Overview
The Construction Management Program Advisory Board consists of a broad range of stakeholders in the Twin Cities construction industry, from national and local general contractors, subcontractors, industry associations, faculty and alumni. It was highlighted during the 2012 ACCE accreditation visit as a “strength of the program.”
The Board was formed in the late 1990s to advise on the development of the Construction Management program and continues to keep the program informed on current industry trends. 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.
- Periodic review of the Construction Management curriculum and accreditation
- Review of any new Construction Management curricular or programmatic initiatives proposed by CCAPS
- 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
- Setting standards and policies for membership on the Board
- Serving as a resource on issues brought to the Board by CCAPS or other collegiate or private and public stakeholders
- Identification of potential faculty, particularly adjunct faculty
- 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, for renewable terms of three-years. The Chair of the Board is elected by the membership for a three-year term. There are presently 50 seats, with additional ex-officio members consisting of University staff and representatives of departments and colleges. The student group is represented on the Board, with the group president serving a one-year term.
Four committees 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.
Annual Board Meetings
Two meetings of the full Advisory Board are held each year. Summaries of the two most recent meetings are given below:
Fall Board Meeting: November 6, 2025 – Remote meeting via Zoom
Review of the current market strength. Companies at the end of their three year term were reappointed.
Program updates: Higher enrollment, the program will expand course offerings. Review of the success of the career fair; highest number of student attendees. Update on ABET reaccreditation, and accessibility updates to course websites. New real estate minor and certificate launched.
New Engagement and External Relations Director introduced, and plans for alumni engagement for the coming year. Reports were given on enrollments, student group activities, competition participation, and the study abroad program.
Discussion Topic: How much “science” is necessary for a construction management degree?
There were 31 attendees.
Spring Board Meeting: April 29, 2026 – In-person at Coffman Union
Roundtable review of the industry and anticipated issues.
Updates were shared on the study abroad program, student competition results, ABET accreditation; Advisory Board participation, and assessment. Reports were given on the real estate program; the increase in students, the increased need for internships, and the need for more faculty.
The Dean of CCAPS attended and spoke about the direction of the college and the alignment of CCAPS with the UMN Strategic Plan. The Senior Director of Engagement and External Relations spoke about a new hire in alumni engagement, and the restart of the mentor program.
A topic for offline discussion was given; How does Building Science, the Code and Commissioning factor into your work?
The student group gave an extensive report on their activities and plans for the future. Advisory Board members offered assistance.
There were 20 attendees.
Advisory Board Membership
| Member Organization | First Represented | Current Representative (Primary/Alternate) |
|---|---|---|
| Adolfson & Peterson | 2002 | Ben Bowman* |
| Advanced Design Contracting | 2021 | Foster Hackett |
| AGC MN – Associated General Contractors Minnesota Chapter | 2005 | Jenny Moore |
| American Engineering Testing, Inc. | 2010 | Rob Flickinger |
| Ames Construction | 2011 | Felipe Ortega |
| APi Construction Company | 2012 | Jake Castle |
| AWC – Association of Women Contractors | 2007 | Laura Karow |
| Braun Intertec | 2002 | Dan Martin |
| C. S. McCrossan | 2015 | Kenny Beck |
| CFMA – Construction Financial Management Association | 2012 | John Markert |
| Colliers International | 2019 | Mark Parten |
| Dakota County Technical College | 2021 | Scott Holm** |
| EDEN Resources | 2021 | Mariaha Dean** |
| Egan Company | 2002 | Reid Romer |
| Empirehouse, Inc. | 2002 | Mike Gilbert |
| Greiner Construction | 2019 | Hans Siefker |
| Habitat for Humanity | 2013 | Jake Kirchgessner |
| Hennepin County | 2016 | Gilbert Odonkor* |
| HGA Architects and Engineers | 2013 | Joe Tarlizzo |
| ICS | 2002 | Andy Faulkner* |
| IFMA - International Facilities Management Association | 2011 | Laura Magnuson |
| JE Dunn Construction | 2012 | Brett Dunlap* |
| KMS Construction | 2021 | Ken McCraley |
| Knutson Construction | 2012 | Mark Custer |
| Kraus-Anderson Construction Co. | 2002 | Patrick Mulcahey* |
| Loeffler Construction & Consulting | 2019 | Ben Nordquist |
| MBEX – Minnesota Builders Exchange | 2024 | David Siegel |
| MCA – Minnesota Construction Association | 2012 | Jennifer Wothe |
| McGough Companies | 2004 | Brian Baar* |
| Meyer Borgman Johnson | 2012 | Cullen O'Neill |
| MMCA – MN Mechanical Contractors Association | 2012 | Matthew Marquis |
| MN Department of Transportation | 2010 | Michael Beer |
| Mortenson Construction | 2012 | Avin Kallenbach |
| MSA – Minnesota Subcontractors Association | 2010 | Nick Frattalone |
| Opus Design Build | 2005 | Jeremy Cunningham** |
| PCL Construction Services, Inc. | 2005 | Brandi Rutten* |
| Pulte Homes | 2013 | Mike Barden |
| PWS | 2021 | Lee Meyer |
| RJM Construction | 2013 | Brian Recker* |
| Ryan Companies US, Inc. | 2010 | Ben Terry |
| SRF Consulting | 2022 | Curt Sohn |
| SullivanDay Construction | 2019 | Steve Day |
| Target Corporation | 2010 | Gen McJilton* |
| Tri-Construction | 2021 | Calvin Littlejohn |
| UM Capital Planning and Project Management | 2012 | Scott Everson |
| UM College of Science and Engineering | 2012 | Ann Johnson |
| Watson-Forsberg | 2010 | Katya Pilling ** |
| Weis Builders, Inc. | 2012 | Grant Weis |
| Wells Concrete | 2021 | Seth Falcon |
| Xcel Energy | 2022 | Dan Schilling |
* Alumni
** Faculty member