Michael joined Hoffman Construction Company 16 years ago after practicing architecture for 10 years in Seattle and the surrounding area. In his years of practice, he developed the firm’s Quality Plan and executed internal Quality Reviews as a Project Architect, Project Manager, and Partner.

After joining Hoffman Construction in 2006, he worked on project sites coordinating subcontractors and installations, learning all the ways the details he had drawn as an architect were actually being installed. His architectural background and consistent focus on quality made him an ideal Quality Manager; first on project sites, and now corporately, helping to devise and implement a company-wide Quality system. He believes planning is the key to Quality, and is focused on Design Document Reviews in preconstruction as the earliest opportunity to control Quality on the construction site.

Michael has experience in many building types, high rise towers to below grade transit stations, and with GCCM and Design Build project delivery methods, as both an architect and contractor. A proud building science and sustainability geek, he completed the design and build of his own net-zero house in 2021.

Paul Grahovac has been active in the construction industry for 30 years –first as a construction defects trial lawyer and later as corporate counsel and an expert in barrier technology. He also spent 10 years in technology development at a national lab.

While he has a broad background in formulating and evaluating products in the lab, he’s happiest when he’s on a construction site, collecting feedback on new products and application methods under development directly from the people who would use them, and learning about the most challenging unsolved problems facing builders today that can become the innovations of tomorrow

Matt was born into the construction industry as his father successfully ran a masonry company in Cleveland, Ohio, for 35 years. Matt became an apprentice bricklayer in 2001, successfully completed training, and became a journeyman. In 2009, Matt studied blueprint reading and estimates by hand. In 2010, Matt became a Level 3 Certified ABAA installer in fluid-applied, self-adhered, and spray foam. With the passing of his father in 2013, Matt started at OCP Contractors, starting up their division 7 group. In 2016, Matt became the Chairman of the Contractors; a few years later, he became a Board of Director for the ABAA, and in 2021, Matt also became a member of the Executive Committee.

As a forensic architect registered in several states, Corey Zussman has practiced in the construction industry for more than 30 years. He specializes in building envelope, restoration, preservation, life safety, and interior finishes. While working on over 2000 projects, Corey conducts constructability reviews, pre-installation meetings, comprehensive envelope meetings, and construction observations. He has also become known for providing educational opportunities throughout the industry and has produced more than 200 “lessons learned” papers. Topics include building envelope and life safety concerns and enable Corey to proactively address issues during design review, pre-construction, and construction. In addition, he has over 15 industry articles about building envelope and life safety topics and is also a frequent presenter at local and national conferences and associations with over 50 AIA accredited presentations.