BUILD IT BETTER

KEYNOTE SPEAKER

Michael Kalt 
Chief Commercial Officer, Michigan Central

Michael leads commercial strategy and partnerships supporting the continued transformation of Michigan Central Station and the surrounding district. His work connects the adaptive reuse of one of Detroit’s most iconic landmarks with a broader vision for innovation, talent, investment, and regional economic growth.

Previously, Michael founded Partners Path Capital and held leadership roles at Sidewalk Labs and the Tampa Bay Rays. He also served in Mayor Michael Bloomberg’s administration, where he helped coordinate major economic development initiatives across New York City, including Yankee Stadium, Citi Field, and Barclays Center. Earlier in his career, he was a management consultant at McKinsey & Company.

Michael earned a bachelor’s degree in political science and urban studies from Brown University and a Juris Doctor from Harvard Law School.

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.

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 1/INTERNAL TOUR LEADER

Austin Giesey
Senior Project Manager, The Christman Company

Austin M. Giesey, a key leader within The Christman Company’s Historic Preservation Group, brings a wealth of expertise in both exterior and interior preservation. A Michigan native, Austin holds a Bachelor of Science in Construction Management from Michigan State University.

Throughout his career, Austin has spearheaded significant preservation projects, including the rehabilitation of the iconic Michigan Central Station, the restoration of the Henry Ford Estate Fair Lane Potting Shed and Powerhouse, The Belle Isle Aquarium & James Scott Fountain, the Basilica of Ste. Anne de Detroit Campus, and work at The Fisher Building.

With a deep passion for meticulous preservation practices, Austin has been recognized for his contributions, most notably co-authoring Ruin to Revival: Restoring Michigan Central Station: The Builders’ Journey, a coffee table book that chronicles the restoration of Michigan Central Station.

PANEL 1

Angela Wyrembelski, AIA, APT-RP 
Associate Principal, Quinn Evans 

Angela is an Associate Principal and architect with Quinn Evans, based in the firm’s Detroit office. She earned her Master of Architecture from Boston Architectural College, a Master’s Certificate in Historic Preservation from Eastern Michigan University, and her undergraduate degree from the University of Michigan.

A passionate advocate for historic preservation and adaptive reuse, Angela is dedicated to extending the life of vacant and underused buildings. She leads Quinn Evans’ Living Practice Area, focusing on the thoughtful transformation of buildings that shape and support everyday life.

PANEL 1

Michael Hipes 
Superintendent, Grunwell-Cashero 

Michael is a second-generation mason who was introduced to the trade at an early age, working alongside his family on masonry projects throughout his youth. Those early experiences sparked a lifelong interest in the craft and the built environment. After briefly pursuing studies in computer science at Eastern Michigan University, he returned to the masonry industry to follow his family’s trade. His formal training began through an apprenticeship with BAC Local 9 at the Lansing training center, where he began his professional masonry career.

His early work centered on new construction masonry before expanding into air and vapor barrier systems, waterproofing, methane barriers, spray foam insulation, and sealants. That experience eventually led to historic masonry preservation and restoration, where he discovered a lasting passion for protecting and maintaining historic structures. To strengthen his expertise, he has completed extensive training through the International Masonry Institute and other professional development programs. Today, he continues working in the field while helping train and mentor the next generation of craftworkers and industry leaders.

PANEL 1

Kent Diebolt, FAPT
Founding Partner, Vertical Access

Kent Diebolt’s professional experience focuses on the investigation, testing, and inspection of historic and existing buildings. A graduate of Cornell University’s Master of Science program, he has dedicated his career to the evaluation and preservation of historically significant structures. His work includes the inspection and assessment of a wide range of building materials, including brick and stone masonry, terra cotta, concrete, architectural sheet metals, and cast iron.

Kent is an active participant and leader in several professional preservation and rope access organizations, including the Association for Preservation Technology International, US/ICOMOS, and ASTM’s E06 Subcommittee on Façade Inspection and Industrial Rope Access. Through his work with Vertical Access and collaboration with industry partners, he supports the investigation, documentation, and preservation of historic building envelopes across the United States.

PANEL 1

Robert T. Mazur 
President/CEO, RAM Construction Services 

With more than four decades of experience in building restoration, waterproofing, and construction leadership, Bob has helped guide RAM’s growth into one of the Midwest’s largest specialty restoration contractors, with operations across multiple states. Known for his relationship-driven leadership style and industry expertise, he provides strategic oversight while helping owners, engineers, and contractors solve complex restoration challenges. He holds a degree in Marketing and Business Administration from Western Michigan University. 

PANEL 2

Brett Levko
Director of Preconstruction, Vig Construction Company

Brett Levko is Director of Preconstruction at Vig Construction, a Southeast Michigan-based commercial general contractor and construction manager founded by his grandfather, Joseph S. Vig Sr. With nearly six years of hands-on field experience and a decade of estimating expertise, Levko leads the firm’s preconstruction team on projects ranging from $1 million to more than $100 million. Under his leadership, the team has more than doubled its annual preconstruction volume to over $300 million.

Levko’s portfolio includes the Detroit Catholic Central STEM Center, a finalist for the Construction Association of Michigan’s 2025 Project of the Year; athletic facility renovations at the University of Michigan; and the $72 million, LEED Gold-certified Sartorius North American Headquarters.

An alumnus of the Urban Land Institute’s Larson Center for Leadership and a university guest speaker, Levko brings a field-informed, client-focused approach to shaping Michigan’s built environment.

PANEL 2

Brad Maurer
President, Leidal & Hart Mason Contractors, Inc.

Brad Maurer has nearly 25 years of experience in the masonry industry, having built his career from the
ground up at Leidal & Hart. He joined the company immediately after high school as a bricklayer apprentice and went on to become a journeyman before advancing through a series of leadership
positions, including Foreman, General Superintendent, Executive Vice President, and ultimately
President.

Brad remains actively involved in advancing the masonry industry beyond his role at Leidal & Hart. He
serves on the Board of the Masonry Institute of Michigan, participates in the BAC Joint Apprenticeship
Training Committee, and contributes to the Michigan Masonry Coalition. His commitment to the trade is
rooted in developing people, strengthening the craft, and continually finding better ways to build, lead,
and move the masonry industry forward.

Outside of work, Brad enjoys fishing, sporting clays, playing music, and spending time at home

PANEL 2

Brad Leidal
Executive Director, Mason Contractors Association 

 Brad Leidal brings more than 30 years of masonry industry experience. Before joining the MCA as Executive Director, he worked at Leidal & Hart Mason Contractors, primarily in preconstruction, estimating, and project management. During that time, he also served on the MCA Board of Directors for 25 years, including 17 years as president. His industry leadership includes serving as a trustee of the Bricklayers Pension Trust Fund–Metropolitan Area and chairing the Michigan Trowel Trades Joint Apprenticeship and Training Fund and Bricklayers Joint Delinquency Committee. He earned a bachelor’s degree from the University of Michigan-Dearborn and a master’s degree in management from Walsh College. 

PANEL 2

Michael Oakleaf   
Chief Operating Officer, Catholic Central High School

With more than 10 years of experience at IBM Consulting, Michael helped clients create business value through data analytics and digital transformation. At Catholic Central, he oversees process integration and collaboration across the organization and served as project manager for the delivery of the George and Mary Turek Hall of Science. He also teaches business and finance courses. 

PANEL 2

Adrian La Tona, AIA 
Senior Associate, Integrated Design Solutions 

A recipient of the AIA Young Architect Award, Adrian earned his Master of Architecture from the University of Detroit Mercy, graduating as a Dean’s Scholar and receiving the Outstanding Master’s Thesis Award. He later deepened his focus on the social, environmental, and economic dimensions of design through the SEED program at the Harvard Graduate School of Design.

His project experience includes the Spartan Stadium North End Zone Addition, Duffy Daugherty Renovations, and Berkowitz Office Refresh at Michigan State University, as well as Munger Graduate Residences, East Quad Renovation, and the Taubman addition to the University of Michigan Art and Architecture Building. Known for translating client vision into thoughtful, functional design solutions, he brings strong technical detailing and cross-disciplinary collaboration to each project.

PANEL 2

James C. Capo
Principal - Owner’s Representative, Capo Design Group/Jonna Consulting

James C. Capo is an architectural principal and project manager with Capo Design Group. He brings more than 40 years of experience guiding commercial and mixed-use projects through feasibility, conceptual design, preconstruction, budgeting, architectural services, construction management, and commissioning. His portfolio includes the Catholic Central STEM Addition, renovations at the Detroit Athletic Club, Henry Ford Hospital Royal Oak, and numerous corporate, educational, religious, and retail projects.

Previously, Capo served as architectural principal and senior project manager with Ronnisch Construction Group and vice president of design/build with DeMattia Group. He also served as chairman and a board member of the Construction Association of Michigan. Capo earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees in architecture from the University of Detroit and University of Detroit Mercy, respectively. He has been a registered architect in Michigan since 1988 and holds NCARB certification.

EXTERNAL TOUR LEADER

Zachary Ellis  
Director of Restoration Operations, RAM Construction Services 

With a background in construction management, estimating, and restoration project delivery, Zachary oversees project management operations while supporting strategic growth, process development, and operational excellence across the organization. He brings a practical, solutions-focused perspective to complex construction challenges and holds a bachelor’s degree in construction management from Wayne State University.