Meet CFMA’s 2023-24 Executive Officers - Articles

These volunteers strategically lead the organization, administer activities, and pursue CFMA’s Vision and Strategic Plan.

Discover their stories, motivations, and what goes into shaping CFMA’s path to success.

What are you most looking forward to this year?

Kevin: Bringing us through a lot of change. Acclimating and preparing our new President and CEO to move the Association into the future is central to making this a great year.

Caryl: Meeting and growing with Chapter Presidents at Spring Creek. I also can’t wait to see some of the exciting things to come regarding CFMA’s education.

Jennifer: Meeting and working with more of our members, the Officers, and the CFMA HQ staff to continue moving CFMA forward as the premier organization for construction financial professionals.

Pam: I’m excited to collaborate with the Officers and Executive Committee. There are many initiatives and mega issues that we have the chance to address that can bring value to members. Helping the DEI+ Committee make progress is close to my heart. I’m also looking forward to supporting our new President and CEO. There’s a lot to do in my one year as an Officer!

Tom: The opportunity to continue connecting with members at CFMA’s 2023 Annual Conference and many of our regional conferences. Getting to meet them and share our experiences can help build a better industry.

Describe a time when you had to navigate a challenging issue, and how you addressed it.

Kevin: I was working for a company that had to go into bankruptcy. I stayed committed to my job and reaching the best result for all parties involved. I remained engaged in the reporting and testifying in arbitration and court to ensure that the greatest value could be given to the creditors by collecting all of the remaining receivables before funds were distributed.

Caryl: When the companies I worked for were acquired by private equity twice within two years, I turned to CFMA friends in search of new opportunities. I was fortunate to find a job in another area of construction, growing my network and experience.

Jennifer: One of the most challenging experiences was inheriting an employee who didn’t want to have any accountability, only wanted do things her way regardless of what was best for the company, and was rude and unapproachable. My approach was to have up-front, calm conversations about the company’s needs from this role, how to be a good teammate, listen to her feelings, and provide my expectations in what was needed from this role for the company’s best interests. In the end, we agreed she needed to work elsewhere; she left under good terms by giving us notice and finding another position at a new company while we searched for her replacement.

Pam: The first thing that comes to mind is CFMA’s 2014 Annual Conference & Exhibition, when Scott Rooney and I led the Conference Planning Committee. This is always a big lift, but there were particular challenges with almost every facet of the Conference that year. It took a lot of teamwork, some creative problem-solving, and additional meetings. In the end, it was a big success thanks to some good luck and a lot of hard work.

Tom: It feels like almost every day has some complex or challenging issue that comes up. Whether on the financial side, operations, HR, or trying to solve challenges for clients, the toughest part is finding a way to balance it all and still get everything done.

Do you prefer to read books or watch movies, and what is your favorite?

Kevin: I guess I prefer reading to movies, although I do enjoy a lot of films. I read a lot of different things, but one of my favorites was Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy.

Caryl: I prefer to read books, but I also like to watch a good movie! My favorite nonfiction book is Thinking, Fast & Slow by Daniel Kahneman, and my favorite fiction book is The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah.

Jennifer: Read; I love mystery novels and crime/medical crime series. My favorites are Patricia Cornwell’s Scarpetta novels and James Patterson’s Women’s Murder Club. For quick, fun reading, I love Janet Evanovich’s Stephanie Plum series.

Pam: I prefer to read, but I do enjoy movies. I read a lot of biographies, but my favorite book is In Cold Blood by Truman Capote. My favorite movie is American Beauty.

Tom: Movies for certain! Field of Dreams — an absolute classic.

What was your favorite construction project?

Kevin: At one GC I worked for, we had to build a private residence, and the owner was a big-time book collector. Our company’s carpenters were able to show off their skills by building in wood paneling throughout the home and a two-story library to hold the owner’s collection.

Caryl: My favorite construction projects are those that are beautiful but also create water management solutions for the Houston area. At the landscape company and now at the bridge company, many of our projects create artistic expressions that allow us to reduce flood risk and enjoy the outdoors.

Jennifer: One of my favorite projects was when the GC I worked for built the new corporate building for Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines in Springfield, OR. We made their building look like you were walking into a cruise ship.

Pam: One that was most memorable and probably my favorite project was the 241 Transportation Corridor in Orange County, CA. I was the surety broker for one of the Joint Venture partners that won the project. At the time, it was the largest public works project to have been bid in California.

Tom: There have been many, but being a big sports fan, the opportunity to build an arena early in my career was one of my favorites. I saw how the entire facility came together from the precast and steel all the way to being able to see and climb the catwalk around the top of the building. It was a multi-purpose arena that also had all of the construction for a hockey rink, so getting to see the piping and the process for that was interesting. Toward the end, our team could free skate each morning — we had many races around the rink with the loser buying lunch!

Who is your favorite musician or band?

Kevin: Although I enjoy music from many different periods and artists, I probably would hone in on The Beatles for the variety of music they produced.

Caryl: Pearl Jam — I am looking forward to seeing them in concert in Texas in September!

Jennifer: It’s hard to pick a favorite as I listen to all genres. If I had to fall back onto a certain genre, it would be old rock and roll like Bob Seger, Lynyrd Skynyrd, and The Eagles — that was my mom’s favorite and what I grew up listening to.

Pam: It’s too hard to narrow it down! Led Zeppelin, Foo Fighters, Prince, Soundgarden, Springsteen, Pearl Jam ... to name a few.

Tom: I like too many to give just one, so here are a few: Metallica, Def Leppard, Linkin Park, Dave Matthews Band, Tom Petty, and Chris Stapleton. I’m all over the map but love all music equally!

What hobby or activity are you passionate about?

Kevin: I have collected a lot of music over the years and only recently pared down my old vinyl collection to my most essential favorites.

Caryl: I am passionate about spending time with my grandchildren, hiking, and enjoying nature. I am a long-time community volunteer and ambassador for my city.

Jennifer: Golf is a passion of mine to play and watch. I have been to numerous LPGA events across the U.S., and my dog is named Bogey (after the score I am happy with). I’m starting to get more into pickleball and have found that to be entertaining and good exercise.

Pam: I have a passion for live music and try to get to shows whenever I can. A lot of good gigs are happening in 2023!

Tom: Currently, it’s being there for our kids’ sporting events and supporting them as parents. There are so many great life lessons you can learn through sports and good competition. Like Jennifer, I’ve also become a pickleball fan.

Who or what inspires you?

Kevin: Aside from the impact my family (especially my wife, Liz) has on me to strive to be better, I must mention Cal Beyer. I have had the great joy to be friends with him and watch his career of helping protect people from harm, preaching the value of safety along with mental health, and leading the charge that created the Construction Industry Alliance for Suicide Prevention (CIASP). His deeply caring nature and tireless work to support safe practices in our industry is awe-inspiring.

Caryl: Continuous learning and growth are important parts of my life. I am inspired by those who live with gratitude and hope while encouraging others to be their very best.

Jennifer: Constantly learning and being exposed to new opportunities to learn. I love to pass my knowledge onto others as well. It is a successful day if I have learned something new or been able to teach someone else something new.

Pam: Time to roll out the cliché — more than anything or anyone, my kids (who are now adults) inspire me. They’re exceptional people with unique gifts and talents. It’s inspiring for me to see how they’ve navigated the challenges and opportunities of adulthood and continue to evolve into the very best versions of themselves.

Tom: My family; the ability to care for them knowing all the hard work and dedication pays off is all the inspiration I need.