Design+Construction Conference 2021

PIVOT Logo

Dunwoody College of Technology is committed to advancing current and future professions in the Construction Sciences and Building Technology industry. The 2021 PIVOT: Our New Tomorrow Conference will bring together industry leaders, educators, and future professionals for an all-day, virtual conference, exploring current trends and the future reality of the construction industry and design professions.

Sessions will include:

  • The changing landscape of the Design and Construction industries
  • New technologies
  • Professional development opportunities/strategies

Date+Time

Tuesday, February 2, 2021 | 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. 

Conference Schedule

  • Welcome & Keynote Speakers | 8-8:25 a.m.
  • Mini Sessions 1 | 8:30-8:55 a.m.
  • Breakout Sessions A | 9-9:45 a.m.
  • Breakout Sessions B | 10-10:45 a.m.
  • Mini Sessions 2 (or virtual lunch) | 11-11:30 a.m.
  • Mini Sessions 3 (or virtual lunch) | 11:30 a.m. – noon
  • Career Fair & Expo | noon-2 p.m.

Session Speakers

Keynote Speakers: 

Construction Focus: Yolanda McIntosh | Director of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion at Associated General Contractors of Minnesota 

Design Focus: Karen Lu, AIA, NOMA | Snow Kreilich Architects 

Mini Sessions 1: 

  • Showcasing Your Portfolio Online | Beata Fleischmann, Adjunct Instructor, Dunwoody College
  • Virtual Interviewing | Megan Tragiai, Talent Acquisition Specialist, Hunt Electric
  • A Day in the Life of … | Seth Eckert SURV ’07 | Survey Team Leader, IMO Consulting Group
  • Fabric Structures | Bruce Wright FAIA, Senior Instructor, Dunwoody College

Breakout Sessions A: 

  • Electrical Alumni Panel:
    • Melinda Lorentz, ’19 ELEC | Apprentice Electrician, Air Mechanical Inc.
    • Brynn Pavlica, ’19 ELEC | Maintenance Electrician, Japs-Olson Company
    • Gabriella Brune, ’19 ELEC | Olympia Tech, 292 Apprentice Electrician 
  • Power Limited Technology | Robbie Danko Business Development Director, The Boldt Company
  • Renewable Energy – The Future of Energy Production | Peter Rogers, Construction Services Manager and Robert Wyly, Principal Electrical Engineer with Xcel Energy
  • What is the Electrical Union? | Derrick Atkins, ’96 ELEC | Training Director, Minneapolis JATC
  • Pre-Fab | Bryan Kroening, ’04 ECDM | Manager Constructability Services, Guarantee Electrical Company
  • Mari Ansera | Senior Interior Designer, Senior Associate, HGA
  • Blurred Spaces 2.0 |  Jeni Robb, IIDA | A&D Specialist, Formica
  • A Case Study: La Cantera Resort & Spa | Twee Andersen, ’20 IDSN Interior Designer, DLR Group | Danielle Farchmin-Green | Senior Interior Designer, DLR Group
  • Why Out Is In – Designing for the Great Outdoors | Lynne Mitchell, Principal |Architecture + Design Elements
  • Greiner Construction Panel | Stacy Glovka, Senior Project Manager and TBD
  • Ames Construction Panel | Justin Englund, Project Manager and VDC Expert | Nick McCoy, Project Engineer
  • Children’s Hospital: A Case Study in Digital Scanning: The Next Generation of Value for the Built Environment | Chuck Bonn, Director of Facilities, Children’s Hospital Minnesota and Charlie Holt, Digital Asset Management Specialist, Better Building Data
  • Interior Design Panel 1
    • Amy Behrendsen, Commercial Sales Representative, Rubble Tile
    • Ikaria Becker ’19 IDSN, Sales Associate, Henricksen

Breakout Sessions B: 

  • 2020 National Electrical Code Changes | Mark Hunter, Electrical Area Representative, Minnesota Department Of Labor & Industry
  • Electrical Maintenance | Ryan Naimola, Global Engineering Lab Manager and Scott Sanville ’07 ELEC | Controls & Instrumentation Electrician with Eaton
  • Emerging Technology – Internet of Things | Craig Truempi , AI and IIoT Business Leader, ATEK Companies 
  • Journey from Apprentice to Owner | Laura Karow, President, Gunner Electric
  • A Glimpse into Merit Shop Contracting | Mike Miller, Director of Education and Michelle Dreier, Membership Engagement and Government Affairs Manager with Electrical Association
  • Mortenson Alumni Panel:
    • Brennetta Harris, ’12 ARCH and ’16 CMGT | Estimator II
    • Brandon Bomar, ’11 ARCH and ’14 CLMA | Design Phase Engineer II 
    • Joe Ngaima, ’08 ARCH and ’14 CMGT | Senior Estimator II
    • Chris Starwood, ’17 PMGT | Estimator
  • National Controls Business Development| Andrew Disher, ’11 HEAT | Controls Business Development,  Trane Controls 
  • What Does It Take to Reuse a Building?: Historic Preservation and the Dayton’s Project | Meghan Elliot, P.E. Associate AIA| Founding Principal, New History
  • LED Lighting | Shelly Rosett, A&D Sales Representative, LightArt
  • Mari Ansera | Senior Interior Designer, Senior Associate, HGA 
  • Interior Design Panel 2
    • Mark Ostrom, Executive Director, Joy Collaborative

Mini Sessions 2:

  • Social Media Presence | Abby Ferri, Safety & Risk Management consultant, podcaster, author
  • The Future of Business Communication | Jisell Howe (ARCH ’10, AMGT ’12) | Senior BPM Platform Integration Manager, ENGworks
  • 45 Sheets of Paper—How Dunwoody Came to Be | Dawn Fish, Institutional Advancement | Dunwoody College
  • Interviewing and Networking Strategies | Kate Schoeder, Recruitment Coordinator, Landscape Structures
  • Start your Career Today: The Importance of Associations and Networking | Jill Gerwig, Editor, Membership and Marketing Director | Minnesota Builders Exchange
  • Virtual Lunchroom | Sponsored by JE Dunn – Meet other students!

Mini Sessions 3: 

  • Taking Awesome Pictures with Your Phone | Kathy Helgeson | Visual Content Marketing Specialist, Dunwoody College
  • How to Get Your Resume Noticed and Land the Job You Want | Nikki Hauck, PHR | Director, Human Resources | Weis Builders, Inc
  • “Preparing for Panel Interviews” | Marci Marrone, HR Representative, Collins Electric
  • Virtual Lunchroom | Sponsored by JE Dunn – Meet other students!

About the Career Fair

This virtual event will connect employers with future professionals.

Employers will be able to:

  • Speak to students across all majors in our Construction Sciences and Building Technology department. We will also invite Engineering students and Welders.
  • Have unlimited company representatives participate.
  • View any resume from a participating student, downloadable before, during, and after the fair.
  • Be able to reach out to RSVP’d students ahead of time.
  • Sponsorship opportunities are available and we’ll be seeking volunteers to help with a number of sessions ahead of the fair.

Students will be able to:

  • Speak with employers representing various aspects of the industry you are entering. Network and learn more about their companies and your industry.
  • View positions that companies are actively seeking to fill
  • Share your resume across a broad number of industry representatives.
  • Wait in up to 4 virtual queues at a time to maximize your time

Click here for more information and to register.

Dunwoody College of Technology is the leading educational provider in the Design and Construction industries.