ABOUT AEC CARES

About Us

AEC Cares is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization that engages the architecture, engineering, and construction industry to come together each year for a day of service. AEC Cares is actively supported by ConstructConnect and our generous sponsors, donors, and volunteers to make as big of a community impact as possible.

History

AEC Cares was formed in 2011, after a community of architectural, engineering, and construction professionals, as well as 80+ volunteers, banded together to renovate five New Orleans homes damaged by Hurricane Katrina.

Since that project, AEC Cares made it a mission to give back in a new city each year. Partnering with a local nonprofit organization and building material suppliers, contractors, and designer volunteers, we strive to give back to those most in need.

Previous project locations include Atlanta, Chicago, Denver, Houston, Las Vegas, Orlando, Philadelphia, San Francisco, and Washington, D.C.

Board of Directors

Jennifer Johnson

President Jennifer Johnson is the Chief Product Officer (CPO) for ConstructConnect, overseeing Product Management, Product Marketing, User Experience, and Research. Since joining the company in 2008, Jennifer has provided leadership to the Product Management, Product Development, and Marketing teams. She has a passion for solving complicated problems and continuously enhancing the user experience. Jennifer has an undergraduate degree in Computer Science and an MBA, both from Georgia Tech.

Mike Waldinger

Member at Large Mike Waldinger is the co-founder of AEC Cares and member of the Board of Directors. He’s been fortunate enough to participate in every project since inception and consider each build a profound experience that shows the power of the industry as a force for good. Mike has spent over 20 years in service to the American Institute of Architects, first in Illinois and now in Colorado. As Chief Executive Officer, he works alongside a dedicated staff team and extraordinary volunteer leaders to shape a better built environment by elevating the architecture profession. He’s authored numerous laws, developed innovative programs, built external partnerships and championed the journey of countless individuals along the way.

Rik Master

Member at Large Richard C. (Rik) Master, FAIA, LEED AP is a Research Architect & Building Scientist with over 40 years building science experience. Currently a member of Main Architecture, an architectural and building science firm in the Chicago area. Former President of AIA Chicago, AIA Illinois, and former member of the AIA National Strategic Councilor. Rik spend 17 years at the USG Research Center as a systems developer. In addition to developing many building systems related to security, moisture/thermal migration, structural, and high-performance system: Rik developed and wrote USG ACTION an integrated technical information retrieval software package for the construction professional which grow into USG's technical website www.usgdesignstudio.com. He worked a total of over 37 years at USG; at Research, leading the Building Science team, and corporate Sustainability departments until the end of 2017.

Andrew Wilkinson

Member at Large Andrew is a registered architect with active registrations in both New York and Pennsylvania. He maintains his accreditation as a member of the National Council of Architectural Registration Boards (NCARB) and has headed his own Architectural / Interiors Design Firm since 2000. While maintaining an office in SoHo, NYC, his firm’s work has been published in books, magazines and various other electronic media outlets within the U.S., Europe and Asia. Two of his firm's projects have featured on NBC’s Open House NYC and CBS's ‘New York By Design’. His range of recognized work includes new homes in the Hamptons, apartment renovations in New York & Florida, multi-family renovations in Washington D.C., and various projects located in Sweden and Latin America. Andrew received his degree from Roger Williams University located in Bristol Rhode Island.

Andrew currently resides in New York City with his wife, three daughters and a 75 pound pitbull named Buttercup.

Jeff Cryder

Treasurer Jeff has a B.S. in Business Administration from Bowling Green State University, with a major in Accounting. Jeff began his career in the Cincinnati office of Arthur Andersen in 1982 and earned his CPA designation shortly thereafter. During the 1980s and 1990s, Jeff held various senior finance positions in several closely-held companies participating in coal mining, metal forming stamping equipment and cold-rolling mill equipment industries. In 1999, Jeff was named Chief Financial Officer (CFO) of Executive Jet Management, a unit of NetJets. In 2007, Jeff was named CFO of iSqFt, Inc. which is now known as ConstructConnect. Jeff was named EVP Administration in 2018. Jeff’s association with AEC Cares began in 2016.

Derek Guffey

Secretary Derek Guffey, Vice President of Sales for the Manufacturer Segment, has been with ConstructConnect since 2006. Prior to joining ConstructConnect, Derek worked as a registered architect for 12 years in the state of Indiana. Derek’s unique skillset provides him with a deep understanding of how data, analytics, architecture and building products come together in the built environment. Additionally, he is LEED AP, a member of AIA’s Manufactures Council, and Associate Member of the AIA.

Hope Needham

Member at Large Hope is the Chief People Officer at ConstructConnect, responsible for employee engagement and creating and maintaining the companywide culture. Hope brings over 25 years of HR experience to ConstructConnect, along with a deep passion for coaching, problem-solving, and building trusted relationships. Before joining ConstructConnect, Hope built a multi-approach coaching program at Deltek, making coaching available to all employees, strengthening talent, and continuously developing leadership. Hope is a graduate of the University of Pittsburgh and has her PHR and Coaching Certifications. She stays active in her community and enjoys spending time with her husband, kids, friends, and dogs in her free time.