This year, the Department of Construction Management recognized two very deserving individuals to receive the CM Friend of the Department Award. This award is given in recognition of individuals, organizations, or businesses that have demonstrated exceptional leadership and made notable, voluntary contributions in building industry-construction education partnerships which strengthen Colorado State University’s Construction Management program.

“This year’s recipients contributed to our program in very distinctive and meaningful ways,” said Interim CM Department Head Mehmet Ozbek, Ph.D. “It is our hope that our students will be inspired by their accomplishments, and will choose to give back to the department, as these individuals have done.”

Ian Warner, Product Manager for Trimble’s Field Technologies Group

Ian Warner serves as the product manager for Trimble, Inc. He has been instrumental in bringing cutting-edge technologies into the classrooms of the CM program. He volunteered his time to be a guest speaker and the lead for numerous boot camp courses over the past three years. Even when he is not the one teaching or leading a boot camp course, Warner advocates for the boot camp courses, and secured others from Trimble to bring their expertise to CM classrooms.

In his efforts to bring new technologies to the classroom, Warner volunteered his time to come to campus to demonstrate scanning equipment to students and spent significant amounts of time scanning the buildings, then later working with students and faculty to use the scans, resulting in impressive projects for the class in three different semesters. He also volunteers his time to show students and faculty how to use equipment and software including scans of the IS Lab, the Danforth Chapel, and the Preconstruction stables building.

Additionally, Warner was and continues to be a champion in support of the recent software and hardware donation from Trimble to the Department of Construction Management. Warner has gone above and beyond with his support to ensure CM was able to put the gifts to use.

“With Warner’s support and dedication to the CM program, he has been able to enhance the program by integrating technologies and updated, high-impact construction practices to the CM curriculum,” said CM Associate Professor, Jon Elliott, Ph.D.

Amy Powell, CM Alumna (B.S. ’06), Director of Training and Outreach for GTC, Inc.

Amy Powell is a 2006 CM graduate and current director of training and outreach at Golden Triangle Construction, Inc.  She is pursuing a master’s in CSU’s adult education and training program in the School of Education, to improve the training and experiences of CM professionals, especially as it involves interpersonal skills and personal wellness.

Powell has shown continuous support for the CM department through her service over the years. Most recently, she has served as an excellent industry mentor to women new to the CM program as part of the Women Engaging in Construction Management mentoring program. She is the industry instructor for a boot camp course on communication skills for construction managers this semester. Powell has consistently assisted with recruiting events, such as the CM Women in Construction Management Summer Institute camp, and she is passionate about prioritizing access and equity in construction education.

Powell shares research articles she comes across that may benefit CM initiatives and various efforts, provides encouragement to the CM staff with whom she works, and offers to help support students in a variety of ways. She also has a construction education YouTube channel, “The Girl in the Hardhat,” and is planning visits to Denver high schools to promote AEC education; she consistently looks for opportunities to promote the CM program. CM Adviser Molly Weisshaar, says, “Amy Powell embodies the CM department’s mission of building future leaders, at every stage of their careers.”

CM extends a heartfelt congratulations to these two deserving recipients.

The Department of Construction Management is part of CSU’s College of Health and Human Sciences.