatius High School in Cleveland and graduated from the Loyola University, Chicago. Mr. Deliberato began his professional career as a fourth generation Funeral Director. After one short year, he returned to school at the Cleveland Marshall College of Law. He started the firm in 1999. Mr. Deliberato is an active community member, having served on several boards, including the Garfield Heights Financial Oversight Committee, the Northeast Ohio Planned Giving Commission, and the Knights of Columbus.

Ms. Houck believes strongly in the ability for seniors to have self-determination in the decision-making process regarding their care. She also believes in compassion, empathy, and listening. Her job is to hear her clients concerns, help them discover unknown or unanticipated issues, and work through them to provide options we implement together. Ms. Houck is honored everyday to be able to build relationships with clients and their families, educating and counseling them through what is one of the most difficult times in their lives. She has earned the title and distinction of being certified as an Elder Law Attorney (CELA) by the National Elder Law Foundation. This certification is the highest level of specialty for Elder Law attorneys, and it pushes her to remain at the front edge of Elder Law planning. It allows her to provide the counsel and service my clients and their families need and deserve. Ms. Houck is also certified with the Veteran’s Administration to assist in helping war time veterans and their surviving spouses obtain special benefits to help with long-term care. She earned her J.D. degree from Ohio State Moritz College of Law.

Mr. Menninger has been a full-time estate planner since 2014. He is one of only approximately 155 attorneys in Ohio that is certified as a specialist in Estate Planning, Trust & Probate Law by the Ohio State Bar Association. Mr. Menninger helps families implement simple and complex estate planning strategies, advising on tax and asset protection considerations, and educating and counseling clients along the way. He has served as faculty for the OSBA, Wealth Counsel State Forums, the National Business Institute, and Strafford Publications, among other organizations. Mr. Menninger has taught attorneys and CPAs on a variety of subjects, including basic estate planning, trust taxation, IRA planning, and irrevocable trust modification. Recently, he was recognized by Ohio Lawyer Magazine as a Rising Star in Estate Planning. He received his J.D. degree from Northern Kentucky University.

With over 20 years of industry experience, Mr. Pakatar specializes in home performance, energy efficiency, and construction-related training and consulting. Mr. Pakatar holds professional certifications from the International Code Council (ICC), the Association of Energy Engineers (AEE), the Building Performance Institute (BPI), the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC), PHIUS and RESNET. He is a certified Code Enforcement Officer in New York State and holds ICC credentials as an Energy Code Inspector and Plans Examiner. Throughout his career, Mr. Pakatar has played an active role in the development and implementation of building codes, contributing to the creation of policies and protocols that support energy efficiency and code compliance. Over the past two decades, he has designed and delivered training programs for code officials, design professionals, and construction industry stakeholders across the Northeast, Mid-Atlantic, and nationwide. Recognized as a subject matter expert, Mr. Pakatar continues to support the evolution of codes and standards through education, technical assistance, and policy engagement.

Professor Rahmeyer was on the faculty at USU for 31 years and spent 10 years as research faculty at Colorado State University. Professor Rahmeyer is the past Department Head of Civil and Environmental Engineering at USU as well as the senior professor of the Hydraulics and Fluid Mechanics program of the Utah Water Research Laboratory. He also served at USU as the director of the Hydro Composite Modeling Program, the division head of Water Engineering, the interim division head of both the Structures Division and the Transportation Division, and as the Undergraduate Curriculum division head. Professor Rahmeyer is currently working part time as a senior associate for Ayres and associates in Fort Collins Colorado, where his primary role is to conduct national workshops in hydraulics, culvert flow, and urban drainage for the National Hydraulic Institute of FWHA. He is a fellow and lifetime member in the American Society of Civil Engineers. Professor Rahmeyer has been a member of several professional societies, and serve on committees for the American Society of Engineering Educators (ASEE), the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE), the International Association of Hydraulic Research (IAHR), the Association of State Dam Safety Officers (ASDSO), the Instrument Society of America (ISA), the American Water Works Association (AWWA), the International Erosion Control Association (IECA), and the American Society of Heating and Refrigeration Association (ASHRAE). He has regularly attended and presented at the annual conferences of ASDSO, ASEE, ASCE, IAHR, ASCE National Department Heads, and the Transportation Research Board (TRB). In the past, he has been a member of the United States Committee on Large Dams (USCOLD) and the International Committee on Large Dams (ICOLD). Over the last several years, Professor Rahmeyer has created and presented a workshop on open channel flow for HalfMoon Education and finished serving on the Bluestone Dam UASCE IEPA and on several 100% DDR review panels for the USACE. He has been on the board of directors for the Utah Floodplain and Storm Water Management Association since 1986. Professor Rahmeyer was a member the 2008 Bettelle “Final Independent Peer Review Report for U.S. Army Corps of Engineers on the Vegetation Policy for Local Flood Damage Reduction Systems” which reviewed many of the guidelines and policies for management of levees, floodwalls, embankment dams, and appurtenant structures. Some of his recent awards include the AHRAE Technical/Symposium Paper Award, the ASHRAE Crosby Field Award for Research, and the South Pacific Division Regional Project Delivery Team Award from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. He has received the Idaho Transportation Department 2012 Excellence in Transportation Award and the 2011 ACEC of Idaho Engineering Excellence Grand Award for the I-84 New York Canal Modeling and Modification. Professor Rahmeyer further received an honorable mention at the 2012 National AECE award ceremonies for his work with the I-84 New York Canal.

Mr. Fronapfel has a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering and a Master of Science in Civil Engineering with an emphasis in structural and forensic engineering. Ed’s a Certified Level 2 Infrared Thermographer, Certified 3rd Party EIFS Inspector, Certified Forensic Claims Consultant, Board Certified Building Inspection Engineer, and Certified Building Commissioning Professional. He is a registered engineer in the States of AL, AR, AZ, CO, FL, GA, ID, IN, IA, KS, LA, MA, MD, MI, MN, MS, MT, MO, NC, ND, NE, NJ, NM, NV, NY, OH, OK, OR, PA, SC, SD, TN, TX, UT, VA, WA, WV, and WY. Mr. Fronapfel has been deposed nearly 800 times and admitted into trial settings over 125 times. He has been used as an expert in arbitration and mediations over 500 times since the late 1990s. Mr. Fronapfel is an instructor for the Colorado School of Mines, Golden, Colorado, the College of Contract Management, U.K., Diploma in Structural Forensic Engineering, and he has been an adjunct professor for the Burns School of Real Estate Management, University of Denver, since 2007. Mr. Fronapfel is a Board-Certified Member of the Association of Building Inspection Professionals, a Certified Forensic Claims Consultant through AACE, a Board-Certified member of the International Board of Forensic Engineering and Science and a Member of The Academy of Experts, U.K., and a Fellow Member of ASCE and of NAFE.

Mr. Deverel, Principal Hydrologist with HydroFocus, Inc. in Davis, CA. Dr. Deverel has more than 40 years of hydrologic problem-solving experience in California and throughout the western United States. After completing a doctorate at the University of California at Davis in 1983, Dr. Deverel worked as a Researcher at the US Geological Survey until 1991. During this period, he investigated the hydrologic and geochemical processes associated with land subsidence. From 1991 to 1994, he served as the Assistant District Chief for the US Geological Survey California District, overseeing data collection and research for northern California. Since May 1994, he has worked in the private sector, opened a consulting firm in 1996 and cofounded HydroFocus, Inc. in 1998. Steven has authored numerous publications related to land subsidence and strategies for mitigating subsidence and has also led and participated in key investigations into impacts of subsidence on ecosystem processes, agriculture, and infrastructure. Steven is a registered Professional Geologist in California and Arizona, a registered Professional Geoscientist in Texas, a certified Hydrogeologist in California and a registered Professional Hydrologist with the American Institute of Hydrology.

Ms. Daddino focuses her practice on elder law, estate planning, and guardianships. She developed her passion for assisting the elderly due to her upbringing surrounded by aging family members, including being raised with the help of not only a great-grandmother, but also her maternal grandparents. Ms. Daddino attended Wake Forest University School of Law and is licensed in both North Carolina and South Carolina. She is a member of the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys (NAELA) and serves on the board of the North Carolina Chapter. She is also a member of the North Carolina Bar Association Estate Planning and Fiduciary Law Section and serves as a council member for the North Carolina Bar Association Elder Law Section. In South Carolina, she is a member of the South Carolina Chapter of NAELA and serves on the South Carolina Bar Elder Law Committee.

Mr. Fleming’s main areas of practice include Estate Planning, Medicaid & Elder Law, Probate and Trust Administration, and Business and Corporate Law. While in college, he worked as a weekend event planner at a local nursing home where he was motivated to become an attorney after witnessing nursing home residents struggle to navigate through their Medicaid and Medicare issues. Mr. Fleming earned his B.A. degree from Georgia College and his J.D. degree from Wake Forest University School of Law.

Ms. Horne specializes in guardianship, estate and trust litigation. She volunteers with the Corporation of Guardianship, providing pro bono legal services through the Corporation of Guardianship to vulnerable older adults. Ms. Horne is an experienced and seasoned litigator and a fierce advocate for elder abuse and exploitation victims. In June 2023, the Guilford County Family Justice Center recognized her as its 2023 Elder Justice Champion. Ms. Horne earned her J.D. degree from Elon University.

Ms. Owens is a Board Certified Specialist with the North Carolina State Bar in the area of Elder Law. She also assists clients with Special Needs Planning. Ms. Owens centers her practice on advocacy for older persons, persons with special needs, their representatives, and families. She offers advice for personal and health care planning for long-term care needs; asset protection and navigating the laws governing Medicare and Medicaid; litigation and administrative advocacy for those seeking public benefit and those who are victims of elder abuse (financial or consumer fraud); special needs counseling including Special Needs Trusts and other related issues. Ms. Owens practice area also encompasses Incompetency and Guardianship matters which often include children with disabilities transitioning to adulthood and continued advocacy of their specific needs. She is accredited for the preparation, presentation and prosecution of claims for veteran’s benefits before the Department of Veterans Affairs and as a Veteran Marine spouse is proud to serve military families to receive benefits earned. Ms. Owens earned her B.A. degree, magna cum laude, from The Ohio State University and her J.D. degree from the University of Toledo College of Law.

Formerly, Mr. Chestnut served as a director and practice leader for the Indianapolis office of Ryan, LLC, Thomson Reuters, and Deloitte. He has been involved with real and business personal property tax for more than 30 years. Mr. Chestnut has extensive experience with property tax reduction, administrative appeal representation, assisting clients with strategic tax planning, compliance work including the preparation of all business personal property tax forms and applications, audit representation, and testimony.  He received a B.S. degree in Accounting from Indiana Wesleyan University.  

After graduating from Indiana University School of Law, Mr. Greene started his career in state and local tax as a Sales Tax Hearing Officer with the Indiana Department of Revenue in 1988. He has worked with a small consulting firm as vice president and general counsel. Mr. Green started the state and local tax practice at the Indianapolis offices of Deloitte. He was the national product leader for Grant Thornton’s automation practice; he was the national practice leader for Crowe Horwath’s sales and use tax practice; and he opened his law office as a sole practitioner. Mr. Greene is active in the Institute for Professionals in Taxation (IPT) and serves on the certification committee. He is a frequent speaker on multistate sales and use tax issues, and sales tax process improvement.

Hon. McAdam was appointed Judge of the Indiana Tax Court in 2023. He earned his bachelor’s degree from Indiana University and a law degree from Harvard Law School. Mr. McAdam came to the position after serving as deputy director and chief legal counsel of the Indiana Office of Management & Budget. He replaces retiring Judge Martha Wentworth.

Ms. McDonald’s quantitative analysis allows her to identify tailored incentives opportunities for each company’s specific requirements. Her negotiation skills with government entities highlight her ability to secure monetary incentives. Ms. McDonald’s extensive expertise in property tax, multistate income taxes, and other state tax matters plays a crucial role in helping clients maximize the benefits of incentives while navigating complex regulatory landscapes. Her dedication to understanding the intricacies of tax regulations and her commitment to delivering tailored solutions underscore her value to clients in achieving their goals. Before joining KSM, she gained experience in both public accounting and corporate environments. Ms. McDonald is a member of the Indiana CPA Society.

Mr. Swain is an Associate Professor of Business Law and Ethics at the Indiana University Judd Leighton School of Business and Economics in South Bend, Indiana. He also teaches business law in Rice University’s online MBA program at the Jones Graduate School of Business. His area of expertise in business law is state and local tax (SALT). Before entering academia, Professor Swain served for 12 years as Chief Counsel of the Revenue Division for the Indiana Attorney General, overseeing all state tax litigation. He previously worked as a tax manager in the SALT practices at KPMG and Arthur Andersen in Denver, Colorado, focusing on state tax audit defense and corporate transactions. He has authored over 200 tax-related articles and frequently lectures on tax law topics.

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.

Ms. Rocazella previously acted as the crew lead of the vegetation management program at EnviroScience with a focus on the treatment of exotic and nonnative plants. She is now operating as a full-time biologist and a pollinator conservation specialist with a focus on the identification, monitoring, and conservation of Midwestern, native bee communities. Ms. Rocazella earned her Bachelor of Science in Organismal Biology from Kent State University where she developed her passion for pollinator and bee communities. She has lived in Costa Rica for a cumulative 4 months as a research assistant studying the specific relationships of Neotropical bees and the local plant communities within the Palo Verde National Park. After her return to the States, she worked for the Cleveland Museum of Natural History for 2 years where she identified and helped curate their collection of North American bees. Following this, she worked with the Cuyahoga Valley National Park as a member of their vegetation management crew and acted as their weekly pollinator survey crew lead. Ms. Rocazella’s main responsibilities at EnviroScience include native habitat restoration, pollinator habitat assessment and installation, and performing population surveys for common and endangered bee populations. She has extensive experience in the research process, including preparing methodologies and executing field work necessary for high-quality data acquisition. Additionally, Ms. Rocazella is skilled in a variety of insect surveying methods with a focus on sweep netting, cup trapping, malaise trapping, as well as other techniques. She has previously held a scientific collection permit with the West Virginia Department of Natural Resources for her consultancy work with the Rusty Patched Bumble Bee, and currently holds her Endangered Species Recovery permit with the United States Fish and Wildlife Service for regions 3 and 5 to perform similar work on a federal scale. Ms. Rocazella is passionate about giving presentations about the importance of pollinators and works regularly to educate and excite others about these critical species.

Mr. Simpson founded Gradelta Engineering in 2020 with the intent to help clients better understand the combination of geotechnical and structural engineering that he has worked with for the past 20 years. He earned his B.S.C.E. and M.S.C.E. degrees from Georgia Institute of Technology. He currently provides engineering services to contractors and fellow engineers for earth structure pricing, along with the plans and calculations needed for construction. He frequently consults with clients regarding the optimal structure type and location on the construction site to minimize risk and maximize useable space. He also works in the education sector providing not just seminars such as this one, but also acting as a subject matter expert creating study guide and test prep content for the NCEES Professional Civil Engineer exam. Mr. Simpson has also worked with lawyers and insurance companies during forensic investigation and lawsuits surrounding retaining walls and slope failures. His hope is that through the instructional services that he currently provides, slopes will remain stable and retaining wall failure will be eliminated.

Ms. DeWall is an experienced elder law and estate planning attorney who focuses her practice on Medicaid planning and asset protection.  Her practice is dedicated to providing comprehensive elder care services that prioritize her clients’ quality of life, asset preservation, and peace of mind.  Ms. DeWall’s commitment to empowering families during vulnerable times has made her a trusted advisor in the field. She is a member of the Elder Law and Disability Rights Section of the State Bar of Michigan, the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys, and the Life Care Planning Law Firms Association.  She frequently speaks at conferences, sharing her expertise to help clients and fellow attorneys understand the intricacies of long-term care planning. Ms. DeWall earned her J.D. degree from Western Michigan University Cooley Law School.

Mr. Lynch focuses in the areas of estate planning, probate, business and corporate planning, elder law, asset protection, residential and commercial real estate, and related litigation. He represents many of the law firm’s transactional clients, helping individuals create estate plans, start businesses, and buy and sell real estate. Mr. Lynch enjoys working with clients across the wealth spectrum, helping them avoid a costly probate process and simplify the management of assets during their lifetimes. He has helped clients with hundreds of acres in land holdings, family camps, large investment and retirement accounts, vast firearms collections, family conflicts, special needs children, diverse business interests, and more. Mr. Lynch earned his B.S. from Northern Michigan University (with honors), and his J.D. degree from Michigan State University College of Law (with honors).

Ms. Patterson, Esq. is a distinguished attorney who is the Principal Attorney of the esteemed law firm Patterson Justice Counsel, PLLC. She is also the President and Director of Research at The PuLSE Institute, a nationally renowned independent, nonpartisan anti-poverty think tank. Both organizations are headquartered in the historic city of Detroit, Michigan USA. Driven by conviction that the law is an important instrument of justice that can make a positive difference, Ms. Patterson began her legal career as a United States Federal Government Attorney, working for the Social Security Administration (SSA). Serving in one of the Federal Government’s key agencies that administers benefits for millions of Americans, Attorney Patterson trained at SSA Hearing and Appeals Division Headquarters in Falls Church, Virginia, just outside the nation’s capital. In her role at the Social Security Administration, she was designated as an Attorney Advisor to Administrative Law Judges across the United States and United States Territories, including Puerto Rico. Ms. Patterson advised judges and wrote judicial opinions concerning Title II and Title XVI Social Security Benefits, which ensured judicial integrity and the legitimacy of the adjudicative process in the application of the law in granting relief to Social Security beneficiaries. As a veteran legal practitioner, Attorney Patterson leads clients on the transformational journey of becoming the legacy pioneers of their generation through properly and appropriately planning, preparing, protecting, preserving, and passing their valuable assets, financial wealth, and wisdom for the benefit of succeeding generations.

Committed to her craft, Ms. Patterson holds a Certificate of Completion in the Probate and Estate Planning Certification Program through the Institute of Continuing Education in Michigan. A skilled advocate in the courtroom, she is also dedicated to helping clients navigate the difficulties presented by legal challenges and effectively guides and represents them when confronting conflicts in the complex court process. 

Armed with a decade of legal expertise that has placed her at the center of solving some of the most complex legal issues for clients, as well as serving as a public advocate on the issues, Ms. Patterson has built and led influential businesses and nonprofit organizations that have made meaningful and lasting impact. Her work has established her as a prominent woman in executive leadership, including being one of the handful of Black women leading major national think tanks and among the rare 2% of Black women lawyers in the United States. A frequent analyst and sought after speaker on law, public policy, and leadership, Ms. Patterson regularly serves as a panelist and keynote speaker advocating for equitable policies and women in government and business leadership, including The PuLSE Institute’s Global Women’s History Month program with keynote by UN Under-Secretary General, Dr. Natalia Kanem. Her passion for the law, legacy, and leadership, stems from her love of history, and how it can be applied to contemporary issues in order to create a future for the betterment of humanity. Ms. Patterson is the author of many published articles on estate planning, economic policy, and public leadership, and is the author of an upcoming book on the principles to apply for leaving a lasting and transcending legacy, due for release soon.

Mr. Quinn is a distinguished attorney with over 20 years of expertise in Estate Planning, Probate and Elder Law. His remarkable career is marked by numerous accolades, including multiple recognitions as a Top 10 Attorney in Michigan for Estate Planning and being named one of the Top 100 Attorneys in Michigan by the National Black Lawyers for consecutive years. Beyond his legal accomplishments, Mr. Quinn leadership journey began during his college years when he played football for the University of Michigan. As an active member of the 1997 National Championship football team during his senior year, he demonstrated the same dedication and teamwork that he now brings to his legal practice. He currently serves as the Chair of the Real Property Trusts and Estates Section of the National Bar Association and has been a consistent contributor to Michigan’s Institute for Continuing Legal Education (ICLE), where he also served on the Executive Committee for years. Mr. Quinn’s role as a sought-after speaker by bar associations, Continuing Legal Education organizations and churches nationwide underscores his passion for sharing his extensive knowledge and expertise. In addition to his professional achievements, he is deeply committed to his community, serving as an ordained pastor. Mr. Quinn personal life is equally inspiring, having been married to his beloved wife, Adrienne, for over two decades. Together, they have two wonderful children, Titus and Jaida. His life and career are a testament to high achievement, leadership, and a deep commitment to making a positive impact. Mr. Quinn journey from a national championship football player to a top-tier attorney and community leader exemplifies the heights one can reach with dedication, passion, and a drive to serve others.

Mr. Yonkers main areas of practice are elder law and estate planning. Prior to becoming a lawyer, he worked as a Legal Clerk and has focused his education and practice in the areas of Estate Planning and Elder Law. He is a NAELA member. Mr. Yonkers is passionate about the outdoors and volunteers with the Friends of Harlow Lake trail builders group, the Upper Peninsula Land Conservancy, and the 906 Adventure Team, a youth cycling group where he has served as a coach and on the Board of Directors. Mr. Younkers earned his undergraduate degree in Public Administration from Ferris State University and completed his Juris Doctorate at Thomas M. Cooley Law School.

Mr. Mohney is the Engineering Geology Program leader for the Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT). The Engineering Geology Program at ODOT encompasses site characterization, subsurface exploration, slopes and embankments, geologic hazards, groundwater, geotechnical instrumentation, and planning and research activities. In this role, he also oversees the Unstable Slopes (landslide/ rockfall) Program for ODOT. He is a registered geologist and a certified engineering geologist in Oregon with over 30 years of experience in Oregon and the western states. Mr. Mohney has been the Engineering Geology Program leader since 2004. Prior to this, he had been a staff and project-level geologist for consulting firms and the mining industry as well as for ODOT. He is a graduate of the Geology Program at Portland State University. During his professional career, Mr. Mohney has been involved in the investigation, design, and construction of a wide range of challenging earthwork projects including high fills on soft ground, side slope embankments, and cut slopes in mixed-face conditions. His other work includes landslide and rockfall mitigation, ground improvement, and dewatering.

Mr. Blount is a 1984 graduate of the University of Houston. After college he served as an Army Corps of Engineers officer on both active and reserve duty, achieving the rank of captain while being stationed in the United States, Republic of Germany and the Republic of Honduras. He has worked in the civil engineering field for forty years and is a Registered Professional Engineer (FL) (WA) (NC) (WI) (TX) (ME) as well as a LEED Accredited Professional, Certified Flood Plain Manager (CFM) and Envision Sustainability Professional (ENV SP). Mr. Blount was employed by Harris County for over thirty-four years starting as an Inspector and advancing to the position of County Engineer responsible for 766 employees and over a billion-dollar annual infrastructure program. He previously served on the National Sanitation Foundation (NSF) Joint Wastewater Committee and was previously Chairman of the Texas Onsite Wastewater Research Council appointed by the governor. Currently Mr. Blount is principal of Civil Solutions, a Consulting Engineering firm located in Houston, Texas.

Mr. Jantrania received a B.E. degree in agricultural Engineering from India, an M.S. in Agricultural Engineering from The Ohio State University, and a Ph.D. in Agricultural Engineering from Clemson University. He also has an MBA degree from West Virginia University, and he holds a professional engineering (P.E.) license in Texas and Virginia.

Dr. Jantrania is an associate professor/extension specialist in the Biological and Agricultural Engineering Department at Texas A&M University, Texas. He has over 30 years of experience working in the wastewater industry, both in public and private sectors, with a focus on on-site sewage facilities (septic and aerobic systems), and decentralized wastewater and water systems. Mr. Jantrania’s research and extension interests focus on sustainable infrastructure to ensure the availability of clean water to meet society’s water demands, and to ensure safe sanitation to protect public health and environmental quality.

Before coming to Texas, He worked in Virginia, Massachusetts, and West Virginia. His work in Texas focuses on developing a statewide extension education and research program related to surface and groundwater quality protection with specific emphasis on onsite wastewater treatment and reuse technologies. Dr. Jantrania has authored and co-authored more than 50 papers, including a book titled Advanced Onsite Wastewater Systems Technologies published by CRC Press, and delivered more than 100 presentations at local, state, national and international conferences.