Opening Night Cocktail Reception with Guest Speaker

Mr. Barab will speak about OSHA’s role in ensuring that worker protection laws are enforced as recovery infrastructure investments are carried out.  He will also talk about ways CURT members can take a leadership role in improving the construction industry’s record on workplace safety.

Cocktail Keynote:
Jordan Barab - view bio»
Acting Assistant Secretary of Labor
Occupational Safety & Health Adminstration

Introduction by:
Robert F. Ruyak - view bio»
Managing Partner & Chief Executive Officer, Howrey LLP

Registration & Continental Breakfast

Opening Remarks

Norbert W. Young, Jr., FAIA - view bio»
President, McGraw-Hill Construction
Gregory L. Sizemore, Esq. - view bio»
Executive Vice President, The Construction Users Roundtable

Keynote Address

The Corps expects to receive a minimum of $1.4 billion in economic stimulus funding for Military Programs missions through the Department of Defense. That is in addition to the $18 billion currently being executed in fiscal year 2009. Take away valuable insight from Mr. Tyler as he addresses their plans for the funding and how they will execute this historically large Military Program.

Introduction by:
Jerry King - view bio»
Vice President of Government, Utilities, and Communications, Bentley

J. Joseph Tyler - view bio»
Director of Military Programs, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers

Owners’ Strategies: Staying in the Black

This panel of leading owners will discuss how their businesses are being affected by the economic downturn, the new administration—including tax changes and the economic stimulus package—and the overall impact on construction budgets.

Topics to be discussed include:
• How to assess if projects are a go/no-go
• What incentive programs are going to stimulate the economy?
• What is the changing risk landscape?
• How can owners be smartly aggressive in this economy instead of retreating to cost cutting?

Moderator:
Tom Ichniowski - view bio»
Washington Bureau Chief, "Engineering News-Record"

Panelists:
Peter J. Buote - view bio»
Vice President, Generation Services, Constellation Energy Group
Joe Gionfriddo - view bio»
Corporate Engineering Global Construction Manager, Procter & Gamble Company
Chuck Hardy - view bio»
Deputy Director, Great Lakes Region, Property Development Division, U. S. General Services Administration
Jocelyn Scott - view bio»
Vice President of Engineering, DuPont
Bob Wilson - view bio»
Manager, Global Project Services, General Electric Company

Networking & Refreshment Break

The Changing Regulatory Landscape: Association Perspectives

The influence of prominent associations in the construction industry cannot be underestimated.  Associations will continue to affect public policy and provide resources for members to cope with the economic downturn, take advantage of the stimulus package and develop new cost effective approaches to construction.  Our panelists represent some of the most prominent associations in the industry. They will discuss new products and services being developed to assist their members to survive and thrive as well as discussing important policy positions they are advocating to the Obama administration.

Moderator:
Janice L. Tuchman - view bio»
Editor-in-Chief, Engineering News-Record

Panelists:
Larry Burton - view bio»
Executive Director, Business Roundtable
Christine W. McEntee - view bio»
Executive Vice President & Chief Executive Officer, The American Institute of Architects
Patrick J. Natale, P.E., CAE, F.ASCE - view bio»
Executive Director, American Society of Civil Engineers
Kirk Pickerel - view bio»
President & Chief Executive Officer, Associated Builders & Contractors, Inc.
Stephen E. Sandherr - view bio»
Chief Executive Officer, Associated General Contractors of America
Gregory L. Sizemore, Esq.
Executive Vice President, The Construction Users Roundtable

Luncheon with Keynote Speaker

Walker Kimball - view bio»
President, Bechtel Construction Operations, Inc.

Rebuilding Our Critical Energy Infrastructure

The electrical infrastructure of the U.S. is in disrepair and a significant number of our plants are over forty years old. There are many projects under consideration, licenses are being reviewed, but how are we going to get the credit needed to finance these projects? How do we move forward to refurbish a decaying system? This panel of leaders in the energy sector will examine the following issues:

• The need for skilled labor
• Impact on safety
• Nuclear power projects
• Plant retrofits
• Cost-effective energy improvements
• Integrating renewable energy features into projects
• "Smart grid" construction
• The distribution protocols of energy
• Qualifying plants to operate
• Determining where the risk lies
• Replacing inefficient, older coal burning power plants and transitioning to a better way to burn coal
• Nuclear power as a strategic part of the portfolio of technologies to reduce carbon emissions
• Regulations that may affect climate change (i.e. carbon sequestration)

Moderator:
Stephen V. O’Neal - view bio»
Partner, Howrey LLP

Panelists:
Ashley Baker - view bio»
Vice President of Environmental Projects & Construction - West
Southern Company
David Eppinger - view bio»
Vice President, Power Business Group, Fluor Corporation
Katherine Hamilton - view bio»
President, GridWise Alliance
Leonard Petrie - view bio»
Labor Programs & Senior Project Manager, Exelon Generation
Doug Walters - view bio»
Senior Director for New Plant Deployment, Nuclear Energy Institute

Networking & Refreshment Break

The 2009 Outlook for U.S. Construction Activity – Midyear Update

The construction industry in 2009 will be shaped by divergent forces.  The federal stimulus act will boost infrastructure work, such as highways, bridges, and environmental public works.  An additional lift will be provided to several building types, such as federal buildings.  At the same time, the deepening economic recession and tight lending conditions loom as substantial negatives in 2009.  This presentation will review the main provisions of the federal stimulus bill as they affect construction, as well as other important features of the current economic climate.  An update to the 2009 projections for U.S. construction starts will be provided, covering such sectors as public works, institutional building, commercial building, and housing.

Introduction by:
Rick Graves - view bio»
Senior Vice President of Operations, Fluor Corporation
Chairman, NCCER

Robert Murray - view bio»
Vice President, Economic Affairs, McGraw-Hill Construction

Closing Remarks

Gregory L. Sizemore, Esq.
Executive Vice President, The Construction Users Roundtable
Norbert W. Young, Jr., FAIA
President, McGraw-Hill Construction