Cogence is supported by its Partners and Emerging Leaders.

Cogence is a non-profit 501(c)(6) entity with a Board of Directors and complete governance by-laws to sustain the organization.

We completed an organizational restructuring in October 2020. This restructure included the creation of a Board of Overseers (i.e., the Cogence Alliance Board of Directors), whose purpose is to (1) serve as a think tank for industry-wide change (with input from chapters); (2) advocate for that change; (3) guide the direction and focus of programming; and, (4) provide oversight to chapter activities. The restructure also created formal Boards of Directors at the chapter-level. Each regional chapter has a separate Board of Directors, which includes a president, vice-president, secretary and treasurer. Additionally, each chapter has three (3) primary committees: Partnerships, Programs, and Emerging Leaders, some chapters have Advocacy, DEI, and Resource committees — and the chairs (or co-chairs) of each committee serve on the Chapter Board. Terms run January 1st through December 31st.

Partners

Partners form the core of Cogence’s thought leadership and advocacy. They are senior members of their respective organizations who have direct leadership responsibility in project delivery decisions. Partnership is an active commitment to work together to improve construction industry outcomes.

Executive Director

Kevin Thompson, kthompson@cogence.org

 

Cogence Alliance Board of Directors

  • President: Scott Wagner, Regency Construction (2024-2025)
  • Vice President: Joanne Brown, Case Western Reserve University (2022-2025)
  • Treasurer: Armando Francisco, Lake Erie Electric (2022-2025)
  • Immediate Past President: Pamela Neckar, Impact Project Development, LLC (non-voting, 2024-2025)
  • Secretary: Kevin Thompson, Cogence Alliance (non-voting)
  • Chair, Programs: Sean McDermott, Cleveland Metroparks (2021-2025)
  • Chair, Resource: Brendan Shea, Next Generation Construction (2024-2025)
  • Chair, Emerging Leaders: Matt Morgan, Karpinski Engineering (2024-2026)
  • At-Large: Brad Berkowitz, Whiting-Turner Contracting Co. (2022-2025)
  • At-Large: Pat Klanac, PTA Engineering (2021-2025)
  • At-Large: Jeff Appelbaum, Thompson Hine / Project Management Consultants (2021-2025)
  • At-Large: Jerry Klanac, University of Dayton / PMA Consultants (2024-2025)
  • NE Ohio Chapter President: Bob Hager, Brennen, Manna, Diamond (2022-2025)
  • Central Ohio Chapter President: Jennifer Son, The Ohio State University (2024-2025)
  • Southwest Ohio Chapter President: Alex Jonovski, Demain (2024-2025)

NEOhio Chapter Board of Directors

  • President: Bob Hager, Brennan Manna Diamond (2021-2025)
  • Vice President: Carter Edman, Marous Brothers (2021-2025)
  • Vice President & Chair of Partnership: Jeff Loyall, Turner Construction (2022-2025)
  • Secretary/Treasurer: Cynthia Leitson, Tri-C (2021-2025)
  • Chair, Programs: Jeff Meyers, DS Architecture (2024-2026)
  • Chair, Emerging Leaders: Matt Morgan, Karpinski Engineering (2024-2026)
  • At-Large: Brad Berkowitz, The Whiting-Turner Contracting Co. (2022-2024)
  • At-Large: Aaron Lobas, Osborn Engineering (2023-2025)
  • At-Large: Ross Mitchell, TH Martin (2022-2024)

Central Ohio Chapter Board of Directors

  • President: Jennifer Son, The Ohio State University (2024-2025)
  • Vice President: Kelly Greene, DIRTT Environmental Solutions (2024-2025)
  • Secretary/Treasurer: Kevin Thompson, Cogence
  • Chair, Programs: David McCarty, The Ruhlin Co.  (2025-2026)
  • Chair, Partnership: Jonathan Wilch, MA Design (2023-2024)
  • Chair, Emerging Leaders: Doug Smith, IMEG Corp.(2023-2024)
  • At-Large: Stephen Metz, SMBH Inc. (2024-2025)
  • At-Large: Jeff Ortman, HAWA Engineers (2024-2025)
  • At-Large: David Scott, Brennan, Manna & Diamond (2025-2026)

Southwest Ohio Chapter Board of Directors

  • President: Alex Jonovski, Demain (2024-2025)
  • Vice President: Nick Rittenger, HAWA Engineers (2024-2025)
  • Secretary/Treasurer: Kevin Thompson, Cogence
  • Chair, Programs: Jerry Klanac, PMA Consultants (2025-2026)
  • Chair, Partnership: Steve Lawson, Shook Construction (2024-2025)
  • At-Large: Ross Battoclette, Champlin Architecture (2025-2026)
  • At-Large: Joe Ferdelman, Heapy Engineering (2025-2026)
  • At-Large: Danyel Rickman, Taft Law (2025-2026)