Greetings Cogence Partners,
I hope you have enjoyed a successful first quarter as we welcome the arrival of spring. Thank you to all of you who renewed your Cogence Partnership for 2026, and for your ongoing commitment to the Cogence mission.
Cogence Partnership is not for everyone; it’s for those who believe in fostering a collaborative project culture—one that capitalizes on each team member’s strengths, reduces risks, enhances outcomes for all, and makes projects both financially successful and enjoyable.
Our Partners participate because they recognize that teamwork and genuine collaboration redefine project delivery.
What sets Cogence apart is its unique approach. We are not a traditional business development or networking group. In fact, as part of joining Cogence, we ask our Partners “to act as a loyal Partner of the Cogence Alliance and avoid promoting my company’s special interests over those of the Alliance.”
In other words, Cogence isn’t about securing more work—it’s about making the work better.
Does this mean you can’t grow your business through Cogence? Absolutely not! Building trusted relationships often leads to new opportunities, which is a natural benefit. But at Cogence, our focus remains firmly on collaboration, and we don’t just talk about it—we help make it happen.
WELCOME NEW PARTNERS, ALTERNATES, AND EMERGING LEADERS
Cogence welcomes the following who have joined Cogence in 2026:
New Partners:
- Tom Brannon, Ohio Facilities Construction Commission (Central)
- Kathryn Grant, Schaefer Engineering (Southwest)
- Ralphael Hill, R.L. Hill Management, Inc (Northeast)
- Tom McDonnell, Terracon (Northeast)
- Matt McGrath, Environmental Design Group (Central)
- Michelle Merlino, DIRTT (Central)
- Matt Robinson, Emerald Built Environments (Northeast)
- Chett Siefring, Geo-Sci (Northeast)
- Mitchell Van Straten, Miles McClellan (Central)
New Alternates:
- Ben Cavey, IMEG Corp (Northeast)
- Alec Demaree, Schaefer (Southwest)
- Matt Fejedelem, Mars Electric (Northeast)
- Jason Fleming, ESI, Inc. (Southwest)
- Larry Hennessey, AECOM (Northeast)
- Natasa Kuljanin, Karpinski Engineering (Northeast)
- Eric Laudick, HEAPY (Southwest)
- Clinton Mirto, Osborn Engineering Company (Northeast)
- Gina Pastuszynski, Construction Consulting & Estimating LLC (Northeast)
- Alexandra Radabaugh, The Ohio State University (Central)
- Morgan Richardson, Barton Malow (Central)
- Johanna Routsong, Messer Construction Co. (Southwest)
New Emerging Leaders:
- Angelica Barraza, Shook Construction (Northeast)
- Meagan Cyrus, Shumaker, Loop & Kendrick LLP (Central)
- Al Dilorenzo, Ascension Construction Solutions (Central)
- Corey Hicar, IMEG (Northeast)
- Sam Lambert, Setterlin Building Company (Central)
- Nicole Mahdi, T.M.G. Services Inc. (Northeast)
- Paul Supelak, Ruhlin Co. (Northeast)
- Corbin Walnsch, Signet Real Estate Group (Northeast)
We look forward to working with you to improve project outcomes. Thank you for your support and participation in Cogence Alliance!
PARTNER SURVEY COMING YOUR WAY SOON
The Partnership Committees of all three chapters have developed a member survey that you will soon receive. This survey will give us a better understanding of where you find the most value in Cogence, the impact we’re having on your company and its projects, and how we can better serve you.
It’s a brief survey – so please take just a couple if minutes to provide us your feedback.
ROUNDTABLE ROUNDUP
The Cogence Way: Thank you to the many Cogence Alliance Partners who joined us at our recent roundtables. These conversations were an important step as we continue to define what it means to deliver construction projects “The Cogence Way.”
At their January roundtables, all three chapters helped to identify and define the values that Cogence Partners bring to every project. In March, the Northeast and Central Ohio Chapters built upon that foundation—diving deeper into how those values show up in day‑to‑day execution and identifying the core fundamentals that shape culture and drive successful project outcomes.
Stay tuned as we prepare to roll out a framework for delivering projects “The Cogence Way,” designed to elevate collaboration and improve project delivery.
The Southwest Chapter Roundtable on March 12 was titled: At the Intersection of Research, Care, and Education: Joining Forces to Revolutionize Blood Cancer Care
This presentation, featuring panelists Ted Christian and Priya Dhuru, Champlin EOP, Nathan Minnich-Weber, Skanska, and Kelley Acker, University of Cincinnati Health and the UC Cancer Center, demonstrated how using a Cogence approach creates project success and long-term relationships. The team demonstrated the benefits and long-term positive outcomes of bringing critical stakeholders to develop and deliver a project with a patient-centered solution.
Roundtable Summaries: The titles and summaries of most roundtables are available on the Cogence Roundtables page. If you want to know more about each chapter’s upcoming roundtables visit the Cogence Calendar page. Cogence partners are welcome to attend the roundtables at other chapters. Additionally, your Alternate is welcome to attend roundtables, with or without you, or you may bring guests who are interested in learning more about Cogence.
Audio Recordings: At recent roundtables we’ve announced that the discussion was being recorded. The sole purpose is to accurately capture discussion points and ensure that key insights are not missed.
Recordings are kept confidential, shared only within the Programs committees, and all comments remain anonymous. Cogence roundtables are intended to remain a safe and trusted space for open, honest, and vulnerable dialogue, and this commitment remains unchanged.
JOIN US FOR THE FIRST ANNUAL TOP GOLF FUNDRAISER TO SUPPORT COGENCE EMERGING LEADERS
April 17: Top Golf, Independence
Our first annual Top Golf Fundraising event is filling up quickly. You’re invited to join us and kick off your 2026 golf season with an afternoon of fun, networking, and friendly competition at Topgolf! Whether you’re an avid golfer or picking up a club for the first time, this event is open to all and offers a great chance to connect with clients, colleagues, and fellow AEC professionals.
Your participation also supports a great cause—event proceeds will help fund leadership training for Cogence Emerging Leaders.
SEE HERE for more details and reserve your spot.
4TH ANNUAL CLAY SHOOT – SOLD OUT!
We’re looking forward to the 4th Annual Northeast Ohio Clay Shoot on June 12 at the Hill N’ Dale Club in Medina. All 120 shooter spots have been filled. Thank you to everyone who has made their reservation, and especially to the following sponsors:
Presenting Sponsor: Ruhlin Company
Feed the Sportsman Sponsor: Valley Interiors
Cart Sponsor: Lake Erie Electric
Award Sponsor: Intek Construction Products
We’re still accepting Raffle Basket donations and dinner-only reservations. If you’d like to donate a raffle basket, or join us for dinner please contact me at kthompson@cogence.org.
SHOWCASE YOUR BEST WORK: APPLY NOW FOR THE 2026 WALTER JONES DRIVE AWARDS
The Walter Jones Drive Awards celebrate outstanding examples of project collaboration and recognize individuals and teams who are elevating project delivery across the A/E/C community. These awards shine a spotlight on the critical role that teamwork, transparency, and innovation play in improving project outcomes—and they showcase the individuals and organizations who are advancing these principles in meaningful ways.
Award winners will be honored at the Cogence 2026 Town Hall and featured on the Cogence website.
The 2026 Walter Jones Drive Awards “Intent to Submit” is open until July 17. We invite project teams and partners who exemplify collaborative excellence to apply and share their achievements with the broader A/E/C community.
SEE HERE for complete details and application instructions.
Thank you again for your support of Cogence and its mission. As always, please feel free to contact me with any questions or suggestions for how we can best serve you and the AEC industry.
Sincerely,
Kevin Thompson, Executive Director