COLLABORATIVE LEADERSHIP AWARD

CHRIS ABEL MEMBERSHIP DIRECTOR ABC CT

Chris Abel is the Membership Director for the Connecticut Chapter of Associated Builders and Contractors, (ABC), and is currently the Treasurer on the Board of Directors for SMPS Connecticut, as well as a Co-Host of The Real Estate Roundtable Podcast. Since 2018, Abel has grown ABC membership to a chapter high and has maintained 92% retention. He directs and administers the association’s marketing efforts and consistently collaborates with industry partners. Prior to joining ABC, Abel managed territories throughout the northeast in the post-secondary education space where he maintained relationships with over 200 high schools. As an experienced public speaker and broadcasting professional, he has delivered workshops and presentations to thousands of students with an emphasis on the importance of careers in the construction industry.

He enjoys playing softball with his team, watching the Red Sox and spending time with his wife, daughter, and two rescue hounds.

EDUCATOR/MENTOR OF THE YEAR AWARD

LEWIS FINKEL PRESIDENT PROFESSIONAL CONSTRUCTION SERVICES, INC

Lewis Finkel, F.C.P.E., is a Certified Professional Estimator with over 50 years of construction experience. He is President of Professional Construction Services, a company that provides estimating for Architects, Facilities Managers, Municipalities and Construction Managers. Finkel graduated from Drexel University with a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering and a Construction Management minor. He is a past National President and a Fellow of the American Society of Professional Estimators (ASPE) and a past National President of the Consulting Estimators Round Table (CERT).

Teaching is a passion for him and seeing the light bulb go off in someone, whether an undergraduate or a seasoned professional, is one of the most satisfying things imaginable. Finkel has been teaching for thirty years; at the college level he has taught construction estimating and related topics for continuing education courses at Capital Community College, Norwalk Community College and currently for the professional development curriculum of the University of Wisconsin – Madison. He taught construction estimating for eleven years in the Construction Management degree program at Central Connecticut State University. He has spoken at numerous national conferences and has been on the International Taskforce that issued the 2010 edition of the CSI UniFormat classification system. He was a work group leader for the OmniClass classification system. He is a member of the Cost Effective subcommittee of the Whole Building Design Guide of the National Institute of Building Sciences. With the Construction Institute Finkel was chairman of the Technology Committee, taught many workshops and was a longtime member of the Board of Directors.

Tiffany Cartier is a Project Manager specializing in structural engineering with Fuss & O’Neill in Manchester, CT. She began her career in 2009 as a structural engineer after graduating from the University of Hartford. Her experience ranges from custom single family residential to nuclear submarines. For the past seven years, Cartier has focused on structural engineering for new and existing vertical construction. Collaborating with owners, designers, and builders to create the built environment is her passion. Through her experience in design and construction support for infrastructure, defense, institutional, and residential sector projects, Cartier has developed strong technical and adaptable interpersonal skills. She understands the importance of multidisciplinary collaboration and has a keen awareness of project stakeholder needs. Cartier also appreciates the value of mentoring and being mentored. She strives to help her colleagues develop their knowledge and careers while continuing to seek personal growth. Since 209, Cartier’s involvement with The Construction Institute has grown. Starting as a panelist at the 2019 AEC Leadership Conference, she now serves as a planning committee member for the AEC Leadership Conference, where her enthusiasm, innovative thinking, and committment to professional development helps drive the planning process.

E2 Engineers

e2 engineers is an experienced consulting structural engineering practice with a record of success spanning the Atlantic coast and several states westward. The firm provides complete structural engineering services at all phases of planning, design, and construction in a variety of building sectors. We work with owners, architects, and contractors to help create a built environment which is safe, affordable, sustainable, and inspiring. Established in 2002, e2 engineers has offices in New London, CT and Concord, MA.