Overview

The Construction Management Program Advisory Board was highlighted during the 2012 ACCE accreditation visit as a “strength of the program.” Composed of a broad representation of local industry, it is engaged and committed to the success of the program.

Formed in the late 1990s to promote the development of the Construction Management program, the Board was restructured in 2010 into a chartered, self-governing body of industry and construction/facility association professionals. Its mission is to advise the program on the direction of the industry as a whole and provide advice directly to the program in seven strategic areas.

  1. Periodic review of the Construction Management curriculum and accreditation
  2. Review of any new Construction Management curricular or programmatic initiatives proposed by CCAPS
  3. Identification of ways to integrate the larger industry community into the program by coordinating with student groups, faculty, and staff on such matters as fundraising, scholarship/endowment development, academic outreach, public relations, and enrollment growth
  4. Setting standards and policies for membership on the Board
  5. Serving as a resource on issues brought to the Board by CCAPS or other collegiate or private and public stakeholders
  6. Identification of potential faculty, particularly adjunct faculty
  7. Facilitation of industry activities in support of students and learning

Seats on the Advisory Board are held by an organization, rather than by an individual. Seats are held on a three-year renewable basis. There are presently 50 seats chartered, with additional ex-officio members consisting of University staff and representatives of departments and colleges. The student and alumni groups are represented on the Board, with the group presidents serving a one-year term.

Four standing committees designated in the charter meet on an as-needed basis: an Executive Committee, Academic Committee, Development Committee, and Student Activities and Outreach Committee. Ad hoc committees may be formed at any time to explore specific issues or initiatives.

CMGT Advisory Board Bylaws

Annual Board Meetings

Two meetings of the full Advisory Board are held each year.

Fall Board Meeting: November 2, 2023
This meeting was held via Zoom. Member companies at the end of their three year term were reappointed to the Board.  Reports of program activity and enrollments were given.  Fund-raising opportunities were shared.  A curriculum review of the program was announced, and breakout sessions discussed specific areas of the program; planning and scheduling, estimating, technology and surveying, curriculum structure, and safety.  Reports on the mentor program and alumni activities were shared.

There were 35 attendees. Meeting minutes available on request.

Spring Board Meeting: May 22, 2024 - 25th Anniversary Celebration
This meeting was held in person at Northrop Auditorium, on the Minneapolis Campus.  A resolution of support for the program was shared with the Board supported by remarks from three speakers.  Robert Stine, Dean of the College of Continuing and Professional Studies, recognized and thanked the Advisory Board for their curriculum recommendations, for supporting students with scholarships, internships, and construction site tours, and for hiring Construction Management graduates.  William Scherling, one of the first graduates, spoke with gratitude for the positive impact of the program on his career, for the flexible way the classes are offered, and for Faculty Director Peter Hilger’s vision, leadership and care for students.  Peter Hilger shared ten key achievements of the program, including enrollment, and scholarship statistics, accreditation, the WEC writing initiative, student competitions, and the study abroad opportunity.  The formal remarks were followed by a networking reception sponsored by Board companies ICS, Kraus-Anderson, Adolfson & Peterson Construction, and McGough.

There were 25 attendees. Meeting minutes available on request.

Advisory Board Membership

Board membership in summer 2023 stood at 50 members.

Member OrganizationFirst RepresentedCurrent Representative (Primary/Alternate)
Adolfson & Peterson2002Ben Bowman, Mark Liska
Advanced Design Contracting2021Foster Hackett
AGC MN - Associated General Contractors Minnesota Chapter2005Matt Semerad*
American Engineering Testing, Inc.2010Rob Flickinger, Mike McCarthy
Ames Construction2011Paul Kolias*
APi Construction Company2012Jake Castle, Oliver Warzecha
AWC - Association of Women Contractors2007Laura Karow
Braun Intertec2002Dan Martin
C. S. McCrossan2015Kenny Beck, Katy Maus
CFMA - Construction Financial Management Association2012John Markert
Colliers International2019Mark Parten
CPMI2002Andy Faulkner, John Stelten
Dakota County Technical College2021Scott Holm**
EDEN Resources2021Mariaha Dean**
Egan Company2002Reid Romer
Empirehouse, Inc.2002Mike Gilbert
Greiner Construction2019Hans Siefker
Habitat for Humanity2013Jake Kirchgessner
Hennepin County2016Gilbert Odonkor*
HGA Architects and Engineers2013Joe Tarlizzo, Dale Wenkus
IFMA - International Facilities Management Association2011Laura Magnuson
JE Dunn Construction2012Brett Dunlap*
KMS Construction2021Ken McCraley
Knutson Construction2012Mark Custer, Katya Pilling
Kraus-Anderson Construction Co.2002Patrick Mulcahey*
Loeffler Construction & Consulting2019Ben Nordquist
MCA - Minnesota Construction Association2012Jennifer Wothe, Corinna Hastings
McGough Companies2004Dan McKay
Meyer Borgman Johnson2012Cullen O'Neill, Murphy Curran
MMCA - MN Mechanical Contractors Association2012Matthew Marquis
MN Department of Transportation2010Michael Beer
Mortenson Construction2012Avin Kallenbach, Joe Pritzkow
MSA - Minnesota Subcontractors Association2010Nick Frattalone, Tony Grazzini
Opus Design Build2005Jeremy Cunningham**
PCL Construction Services, Inc.2005Brandi Rutten*, Sean Scott
Pulte Homes2013Mike Barden
PWS2021Lee Meyer
RJM Construction2013Brian Recker*
Ryan Companies US, Inc.2010Ben Terry, Mike Cairl
SRF Consulting2022Curt Sohn
SullivanDay Construction2019Steve Day
Target Corporation2010Gen McJilton*
Tri-Construction2021Calvin Littlejohn
UM Capital Planning and Project Management2012Scott Everson, Richard Johnson
UM College of Science and Engineering2012Ann Johnson
Watson-Forsberg2010Dale Forsberg
Weis Builders, Inc.2012Nikki Hauck, Chris Krieg
Wells Concrete2021Greg Roth, Mike Mortensen
Xcel Energy2015Dan Schilling

* Alumni
** Faculty member