Wally AdamchikGeneral Session I: "We Never Did It That Way"
FireStarter Speaking and Consulting
Certified Speaking Professional, Certified Management Consultant
Wally Adamchik is dedicated to making better construction leaders.
· In his youth, he worked with his father and brother in construction in NYC.
· His mother was the first woman to referee a basketball game at Madison Square Garden.
· At the University of Notre Dame, Wally was the mascot—that’s right, he was the Leprechaun.
· As an Officer of Marines, Wally deployed throughout the world. In tanks and then Cobra attack helicopters, He served in operations and maintenance roles.
· MBA from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
· President of FireStarter Speaking and Consulting. A national construction leadership consulting firm providing speaking, coaching and consulting to those in and around construction.
· Author of No Yelling: The Nine Secrets of Marine Corps Leadership You Must Know to Win in Business. And of Construction Leadership from A to Z; 26 words to lead by
· Certified Speaking Professional, Certified Management Consultant.
· Father of two college athletes and married for 30 years.
When you add all that up you get an honest expert who understands the multi-national as well as he does the family business and is able to modify his approach to make an impact in both. Since 2003 he has supported some of the most notable firms in the construction industry and is a regular presenter at industry gatherings. Wally delivers usable ideas and insights that you can put to use the minute you get back to work.
Dave BerkeGeneral Session II
Retired U.S. Marine Corps Officer, Fighter Pilot, Chief Officer of Development and Curriculum and Leadership Instructor at Echelon Front
Speaker
Dave Berke is a retired U.S. Marine Corps officer, fighter pilot, ground combat leader, and now a leadership instructor and speaker with Echelon Front, where he serves as Chief Officer of Development and Curriculum. As a F/A-18 pilot, he deployed twice from the USS John C Stennis in support of combat operations in Iraq and Afghanistan. He spent three years as an Instructor Pilot at TOPGUN where he served as the Training Officer, the senior staff pilot responsible for the conduct of the TOPGUN course.
He then served as an ANGLICO Forward Air Controller supporting the Army’s 1st Armored Division during extensive urban combat operations on the ground in Ramadi, Iraq in 2006. Dave led his supporting arms liaison team on scores of combat missions into the most dangerous neighborhoods and accompanied SEAL Task Unit Bruiser on virtually every major operation in the Battle of Ramadi. He was the only Marine selected to fly the F-22 Raptor having served as an exchange officer at the Air Force’s 422nd Test and Evaluation Squadron as the Division Commander. He became the first operational pilot ever to fly and be qualified in the F-35B, serving as the Commanding Officer of the Marine Corps’ first F-35 squadron from 2012-2014.
Upon his retirement from the Marine Corps, Dave joined Echelon Front providing unmatched experience and a unique perspective on combat leadership, analytical decision making, risk mitigation, and creating winning teams.
Chris CarwieBreakout Session: Excellence in Marketing & Sales
Carwie & Associates
Sales Consultant
Chris Carwie is the owner of Carwie & Associates (C&A), a consulting firm specializing in market research, business development, and sales training in the construction and material-supply industries. Chris established C&A in January of 2005, following more than a decade of direct work experience with Vulcan Materials Company, Ashland Oil and Koch Materials Company.
Chris has extensive experience with the buying and selling of construction materials, facing many of the same issues experienced by salespeople today. Chris holds an undergraduate and graduate degree in business.
NSSGA and Chris have created an invaluable partnership that gives our members discounted admission to his yearly sales trainings. NSSGA members that have participated in his trainings continually give excellent reviews of his courses!
Ronnie PruittGeneral Session II
Vulcan Materials
CEO
Ronnie Pruitt is the chief executive officer for Vulcan Materials Company. He previously served as chief operating officer and senior vice president of the Southwest and Western Divisions. Mr. Pruitt joined Vulcan as part of the Company’s August 2021 acquisition of U.S. Concrete, Inc. Prior to his current position, he served as president and chief executive officer of U.S. Concrete. Mr. Pruitt joined U.S. Concrete in 2015 and held various leadership roles in the Company, including chief operating officer and senior vice president.
Mr. Pruitt has a bachelor’s degree from the University of Texas at Arlington.
He has served as President of the Board of Directors of Cement Council of Texas and Chairman of the Paving Committee for the Portland Cement Association.