Building a Greener Future Series
A 4 Part Series at the Duquesne Club, 325 Sixth Ave, Pittsburgh
Prefabrication and Modular Construction
Greener and Sustainable Solutions in Construction
Thank you to the panelists, guests, and sponsors of our recent panel discussion, held September 10 and moderated by the esteemed Grant Ervin, Vice President of External Affairs and Sustainability at S&B USA. Panelists included:
Jim Gabriel, President and CEO of MODLOGIQ, Inc. and DESIGNLOGIQ
Brian Gaudio, Co-founder and CEO of Module
Matt Hansen, Assistant Vice Chancellor for Design Stewardship at the University of Pittsburgh
Ginny Rothschild, CEO and Principal of Workscape, Inc.
Michael Volpatt, Vice President of Marketing and Innovation for Volpatt Construction
About the Building a Greener Future Series
"A must-attend for those committed to advancing environmentally conscious practices in the built environment."
Leaders, educators, and innovators in the realm of sustainable infrastructure and construction will converge for engaging panel discussions on the most pressing and trending industry topics. These free gatherings promise to offer insights into the cutting-edge practices and innovations driving sustainable development in the construction sector.
Grant Ervin: Building a Greener Future Series Moderator
Vice President of External Affairs and Sustainability at S&B USA
Grant Ervin currently serves as the Vice President of External Affairs and Sustainability for S&B USA, an infrastructure integration firm based in Pittsburgh, Pa that specializes in civil construction solutions in the energy, transportation, ports and waterways and vehicle electrification space. Grant serves as an integrator of activities by working across departments, agencies and sectors to form public policy and market-based solutions. He brings deep experience, intersecting the worlds of environmental, community and economic development and infrastructure policy to create innovative and sustainable solutions for local governments, private sector clients, community development organizations, and state agencies.
Prior to joining S&B USA, Mr. Ervin served as the Chief Resilience Officer and Assistant Director for the Department of City Planning for the City of Pittsburgh.
Building a Greener Future Panelists
Jim Gabriel is a seasoned leader and industry pioneer in modular construction. As the President and CEO of MODLOGIQ, Inc. and DESIGNLOGIQ, Jim has been instrumental in shaping the future of off-site construction. With more than 30 years of experience, he has guided MODLOGIQ to the forefront of the industry. Headquartered in New Holland, PA, with additional locations in Pittsburgh, PA, and Seville, OH, MODLOGIQ is renowned for its high-quality panelization and full volumetric modularization solutions.
Jim's innovative approach drives the company’s commitment to sustainability, efficiency, and groundbreaking building practices. His leadership has positioned MODLOGIQ as a trailblazer in design and development. Recently highlighted in Building Design + Construction’s (BD+C) Annual Report for the largest modular hospital in North America, MODLOGIQ has also completed various government facilities, educational institutions, all housing types, retail, and hospitality projects. His deep understanding of evolving construction demands underscores MODLOGIQ’s role as a leader in revolutionizing the modular construction sector.
Brian Gaudio is co-founder and CEO of Module, a Pittsburgh-based modular housing company whose mission is to bring attainable housing to more people. Trained as an architect, Brian worked in Blue Sky at Walt Disney Imagineering developing new ride concepts for the Disney Parks. At the Gulf Coast Community Design Studio, he worked on affordable housing and community planning in post-Katrina Biloxi, Mississippi.
Later, Brian served as a Fulbright Scholar in the Dominican Republic where he conducted research on green infrastructure and disaster resiliency at Pontificia Universidad Católica Madre y Maestra in Santiago. In 2016 Brian co-directed “Within Formal Cities” a feature length documentary about the global housing crisis, which has since screened in over 20 cities worldwide.
In addition to his role at Module, Brian serves of the Board of Directors of Blue Missions, a non-profit organization focused on providing sustainable access to clean water.
Matt Hansen is a licensed architect who has spent his entire career practicing in Pittsburgh. Originally from Western Canada, Matt studied architecture at Washington State University in Pullman Washington. His career has encompassed several different market sectors while focusing primarily on the design of learning environments at the institutional scale. Matt is a skilled designer and thought leader who employs an energetic, collaborative approach that places research-driven concepts at the forefront of his work.
As Assistant Vice Chancellor for Design Stewardship at the University of Pittsburgh, Matt is responsible for design guidance over the built environment, creating places that enhance the Pitt community experience. He leads a team that ensures responsible stewardship of campus assets through appropriate sighting, massing, performance criteria, and aesthetics of buildings and open spaces. Additional responsibilities include authorship of institutional design standards, interior design, furniture selection, campus wayfinding, and building signage.
Ginny Rothschild is CEO and Principal of Workscape, Inc., Western Pennsylvania, and Northern West Virginia’s exclusive distributor of DIRTT and MillerKnoll.
Before entering the commercial office design industry, Ginny spent over 15 years in merchandising and product development leadership roles within Fortune 500 companies such as Walmart, Dick’s Sporting Goods, and the Gap. She currently operates as a Dealer Principal Advisory Board member and Design Dealer Committee Co-Chair for MillerKnoll.
Ginny is community minded and involved throughout the greater Pittsburgh community. She serves as a board member at St. Clair Hospital and is an active member of the Women’s President Organization.
Michael Volpatt is the Vice President of Marketing and Innovation for Volpatt Construction, one of the most respected building contractors in the Tri-State Area. Volpatt Construction continues to play an integral role in building the region into a top global destination for healthcare, research, and education. In his role, Michael directs marketing efforts while exploring how innovation can help the company and the industry as a whole build more efficiently and sustainably.
Michael is also the co-founder of Larkin/Volpatt Communications, a boutique public relations agency focused on helping early-stage technology companies develop strategic communications plans.
As a mentor and advisor, Michael sits on multiple boards providing guidance on marketing initiatives.
Save the Date!
“What’s Tech Got to Do with It” Green Trends, Technology and Innovation
November 4, 2024
Join us for an insightful panel discussion as we continue our series on sustainable building practices. Building on our previous sessions that explored waste diversion, pre-fabrication, and materials selection, this event will shine a spotlight on the pivotal role technology plays in enhancing green building efforts.
Our expert panelists will delve into how cutting-edge technologies are revolutionizing the green building landscape. From smart building systems and energy-efficient technologies to innovative design tools and data analytics, discover how technology is streamlining processes and driving sustainability forward.
Whether you’re a seasoned professional or new to the field, this discussion will provide valuable insights into how technological advancements are shaping the future of green construction. Don’t miss this opportunity to learn from leading experts and engage in a dialogue about the next wave of innovations in sustainable building.