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From Research to Construction: How the CDT Helped Chris Waller

By Peter Kray
Moving from research into construction consulting brought new challenges for Chris Waller, a water and wastewater engineering consultant with HDR. While his research background provided a strong technical foundation, he wanted to better understand construction documents, project delivery, and the communication needed to keep projects moving forward. In this CSI Certification Spotlight, Waller shares how earning his CDT ® certification helped him build that understanding, approach project challenges with greater confidence, and recognize the importance of continuous learning. Please tell me a little about your professional career and how you ...

Q&A With New CSI Fellow Mary-Alice Avila

By Peter Kray
This year, CSI welcomed Mary-Alice Avila, FCSI, CDT ® , to the CSI College of Fellows. She is one of only six distinguished professionals in the architecture, engineering, construction, and owner (AECO) industry named to the 2026 class . She was nominated through a rigorous application process, then elected by the Jury of Fellows for membership, one of the top honors given by CSI. Ahead of celebrating this achievement at the 2026 CSI National Conference , October 7-9 in Phoenix, AZ, we talked with her about her career and becoming a CSI Fellow. What does this honor mean to you? Striving to learn and earn my place in the AECO profession ...

Q&A With New CSI Fellow William "Chip" Hayward

By Peter Kray
This year, CSI welcomed William “Chip” Hayward, FCSI, CCS ® , CCCA ® , CDT ® , to the CSI College of Fellows. He is one of only six distinguished professionals in the architecture, engineering, construction, and owner (AECO) industry named to the 2026 class . He was nominated through a rigorous application process, then elected by the Jury of Fellows for membership, one of the top honors given by CSI. Ahead of celebrating this achievement at the 2026 CSI National Conference , October 7-9 in Phoenix, AZ, we talked with him about his career and becoming a CSI Fellow. What does this honor mean to you? Several of my CSI mentors and advisors ...

Conversations That Prevent Conflict with Nora Burns

By Peter Kray
As the founder and chief curiosity officer of The Leadership Experts, Nora Burns has redefined what it means to understand workplace culture from the inside out. During her keynote at the 2026 CSI National Conference (Oct. 7-9 in Phoenix, AZ), she’ll share that knowledge with the AECO industry. A former Fortune 200 leader, Nora has led teams through complex challenges, transforming companies from the boardroom to the front lines. But Nora’s true game-changer? The Undercover Project™, an independent research initiative in which she went incognito, applying for over 350 jobs and working frontline roles at Fortune 500 companies as The Undercover Employee™. ...

From Delivery Driver to Business Owner: How the CDT Shaped Brandon Smith’s Career

By Peter Kray
As someone who has worked in the door hardware business since he was in college, Brandon Smith knows a thing or two about the construction process. Today he is the owner of DoorWays SLO, a company in San Luis Obispo, CA, that provides architectural doorways for commercial builders. He also holds certifications with both the Door Hardware Institute and Construction Specifications Institute. He recently shared some insights about his early and ongoing work in the AECO industry and how the CDT ® certification has helped guide him both professionally and personally in the industry. Brandon, it's nice to meet you. I'd love to hear a little about ...

An Update From Board Chair Jarrod Mann

By Jarrod Mann, PE, FCSI, CCCA®, CDT®
CSI members and community, This time of year always has a certain energy to it. Chapters are gearing back up to begin their new program year after summer pauses and planning sessions, and there is a lot happening across CSI as everyone gets back into the swing of things. It is a good moment to step back and remind ourselves why this organization exists and the value we get by being a part of it. So, before I get into where things stand on a few commitments I made to you in my last update, I want to start there. CSI exists so that specifiers, architects, engineers, contractors, product representatives, owners, and everyone else whose work depends ...

Q&A With New CSI Fellow Kristopher Benton

By Peter Kray
This year, CSI welcomed Kristopher Benton, FCSI, CDT ® , to the CSI College of Fellows. He is one of only six distinguished professionals in the architecture, engineering, construction, and owner (AECO) industry named to the 2026 class. He was nominated through a rigorous application process, then elected by the Jury of Fellows for membership, one of the top honors given by CSI. Ahead of celebrating this achievement at the 2026 CSI National Conference , October 7-9 in Phoenix, AZ, we talked with him about his career and becoming a CSI Fellow. What does this honor mean to you? For me, earning a Fellowship in CSI is not just about ...

5 Questions With New CSI Fellow Matthew Gregory

By Peter Kray
This year, CSI welcomed Matthew Gregory, FCSI, Member Emeritus, CCS ® , CDT ® , to the CSI College of Fellows. He is one of only six distinguished professionals in the architecture, engineering, construction, and owner (AECO) industry named to the 2026 class. He was nominated through a rigorous application process, then elected by the Jury of Fellows for membership, one of the top honors given by CSI. Ahead of celebrating this achievement at the 2026 CSI National Conference , October 7-9 in Phoenix, AZ, we talked with him about his career and becoming a CSI Fellow. What does this honor mean to you? To receive this award ...

CSI Conference to Close with Must-Attend Keynote Speech on the Impact of AI

By Peter Kray
There’s no bigger story in business right now than the many ways AI is altering how professionals work on a daily basis, both at the office and in the field. Which is precisely why the upcoming CSI National Conference in Phoenix, AZ, October 7—9, will wrap up with an impactful keynote presentation on AI as a Leadership Imperative . “There’s a lot of buzz around AI and there certainly has been for the last three years,” said Stellis AI CEO Trent Gillespie, who will fill the closing keynote role. “But in my mind, it’s kind of met its peak, and everything that’s been hidden for the last three years is basically happening right now.” ...

A Commitment to Learning—Why the CDT Was Just the Start of Greg Carr’s Professional Journey

By Peter Kray
Just six months ago, Greg Carr, CDT ® , of the Ayres Associates Engineering Services Team, sat down with CSI to discuss how the Construction Documents Technologist (CDT ® ) certification has positively impacted his career. Now, with his sights set on earning the CCCA ® and CCS ® , he shares how he continues to increase his understanding and expertise in the AECO industry, and how rewarding a career can be when you make a commitment to never stop learning. CSI: Greg, looking back at our previous conversation with you, I was really impressed by how many different aspects of the AECO industry you connect to. What are some of the bigger trends ...

Announcing the 2026 Class of CSI Fellows

By CSI HQ
CSI is proud to welcome six outstanding professionals from the architecture, engineering, construction, and owner (AECO) community into the CSI College of Fellows. CSI Fellows are members whom their peers select for this distinction based on achievements in the industry and their above-and-beyond contributions to CSI. The CSI community will honor and celebrate these individuals at the 2026 CSI National Conference , October 7-9 in Phoenix, AZ. Mary-Alice Avila, FCSI, CDT ® Joined CSI in 1989 Mary-Alice Avila exemplifies problem-solving and generosity in sharing knowledge, qualities likely instilled while ...

From Learning to Leadership: Kathryn Fuller's CSI Certification Story

By Peter Kray
Every CSI certification tells a story. For Kathryn E. Fuller, CSI, CDT ® , CCCA ® , earning her certifications helped expand her expertise, strengthen her career, and deepen her understanding of construction documentation and contract administration. In this Q&A, Kathryn shares her journey, study tips, and advice for professionals considering a CSI certification. Tell me about your career and why you chose to work in this industry. And why earn a CSI certification? I decided to become an architect the summer before entering 8th grade. It was the only profession I could think of that combined all my interests of math, science, art, ...

Solving Three Everyday Challenges—A Report from the CSI Dynamic Standards Webinar

By Peter Kray
Hundreds of AECO professionals from across the country got a live look at the new CSI Dynamic Standards℠ during a virtual webinar on June 25, featuring an interactive demonstration detailing the development of the resource, its primary functions, and its purpose to help professionals find relevant information faster across the industry, accurately navigate connected standards and classifications, and confidently verify the most recent, relevant information regarding products and specification protocol. CSI Dynamic Standards℠ (CDS) was built to combine MasterFormat ® , UniFormat ® , and OmniClass ® into one accessible and always-current ...

CSI Board Update: Trust, Value, Communication, and the Future

By Jarrod Mann, PE, FCSI, CCCA®, CDT®
CSI members and community, The CSI Board met June 27 in Phoenix, and I want to follow through on the commitment I made in my last message : providing a fuller picture of where things stand on the four priorities (Trust, Value, Communication, Future) shaping the Board's work this year. Trust: The fact that so many members are engaged, asking questions, and seeking more clarity on Board priorities reflects how deeply this community cares about CSI, and that itself is a form of trust worth acknowledging and a foundation to build on. That trust was built over more than 75 years through the work of CSI volunteers ...

Your Board Met This Weekend - Here Is Where Things Stand

By CSI HQ
Below is a letter from Incoming CSI Board Chair Jarrod Mann, P.E., FCSI, CCCA, CDT. To the CSI community, On Saturday, the CSI Board of Directors held its June meeting in Phoenix, AZ. It was a full day of work on the issues that matter to this community and on the direction of this organization going forward. I am writing to you as your incoming Board Chair. William Sundquist passed the gavel, and I want to begin this role the way I intend to continue it: by communicating directly with the members I serve. What the Board Addressed The meeting covered five areas that reflect what this community ...

A Note as I Pass the Gavel

By CSI HQ
To the CSI community, This past weekend, I had the high honor of handing the board chair gavel to Jarrod Mann — and reflecting on my past two years in service to the board and all of CSI. When I came into this role, I set out to focus on three things: building up our people, building up the profession, and building better projects. I am proud of the progress we've made on all three fronts, and I am grateful to every board member, staff member, and volunteer who made that possible. What I did not fully anticipate was how much the ground would shift beneath us in two years. AI went from a topic on the horizon to a tool ...

What Great Construction Product Reps Know (That Others Don’t)

By Michael Riscica, CSI, CCCA®, CCPR®, CDT®
If you've been a product rep for any amount of time, you've probably noticed something: the reps who perform best aren’t necessarily the best salespeople. They're the ones who actually understand the project. They show up at the right time, with the right information, and they know how their product fits into the bigger picture. They're not pitching. They're contributing. Imagine an architect calling you to use your product on their next project, all because of the fantastic experience they had working with you and your team last time. That's what happens when you stop selling and start being a genuine resource. So here's ...

Bringing Clarity to Complex Projects

By Peter Kray
CSI member spotlights highlight the skills, professional areas of interest, and daily contributions members make to the architecture, engineering, construction, and owner (AECO) industry. Meet Angela M. Hamill, CSI, CDT ® , who is a document controls manager at Lochner Egis Group. How did you become a professional in the AECO industry, and do you have any specific projects you would like to share? I began my career in the AECO industry more than two decades ago through document control and configuration management roles supporting major capital programs. Over the years, I’ve developed a specialty in establishing document ...

CSI’s Impact Earns Official Recognition

By Peter Kray
The State of Tennessee honored all that CSI does to advance building information management and the education of project teams to improve facility performance within the commercial construction industry, with a state proclamation recognizing CSI. CSI Board of Directors Chair William Sundquist accepted the honor at the office of Representative Yusuf Hakeem, along with Tara Mitchell, Harry Harris and Lynn Jolley of the CSI Nashville Chapter. In the same kind of clear, specific language many specifiers would respect, the state presented, “A resolution to honor the Construction Specifications Institute for outstanding service to the ...

CSI Certification Spotlight: Members Share Their Steps to Success

By CSI HQ
What does certification mean after 20 years in the industry? What about at the very start of your career? For these recent certification earners, the answer is the same: growth. Though they’re at different stages in their careers, all found that certification sharpened their knowledge, strengthened their confidence, and reinforced their commitment to the architect, engineer, contractor, and owner (AECO) industry. Their stories highlight an important truth: professional development doesn’t have a finish line. In this Certification Spotlight, each share why they chose certification, how they prepared, and how earning their credentials continues ...