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Conference Explores the Construction & Population Connection

 

The Construction and Population Connection = Growth & Change


Growth patterns in central Ohio have shifted dramatically in the past 15 years driven by demographic changes, household structure and housing costs. While the casual observer can see growth in many places, less obvious is the growth in places that are not easily seen.

In this conference session, you’ll gain an understanding of how and where our region is growing…and why…as Michael Wilkos, senior vice president of community impact at the United Way of Central Ohio, shares insight on the demographic and population shifts, and new local policies to build a more equitable and prosperous region.

The Ohio Construction Conference includes a variety of general and breakout sessions that will appeal to your company leadership, safety, human resources and project management teams.

For more information about the Conference, contact Deb Murphy.

 

ABOUT THE PRESENTER:

Michael Wilkos (United Way of Central Ohio) headshotMichael Wilkos is senior vice president of community impact at the United Way of Central Ohio. His team develops effective strategies to improve our community and invests in programs provided by funded partners to implement these strategies. Prior to joining United Way, Michael was director of community research at The Columbus Foundation. During his tenure at the foundation, he initiated, led and managed more than $9 million in competitive grant-making to support holistic community revitalization in Weinland Park, an effort to stabilize and revitalize a mixed-income community near The Ohio State University. Prior to joining the foundation, Michael served as senior impact director and director of neighborhood development at United Way of Central Ohio. In that position he managed program allocations supporting neighborhood development strategies. Among many other duties, he also directed volunteer involvement in developing and implementing strategies supporting housing and community safety programs.


Ohio Construction Conference Info

REGISTER NOW

$425 Full-Day
$325 Half-Day (morning OR afternoon)

Group Discount – 3 full-day registrations for $1,050
Fees will increase after Feb. 28.
Register today at the early bird prices!

Registration fee is non-refundable, but is fully transferable to another member of your firm with no penalty.

 

Ohio Construction Conferrence Sponsors

 

PRESENTED BY

BX of Central Ohio Logo

 


EVENT SPONSORS

Plante Moran logo
Taft Law logo

 

SUPPORTING SPONSORS

cHc Manufacturing, Inc.
Eaton logo
5/3 Bank Logo
Mid-City Electric / Technologies Logo

 

HUB and Overmyer Hall Associates logo
Sauer Group logo
Sedgwick Managed Care logo

 

 

 

 

BREAKFAST
SPONSOR

Astute Technology Management logo

LUNCH
SPONSOR

Mark Wahlberg Automotive Group logo

RECEPTION
SPONSOR

The Kleingers Group

 

 

 

 

 

WELCOME
SPONSOR

Securitas logo

NETWORKING SPONSOR

Everheart Advisors logo

PARKING SPONSOR

Temporary Wall Systems logo

MOBILE APP SPONSOR

Sponsor logo

Meet Our Leadership Program Participants

 

Jent Dassylva (Miles-McClellan Construction Co., Inc.) headshotJent Dassylva
Assistant Superintendent
Years in the Industry: 13
Miles-McClellan
Construction Co., Inc.

BXFlex |

Larry Goings (Buckeye Ready-Mix, LLC) headshotLarry Goings
Driver Training Coordinator
Years in the Industry: 8
Buckeye Ready-Mix, LLC

BXFlex  |

Blake Swick (Robertson Construction Services, LLC) headshotBlake Swick
Senior Project Manager
Years in the Industry: 10
Robertson Construction
Services, LLC

BXLX  |

 

 


  • The BX Executive Leadership Experience (BXLX) is a nine-month program that accepts a small group of senior-level construction professionals who are educated and coached by nationally recognized experts in construction leadership and business development. This is the 14th year of the program, with a class of 24 local industry leaders.

  • The BX Field Leadership Excellence Series (BXFlex) is a five-month, eight-session program designed to transform top field force managers into high-impact leaders. The Class of 2025 is the 11th year of the program, with 33 field leaders from BX member firms.

For more information about BXLX or BXFlex, contact Deb Murphy.

BX Partner Spotlight: Best Courier, Inc.

At Best Courier, they understand that important documents, packages and materials need to arrive on time all the time. Since 1979, Best has provided Columbus with outstanding same day delivery services. From immediate courier service to out-of-town deliveries, Best Courier can meet the needs of your business 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year.

Best Courier logoBuilders Exchange members receive a 20% discount!

The next time you need courier services, make sure you use your BX member benefit and call Best Courier!

For more information contact your BX representative, Bill Doughty at (614) 475-8900.

2025 BX Safety Awards Recognize Hard Work & Commitment

 

Application Deadline: March 28 | 4 PM

 


The BX is honored to celebrate the continuous commitment by our members to safety all year long. Whether it’s exceeding OSHA guidelines, crafting safety solutions or taking extraordinary measures to ensure the safety of the industry, now is the ideal time to honor your team's hard work.

As a member, you have the opportunity to showcase your company’s commitment to safety through BX Safety Awards.  Categories include:

  • Achievement Award – For outstanding jobsite performance and impressive safety statistics.
  • Innovation Award – For a company that’s introduced a creative and impactful safety solution.
  • Industry Impact Award – For an individual or company that’s made a significant impact on safety in the local construction industry.

Join the ranks of more than 100 BX Safety Award winning companies – submit your application TODAY!

For more information about BX Safety Awards, contact Ashton Chapman.

From Conflict to Collaboration

 

Communication skills are vital to success in the construction industry. They are also potentially the biggest obstacle you will encounter at work.

In this interactive presentation, M.J. Clark (Integrated Leadership Systems) will provide participants with the tools needed to manage conflict and confrontation. She will share the communication challenges we all face, provide tips for mediation, demonstrate emotional control and outline understanding bias in conflict.

Upon completion, participants will be able to:

  • Engage in listening and communicating more effectively
  • De-escalate conversations that get heated
  • Mediate arguments between other employees
  • Recognize and manage your own biases in conflicts

For more information about this course, contact Deb Murphy.

 

 

 

Managing Conflict & Confrontation
Feb. 27  |  8 AM - NOON
Builders Exchange

REGISTER NOW

$349 BX members | $449 Non-members
Group Discount: Send 3 members for $900

 

 

 

 

 

 

MEET THE INSTRUCTOR:

M.J. Clark (Integrated Leadership Systems headshot
M.J. Clark

(Integrated Leadership Systems)


 

M.J. Clark is vice president and an executive coach for Integrated Leadership Systems. She has worked with several central Ohio construction companies to foster more authentic communication in the workplace and help executives and employees better manage relationships, develop emotional intelligence, become more assertive, mentor others and fine-tune leadership and management skills. In this session, she reveals secrets from her book, Shut Up and Manage: A Quiet Leader’s Guide to Engaging Others to help you interact more assertively and authentically at work and in your personal life. M.J. has a master's degree in organizational communication from The Ohio State University and a bachelor’s degree in public relations from Ohio University.

Prepare Your Team for an Emergency

 

In the construction industry, emergencies are a real and constant possibility. Make sure your team has the proper first aid knowledge that allows them to confidently step up in these situations.

This class will provide attendees with the skills needed to provide first aid, whether an emergency occurs on the jobsite or elsewhere. Knowing how to respond effectively can make all the difference to an injured or ill co-worker.

Topics covered include:

  • Basic first aid skills
  • Bandaging and wound care
  • CPR skills
  • How to use an AED

Upon successful completion of this course, participants will receive an Emergency Care & Safety Institute (ECSI) certification card, valid for two years.

For more information about this class or to schedule a company-specific session, contact Ashton Chapman.


Standard First Aid/CPR/AED Training
March 4 | 8 AM - 12:30 PM
Builders Exchange

REGISTER NOW

$90 BX members | $120 Non-members
When registering online, be sure to log into the member portal to receive the member rate.

Learn How to Make a Difference During a Mental Health Crisis

 

The construction industry has one of the highest rates of suicide out of any American industry. Everyone is susceptible to dark thoughts; therefore, this training can be used by anyone. 

Taught by Paul Lawson (Paul Lawson Helps LLC), this course is tailored to the construction industry. Lawson will focus on the early warning signs of suicide and how to properly engage in this potentially life-threatening situation to help individuals going through a mental health crisis.

For more information about this course or to schedule a company-specific session, contact Ashton Chapman.


Suicide: Prevent the Next Statistic (VitalCog)
April 8 | 8 - 10 AM
Builders Exchange

REGISTER NOW

$50 per person

 

 

 

MEET THE INSTRUCTOR:

Paul Lawson (Paul Lawson Helps LLC) HeadshotPaul Lawson
(Paul Lawson Helps LLC)

 

A Look at the Generations in the Workforce Today

 

With multiple generations in the workforce, understanding and leveraging different demographics is a key to everyone working more effectively.

In this half-day workshop, Dr. Adam Rapp (Ohio University / The Tyson Group) will have participants complete a self-assessment of their individual work style and then discuss why these preferences have been developed over time.

After this session, attendees will be able to:

  • Flex your style to manage across all generations
  • Understand changes in recruiting and onboarding due to a multi-generational workforce
  • Hone your coaching and communication cadence dependent on generation
  • Improve workforce cohesion through better generational understanding
  • Create generational inclusivity within and across teams

For more information about this course, contact Deb Murphy.

 

 

Intergenerational Management
April 11  |  8 AM - NOON
Builders Exchange

REGISTER NOW

$359 BX members | $459 Non-Members
Group Discount: Send three members for $925

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

MEET THE INSTRUCTOR:

Dr. Adam Rapp (Ohio University & Tyson Group) headshot
Dr. Adam Rapp

(Ohio University & Tyson Group)


 

Adam is the executive director of the Ralph & Luci Shey Sales Center and associate professor of sales at Ohio University. He has authored more than 70 peer-reviewed articles and three books. Adam was awarded the Ohio University Presidential Research Award in 2021-2024. Adam has trained and consulted with hundreds of companies in the sales and leadership space and is currently the vice president of research integration at the Tyson Group.

Recognize Your Finest with a BX Craftsmanship Award

BX Craftsmanship Award winning project

Electrical and mechanical installations, curtainwall systems, finished carpentry, drywall, metal framing and structural steel – each of these skilled crafts have been recognized with a BX Craftsmanship Award.

The award was created to recognize the finest craftspeople – individuals who not only take pride in what they do, but those who go above and beyond to do outstanding work. 

Nominations can be submitted by anyone, as long as the nominees are employed with a BX member firm. Both the nomination form and project photos can be submitted online. The awards will be presented based on size/dollar amount. Take a moment today to nominate a deserving craftsperson or crew for a 2025 award.

For more information on the awards or nomination process, contact Pam Austin.

2025 Nomination Form
         Deadline: Friday, April 18


Craftsmanship Award Eligibility Requirements:

  1. The BX Craftsmanship Award recognizes an individual or the crew for his/her work. The nomination types are defined as:

    Individual Award - a craftsman who actually performed with his/her hands-on the particular piece of work nominated. Nominations will not be accepted for general superintendents, project superintendents, or general foremen who did not play a hands-on role in the work.

    Crew Award - nominees who are being considered for a crew award must be the craftspeople who actually performed with his/her hands-on the particular piece of work nominated, including the direct supervision of such work. A crew cannot exceed five (5) individuals.

  2. Nominations must be for work in commercial, institutional or industrial projects. Residential work will not be accepted. Work must have been completed within the past year (Jan. 1, 2024 to April 1, 2025.) Previously nominated work cannot be resubmitted and will be considered ineligible.

  3. A team of judges must be allowed onsite to view all portions of the nominated work. If access to the nominated work is restricted or limited for viewing by the judges, the nomination will be ineligible for consideration. 

  4. The owner of the nominated work must agree to have their name/location recognized in BX publications and the awards show video. The nominated work must be able to be photographed for public viewing or the nomination will be ineligible for consideration.

  5. The nominated work must be from a project in the central Ohio area (Franklin County or one of its six adjoining counties: Delaware, Fairfield, Licking, Madison, Pickaway and Union.)

  6. If chosen as a winner, the individual or crew must agree to be photographed and interviewed, or they will be ineligible for consideration.

  7. Providing digital photos with the nomination is mandatory. A minimum of four (4) and a maximum of 10 images are required.

Meet Our Leadership Program Participants

 

Tim Forby (Gilbane Building Company) headshot Tim Forby
Project Executive
Years in the Industry: 18
Gilbane Building Company

BXLX |

Chuck Kuhn (Thompson Concrete Foundations, Ltd.) headshot Chuck Kuhn
Crew Lead
Years in the Industry: 5
Thompson Concrete
Foundations, Ltd.

BXFlex  |

Taylor Smith (Marker, Inc.) headshotTaylor Smith
Superintendent
Years in the Industry: 12
Marker, Inc.

BXFlex  |

 

 


  • The BX Executive Leadership Experience (BXLX) is a nine-month program that accepts a small group of senior-level construction professionals who are educated and coached by nationally recognized experts in construction leadership and business development. This is the 14th year of the program, with a class of 24 local industry leaders.

  • The BX Field Leadership Excellence Series (BXFlex) is a five-month, eight-session program designed to transform top field force managers into high-impact leaders. The Class of 2025 is the 11th year of the program, with 33 field leaders from BX member firms.

For more information about BXLX or BXFlex, contact Deb Murphy.

Conference: Early Bird Registration Ends Friday!

 

Register This Week for the Best Conference Rates

 

Initial response to the Ohio Construction Conference has been strong, with hundreds of industry professionals registered for continuing education and networking on March 12 at the Ohio Union.

This year’s conference features programming that will appeal to your human resources staff, project teams, safety department – and company leadership. Full event and half-day attendee options are available, and discounts are provided for groups of three.

Breakout sessions are filling fast, and seating is limited. Don’t miss your chance to hear from industry leaders on topics including:

  • Artificial Intelligence: Think Outside the Bot
  • Jobsite Awareness Helps Keep Everyone Safe
  • Successful Succession Planning: An Ownership Transition Experience
  • “Wall” You Need to Know: The Art of Architectural Walls
  • Pioneering Sustainable Construction: One School's Story
  • Proven Strategies for Recruiting and Retaining Todays Workforce

Early bird pricing ends Friday, so register today for the best deal, and to guarantee your spot in the programs of your choice!

For more information about the Conference, contact Deb Murphy.

 


Ohio Construction Conference Info

View Program Descriptions Here

REGISTER NOW

$425 Full-Day
$325 Half-Day (morning OR afternoon)

Group Discount – 3 full-day registrations for $1,050
Fees will increase after Feb. 28.
Register today at the early bird prices!

Registration fee is non-refundable, but is fully transferable to another member of your firm with no penalty.

 

Ohio Construction Conferrence Sponsors

 

PRESENTED BY

BX of Central Ohio Logo

 


EVENT SPONSORS

Plante Moran logo
Taft Law logo

 

SUPPORTING SPONSORS

cHc Manufacturing, Inc.
Eaton logo
5/3 Bank Logo
Mid-City Electric / Technologies Logo

 

HUB and Overmyer Hall Associates logo
Sauer Group logo
Sedgwick Managed Care logo

 

 

 

 

BREAKFAST
SPONSOR

Astute Technology Management logo

LUNCH
SPONSOR

Mark Wahlberg Automotive Group logo

RECEPTION
SPONSOR

The Kleingers Group

 

 

 

 

 

WELCOME
SPONSOR

Securitas logo

NETWORKING SPONSOR

Everheart Advisors logo

PARKING SPONSOR

Temporary Wall Systems logo

MOBILE APP SPONSOR

Sponsor logo

Get Your Team Trained Before the BWC’s March 31 Deadline!


The Drug-Free Safety Program (DFSP) was developed to address workplace use and misuse of alcohol and other drugs. It’s designed to help employers more effectively prevent on-the-job injuries and illnesses by integrating drug-free efforts into their overall workplace safety program. DFSP can help employers achieve both long-range safety and cost-saving benefits. 

During the one-hour class, employees will receive information on their responsibilities, rights and the resources available to them. Supervisors will learn observation techniques for common performance problems and how to document their observations during their one-hour session.

Get a head start on the BWC’s March deadline and enroll today!

For more information about BX DFSP training or to schedule a company-specific class, contact Sean Cooper.


students in classroom


 

Drug-Free Safety Program Training
Builders Exchange
When registering online, be sure to log into the member portal to receive the member rate.


Employee Training
All construction employees
$50 BX members  |  $70 Non-members

March 6 | 8 - 9 AM
REGISTER NOW

March 21 | 8 - 9 AM
REGISTER NOW

 

Supervisor Training
Managers, supervisors, HR or anyone responsible for drug-free policy administration
$70 BX members  |  $90 Non-members

March 6 | 9 - 10 AM
REGISTER NOW

March 21 | 9 - 10 AM
REGISTER NOW

Do You Have What It Takes to be a Project Manager?

 

Whether you're an aspiring project manager or looking to enhance your existing skills, Project Management for Contractors is designed to provide you with the knowledge and expertise needed for success.

Attendees will learn how to approach building a quality team, making decisions under pressure, organizing projects and much more.

Don't miss this opportunity to learn directly from seasoned professionals and elevate your project management career to new heights.

For more information about this course, contact Kelly Stover.

 


Project Management for Contractors
March 18, 20, 25 & 27 |  4 - 6 PM
Builders Exchange

REGISTER NOW

$399 BX members |  $499 Non-members
When registering online, be sure to log into the member portal to receive the member rate.

 

 

COURSE TOPICS & INSTRUCTORS:

Project Manager Overview

Jeff Haines (Gilbane Building Company) HeadshotJeff Haines
(Pepper Construction Company of Ohio, LLC)

Pre-Constructiion

Adrienne Sraver (Barton Malow Builders) headshotAdrienne Sraver
(Barton Malow Builders)

Construction Phase

Mike Kray (Turner Construction Co.) headshotMike Kray
(Turner
Construction Co.)

Job Close-Out

Brian Soller (Messer Construction Co.) headshotBrian Soller
(Messer
Construction Co.)

March BX HR Group: #HelpMeHelpYou

 

Whether you’re a seasoned human resources professional who’s new to construction, an office manager who just had HR responsibilities added to your role, or an industry HR leader with years of experience, the March BX HR Group meeting has something for you.

This roundtable conversation will allow participants to ask questions of their HR peers to gain insight on topics ranging from handbooks to software programs to best practices/lessons learned and everything in between. It’s an opportunity for new HR professionals to learn from experienced leaders and for everyone to share in each other’s successes and frustrations.

The BX HR Group gathers up to nine times each year for a mix of educational programs, peer discussions and social events. Employees of BX member firms who are human resources professionals - or who include HR among the many hats they wear - are invited to join this member’s only group.

For more information about the BX HR Group, contact Deb Murphy.

BX HR Group Meeting
March 20  |  7:30 - 9 AM
Builders Exchange

REGISTER NOW

Free for BX members
Not available to non-members

When registering online, be sure to log into the member portal to access this member-only program.

 

Enhance Your Surveying Skills with Hands-On Training

 

Accurate surveying is essential in construction, ensuring that projects start on the right foot and stay on track. The BX Surveying for Construction course provides an interactive learning experience designed to sharpen skills, improve accuracy and prevent costly errors during the building layout phase.

Participants will have the opportunity to work directly with surveying equipment and layout tools, reinforcing key techniques used in the field.

For more information about this course, contact Kelly Stover.

 


Surveying for Construction
April 8 & 10 |  4 - 6 PM
Builders Exchange

REGISTER NOW

$270 BX members |  $370 Non-members
When registering online, be sure to log into the member portal to receive the member rate.

 

 

MEET THE INSTRUCTORS:

Eric Turner (George J. Igel & Co., Inc.) HeadshotEric Turner
(George J. Igel & Co., Inc.)

Kevin Wolfe (Dugan & Meyers LLC) headshotKevin Wolfe
(Dugan & Meyers LLC)

 

 

Well-Being Council: Q2 Meeting

 

How to Integrate Well-being Practices

 

The focus on wellness and well-being has been steadily rising within the construction industry, and the industry’s statistics highlight why these conversations are becoming increasingly important. However, companies may be at different stages in their wellness journeys and figuring out where to begin or determining the next steps can feel overwhelming.

This presentation will explore ways to effectively implement wellness programs and policies in a meaningful way and the options you have available.

The discussion will include how wellness initiatives can:

  • Positively impact productivity
  • Improve safety
  • Reduce healthcare costs
  • Decrease absenteeism
  • Boost morale

Tiffany Kuck (McGohan Brabender) will lead this session, sharing her expertise in population health management. She will present actionable strategies for integrating wellness into the workforce, ultimately creating a safer, healthier and more productive construction industry.. 

For more information about the BX Blueprints for Well-being Council or this presentation, contact Ashton Chapman.


BX Blueprints for Well-being Council Q2: Workforce Wellness Strategies
April 10  |  8 - 9:30 AM
Builders Exchange

REGISTER NOW

FREE BX members  |  $39 Non-members
When registering online, be sure to log into the member portal to receive the member rate.



Q2 MEETING SPONSOR

Your Logo could be here

 

 

 

MEET THE PRESENTER:

Tiffany Kuck (McGohan Brabender) headshot
Tiffany Kuck

(McGohan Brabender)


 

Tiffany brings a wealth of experience with 10 years as a Population Health Manager at McGohan Brabender, one of the nation's largest independent employee benefits brokers. In her role, Tiffany has worked closely with health and wellness programs, assisting entire families with their health needs, and demonstrating her broad experience in working with both children and adults. Her expertise spans several key areas, including marketing, communications, marketing strategy, management, training, and fostering a strong company culture. Tiffany’s combination of health management and strategic business skills makes her an invaluable asset in the employee benefits and wellness space.

 

March SCGC Meeting Reminder

March 2025 Safety Council of Greater Columbus Meeting Reminder