Meet Our Team
Thomas Finan
Executive Director & Co-Founder
Tom Finan represents the third generation of his family to work in the St. Louis construction industry. After 40 years as a business magazine publisher here and nationally, he developed the concept of Construction Forum in 2010. Tom envisioned a “room without walls,” where communication, collaboration, and focused action address social equity and economic growth in our industry and region. He co-founded the Forum with Joe Blanner in 2013.
Diana Wilhold
Deputy Executive Director & Chief Operating Manager
Diana holds a life dual teaching certificate for K-8 and K-12 Special Education. She earned a Masters in Non-Profit Management and Public Policy and Administration. She has taught in the K-12 system, developed prevention health education curricula, created processes and protocols for the youth career exploration and talent pipeline, and developed large-scale community engagement efforts that improved the overall health and well-being of others. Today she serves as the Deputy Executive Director/COO pulling together her experiences and building opportunities to improve the lives of others in the world of construction. Diana most enjoys her time working with people that are action-oriented and will move the needle for the betterment of the individual or community at large. She loves the outdoors, putting together 1,000-piece puzzles and spending time with her family.
Dede Hance
Director of Administration
Dede Hance was Team Member #2 at Construction Forum. She joined the Forum in 2015, playing a major role in our outstanding initial success. With a solid background in event management and back-office skills, plus a flair for electronic design and production, she was crucial to the success of the Forum’s first events and newsletters, and in all the years that have followed. She has shown a steadfast willingness to take on thankless jobs and to put in long hours. She has also continued to grow her skills, all the while bringing her positive, service-oriented, can-do attitude to any task she undertakes.
Meet Our Partners
Shruthi Beedu
Contractor
Shruthi earned a Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science and has recently finished her Associate’s degree in Graphic Design. She plans to combine her technical expertise and coding approach with her creative skills to explore new possibilities. Currently, Shruthi works as a contractor and contributes to website design and development for Construction Forum. Apart from her professional life, Shruthi loves spending time with her family, including her daughter and husband, and also cherishes celebrating Indian traditions with her friends.
Kacey Crawley
Contractor
Kacey Crawley is the founder of Nine & Nove Media Co., a creative studio built on curiosity, connection, and craft. With roots in the construction industry, including time spent in the carpenter’s union and degrees in both welding technology and marketing, Kacey brings a unique perspective to her work in videography and storytelling. She’s especially passionate about amplifying the voices of M/WBE businesses and capturing the human side of every project she takes on. Through Nine & Nove, Kacey combines technical skill with heart, creating content that reflects the real people behind the work. Her presence in the marketing world is grounded, ever-evolving, and deeply focused on helping others feel seen through the lens of her camera.
Meet our Board of Directors
Shonnah Paredes
BOARD PRESIDENT | Metropolitan St. Louis Sewer District | Manager of Diversity Programs
Three things you should know about me: 1.) Career includes involvement in several branches of Government to include Federal, State, Local, DOD, DOE, HUD, and DOT. 2.) A Broker licensed in Real Estate in Missouri since 1999. 3.) A graduate of Webster University, earned a Masters of Business Administration and Masters in Human Resource Management. Received a Bachelor of Business Administration from Fontbonne University.
Burnea Lester
BOARD VICE PRESIDENT | Site Improvement Association | Director of Communication and Community Relations
Three things you should know about me: 1.) I love God. 2.) I am a proud wife and a mom of two boys. 3.) I love it when people collaborate and innovate.
Debbie Shaw-Franke
BOARD TREASURER | Enterprise Bank & Trust | VP, Business Development
Three things you should know about me: 1.) 1978 Youth World Champion, NCHA (National Cutting Horse Association). 2.) Tennis player — at least I try. 3.) I love the arts and all St. Louis has to offer.
Nick Arb
Guarantee Electrical Company | VP of Strategy
Three things you should know about me: 1.) I love to spend time outdoors and camping with my wife and two sons. 2.) I am passionate about spreading the word about the abundant opportunity that exists in our industry. 3.) I try to blend big-picture thinking with hands-on execution.
Liz Austin
CannonDesign | VP-Business Development
Three things you should know about me: 1.) Nothing makes me happier than connecting people. 2.) Paperwork is my nemeses. 3.) I was the first Economic Developer for the wonderful community of Hazelwood, MO at the young age of 23.
Brandon Flinn
Missouri and Kansas Laborers' District Council | Business Manager
Three things you should know about me: 1.) When I am not working, you will find me spending time with my wife Nicole, two daughters Grace and Lillian, and our Bulldog, Biggie. 2.) I am a third generation Laborers Local 42 member. 3.) I intend to leave the Construction Industry and my Union better than I found it.
Stacey Fowler
St. Louis Development Corp. | SVP Minority and Small Business Empowerment
Three things you should know about me: 1.) I build and lead transformational programs that empower communities. 2.) I connect people, policy, and purpose to drive lasting, measurable change. 3.) I’m a visionary leader who is a problem solver rooted in integrity, adaptability, and service.
Kevin Green
Lansdowne UP | Director of Administration
Three things you should know about me: 1.) I was a Titan II ICBM Launch Officer in the Air Force. 2.) I am a college football junkie. 3.) I am passionate about spiritual, social, and economic revival and redevelopment in East St. Louis.
Janine Martin
Hammond and Shinners, P.C. | Attorney
Three things you should know about me: 1.) I represent unions and working people in pursuit of economic justice. 2.) I have 2 sons and 2 “bonus” daughters who are all great fun to be with. 3.) I am a Patriots fan!
Dan Lester
Clayco | VP of Field Culture & Inclusion
Three things you should know about me: 1.) Committed to advancing positive mental health in construction. 2.) Driving inclusion while building and retaining a skilled, engaged workforce. 3.) Love my family, cars, and the Hulk.
Julie Ledbetter
Washington University | Special Assistant for Inclusive Construction
Three things you should know about me: 1.) Civil Engineer. 2.) Entrepreneur started Castle Contracting. 3.) Have three kids — RJ (19), Henry (17), Jane (15).
Andy McHaffie
Fort Zumwalt School District | WorkBased Learning Facilitator
Steve Meeks
S.M. Wilson & Co. | VP of Estimating and Pre-Construction
Jeff Murphy
Drilling Service Company | Executive Vice President
Three things you should know about me: 1.) People ask me if I have a hobby. It’s my family…my wife of 30 years, Cheryl, and our 4 kids aged 20-27. 2.) I earned my bachelor’s degree in 2010…27 years after I first attended college (not full time of course). 3.) I’m a bourbon guy. Give me some bourbon and a good cigar and I’m happy.
Chauncey Nelson
Justin Schmeltz
Parsons | Bridge Engineer
Three things you should know about me: 1.) I’ve been the chair of the Emerging Leaders Group at Construction Forum since 2017. 2.) I’m originally from Newburgh, Indiana. I moved to St. Louis to attend Saint Louis University. 3.) Every cubicle I work in has a collection of Pops figures within it.
Geoffrey Soyiantet
Vitendo 4 Africa | Immigrant Consultant
Three things you should know about me: I am from Kenya and speak 5 different languages. I coach soccer, love biking, and photography. I love country music and African Dance.
Francois Lyles-Wiggins
Lambert St. Louis Int'l Airport | Office of Business Opportunities (OBO) | Assistant Airport Director
Dan Wies
Wies Offsite, Constructobot, Site Industrial | Executive
Three things you should know about me: 1.) I enjoy spending time with my wife Jill, and our 2 children. 2.) My hobbies are mountain biking, working around my property, and working on cars. 3.) I received a scholarship at Lindenwood to Shoot Trap & Skeet. We were a national championship team.
Joe Blanner
CO-FOUNDER/EX-OFFICIO | McCarthy, Leonard & Kaemmerer, L.C. | Partner
Three things you should know about me: I have been married to my high school sweetheart for over 22 years and have four children. I enjoy studying the history of St. Louis government and have been working on a book about the subject for several years. I am an avid Cardinals baseball fan.
Contact Us
The Construction Forum team is here to connect you to tools, resources, and information to support the built environment community. If you have questions or are interested in becoming more involved with the Forum, we would love to hear from you.
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