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Over a 25-year career, Mr. Becker has represented international engineering firms, architects, design-builders, owners, construction managers, and specialty subcontractors on major horizontal infrastructure projects such as roads, bridges, tunnels, and pipelines, and vertical infrastructure projects such as stadiums, convention centers, hospitals, and dams. He has also worked on industrial projects including process plants, power plants, grain elevators, and commercial and residential projects. He is a Fellow of the American College of Construction Lawyers, a former chair of the Construction Section of the Minnesota State Bar Association, a director of the Associated General Contractors of Minnesota, and a frequent speaker on construction law topics. Mr. Becker is nationally recognized as a leading advocate in the field of early resolution of complex construction disputes through mediation, many times without the need for a lawsuit for formal legal proceedings. He earned his undergraduate degree in Civil Engineering from Northwestern University, cum laude, Tau Beta Pi, and his law degree from the University of Iowa with high distinction.

Partner at Husch Blackwell LLP in Omaha, NE 

Mr. Meyer is a member of the firm’s Real Estate, Development & Construction team. He has extensive experience in construction contract drafting and litigation. Mr. Meyer has represented government entities, business owners, general contractors, suppliers and subcontractors in civil disputes and lien claims. He also represents political subdivisions by assisting in a variety of issues including regulatory compliance, contract negotiations, property acquisitions and condemnation. Prior to joining Husch Blackwell, Mr. Meyer practiced in Atlanta, Georgia for eight years. He represented various entities and individuals in pre-litigation negotiations, mediation, throughout the litigation process and arbitration. In addition, he assisted with multiple cases before the Georgia Court of Appeals and Supreme Court of Georgia that have resulted in the enforcement of certain limitation of liability clauses for design professionals performing services in the State of Georgia. Mr. Meyer was named a Georgia Rising Star from 2014-2016 and a Great Plains Rising Star from 2017-2021 by Super Lawyers. He earned his J.D. degree, with distinction, from the University of Nebraska College of Law. 

Attorney, Harris Beach PLLCMr. Kelly is senior counsel to the firm. He practices in the Environmental Law and Government Compliance and Investigations Practice Groups. Prior to joining Harris Beach, Mr. Kelly was the regional director of Region 4 of the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC), where he directed all aspects of the operation. He is an experienced environmental lawyer with intimate knowledge of the workings of local, state and federal agencies, including the New York City Department of Environmental Protection; the New York State Departments of Environmental Conservation, Transportation, and State; the Empire State Development Corporation; the United States Environmental Protection Agency; Army Corps of Engineers; and the U.S. Department of Justice. Prior to serving as DEC Region 4 regional director, Mr. Kelly served for 10 years as an assistant attorney general in the Environmental Protection Bureau of the New York State Office of the Attorney General. He retired in 2013 at the rank of Lieutenant Colonel from the U.S. Marine Corps.

Drewry Simmons Vornehm, LLPMr. Vornehm is a founding partner of DSV. He focuses his legal practice in the areas of construction law, public contract law, surety law, environmental law, commercial law and business law. He is also a frequent arbitrator for the American Arbitration Association. Mr. Vornehm represents all participants in the construction industry, including public and private owners, general and prime contractors and subcontractors in all types of project delivery systems and performance and payment disputes. He has incorporated numerous entities including minority, women, veteran and disadvantaged businesses. He frequently works with clients to assist in contract drafting and negotiations. Mr. Vornehm is a frequent author and lecturer on construction law and environmental topics and is recognized as a leader in the construction law field. Prior to practicing law he was the chief engineer of the Construction Division of the Indianapolis Department of Public Works. Further, he was an adjunct professor at the Purdue School of Engineering and Technology at Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis. Mr. Vornehm is chapter counsel for the Indiana Water Environment Association and a recipient of the Tumble Bug Award. During his career he has helped public and private clients in a variety of areas including, construction disputes, contract drafting and review, litigation, mediation, arbitration and administrative hearings. Mr. Vornehm has been recognized as an Indiana Super Lawyer® in the practice area of construction litigation from 2011-2016.

Partner at Husch Blackwell LLP in Omaha, NE 

Mr. Meyer is a member of the firm’s Real Estate, Development & Construction team. He has extensive experience in construction contract drafting and litigation. Mr. Meyer has represented government entities, business owners, general contractors, suppliers and subcontractors in civil disputes and lien claims. He also represents political subdivisions by assisting in a variety of issues including regulatory compliance, contract negotiations, property acquisitions and condemnation. Prior to joining Husch Blackwell, Mr. Meyer practiced in Atlanta, Georgia for eight years. He represented various entities and individuals in pre-litigation negotiations, mediation, throughout the litigation process and arbitration. In addition, he assisted with multiple cases before the Georgia Court of Appeals and Supreme Court of Georgia that have resulted in the enforcement of certain limitation of liability clauses for design professionals performing services in the State of Georgia. Mr. Meyer was named a Georgia Rising Star from 2014-2016 and a Great Plains Rising Star from 2017-2021 by Super Lawyers. He earned his J.D. degree, with distinction, from the University of Nebraska College of Law. 

Mr. Walters is a professional engineer and is certified in plumbing design through the American Society of Plumbing Engineers. His responsibilities overlap into the professional engineering areas of civil engineering, mechanical engineering, chemical engineering, fire protection engineering, and process engineering. He performs calculations, sizes equipment, and prepares plumbing design and construction documents. Mr. Walters is a member of the Atlanta Chapter of the American Society of Plumbing Engineers (ASPE). He earned his B.S. degree in Mechanical Engineering from Georgia Tech.

Mr. Walters is a professional engineer and is certified in plumbing design through the American Society of Plumbing Engineers. His responsibilities overlap into the professional engineering areas of civil engineering, mechanical engineering, chemical engineering, fire protection engineering, and process engineering. He performs calculations, sizes equipment, and prepares plumbing design and construction documents. Mr. Walters is a member of the Atlanta Chapter of the American Society of Plumbing Engineers (ASPE). He earned his B.S. degree in Mechanical Engineering from Georgia Tech.

Mr. Walters is a professional engineer and is certified in plumbing design through the American Society of Plumbing Engineers. His responsibilities overlap into the professional engineering areas of civil engineering, mechanical engineering, chemical engineering, fire protection engineering, and process engineering. He performs calculations, sizes equipment, and prepares plumbing design and construction documents. Mr. Walters is a member of the Atlanta Chapter of the American Society of Plumbing Engineers (ASPE). He earned his B.S. degree in Mechanical Engineering from Georgia Tech.

Mr. Walters is a professional engineer and is certified in plumbing design through the American Society of Plumbing Engineers. His responsibilities overlap into the professional engineering areas of civil engineering, mechanical engineering, chemical engineering, fire protection engineering, and process engineering. He performs calculations, sizes equipment, and prepares plumbing design and construction documents. Mr. Walters is a member of the Atlanta Chapter of the American Society of Plumbing Engineers (ASPE). He earned his B.S. degree in Mechanical Engineering from Georgia Tech.

Ms. Talarico is an ICC-certified energy/green code plan reviewer and consults with architects and engineers throughout the Northeast to provide continuing education on a range of subjects from codes to building science. She is an instructor for Urban Green/New York State Energy Research and Development Authority’s “Conquering the Code”, an 8-hour energy code class in New York State. Ms. Talarico was a member of the engineering outreach team for the Brick Industry Association, and she is an award-winning journalist with more than 25 years of experience as a writer and editor for such publications as Architectural Record and This Old House. Her areas of expertise include building energy, sustainability issues, and codes, including the IECC, ASHRAE 90.1, IEBC, and the IgCC.

Instructor of Heating and Air Conditioning Technology at College of Lake CountyMr. Smith has more than 20 years of experience in the field and the classroom in HVAC/R, sustainable energy, leadership and education. He is experienced in building automation in the commercial environment and has taken certification courses or taught on a number of subjects including air conditioning, ventilation, heating, advanced electrical controls, geothermal systems, and photovoltaic power systems. Mr. Smith has designed and conducted various technician and student workshops for training in all aspects of energy mechanical systems including control systems in direct digital controls. He is a member of the Refrigeration Service Engineers Society (RSES), the National Institute for the Uniform Licensing of Power Engineers (NIULPE), the American Society of Heating, Refrigeration and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE), and North American Technician Excellence (NATE). Mr. Smith earned his B.A. degree from Trinity International University and his M.A. degree in Organization Leadership from Indian Wesleyan University.

Instructor of Heating and Air Conditioning Technology at College of Lake CountyMr. Smith has more than 20 years of experience in the field and the classroom in HVAC/R, sustainable energy, leadership and education. He is experienced in building automation in the commercial environment and has taken certification courses or taught on a number of subjects including air conditioning, ventilation, heating, advanced electrical controls, geothermal systems, and photovoltaic power systems. Mr. Smith has designed and conducted various technician and student workshops for training in all aspects of energy mechanical systems including control systems in direct digital controls. He is a member of the Refrigeration Service Engineers Society (RSES), the National Institute for the Uniform Licensing of Power Engineers (NIULPE), the American Society of Heating, Refrigeration and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE), and North American Technician Excellence (NATE). Mr. Smith earned his B.A. degree from Trinity International University and his M.A. degree in Organization Leadership from Indian Wesleyan University.

Mr.  Brignati is a New York State Code Enforcement Officer as well as a registered architect in New York, New Hampshire and Connecticut. With over 30 years of experience, Mr. Brignati has been involved with many building types ranging from industrial, medical, retail and educational to production and custom homes. With a background and deep interest in building science in addition to environmental design and sustainability, he was the team leader for the first home in New York’s Capitol Region to achieve LEED for Homes certification under their pilot program. He has trained design professionals, builders and code officials over the last 15 years across the country on the Energy Code and Residential Code, and he has held certifications from the ICC as a commercial energy inspector and residential energy inspector/plans examiner. Mr. Brignati holds a bachelor’s degree in Environmental Design from the University of Colorado in Boulder and was formerly AIA, NCARB, LEED AP BD+C & Homes accredited.

President and Co-Founder of ReVireoBen Cohen is co-founder and president of ReVireo, an interdisciplinary green building services company. ReVireo provides real estate developers and homebuilders with consulting, training, and inspection services to achieve target levels of energy and environmental performance in new construction. Mr. Cohen received his Bachelor of Science Degree in Mechanical Engineering from Union College and is a New Jersey Certified Engineer-In-Training.  He is a LEED Green Associate, LEED for Homes Green Rater, HERS/ENERGY STAR Rater, NGBS Verifier, Indoor airPLUS Verifier, WaterSense Verifier, DOE Zero Energy Verifier, and PHIUS+ Rater.

Mr.  Brignati is a New York State Code Enforcement Officer as well as a registered architect in New York, New Hampshire and Connecticut. With over 30 years of experience, Mr. Brignati has been involved with many building types ranging from industrial, medical, retail and educational to production and custom homes. With a background and deep interest in building science in addition to environmental design and sustainability, he was the team leader for the first home in New York’s Capitol Region to achieve LEED for Homes certification under their pilot program. He has trained design professionals, builders and code officials over the last 15 years across the country on the Energy Code and Residential Code, and he has held certifications from the ICC as a commercial energy inspector and residential energy inspector/plans examiner. Mr. Brignati holds a bachelor’s degree in Environmental Design from the University of Colorado in Boulder and was formerly AIA, NCARB, LEED AP BD+C & Homes accredited.

President and Co-Founder of ReVireoBen Cohen is co-founder and president of ReVireo, an interdisciplinary green building services company. ReVireo provides real estate developers and homebuilders with consulting, training, and inspection services to achieve target levels of energy and environmental performance in new construction. Mr. Cohen received his Bachelor of Science Degree in Mechanical Engineering from Union College and is a New Jersey Certified Engineer-In-Training.  He is a LEED Green Associate, LEED for Homes Green Rater, HERS/ENERGY STAR Rater, NGBS Verifier, Indoor airPLUS Verifier, WaterSense Verifier, DOE Zero Energy Verifier, and PHIUS+ Rater.

Ms. Paist-Goldman has more than 25 years of experience in water resource engineering with a particular focus in stream and wetland restoration and mitigation design. She is the principal and owner of Rippled Waters Engineering, LLC based in New Jersey. Her firm specializes in water resources engineering services for a variety of projects. She is an experienced hydrologic and hydraulic modeler and has worked extensively on design and analysis using a variety of hydrologic and hydraulic programs including HEC-HMS, HEC-RAS, and HydroCAD. Ms. Paist-Goldman’s design expertise includes wetland restoration and mitigation; stream restoration; bridge repair and replacement; and dam repair, replacement, and removal. Specifically related to riverine systems, Ms. Paist-Goldman has extensive expertise with stream restoration, large woody debris, natural channel design and bioengineering stabilization techniques. Ms. Paist-Goldman has designed restoration projects of all sizes ranging from a few hundred feet to several miles of stream. These projects are planned for use as mitigation banks or serve as mitigation for development onsite. Working closely with restoration ecologists and landscape architects, Ms. Paist-Goldman has designed a variety of stream and wetland habitats including creation, enhancement, restoration, and preservation with a focus on sustainability and regulatory compliance.