Real-World AI in Design-Build: Lump Sum Budgeting and Cross-Team Lessons

This event will feature a moderated panel discussion on the practical use of AI in design-build delivery, grounded in the current best practices teams use today without AI. The discussion will focus on how AI can augment established estimating, cost-control, and quality-management workflows, helping teams develop more accurate early estimates for bidding and, after award, manage cost and quality as the project moves through design and construction. Panelists will share perspectives from the designer, contractor, owner, and IT/technology teams. We will highlight where AI tools can add reliability, improve decision-making, and strengthen accountability across the delivery team, while also addressing how these tools integrate with existing processes and controls. The program will conclude with 45 minutes to an hour of networking.

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AGENDA

4:00pm – 4:30pm: Arrive, Check-in, and Seating
4:30pm – 5:45pm: Panel Discussion
5:45pm – 6:30pm: Networking / Social

ELIGIBLE FOR EDUCATION CREDITS

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CLICK HERE TO SPONSOR THIS EVENT

Elevate Your Firm: Exclusive Innovation Sponsorship

Beyond visibility, your partnership fuels our mission to improve communication and integration across the design-build process. By sponsoring, you are actively advancing “Design-Build Done Right” while positioning your firm as a leader in the digital transformation of our industry.

The “Future-Ready” Lead Sponsor

$1,000 | Only 2 Slots Available

Your Sponsorship Benefits Include:

Entry for Two Guests: You will receive to tickets to attend.

Premier Digital Exposure: Your company logo prominently featured on all digital promotional materials, including event emails and social media outreach.

On-Site Visibility: Featured placement of your logo within the event’s slide presentation.

Podium Recognition: A formal verbal acknowledgment by our moderator during the opening remarks.

The “Digital Handshake”: We will provide a one-time “Sponsor Spotlight” post on our LinkedIn page following the event, tagging your firm and highlighting your commitment to industry innovation. This provides high-value professional engagement and permanent digital association with the event’s thought leadership without requiring extra time during the program.

Position your firm at the forefront of innovation in project delivery. Lock in on one of only two available slots TODAY!

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MEET THE PANEL

Moderator – Cesar Pereira, Partner – Sheppard, Mullin, Richter & Hampton LLP

Cesar Pereira is a Partner in the Construction Group of the national law firm Sheppard Mullin. He is a former General Counsel of a national construction company. In his position as General Counsel, he was responsible for the legal, compliance and risk management departments of the company.

His practice involves advising clients in all stages of a construction project. He has negotiated and litigated disputes arising from various forms of construction related agreements between and among owners, developers, contractors, construction managers, designers, sureties, operators, suppliers and subcontractors. This includes teaming, memorandum of understanding, joint venture, design and build, construction manager, interface, operation and maintenance, subcontract, rental, purchase, and professional service agreements, as well as, surety indemnity agreements and payment and performance bonds. He has worked with various forms of standard form agreements, including AIA, DBIA and ConsensusDocs.

 

Design-Builder

Michael Trotta, Vice President – Estimating at Posillico Civil, Inc.

Mike Trotta is an estimating professional with over twenty years of experience in the construction industry. As Vice President, Chief Estimator, Mike manages a department, which in the past several years, has generated annually, an average of 350 bids, proposals, and quotes with a dollar value of approximately $1.5 billion. His experience encompasses a large variety of heavy civil, environmental, and specialty construction. Mike has been involved in countless bids, from Boston’s Big Dig and JFK’s Light Rail System to NYSDOT’s design-build transportation program.

Mike’s mission is to pursue every opportunity within Posillico’s markets by optimizing reward and minimizing risk with accurate and innovative proposals.

Mike is also dedicated to the advancement of the construction industry through innovation and technology. He has served on several advisory boards for Estimating and Accounting Software Firms. He is an active member of the American Society of Civil Engineers and served as a board member for the American Society of Highway Engineers, Long Island Chapter.

Mike earned a Bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering from Polytechnic University and also has an Associate’s degree in Engineering from SUNY Farmingdale College.

 

Design-Builder

Roderick Fiske, Director Construction – BOND Civil & Utility Construction, Inc.

Rod is a senior design build leader with over two decades of experience delivering complex industrial and commercial infrastructure projects. He specializes in leading integrated engineering, procurement, and construction teams from concept through commissioning in high-risk, schedule-driven environments. Focused on execution certainty, stakeholder alignment, and commercial performance, Rod brings a practical, real-world perspective on successfully delivering difficult projects.

 

Lead Designer 
David DeLuca, PE, DBIA – Director and Principal at H&H

Dave DeLuca started as a structural engineer with H&H in 2002 and is now a Principal of the firm in the role of Alternative Delivery Practice Lead. In the last 20 years, Dave has led the delivery of DB, PDB, CMGC and CMAR projects for clients across the country. Dave has also served as the PM for many local Owners supporting their Design-Build programs including leading the Procurement and Design Quality Oversight for NYSDOT’s $1.7B Hunts Point Access Improvement; as well as NYCDOT’s re-entry into the DB market with the $200M replacement of four bridges on the Belt Parkway.

 

 

Owner / Client
Subhash Tuladhar, Associate Commissioner of DDC’s Project Controls Division

Subhash Tuladhar leads the Project Controls Division at the NYC Department of Design and Construction (DDC), where he plays a key role in advancing the agency’s adoption of innovative solutions, working with industry partners and academia. He oversees critical functions including analytics, with a strong focus on schedule, cost, and risk management. Known for his collaborative leadership, Subhash fosters cross-functional teamwork to drive results. Subhash brings 25+ years of experience working with owners, funding agencies, construction, and engineering firms.

 

Technology Expert
Rawle Sawh, Director of Operations Technology at Gilbane Building Company

Rawle Sawh is Director of Operations Technology at Gilbane, where he helps set enterprise technology strategy, governs the Operations application portfolio, and drives scalable digital transformation across operations. He leads through disciplined execution, cross‑functional partnership, and a strong focus on adoption, accountability, and measurable outcomes. As Chair of the New Tech Committee, Rawle advances emerging technologies from pilot to enterprise standard, aligning innovation with cyber requirements, lifecycle management, and business value. His team owns end‑to‑end jobsite technology delivery, performance analytics, and user enablement. Previously, Rawle led Virtual Design and Construction (VDC) on complex, large‑scale projects all across NYC.

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Many thanks to our host venue.