2026 Mid Summer Conference Speakers

OUR PROPOSAL SAID WHAT?!

Friday | 7:30a – 8:30a

Mike Cosgrove, Hon Aff. AIAMI

Mike leads PCIA as a hands-on problem solver, guiding clients through complex insurance and risk management challenges. His work spans insurance placement, risk evaluation, contract review, staff training, and advising on mergers, acquisitions, and international projects. A recognized leader in the industries PCIA serves, Mike is active in professional associations, serving on boards, chairing committees, and supporting events like the AIA Michigan Mid-Summer Conference, the Michigan Architectural Foundation, and ACEC of Michigan’s Engineering and Surveying Excellence Gala. He is a past president of PLAN, a board member of the Design Professionals Risk Control Group, CPAFMA, and the ALA. He also speaks and writes frequently on risk management, helping firms strengthen their practices. Mike began his career at PCIA in 1990 as a summer intern before earning a BA in business and insurance from Olivet College with a focus on commercial property and liability. He lives in Brighton, Michigan, with his wife, Allison, and their two daughters.

Carina Kraatz

Carina M. Kraatz is the Chair of the Firm’s Commercial Litigation Practice and concentrates her practice in commercial litigation, construction contracts and litigation, and intellectual property prosecution and litigation. Ms. Kraatz’s client base is composed of both domestic and international, corporations, associations, and individuals. She has litigated cases in a variety of jurisdictions at both the federal and state level in Michigan, Indiana, Ohio, Texas, and Iowa and argued before the Michigan Court of Appeals and Michigan Supreme Court. Ms. Kraatz has acted as both first and second chair in both jury and bench trials at the state and federal level. She has also participated in the arbitration process.

Ms. Kraatz is also committed to pro bono and represents pro bono clients in litigation and through various “advice and counsel” clinics. Furthermore, she is a part of the Firm’s Marketing Committee and Chair of the Pro Bono Committee. Additionally, Ms. Kraatz serves as a commercial case evaluator for the Mediation Tribunal Association located in Wayne County, Michigan and serves on the Board of Directors for the Detroit Bar Association, and an active member of the Access to Justice Committee for the Detroit Bar Association.

AIA & AGC ECONOMIST

Friday | 8:30a – 9:30a

Richard Branch

Richard Branch is the Chief Economist for the American Institute of Architects (AIA), where he leads economic research and analysis to inform the architecture profession and broader building industry on market trends, economic drivers, and future growth opportunities. Most recently, Branch served as Chief Economist for Dodge Construction Network, where he led the Dodge Economics Group. In this role, he forecasted construction activity while engaging closely with national, regional, and trade media to disseminate these insights. His leadership included overseeing the execution of Dodge's  monthly economic data, construction starts research, and annual construction outlook.

With nearly 30 years of experience as an economist, Branch is widely recognized for his ability to translate complex economic data into actionable insights that help organizations uncover new opportunities and drive strategic decision-making. His expertise spans macroeconomic analysis, construction and real estate markets, and demographic trends, and he is frequently called upon to speak at industry conferences, association events, and corporate strategic meetings. Branch’s industry leadership is further underscored by his past participation in AIA’s Consensus Construction Forecast panel who contribute forward-looking economic perspectives to the architectural and construction communities. He holds a master’s degree in economics from Boston College and a bachelor’s degree in economics from the University of Ottawa in Canada. 

Macrina Wilkins

Macrina Wilkins works as the Director of Market Insights for the Associated General Contractors of America (AGC), the leading trade association for the construction industry. She serves as a speaker within the industry, sharing her knowledge on trends in the labor, spending and material markets. Her work has been published in trade magazines and industry reports focusing on topics related to economic trends impacting contractors. Ms. Wilkins graduated from Cornell University with a B.S. in Human Development and has done post-bac work in Economics at George Mason University. She is a member of the National Associate of Business Economists and serves as the VP of Program Development of the National Economics Club of Washington DC.

AI FOR ARCHITECTS

FRIDAY | 10:30a – 11:30a

Illya Azaroff, FAIA

Currently serving as President of the American Institute of Architects (AIA), Illya Azaroff, FAIA, is committed to supporting architects worldwide in their mission to safeguard the health, safety, and welfare of the public. With more than 19 years of leadership experience as the Founding Principal of +LAB Architect PLLC, he brings extensive expertise in organizational leadership, strategic leadership, and resilience-focused design. At AIA, he works to empower the organization's global community of more than 100,000 members by advancing innovative educational initiatives and championing programs that address critical environmental and societal challenges.

With a strong foundation in architecture, geography, and resilience strategies, Azaroff's professional career spans nearly two decades of multidisciplinary collaboration. Through his work at +LAB Architect, he has advised AEC teams, communities, and governing bodies on sustainable, regenerative, and resilient design practices. Passionate about advancing forward-thinking solutions, he advocates for approaches that strengthen resilience, support circular economies, and address the global challenges of the 21st century. In addition to his professional practice, Azaroff serves as a professor at the City University of New York, where he explores disaster mitigation strategies and resilient building practices while helping prepare the next generation of design leaders.

Prefab in Practice: Designing for Efficiency, Safety, & Certainty

Saturday | 8:00a - 9:00p

Andrew Rener | Architectural Metals, Inc.

Andrew Rener's passion for construction began at an early age, working in his family's construction company before becoming a third-generation graduate of Lawrence Technological University. He started his career with Barton Malow Company as a field engineer, advancing to Senior Director through a combination of leadership and technical expertise. Today, Rener serves in executive leadership at Architectural Metals, Inc., where he helps drive strategic growth, operational excellence, and innovation across the construction industry. A recognized leader in design-build and prefabrication, he also serves as Principal of Rener Consulting.

Rener taught as an adjunct professor at Lawrence Technological University for 15 years, earning the Outstanding Adjunct Faculty Award, and continues to support the university as an emeritus member of its Civil Engineering Advisory Board. He is a licensed Professional Engineer in Michigan, a licensed builder in eight states, a Designated Design-Build Professional, and an active leader in several national industry organizations.

THE MAKING OF A MODERN AMPHITHEATER

Saturday | 9:00a - 10:00p

Scott Veine, Pioneer Construction

Scott Veine is a distinguished construction industry leader with an impressive 28-year tenure at Pioneer Construction, where he has cultivated a comprehensive understanding of the built environment through diverse roles including Project Designer, Estimator, Project Engineer, Project Manager, Director of Sustainability, and Director of Project Management. Throughout his career, he has been instrumental in delivering notable projects across West Michigan, including significant developments at Grand Valley State University such as the Mary Idema Pew Learning Commons, Siedman College of Business, and the Dan and Pamella DeVos Center for Interdisciplinary Health, as well as critical infrastructure projects like the Corewell Health South Employee Ramp and Munson Hospital Surgery Center Expansion.

A dedicated educator and industry advocate, Veine holds multiple advanced credentials in construction management from Ferris State University. His commitment to professional development extends beyond his own career, as he actively serves on the Industry Advisory Board for Ferris State University’s School of the Built Environment, currently holding the position of Board President. Veine is also a committed industry ambassador, participating in numerous trade, K-12, and higher education tours and seminars to promote construction careers, and maintaining memberships in prestigious organizations like the Precast Construction Institute and the American Institute of Steel Construction.

Dennis Diener, Progressive Companies

Dennis is an architect with more than 35 years’ experience in the industry. His extensive technical knowledge in design and construction enables him to offer exceptional oversight and coordination for large-scale projects with a focus on quality. Dennis brings together multifaceted teams with varying priorities, uniting them under a common vision to deliver top-tier services. His exceptional leadership and team-building skills foster the development of synergistic, collaborative, and motivated teams.

With a passion and strong commitment to quality, Dennis draws upon a wide spectrum of project experience, conducting thorough cross-discipline evaluations, constructability assessments, and technical document reviews. This commitment ensures that we consistently provide a high level of service to our clients.

FROM VISION TO REALITY: THE POWER OF PARTNERSHIP IN TRANSFORMATIONAL DESIGN

Saturday | 10:00a - 11:00p

Tim Gawel, NCIDQ, HED

Tim Gawel, NCIDQ, leads design efforts in HED’s Workplace sector, helping clients create adaptable, forward-thinking environments that align business goals with employee well-being. With a strong foundation in both design and delivery, Tim bridges architectural innovation with operational clarity, ensuring every workplace supports productivity, flexibility, and brand expression. He partners closely with clients and design teams to explore creative solutions that reflect the evolving nature of work. With strong ties to the corporate and commercial design community, Tim brings insight and agility to each engagement, guiding teams from vision to realization with purpose and precision.

Matthew MacDougall, AIA, Oakland County

Matthew MacDougall, AIA, LEED AP is an architect, project manager, and artist whose work bridges the worlds of design, construction, and creative expression. As a Project Manager for Oakland County, he serves as an owner's representative, overseeing new construction and renovation projects across the county's government campus and helping deliver facilities that support public service and the community.

In addition to his architectural practice, MacDougall is an accomplished artist specializing in encaustic painting and mixed media. His work explores texture, depth, and storytelling through the use of hot wax and layered materials and is represented by galleries in both Metro Detroit and Petoskey, Michigan. By combining technical expertise with artistic exploration, he brings a distinctive perspective to the relationship between art, architecture, and the built environment.

THE EDWARD & ROSALIE GINSBERG BUILDING TOWARD CARBON NEUTRALITY & HUMANISM

Saturday | 11:00a - 12:00p

Robert Yurk, University of Michigan

Robert Yurk has been the Director of Student Life Capital Projects at the University of Michigan since 2004, where he leads the planning, execution, and management of new construction, renovations, and ongoing capital renewal across all Student Life units. His portfolio encompasses Michigan Housing, Michigan Dining, University Unions, Michigan Recreation, Trotter Multicultural Center, and the Ginsberg Center, ensuring vibrant, functional, and welcoming spaces for the campus community. Robert holds both a Bachelor of Science and a Bachelor of Architecture from Lawrence Technological University. He is a licensed Architect and Residential Builder in the State of Michigan and holds an NCARB certificate.  He currently serves on the Augusta Township Planning Commission, holding the position of Chairperson for the past eight years.

Bill Ash, AIA, SmithGroup

Bill Ash is an architect focused on planning and design of the higher education built environment. He is passionate about place-making and that design is an inclusive endeavor—leveraging the insights, experience, and perspectives from a rich array of constituencies—and that when successfully implemented, architecture is a functional, inspirational, and aesthetic embodiment of each client’s place, people, and mission. With SmithGroup for over 25 years, he leads design for a wide range of campus work, for institutions across the country and internationally. He is an active voice in design conversations as a juror, mentor, writer and presenter, and his award-winning work has been recognized nationally.  

Darren Murray, DeMaria Building Company

Darren has been with DeMaria for over 31 years and has held the role of Executive Vice President for the last decade. He has been an invaluable leader, managing all company operations and self-perform concrete group (DSP Constructors). Darren holds a Construction Management Degree from Michigan State University. He is currently Past Chairman on Board of Directors for the Associated General Contractors of Michigan and is a trustee for the Detroit Laborers Pension Fund. Founded in 1969 DeMaria Building Co., Inc. is headquartered in Novi, Michigan with offices in Detroit and Lansing. DeMaria specializes in construction management, design build and general contracting services for the health care, higher education, industrial, K-12 , commercial and corporate markets.