SPEAKERS

LYNN GUTHRIE BAUMGARDNER - The Baumgardner Group

Lynn was born and raised in Indiana and graduated from Purdue University in Construction Management.  After graduation, she moved to Atlantic City to work on casino construction projects.  She enjoyed the challenges of the construction industry and, since she grew up in a family of construction entrepreneurs, it was natural for her to start her own construction company. 

Lynn began her glazing company, Guthrie Glass and Mirror in 1986 and has ventured out into other areas in the construction industry.  Most recently, she formed The Baumgardner Group which consists of Guthrie Glass & Metal, Baumgardner Finishings Company and Palermo-BFC to provide more subcontracting services to commercial clients.  While she loves her work and those she works with, her true passion is for her wonderful family and her faith.  Lynn and her husband, George have 5 amazing children and she loves spending time with them in work and play. 

FRANK DI LORENZO - Preferred Strategies, Inc.

After graduating from Boston College in 1986, Frank went right to work in the construction software industry where he specialized in Cost Management Systems. He owned a successful construction software business, Con-Tec Management Systems Inc. located in San Francisco, CA and served the needs of contractors in Northern California from 1993 to 2010.

Frank then spent the next 9 years gaining expertise with several other Construction Specific ERP Solutions, and to date has either worked on or directly managed over 700 ERP and Project Management Solutions. Recently Frank has turned his attention to data analytics, and is helping companies become data driven leveraging visual reporting tools such as MS Power BI. An active member of the CFMA for over 28 years, Frank is proud to be a part of such a professional organization and seeks to give back wherever possible.

SHERRY GOODE - Withum

Sherry Goode is a detail-oriented Senior Manager with over 16 years of multifaceted experience working with technical and functional teams in fast-paced IT organizations. 

Sherry specializes in supporting development teams utilizing the Scrum framework to deliver innovative quality technology solutions.  Sherry is a strong Scrum Master who creates synergy between stakeholders, product owners, and development team members to ensure incrementally successful product delivery.  Sherry prides herself in helping teams to adopt and breathe the Agile Mindset.

DAVE HANRAHAN - Century Savings Bank

Dave Hanrahan has been a community banker in South Jersey for more than 35 years.

In 2020 he proudly joined Century Savings Bank as President, and in 2023 was promoted to CEO. Century's many strengths include its deep community roots and rich history, its liquidity and financial strength, its team of friendly, responsive bankers, and its mutual ownership structure.

Prior to Century, Hanrahan was President and CEO of Capital Bank of New Jersey for 13 years, from its 2006 beginning as a de novo in organization to its sale to OceanFirst Bank in 2019.

Prior to Capital, Hanrahan spent 16 years at The Bank of Gloucester County, now part of Fulton Financial Corporation.

Hanrahan holds a B.S. in Accounting from Rutgers University School of Business - Camden. He is also a graduate of the American Bankers Association’s (ABA's) Stonier Graduate School of Banking.

Hanrahan has been a speaker at numerous professional events, including those hosted by the FDIC, the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis, the Conference of State Bank Supervisors, Rutgers University, and Habitat for Humanity International.

In 2010 he was recognized by the New Jersey Bankers’ Association as a New Leader in Banking. In 2013 he was named a Professionally Accomplished Alumni by the Rutgers School of Business - Camden. He has also been repeatedly named by South Jersey Biz Magazine among its Power 50 and its Executives of the Year.

Hanrahan serves on the Boards of Directors of two New Jersey Bankers-affiliated organizations, Bankers Cooperative Group, Inc. and NJBankers Business Services. He has served as a member of the FDIC's Advisory Committee on Community Banking, the FDIC's Subcommittee on Supervision Modernization, the Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia's CDIAC, the Board of Atlantic Community Bankers Bank, the Rutgers University School of Business - Camden Dean's Leadership Council, the ABA Foundation Board, and the ABA Community Bankers Council. He is past Board President of the Cumberland County Habitat for Humanity and past Chairman of the ABA Community and Economic Development Committee. He's also a member of the Vineland Rotary Club and of Tenth Presbyterian Church in Philadelphia.

MARA JOHNSTON - Keystone Global

Mara Johnston is the CEO and Managing Principal at Keystone Global, a boutique advisory firm and investment bank.  Mara advises clients on strategic growth opportunities, through M&A, key personnel identification or growing into new markets and regions.  Keystone aligns clients with key partners on projects, obtains competitive financing and helps determine the most successful procurement approach.

Mara has dedicated her entire career to the Built environment and has a strong passion for the Construction industry.  Mara is also the Co-Founder and partner at Amaracon Testing & Inspections, LLC.  Amaracon focuses on providing streamlined materials and environmental testing, engineering, and inspections services for projects and the needs of contractors. 

Mara Johnston has been the recipient of several honors, some of which include 2022 National Top 20 Under 40 by Engineering News Record and Power Women Long Island  Mara is the past President of the NYC Chapter of the Construction Financial Management Association.  She currently holds her FINRA Series 24, 79 and 63 licenses, insurance brokers license in the State of New York and proficient in Spanish. Mara graduated from Bryn Mawr College with a BA in the Growth and Structure of Cities and holds her Masters Degree from the University of Pennsylvania in City and Regional Planning with a focus on Transportation and Infrastructure.

REBEKAH KULLER, CCIFP - Nielsen Builders, Inc.

Experienced construction financial accountant with CPA and CCIFP designations. Currently the CFO for Nielsen Builders, a general contractor in Harrisonberg, VA with prior experience at some of the nation’s largest GCs and Subcontractors. Passionate about strategic planning, cash management, and industry awareness. 

HEATHER KURTENBACH

Heather has been an IronWorker for 19 years. She completed her Apprenticeship in 2009 and has gone on to be a foreman, general foreman, and instructor and is currently the First Female Business Agent for her Local. I am not an International Agent.

JIM MCGETTIGAN, CCIFP - CBIZ MHM, LLC

A 30 year experienced professional serving the construction industry in financial management, accounting, and auditing. A CPA and Shareholder with Mayer Hoffman McCann P.C. (MHM) an independent CPA firm and Managing Director of Construction Industry Services with CBIZ MHM, LLC in the Philadelphia office. Also experienced in providing attest services for employee benefit plans. 

DANIEL MILES - FORVIS

Dan has more than 15 years of experience with an emphasis on closely held construction companies. He currently provides accounting, auditing, and advisory services to numerous construction clients, including general contractors, heavy highway, industrial, and numerous other specialty contractors. Dan works in our Richmond office and manages numerous assurance engagements. His responsibilities include engagement management, client correspondence, presentations, assurance file review, and staff supervision and scheduling.

Dan presently serves on the Audit and Accounting Committee in the Richmond office. He is a member of the American Institute of CPAs and Virginia Society of Certified Public Accountants. He is a Certified Construction Industry Financial Professional (CCIFP®). Dan is a graduate of Longwood University, Farmville, Virginia, with a B.B.A. degree with a minor in accounting.

A. ROSS MYERS - Allan Myers Inc.

A. Ross Myers is the Chairman of Allan Myers, a large heavy civil contracting firm headquartered in Worcester, Montgomery County, Pennsylvania. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Civil Engineering from Virginia Tech (1972). Upon graduation, he went to work for the family business, then known as Allan A. Myers and Son, and became the president of the company in 1983.

From a total of ten employees in 1972, the company has, under Ross’s direction, earned industry-wide recognition for its progressive and innovative management, well-trained and highly skilled workforce of over 2000, award-winning workplace safety programs, and consistently high levels of customer satisfaction.

Allan Myers is nationally ranked in Engineering New Record’s Top 50 Heavy Contractors and has been named one of Pennsylvania’s Top 100 Places to Work, and was named the Associated Builders & Contractors (ABC) National Contractor of the Year in 2012. In 2017, Engineering News-Record (ENR) named Allan Myers Mid-Atlantic Contractor of the Year, recognizing the firm’s culture of safety, family leadership, community contributions, and company growth.

Ross is the co-founder of the Myers-Lawson School of Construction at Virginia Tech, conceived as a liaison between the construction industry and the academic community. Today, the school is recognized as a leader in construction education, ranked in the top 10 construction programs.

Ross is also an active supporter of many regional and national charitable organizations. In 1986, he established a scholarship fund honoring his father, Allan C. Myers, for students of the local community college. To date, over 400 scholarships have been awarded, all from private donations raised by the Myers family. Ross is a member of the ACE/Mentor program, the Construction Industry Roundtable, the IIF Executive Forum and the Construction Industry Safety Initiative, and the Moles and Beavers.

JASON MYERS - FORVIS

Jason is National Industry Leader for Construction & Real Estate Practice at FORVIS. He has extensive experience providing assurance, accounting, and consulting services to both public and private companies. He was named the 2016 Emerging Growth Leader of the construction and real estate group.

He is a member of the American Institute of CPAs, Indiana CPA Society, and Construction Financial Management Association (CFMA). His writing has been published in CFMA: Building Profits magazine, and he is a past chair of the CFMA Publications Advisory Group. Jason currently serves as a CFMA Officer (Secretary), and has served on the CFMA Executive Committee and Diversity & Inclusion Committee.

He is a member of Asphalt Pavement Association of Indiana and The Associated General Contractors of America (AGC) and serves on the AGC program and membership committee. Jason has served as vice president of the Fishers Redevelopment Commission board. He currently serves on the Deans Advisory Council for Butler University Lacy School of Business and is a past member of the Master of Professional Accountancy Advisory Board and a former chair of the Hamilton Southeastern Academy of Finance advisory board. He also was a finalist for the 2017 and 2014 Indy’s Best and Brightest award in accounting and won the award in 2017. He is a graduate of Butler University, Indianapolis, Indiana, with a B.S. degree in accounting.

VICKI O’LEARY - Director of Diversity

Vicki O’Leary joined the Ironworkers International in January 2016. Since that time, she became Chair of the North American Building Trades Union (NABTU) Tradeswomen's Committee. She is a 30+ year member of Ironworkers Local #1 in Chicago.

She completed her triple major Bachelor of Arts degree in Union Leadership & Administration, Labor Education & Labor Studies from the National Labor College (2008) and obtained her Master of Arts Degree from Gonzaga University in Organizational Leadership (2012). She has also graduated for the Harvard Trade Union Program (HTUP- 2018) along with Cornell's National Labor Leadership Initiative (NLLI- 2018). She passionately strives for equal opportunity for all ironworkers - one that is free from bullying, harassment, and intimidation.

VAL OREKHOV, Withum

With over 25 years of experience in software development and IT consulting, Val helps clients improve efficiency and delight their employees and customers by deploying projects and services powered by the latest advances in Cloud Computing and AI. His expertise includes Web Development using .NET Framework 2-4.0, Enterprise Search Technologies like FAST and Google, and expert knowledge of the SharePoint platform.

Not only does he direct technology and modernization efforts for businesses and organizations in varying industries, but he also leads those efforts at Withum, setting the overall technical strategy and providing oversight for Withum’s projects.

Val is a sought-after speaker for conferences and user groups on topics of AI and the accounting profession. He supports nonprofits that do important work in global health and broadening access to medical treatment. Outside of the office, Val enjoys spending his free time with his family and raising his small children.

GRACE RAJEWSKI - Insurance Consultant

Grace Rajewski has more than 20 years of commercial insurance experience as a broker for global companies such as Marsh and USI.  Most recently she was a VP at CBIZ in insurance as well.  Grace also spent time consumer packaged good industry serving global clients.  Her focus has included industry specialization within the Manufacturing and Construction industries within the middle market to global market space. 

Her unrelenting client-centered approach has allowed her to objectively & consistently tailor unique solutions driving optimal client outcomes.  She has multi-state licenses in both Property and Casualty Insurance, as well as Life, Health and Annuities.  She also has her own risk management and consulting firm to support mid-market companies. Grace has a Master’s Degree in International Marketing from St. Joseph’s University during which she spent time in Southeast Asia. 

She currently resides in Pennsylvania with her husband and three children and her hobbies include baking, animal rescue, snowboarding, marathons/triathlons and various church positions.

TONY STAGLIANO, CCIFP - CBIZ MHM, LLC

CPA / Consultant at Stagliano Consulting LLC. A leading expert in construction industry financial management and tax consulting, Tony recently retired as a Shareholder at the accounting firm Mayer Hoffman McCann P.C. (MHM) and Managing Director of Architects Engineers & Constructors (AEC) services for CBIZ MHM, LLC (CBIZ). He consults exclusively to the A/E/C industry on financial and operations matters. 

DENNIS STEFANO - Rosenberg and Parker Surety Agency

Dennis is presently the National Director of Contract Surety for the Rosenberg and Parker Surety Agency. His career encompasses 30 plus years of surety company underwriting experience in both field and home office roles. Dennis has had direct underwriting involvement and responsibility for all types and ranges of surety clients on a national and international level. This includes extensive involvement with ENR Top 500 Contractors and Top 600 Specialty Firms, as well as small and emerging organizations. Significant experience has been gained working with complex surety programs and ownership transition challenges.

Dennis began his career at St. Paul Fire and Marine, followed by senior level surety positions with Liberty Mutual Surety and Arch Capital Group. Territorial leadership positions were held with Arch Surety with rotations that ultimately encompassed the entire country. Just prior to joining Rosenberg and Parker, Dennis served as Chief Underwriting Officer for Contract Surety at Arch Capital Group, with responsibility for direct oversight of the national contractor surety team and portfolio. Dennis is a graduate of Villanova University where he majored in Finance, and later attended St. Joseph’s University obtaining a MBA degree with a Finance concentration.

RYOTARO TASHIRO - Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia

As a senior outreach economist, Ryo Tashiro travels across the Third District, speaking to various groups about the economic outlook and the functions of the Federal Reserve. He tries to avoid using economic jargon so that those without economic backgrounds can participate in the conversations.

Ryo views these interactions with the public as two-way streets. Not only does he see the importance of informing the public about what is going on with the economy and at the Fed, Ryo also thinks it is important to hear what individuals across the District are experiencing in the economy. Many of the research topics Ryo has pursued were inspired by these conversations with the public. Those topics include his two main areas of focus, labor economics and demographics. Among his many contributions to the Bank, Ryo is notably responsible for the Chamber of Commerce for Greater Philadelphia Economic Outlook Survey.

Prior to joining the Bank in June 2016, Ryo was a business analyst for Bloomberg, where he conducted research on issues related to equity data quality. He has a master’s degree in economics from the University of Michigan–Ann Arbor and a bachelor’s degree in economics from Kenyon College.

JIM VINER - HSC Builders & Construction Managers

Jim Viner guides HSC’s strategic initiatives while collaborating closely with the executive team. He ensures that clients receive quality service by operating with a hands-on approach and connecting directly with owners and clients to help achieve their vision.

Jim firmly believes that a client’s success must come first, and only then will HSC’s success follow. This collaboration has proven to be the cornerstone to HSC’s repeat business.

Keeping HSC innovative is reflected in Jim’s staff. They are subject matter experts who have the necessary balance of technical expertise and emotional intelligence. He is committed to continued staff development through company-wide training programs and targeted skills training.

Jim has been employed at HSC Builders since 1998 with over 30 years’ of experience in healthcare, higher education, and life sciences construction management. Jim holds a Bachelor of Science degree from Lafayette College.

COURTNEY VITALE, Vice Chair of CFMA National DEI+ Committee

Courtney Vitale, she/her, is the Vice Chair of CFMA National DEI+ Committee and a recent CFMA National Conference panelist. 

An annual speaker at the AICPA Construction & Real Estate Planning conference and committee member, she attunes to language, expression, & impact.  Courtney is a Tax Director in the suburban Philadelphia office of CBIZ MHM, LLC, and a recent graduate of the Emerging Managing Director Academy.