SPEAKERS
Keynote Speaker
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Julie Brown
Author of This Sh!t Works: A No-Nonsense Guide to Networking Your Way to More Friends
Julie Brown is a speaker, author, and unapologetic advocate for building real relationships in a world that often feels disconnected. She blends humor, strategy, and straight talk to help teams, leaders, and organizations strengthen trust, deepen collaboration, and create meaningful impact through human connection.With more than 25 years of experience in business and relationship development, Julie knows what it takes to stand out, show up, and sustain strong relationships across teams and communities. Her programs help individuals replace awkward networking with authentic connection — turning everyday interactions into powerful partnerships.
Julie has inspired audiences across the U.S. and internationally, working with organizations like Dell Technologies, AAA, Stifel, and General Electric, as well as hundreds of associations, universities, and nonprofits. She has also shared stages with industry leaders such as Captain Sandy Yawn, Jean Chatzky, and top elected officials. Whether in a corporate boardroom or a community forum, her message is simple and universal: connection changes everything.
Other Speakers
Adileh Mountain
Topic
Where to Start With AI: A Prioritization Workshop for Construction Finance Leaders
Topic Category
Technology
Description
Handson workshop gives construction finance leaders a practical framework for identifying where AI will deliver the most value in their operations. Rather than evaluating tools or platforms, attendees work through a structured prioritization exercise applied common finance workflows. Using defined criteria, each person scores and ranks their own processes in real time and leaves with a clear, defensible starting point for AI adoption. No technical background required.
Speaker’s Bio
Adileh Mountain is the founder of Strat Scale Advisory and has spent 15 years inside tier 1 construction operations and EPC mega-project delivery, including senior commercial roles on major LNG joint ventures. She now works exclusively with mid-market construction companies on operational improvement, ERP, and practical AI adoption.
This session comes directly from her advisory work with construction finance teams. The prioritization framework attendees will use was built from real engagements where AI adoption stalled because companies started with tools instead of clarity about which problems were worth solving first.
Bryan Bozzuto
Topic
Risk Isn’t Randon: What it costs and how to control it.
Topic Category
Risk and Insurance
Description
Risk is often treated as something to avoid, but in reality, it is something to understand, measure, and use. This session explores how identifying and managing risk impacts the bottom line, turning uncertainty into either a financial liability or a competitive advantage. Attendees will gain a clear framework for evaluating the cost of risk, protecting against downside losses, and leveraging risk financing strategies, including insurance, to support smarter business decisions.
Speaker’s Bio
Bryan Bozzuto’s career in risk and insurance started early. His father, Mike Bozzuto, founded Bozzuto Insurance in 1981, where Bryan now works alongside his brothers, Tony and Allen, and his uncle Steve to continue growing the family business. Before entering the industry, Bryan pursued a long-standing goal to serve his country by enlisting in the United States Marine Corps in 2008. He served honorably for five years, where he developed a disciplined approach to risk, decision-making, and operational readiness. Following his military service, Bryan spent five years in the propane industry, supporting residential and commercial clients across the Sacramento and Placer County regions. During that time, he led safety and operational initiatives focused on improving efficiency and reducing risk exposure. Bryan transitioned into insurance in 2018, earning his license and later becoming a Certified Risk Manager in 2020. He currently serves as CFO of Bozzuto Insurance Services, where he specializes in alternative risk solutions and works as an internal risk consultant, helping clients better understand, manage, and finance their risk.
Christi Willey, Mark Lambert
Topic
Managing Joint Ventures: Lessons Learned in Real Time
Topic Category
Leadership
Description
As construction companies pursue larger, more complex awhile projects, joint ventures are becoming an increasingly common strategy to expand capacity, share risk, and compete at a higher level. While the benefits are clear, the day-to-day realities of operating within a joint venture environment continue to evolve as teams work through alignment, structure, and execution in real time. This session will provide a practical, in-progress perspective on navigating joint ventures during an active large-scale project. Rather than presenting a perfected model, this discussion will focus on what is being learned along the way how differing accounting approaches, cost structures, billing practices, and operational expectations are being identified, addressed, and refined as the project progresses. Attendees will gain insight into how to proactively approach joint venture alignment, where to expect friction, and how to adapt processes to support both project success and strong partner relationships. The goal is not to highlight what goes wrong, but to share how continuous improvement and collaboration can lead to better outcomes over the life of the project.
Speaker’s Bio
Christi Willey, CCIFP, is the Chief Financial Officer of Rex Moore Group, where she oversees financial strategy, project accounting, and operational support for a growing electrical subcontractor performing work across complex, large-scale construction projects. With experience supporting projects ranging from mid-size work to large joint venture engagements, Christi focuses on aligning financial operations with field execution to drive better project outcomes. Her work centers on improving cash flow visibility, enhancing project financial performance, and building scalable processes to support continued growth. Christi is a member of CFMA and earned her Certified Construction Industry Financial Professional (CCIFP) designation in 2024.
Mark Lambert is Vice President of Finance at Webcor, bringing extensive experience in construction finance, project management, cost controls, forecasting, and contract risk analysis. His career in the construction industry has provided him with a unique perspective that bridges project operations and financial leadership.
Prior to moving into financial leadership, Mark held project management and cost management roles on major Bay Area projects, including the San Francisco General Hospital Trauma Center and Moscone Center Expansion. He began his construction career with Turner Construction, where he gained experience in cost engineering and project controls.
Mark holds a Bachelor of Science in Construction Management from California State University, Chico, along with an Accounting Certificate from UC Berkeley Extension. He is also actively involved in the Construction Financial Management Association (CFMA) and has served as President of the San Francisco Chapter, supporting the advancement and development of construction financial professionals.
Eric Anderton
Topic
Always Available, But Are You Productive? A Practical Time Management System for Construction Finance Professionals.
Topic Category
Leadership
Description
Your door is always open. PMs need job cost updates. Owners want cash flow forecasts. The field needs AP approvals signed off before lunch. Subcontractors are calling about pay apps. And somewhere on your desk is the strategic work that keeps getting pushed to tomorrow. The month-end close. The quarterly forecast. The analysis your CEO asked for last week.
Speaker’s Bio
Eric Anderton is the founder of Construction Genius, an executive coaching and leadership development company serving commercial general contractors and specialty contractors. He has spent over 20 years coaching construction leaders at companies ranging from $10M to $3B+ in revenue. He is a certified executive coach with the Center for Executive Coaching, host of the Construction Genius Podcast (483,000+ downloads), and author of the book Construction Genius. Eric works exclusively with construction professionals because he believes the industry deserves leadership training built for its specific challenges, not recycled corporate content.
Janie Haywood
Topic
Blueprint for Savings: Reducing Employee Benefits Costs without Sacrificing Value
Topic Category
Insurance
Description
Benefits spend is manageable when CFOs and Executives focus on the right cost drivers, not just renewal increases. The cheapest plan is not always the lowest-cost strategy if it harms retention, utilization, or employee satisfaction. Contractors need benefits strategies built for workforce realities such as field vs. office populations, multi-state operations, and recruiting pressure.
Speaker’s Bio
Janie Haywood is a trusted advisor to employers navigating complex healthcare challenges, known for delivering innovative strategies that actually work.
With 13+ years of experience, Janie advises employers ranging from 5 to 2,000 employees, with a focus on organizations with 100+ employees. She designs benefits strategies that balance cost control, compliance and a strong employee experience without adding unnecessary complexity.
A self-funding expert, known for successfully implementing and managing self-funded programs in challenging markets, including California HMO environments and across state lines. Her approach is both analytical and practical, grounded in her finance background and real-world execution.
Expertise: Renewal negotiations, Self-funding, Pharmacy optimization, COE/direct contracting, Compliance, Data analysis/financial modeling, Employee experience/engagement and Benefits technology.
TBD
Topic
Financial Fluency as a Strategic Advantage: What Construction Leaders Must Know Next (CFO Panel Discussion)
Topic Category
Accounting/Finance
Description
In today’s construction landscape marked by tighter margins, complex delivery models, increased risk, and heightened scrutiny, financial fluency has become essential for leaders across the organization, not just those in finance. This CFMA-led thought leadership panel will explore how strong construction financial knowledge directly shapes project performance, enterprise risk management, and long term organizational resilience. Through candid discussion and real world examples, panelists will examine how financial insight drives better decision making throughout the entire project lifecycle from pursuit strategy and contract structure to cash flow management, controls, and capital planning. Panelists will include a combination of leaders such as a CFO, Controller and experts representing surety or banking. The conversation will also challenge traditional operational silos. It will highlight why construction managers and owners must understand the financial forces influencing contractor behavior and why organizations that elevate construction finance expertise through highly skilled teams and credentialed professionals are better equipped to deliver certainty, transparency, and value. A key focus will be on the role of trusted business partners and financial leaders who bring specialized construction finance knowledge, including those who hold the Certified Construction Industry Financial Professional (CCIFP) designation. Panelists will discuss how credentialed professionals enhance collaboration, strengthen risk awareness, and support more informed leadership conversations that benefit owners, contractors, and project teams alike. This session is designed for construction executives, owners, and managers who want to lead with greater clarity, confidence, and financial intelligence and who recognize that the future of construction success depends on aligning operational excellence with financial mastery.
Speaker’s Bio
TBD
Alexis Wood, Anna Maisyan, Julia Moore, Liliana Gonzalez
Topic
Aligning Finance & HR to Drive People, Performance, and Profitability
Topic Category
Acct/Finance/HR/Leadership
Description
This panel brings together HR and Finance leaders to explore the intersection of people, performance, and risk in today’s complex business environment. Through candid discussion, panelists will address common disconnects between departments, including compliance, communication, and accountability across field and office teams. Attendees will gain practical insights into breaking down silos, aligning leadership, and balancing a people-first culture with financial and operational demands.
Speaker’s Bio
Alexis Wood is the Director of Finance & Administration at Buhler Commercial Construction and has been with the company for almost eight years. She brings more than 15 years of experience, including over a decade in the construction industry, with expertise in financial management, compliance, risk management, and process improvement. Outside of her professional role, Alexis is actively involved in organizations that support the construction industry and leadership development. She serves as a Board Officer and Corresponding Secretary for the Sacramento Chapter of the National Association of Women in Construction (NAWIC), participates in Construction Financial Management Association (CFMA) committees and peer groups, and is a member of Women Construction Owners & Executives (WCOE). She is also a member of Soroptimist International, a global organization dedicated to improving the lives of women and girls through education, empowerment and economic opportunity.
Alexis is passionate about mentorship, professional development, and building meaningful relationships that strengthen both the construction industry and the communities it serves.
Anna Maisyan, SPHR, is the Human Resources Director at Unger Construction, where she has been a trusted leader since 2006. With more than 20 years of experience in human resources and payroll within the union construction industry, she partners with executive leadership to develop workforce strategies that support organizational growth, operational excellence, and employee success. She oversees all aspects of human resources, including employee relations, talent acquisition, benefits, compliance, policy development, and organizational initiatives for both union and nonunion employees. Her practical approach to balancing business objectives with people-focused leadership has made her a valued strategic partner within the organization. Anna is passionate about developing high-performing teams, fostering employee engagement, and creating a workplace culture where both individuals and the organization can thrive. She believes that investing in people is one of the most impactful drivers of long-term business success.
Julia Moore is an Area Vice President, Producer with Gallagher, specializing in employee benefits, risk management, and insurance consulting. Based in the Greater Sacramento area, she is known for developing creative solutions, building trusted client relationships, and helping organizations align their risk, benefits, and financial strategies to support long-term success. Julia’s career spans various leadership roles in sales and operations. Her expertise includes strategic partnerships, pipeline management, organic growth, marketing, and mentoring team members. Julia has demonstrated exceptional leadership through fostering strong relationships with executive leadership, insurance sales executives, benefits advisors, board leadership, corporate sponsors, vendor partners, marketing and public relations teams, and sales professionals. A passionate community leader and connector, Julia actively supports professional organizations throughout California, including SHRM California, NAWIC Sacramento, and CREW Sacramento. She is dedicated to fostering leadership development, advancing women in business and construction, and creating meaningful opportunities for collaboration, mentorship, and community impact.
Liliana Gonzalez, CPP is the Human Resources and Payroll Manager for Intech Mechanical, a union mechanical contractor based in Roseville, California. Experienced in construction payroll, human resources, compliance, and workforce strategy, she partners with leadership to align people, processes, and business objectives in a complex, union construction environment. A recognized leader in the payroll and HR profession, she served as President of the Sacramento Valley Chapter of the American Payroll Association from 2015 to 2023 and continues to be actively involved at both the local and national levels. She is a member of SHRM, the Sacramento Area Human Resources Association, and the CFMA Sacramento Chapter. In 2023, she was honored as the California Payroll Conference's Payroll Professional of the Year and has presented at CFMA National Conferences on topics impacting the construction industry. Known for her collaborative and people-centered leadership style, she is passionate about building strong workplace cultures where accountability, trust, and respect work together. She believes that business results are achieved by investing in people, from the field to the executive team, and empowering leaders to lead with both heart and purpose.
Matt Hennagin
Topic
Analyzing Financial Statements through a Different Lens - What Accountants, Bankers, and Sureties are looking for
Topic Category
Accounting/Finance
Description
This session breaks down how key external stakeholders evaluate your financials, including WIP schedules, backlog, cash flow, and equity. Attendees will gain insight into the red flags, adjustments, and metrics that influence critical decisions and how to proactively position their company for stronger financial credibility. We will also explore real world examples of changes that can have a significant impact on how the company is perceived.
Speaker’s Bio
Matt Hennagin, Senior Manager at Baker Tilly, has practiced public accounting since 2015, providing assurance services to clients in the construction industry. Matt works with construction contractors and professional services firms of all sizes and types providing audit, accounting, and business consulting services. Matt is a Certified Construction Industry Financial Professional, and is the CCIFP Chapter Champion of CFMA San Francisco Chapter.
Matt is also the Associate Director Elect for United Contractors and scholarship committees for United Contractors.
Nicol Langley
Topic
Construction Mental Health, Suicide, and Substance Abuse Education
Topic Category
Leadership
Description
This session addresses my personal experience and the high rates of mental health struggles, suicide, and substance abuse in construction, equipping leaders with tools to normalize conversations, reduce stigma, and implement prevention strategies. Participants explore the "why" behind industry risks, like physical pain and high-pressure, transient work, and adopt actionable safety measures.
Speaker’s Bio
Nicol Langley, Controller and Director of Human Resources with over 35 years in the construction industry; 31 of those years spent working with union-based construction companies and the last 11 at Airco Mechanical. I hold a BS in Accounting and Finance and a leadership-focused MBA, which have helped me bridge the gap between finance, people, and purpose. Beyond the numbers, my true passion lies in advocating for mental health, suicide awareness, and substance abuse recovery within the construction community. Having over eight years in recovery myself, I understand firsthand the challenges that individuals face and I believe that breaking the stigma around mental health is essential to building safer, stronger workplaces. My goal is to make mental wellness as integral to our profession as safety and craftsmanship, ensuring that every worker knows they are valued, supported, and never alone.
KC
Topic
The Economic Showdown
Topic Category
Finance/Leadership
Description
The economy is entering a period defined by critical confrontations — showdowns that will shape the trajectory of growth, stability, and confidence. From inflation pressures to labor market resilience, from central bank policy battles to market valuation tensions, the stakes have never been higher. This engaging and thought-provoking session will explore how these forces could impact economic activity in the months ahead — and what it means for you.
Whether you're a business leader, investor, or simply looking to better understand the financial landscape, this presentation will leave you informed and empowered.
Speaker’s Bio
As the chief investment strategist at Commerce Trust, KC holds a key contributing role in the development and execution of the firm’s economic outlook and investment strategy. He is a thought leader for the firm speaking on topics including economic forecasting, market outlooks, and investment strategies. Prior to joining Commerce Trust in 2023, KC served as the chief investment officer/chief economist at UMB Bank. In this capacity, he oversaw the strategic development and execution of UMB’s $12 billion investment management division. He also counseled high profile private and institutional clients on investment management matters. Previously, KC held positions of increased responsibility within the trust division of the Bank of Oklahoma. KC holds a Bachelor of Science in economics from the University of Minnesota and a Master of Business Administration from the University of Notre Dame. He is a graduate of the ABA National Trust School at Northwestern University and completed an advanced investment management education program at the Harvard Business School. KC earned the Chartered Financial Analyst designation and is a member of the CFA Institute. He also is a past President of the CFA Society of Kansas City and the Oklahoma CFA Society.
Russ Young
Topic
The Most Expensive Line Item You're Betting On: Bringing Financial Discipline to Construction Equipment Costs
Topic Category
Accounting/Finance
Description
Equipment is one of the largest investments on a contractor's balance sheet. Yet for many organizations, owned equipment remains one of the least financially transparent line items on a job. Unlike labor, materials, rental equipment, and subcontractor costs where money physically changes hands and costs are tightly tied to jobs, owned equipment charges are intercompany transactions. No Invoice, no cash out the door. Without that natural financial pressure, the discipline to accurately capture owned equipment and true cost rarely develops.
Speaker’s Bio
Russ Young is a respected thought leader in construction technology with a passion for advancing the industry through education and digital innovation. A key executive at Tenna, the fastest-growing construction technology platform in North America Russ leads strategic industry initiatives that help construction organizations unlock greater productivity, safety, and operational efficiency through practical, data-supported tech adoption. With over 25 years of experience spanning major innovators like Google, Amazon, Oracle, and FMI, Russ is a frequent and well-known speaker, panelist, and advisor across industry events, associations, and peer groups who has helped hundreds of construction businesses successfully navigate digital transformation. His expertise lies in bridging the gap between field operations and enterprise systems through integrated solutions that empower contractors to work smarter, safer, and more profitably.
Anthony F. Caletka, Jeff Seiff
Topic
From Chaos to Control – Turning cost pressure into competitive advantage
Topic Category
A combination of the following: Accounting/Finance, Project Execution, Leadership, Technology, and Project Highlight
Description
In this high-impact session, discover how a large, complex project was transformed from financial uncertainty into a model of discipline and control using a proven, systematic approach to cost reduction. Through a dynamic, real-world case study, you’ll see how fragmented cost-cutting efforts were replaced with a structured, repeatable framework that drives clarity, accountability, and results. This session goes beyond theory. Experience a practical walkthrough of a multi-phase methodology designed to uncover hidden opportunities, align back office finance and field forward project stakeholders, and enable confident execution. With interactive elements, live demonstrations, and peer discussion, you’ll gain insights you can immediately apply within your own organization.
Speaker’s Bio
Anthony F. Caletka, PE, CCM, CFCC. Principal, Capital Projects and Infrastructure - PwC. Anthony is a globally recognized expert in mega-project delivery with 35+ years of experience spanning $50B+ in capital projects across energy, infrastructure, and industrial sectors. Currently leading PwC's Engineering, Construction, Energy & Chemicals Capital Project practice, he has delivered transformational results on some of the world's most complex projects including nuclear power plants, $2B+ petrochemical facilities, and multi-billion dollar infrastructure developments.
Jeff Seiff, Director, Capital Projects and Infrastructure - PwC. Jeff is a strategic leader and innovative engineer with 20+ years of diversified capital projects experience spanning sustaining capital to mega-projects. He combines deep technical expertise with management consulting excellence in business process optimization and technology adaptation. Has successfully delivered major projects, programs, and operational transformations, with deep expertise spanning all core disciplines and phases of the project lifecycle. Jeff’s experience extends to the management of field engineering in construction and commissioning on world scale projects utilizing a multi-national, multi-cultural workforce.
Bill Hughes
Topic
Bill Baby Bill! Cash Flow Strategies for Contractors
Topic Category
Accounting/Finance
Description
Strong cash flow is the lifeblood of every construction company, yet many contractors struggle despite profitable projects on paper. In this interactive session, Bill Hughes, uses humor, real-world examples, and role-playing to walk through the full project lifecycle from preconstruction and contract negotiation through billing, collections, and retainage release. Bill draws on decades of experience as a contractor CFO, consultant, and construction CPA to share proven strategies that improve billing accuracy, accelerate collections, and avoid the common pitfalls that silently drain working capital. The session emphasizes shared accountability across project managers, operations, and finance; because cash flow is everyone's job. Attendees will leave with actionable tools to build a more predictable, profitable cash flow process and stronger financial performance for the long haul.
Speaker’s Bio
Bill Hughes is a partner at Wipfli and has over 30 years of public accounting experience. He works primarily with closely held private companies, with an emphasis on construction organizations ranging from small, specialty subcontractors to national general contractors. Bill is passionate about building long-term client relationships by providing the necessary services, knowledge and resources to help meet their business objectives and maximize their profits.
Sunday 10/18/26
6:00-9:00 pm
Sunday FUNday pre-game event at TipsyPutt
Monday 10/19/26
7:00 am
Breakfast
7:45-8:15 am
Welcome & CFMA National Presentation
8:15-9:25 am
General Session 1
The Economic Showdown (Commerce Bank)
9:30-10:25 am
Breakout Session I
Aligning Finance & HR to Drive People, Performance and Profitability (Panel)
OR
Bill Baby Bill! Cash Flow Strategies for Contractors (Wipfli)
10:35-11:30 am
Breakout Session II
Cyber Security (CLA)
OR
From Chaos to Control – Turning Cost Pressure into competitive advantage (PWC)
11:30-1:00 pm
Lunch and Exhibitor Hall Networking Event
1:00-2:00 pm
Breakout Session III
Construction Mental Health, Suicide and Substance Abuse Education (Airco Mechanical)
OR
The Most Expensive Line Item You’re Betting On: Bringing Financial Discipline to Construction Equipment Costs (Tenna)
2:05-3:05 pm
Breakout Session IV
Managing Joint Ventures from GC and Sub Perspective (Webcor & Rex Moore Electrical)
OR
Blueprint for Savings: Reducing Employee Benefits Cost without Sacrificing Value (Relation Insurance)
3:15-4:30 pm
Keynote Session
This Sh!t Works - Julie Brown
5:30-7:30 pm
Conference Cocktail Reception (Golden Nugget Hotel)
Tuesday 10/20/26
7:30 am
Breakfast
8:00-8:30 am
Breakout Session V:1
Where to start with AI: A prioritization workshop for construction finance leaders (Strat Scale Advisory)
8:30-9:30 am
Breakout Session V:2
Analyzing Financial Statements through a different lens (Baker Tilly)
9:45-10:45 am
Breakout Session VI
Financial Fluency (CFO Panel Discussion)
OR
Risk Isn’t Random: What it costs and how to control it (Bozzuto)
11:00-12:00 pm
General Session 2
Always Available, but are you productive? – Eric Anderton
12:00-12:30 pm
Closing Session
12:30 pm
Grab & Go Lunch