2019 Summit Speakers Marketing & Economic Summit

Connor Lokar, ITR Economics

The Marco Economic Market for Building Construction

Connor Lokar, Economist at ITR Economics, will provide a look into both the macro-economy overall, as well as the more granular construction trends focusing on major drivers, domestic and global, that are exerting pressure on the U.S. economy.

Discussions will narrow into both residential and commercial construction trends and Lokar’s forecasting will provide focused expectations for the U.S. economy and construction performance over the next few years while highlighting key objectives that will help attendees refine their business decision-making ahead of economic trends.

Andrew Garman, PIPEDREAM

From Lead To Sale - Marketing Tools and Tips For Greater Success

Andrew Garman is the Managing Partner at Pipedream, a boutique digital marketing agency that specializes in helping sales-process-driven businesses grow. Over the past 20 years, he has worked in a wide range of businesses and industries, and has developed a knack for aligning sales and marketing strategies for maximum success. In addition, he has guest lectured at Harvard and been a roadie for a rock n' roll band. Today, with Pipedream, he continues his quest to help businesses grow by implementing the latest sales process best practices and digital marketing strategies.

Joe Shimp, Conestoga / CB Structures, Inc.

Doing Business in the Residential Sector / Turnkey Business Operating Model

Joe Shimp serves as an Owner and Vice President of Conestoga, CB Structures, Inc., located in New Holland, PA. Conestoga has 30 years experience in the post frame market and made its start as a lumber yard selling pole barn packages and has developed into a company that focuses it two brands Conestoga Buildings and Conestoga Construction on turn-key projects in the post-frame market. Previously, he was employed by NRB (USA), Inc., an industry leader in permanent modular construction. His roles at NRB ranged from a start as a Jr. Estimator to Sr. Sales Estimator, a key position among the company’s leadership team. Clients included: M.I.T., City University of NY, US Government, Army Corp of Engineers, Greyhound Bus, among many others.

Currently, Joe serves on the NFBA board of directors and chairs the PFMI committee. He also regularly attends and participates in activities hosted by the local Keystone Chapter of the Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC). In addition, he is actively involved in his community, specifically participating on a steering committee for a capital building project for a local not-for-profit focused on using Christian values in assisting those in need and transforming their lives.

Ron Mileti, Vilocity Interactive

Ron Mileti, president of Vilocity Interactive, has over 25 years of experience in marketing, communications, and entertainment, and has received many awards and honors along the way.

This includes his work as Director of Marketing and Client Services at Cleveland.com, sister to the nation's 15th largest newspaper. While there, Ron produced Rockhall.com, the official website of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. This site contains over 2,000 pages, including inductee bios, music clips, a virtual tour of the museum, a calendar of events, lesson plans for teachers, interactive contests, rock forums, free electronic postcards, live webcasts from the induction ceremonies, and more. Rockhall.com has received awards from such noteworthy organizations as Yahoo!, Netscape, PC Magazine, and USA Today.

Ron also served as Director of Marketing for the Great Lakes Science Center, the 8th largest interactive science museum in the U.S. While there, Ron oversaw the entire marketing program that launched this $55 million attraction. Results? Attendance was 25 percent over projections, with 250,000 visitors in the first 8 weeks of operation. CBS This Morning and Disney's Family Fun Magazine covered the grand opening, among many others.

Ron also served as Creative Supervisor at Liggett-Stashower Advertising, and as Account Executive at Lowe Marshalk Advertising. He created award-winning advertising for TV, radio, print, direct mail, and the Internet. Clients included Little Tikes, Tradewest Nintendo Games, Sherwin-Williams, The International Film Festival, BF Goodrich Aerospace, OfficeMax, Ponderosa Steakhouses, Sears Optical, and others. Ron also led a group that developed groundbreaking work on the Internet, featured in Ad Week and Advertising Age magazines.

Ron earned his Bachelor of Arts from the University of Notre Dame, and his Master of Business Administration (MBA) from John Carroll University.

Bert Smyers, New Heights Research

Post Frame Industry Study

Bert Smyers is the Founder of New Heights Research and is responsible for the firm’s management and strategic direction. Since co-founding New Heights in 2005, Bert has led engagements in numerous industries for clients of all types.

Bert’s professional expertise is grounded upon a prior two-decade career that spans investment banking, strategy and valuation consulting, and operations management. Before founding New Heights, Bert helped form and lead the Research and Analytics Group at PricewaterhouseCoopers. Bert earned his MBA degree from the Harvard Business School and his undergraduate degree with a concentration in Government from Harvard College.

When not engaged in work activities, Bert enjoys spending time with his wife and three kids, playing tennis, and reading science fiction.

Robert Wills, AISI

The Current State of the U.S. Steel Industry

Robert Wills oversees the Construction Market programs in commercial buildings, residential construction, and the transportation/infrastructure markets, including the AISI Construction Technical Program. He works directly with senior leadership representing the SMDI investor companies in the Construction Market program and with industry customer/partner associations and alliances.

Mr. Wills became Vice President of Construction Market Development in 2008 following 18 years of service with the AISI Code and Standards program. He is widely recognized for his expertise in fire safety engineering, structural fire testing and performance, wind engineering, and geotechnical and foundation engineering.

Mr. Wills, will review current steel supply and demand conditions in the North American market, identify the key factors influencing the market and overview forecasts for the supply of steel in the construction sector.