OCA FUTURE LEADERS FORUM: 2023-2024’S RECORD PARTICIPATION MAKES STATEMENT ON PROGRAM’S IMPORTANCE

Ask any business owner and they will sing the importance of the “returning customer.” Case in point, among Constant Contact’s “5 Reasons Why Repeat Business is Better than New Business,” is that returning customers are some of your best promoters – as they refer 50% more than one-time customers.

Ask any business owner and they will sing the importance of the “returning customer.” Case in point, among Constant Contact’s “5 Reasons Why Repeat Business is Better than New Business,” is that returning customers are some of your best promoters – as they refer 50% more than one-time customers. OCA members are singing the importance of participating in the association’s Future Leaders Forum, as many contractors have repeatedly sent company members to the OCA program. The 2023-2024 session of the Future Leaders Forum began in September and continues through next March.

The purpose of the Ohio Contractors Association’s Forum, which has been held for 16 years, is to develop future leaders for Ohio’s heavy/highway construction industry by enhancing participants’ knowledge in construction-related topics. The eight-month program provides the future leaders information regarding regulatory agencies, legislative processes, partnering, risk management, leadership skills and the active role OCA holds as both an industry advocate and member service provider.

“The Forum provides an opportunity for potential future leaders to create industry connections outside of their normal environment,” said OCA Director of Member Events David Rule, who helps organize the Future Leaders Forum. He added that along with participants forming friendships and business relationships, which may pay dividends in future years, participating companies as well as OCA benefit from these individuals’ growth experiences.

Held biannually, the 2023-2024 OCA Future Leaders Forum features 24 individuals representing 16 member companies. Rule said he’s excited about the record participation, as word-of mouth from the participants will help promote the leadership program for years to come.

Of the OCA companies supporting participants in the current group, eight have taken part in multiple Future Leaders Forums. Of the 44 OCA member companies that have been involved in the Forum since its inception in 2008, 17 companies (nearly 40%) have repeatedly sponsored participation over the years. According to Rule, companies that continue to send participants to the Forum tells a lot about how OCA members view the program, saying, “It’s a key indicator to us that there is value in the program and it is worthwhile to continually grow and improve the value of each session.”

“OCA has done a tremendous job organizing a program that opens the eyes to the future leaders of our industry of several facets of leadership that can be utilized for an entire career,” said The Great Lakes Construction Co. President George Palko. “Several of the opportunities OCA has arranged for the future leaders to meet people indirectly associated with the industry will provide a career-long impact and hopefully lay the groundwork for some new relationships for the participants.”

“It’s an opportunity to expose high performing individuals to the industry,” said The Shelly Co. President Tim Tehan. He added that the Forum provides participants with the opportunity to “meet public officials and have a better understanding on how the government funds projects, develop programs and how contracts are executed.”

Jeremy Hurst, vice president of Public Construction for Miller Bros. Construction Inc., said his company’s sponsoring of an individual to be in the Forum is a show of confidence in the participant. “It’s an opportunity for our employees to know that we value them and think that it’s important to provide them the option to learn more about our industry and OCA …,” he said. “They see that we are committed to them and believe in their performance to date and that we see a future with them being a key contributor to our future success.”

The Ruhlin Co. President/CEO Jim Ruhlin Jr. believes the future is now when it comes to participating in the Future Leaders Forum. “It’s a great icebreaker in a way for people coming into the industry or are starting to step up through the ranks …,” he said. “You are either going to be somebody that shows up and goes to work and then goes home at the end of the day, or you’re going to be somebody that participates in the industry. Participating in the industry in the Future Leaders Forum is a great way to get off the ground.”

Over the years, Great Lakes Construction, The Shelly Co., Miller Bros. Construction and The Ruhlin Co. have each sent multiple participants to the Future Leaders Forum – as the four companies have combined in sending 52 individuals over the years. For the 2023-2024 session, these companies are sponsoring a total of eight individuals. Shelly has sponsored the most Forum participants through the years, with 16 individuals. Ruhlin – which has sponsored 14 individuals – is the only company to have sent representatives to each of the eight forums.

Future Leaders Forum candidates are nominated by their company and should have at least five years of experience in the transportation, site development, utility and/or municipal construction industry; made significant contributions to their company or firm; and demonstrated leadership potential. Companies submit applications that include reasons for applying and how they will utilize the program’s training in furthering the individuals’ goals in becoming an industry leader. Each company wanting to sponsor a participant also includes a letter of recommendation and commitment granting the applicant the time necessary to travel to and attend the program’s sessions.

The program is designed to be revenue neutral. Companies pay the registration fee and OCA provides the organization and staff time to plan and execute the individual sessions.

Eight OCA companies are participating in their first Future Leaders Forum. Those first-time participating companies are A&A Safety Inc., Armstrong Steel Erectors Inc., CAP-STONE & Associates Inc., Eagle Bridge Co., Hahn Loeser & Parks LLP, KT Holden Construction, Trucco Construction Co. Inc. and Westfield Group.

The current Future Leaders have worked in the industry an average of nine-plus years, and anywhere from five to 20+ years. The 2023-2024 class also represents a range of company positions they hold, including company owners and presidents, project engineers, managers and supervisors, human resources and payroll personnel, safety directors and surety leaders.

The 2023-2024 program began in September and will continue through March. The opening seminar, held September 21 at the OCA offices, included a morning session with OCA directors, who provided insight on their respective areas and the services the association provides not only to its members but the heavy-highway industry. Other program sessions have included information about unions, workers compensation and ODOT – including the meeting of transportation leaders at ODOT’s Central Office in Columbus. In addition to December’s session held at OCA’s Winter Conference and learning more about legislative advocacy, Future Leaders Forum sessions in early 2024 will spotlight project partnering and becoming a better leader.

“Each OCA Director is responsible for securing speakers, trainers, etc. for program areas that are related to their area of expertise,” Rule said. “This provides a great opportunity to meet and work with the potential futures leaders of the industry.”

Participation has provided lasting memories and guidance for those past attendees, including Hurst and Ruhlin Jr.

For Hurst, who has served in his current role with Miller Bros. Construction since June 2021, the Future Leaders Forum taught him valuable information on OCA’s lobbying efforts. “The best memory was listening to (former OCA Legislative Director) Angela Van Fossen share the process and describe how lobbying had such a huge impact on our OCA members when it came time to discuss transportation-related subjects and the decisions tasked to our legislators,” he said.

Jim Ruhlin Jr., who was named his company’s president/CEO in 2021, remembers the building of relationships he enjoys to this day. “It was just a great way to meet other people in the industry that were the same age as me. It’s almost like going to school with somebody; you start to build relationships just through having contact with them … It was really the long-lasting relationships that were generated by that program that I really remember the most,” he said.

Rule said OCA continues to work to ensure the Future Leaders Forum remains relevant. “I regularly visit with company leaders at different events to get a pulse on what the current leadership focus areas need to be,” he said. “This allows us to keep the program fresh, current and focused on timely topics.”

One company’s suggestion to OCA and its Future Leaders Forum program is more of a plea – and one shared by many association members: “Don’t let this program die,” said Great Lake Construction’s Palko. “It brings great value to the individuals participating as well as shines a bright light on the value and importance of OCA to its membership.”

For more information about OCA’s Future Leaders Forum and when the next session will be held, contact Dave Rule at (614) 488-0724 or by email at drule@ohiocontractors.org.

Now, let’s meet OCA’s 2023-2024 Future Leaders Forum participants:

Rachel M. Bates
Eagle Bridge Co.

An eight-year Project Manager for Eagle Bridge, Bates is a 16-year industry veteran who is continuing a more than century-long family tradition.

“It is engrained in my blood,” said the Sidney native, who earned a civil engineering degree from the University of Michigan. “My family has been doing heavy-highway construction since 1902 … “

The fifth-generation family member to benefit from the heavy-highway industry, Bates said the favorite aspect of her job is the many areas she’s able to assist the company. “Right now, I get to participate in so many facets of the company. I am involved with the contracts, the overall projects, schedule, and even some human resources items. I love getting to see the projects from multiple sides … Somedays I wish I could be out on the site building right next to our crews, but unfortunately, that’s not where my strengths are needed.”

An active OCA member who has attended association events including Winter Conferences, Conaway Conferences and Annual Conventions, Bates said she jumped at the chance to participate in the Future Leaders Forum. “… It’s so easy to get caught up in the day-today operations of our own jobs that we don’t get the chance to see the bigger picture of the industry,” said the mother of three, whose husband, Brady, is a engineer at Eagle Bridge. “I am also very excited to get to network with other individuals in the industry. I am sure that our knowledge sharing and connections will help all of us as we grow in the business.

“I love working in an industry that builds something and makes the community better,” she added.

Bates is Eagle Bridge’s first participant in the OCA Future Leaders Forum.

Future Leaders Forum Participants – Eagle Bridge Co.
2023-2024: Rachel Bates

Hunter Blevins
The Ruhlin Co.

Blevins turned to OCA for direction as a college student and is now on his way to assisting students find their future in the industry.

The Ruhlin Co. Project Engineer, who spent two co-op years with the company before joining it full-time five years ago, remembers being enrolled at the University of Akron “with no clear path.” A family member suggested attending the OCA Rich DiGeronimo Constructor For A Day (CFAD). “I attended the event and found heavy highway construction fascinating …” Blevins, who initially studied at West Virginia University to enter the oil & gas industry, graduated from Akron with a degree in civil engineering technology.

The events the Norton/Barberton-area native participated in at Akron – CFAD and the OCA Estimating Competition – remain on his calendar today, this time as an industry professional. Along with assisting CFAD participants, Blevins has served as an industry advisor for Akron’s estimating team the last three years.

Blevins, who married in October 2022 to wife Jillian, is participating in the OCA Future Leaders Forum “to learn how to better myself as a leader and supervisor.” At Ruhlin, he is working toward becoming a superintendent on structure projects. “… Structures are the most intriguing item to me in the industry. I have been fortunate to run work as superintendent on a challenging movable bridge project in the past, and the challenges that I faced and overcame gave me a great feeling of fulfillment.”

In his spare time, Blevins is bananas for the Savannah Bananas, a Georgia based exhibition barnstorming baseball team. Along with making several trips to watch the team in action, he also enjoys traveling, snow skiing and weekend trips to West Virginia for off roading.

Rick Svetlak
The Ruhlin Co.

Similar to how a teacher enjoys the development of students, Svetlak enjoys the same when it comes to heavy-construction projects.

“The main reason that I chose to pursue a career in the heavy/highway construction industry is being able to see ideas and drawings on paper become a physical structure to better the public,” said the nearly five-year industry member who has served the last half of that with The Ruhlin Co. as a project engineer, assistant superintendent and Construction Design Engineer. “The heavy/highway industry is challenging, and no day is ever the same,” he said, adding how important it is that all parties involved on the project work together for on-time completion. “After projects are completed and being able to drive across a bridge you helped construct is truly rewarding. Also, the camaraderie and bonds formed with the project team while on these projects makes the long days worth it.”

The Poland, Ohio, native, who graduated from the University of Akron with a civil engineering degree, believes if he hadn’t chosen the construction industry he would have been in education. “… I believe I would have wanted to be a teacher. I enjoy being able to help others learn and help give them the tools they need to grow. Being in the Future Leaders Form will help put me on-track to become a leader and mentor to help others learn about the heavy/highway industry and help them become successful.”

Svetlak, who completed his first marathon in May, enjoys hiking, fishing and spending time with family and friends. The proud uncle also enjoys re-counting the projects he has helped build by sharing job photos and videos with his nephew.

Blevins and Svetlak are the latest Future Leaders Forum participants to represent The Ruhlin Co. The Sharon Center-based company has had 14 employees take part and is the only company to sponsor participants in each of the Forum’s eight groups.

Future Leaders Forum Participants – The Ruhlin Co.
2023-2024: Hunter Blevins & Rick Svetlak;
2021-2022: Sarah Carlson & Alex Licitri;
2019-2020: Danny De Los Santos & Chris Szabo;
2017-2018: Mario Garcia & Jacqueline Guttman;
2015-2016: Thomas Hill;
2013-2014: Mark Figuray & Jason Rickey;
2010-2011: Brooks Stingel;
2007-2008: Amy Fitch & Jim Ruhlin Jr.

Samantha Blodgett
Lake Erie Construction Co.

Though not a 6-foot-9 National Basketball Association player, Blodgett formerly resided in South Florida and also opted to return to northern Ohio. “… I began my career in the event planning industry in South Florida, including events for the Miami Heat, before taking my talents back to Ohio,” said the human resources and payroll manager that has been starring for Lake Erie Construction Co. since 2015.

Born, raised and currently residing in Norwalk, where Lake Erie Construction is based, Blodgett graduated with a tourism and event planning degree from Bowling Green State University. Having worked with an architectural firm prior to joining Lake Erie Construction, she jumped at the chance to be a part of her family’s fourth-generation company, where she serves as Human Resources & Payroll Manager.

“I have always had knowledge of what OCA brings to the heavy/highway industry, but I was excited to gain a deeper understanding of what they do and how all the other pieces of the industry fit together,” she said of her participation in the OCA Future Leaders Forum. “Also, I think it is a great opportunity to network with the other participants and build relationships with them that will hopefully last long after the program ends.” Blodgett has also participated in OCA’s HR and EEO Forum programs.

Blodgett and her husband, Ben, have two children, who she said, “living life through the lens of toddlers consumes most of my free time currently – and I am thankful for that.”

Andrew Welfle
Lake Erie Construction Co.

Perhaps Welfle was destined to join the company he grew up so close to.

Born and raised in Norwalk, Welfle spent 10 years working with an area public accountant, then he returned even closer to home. “My childhood home was on the same road – South Norwalk Road – where Lake Erie Construction is located,” said Welfle, who graduated from Bowling Green State with a degree in business administration in accounting and finance. He has added to his degree by earning his CPA license and attending the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants in 2013 and 2014, respectively.

“… Being in Norwalk my whole life has kept me in-tune to the fact that this area is blessed to have been involved with the industry for such a long time,” said Welfle, who has been a Controller with Lake Erie Construction since April 2021. “I’ve always viewed the Accounting & Finance area of a business as the quarterback of the group. You must be able to connect with all the other key areas of the company for things to run smoothly,” he said of teaming up with the construction company’s Sales/Estimating, Operations, H.R., Management and other personnel.

Welfle and his wife, Lynsey, have been married since 2012 and have three daughters. “I love volunteering as a coach for our girls’ sports teams throughout the year,” he said, as he is also active with his high school alma mater’s committees, boards and boosters. He also enjoys spending time with extended family, doing home improvement projects and rooting on the Browns and Guardians.

The Future Leaders Forum is the first OCA event Welfle has participated in, saying, “I am thrilled to be a part of this cohort and to be plugged into the OCA. I look forward to connecting with industry and business leaders.”

Blodgett and Welfle are the second and third participants from Lake Erie Construction to participate in the OCA Future Leaders Forum.

Future Leaders Forum Participants – Lake Erie Construction Co.
2023-2024: Samantha Blodgett & Andrew Welfle;
2021-2022: Zachary Bleile

Matt DeSapri
The Great Lakes Construction Co.

DeSapri said a summer co-op with The Great Lakes Construction Co. while attending the University of Dayton “is what really drove my path to the heavy/highway construction industry.” Nearly 20 years later, he is a Project Manager driving the successful completion of projects for the Hinckley-based company.

A native of Strongsville, who graduated from Dayton with a civil and environmental engineering degree as well as a master’s from John Carroll University, DeSapri is a 15-year industry veteran and has worked with Great Lakes Construction for nine years over two stints. He also has experience as a transportation engineer and infrastructure and capital projects manager.

“My role as a project manager at GLC is great because it exposes me to a wide spectrum of types of projects, owners, and project teams,” said DeSapri, who has a P.E. license along with being a certified professional in erosion and sediment control (CPESC) and a project management professional (PMP). “I most enjoy the project controls aspect of the job, including working with schedules and cost.”

As well as participating in the Future Leaders Forum, DeSapri has attended Conaway Conferences and Northeast Ohio Young Professionals Network events. He believes these are exciting times for the industry, mentioning the availability of federal funding for public infrastructure projects. “It will also be very interesting to watch the incorporation of new technology into projects, programs and the overall industry specifically including AI, autonomous vehicles and electric vehicle infrastructure.”

DeSapri and his wife, Andrea, enjoy walks and hikes with their dog, Bernie, traveling to U.S. National Parks and being fans of Cleveland sports teams.

Drew A. Williams
The Great Lakes Construction Co.

Williams has learned no matter the type of construction: Safety is Job #1.

As a Safety Coordinator for the past seven years with The Great Lakes Construction Co., Williams has built on his life-long awareness of the importance of safety – from growing up in his family’s homebuilding company to working in two other construction sectors for co-ops while attending the University of Findlay.

A native of Findlay, Williams graduated college with a degree in environmental, safety and occupational health management. Upon joining Great Lakes Construction in 2017, he joined the OCA Safety Committee. He has also been active with OCA by participating in the Southwest Ohio Chapter’s Contractor For A Day and golf outings.

“I really enjoy training and developing our workforce in the safety field also,” Williams added. “I like trying to affect culture and achieve not only safety goals but broader organizational goals. The idea of a successful day for me is that everyone is around their dinner table each night a little bit smarter and better off than they were when they woke up …”

Along with spending time with his girlfriend and her daughter, Williams enjoys golfing, hunting, cooking and riding his motorcycle. An avid hockey player since the age of 5, he also enjoys an array of music – from country, to symphonic to opera.

“I’m really excited to see some of these once-in-a-lifetime projects get fired up in our state,” Williams said. “We are about to see record spending in our industry and I’m excited to see all of the growth and development that comes with that investment.”

DeSapri and Williams continue a long list of people from The Great Lakes Construction Co. who have participated in the OCA Future Leaders Forum, as they are the company’s ninth and 10th participants.

Future Leaders Forum Participants – The Great Lakes Construction Co.
2023-2024: Matt DeSapri & Drew Williams;
2019-2020: Tom Hackett & Sean Moloney;
2015-2016: Sean Compton & Jackie Jacob;
2013-2014: Greg Wisniewski;
2010-2011: Matthew Blesi & Christopher Stutz;
2007-2008: Jason Tucker

Alex Gaul
The Shelly Co.

A self-described “third-generation asphalt man,” Gaul has paved a successful career in his eight years with The Shelly Co.

A native of North Canton, Gaul began at the Thornville-based company in 2015 as a laborer, “more specifically a flagger,” he said. He joined the company’s paving crew the following year and “ran screw” two years later until becoming paving foreman in 2019. In 2022, he was promoted to project superintendent and this past June was named Shelly’s Northeast Personnel Director.

“I’ve always pictured myself in some sort of construction work,” Gaul said. “… My father was introduced to the road construction industry by his dad, and my dad gave me the same opportunity.” Though admitting if he wasn’t in heavy-highway construction he would be involved in residential or commercial building, Gaul is elated about working with The Shelly Co. – especially in his current role. “The freedom of my current position is invaluable. I’m able to see multiple crews and projects every day at my discretion. I also enjoy the opportunity to coach the next generation.”

Speaking of the future, the Future Leaders Forum is the first OCA activity Gaul has participated in. He was attracted to the group for its networking and insight into the different areas of the association and industry.

If he had one skill he wished to improve on, Gaul said, “I’d like to become more mechanically inclined so I could work on and restore a vintage car.”

Gaul and his wife, Katie, have a son and daughter. He enjoys time with the family, reading and playing golf and video games.

Joseph Nicholas
The Shelly Co.

Whether it is constructing a project or a pizza, Nicholas is one to enjoy the process – it makes the finished product all the better.

The Wellston native has been involved in the construction industry for 20 years, including the last 17 with The Shelly Co. He joined Shelly as a laborer and grade checker, and since 2015 has served as a Grade Department Manager and Scheduler. Having earned his field supervision certificate from Columbus State Community College, Nicholas is working toward a degree in construction management.

Nicholas said the aspect of successfully finishing a project is what he finds most exciting about being in the heavy/highway construction industry. “Still owning the jobs,” he said. “Laboring for 10 years, I could step back or drive through a project and admire the end project … As a manager, I still feel the pride when we deliver quality work.”

Now, about that pizza. Nicholas, his wife, Ashley, and their daughter – in a quest for a new hobby – recently began making pizza from scratch, the dough, the sauce, etc., to bake in their outdoor oven. “My wife said I made the easiest night of the week the hardest. She’s right,” he laughed.

While the Future Leaders Forum is the first OCA program he has participated in, Nicholas is sure it is the first step in becoming active in the association. “Working for the Shelly Company I have seen firsthand coworkers that have put their experience from the program to good use. I am confident the program will help me be a more competent ‘leader’ in our industry; no matter the role I find myself in,” he said.

Drake Williams
The Shelly Co.

Williams is proof of the power of career fairs. The Shelly Co. Construction Superintendent admits how one college career fair ultimately led to his professional path.

“I didn’t even know who Shelly was until I saw their booth at the Kent State career fair,” said the Carey native who graduated from Kent State University with a bachelor’s degree in construction management. “I was given a great opportunity to intern with some great people for two years and realized heavy/highway was the industry that I wanted to create a career in.”

Williams joined The Shelly Co. fulltime six years ago, having previously served the company as a project engineer and material coordinator. As construction superintendent, he enjoys not only the completion of the project but also overcoming its obstacles, as he said, “Seeing the progress on my projects, being on different projects and having new challenges are what I enjoy the most in my current position. I also like to drive the roads I have worked on and actually use the projects I’ve completed.”

With the future goal of managing a construction division, Williams is happy to be participating in the Future Leaders Forum. “I am excited to meet industry leaders and peers,” he said. “It will be very beneficial for me to learn more about the industry from a higher level than most people get the chance to.” He has also participated in OCA activities such as young professional networking and forecast events and trap shoots.

Williams and his wife, Kylie, recently welcomed a newborn son. Along with going to the zoo and other area activities, the young family enjoys weekend camping and boating.

Gaul’s, Nicholas’ and Williams’ participation in the OCA Future Leaders Forum brings The Shelly Co.’s number of Forum participants to 16 – which is the most of any association member.

Future Leaders Forum Participants – The Shelly Co.
2023-2024: Alex Gaul, Joseph Nicholas & Drake Williams;
2021- 2022: Adam Foshee;
2019-2020: Isaac Krinke, Ryan Packer & Andrew Taylor;
2017-2018: Michael Watson;
2013- 2014: Jason Kreischer;
2010-2011: Steven Lillich, Alex Ploetz, Eric Spicer & Michael Williams;
2007-2008: Ross Kirk, Tim Poppy & Chad Reel

Matt Grashoff
Hahn Loeser & Parks LLP

Grashoff’s career has grown with the growth of the construction clientele at Hahn Loeser & Parks LLP.

Joining the law firm in 2017, the Mentor native was named a Partner with the group earlier this year. “I was hired by Hahn Loeser to work as an associate in the Commercial Litigation and Construction practice groups,” said Grashoff, who is a graduate of Allegheny College and Case Western Reserve University School of Law. “Soon after I started, we began representing a large number of clients in the heavy/highway construction industry. Since I didn’t have much on my plate yet, I eagerly threw myself into working for the industry and haven’t looked back since.

“I love the variety that comes from working with the industry – you never know what new projects, issues, or disputes will come across your desk on a given day.”

Formerly a freelance videographer who also spent time working in the control room for a local Pittsburgh television station, Grashoff is hoping to gain a big picture look at OCA through the Future Leaders Forum. “It’s clear from looking at rosters of past participants that this is a program intended for serious people in the industry and that the relationships and understandings built in the program can be beneficial both to myself and to the industry in the future …” Grashoff has also attended OCA events such as forecast events and the Conaway and Winter conferences.

He and his wife have a young daughter, who Grashoff said refines his litigating skills on a nightly basis, as he continues “learning how to get a toddler to go to sleep at a reasonable hour and with a minimum of fuss.”

Gregory A. Thompson
Hahn Loeser & Parks LLP

Thompson’s work at Hahn Loeser & Parks seemingly fits his personality well, as he said, “I am a life-long learner and I really enjoy learning how things are built or made. Working in construction law combines that interest with my passion for advocacy.”

Practicing law since 2012, Thompson grew up in Tallmadge and continued his family’s legacy of attending Ohio University. He studied management information systems-project management and business law en route to earning a business administration degree. Following a stint working in suburban Columbus, Thompson attended and graduated from the University of Akron School of Law.

A Partner at Hahn Loeser & Parks, Thompson works in the firm’s Construction Group and practices all areas of Construction Law, including risk mitigation and avoidance, dispute resolution and avoidance and claims documentation and management. “I enjoy the people that I get to meet and work with,” he said. “Unlike many other areas of the law, I also think it is very cool to drive around town and see projects on which I or my firm have been involved.”

The Future Leaders Forum is one of several OCA activities Thompson has participated in, as he has also taken part in the association’s forecast nights and chapter golf, trap shooting and young professional events.

Speaking of the future, Thompson is excited about what lies ahead for the industry – listing investments in the CHIPS Act, electric vehicles, the Brent Spence Bridge and others.