The Estimating Academy and Northeast Regional Meeting was a great success!

I would like to personally thank each of the volunteers, who at their own expense, traveled to Richmond to take part in our first ever Estimating Academy and Regional Meeting.  It is because of you that these events were such a success.

When I originally considered joining ASPE, Tanya Graham told me about the tremendous level of volunteerism that existed in the organization.  I saw it first-hand in each of you who contributed to the Estimating Academy and Regional Meeting.

Once again, Thank you,

Ronald S. Semel, AIA, VCCO, CPE

ASPE Richmond

Course Descriptions:

Class 1 – Providing Estimating Services to the Commonwealth of Virginia

(Ronald S. Semel, AIA, CPE)  This class will be walk you through the Cost Review process utilized by the Bureau of Capital Outlay Management.  Topics will include; Use of Building Cost Summary form, CR-2 Cost Review Questionnaire form, Schedule of Values form, the Pool Process, and reconciling cost estimates.

Class 2 – Working with the Commonwealth of Virginia

(W. Michael Coppa, RA) This class will focus on excerpts from the CPSM (Construction & Professional Services Manual) Seminar.  Normally a two day $300 seminar, Mr. Coppa will focus on select parts of the CPSM Seminar that relate most to estimators.

Class 3 –  Keynote Speaker (Michael B. Carringer, FCPE)

Reflections on the State of the Profession and Going Forward:

A forty-four year retrospective of where we came from, the changes we have encountered and the challenges we face. The respect we seek, the technology we use, the mistakes we make, the recognition we seek, the other industry professionals with whom we interact, and the hurdles we encounter in dealing with all of these issues.

 Class 4 – Roundtable:

(Panel Moderated by Jim Hanna)  This class will be an interactive discussion with a panel of some of the region’s top Chief Estimators.  You will have the opportunity to discuss and learn from your fellow estimators around the country.  We will examine many important topics and challenges facing the construction industry.  The objectives for this class are: *Optimize the unique opportunity to have discussions with a diverse cross-section of estimators and other construction professionals from all over the region.  *To inform.  *Collaborate with fellow colleagues.  * Compare regional vs. national trends, successes and/or challenges.  *Explore possible solutions of challenges our industry faces. *Hear from your fellow estimator’s perspectives.  *Communicate your thoughts. *Learn relevant and useful insight.  Some of the topics that will be addressed are: *Business decisions based on the current state f the industry and its effect on the estimator’s approach and final project.  *New and relevant challenges that estimators must fact “head-on” to stay competitive.  ***Topics for discussion will be assembled from input of the Chief Estimators sitting on the panel, the ASPE National Education Committee and the participants of this class.  Enrolled participants for this class are encouraged to e-mail discussion topics for consideration to Michael.gray@dgs.virginia.gov .  Final chosen discussion topics for the class will be e-mailed to class participants 3 days before the class.

A Takeoff is a Takeoff is a Takeoff – or is it?

(Kari Bruehl Sr. Trainer, at On Center Software, Inc.)

If three estimators use the same architectural plans, what are the chances that all three produce the same takeoff?  Actually, it is pretty certain that all three takeoffs will be

different – similar but still different.  But why does that occur when the plans are exactly the same?  Learn how a detailed takeoff drives a winning bid, manages the project to completion, improves communication and manages risk associated with the bidding process.

Our Speakers:

Earl Rosenow

2011 National Estimator of the Year!

• July 2011
• Alpha Corporation

For professional career achievement and service to the society.

Michael B. Carringer, FCPE

Mr. Carringer is a 40 year veteran of the industry. He has provided estimating services to general contractors including nine years as the chief estimator for a division of one of the nation’s largest contractors. For the past 16 years, he has provided cost consulting services to a number of owners on over 200 projects, ranging in size from $10 million to over $2.5 billion.
He has taught estimating at the University of Tennessee, San Jose State University, and the University of Arkansas in Little Rock. In addition, he has conducted over 100 seminars throughout the United States on topics ranging from change order management to unfavorable contract clauses.  Mr. Carringer received his Certified Professional Estimator designation from the American Society of Professional Estimators in 1985 and was awarded his Fellowship designation (FCPE) in 1995. Mr. Carringer is a two term past National President of ASPE, and was voted its Estimator of the Year Award in 1995.   Among the honors bestowed upon Mr. Carringer is his nomination in 1990 for Engineering News Record’s Construction Man of the Year Award for his service to the industry in the area of ethical bidding practices.

Christopher G. Hill (Attorney)

Christopher G. Hill, LEED AP is solo practitioner, lawyer and owner of the Richmond, VA firm, The Law Office of Christopher G. Hill, PC.  Chris has been nominated and elected by his peers to Virginia's Legal Elite in the Construction Law category on multiple occasions and is a member of the Virginia Super Lawyers “Rising Stars” for 2011. He specializes in mechanic's liens, contract review and consulting, occupational safety issues (VOSH and OSHA), and risk management for construction professionals.  He is also a current member of the Board of Governors of the Virginia State Bar Construction Law & Public Contracts Section.

Chris authors the Construction Law Musings blog where he discusses legal and policy issues relevant to construction professionals.  Additionally, Chris is active in the Associated General Contractors of Virginia and the Board of Governors of Construction Law and Public Contracts Section of the Virginia State Bar.

Cary Ayers

Mr. Ayers is Vice President of Commercial Lending with Union First Market Bank, Virginia’s largest community bank. He received his business degree from James Madison University and is a graduate of the University of Virginia’s School of Bank Management and East Carolina University’s Advanced Commercial Lending program. During his ten years as a banker, he has focused on real estate and construction lending with an expertise in the area of historic rehabilitation projects. Ayers is also a graduate of the Leadership Metro Richmond program, and is active with the Virginia Banker’s Association where he serves as the current chairman of the group’s Leadership Division.

Gregory A. Williamson, CPE, LEED AP - Mr. Williamson is a 30y year veteran in the industry.  A graduate of Cornell University with a degree in Civil Engineering, he is the current Northeast Regional Governor at ASPE.  He is Director of Preconstruction Services at Bond, and has also held positions at Turner Construction, Walsh Brothers, Inc., and Kiewit.  He is a Certified Professional Estimator, a LEED Accredited Professional, and an Adjunct Professor in the College of Professional Studies at Northeastern University. He has taught classes in Estimating and Bidding, Effective Cost Control, Contracts, Fundamentals of Facilities Management.

Mr. Williamson specializes in preconstruction planning, budget development and creative value management for institutional and commercial building projects in the greater New England area incorporating BIM technology.

     He was elected member of ASPE National Board of Trustees, representing chapters of the Society in the Northeast Region, from Virginia to Maine. Liaison for chapter development and representation for National interests. At ASPE Boston, he serves on the board as Immediate Past President and membership committee chairman for both the local chapter and the ASPE National.

James G. Hanna, CPE - Mr. Hanna is a senior project manager and chief estimator for D’Huy Engineering Inc., a multi disciplined engineering firm inBethlehem,Pennsylvania, where he is a member of the construction management team.  Jim began his construction career at a young age working in his father’s construction firm.  There he learned many trades by working with tools alongside other skilled craftsmen.  He also learned estimating through insurance damage restoration projects, as well as new construction. Jim is also CSI Certified Construction Specifier and a Certified Construction Contract Administrator.

Dennis McEvoy – Mr. McEvoy has been an ASPE member since March, 1989.  He has been active with the Society as Central Regional Governor and National Education Director.  He was instrumental in the creation of 7 chapters fromFargo,North Dakota to Richmond,Virginia.

Dennis is a 15 year employee of Foxcor, Inc., a well known Program Management Firm and has estimated and built projects in 26 states and overseas. He started his career with several noteworthy firms including M. A. Mortenson ranked the 19 largest general contractor in the country and Ellerbe - Becket a division of AEcom Technology Corp. which is the largest design firm in the United States.

W. Michael Coppa, RA – Mr. Coppa has over 30 years of experience in the industry.  He is the director of BCOM (Bureau of Capital Outlay Management).  Mike teaches the CPSM (Construction and Professional Services Manual) and VCCO (Virginia Construction Contracting Officer) Seminars several times per year.  He is a licensed architect and a Building Official certified by the ICC (International Code Council).

Michael Gray  - Mr. Gray is a graduate of Clemson University College of Engineering with a degree in Civil Engineering.  He currently works as State Capital Outlay Cost Reviewer at BCOM.  He has over 15 yrs in construction industry as PM, Preconstruction, & Owner side and is a LEED Accredited Professional.  Mike has considerable experience in construction manager at risk, design-build, and traditional project delivery methods.

Ronald S. Semel, AIA, VCCO, CPE – Mr. Semel has over 20 years of experience in the industry.  He is licensed architect and currently works as State Capital Outlay Cost Reviewer at BCOM.  He is accredited by the Department of General Services as a Virginia Construction Contracting Officer.  He received his Certified Professional Estimator designation from the American Society of Professional Estimators in 2011. 

Kari Bruehl
Sr. Trainer

Kari Bruehl is a Trainer at On Center Software, Inc.  She has an associate of arts degree in psychology.   Mrs. Bruehl has thirteen years of experience with On Center Software solutions.  Her expertise includes Customer support where she experienced hands on customer deployment hurdles; Quality Assurance within product development where she gained an in-depth knowledge of solution capabilities; Sales where she understood the strong correlation between successful customers and those that embraced on the job training of the solutions licensed.

Mrs. Bruehl finds that the best way to gain maximum value out of the numerous training options here at On Center Software is for clients to attend all of the sessions with the excitement and desire to learn. “It motivates me to hear the excitement in the voices of our clients as they realize their job just became significantly easier” she says.  Nothing validates this more than a comment from a client – “This is going to save me so much time.  A picture is worth a thousand words.  It can take hours trying to explain and receive clarification for RFIs and now I can just send an image with annotation and copying the current view.  Kari has been invaluable for us.”     

Click on any photo

to begin slide show.

Friday, March 2^nd – Estimating Academy

8:00 – Registration

8:30 – Class 1 – Providing Estimating Services to the Commonwealth ofVirginia

(Ronald Semel, AIA, CPE, State Cost Reviewer)

9:30 – Class 2 – Working with the Commonwealth of Virginia (W. Michael Coppa, RA, Director, BCOM)

11:30 – Lunch

12:30 – Class 3 – Keynote Speaker

(Michael B. Carringer, FCPE)

2:30 – Break

2:45 – Class 4 – Roundtable - Jim Hanna, Moderator

(Greg Williamson, Michael B. Carringer, Jim Hanna, Mike Gray, Earl Rosenow, Christopher G. Hill, Attorney)

5:00 – Adjourn

Saturday, March 3^rd – Northeast Regional Meeting

8:00 – Arrive / Registration / Social

9:00 – Regional Business Meeting

12:00 – Lunch / Keynote Speaker (Earl Rosenow)

1:00 – A Takeoff is a Takeoff is a Takeoff – or is it?

(Kari Bruehl, Sr. Trainer, at On Center Software, Inc.)

2:00 – Construction Financing Seminar (Cary Ayers, Vice President of Commercial Lending with Union First Market Bank)

2:45 – Adjourn

3:00 - Guided Tour Through Virginia’s State Capitol