Meet our Planning Committee
F. Michael Ayles
Principal
Antinozzi Associates
F. Michael Ayles, FAIA, is a Principal at Antinozzi Associates in Bridgeport, CT and is responsible for the oversight of the firm’s business operations. Since joining the firm in 1994, he held the roles of project architect/manager and Director of Operations before becoming a firm Principal in 2008 and focusing on business development. Serving as a national leader with the American Institute of Architects (AIA) for over 25 years, Ayles chaired the Center for Civic Leadership twice and was instrumental in its formation, growth, and Leadership Institute initiative since 2006. His passion, involvement, and leadership within the architectural profession, and as a 'Citizen Architect', elevated him to AIA Fellowship in 2017. He is currently serving his second three-year term on the AIA/CT Board of Directors. Ayles has been actively involved on boards and committees with numerous professional organizations over the years such as the ACE Mentor Program, the National Council of Architectural Registration Boards, the Society of Marketing Professional Services, the Connecticut Building Congress, and the Construction Institute. He has been Chair of the Planning Committee for the AEC Leadership Conference since its inception in 2018. In addition, Ayles has served on many local committees in his hometown since 1998, and has been an elected official on Guilford’s Board of Finance since 2007, becoming Chairman in 2017. Ayles received his Bachelor of Architecture degree from Roger Williams University, from which he received the University’s Distinguished Alumnus of the Year in 2015.
Tiffany Cartier
Project Manager
Fuss & O'Neill, Inc.
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 commitment to professional development helps drive the planning process.
Jim Cecil
Vice President of Business Development
A.P. Construction Company
Jim Cecil is known for leading business development in the AEC space with an infectious positive attitude and clarity of vision that inspires and empowers teams for personal and professional success. For nearly 20 years, he has accumulated a unique blend of experiences through various vantage points of the construction industry which started as a humble painter working his way through college. After receiving his Marketing BBA from WCSU, Cecil joined the Sherwin Williams company, where he achieved multiple sales awards and promotions. He took his significant corporate experience, knowledge of the trades, and his Marketing education, to elevate sales at EverGreene Architectural Arts to record heights. As the Director of Business Development for Nexii Building Solutions, Cecil successfully broke into new markets with a sustainable green envelope panel system. Currently, he is leveraging his talents and experiences to propel A.P. Construction’s significant local presence into the future. This is Cecil's second year acting as Co-Chair of the planning committee.
Kaitlyn Dobberfuhl
Project Manager - Agency/CM
Gilbane Building Company
As a Project Manager, Kaitlyn Dobberfuhl works for Gilbane Building Company and is currently working in their Sacramento, California office. She is a member of their team assisting with a recent project for the State Office Building - Governor, Assembly and Senate as well as Gilbane’s upcoming work with UC Davis Health Center in downtown Sacramento. Within Gilbane, Dobberfuhl greatly values participating in her company’s Employee Resource Groups (ERGs) as a Co-Chair for the Western and Federal empoWer group and Vice Chair of the National Board. These groups also engage and host joint events with other employee groups. As a part of the Construction Institute, this is Dobberfuhl’s 5th consecutive year participating on the planning committee for the AEC Leadership Conference, and her second acting as Co-Chair of the committee. She also sits on the board of directors and is past Chair of the Young Professionals Council.
Tony Messina
Vice President
The Whiting-Turner Contracting Company
Tony Messina is a Vice President at The Whiting-Turner Contracting Company in Shelton, CT and is also the firms Retail National Leader, responsible for coordinating the efforts of over 50+ operating groups within the retail industry. Starting his career in 1997 as a project engineer after graduating from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute with a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering, his career has afforded him the opportunity to work with some of the most dynamic retail developers and consultants within the industry throughout Connecticut, New York, New Jersey and California. In 2014, Messina was named as an ICSC Leader Under 40 and is currently serving on the 2023 ICSC CenterBuild Conference Planning Committee which addresses the interests of retail real estate professionals of like disciplines within the industry and provides opportunities to share experiences, discuss best practices, raise awareness about industry developments and fosters network building. Messina is excited to join the diverse group of professionals currently contributing to this year’s AEC Leadership Conference and hopes to contribute to the conference for many more years to come.
Nancy Greenwald
Executive Director
Construction Institute
Nancy Greenwald has 38 years of experience a lawyer and business executive in the design and construction industry, dealing with projects ranging in value from $100,000 to $5 billion. She is the Executive Director of the Construction Institute, a non-partisan association of diverse professions working to improve the construction industry by sharing knowledge, exchanging innovative ideas, building relationships, and developing business leaders. Its mission is to promote cross-industry collaboration. Greenwald serves on the American Arbitration Association's Commercial and Construction Industry Panels of Arbitrators and Mediators and has been appointed as a n arbitrator and mediator by numerous private clients and courts. She teaches negotiation and conflict resolution and speaks and writes frequently on best practices in construction project communication, dispute systems design, and construction technology and the law. She is active in many of the major construction industry groups, including the ABA Forum on Construction, serving on the steering committee for the Project Delivery and Technology Division. She received her J.D. from Harvard Law School (cum laude) 1981.
