Schedule | Agenda
2025 Schedule
Presentations will contribute to actionable knowledge, meaningful dialogue, and real-world impact in one or more of the following areas:
- Leadership and Governance
- Economic Development
- Planning, Development, and Infrastructure
- Construction and Design Best Practices
- Workforce Training
All session proposals for the 22nd Annual Construction in Indian Country Conference have been chosen.
Wild Horse Pass Conference Center | Chandler, Arizona
For a Printable Version of the Schedule at a glance, click the link below: Printable PDF Schedule
Workshop options
Construction 101 & 102 Workshops | Free for Paid Conference Attendees
For non-conference attendees: A workshop fee of $75.00 is required
Non-Conference Attendees Register for CON 101 and 102.
The CON 101/102 pass only permits access to the CON 101/102 workshops only. Conference Passes can be purchased to attend breakout sessions and activities.
CON 101 –Turning an Idea Into a “Shovel Ready” Project Course Description – The building construction process must be done step by step to ensure an efficient construction project. The construction process can be split into three main phases: preconstruction, construction, and post-construction. The preconstruction phase includes acquiring land, acquiring funding, strategic design, preparing budget and estimates, surveys and clearances, and hiring experts. The construction phase involves site preparation, excavation, framing, roofing, interior finishes, exterior finishes etc. The post-construction phase involves the final walkthrough and the handover of the completed project to the owner. It involves multiple stakeholders such as owners and/or owner representatives, architects, consultants, and specialty trade subcontractors. This session will provide an overview of the evolution of a building project with special focus on the unique aspects related to building on Tribal lands.
CON 102 – Applying the Process: A Case Study Course Description – Although Construction 101 is not a prerequisite, CON 102 expands on the concepts introduced in CON 101. Through a conceptual case study, participants will walk through each phase of the development process—planning, architectural design, and construction.
Construction professionals will illustrate best practices, highlight challenges, and share real-world insights at every stage of the project.
Wednesday, October 8, 2025
TENTATIVE SCHEDULE (sessions/speakers/times are subject to change)
7am-6pm Check-in and Registration Open
8am-3:30pm Exhibitor & Artisan Set-Up | Palo Verde C and Foyer
9:00 AM – 12:00 PM | CON 101 –Turning an Idea Into a “Shovel Ready” Project | Palo Verde A/B
12:00 PM – 1:00 PM | Lunch Break (on your own)
1:00 PM – 3:00 PM | CON 102 – Applying the Process: A Case Study | Palo Verde A/B
4:00 PM – 6:00 PM | Join us for an exclusive networking happy hour designed for exhibitors, tradeshow professionals, and conference attendees. Enjoy drinks and appetizers while forging valuable industry connections in a comfortable, informal atmosphere. | Palo Verde C and Foyer
Thursday, October 9, 2025
TENTATIVE SCHEDULE (sessions/speakers/times are subject to change)
8:00 AM-9:00 AM| Breakfast Buffett
8:30 AM – 9:45 AM | OPENING GENERAL SESSION | Palo Verde A/B
Posting of Colors | Ira H. Hayes American Legion Post 84
Opening Prayer | Isaiah Belknap, Deputy Chief Executive Officer, San Carlos Apache Healthcare
Welcome Address | Jacob Moore, Vice President and Special Advisor to the President on American Indian Affairs
Opening Remarks | Governor Stephen Roe Lewis, Gila River Indian Community
Keynote Address | Darrell LaRoche, Acting Deputy Director, IHS
Master of Ceremonies | Candace Hamana, Director, Director of Tribal Affairs, Office of Government and Community Engagement
9:45 – 10:00 AM | BREAK
10:00 AM – 11:00 AM | BREAKOUT SESSIONS I
| Session A: Indigenizing the A/E/C Industry – Powerful Teachings to Elevate Tribal Communities– Scott Moore y Medina, AIA, AICAE-Architect, Director, EAPC, Design Corps & Theodore Edaakie, AIA, NCARB, Architect, Studio Southwest Architect, AICE | Willow |
| Session B: Rapid Fire Presentations – Accelerating Progress, Revolutionizing Sustainable Housing, and IHS Construction Forecast– Scott Fillerup, Sr. Project Manager and Matthew Merginthaler , Sr. Project Manager, IHS; Stanford Lake, Hooghan LLC, & Sara Yanez, CEO, Skyland, Kendra Bennett, National Account Manager, Dr. Ryan Cox, Field Operations, Skyland 3D. | Cholla |
| Session C: A Strategic Master Planning Approach for an Industrial Park Development on Tribal Lands-Trevina Martinez, Designer, Indigenous Design Studio + Architecture, LLC & Kim Kanuho, President, Fourth World Design Group, LLC. | Yucca |
11:00 – 11:15 AM | BREAK
11:15 AM – 12:15 PM | BREAKOUT SESSIONS II
| Session D: Building Sovereignty: Aligning AI with Tribal Infrastructure Goals– Tessa Chandler, Director of Strategy and AI Implementation, Mule Deer Consulting. | Willow |
| Session E: The Big Picture: Tribal Sovereignty Through Broadband– Andrew Metcalfe, CEO, Native Network & Bob Terry III, Principal, Kenéw, LLC. | Cholla |
| Session F: Design Together: Tribal Eldercare Rooted in Family Resilience-Amy Cheever, Executive Director of Residential, Cuningham and Kenneth Angle, Attorney, San Carlos Apache Healtcare Corporation, Eric Shepherd, Willmeng, and Isaiah Beklnap & Designing for Recovery and Promoting Lasting Wellbeing in Indian Country– Rachel Matthews, Childers Clinic Healthcare Planner, Jonathan Asbill, Sr. Administrator of Construction at Cherokee, Juli Skinner, Sr. Director of Behavioral Health, Cherokee Nation. | Yucca |
12:15 PM – 1:45PM | LUNCHEON – GENERAL SESSION
| Lunch General Session- Palo Verde A/B |
| Tribal Leaders Panel: |
| Tanya Lewis, Chairwoman, Yavapai-Apache Nation Duane Duffy, Vice-President, Mescalero Apache Tribe Craig Andrews, Vice Chairman, Hopi Tribe Buu Nygren, President, Navajo Nation |
1:45 PM – 2:00 PM | BREAK
2:00 PM – 3:00 PM | Women in Construction Panel. | Palo Verde A/B
| Moderated by Ervina Castillo, MPA |
| Ariel Nephew-Lee, P.E., Mechanical Engineer – QA Engineering |
| Miriam Diddy, AICAE, Senior Planner – Pland Collaborative |
| Selina Martinez, Architectural Designer – Childers Architect |
| Frankee Hall, CEO, Wo Wiyuk’can Consulting |
3:00 PM – 3:15 PM | BREAK
3:15 PM – 4:15 PM | BREAKOUT SESSIONS III
| Presentation G: Modular Construction: A Path to Residential, Commercial and Economic Development– Mark Flinn, Partner, Native Land Construction and Consulting LLC & Building the Future: Santa Ana Pueblo’s Approach to Residential, Tribal Housing, Infrastructure Development & Improvements– Lawrence John, Tribal Planner, Pueblo of Santa Ana. | Cholla |
| Presentation H: Third Party, First Priority: Inspection in Absence of AHJ– Michael McNew, Principal and Owner, Ethos Construction Management & Isaiah Belknap, Deputy CEO, San Carlos Apache Healthcare Corporation. | Yucca |
| Presentation I: Bonding in Indian Country– Matthew Snowden, AFSC, CIC, CRIS, CLCS, Shareholder/Surety Practice Leader, The Mahoney Group & Harry Singer, President, Keyah Construction, Inc. | Willow |
4:15-4:30pm BREAK
4:30 PM – 6:30 PM | Conference Happy Hour & Networking Mixer: Unwind after a day of sessions! Join us for entertainment, drinks, light bites, and great conversations at our Conference Happy Hour. Connect with fellow attendees, exchange ideas, and expand your professional network in a relaxed, informal setting.
Lawn (Weather Permitting)
Entertainment- Paradise Island Dancers: Paradise Island Dancers are professional Polynesian entertainers who bring the true Aloha Spirit to every event. With years of experience and captivating performances, they engage audiences with vibrant energy, creating unforgettable moments that leave a lasting impression. They will bring the rhythm, beauty, and excitement of the islands to this year’s CIIC Networking Happy Hour!
Friday, October 10, 2025
TENTATIVE SCHEDULE (sessions/speakers/times are subject to change)
8:00 AM- 9AM | BREAKFAST
9:00 AM – 10:00 AM | BREAKOUT SESSIONS
| Session J: Building dynamic Economic Development strategies for the Navajo Nation– Luyen Nguyen, Assistant Professor, Navajo Technical University & Syerra Wartz, Student, Navajo Technical University | Cholla |
| Session K: Water First: Integrating Water and Wastewater Feasibility Analysis in Early-Stage Economic Development– Gwen Woods, Water and Wastewater Engineer, Riley Engineering, LLC; & Strategic Planning and Design for Rural Water Pipeline– Ronson Chee, Founder/Principal, Riley Engineering, LLC, Christian Jimmie, Water Resources E.I.T., Riley Engineering, LLC. | Yucca |
| Session L: Harnessing Technology to Optimize Your Construction Project– Jeff Anger, Senior Manager, Wipfli & Robert Torress, Solutions Engineer, Procore | Willow |
10:00 AM – 10:15 AM | BREAK
10:15 AM – 11:15 AM | BREAKOUT SESSIONS
| Session M: Tribal Employment Right Ordinances: When Public Entities Try to Build on Tribal Land-Sarah Lawson, Attorney, Schwabe & Matt Berry, J.D., Schwabe | Cholla |
| Session N: New Markets and Historic Tax Credit Financing for Native Construction Projects– Krista Beazley, CEO, Fort Apache Heritage Foundation, Inc., Reynold Roeder, Founder and CEO, Roeder and Company, LLC, Alan Pasternack, Attorney, Law Office of Alan Pasternack, LLC & Moderator: Chase Velasquez, Director of Economic Development and Native Partnerships, Willmeng. | Yucca |
| Session O: Strategic Development Planning: Turning Vision into Action-Adam Rose, Director of Partnerships and Growth, Travois & Chelsea Powell, Architect II, Travois; Supporting Energy Sovereignty for the Hopi Tribe– Kristen Parrish, Professor, Arizona State University, Fletcher Wilkinson, Energy Manager, Hopi Utilities Corporation, & Sanya Detweller, Senior Project Manager, BoxPower. | Willow |
11:15 AM – 11:30 AM | BREAK
11:30 PM – 1:00 PM | CLOSING LUNCHEON – GENERAL SESSION | Palo Verde A/B
Box Lunch
Sponsor Recognition
Door Prizes: Two chances for a ticket to the Reservation Economic Summit (RES) and other prizes
Closing Remarks
Retiring of Colors – Ira H. Hayes American Legion Post 84