SPEAKERS

Hall of Fame Keynote Speaker, Business Leadership Coach, a Twelve-time New York Times Best-selling Author, Host of the top-rated Corporate Competitor Podcast, National Geographic’s “Storyteller in Residence,” and longtime Associate Editor for Sports Illustrated

As a recent inductee to the National Speakers Hall of Fame, a twelve-time New York Times Best-selling author, host of the top-rated Corporate Competitor Podcast, Publisher of Forbes Books, Storyteller in Residence for National Geographic, Executive Leadership Coach, and longtime Associate Editor for Sports Illustrated, Don Yaeger has fashioned a career as one of America's most provocative thought leaders.  

He is primarily sought to discuss lessons on achieving Greatness, learned from first-hand work alongside some of the greatest sports and business legends in the world.  Additionally, Don has been retained by companies and organizations to coach their leaders on building a culture of Greatness, using the framework built through his exhaustive study of Great Teams in sports and business, discerning the lessons we can learn from them.  Throughout his writing career, Don has developed a reputation as a world-class storyteller, in fact, renowned thought leaders such as John Maxwell and Simon Sinek have called Don the best storyteller they have ever worked with! Because of these achievements, Don has been invited as a guest to every major talk show - from Oprah to Fox Business News, from CNN to Good Morning America.

In 2020 Don launched the Corporate Competitor Podcast, which Podcast Magazine quickly recognized as one of the Top 50 Podcasts in America. By 2022 Spotify had listed Corporate Competitor Podcast in the top five percent of the most followed and shared podcasts in the world. Among the guests interviewed by Don for episodes of the podcast have been former Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and the CEOs of Disney, Delta Airlines, Bank of America, Hendrick Motorsports, KPMG, FanDuel, Chick-fil-A, Insight Enterprises, TopGolf, Mayo Clinic, BET Media and Ritz Carlton.

Born and raised in Hawaii, Don has traveled extensively through his career.  A graduate of Ball State University where he was selected as one of the university's “50 Graduates of Distinction” over its first century and subsequently was inducted into their Hall of Fame in 2022, Don now resides in Tallahassee, Florida. He and his wife, Jeanette, have a son (Will) and a daughter (Madeleine).

Learn more at www.donyaeger.com  or contact don at donw@greatnessinc.com.

Vice President, IMA

Presentation: “Mental Health in Construction”

Brad Anderson represents IMA in commercial insurance, specializing in construction, real estate, and hospitality. Passionate about combating suicide and promoting mental wellness in construction, Brad merges personal and professional missions. Proudly married to Valerie, they share six children and a commitment to making meaningful impacts in their industry and community.

Senior Financial Advisor, Moss Adams Wealth Advisors

Presentation: “Evaluating a Business Transition – the Human Side”

Dominic has provided financial planning solutions and investment advice to his clients since 2013. Primarily serving closely held businesses, executives, and families, he helps them prepare for transactions, retirement, and other complex wealth management needs by leveraging his expertise in cash flow planning, investment diversification, and risk management.

Partner, Forvis Mazars

Presentation: “Business Operations 101 – The Finishing Touches to Future Proof Your Company”

Todd is a partner with the Forensics & Valuation service line and leads its regional practice, providing business valuation, forensic accounting, investigation, bankruptcy, and litigation support services, including serving as an expert witness. He has more than 25 years of experience providing client solutions in consulting, accounting, and tax matters. He has performed business valuations for a variety of purposes including gift and estate tax, business planning, succession planning, dispute resolution, government compliance and regulatory, and for solvency purposes in bankruptcy. Todd has also conducted investigations for many different purposes, including testing for misappropriation of assets, conflicts of interest, manipulation of financial statements, billing schemes, false claims, and use of corporate funds for potential abuse or wasteful spending.

He has been qualified as an expert witness in many jurisdictions across the United States in arbitration, in federal and state district courts, including in Arkansas, California, Illinois, Kansas, Missouri, New York, Oklahoma, Texas, United States Tax Court, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Todd’s testimony experience includes cases involving forensic investigations, reconstruction of financial records, tracing of transactions, community property tracing and analysis in estate and probate litigation, financial analysis (including cost allocations), damages analysis, including punitive damages, valuations for division of marital property and in partner/shareholder disputes, damages in intellectual property disputes and breach of contract disputes, lost income calculations, and analysis for solvency and preference claims in bankruptcy.

Todd is a member of the American Institute of CPAs, where he has served on the Business Valuations Committee, and TXCPA. He is also a member of the American Society of Appraisers and has served on its International Board of Examiners and as president of the San Antonio chapter. He has made numerous oral presentations on forensic analysis and valuation of businesses to various professional organizations. In addition to being a CPA, Todd has the following accreditations: ABV (Accredited in Business Valuation), ASA (Accredited Senior Appraiser), CFF (Certified in Financial Forensics), and CFE (Certified Fraud Examiner).

He is a 1986 graduate of Oral Roberts University, Tulsa, Oklahoma, with a B.S. degree in accounting.

CFO, NAPCO

Presentation: “The WIP Schedule — The Bridge Between Operations and Finance”

Caryl Coronis, CFMA's 2024-25 Chair, has been an active member of the Houston Chapter since joining CFMA in 2006. During her tenure, she has held numerous leadership roles, including serving as Chapter President. At the national level, Caryl has been a member and leader of the Executive Committee, Financial Survey and Benchmark Committee, Conference Program Committee, Finance Committee and many task forces. She has also helped develop and present CFMA education courses and editorial content.

Currently, Caryl is the CFO of NAPCO, one of the top precast firms in the United States. NAPCO designs, manufactures, and installs precast concrete products. Prior to joining NAPCO, Caryl served as CFO of NBG Constructors, a Houston-based bridge builder.

Caryl's background also includes experience in equipment management, human resources, mergers and acquisitions, and risk management from her time working with a large commercial landscaping company. A Houston native, Caryl attended Houston Baptist University, where she earned dual degrees in accounting and political science, and subsequently obtained her CPA and CCIFP credentials.

Outside of her professional responsibilities, Caryl is an avid outdoor enthusiast and was actively involved in fundraising events for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society as a coach and mentor. She also enjoys spending time with her grandchildren. 

CISO, Hoop5 Networks

Presentation: “Navigating Cybersecurity: A Guide to Threats, Defenses, and Compliance”

As Chief Information Security Officer (CISO), Russ provides strategic guidance and security consulting to Hoop5 customers by working to align business objectives with technology solutions. Russ works to meet the unique needs of each client by developing IT Security strategies with a focus on DFARS, CMMC, ITAR, & NIST compliance.

Russ has over 20 years of IT and industry experience including procurement developer with a focus in security for SDG&E, and as a government contractor. Russ’ technical training and background include: Microsoft, VMware, Duo, Webroot, InTune, Meraki, Barracuda, Perception Point, SentinelOne, Citrix, and Fortinet. Russ has earned his CMMC Registered Practitioner (RP) and Certified CMMC Professional (CCP) certifications.

Principal, FMI Consulting

Presentation: “Hard Hats & Headwinds: What’s Next for Construction Markets?”

Will’s career at FMI focuses on corporate strategy and operational improvement with firms serving the built environment. Will partners with private equity investors and equity holders to understand the state of operations and organizational potential in their targets and holdings. He provides operational assessments and value-creation mapping to support (or challenge) investment theses. Post acquisition, he helps design and implement value-creation strategies. Common areas of operational improvement focus are work-in-progress reporting, cost-to-completes and project controls. 

Will’s experience includes working with mid-sized single location and large multi-branch field service providers specializing in mechanical, electrical and plumbing (MEP), underground utilities, excavation, overhead utilities, roofing, heavy civil, clearing, and inspection and testing. Two areas of particular operational focus are information management and fleet management. With a background in information technology consulting focused on project management, analytics and business strategy, Will ties operational capabilities with organization information flow.

VP of Global Construction Accounting and Fixed Assets, Digital Realty

Presentation: “The WIP Schedule — The Bridge Between Operations and Finance”

Lena Ho is a Certified Construction Industry Professional (CCIFP), Certified Public Accountant (CPA), Certified Internal Auditor (CIA), and Chartered Global Management Accountant (CGMA) based in Dallas, Texas who also serves as a board member for the CFMA Dallas Chapter. She earned her Bachelor of Business Administration and Master of Professional Accounting degrees from the University of Texas at Austin. Lena began her career as an auditor for the State Auditor of Texas before joining Austin Industries in 1998 as a Senior Internal Auditor. She advanced to Director of Internal Audit in 2004 and later served as Director of Performance Reporting and Controller for various operating companies under Austin Industries.

In 2019, she was promoted to Vice President of Finance for Austin Industrial, and in January 2021, she served as Vice President of Finance for Austin Industries, the parent company of three construction firms, overseeing financial operations, planning, reporting, ERP migrations, and policy development within the organization. Currently Lena is the VP of Global Construction Accounting and Fixed Assets for Digital Realty. 

Associate Professor, Colorado State University

Presentation: “Concrete Cash: Navigating Project-Level Cash Flows in Construction”

John Killingsworth is an Associate Professor at Colorado State University, teaching in the Department of Construction Management.  His teaching and research are centered in construction finance, economics, and managerial accounting.

He has served on the CFMA Bencharker Committee for nearly eight years, and often speaks at CFMA conferences on the results of the survey. Some of his published work can be found in CFMA’s Building Profits magazine including a recent article, “Mitigating Risk & Uncertainty: Capital Concerns when Choosing a GC as a Building Partner” (Sep/Oct 2023 issue).

Austin Bridge & Road

Presentation: “The New Ledger: Cultivating Culture in the Accounting Department”

Sean Kim is a seasoned finance executive with over two decades of experience guiding financial strategy and operational alignment across public accounting, global consumer brands, and the construction industry. As Vice President of Finance at Austin Bridge & Road, Sean plays a key role in shaping the company’s strategic direction by integrating financial rigor with day-to-day execution.

Known for leading enterprise initiatives that modernize systems, elevate team performance, and improve decision-making, Sean helps organizations become more agile, data-informed, and future-ready. His collaborative approach has broken down silos, strengthened cross-functional partnerships, and enhanced the role of finance as a strategic partner across the business.

A proud Longhorn who bleeds burnt orange, Sean leads with curiosity, humility, and an unmatched work ethic — values that define his leadership and mentorship style. Outside of work, he is dedicated to community service, having served as a board member for nonprofits supporting underserved youth, and leading fundraising efforts for medical research.

COO, ProNovos

Presentation: “Bridging the Generational Divide”

Samantha is a strategic leader with 20+ years of experience in organizational culture and business transformation. With a background spanning associations, marketing, academia, and technology, she brings a fresh and pragmatic approach to innovation. As COO of ProNovos, she helps construction companies harness data and technology to drive better financial and operational decisions. Specializing in change management, Samantha excels at guiding teams through technology adoption, bridging generational divides, and turning resistance into progress.

CFO, Driver Pipeline

Presentation: “The WIP Schedule — The Bridge Between Operations and Finance”

Joe LaPalla  joined Driver Pipeline in 2025 as Chief Financial Officer, bringing over 15 years of accounting and finance experience within the construction industry.

Joe is from upstate New York and a graduate of Calvin University in Grand Rapids, Michigan with a degree in Accounting. He began his career as an auditor in the Denver, Colorado area serving a variety of contractors before transitioning to industry leadership roles. Joe has held executive finance positions at companies specializing in heavy civil and infrastructure construction. He brings expertise in construction accounting, heavy equipment finance, and operational support for labor-driven contractors. At Driver Pipeline, Joe oversees the accounting, finance, treasury, and human resources functions.

Joe holds active licenses as a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) and a Certified Construction Industry Financial Professional (CCIFP).

Counsel, Gray Reed; Member, Texas House of Representatives

Presentation: “The Legal Landscape: Texas Legislative Changes and Their Impact on Construction”

Jeff Leach focuses on commercial and civil litigation, construction law and real estate. He was reelected to serve his seventh term in the Texas House of Representatives, representing House District 67 in Collin County. Since taking office in 2013, Jeff has served on the House Committee on Economic and Small Business Development, the House Committee on Criminal Jurisprudence, the House Committee on Government Transparency and Operations and the House Committee on Rules & Resolutions. He has served as Vice Chairman of the House Committee on Urban Affairs and on the Texas House Republican Caucus Policy Committee. Additionally, Jeff was assigned to chair the House Committee on Judiciary & Civil Jurisprudence for the 86th, 87th and 88th Legislative Sessions.

At Gray Reed, Jeff serves as outside general counsel for general contractors and various other construction clients. Jeff’s philosophy is to be an effective advocate by advising clients on the various options to resolve disputes and communicating directly with opposing parties and their counsel, judges, arbitrators and mediators to resolve disputes efficiently without the need for trial or arbitration. If necessary, he will leverage his experience to fully protect his client’s interests in adversarial proceedings, be it in the courtroom or in arbitration.

Managing Director, Forvis Mazars

Presentation: “Business Operations 101 – The Finishing Touches to Future Proof Your Company”

Steve Maddox helps lead the construction technology team at Forvis Mazars, where he guides contractors in leveraging technology to enhance their job performance and overall business efficiency. With over 36 years of experience in the construction technology field, Steve's career has been marked by significant achievements and contributions to the industry.

Steve is the co-founder of two consulting companies, both of which were successfully acquired and integrated into larger organizations, showcasing his entrepreneurial spirit and strategic vision. His tenure as Vice President of Sales at Trimble Viewpoint was distinguished by his efforts to establish the Specialty Contractor market for Viewpoint, leading his teams to record-breaking performance.

As a seasoned industry veteran, Steve has been actively involved with numerous construction associations, including CFMA, AGC, MCAA, PHCC, NECA, and ASA. His expertise has made him a sought-after speaker on technology and software implementation topics, where he has shared his insights and knowledge at various conferences and events.

Steve's journey in technology began at North Carolina State University, where he earned a Bachelor of Business Administration and started his first technology company. His educational background and early entrepreneurial experiences laid a strong foundation for his future successes. Today, Steve continues to drive innovation and improvement in the construction industry, helping contractors navigate the complexities of technology and achieve greater success in their businesses.​

Executive Vice President, Lockton Dunning Benefits

Presentation: “Prescription Hazards: Medication Risks on the Jobsite”

Christian joined the Lockton Dunning team as Vice President and Producer in 2011. With more than 20 years of experience, Christian specializes in designing health plans that are fully integrated with wellness solutions, helping employers manage the demand side of healthcare. He served previously as co-founder of Health at Work Wellness Actuaries and, most recently, as Vice President and Executive Director of Cooper Benefits, where he developed the business model for Cooper Aerobics Center’s entrance into group employee benefits and corporate wellness consulting.

Christian sold some of the earliest consumer-driven health plans in the United States while working at Destiny Health (now The Vitality Group). He also gained international experience at NMG Consultants and Actuaries in South Africa and Southeast Asia. There he helped implement consumer-driven health plans and wellness solutions to employers in the large- and mid-market before similar insurance models began launching in the United States.

Christian speaks frequently to human resource professionals and corporate financial managers about managing healthcare costs with both insurance plan designs and wellness programs. Christian has been featured several times in the Dallas Business Journal for his innovative insurance plan designs and wellness solutions.

Director, Forvis Mazars

Presentation: “Business Operations 101 – The Finishing Touches to Future Proof Your Company”

Julie is a member of Outsourced Accounting Services in Cincinnati, with more than 14 years of accounting experience. Her team specializes in providing operational and strategic accounting support for clients within the construction and real estate industry. Her career path is unique, beginning in public accounting, first with a large firm and then operating her own consulting business before transitioning back to industry as the full-time CFO for a mechanical contractor for four years. Her passion for the industry, along with her experience, has created a construction industry specialization within the practice.

She serves clients by assessing the needs of their organization, identifying opportunities for streamlining accounting functions, recommending enhancements, and implementing new technologies. Providing a wide range of services from operational accounting support to strategic financial management and consulting services, the outsourced accounting team works closely with client personnel to support their long-term goals. Julie values the relationships she has built with her clients and truly strives to become a trusted advisor to business owners and leadership.

Julie is a member of the American Institute of CPAs. She is an active member of the Construction Financial Management Association and is credentialed as a Certified Construction Industry Financial Professional (CCIFP®).

She is a summa cum laude graduate of Northern Kentucky University, Highland Heights, with a B.S. degree in accounting and an M.B.A. degree with a concentration in finance.

Advising Consultant, Epic Rivers Leadership

Presentation: “Managing Tough Conversations in Construction”

Ed is a seasoned consultant with over 35 years of experience helping companies across six continents solve their most significant challenges. Specializing in leadership development, succession planning, and business strategy, Ed leverages his extensive background in consulting and business ownership to identify clients' needs and provide long-term solutions.  

Having worked in both the for-profit and non-profit sectors, Ed has owned several businesses and developed a keen understanding of the obstacles faced by today's organizations. At Epic Rivers, Ed demonstrates a commitment to partnering with clients and creating comprehensive plans that foster long-term success. 

With expertise in leadership development at all levels, strategic planning, communication enhancement, and personnel transition, Ed offers tailored programs and consulting services grounded in the latest research. His dedication to client success has made him a trusted advisor for companies seeking to foster strong leaders and enhance team dynamics.

President, Big Blue Innovations (BBI)

Presentation: “The WIP Schedule — The Bridge Between Operations and Finance”

Jay Snyder is President, and Principal of Big Blue Innovations (bigblueinnovations.com), offering advisory services to technology startups, technology consulting to contractors, and mergers and acquisitions planning, headquartered in Cary, NC. Jay has been in the engineering and construction industry for 23 years with experience that includes executing nearly $1 billion of construction as a project manager and executive, participating in the acquisition of tech startups, assisting with venture capital fundraising, and advising contractor tech spinouts. 

Principal, Baker Tilly

Presentation: “Evaluating a Business Transition – the Human Side”

Michelle has practiced public accounting since 1993. As a member of the Private Clients team, she serves as a senior technical advisor specializing in estates, gifts, and trusts.

Throughout her career, Michelle has dedicated herself to serving closely-held businesses, their owners, and families, providing tailored solutions to meet their unique financial needs. She is widely recognized for her technical tax knowledge, particularly in relation to flow-through entity structures, business succession and transition issues, and comprehensive income, gift, and estate tax planning.

Partner, Gray Reed

Presentation: “The Legal Landscape: Texas Legislative Changes and Their Impact on Construction”

Clients rely on J.P. to guide them through every phase of sophisticated, time-sensitive commercial construction projects and resolve disputes when they don't go as planned. J.P. focuses on brainstorming new ways for clients to seize opportunities and overcome challenges – whether he's helping an international company manage the chaotic construction of a Gulf Coast industrial facility, negotiating the high-leverage construction contracts for an office building project or defending clients during complex construction defect litigation. His clients are major players across the entire industry, including owners, general contractors, specialty subcontractors, suppliers and manufacturers.

As clients grow and their projects become more complex, J.P. and his deep bench of construction lawyers are there guiding and protecting them every step of the way. While J.P.'s clients value his ability to solve problems after they've already taken shape and damage control is the only option, where he truly makes an impact is when a project is already underway, a problem is just starting to develop, and the client trusts him to find the right solution before it's too late. This proactive approach often requires J.P. to look beyond the contract and find a creative strategy that not only enables the project to move forward but also minimizes risk.

Managing Director, Forvis Mazars

Presentation: “Business Operations 101 – The Finishing Touches to Future Proof Your Company”

Jim Wagner helps lead the construction technology team at Forvis Mazars, focusing on helping construction firms utilize technology to improve job performance and business success.  With a career in technology beginning in 1996, Jim has consistently demonstrated his expertise and innovation. Jim has held leadership roles in several prominent technology firms, leading the professional services teams at Maxwell Systems and Sunrise Consulting Group. He also developed Customer Success teams at Oracle, OutSystems, and Talend, ensuring clients achieved optimal results. Co-founding Contech360, LLC, Jim established it as a leading construction technology consulting firm. His entrepreneurial spirit and understanding of the industry's needs have been key in guiding companies through digital transformation.

Jim holds a Bachelor's degree in Accounting from Slippery Rock University.  This academic foundation, combined with his extensive experience, provides him with a unique perspective on construction technology.

At Forvis Mazars, Jim advocates for adopting cutting-edge technologies to streamline operations, enhance efficiency, and boost profitability. His involvement in industry associations such as the Construction Financial Management Association (CFMA) and the Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC) reflects his commitment to industry development.

Jim Wagner's dedication to excellence and continuous improvement drives his passion for empowering construction companies to realize their full potential, making him a respected authority in the field.

Founder, First Rule Contract Manager

Presentation: “Blueprint for Success: Avoiding Pitfalls in Construction Contracts”

Eliot is a teacher and a national public speaker as well as being a seasoned (37 years and counting) and fairly cynical construction lawyer. In 2018, he founded First Rule Contract Training because he realized that teaching construction professionals how to avoid problems was vastly preferable to profiting off of those problems as a lawyer. In 2022, Eliot was engaged by Crowe, LLP, a national accounting and consulting firm, to teach construction law to its proprietary AI which has now been relaunched as First Rule Contract Manager. 

In addition to his passion for teaching, Eliot is equally stalwart in his absolute refusal to shave until he is accepted by polite society.