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Presenters

Molly received her Chemical Engineering degree from Yale University and worked at ExxonMobil in various leadership positions in their petrochemicals division prior to joining Scott at Cutler Development part-time in 2020 and full-time in 2022. Molly serves on the board of the USGBC Iowa Chapter and is committed to accelerating green building practices, technologies, policies and standards in the Midwest.

Scott received his Construction Engineering degree from Iowa State University and a Master’s in Finance from Colorado State University before working for the nationwide developer OPUS in Denver as well as for a local development company in Des Moines. Scott founded Cutler Development in 2017. Scott serves on the board of the Des Moines YMCA Supportive Housing Campus, a facility that helps people experiencing or at-risk of experiencing homelessness move into stable and secure permanent housing supplemented by supportive services.

Scott & Molly Cutler

Owners/Cutler Development

Robert Norton is at the forefront of mass timber design, serving as IMEG’s Mass Timber Task Force Chair and leading the design on over half a million square feet of mass timber construction. He is a graduate of Cal Poly San Luis Obispo University and a Professional Engineer with 10 years of structural engineering design experience. This experience includes new and existing mixed-use, residential, hospitality, office, and commercial building structures, as well as major remodels and seismic retrofits to existing buildings. Robert is a member of the Structural Engineers Association of Northern California and the Earthquake Engineering Research Institute.

Robert Norton

Senior Structural Engineer

Dave Kast, PE, is the Client Executive for IMEG’s structural team in Denver and a Principal with the firm. Dave has been involved in structural engineering projects from the Greater Rocky Mountain region to the West Coast and Antarctica, providing services to Architects, Contractors, and Owners for more than 20 years. He has a reputation for providing creative solutions and exceptional service on a diversity of project types and has extensive experience with new building and adaptive reuse projects, including high-rise and low-rise structures. He has worked on several mass timber projects, including Thrive Apartments and Second Chance Center—both affordable housing projects in Denver—and the Lone Rock Retreat in Bailey, CO, winner of ENR’s 2022 Best of the Best Project Award in the residential/hospitality category. Dave is a licensed Professional Engineer in Colorado and earned a Bachelors of Science degree with honors in Civil Engineering from the University of Pittsburgh

Dave Kast

Principal / Client Executive

Nic's an investor, firefighter, veteran and die-hard optimist. He and Brady cofounded Mass Timber Group to help bring more Mass Timber into the world, specifically into the multifamily space. Nic serves as an executive committee member of the Colorado Mass Timber Coalition helping to bring the state to the front of the Mass Timber movement. He's incredible passionate about building multifamily Mass Timber buildings to improve access to affordable, healthy homes that are great for the planet too. He and his partner are on a mission to bring Mass Timber education to the entire world.

Nic Wilson

CEO & Founder

Simon Siegert, serving at Binderholz group since 2021, specializes in sustainable timber construction, particularly in the mass timber and CLT domain. With over 20 years of experience in designing with mass timber, managing mass timber projects and implementing and managing manufacturing processes,

Simon Siegert

The "US Guy" & Head of Business Development

Lee Scott studied Biosystems Engineering at the University of Manitoba and received an MBA from the Saundermoen School of Business. Throughout his career Lee has worked as a legal and construction surveyor, a Civil Engineer, and now applies his extensive background in construction and design to his current role of managing Sales for Element5 in Canada and the United States.
Lee has worked on mass timber projects of all sizes and market segments across North America and has an intimate knowledge of the mass timber design for manufacturing and assembly process.

Lee Scott

Manager | Sales & Business Development

Coming from an architectural background Luke is passionate about material technology, art, design, and building solutions. This has led him to the creation of: -ReNüTeq - (Material Technology Company) Structural Engineered Bamboo Technologies.

Luke began his material technology research at the family farm engineering bamboo beams for structural applications in 2003 (his final year of architecture school). This lead to his life’s work as the internationally recognized researcher, creator, and innovator of the disrupting material technology: SEB (Structural Engineered Bamboo) for performance-based, architectural, & structural applications. In 2009, as an ASTM D07 Voting member, he initiated & lead the
integration of SEB (Structural Engineered Bamboo) into ASTM’s Testing Standards Code under ASTM 5456 and serves as Chairman of the task
group: D07.02.03.

SEB/LVB was officially added into the International Building Code in 2012 as well as ICC-ES’s AC47. In 2017, he developed new patented
technologies (RLB) RadLam (Radial Laminated Bamboo) around the fiber procurement processes, production, and engineering of structural grade beams, panels, and components. ReNüTeq is the world leader in structural engineered bamboo technologies.

Luke Schuette

President & CEO

Ankit is PCL's champion for mass timber projects, always looking for new ways to capitalize on the market. He their go-to person for all things mass timber, presenting the program internally to their offices and presenting on the market externally.

He's responsible for managing PCL's preconstruction and estimating department and overseeing all pursuits, preconstruction, and design management efforts for projects within the Rocky Mountain Region. Focused on the resort/hospitality, multi-family, higher education, aviation, office, commercial mixed-use, sports & entertainment, institutional, high-tech and civil infrastructure market sectors. He's deeply passionate about mass timber and advocating for it's expanded use throughout the construction industry through education and public speaking engagements.

Ankit Sanghvi

Director of Preconstruction & Estimating

Brady cofounded Mass Timber Group to help bring more Mass Timber into the world, specifically into the multifamily space. He's an experienced infill developer and real estate investor passionate about building homes that are heathy for both people and the planet. After learning about Mass Timber, he found it challenging to to find multifamily/residential specific resources and teams to learn from. Together with his business partner, Nic, they made it their mission to solve that problem.

Brady Potts

COO & Founder

Beginning a post-graduate architectural career in Seattle, Tim Politis initially worked under the leadership of skilled Architects who inspired him to explore buildings that combine Design Vision with Technical Expertise. Prior to establishing One Line Studio in Denver, Tim worked for three architectural firms that received State and National AIA firm of the Year awards for their leadership in design and material innovation, including: Olson Kundig Architects, Miller Hull Partnership, and Roth Sheppard Architects.

In a desire to pursue projects that focus upon discovery and design quality, Tim founded One Line Studio in 2012. One Line Studio originates from the belief that the first move (often the first gesture on paper) is significant in setting ideas into motion, defining the critical path, and leading to creative problem solving. The studio has evolved into a collaborative group that works closely with designers, developers, builders, fabricators, and innovators to seek inventive solutions that turn project constraints into opportunities.

Tim Politus

Principal Architect & Founder

Annie works to inspire and advance positive change by accelerating sustainable development by using certified wood products. Her experience in product transparency, climate change, and the circular economy, coupled with her passion to improve communities near and far, supports that mission. As an accredited LEED Green Associate, Chair U.S. Green Building Council MN, Middle St. Croix Watershed board member, and Council Member for the City of Afton, MN, Annie casts a wide net in efforts to improve the world. Her love for all living things fuels her work, and play—you’ll find her skiing or biking in the mountains or chillaxing along the banks of the Saint Croix National Wild and Scenic River.

Annie Perkins

Senior Director | Green Building & Supply Chain

Michael grew up in Winnipeg and studied Architecture at the University of Manitoba. Following school, he spent two years in commercial and residential construction, gaining valuable insight into project management and effective problem solving. Michael’s favourite part of his job is creating personal connection with clients and helping them achieve their visions. Since joining Cornerstone in 2015, he has helped hundreds of clients complete projects big and small with custom timber designs and visualizations

Personal notes

Enjoys sports, both as a player and a fan (our March Madness expert)

Always ready for DIY work, especially home renovations and yard improvements

Loves a Saturday morning coffee with a good read

Michael Pankratz

Design Lead

Rodney Milton is the Executive Director of Urban Land Institute (ULI) Colorado. Rodney holds two master’s degrees from Florida State University and a B.S. in History from Florida A & M University. He served the City of Atlanta for nearly a decade advancing innovative approaches to place-keeping and place-making and cultivated strong relationships with the development community through thoughtful policy and strategic decision making.

Following his time at the City of Atlanta, Milton joined the Atlanta BeltLine, Inc. (ABI) as a Senior Housing Policy and Development Manager. The nationally noted BeltLine seeks to connect 45 neighborhoods through transit, trails, economic development, and affordable housing. Milton established a model for equitable development without displacement piloting a legacy resident tax relief program and partnering with service providers to administer funding for rental assistance, estate planning, and small business assistance.

Rodney moved back to the Denver area to join the City of Aurora as its Manager of Community Development. There he was charged with the stewardship of federal funds and the implementation of the City’s recently adopted Housing Strategy. He led a team that responded to the COVID-19 pandemic by deploying roughly $15 million in emergency assistance to stabilize Aurora residents.

Rodney Milton

Executive Director

Ryan, a graduate of Colorado State University’s Construction Management program, possesses a wealth of experience in his 18 years in the construction industry. He excels at reviewing constructability, finding new and innovative construction methods, and developing successful project schedules. Ryan is a Mass Timber advocate with a specific focus and passion in self-performing Mass Timber erection. Ryan was the lead Superintendent on University of Denver -Burwell Career Achievement Center leading the planning and execution of the erection of this 3 story, 27,000 sf, 100% mass timber building. Ryan continues to be an advocate within PCL, helping advise, plan and pursue with Mass Timber opportunities throughout the company.

Ryan Marshall

Lead Superintendent - Special Projects PCL Denver

Iain has served as TallWood Design Institute’s Director since 2016. Born and raised in Scotland, Iain obtained a marketing degree from Stirling University before spending time in Japan working in international education. He subsequently moved to Vancouver, Canada where he got his first introduction to the wood products industry as an export marketing director serving Japan and Asia Pacific markets. From there Iain took a position at the Centre for Advanced Wood Processing (CAWP) at the University of British Columbia, where he developed and coordinated industry training and technical assistance projects for Canadian value-added wood products manufacturers. His work in British Columbia involved early support for the first mass timber projects in North America.

Iain MacDonald

Director

Ryan Lobello is a Director in Handel Architects’ Denver office, which he co-founded in 2022 after spending ten years in the firm’s New York City office. Mr. Lobello has focused on sustainably designed high-rise residential and mixed-use projects, and he is currently serving as Project Manager for a 3-building 660,000 SF mixed-use development in Atlanta, GA, adjacent to the landmark Ponce City Market building. The project has an aggressive decarbonization strategy, featuring all-electric technology, and includes a mass timber office building called 619 Ponce, a 400-key hospitality tower, 160 unit rental residential building along the Atlanta BeltLine, and 50,000 sf of vibrant retail.

Mr. Lobello’s previous work at Handel Architects includes serving as Project Architect for Cornell Tech’s residential tower, The House, on the new Roosevelt Island campus in New York City. Completed in 2017, The House was the largest Passive House residential building in the world when it was completed. Mr. Lobello then served as Project Architect for Sendero Verde, Handel Architects’ new 100% affordable project in East Harlem, NY. Sendero Verde is also being built to Passive House standards and will be the world’s largest fully affordable Passive House building. Phase 1 opened in 2022 and Phase 2 is currently in construction. He was also Project Designer for Hollywood Center in Los Angeles, a two tower project with approximately 500 residential units, a boutique hotel with 200 keys, Class A office space, parking for 1,800 cars, a fitness club, as well as restaurants and retail.

Prior to joining Handel Architects, Mr. Lobello served as Director of the International Studio at Studio Pei-Zhu in Beijing where he worked on a number of mixed-use residential, cultural, and commercial projects. And at Ehrlich Architects in Los Angeles where he worked on a number of award winning single-family residences. Mr. Lobello received his Master of Architecture from the University of Cincinnati.

He is a member of the AIA, licensed architect in Illinois and Colorado, member of ULI, member of New York Passive House, and is a Certified Passive House Designer through the Passive House Institute.

Ryan Lobello

Senior Associate, Director

Andre Lema is a seasoned professional in the wood industry, bringing a wealth of experience and expertise to his role as the Business Development Manager at Western Archrib. His journey in this field began as a carpenter, where he honed his craft and developed a deep understanding of wood construction. Eager to expand his knowledge, Andre pursued a degree in Construction Engineering at NAIT.

Andre spent a decade in the wood truss business. In 1995, he joined Western Archrib. Currently, as the Manager of Business Development, Andre plays a crucial role in the early stages of projects, collaborating closely with builders, developers, architects, and engineers. His dedication to fostering partnerships and identifying growth opportunities has been instrumental in the success of Western Archrib.

Beyond his professional life, Andre is an outdoor enthusiast with a particular love for mountain activities. He also enjoys woodworking, showcasing his passion for all things wood.

Andre Lema

Business Development Manager

Chris Kendall has over 15 years of experience as a consulting structural engineer and is a Principal at KL&A Engineers and Builders. He has diverse experience in commercial building design with most common materials and has special expertise in multi-family residential and mass timber. Known by his clients for creativity and respect for architecture, Chris is the Structural Engineer of Record on several mass timber buildings in Colorado including: Platte Fifteen, TSD High Plains and the DU Burwell Center for Career Achievement.

A Colorado native, he has a Bachelors of Science and a Masters of Science in Civil engineering with an emphasis in structures, both from Colorado State University. Outside of the office, Chris likes to golf, hang out with his family, and attend sporting events.

Chris Kendall

Principal | Senior Project Manager

Ty Kayton

Preconstruction Manager

Leif Johnson

Structural Engineering Director

Jake was born and raised in Toronto where he first gained interest in construction, working for a residential General contracting company he was curious about many trades. He went to trades college and became certified as a Gas Technician. After exposure to large commercial construction projects, he went back to get his C.E.T. designation from Red River College. Jake worked for one of the largest General Contactors in North America where he was first introduced to Mass Timber and decided that this progressing construction methodology was the way of the future. He joined Cornerstone Timberframes in September of 2023 and was tasked with expanding the Commercial Construction portion of the business.

Personal notes:

Is an avid fisherman and has caught 49 species across 3 continents

May be found talking to his TV during a hockey game

He and his wife love the outdoors, whether its gardening or hiking they are often outside with their two dogs

Jake Howe

Project Manager & Director of Commercial Sales

Michaela is a systems-thinker passionate about sustainability with an array of research and development experience across the wood construction supply chain. By incorporating sophisticated engineering models and standards-compliance alongside strategic management, she works to accelerate international innovation in diverse and emerging markets. Her positions sit at the unique crux of manufacturing efficiencies, engineering management and business development to drive solutions and leadership in the building products sector.

Michaela specializes in business development, strategy, standards compliance and engineering within the forest products and sustainable construction sectors. Her prior experience includes leading the R&D/Strategy department for a structural round timber manufacturer, serving as the engineered wood products and sustainable forestry expert for an international certification body and managing algorithm development for construction sustainability software. Her work has been published in Structures Magazine and in 2021 presented to Wisconsin State Government officials making the case for mass timber building code updates to support Wisconsin’s woodland economies. Michaela holds a bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering focused on Sustainable Building from Metropolia University of Applied Sciences, Helsinki, Finland.

Michaela Harms

Senior Director of Mass Timber

Aaron Gould has over 20 years of international experience in design and construction, with a focus on health and durability. After guiding climbing, whitewater, and mountaineering, while gaining proficiency as a carpenter/tradesman, he went on to found and lead design, construction, and consulting businesses. He is currently enjoying his 11th year with VaproShield, of Gig Harbor, WA, heading up Sustainability globally. Examples from his project CV, include experience on: mass timber, hospitals, hotels, high rises, mixed use, net zero developments, government facilities, art museums, historic restorations, schools/universities, and the occasional tree house. Recent speaking engagements include: University of Miami Schoolf of Architecture, Auburn University CLT Symposium, RDH’s New England Mass Timber Symposium, and the International Mass Timber Conference. He lives and plays outside of Chattanooga, TN, with his wife and children. Aaron’s professional focus centers on fostering a spirit of collaboration with amazing people to achieve resilient, regenerative buildings. "If a building leaks, it is not sustainable." Aaron is a member of the following organizations and institutions:
Clemson University's WU+D, midfulMaterials, WMF, IIBEC, NIBS/BEC, ABAA, RAiNA, TVOS, Young Farmers, Build ReUse, and Green|Spaces.

Aaron Gould

Head of Sustainability

Meet Trent, the friendly guy who swapped Iowa cornfields for the big skies of Texas and quickly found a love for the fascinating world of mass timber.

When it comes to mass timber, Trent isn’t just installing it; he loves making connections and building relationships in the industry. From sustainable forestry practices to cutting-edge construction techniques, he’s got his finger on the pulse of all things mass timber. If you’re looking for someone well-connected and in the know, Trent is your go-to guy.

Mass timber really is on his mind at all times. When he’s not in the field for an install or collaborating with engineers on the next project, you’ll likely find him partnering with local schools to share experiences and insights to inspire the next generation of construction professionals.

For Trent, every board tells a story, every connection is a new adventure, and the possibilities are endless in the mass timber industry.

Trent Debth

VP of Operations & Founder

Ed has 20+ years of engineering and construction management experience. He brings extensive engineering experience with Multi-Family Construction, Mid-Rise and Podium projects. He also excels in project management and engineering of commercial and industrial mechanical systems and transportation projects.

Edward Chin

Senior Offsite Business Specialist - Mass Timber

Aedan Callaghan is a materials engineering graduate from McGill University. Aedan has become Pliteq's subject matter expert on acoustical isolation for achieving impact and airborne sound transmission in mass timber construction with project experience on numerous mass timber buildings in Western Canada and the Pacific Northwest USA. As Pliteq's Director of Mass Timber Acoustics he has been involved in over 100 mass timber projects providing engineering support and on-site training. He is passionate about decarbonizing construction. While based in Vancouver, winter weekends are spent watching hockey or up in Whistler skiing and summer weekends are at Kits beach or East Van breweries.

Aedan Callaghan

Director | Mass Timber and Technical Services

Hannes is CEO of Rotho Blaas USA and followed the development of modern timber construction in different countries around the world very closely. While working in Switzerland, the UK, Canada, USA, and since recently China, he tries to support the industry’s continuous development and expansion. Rothoblaas is one of the leading suppliers for special building material and integrated solutions for the mass timber construction industry, developing tomorrow’s fasteners, acoustic products, waterproofing and vapor control, tools and fall protection systems.

Hannes Blaas

CEO

As one of the first employees of Milender White Construction Co., which he joined in 1998, Allen has helped to create the company’s strong processes for safety and field operations. A native of Minnesota, Allen graduated from North Dakota State University with a bachelor’s degree in construction management. His desire for large-project construction brought him to the Denver area in 1994. As Field Operations Executive, he is passionate about working with superintendents on field-related operations while ensuring the safety and health of the company’s employees and subcontractors. Allen’s wide-ranging project experience has developed his talent for scheduling and logistical management of multifaceted projects in all types of conditions. He is an active member of the Rocky Mountain Chapter of Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC), and he oversees Milender White’s apprenticeship program with the Construction Industry Training Council of Colorado (CITC).

Allen Becker

VP & Field Operations Executive

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