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Lessons from Legends
When: Tuesday, March 25, 2007 | 11:30 am - 1:30 pm
Where: Villa Christina | 4000 Summit Boulevard | Atlanta, Georgia 30319 | 404-303-0133 | Map
Cost: $40 (member) | $55 (non-member) | $65 (walk-in)
Registration: Register online through 123 sign-up
SMPS Domain: 3-Client & Business Development | 6-Information, Resources, & Organizational Management
Continuing Education Hours: 1
Join us for this unique and exciting program as we learn how these local legends in the A/E/C industry made their way to the top. Hear what inspired them, about their successes, the challenges they’ve faced, and how they are giving back to the community as they share their lessons learned along the way.
Moderator:
Keith Douglas is Division Vice-President, The Whiting-Turner Contracting Company. Keith has overall operational responsibility for Whiting-Turner’s Atlanta, Charlotte and Raleigh offices. He also serves as the Director for Whiting-Turner's higher education work in the US.
Keith has twenty-five years of experience in the industry; all of which have been with Whiting-Turner. Although his experience includes a variety of delivery methods including traditional design-bid-build, design-build, and bridging, his passion is with the CM At-Risk (aka Design-Assist) delivery method. He is well versed at helping designers and owners find ways to maximize the value and quality of their projects by integrating construction know-how into the design process.
Keith received a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering from the University of Virginia. He is active in a number of industry associations including SMPS (Executive Advisory Panel), COAA (Programs Committee – National), AIA (Continuing Education Service Provider), DBIA (Programs Co-Chair), and SCUP. He recently completed his term as the president of the South Atlantic Chapter of CMAA. He also recently helped draft many portions of the new Georgia State Construction Manual for GSFIC and the Board of Regents.
Panelists:
Monica Bell is Global Director of Marketing and Business Development, CUH2A and is a recognized leader in architecture, engineering and planning for the science community. An enthusiastic and accomplished leader, Monica joined CUH2A in 1999 as Managing Principal to open their Atlanta office.
She has designed and implemented a national and international business development initiative; extending CUH2A’s presence throughout the US and into Europe and the Middle East. Under her direction, CUH2A marketing professionals have increased the firm’s hit rate by ten percent.
As the shareholder responsible for business development and marketing services, as well as internal and external communications, Monica has developed methodologies for efficiently utilizing and tracking business development and marketing data, including relevant financial and budget information. She also led the recent CUH2A re-branding effort, resulting in the development of printed collateral and the launching of a new website.
Monica believes in the strength of relationships and personally sets the example of a dedicated team player. She fosters creativity and collaboration among her group and enthusiastically endorses the entrepreneurial spirit.
An active member of the business community, Monica belongs to the Atlanta Chamber of Commerce, the Downtown Partnership, Emory Yerkes Directors’ Circle, the CDC Foundation, and sits on the Board of Directors of the Georgia Tech Foundation of the Parker H. Petit Institute for Bioengineering and Bioscience. Currently, she serves as Program Director for AEC Business Builders’ Forum. She has also served as Program Chairperson for IFMA (International Facility Management Association) as well as for the Georgia Biomedical Partnership. Monica received her BA from the University of Minnesota.
CUH2A architects, engineers and planners design the most advanced science and technology facilities in the world. Since its founding in 1962, CUH2A has designed over 60 million square feet of research and development space. The firm serves academic, corporate and government clients worldwide from offices in Atlanta, Dubai, London, New York, Princeton, San Francisco and Washington, DC.
Michael Russell is Chief Executive Officer of H.J. Russell & Company. Michael Russell was promoted to chief executive officer of H.J. Russell & Company in October 2003, succeeding his father Herman Russell, who founded the company in 1952 and led it for 50 years. A 20-year veteran of the construction and real estate development industry, Michael is charged with leading the company to greater heights as it embarks on its next 50 years.
Under his direction, the company has focused on improving the efficiency of its processes and systems and fully integrate its offerings to provide clients seamless end-to-end services. In addition, H.J. Russell will aggressively pursue untapped opportunities areas such as urban revitalization and geographically expand in select urban cities.
Known as an innovative thinker and manager who empower employees to bring fresh perspectives to their jobs, Michael’s talents are well-aligned with the company’s new structure, which encourages entrepreneurial efforts. He also serves as chief executive officer of Concessions International, another Russell company and one of the leading food service management companies in the country.
The Russell organizations employ more than 1,800 people and generate revenues of more than $300 million. The entities have project operations in Atlanta, Baltimore, Charlotte, Denver, Detroit, Miami, New York, Newark, Phoenix, Seattle, Tampa and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
Michael spent most of his career with H.J. Russell & Company, serving in a variety of executive positions, most recently as executive vice president where he was responsible for the management and strategic direction of the construction and program management divisions. During his tenure, he held a variety of positions from cost estimator to project manger to head of business development.
Michael has been involved in the construction industry since he was a youngster and early in his career worked with renowned developer and architect, John Portman, who provided him with invaluable experience in all aspects of the development business, including engineering, field supervision, project management and business development.
Michael received his Bachelor of Science degree in civil engineering from the University of Virginia and earned his MBA from Georgia State University.
Michael is very active in the community in various arenas. He serves on the Executive Committee of Metro Atlanta Chamber of Commerce, Commerce Club Board of Directors, Hands on Georgia Board, Georgia State Athletic Association Board, and Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta Foundation and previously was President of the Association of Builders and Contractors of Georgia.
Michael is a native of Atlanta. He and his wife Lovette have two sons, Michael Jr. and Benjamin.
Bill Viehman is Chief Marketing Officer for Perkins + Will. After receiving his architectural degree from Georgia Institute of Technology, Bill had a traditional professional “up-bringing” in the Heery organization. He became focused on business development and marketing, becoming the Director of Marketing for Heery International. Bill formed Nix Mann Viehman Architects as an extended partnership of Nix Mann & Associates in 1986. The partnerships were acquired by Perkins+Will in 1996.
As CMO of Perkins+Will, Bill leads the strategic planning process and is responsible for firm wide communication, both internal and external. Internal communication includes marketing data and reporting systems; external communication includes collateral marketing materials, web site development, brand management and public relations. Bill sits on the firm’s Board of Directors.
An active community advocate, Bill was recognized by the Atlanta Chapter of the AIA with the distinguished Ivan Allen Award for Community Service. He serves on the Metro YMCA Board of Directors and Georgia Tech’s College of Architecture Development Council. Bill has been active in the Society of Marketing Professional Services (SMPS) organization at the local, regional and national levels. He is a frequent speaker and panelist. He has also been involved in Leadership Atlanta, The Midtown Business Alliance, the High Museum, the Atlanta Botanical Garden and numerous organizations that serve homeless families and mentor women in business.
Bill resides in Atlanta, but looks for every opportunity to spend time in Maine with his one-owner ’71 VW convertible and his Seaway boat.
