BUILD IT BETTER

Keynote Speaker 

Kimberly Dowdell 

Vice President of Strategic Partnerships, Amrize
Past President, American Institute of Architects (AIA)  

Kimberly Dowdell is an award-winning architect and building industry leader. In her current role as Vice President of Strategic Partnerships with Amrize, she is working to advance innovation in the delivery of critical infrastructure and building solutions in all construction markets, from foundation to rooftop. She is also a trustee of the National Building Museum, as well as a board member for several key civic organizations in Chicago. 

In 2024, Dowdell served as the 100th President of the American Institute of Architects (AIA), which was preceded by her 2019-2020 term as President of the National Organization of Minority Architects (NOMA). Her career has included leadership in a global design firm, public service, academia, real estate development, project management, and distinguished service to various organizations. In 2005, Dowdell co-founded the Social, Economic, Environmental Design (SEED) Network. She is also a LEED Accredited Professional.

Inspired by her early-life in Detroit, Michigan, Dowdell was initially driven to use architecture as a tool for urban revitalization. She holds a Bachelor of Architecture from Cornell University and a Master of Public Administration from Harvard University. Her overarching mission is to improve the quality of people's lives, by design.

Panel Moderator  

Keith Hocevar
Executive Vice President, Bricklayers and Allied Craftworkers

Keith Hocevar was appointed International Union Executive Vice President by BAC President Tim Driscoll in January 2023. His extensive experience in organizing, political advocacy, and union leadership has made him a respected leader in the labor movement and broader community.

Hocevar began his masonry career in 1997 as a bricklayer and cement mason apprentice with then-Local 16 Ohio. After completing his apprenticeship in 1999, he served as a foreman, jobsite steward, Political Coordinator, and Vice President of Local 16.

In 2007, Hocevar became a Field Representative for the BAC Ohio/Kentucky Administrative District Council, where he also served as Political Director, Organizing Director, and Vice President. He strengthened the council’s political and organizing activities by developing a team of rank-and-file activists and stewards. He later served as an IU Representative for the North Central Region before being appointed Regional Director in 2017.

As Executive Vice President, Hocevar leads BAC’s internal organizing efforts and works to foster unionism throughout the organization. He also serves as a trustee of the BAC International Pension Fund, BAC International Health Fund, and International Masonry Institute. Hocevar holds a bachelor’s degree from John Carroll University and is a graduate of labor leadership programs at Harvard and Cornell universities.

PANEL 1

Sandya Dandamudi
President, GI stone 

Sandya Dandamudi is President of GI Stone, a Chicago-based stone contractor founded more than 30 years ago and recognized for delivering complex interior and exterior stonework across major commercial projects. Under her leadership, the company has contributed to high-profile developments, including the Obama Presidential Center, St. Regis, The Ritz-Carlton, and The Four Seasons Hotel. Known for her practical expertise and results-driven approach, Sandya helps guide projects from concept through installation while maintaining a strong commitment to craftsmanship and collaboration across trades. She also serves on the Board of the Chicago Marble Contractors Association and actively supports apprenticeship training through Marble Setters Union Local 21. Beyond her professional work, Sandya is committed to mentorship and community engagement, promoting opportunities within the construction industry and supporting initiatives that strengthen education, arts, and social services.

PANEL 1

Brian Abell 
Architect and Project Director, Tod Williams Billie Tsien Architects 

Brian Abell joined Tod Williams Billie Tsien Architects (TWBTA) in 2008.  Since then he has managed and been an essential project team member on some of TWBTA’s most complex campus projects including the Logan Center for the Arts at the University of Chicago, the Hood Museum at Dartmouth College, the Banyan Park Campus of TATA Consultancy Services in Mumbai, India, and the U.S. Embassy in Mexico City.  Brian has been a project director for the 19-acre campus of the Obama Presidential Center since design of the project began in 2016. Among other responsibilities he led the design and implementation of the project’s envelope from concept through construction.

PANEL 1

Edward Drobnick,PE
Project Manager and Director of Safety, Cleveland Marble Mosaic Company

Edward W. Drobnick is a Professional Engineer with more than 30 years of experience in construction, field operations, and jobsite safety. Since joining Cleveland Marble in 1998, he has progressed through key roles, including Project Engineer and Superintendent, before advancing into senior leadership positions. In his role supporting safety initiatives, Edward has earned his OSHA 30-hour certification and helped strengthen company-wide safety practices, supporting improved Experience Modification Rates (EMR), including 0.48 in Ohio and 0.91 nationally.

Throughout his career, Edward has supported and led a wide range of complex commercial, healthcare, and institutional projects across the country, including the Obama Presidential Center, Cleveland Clinic facilities, Soldier Field, Willis Tower Transformation, and multiple Northwestern University developments. Known for his practical expertise and results-driven approach, he helps guide projects from preconstruction through completion, ensuring quality, coordination, and safety at every stage.

PANEL MODERATOR  

Matthew S. Aquiline, MBA
Chief Executive Officer, North America’s Union Masonry Contractors (UMC)     

Matthew was born into the union masonry industry as the son of a union stone mason and International Union of Bricklayers and Allied Craftworkers Regional Director. He earned a bachelor’s degree in labor and industrial relations from Pennsylvania State University and a Master of Business Administration from the University of Pittsburgh.

Aquiline began his industry career in 1995, working in labor-management relations. He later led a program created to help Canadian union members obtain authorization to work on U.S. jobsites and served in additional leadership roles supporting union masonry contractors.

He serves on the boards of trustees of the International Masonry Institute and Helmets to Hardhats. He also co-chairs the boards of the BAC International Health and Pension Funds in the United States and Canada and chairs the Construction Labor Research Council board. Additionally, he represents management on the IMI Disputes Settlement Plan and several masonry and construction industry committees.

PANEL 2

Ann Thompson, FAIA
Executive Vice President of Architecture & Design, Related Midwest 

Ann is a licensed architect and recognized industry leader who leads architecture, urban planning, interior design, and engineering teams on transformative mixed-use developments throughout Chicago and beyond. Her work includes major projects such as The 78, the redevelopment of the historic Lathrop community, and Quantum Shore Chicago, which will house one of the world’s largest quantum computing facilities.

Thompson is active in the architectural and civic community through leadership roles with the Chicago Architecture Center, Driehaus Foundation, and academic advisory boards for the Illinois Institute of Technology and the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. In recognition of her contributions to architecture and design leadership, she was elevated to the College of Fellows of the American Institute of Architects (FAIA), one of the profession’s highest honors.

PANEL 2

Ari Glass
Head of Real Estate, Mansueto Office, Inc.

A 30-year veteran of commercial real estate in Chicago, Ari oversees all aspects of the portfolio, from acquisitions and asset management to strategic planning and execution. The current portfolio includes office, multifamily, and industrial investments anchored by The Wrigley Building, The Belden-Stratford, and Waldorf Astoria Chicago. He led the development of the Endeavor Health Performance Center for the Chicago Fire Football Club and is currently working on the development of the new purpose-built McDonald’s Park.

Ari previously spent 17 years at Zeller Realty Group, where he served as President of Zeller Management Corp. Zeller is a vertically integrated commercial real estate company focused on value-add office projects in seven metropolitan areas across the country.

He currently serves on the boards of the Chicago Fire Foundation, Communities In Schools, and Tutoring Chicago. He is also a member of the Emeritus Board of Landmarks Illinois.

Ari earned a Bachelor of Science from Bradley University and an MBA with honors from the University of Chicago Booth School of Business. He lives in Glenview with his wife and three children.

PANEL 2

Brett Charles Taylor, AIA
Principal, Gensler

Brett brings a deep expertise in managing complex mixed-use, office, and multifamily residential projects. He has been instrumental in the delivery of numerous large-scale, award-winning development projects in Chicago, the U.S. and Internationally. Most notably he has worked on the 78 Development, 360 & 333 N Green Street, ONE Central, E.M. Dirksen U.S. Courthouse, United Nations HQ Geneva, and King Abdullah Economic City. Brett earned both Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Architecture from Norwich University, a military college, where he served on the Board of Fellows. 

PANEL 2

Rob Martinelli
Executive Vice President, Pepper Construction 

With more than 20 years at Pepper Construction, Rob Martinelli has led the successful delivery of more than 2 million square feet of commercial office, K-12, and higher education projects. He currently oversees the transformative McDonald's Park Stadium for the Chicago Fire Football Club.

Known for his honesty, integrity, and collaborative leadership style, Rob excels at guiding teams from preconstruction through completion. His expertise in constructability, combined with a broad understanding of the construction industry, enables him to develop practical solutions that meet client goals while addressing complex project challenges.

Rob earned a Bachelor of Science in Industrial Technology from Eastern Illinois University.

PANEL 2

John Crouch 
Project Manager, ALL Masonry  

 John started in the masonry trade as a laborer and went on to work as a bricklayer, foreman, and estimator before moving into project management, and has experience evaluating how design and detailing decisions affect installation, sequencing, and cost.

John joined the McDonald’s Park project during the early pricing phase. Working closely with the design team, Pepper, and the supply chain, he identified constructability and logistics improvements that reduced cost while maintaining the architectural expression established in design. He has since moved to the site, where he oversees the building skin systems, including masonry.

He studied civil engineering at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.