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Dr. Kenn Sullivan specializes in performance measurement, risk management, best value contracting, organizational transformation, and accountability systems. His processes have been implemented in design, engineering, construction, and facility services projects valued at $3B+. He holds a B.S. and M.S. in Civil and Environmental Engineering; MBA in Real Estate and Urban Economics; and PhD in Civil and Environmental Engineering from University of Wisconsin – Madison. Author of 120+ peer reviewed publications, he won the 2012 ASCE Journal of Leadership and Management in Engineering Best Article. Dr. Sullivan has created a Masters Degree program in Facility Asset and Project Management, and won the Ira A. Fulton School of Engineering 2008, 2009 and 2012 Teaching Awards and 2013 IFMA Educator of the Year.

Dr. Brian Lines is an assistant professor in the Civil, Environmental, and Architectural Engineering Department at the University of Kansas. Brian specializes in the areas of alternative procurement methods, expertise-driven project delivery, and organizational assessment. The objective of his research program at KU is to integrate with organizations to transform their operations into more efficient and performance-driven environments. His industry-focused research has been implemented on a total project value of more than $1B and participating organizations have documented $10’s of millions in direct savings. Brian is also active in continuing education seminars and short courses for professionals internationally.

Dr. Jake Smithwick is a faculty member at the University of North Carolina in Charlotte. His research focuses on organizational performance benchmarking within business services, facility management, and the broader built environment. His industry experience also includes field inspection of nearly 2,000 waterproofing systems (74 million square feet) across the United States, and six years in the US Air Force Reserve (civil engineering squadron). Jake also possesses IFMA’s Facility Management Professional (FMP) and Sustainability Facility Professional (SFP) credentials.

Kristen Hurtado is an Assistant Research Professor at Arizona State University (ASU) and the Lead Project Manager at the Simplar Institute. Kristen has her degrees in Construction and Facilities Management as well as Education. She has 10 years of experience with running progressive and advanced procurement systems with private, public, federal, and international organizations. She has helped manage over 300 projects, worth $500M throughout the USA and internationally, with clients such as the US Government, various state agencies, and universities. As an Educator, Kristen has developed new approaches to metrics, documentation to streamline the supply chain, and educated owners in best practices and written over 20 publications and dozens of industry educational sessions and conference presentations. Previously, Kristen worked for a variety of companies, including Turner Construction Co., McCarthy Builders, and the Intel Corporation.

Jeff Sawyer is a researcher and director of strategic engagements for the Simplar Institute. He has over 25 years of experience in the engineering consulting, construction, and capital project management fields. He has a BA in Geology and a MS in Construction Management. Jeff was the co-founder of Fann Environmental, an Arizona design build firm specializing in the water and wastewater industry. He is the former capital improvements project manager and senior environmental service engineer for the City of Prescott, Arizona. As an owner representative and a construction company owner, Jeff has led teams in the design, construction, and management of projects both in horizontal and vertical construction.

Jason Soza is the Vice President-West for Government Sourcing Solutions. He is the former Chief Procurement Officer for the State of Alaska, managing over $1 billion in annual contractual spend. He has over 20 years of experience in public procurement, leading innovative process transformation initiatives, expanding cooperative purchasing efforts, and helping advance the profession at a local, state, and national levels. In 2018, Jason was elected President-elect of the National Association of State Procurement Officials (NASPO) and his office was awarded the Gold Cronin Award for Procurement Excellence, the top award for state procurement. In 2019, Jason was recognized as Change Agent of the Year by the Center for Procurement Excellence.

John Savicky is a Researcher and Lecturer at Arizona State University (ASU) and the Director of Sourcing Research at the Simplar Institute. John received his degrees in Construction and Facilities Management. He has 20 years of experience with running progressive and advanced procurement systems with private, public, federal, and international organizations. John has published over 30 articles and has taught graduate courses on advanced procurement systems.

Dr. Brian Stone received his undergraduate degree in Management from Brigham Young University, an MBA from the University of Utah and a PhD from Arizona State University in Construction Management. His fields of study include extensive research and experience in Organizational Behavior topics in CM-related fields, Small Business Management, Contracting with the Federal Government, Best Value procurement processes, Leadership-related issues in CM, Government, Takeoffs and Estimating, Project Management, Project Planning, Industry measurement techniques and applications. He has over 14 years of applied experience in construction management as an owner of a construction company contracting specifically in Federal, Non-Profit, Commercial and Residential environments.

Dr. Anthony Perrenoud has several years of experience working with facility managers as a researcher. He has also obtained higher education within the facility management industry including: FMP, Master’s Degree in Facility Management, and honors within Facility Management. His PhD research was conducted within the University of Minnesota capital and facilities management, where he benchmarked more than 300 construction and facility projects.

Dr. Michael Bown is an associate professor at BYU where he teaches facility management courses. He has more than 30 years of work experience overseas, while based in Europe, Latin America and Asia. Prior to coming to BYU he spent more than 20 years in senior FM positions for large companies (P&G, Nestle, Bank of America, American Express, Shell), both in-house and as an outsourced FM service provider. Before entering the FM industry he was a manufacturing engineer for P&G

Dr. Thomas C. Schleifer has 45 years of industry experience and was founder and President of the largest international consultancy firm serving the contract surety industry. He was an Eminent Scholar and Research Professor at the Del E. Webb School of Construction at Arizona State University. Dr. Schleifer is known as a “turnaround” expert because of the number of companies that he has rescued from financial distress.

Dr. Ben Bigelow pursues research in all areas of residential construction and has particular interest in affordable and sustainable housing. He also conducts research relating to: underrepresented groups in construction management, the workforce shortage, construction finance, preconstruction, & construction education.