Are you ready to elevate your RFQs and stand out? Join us for an enlightening panel discussion, where local industry leaders share invaluable insights on navigating the RFQ process effectively. Our diverse panel of experts range from multifamily, healthcare, higher-education, and public infrastructure sectors to provide a comprehensive perspective on what owners look for when evaluating submissions.
 
This panel discussion will not only enhance your RFQ strategy but also provide you with practical tools to improve your overall approach to winning work in the AEC industry. Whether you’re a decision-maker, marketer, or relationship-builder or you're looking to refine your skills or gain a competitive edge, this event is a must-attend for anyone involved in the RFQ process.
  
MEET THE PANELISTS

Elizabeth McMillan-Vice President-Development | Crescent Communities 

Elizabeth McMillan, Vice President of Development for Crescent Communities’ Commercial business, has been with the company since 2002. She leads office, life science, and mixed-use developments, including projects like Ally Charlotte Center, The River District, and Crescent’s life science platform, THE YIELD. With over 15 successful rezonings and 9 million square feet developed, she has also secured $70 million in public incentives. Elizabeth recently served as Chair of ULI Charlotte and is a board member of Dream Key Partners and Alexander Youth Network. She holds a BA from UNC Chapel Hill, is a LEED Accredited Professional, and a licensed real estate broker in NC and SC.

Ashton Watson-Airport Engineering Program Director | Charlotte Douglas International Airport

Ashton Watson has worked for the Charlotte Douglas International Airport for 10 years, and for the City of Charlotte doing Capital Project Management for nearly 8 years with the Department of Transportation (CDOT). He has directed and managed more than 40 projects within the Airport’s Capital Development Program on both the airside and landside, totaling over $1B. He has overseen planning, design, and construction of major and complex multi-million dollar runway, taxiway, drainage, and lighting improvement projects. Mr. Watson is experienced with projects involving traffic and transportation engineering, intelligent transportation systems, digital message signs, pavement rehabilitations, rigid and flexible pavement, complex design and construction phasing, fuel facilities, drainage improvements, airfield geometries, airfield lighting, and federal funding. He has been involved with many projects requiring significant coordination with numerous parties, including internal customers, FAA, ATCT, Airline tenants, other tenants, and various review agencies, which speaks to the key to his success = Collaboration! 

Steve Sweat-Senior Project Manager | Mecklenburg County

Steve is a licensed architect with over 30 years of experience in the design and construction industry.  After time as a practicing architect, he has spent the last 11 years in local government and is a Senior Project Manager with Mecklenburg County’s Asset & Facility Management Department.  Steve oversees projects from initial budget development through completion and is responsible for selection, negotiation, procurement, and supervision of all activities regarding external consultants and contractors.

Vicki Saville-Associate Vice President of Facilities and Construction | Central Piedmont Community College

Vicki Saville, AIA, ASLA, LEED AP, Associate VP of Facilities and Construction at Central Piedmont Community College has almost 40 years of architectural and landscape architectural design, construction and contract experience. She served 15 years as Facilities Architect and Landscape architect for Charlotte Mecklenburg Schools where she was responsible for site selection, planning, directing and overseeing over 260 acres of educational development, over $1.43 billion in Mecklenburg County Bonds for Education through the design management of 18 high schools, 20 middle schools and 66 elementary schools.  For the past eight years she has been responsible for the design and construction contracts for the 2013 $280 million Mecklenburg County bond and pay-go projects as well as the 2016 State bond projects which have added to Central Piedmont's more than 4.0 million square feet, on six campuses and two centers in Mecklenburg County, North Carolina. 

Kathryn Lauria Horne, FAIA, LEED AP-Director of Planning, Design and Construction | University of North Carolina at Charlotte

Kathryn has over 30 years of professional experience in a wide range of projects extending through all phases of project development, design and construction. As Director of Planning, Kathryn is responsible  for overseeing the initial planning and design at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte.  Prior to UNC Charlotte, Kathryn served as a senior planner in the Capital Planning and Space Management department at Georgia Tech.  Before joining the Planning team at Georgia Tech, she worked in private architectural practice for two Charlotte area firms.  Kathryn is a registered architect and has been very active in the Society for College and University Planners (SCUP) at both the national and regional levels.  

Jeff Schroder-Assistant Vice President Planning, Design, and Construction | Atrium Health

Jeff is responsible for developing projects from conceptual design through construction at Atrium Health. He oversees a staff of Directors and Project Managers who strive to deliver state of the art healing environments. These teams take pride in delivering these projects while being good stewards of Atrium Health’s resources by building teams who utilize Lean Construction methodologies and seeking out innovative solutions. Jeff has been involved in all facets of the healthcare design and construction industry for the last 21 years. He spent the first 4 years in the healthcare industry working with an internationally-recognized healthcare architecture firm. Prior to Atrium, he spent the 17 years as an owner’s representative for two major health systems in the Dallas/Fort Worth area. He has overseen design and construction of
more than $3 billion in projects, ranging from new builds, major renovations and specialty projects. Jeff received his Bachelor of Science degree in Architecture from the University of Texas in Arlington.

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 If you have any questions, please contact the Programs Director at [email protected].

Cancellation/Refund Policy
Cancellations made 72-hours prior to the event will receive a refund. Due to our commitment with the meeting facility for food and beverage quantities, all other cancellations or no-shows will be invoiced for the full cost of the event.