SPEAKERS

Deputy Chief Economist & Managing Director- BMO

Michael is part of the team responsible for forecasting and analyzing the North American economy and financial markets. He has spent his career working in either economics or financial markets research for firms on both sides of the Canada-U.S. border. Prior to his current role, Michael headed up the Financial Services Analysis team at Bank of Montreal, focusing on regulatory and industry restructuring issues, before shifting to BMO Capital Markets Economics in 2004. He moved to Chicago in 2013, providing research support for the U.S. and Canadian fixed income business, before returning to Toronto in 2016.

Michael is a graduate of Concordia University in Montreal and Western University in London, Ontario. He did doctoral studies at Fordham University in New York City, and holds a Chartered Financial Analyst designation.

CISO- Hoop5 Networks

As Chief Information Security Office (CISO), Russ provides strategic guidance and security consulting to Hoop5 customers by working to align business objectives with technology solutions. Russ works to meet the unique needs of each client by developing IT Security strategies with a focus on DFARS, CMMC, ITAR, & NIST compliance.

Russ has over 18 years of IT and industry experience including procurement developer with a focus in security for SDG&E, and as a government contractor. Russ’ technical training and background include: Microsoft, VMware, Duo, Webroot, InTune, Meraki, Barracuda, Perception Point, SentinelOne, and Arctic Wolf. Russ has earned his CMMC Registered Practitioner certification.

Senior Manager- Moss Adams

Charlie has practiced public accounting since 2015. He has been with Moss Adams since 2018, working with closely held family businesses and private clients. Charlie serves clients by identifying tax planning opportunities, tax compliance, and handling taxing authority examinations. He spends most of his time with flow-through entity tax structures. Additionally, Charlie serves as the regional tax technology leader for the firm.

CFO Secretary/Treasurer- Tovey/Shultz Construction, Inc.

Frances has over 25 years of experience in accounting and finance and has spent the last 20 years with TS where she drives the company’s financial initiatives, including corporate financial planning, forecasting and analysis, ensuring effective internal controls, strategic and business planning, job costing, risk management, and oversight of legal matters. Additionally, Frances maintains the company’s relationships with banking, surety and insurance agencies. As a member of the TS Executive Management Team, she is responsible for building upon strengths and ensuring they coincide with the company’s core values and commitment towards customers, subcontractors, and team members.

Partner Emeritus- Baker Tilly

John Murdough is a partner emeritus with Baker Tilly US, LLP. A member of the firm’s construction practice, John specializes in audit and accounting, tax issues, business and management consulting, business problem solving, and transition and strategic planning. He received his Master of Business Administration from Arizona State University, and his Bachelor of Business Administration from Pepperdine.

John's dedication and passion for the construction industry are unparalleled. With a career spanning over three decades, he has tirelessly worked to support and empower those within the construction community. His mission to preserve the family-owned nature of the industry has been a driving force behind his endeavors. His commitment to excellence and innovation has earned him the respect and admiration of colleagues and clients alike.

John has been teaching seminars for more than 30 years on a national and local level both for the Arizona Builders Alliance and the Sheet Metal and Air Conditioning Contractors' National Association (SMACNA). He was instrumental in developing the nationally recognized Leadership Develop Program (LDF) for the Arizona Builder Alliance graduating over 800 individuals in the past 28 years. He also co-authored the book Managing the Profitable Construction Business: The Contractors Guide to Success and Survival Strategies. John taught a course he developed in the business of construction at ASU’s Del E. Webb School for Construction for 10 years.

Outside of work, you can find John enjoying the outdoors and spending time with his family. He also enjoys photography, drawing, and painting.

Partner- PSGM Law

Julie Pace’s practice handles employment law, handbooks, drug and alcohol policies, I-9 and E-Verify compliance, OSHA, independent contractor and alleged misclassification issues with DES and other government agencies, and defends claims of sexual harassment, employment discrimination, retaliation, whistleblower, and wrongful discharge, and against charges by the EEOC or ACRD. She handles matters involving OSHA, ICE, OFCCP, DOL, NLRB, ADA, FMLA, ERISA, PPA, CARES Act, SIGPR Audits, COVID-19, ACA, Davis-Bacon, wage and hour laws, FAR, SCA, and government contracts. She regularly provides training to companies and assists with investigations.

President- DP Electric

Danielle Puente is an Arizona native and has been around construction much of her life. Danielle attended the University of Arizona before earning her CPA license and starting her career in public accounting. In 2015, Danielle joined the family business as the Controller of DP Electric and quickly learned the finance and human resources side of the business. In 2018, Danielle was promoted to Chief Financial Officer where she oversaw all financial aspects of the business and started to get more closely involved with preconstruction and operations. Since 2018, Danielle has been the main driver of strategic planning and overall company culture and was promoted to President at the start of 2023. In this new role, Danielle is focused on building the best work environment for the team and growing the business in a way that aligns with the company’s values.

D.P. Electric is a commercial electrical contracting company with over 800 employees in Arizona and Texas. As an 100% employee-owned company, Danielle’s primary responsibility is building shareholder value for all employee owners. She is currently involved in various associations including the Arizona Builder Alliance, Arizona Growth Advisors and Construction Financial Management Association (CFMA) and the recipient of various awards including one of AZRE’s Most Influential Women in Commercial Real Estate in 2023.

Principal- CLA

Russ is a principal with CLA's Bay Area, California practice and is located in the Walnut Creek office. He has over fifteen years of experience working with privately held general contractors and subcontractors ranging from small regional clients to large multi-state and multi-entity corporations. Russ specializes in analysis of complex construction accounting matters, work-in-progress schedule analysis and best practices recommendations, and consulting related to implementation of accounting standards and policies.

Russ focuses primarily on financial statement audits and reviews for privately held contractors. He also enjoys working on special consulting projects and non-traditional engagements, where he can spend more one-on-one time with his clients and share experience he has gained from years of working with contractors.

Russ is a frequent speaker on construction accounting and auditing matters. He is a member of the planning committee and presenter at the annual AICPA Construction and Real Estate Conference, and he is an instructor for UCON's Project Manager Career Advancement program and Virtual Continuing Education series.

Vice President, Chief Financial Officer - Griffith Company

In 2014 Steve joined Griffith Company as a Job Cost Controller. Within a few years of joining he became the Corporate Controller and ultimately Chief Financial Officer. In his current role Steve is responsible for overseeing the operational accounting, financial management, and treasury functions of the organization.

Prior to joining Griffith Company Steve spent nearly 15 years serving in the role of financial manager for both Mechanical and Electrical construction firms. During that time he sharpened his skills in job cost accounting, joint venture accounting, ERP conversions, process improvements and internal control development. He holds a BA in Economics from the University of California at Los Angeles and an MBA from California State University at Fullerton. Steve has been a member of the Orange County Chapter of the Construction Financial Management Association (CFMA) since 2010 and also served as chapter President in 2014/2015.

CFO- Brady West Inc

Harry Schirer has three decades of experience in Accounting and Finance, with a notable emphasis in the construction industry spanning 20 years.

For the past dozen years, Harry has served as the Chief Financial Officer (CFO) at Brady West Inc., a specialty subcontractor with offices in La Mesa, CA, Anaheim, CA, and Castroville, CA. Prior to his tenure at Brady West, Harry held the CFO position for eight years at Neal Electric Corporation, an electrical subcontractor based in Vista, CA.

Harry's career began with roles outside the construction domain. He initially served as the Financial Accounting Manager at General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, where he spent seven years. Preceding this tenure, Harry amassed five years of experience in the computer hardware and software industries.

Harry holds an undergraduate degree from the University of San Diego, Master of Business Administration (MBA) from the University of Redlands. Additionally, he has a Certificate in Contract Management from San Diego State University.

Harry achieved the Certified Construction Industry Financial Professional (CCIFP) designation in January 2016.

Southwest Regional Vice President- Old Republic Surety Company

Ryan M. Spriggs is the Southwest Regional Vice President located out of the Phoenix branch of Old Republic Surety Company (ORSC). He is involved in the managing, underwriting, and marketing of construction surety accounts and branches in ORSC’s southwestern region. Ryan has been with ORSC Insurance Companies since January of 2023. Please see below for experience.

Ryan is a member of the Surety Association of Arizona and of the CFMA Valley of the Sun Chapter since 2008. He is currently chair of the CFMA VOS Scholarship committee.

He received his Bachelor of Science degree in Finance from Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ in 2007. He obtained his Associate in Fidelity and Surety Bonding designation in 2009 and CCIFP in 2012.

Assistant Division Manager- Griffith Company

Ben Walnum is an Assistant Division Manager for Griffith Company, which specializes in heavy civil construction projects throughout Southern California. In his role, Ben is responsible for managing the successful startup and execution of construction projects awarded to Griffith Company, as well estimating new projects. Ben’s primary focus at Griffith Company is in the Structural Division that focuses on constructing bridges, retaining walls, channels, foundations, a shoring.

Throughout his career, Ben has worked with several different agencies that include the City of Los Angeles, Los Angeles County, Culver City, Los Angles Department of Water and Power, Southern California Regional Rail Authority, and LAWA. He has successfully managed projects that have included construction of vehicular bridges, pedestrian bridges, dams, mechanical rehabilitations, pump stations, concrete channel reconstruction, and airport terminal improvements.

Education and Certificates: Ben got his BS in Civil Engineering from Oregon State University is a licensed Professional Engineering in the state of California. He is holds certifications for QSD and Associate DBIA.

Outside of his normal roles at Griffith, Ben has also led internal training for engineers and project managers on critical path method scheduling, sketchup modeling, and environmental compliance. Ben is involved with the Griffith Company community service initiative (GC4C), and is also a board member of the AGC Construction Education Foundation.

Tax Partner- Moss Adams

Alan has practiced public accounting since 1987, including nine years with a Big Four firm, providing tax compliance and consulting services to a variety of public and privately held companies as well as individuals and their families. Alan spends the bulk of his time working with closely held businesses on tax strategies, identifying value-added service opportunities, handling IRS and state tax examinations, and managing day-to-day tax compliance work. His experience includes corporate M&A transactions, buy-sell transactions, entity formation and liquidation, ASC 740, accounting method changes, and multistate taxation.