Featured Speakers

 

	Justin Osmond - Featured Speaker Speaker | Author Justin was born with a severe/profound hearing loss. He was diagnosed at the age of 2 with a 90% hearing loss, and after 12 years of intense speech and listening therapy, he can now speak with passion and, through modern-day technology, hear with conviction. Considering the fact that he was a couple of years behind his peers, he has shown through intense dedication, mental toughness, and physical exertion, that nothing can stop him from going after his dreams. Despite living with a profound hearing loss, Justin pressed forward with a perfect brightness of hope and a love for all humanity. Even after being told by doctors, teachers, and professionals that he would never play a musical instrument, he went on to play the violin, viola, piano, and drums. He has received numerous awards, such as the prestigious Sterling scholarship in music, academic scholarships, honorary achievements, and many athletic titles in soccer, football, basketball, and track. He is also proud to represent the Boy Scouts of America as an Eagle Scout, and he currently has his Master’s in Business Administration. Justin is a family man who resides with his sweetheart Kristi, his two little angels, and his fluffy dogs in southern Utah. Justin loves 4-wheeling, boating, camping, anything outdoors, and spending time with family and friends. Justin knows first-hand what it is like to live in a world without sound. In his recently published book “Hearing with My Heart," he shares his story with the world in order to help everyone understand the struggles of living with hearing loss and how to overcome it. He lives every day by his personal motto: “I may have a hearing loss, but that hearing loss does not have me.
	Jim “The Rookie” Morris - Keynote Speaker Motivational Speaker | Former MLB Pitcher | Author | Consultant | Educator | Coach Jim Morris was a high school science teacher and coach in west Texas who miraculously made it the Major Leagues at the age of 35. His life story made cinematic history with the heartwarming and unforgettable Disney movie, The Rookie, starring Dennis Quaid. Jim pitched two seasons for the Tampa Bay Devil Rays reaching speeds up to 102mph and chose to retire to raise his children. Since 2000, Jim has been a highly sought-after motivational speaker traveling the world inspiring audiences to follow their dreams and never give up. In his latest book, Dream Makers: Surround Yourself with the Best to Be Your Best, Jim shares more of his incredible life story including the people who helped make him the success he is today: his Dream Makers. Jim has been honored to receive a Lifetime Achievement award from the Bobby Bragan Youth Foundation, a CAMIE award for Character and Morality in Entertainment for The Rookie, has been involved with BCFS, Arms of Hope, Texas Youth Commission and other philanthropic efforts. He launched his own Foundation in 2015 giving back to underserved communities and children. Jim and his wife, Shawna, have raised five children and live near San Antonio.
	Ed Sullivan, Chief Economist, Forecaster, and Public Speaker Ed Sullivan has held senior level positions at the Portland Cement Association, Chase Manhattan Bank, Standard & Poor’s, and Wharton Economics. Ed has lectured at The War College, Fordham University, Fair-field University, Manhattanville College, Villanova and St. Joseph’s University. The Chicago Federal Reserve has cited Ed for his forecast accuracy. While at the CIA, Ed has played supportive analytical roles in major US trade policy including Japan's Voluntary Automotive Export Restraints and NAFTA. He was awarded an accommodation by Bob Gates, former Secretary of Defense.
	Michele Stanley, Interim CEO, National Stone, Sand, & Gravel Association​ Michele Stanley has served as the Interim President & CEO of the National Stone, Sand & Gravel Association (NSSGA) since October 2024. Stanley has worked at the association in other government affairs roles for more than 10 years. Prior to joining the association in 2015, Stanley served as the Director of Government Affairs at the National Asphalt Pavement Association from 2013-2015. She also worked on Capitol Hill for Rep. Jim Nussle (IA) and Rep. Peter King (NY).  During her role as NSSGA’s executive vice president of government and regulatory affairs, she was named to The Hill’s Top Lobbyist in 2024, 2022, 2021 & 2020 and by the National Institute of Lobbying and Ethics in 2024 and 2023. Stanley graduated from Luther College with a degree in political science and management. She additionally holds a certification in PAC management from George Washington University and a certification from the Institute for Organization Management from the U.S. Chamber of Com-merce. She serves on the advisory council of the Global Women’s Innovation Networks which hosts events to promote women working in politics, as well as the Board of Directors for TRIP, a Trans-portation Research Information Program, and at the American Highway Users Alliance. She currently lives in Arlington, Va with her husband and son.
	Pierre Villere, President & Senior Managing Partner, Allen-Villere Partners Pierre Villere is President and Senior Managing Partner of Allen-Villere Partners, an investment banking firm specializing in the construction materials industry. With over 40 years of experience, he has focused since 1996 on ready mixed concrete, aggregates, asphalt, and related sectors. He holds leadership roles in major industry associations like NRMCA and NSSGA, contributes to numerous state organizations, and serves on the National Steering Committee for the Concrete Industry Management (“CIM”) curriculum program. A frequent speaker and longtime industry columnist, Pierre was honored with the NRMCA's William B. Allen Lifetime Achievement Award in 2021.
	Chairwoman Brooke Paup - Texas Commission on Environmental Quality Brooke Paup was appointed as chairwoman of the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality on January 7, 2025.  Prior to her appointment to TCEQ, Brooke Paup served on the Texas Water Development Board beginning in 2018. In 2021, Governor Abbott appointed Paup as the first woman chair in the history of the TWDB. She also served as the Director of Legislative Affairs for the Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts, in the Office of the Attorney General, and at the Office of State-Federal Relations in Washington, D.C. Brooke has 19 years of state government experience. In 2021, Brooke was awarded the Texas Water Foundation's Rainmaker Award, which acknowledges exceptional leaders making lasting impacts in Texas water. She was also recently the recipient of the 2023-2024 Public Official of the Year Award from the Water Environment Association of Texas. Paup earned a Bachelor of Arts from Texas A&M University and a Juris Doctor from Texas Tech School of Law.
	Ryan Penlerick, PhD - Professor of Practice and Program Director, CIM Program, Texas State University Ryan Penlerick is a Professor of Practice and Program Director for the Concrete Industry Management (CIM) Program in the Department of Engineering Technology at Texas State University. Dr. Penlerick received his Bachelor of Science degree in Construction Management from Colorado State University, his Master of Arts in Higher Education Administration from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, and Ph.D. in Construction Science from Capitol Technology University. Dr. Penlerick has over 25 years of construction and concrete industry experience, having worked for and owned multiple companies within the industry. As a construction management professional, Dr. Penlerick has extensive experience in the management of a diverse array of projects in the commercial, residential, multifamily and concrete construction sectors with a proven track record in leadership roles with a focus on quality, timeliness and cost performance.
	CIM Patrons Board Chair Rob Van Til - Executive Vice President, Knife River Rob is the Executive Vice President of the Central Region for Knife River Corporation (KNF). Rob has over 30 years of industry leadership experience and is the former the Founder and Managing Partner of River Aggregates, LLC.    He led River Aggregates to multiple industry and community recognitions including the Aggie 100 Awards in 2016 & 2020 and Rob was named Aggregate Manager’s Agg Man of the Year in 2017.  Rob is a graduate of Texas A&M University, Tarleton State University and University of Texas at Dallas.  Rob and Karen have been married for 27 years and are proud of their two children, Chloe and Jack.  Jack is in his third year at The United States Military Academy and Chloe is a graduate student at Texas A&M University.