Builders Association Staff
An association chief executive officer since 1977, Al has served as the Builders Association President since 1997. He is responsible for the overall implementation of all Board-approved programs and services. Al is the Immediate Past Chairman of the AGC Executive Leadership Council and serves on the AGC’s Executive Board. He is a trustee for Carpenters Apprenticeship Program and was the Builders Association representative to Chicago's bid for the Olympic games.
Prior to the Builders Association, Al was CEO for the American Society of Home Inspectors, National Precast Concrete Association, and the National Building Material Distribution Association. Al holds an MBA from Lake Forest Graduate School of Management, a B.A. in Business from the University of Minnesota, and earned his Certified Association Executive (CAE) designation from the American Society of Association Executives.
Mike joined the Builders Association in 2001. Mike assists with the implementation of Board-approved programs, services and policies. He is responsible for the association's labor relations, government relations and productivity and innovation program. Mike has an MBA from Lake Forest Graduate School of Management and a B.A. in Political Science from the University of Northern Iowa. Prior to joining the Builders Association, Mike worked as a consultant for Sapient Corporation and for Allstate Insurance Company's technology and marketing departments as a project manager and account manager.
Denise joined the Builders Association staff in 1998. She is responsible for implementing labor and safety program goals. Denise supports association trade labor teams during labor contract negotiations and provides subsequent labor consultation services to members. Denise is staff liaison to the Labor and Safety Committees.
Denise has 6 years of experience working for Sears Mortgage and the Quill Corporation and four years of experience as Office Manager with the American Society of Home Inspectors.
Kristin Garcia, Director of Client Services
Kristin began working at the Builders Association in June of 2008. She is responsible for managing selected programs and services including education and saftey, and she assists in the development of content to promote services.
Kristin graduated from the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign in 1994 with a BA in Art History. She was employed by the National Council of State Boards of Nursing for more than eight years before joining the Builders Association.
Andrew Cole, Communications Manager
Andy joined the Builders Association in September of 2006. His responsibilities include the Builder newsletter and the Builder Blast weekly email, among other duties related to public relations.
Andy worked as a sports writer for 13 years prior to joining the Builders Association, most recently at the Journal & Topics Newspapers in Des Plaines. Andy holds a BA in Communication and Theatre Arts from Heidelberg College.
Stacey began working at the Builders Association in November of 2006. She is responsible for a number of administrative responsibilities and assists with meeting logistics, the Industry Liaison Task Force, the Builders Foundation and the Construction Career Opportunity Program.
Stacey graduated from Indiana University with a degree in English Education. She was previously employed at both Arthur Andersen in Chicago and the American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons in Rosemont.
Ashley Slovinski, Communications Intern
Ashley's internship at the Builders Association runs from May through August. She is a Journalism and International Studies major at Loyola University of Chicago, where she begins her senior year in the fall. Ashley has written for Loyola's student newspaper - The Phoenix - and interned this spring with Schofield Media Group.