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2025 North Central Region Conference
Wed 3/26 - Fri 3/28, 2025
Omaha Marriott Downtown at the Capitol District
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Lunch & Learn: CSI Certifications Panel Discussion
Sponsored By:
Building Your Future:
Exploring CSI Certifications and Their Career Impact
CEU Credit:
1 AIA LU
Program Description:
An engaging panel discussion that delves into the Construction Specifications Institute (CSI) certifications: CDT (Construction Documents Technology), CCPR (Certified Construction Product Representative), CCCA (Certified Construction Contract Administrator), and CCS (Certified Construction Specifier). Panelists will explain the value and purpose of each certification, share their personal experiences with earning and maintaining these credentials, and discuss how these certifications are recognized across the construction industry. Attendees will gain insights into the time commitment, costs, resources, and career benefits associated with CSI certifications, helping you decide whether pursuing one is the right next step for your professional journey.
Learning Objectives:
Understand the Scope and Purpose of CSI Certifications:
Explain the roles and responsibilities associated with the CDT, CCPR, CCCA, and CCS certifications and how they contribute to the construction process and project outcomes.
Evaluate Career Benefits of Certification:
Identify the professional and career development opportunities provided by CSI certifications, including their recognition and value within the construction and design industries.
Assess the Certification Process:
Understand the requirements, time commitment, costs, and available resources for obtaining and maintaining CSI certifications to make informed decisions about pursuing them.
Enhance Industry Collaboration:
Explore how CSI certifications improve communication and collaboration among design professionals, specifiers, contractors, and product representatives, ultimately supporting project success and quality.
Moderator & Panelists
Moderator
Paul Fogarty, CSI, CCPR, CDT
President & CEO
WestWood USA / ALT Global
CSI Chicago Chapter
Paul is the CEO of WestWood USA / ALT Global, a worldwide leader in PMMA liquid-applied roofing, waterproofing, and trafficable surfacing solutions. Paul’s career has been exclusively focused within the manufacturer/supplier sphere and he has held numerous roles during his 26 years in the commercial building envelope industry, including technical support, sales, marketing, and education. He is an active member of CSI Chicago and is currently serving as the Immediate Past President, in addition to continuing his responsibilities as the long-time chair of the chapter’s award-winning certification committee. He is a co-author of the Construction Product Representation Practice Guide. With his recent geographical shift to the northeastern U.S., he looks forward to continuing to support CSI’s mission of advancing building information management and education.
Panelist
Jill R Goedken CSI, CCS, CDT, AIA
Owner, Architect, Specifier
SPECcetera LLC
CSI Central Iowa Chapter
Jill Goedken is a registered architect and independent specifier based in Des Moines, Iowa. In 2016, after nearly 25 years as a practicing architect, project manager, and firm leader, she founded SPECcetera, an architectural specifications consulting firm. SPECcetera serves architectural firms, owners, and manufacturers throughout the Midwest and beyond.
Jill’s passion lies in leveraging her expertise to help project teams develop well-coordinated, high-quality documents through product selection support, document review, and detailed specifications. In addition to leading a team of three specifiers and raising two teenagers, Jill remains actively involved in AIA Iowa and CSI at both the local chapter and North Central Region levels, serving in various board and committee chair roles.
Linda holds 19-years of industry experience specializing in masonry. She is responsible for assisting the design community in creating thermally-efficient and water-resistant building envelopes for Hohmann & Barnard, a leader in the masonry industry for over 90 years with a current mission to partner with building professionals to provide innovative systems for a dynamic construction industry. Linda is dedicated to the design of high-performance buildings using durable and resilient building materials.
Panelist
Linda Potter, CSI, CCPR, CDT
Manager of Architectural Services
Hohmann & Barnard
CSI Nebraska Chapter
Panelist
Jim Torres, CSI, CCS, CDT, AIA
Senior Architecture Leader
DLR Group
CSI Nebraska Chapter
As a licensed architect with over three decades of experience, Jim has had the privilege of working on a diverse array of project types. Currently serving as the Central Region Architectural Leader at DLR Group, he collaborates with a passionate team of designers to deliver top-quality design work that not only meets clients' needs but also elevates the human experience.
Jim's expertise spans building codes and specification writing, ensuring compliance and excellence in every project. He is passionate about leading integrated design contract document sets. Jim excels at analyzing and solving architectural detail problems, whether for new construction or renovation work. This dedication to detail and problem-solving has been a cornerstone of his career.
Jim has been serving on the CSI-Nebraska Chapter Board since 2016 and is currently the Vice President. He obtained his Certified Documents Technologist (CDT) in 1991 and obtained Certified Construction Specifier (CCS) in 2024.
Panelist
Andrea Zawodny, CSI, CCS, CCCA, LEED AP
Senior Associate | Specification Writer
HOK
CSI Kansas City Chapter
Andrea is a Senior Associate and Senior Specification Writer for the architecture firm, Hellmuth, Obata, & Kassabaum (HOK). She has 29 years of construction industry experience, and 24 years of experience in specifying. A long-time leader in CSI, Andrea is passionate about improving communication and project delivery in the design and construction industry. She has served on many CSI committees, as well as the boards of the Kansas City Chapter and the North Central Region. Andrea is also a Past-President of both.
Currently she is serving on the National Board as the Institute Director from the North Central Region, and the President-elect of the Kansas City Chapter. She has co-chaired the President Elect Training at the annual NCR Conference since 2017.
An avid animal-lover, Andrea frequently takes in dogs, and checks on cats, to allow pet parents to go on vacations without boarding their loved ones.
She also has a passion for cooking for others, particularly those with special dietary needs. Her attitude is “Food is important; it should taste good!”
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