40th ANNUAL DBE WORKSHOP AND NETWORKING SUMMIT
SPEAKERS
WISDOT WELCOME SPEAKERS
In September 2024, Governor Tony Evers appointed Kristina Boardman to serve as Secretary of the Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT). WisDOT is one of the largest state agencies, with more than 3,200 employees and a biennial budget of more than $8 billion.
The department supports all modes of transportation, including state highways, local roads, railroads, public transit systems, airports, and harbors. In addition, the department includes the Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV), which serves about 50,000 customers each week, and the Division of State Patrol that enforces laws and assists motorists throughout the state.
Kristina’s public service career began with the Wisconsin State Assembly in 1995. She transitioned to WisDOT in 2005 and held previous positions including Deputy Secretary, DMV Administrator, DMV Deputy Administrator, and the Director of DMV Field Services.
Kristina enjoys both policy and operations work, and especially appreciates the rewarding work of serving the public through the implementation of new programs.
Kristina plays an active role at the regional and national levels and served as Chair of the American Association of Motor Vehicle Administrators (AAMVA) International Board of Directors for the 2022-23 federal fiscal year. Kristina has a Bachelor of Arts degree in political science from Augustana College in Rock Island, Illinois. Kristina and her husband live in Sun Prairie and have two adult children.
Scott Lawry, Deputy Secretary
Tondra Davis is the Director of the Wisconsin Supplier Diversity Program (SDP), whose mission is to certify minority (MBE), woman (WBE), and service-disabled veteran-owned (DVB) businesses to give them a better opportunity to do business with the State of Wisconsin. She has proudly served in this role since 2019.
While under Tondra’s leadership, Wisconsin attained a record 6.34% diverse spend, spent a record $192M with MBE and DVB businesses, streamlined certification processes, revitalized the SDP website, grew DVB certifications by over 50%, and reached a record 1,400 certifications. Tondra recognizes the important role diverse businesses play in helping to close economic, social, health, and educational gaps in local communities, Wisconsin, and the United States. This is why she and her staff are committed to certifying diverse businesses and training them to successfully navigate the State procurement process.
Tondra has been married over 25 years to Norman Davis. They have 3 children. She is a UW-Madison Alum with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Industrial Engineering. She received her Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Certification in 2022 and is a small business owner.
DBE SUMMIT SPEAKERS
Ms. Andrea (Andi) Bill is the Director of the Wisconsin Local Technical Assistance Program and Associate Director of the Traffic Operations and Safety Laboratory and Eastern Tribal Technical Assistance Program at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. With these roles, she has been bringing research to technology transfer through in person and virtual webinars throughout Wisconsin and the U.S. She focuses on safe system, human factors, traffic operations, work zone design, incident management, roadway lighting, engineering ethics, connected and automated vehicles, and traffic safety.
Topic: Ethical Challenges for Transportation Engineers in the Age of Big Data Analytics (PDH)
Anne is a Shareholder in the Real Estate, Construction, Banking, Bankruptcy and Business Restructuring Sections. Her practice focuses on real estate transactions and leasing, real estate development and construction. Since 2007, Anne has represented owners of construction projects that total over $1 billion. In addition to her real estate and construction practice, Anne advises corporate, institutional and bank clients in commercial and construction lending transactions. She has an extensive background in banking as a former Business Banker, Middle Market Commercial Banking Paralegal and Project Manager for compliance issues at three of the largest banks in Milwaukee. While at Chase Bank (formerly Bank One), Anne was a member of a national project team formed to create new versions of Middle Market commercial loan documents.
Anne is an active volunteer in the community for organizations that support women, including the Women’s Resource Center in Racine. Anne has previously done work at the Tenant’s Rights Clinic for Legal Action of Wisconsin and Law Day for the Milwaukee Bar Association. For several years, she was on the Gamma Phi Beta House Corporation Board in Madison.
Anne also dedicates her services to Milwaukee’s Polish community. Anne currently is the President of Polanki, Incorporated, the Polish Women’s Cultural Club. In 2001, she received a “Women of Influence” award from the Milwaukee Business Journal for her “behind the scenes” volunteer work as food chairperson at Polish Fest, a position she held for five years. In 2009, Anne received an award from the Polish American Congress—Wisconsin Division for her contributions to the Polish community. She is also a member of Polish Heritage Alliance, Inc. and Polonia Sport Club.
Topic: Wisconsin Contract Law
As a 30-year veteran of the Department of Transportation, Bob has worked in the Waukesha and Madison region offices over his career as a licensed Professional Engineer in the State of Wisconsin. He has extensive experience in Planning, Design and Construction of transportation projects. Past projects include the Director for the IH 94 North – South reconstruction Project, a $1.9 billion dollar reconstruction effort. Other work experiences include STH 83 corridor study, design of the USH 151 (Waupun to Fond du Lac) and reconstruction of Silver Spring Interchange in Milwaukee County. Since 2005, Bob has devoted his time and efforts to the reconstruction of the SE Freeway system and recently was the Project Director for the Zoo Interchange reconstruction project The Zoo Interchange is the State of Wisconsin busiest interchange. At $1.7 billion dollars it was one of the State’s largest infrastructure projects. Bob is a proud graduate of University of Milwaukee Civil Engineering program
As Regional Director for the Southeast (SE) Region in the WisDOT Division of Transportation System Development, the region serves the 7 Counties surrounding Metro Milwaukee (Milwaukee, Waukesha, Racine, Kenosha, Ozaukee, Washington, and Walworth). The region is responsible for planning, project development, operating and maintaining the SE State Highways, SE Freeways and SE local program. The region serves 2600 square miles, 64 towns, 57 villages, 32 cities and a population of over 2 million.
Topic: I 94 East West Project
Brandon Lamers, P.E., is Director of the Bureau of Project Development (BPD) at the Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT). A 2001 graduate of the University of Wisconsin–Platteville and a registered Professional Engineer, Brandon began his WisDOT career in 2008 as a project engineer in the Southwest region. He has served in multiple management roles within the Bureau of Project Development, and his combined region- and bureau-level experience has helped him develop strong relationships, broad perspective, and a people-first approach to public service.
Topic: WisDOT Design and Construction Updates
Dr. Mitzi Dobersek is an Associate Professor in the Civil and Architectural Engineering and Construction Management (CAECM) Department at the Milwaukee School of Engineering (MSOE). In August 2024, she was honored with the Regal Rexnord Educator of the Year Award, which recognizes a full-time MSOE faculty member with fewer than seven years of service for exceptional dedication and performance. Additionally, Dr. Dobersek was selected by students to receive the Faculty Appreciation Award at the annual CAECM banquet, further highlighting her positive impact on the MSOE community.
Dr. Dobersek is known for her innovative teaching methods and strong advocacy for students. She has been praised by both students and colleagues for introducing contemporary and thought-provoking topics into the classroom, fostering critical thinking, and encouraging personal growth. Her commitment to student success is evident in the consistent positive feedback she receives from those who have taken her courses.
Topic: Artificial Intelligence in Heavy Highway Construction.
You might know Dan Tyler as a design Oversight Engineer in WisDOT’s Bureau of Project Development. Dan has also been practicing and studying yoga and mindfulness for almost two decades, including periods of silent retreat. Dan is a qualified Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction teacher, with experience and training at UW Health and UCSD’s mindfulness programs. Every Tuesday and Thursday since 2018 he has volunteered his lunch break to lead guided mindfulness sessions – which are free and open to all our State colleagues. Dan shares mindfulness with the intention to help more people feel more happiness and less suffering.
Topic: Mindfulness for Stress Relief
Topic Description: We all experience stress – big and small, acute and ongoing. We probably know how it feels and what we do to try to make it go away. In this session, we’ll consider how a shift from reacting to responding might be possible, using a method called “mindfulness” – using the power of your own mind. We’ll define what mindfulness is (and what it isn’t), and get specific about how you can try it right now. (Skeptics welcome!)
David Castleberg is a professional engineer with the Wisconsin Department of Transportation, Bureau of Project Development office in Madison, Wisconsin.
David has been with the department of transportation for 37 years, where he has served as a construction project engineer, construction oversight engineer, project development supervisor, and for the last 32 years as the design and construction automation supervisor that includes the role of AASHTOWare Project Business Administrator for the state of Wisconsin. This role involves implementing and maintaining new applications for construction field staff.
Topic: Innovation and Technology in the Construction Industry
Topic Description: This presentation will highlight a range of innovations that enhance efficiency, safety, and effectiveness in highway construction. Attendees will see how new tools, technologies, and strategies are being piloted and implemented across the Wisconsin Department of Transportation to modernize workflows and support smarter project delivery.
James leads the Division’s Innovation Program, focusing on research, financial impact analysis, and implementation recommendations for DTSD and its partners. He also leads the Technology Program, organizing and directing key processes and activities, and driving implementation efforts. James collaborates with a remarkable team to coordinate and lead projects with division-wide impacts, including Geographical Information System (GIS), records and content management, process improvement, technology, and application support.
Topic: Innovation and Technology in the Construction Industry
Topic Description: This presentation will highlight a range of innovations that enhance efficiency, safety, and effectiveness in highway construction. Attendees will see how new tools, technologies, and strategies are being piloted and implemented across the Wisconsin Department of Transportation to modernize workflows and support smarter project delivery.
Keith R. Bilyeu is a seasoned technology executive, entrepreneur, and strategic innovator with over two decades of experience leading digital transformation across industries. Keith has spent more than 25 years helping hundreds of businesses leverage emerging technologies through managed IT services and strategic consulting. His leadership has positioned him as a trusted partner for infrastructure architecture, cloud migrations, virtualization, and enterprise application support.
Keith founded both ProNet Consulting and CogentDigital. He served as IT Director at HC Miller, 2Go Software Solutions, H Derksen & Sons, and Abaxent where he has led product architecture, remote development teams, and Cybersecurity strategies.
Technical Expertise:
- Certified to Design, Deploy, Manage and Maintain Scale Computing Hyper Converged Infrastructure
- Deep expertise in Microsoft technologies, Active Directory Planning, and Infrastructure Management.
- Virtualization, using VMWare, Hyper-V, or Scale Computing.
- CCP Training to act as an internal Security Resource or Assessor Support for Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification
Kurt graduated from University of Wisconsin-Platteville in 1999 with a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering. Kurt is the Project Development Section Manager in the WisDOT Northeast Region overseeing the design and construction of the I-41 Majors Project. Kurt has over 26 years of experience in design and construction. Prior to his role on the I-41 Project, Kurt was a design and construction Project Manager on several Mega/Major projects for the Northeast Region. Kurt is a registered Professional Engineer in the State of Wisconsin.
Luncheon Keynote Speaker
Lafayette L. Crump, JD, is the City of Milwaukee Commissioner of City Development, where, as a member of the Mayor’s Cabinet, he leads a team dedicated to growing Milwaukee’s population, bringing and keeping jobs in the city, increasing density, facilitating the development of affordable and equitable housing options, and preparing Milwaukee and its residents for economic success in an increasingly technologically-based economy. Born and raised in Milwaukee, Lafayette previously served as Deputy Chief of Staff and Chief Diversity, Vendor and Engagement Officer for the Host Committee of the 2020 Democratic National Convention. Lafayette was also Chief Operating Officer of Prism Technical Management & Marketing Services, LLC, a nationally experienced multidisciplinary management consulting firm based in Milwaukee. Lafayette practiced law for a number of years, working to ensure equity for small businesses and nonprofits, and has been an adjunct professor at Marquette University Law School. Lafayette’s commitment to professional and community pursuits have been recognized via the Milwaukee Business Journal Forty Under 40 award, the Milwaukee Times Black Excellence Award, the University School of Milwaukee Alumni Service Award, the Titan 100 Award, the Milwaukee Business Journal Power Broker list, and the Foley & Lardner Lyndford Lardner Attorney Service Award. Lafayette is a graduate of Duke University and Duke University School of Law, where, collectively, he served on the Journal of Gender Law & Policy, the Harassment Grievance Board, the Moot Court Board, and was president of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. He also completed the Associates in Commercial Real Estate (ACRE) Program and is a certified Economic Development Finance Professional.
Topic: Staying Ready in a Shifting Landscape: Resilience, Access, and Opportunity
Topic Description: This keynote offers perspective for small businesses navigating uncertainty, program shifts, and evolving expectations in public infrastructure work. Drawing from current city-level experience, the session will highlight where opportunity still exists, what readiness looks like in this moment, and how firms can stay positioned for growth without overextending themselves. Attendees will leave with clarity, reassurance, and a grounded view of how to move forward in a changing landscape.
Paul Conlin is leading the Wisconsin Department of Transportation team in the construction of the new Blatnik Bridge. He did the same on the construction of the St. Croix Crossing, a joint Minnesota-Wisconsin bridge project that opened to traffic in 2017. Paul is the WisDOT Northwest Region project development chief engineer. He joined WisDOT as a student engineer in 1989, and he was hired permanently in 1993. Prior to joining the management team, Paul had the opportunity to work on numerous high-profile projects in the Northwest Region, including the North Crossing and US 53 bypass in Eau Claire, the I-94/Carmichael Road interchange in Hudson, the River Falls bypass and the St. Croix Crossing and approaches. During the past two decades, he has had the opportunity to be a supervisor in WisDOT’s technical services, project development and planning and programming sections and went on to be the manager of the technical services and project development sections. He earned a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering from UW-Platteville.
Topic: Blatnik Bridge Replacement Project
Rebecca Burkel leads a division of more than 1,300 employees who work throughout Wisconsin overseeing the development, maintenance, and operation of the state highway system. DTSD is comprised of five regions and six bureaus. Rebecca grew up in the Green Bay area and earned her undergraduate and master’s degrees from the University of Wisconsin–Green Bay. Her WisDOT career began as an environmental coordinator in 1993.
She was promoted several times to managerial positions, most recently serving as deputy administrator before her 2019 appointment to administrator. Throughout her time at WisDOT, Rebecca has focused on process improvement, innovation, efficiency, and consistency of policy application among DTSD’s functional, technical and regional areas. Rebecca’s honors and achievements include honors from Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve recognizing her efforts to help balance responsibilities for staff called away on military duties. She’s also a past honorable mention for the Virginia Hart Award, which recognizes exemplary women in state government.
Scott Schoenmann (“Shane-uh-Men”) has been serving as the Director for the Bureau of State Highway Programs (BSHP) since 2023. Prior to the Director role, he served in a number of WisDOT leadership positions including Program Development Chief in BSHP (“bishop”), and as a Supervisor for the recently completed I-39/90 Expansion project in Dane & Rock Counties. Prior to joining WisDOT in 2016, Scott worked as a Project Engineer on the I-41 Expansion project in Brown County. He has over 15 years of experience working in the transportation industry with most of that time spent on Major projects throughout Wisconsin.
Scott is a lifelong Wisconsin resident and grew up in the Madison area before attending UW-Platteville where he earned a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering and is a registered Professional Engineer.
Topic: WisDOT Construction Let Forecast
Tim serves as Executive Director of Infrastructure Business Development for the National Association of Minority Contractors – Wisconsin Chapter (NAMC-WI). In this role, Tim manages the organization’s expansion of capacity building resources, workforce development, and strategic relationship building opportunities to benefit Minority Business Enterprises (MBE), Small Business Enterprises (SBE) and Disadvantaged Business Enterprises (DBE) in highway construction to achieve readiness and to deliver substantial value in participation on major infrastructure projects.
Tim is Founder and President of Tim McMurtry International LLC, a business consultancy specializing in personal development coaching and training, government affairs, multicultural outreach, business-to-business marketing and community and corporate relations. Previously, Tim served as Public Relations & Brand
Manager at Employ Milwaukee, the local workforce development board serving Milwaukee County. Employ Milwaukee convenes leaders from the business, economic and workforce development, education and government sectors to develop workforce solutions that promote regional economic growth and employment for all job seekers.
Tim also serves as Associate and North Campus Pastor at World Outreach Center in Milwaukee, serves as Wisconsin State Director of Christians United for Israel (CUFI), the largest grass-roots pro-Israel advocacy group in America with over 11 million members nationwide.
Tim received his BA in Communication from the University of Wisconsin- Milwaukee and resides in Milwaukee, Wisconsin with his wife, Cheryl, and two children.
Topic: Effective Business Communications for Small Businesses
Topic Description: The speaker will present on How You Show Up; Raising Awareness About Your Business; Effective Networking and Relationship Building