2025 Mid Summer Conference Speakers
I thought YOU had it covered! Unique Perspectives on Delegated Design
Friday | 8:00a – 10:00a
Gary Quesada, Esq.
Mr. Quesada has been practicing law since 1993 and is admitted to all Michigan Courts and the U.S. District Courts of Michigan. His practice has been concentrated in the design and construction industries, representing architects, engineers, contractors, private construction owners, and public entities. Mr. Quesada represents clients in business and construction law matters, contract, construction and property disputes, construction lien and bond claims, professional malpractice, copyright, insurance defense, and government affairs. Other areas of practice include family law, estate planning, arts and entertainment.
Tim VanAntwerp
Tim VanAntwerp joined Granger Construction in 2000 and currently serves as Executive Vice President, with a focus on Business Development Leadership, team development, and Higher Education project delivery. He has a Bachelor of Science degree in Civil Engineering from Michigan State University, and a Juris Doctor from Wayne State University in Detroit. Founded in 1959, Granger Construction is an ENR Top 400 company headquartered in Lansing, Michigan, specializing in design-build, construction management, integrated project delivery and general contracting services for the commercial, industrial, K-12, higher education, healthcare and public sector markets.
Patty Boyle, AIA
As the Corporate Director of Architecture for SmithGroup, Patty is responsible for establishing the general direction and strategies for delivery of architectural services across the firm. With over 30 years of experience, Patty also serves as a Senior Project Architect, leading integrated teams, and collaborative partnerships to deliver some of the firm’s most complex work. Patty obtained her Bachelor of Architecture from the Illinois Institute of Technology. Patty has served in leadership roles for AIA Detroit and is currently serving as the Michigan representative on the AIA Strategic Council.
Todd Ciesielski
Todd Ciesielski is a Senior Project Manager at U of M who manages research based capital projects.
Friday | 10:00a – 11:00a
Otis Odell, AIA
Chief Operating Officer Joe Benvenuto provides oversight and management of LIFTbuild’s operations and alliance partner relationships. Over the past four years, he spearheaded the transformation of the LIFTbuild technology to be more efficient in the field and more widely accepted by clients and local authorities. He is currently leading the team on LIFTbuild’s proof-of-concept project, Exchange, while also spearheading strategic planning efforts for the entity. He continues to lead the commercialization of LIFTbuild. Through the deployment of LIFTbuild’s innovative construction methodologies, leader Benvenuto aims to transform the typical construction environment into what LIFTbuild refers to as Vertical Manufacturing.
Nevan Shokar
Nevan Shokar is a development and strategy consultant with deep experience in the affordable housing sector. Through his work with municipalities, housing authorities, and nonprofit developers, Nevan advises on everything from site selection and entitlements to financing and neighborhood engagement. His pragmatic approach helps clients unlock complicated urban sites for community benefit.
Jay McKee
As Senior Vice President, Jay leads the preconstruction services for our commercial division, guiding projects from concept to construction with a focus on precision, collaboration, and exceptional client service. His role spans conceptual estimating, budgeting, procurement, constructability analysis, and competitive lump sum bidding, ensuring a seamless transition from planning to execution. With more than 25 years of industry experience, Jay brings deep expertise across multiple sectors, including commercial, multifamily, hospitality, data center, healthcare, pharmaceutical, manufacturing, and retail markets. His career path—from hands-on field roles to leadership in operations and business development—has shaped a well-rounded approach that emphasizes strategic thinking and relationship-building. Jay takes pride in fostering strong, lasting partnerships with clients and local trade partners alike, creating environments where trust, transparency, and results thrive.
Saturday | 8:00a – 9:00a
Phillip G Bernstein FAIA
Phil Bernstein is the Deputy Dean and a Professor in the Practice at the Yale School of Architecture, where he teaches courses in professional practice, technology, entrepreneurship, and supply chain. He is a former vice president at Autodesk, where he was responsible for the company’s Building Information Modeling strategy that included the development of the Revit platform. Prior to Autodesk Phil was an associate principal Cesar Pelli & Associates where he managed many of the firm’s most complex commissions including projects for the Mayo Clinic, Washington National Airport, UCLA, and Goldman Sachs. He is a Fellow of the American Institute of Architects, a Senior Fellow of the Design Futures Council, and former Chair of the AIA Contracts Documents Committee. Phil has been honored twice by DesignIntelligence as one of the “30 Most Admired Educators in Architecture”. He received his B.A. and M.Arch from Yale and is licensed to practice in California.
Lean Fundamentals
Saturday | 9:00a – 10:00a
Branden Clements
Branden Clements is a Director of Lean at Barton Malow. In this leadership role, he leads a team focused on improving enterprise processes and developing a Lean culture within the company’s self-perform trades. He loves facilitating cross-departmental workshops and seeing the light bulb moments when people better understanding what they do and how they can do it better. He believes that small change is the key to improvement, and that cumulatively, it becomes significant over time. He has a dual degree Master of Architecture and Master of Engineering in Construction Engineering & Management from the University of Michigan. He holds the PMP certification and is a licensed architect in the State of Michigan. He lives in Novi, Michigan with his wife, Hasnaa, and their 3 year old daughter, Talia.
Historic Preservation’s Place in the Evolution of the Grand Hotel
Saturday | 10:00a – 12:30p
Gene Hopkins, FAIA
Principal and co-founder of HopkinsBurns Design Studio, Gene is a nationally recognized leader in historic preservation architecture who has received numerous awards for his contribution to architecture, including the prestigious Gold Medal from AIA Michigan in 2003 and the Gold Medal from AIA Detroit in 2006. Gene has extensive experience in the restoration and rehabilitation of hundreds of structures listed on the National Register of Historic Places. His passion is design that creates livable, inspiring and people-oriented places that embody respect for heritage and community values. Gene is honored to be appointed the Architect of the Michigan State Capital, is past president of the Michigan Architectural Foundation and past president of the American Institute of Architects.
Tamara Burns, FAIA
Principal and co-founder of HopkinsBurns Design Studio, Tamara has over 25 years of leadership and management experience providing design services for a variety of structures (new, existing and historic) and project types, including mixed use, commercial, residential, retail, laboratory renovations, world headquarters facilities and community master planning. As Principal, Tamara ensures the delivery of innovative, sensitive, sustainable and timely design solutions which sensitively weave new places into the context of existing communities. Tamara is past President of AIA Michigan and chairs Ann Arbor’s Design Review Board.
Bob Spence
Bob Spence III serves as CEO and Northern Michigan Regional President of Spence Brothers, a construction firm founded in 1893. As a fourth-generation owner, he’s proud to carry on a legacy of “getting the job done right” that spans more than 130 years. He believes the company’s success is rooted in how people are treated – with mutual respect and an appreciation for a job well done – and brings that same mindset to both project leadership and community involvement. With nearly 40 years in the construction industry, Bob oversees the company’s Northern Michigan operations while also helping guide Spence Brothers’ overall strategic direction and culture. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree from Ohio University’s School of Economics and studied at the University of Michigan’s School of Engineering.
Glenn Parvin, Hon. Aff. AIAMI
CASS Sheetmetal was founded in 1990 by Glenn Parvin who wanted to create a company to market and specialize in custom sheet metal work. Today the name CASS Sheetmetal is one of the most respected and requested companies doing architectural sheet metal work in the state of Michigan. Glenn has a passion to oversee all aspects of every project CASS Sheetmetal gets involved with. His vast experienced in project management and his ability to solve problems and innovate solutions has made them the preferred design, fabrication and installation company among architects, contractors and owners for commercial and residential architectural watertight sheet metal roofing, clay and tile roofing, metal siding products and roofing related sheet metal in historical building restoration and preservation.
Steven Brisson
Steve Brisson, a sixth-generation Upper Peninsula resident, was appointed Director of Mackinac State Historic Parks in 2020. With a background in history and museum studies from Northern Michigan University and Cooperstown, Brisson has dedicated his career to preserving and presenting Michigan’s historic sites. Since joining MSHP in 1996, he has held roles including Chief Curator and Deputy Director, overseeing collections, exhibits, archaeology, and marketing. He is committed to thoughtful stewardship, strategic planning, and enhancing the visitor experience, with projects like the new Arch Rock Nature Center and the Mackinac Island Native American Museum exemplifying his vision. Brisson sees his role as ensuring these treasured sites continue to serve and inspire the public for generations to come.