2024 Summit
The City of Chicago Department of Procurement Services (DPS) 2024 Construction Summit has come to a close! Our goal with every Construction Summit is to continually build on the City's transparency and resource development to provide the business community with direct access to city departments and information regarding upcoming contracting opportunities in construction.
We would like to thank Mayor Brandon Johnson for attending and giving an inspiring opening address, as well as our keynote speaker Janeen Harrell, founder and director of iJ Design Studios, for her rousing presentation to kick off the Summit. Finally, a huge thank you to all the Commissioners, Business Leaders, Moderators, Speakers, Exhibitors, and last but not least, Attendees for contributing to a successful 2024 Construction Summit!
February 22, 2024
Malcolm X College | 1900 West Jackson Blvd
9AM to 4PM | Doors at 8:30AM
F E A T U R E D S P E A K E R S
Keynote Speaker
Janeen Harrell, AIA, NOMA, NCARB, LEED AP
Founder | Directory of iJ DESIGN STUDIO 
As both an architect and interior designer, Janeen Harrell approaches her work with a unique and thorough perspective. She is responsible for the design, management and successful completion of a broad range of projects including commercial, residential, and corporate buildings and interiors. Janeen founded her firm, iJ DESIGN STUDIO, to help broaden access to design and ensure that more businesses and communities of color benefit from great design. The studio’s mission is to actively enhance the health and well-being of our communities through design that honors creative expression, the human spirit, and the natural environment. Janeen has extensive experience in varied phases of projects and consistently delivers thoughtful, contextual, well-crafted design solutions to the built environment while maintaining excellent client and consultant relationships. She has a strong interest in the intersection of sustainable and affordable design and has crafted her academic and professional endeavors to explore this intersection.
O U R F R E E P R O G R A M M I N G I N C L U D E S :
- High-level overview of infrastructure projects
- Conversational panels with insights on trending industry topics
- Meet face-to-face with government representatives
- Industry experts discussion real solutions to major industry problems
- Meet & mingle with peers as we look toward next-generation construction.
P R O G R A M M I N G I T I N E R A R Y
A U D I T O R I U M
9:05 AM - 9:30 AM | WELCOME ADDRESS
Aileen Velazquez, Chief Procurement Officer
9:30 AM - 10:00 AM | KEYNOTE ADDRESS
Janeen A. Harrell, Founder at iJ Design Studio
10:10 AM - 3 :30 PM | EXHIBITION HALL OPENS (* Hall will be closed until 10:10 AM.)
S P O T L I G H T : C I T Y I N F R A S T R U C T U R E
10:10 AM - 11:10 AM | Chicago Department of Planning and Development (DPD) | Ciere Boatright, Commissioner
Chicago Department of Housing (DOH) | Lissette Castaneda, Commissioner
11:15 AM - 12:15 PM | Chicago Department of Transportation (CDOT) | Tom Carney, Commissioner
Chicago Department of Water Management (DWM) | Randy Conner, Commissioner
12:30 PM - 1:30 PM | Chicago Department of Aviation (CDA) | Jamie Rhee, Commissioner
Fleet and Facility Management (2FM)* | Marek Wisniewski, Deputy Commissioner
* formerly Assets Information & Services (AIS)
2:00 PM - 4:00 PM | L E V E L U P : B U S I N E S S L E A D E R S M I X E R P A N E L
The leaders on this panel have been tested repeatedly - only to come out on top as forces to be reckoned with in their industries. Today, they will share stories from their professional journeys, best practices, and advice that have helped them succeed.
Moderated By:
Jacqueline Umbles, Events & Information Coordinator | Department of Procurement Services
Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) | JuanPablo Prieto, Director Diversity Programs
Alpha Fire Sprinklers Company | Rashaun Burrell, President & CEO | Jayson Williams, Associate Partner
UJAMAA Construction | Jimmy Akintonde, President & CEO
JGMA Architecture | Juan Moreno, Owner
Bush Infotech Group | Gregory Bush Jr., Owner, President & CEO
CHI Fresh Kitchen | Kimberly Britt, Co-Owner
Federation of Women Contractors | Jaemie Neely, Executive Director
Illinois Hispanic Chamber of Commerce (IHCC) | Jaime di Paulo, President & CEO
MCO Construction & Services, INC., MCO Consulting, Inc., the National Association of Black Women in Construction (NABWIC) | Ann McNeill, President & Founder
Momentum Coffee | Tracy Powell, Co-Owner
Business Leadership Council | Arielle Johnson, Chief Executive Officer
C O N F E R E N C E R O O M S
r o o m 1 1 0 1
11:00 AM & 1:30 PM | TOOLBOX CONVERSATIONS: ACCESS TO CAPITAL PANEL
Access to capital is essential for any business to grow and reach its full potential. Without access to capital, businesses will struggle to expand their operations, upgrade equipment, and hire additional employees. Access to capital is particularly important for small businesses that often lack the financial resources of larger corporations. When a small business can access capital, it can take advantage of opportunities that were previously unavailable, take risks, and pursue ambitious projects that would otherwise be impossible due to financial constraints.
Access to capital can also help businesses weather economic downturns and recessions. The Financial Services industry constantly evolves to encompass a broad range of business services in today’s environment. This panel will explore key opportunities and challenges and share various innovative solutions and best practices for building your firm’s financial future.
Moderated By:
Mark Ferguson, Deputy District Director, US Small Business Administration - Illinois District Office
SomerCor | Kimberly Brisky, Managing Director of Communications and Engagement
JP Morgan Chase | Dr. Pamela Randle, V.P. Sr. Business Consultant, Minority Entrepreneur Initiative
Allies for Community Business | Chris Johnson, Senior Small Business Lender
BMO Harris | Ronald Milsap, Director | U.S. Zero Barriers to Business | Business Banking
Wintrust | Tracy Kelly, Vice President Relationship Manager, Community Banking
r o o m 1 1 0 2
11:00 AM - 3:30 PM | OFFICE OF CONTRACTING EQUITY (OCE) PRESENTS:
Raising Your Game: Navigating Growing Entrepreneurship with the City
11:00 AM - 12:00 PM | Understanding the JOC Program – Gordian
Michael Judd, Regional Director, Operations, Mid Lakes Region, Gordian
12:10 PM - 1:10 PM | What is Compliance?
Charles Coleman, Compliance Manager, Department of Procurement Services
1:15 PM - 2:15 PM | How to Become Certified with the City of Chicago
Cordell McGary, Senior Certification and Compliance Officer, Department of Procurement Services
2:30 PM - 3:30 PM | Doing Business with the City of Chicago
Patrick Hall, Managing Deputy Procurement Officer, Department of Procurement Services
r o o m 1 1 0 3
1:00 PM - 2:00 PM | WOMEN IN CONSTRUCTION PANEL
Economic data from recent years shows that women, minorities, and immigrants are pursuing their dreams of building their businesses. Many marginalized groups have realized that starting a business may be the most pragmatic route to financial independence and prosperity. Being a successful woman in a male-dominated industry requires audacity, resilience, and unwavering self-belief. But success isn’t about breaking down barriers; it’s about finesse, agility, and navigating the terrain with grace.
Join us as we celebrate a few of the leading women in our industry responsible for delivering some of the most complex projects that have transformed the landscape and skyline. We will explore how they got here and what it takes to successfully deliver a mega project and hear some of the lessons learned along the way. Learn what tools you need in your toolbox to get involved in these kinds of high-profile projects.
Moderated By:
Lisa Freelon, Deputy Procurement Officer, Community Engagement | Dept. of Procurement Services & Jana Williams, Assistant Procurement Officer | Dept. of Procurement Services
MCO Construction & Services, INC. / MCO Consulting, Inc.
& National Assoc. of Black Women in Construction (NABWIC) | Ann McNeill, President & Founder
Pink Hard Hatz | Sashe Ivy, Owner
Chicago Women in Trades | Jayne Vellinga, Executive Director
Construction Cares, Communities Empowered Through Construction | Rachel Ivy, Executive Director
L I S T O F E X H I B I T O R S
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Allies for Community Business / ChiBizHub |
Federation of Women Contractors Forest Preserves of Cook County Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses Gordian Greater Southwest Development Corporation HIRE360 Chicago Hispanic American Construction Industry Association (HACIA) Illinois Commission on Equity and Inclusion – Business Enterprise Program Illinois Department of Human Rights Illinois Department of Human Services, Community Services Enterprise Program, BEP Illinois Hispanic Chamber of Commerce Illinois State Comptroller Illinois Tollway Inner-City Underwriting Agency, Inc. JP Morgan Chase McCormick Place Metra Metropolitan Pier and Exposition Authority (MPEA) Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Chicago (MWRD) National Association of Black Women in Construction (NABWIC) New York Life Business Solutions Office of the Illinois State Treasurer Michael Frerichs Pace Suburban Bus Public Building Commission of Chicago (PBC) Regional Transportation Authority (RTA) SomerCor U.S. Small Business Administration United States Council of Hispanics in Construction Veterans Assistance Commission of Cook County Wintrust Women's Business Development Center - Illinois PTAC / APEX Alpha Fire Sprinklers Inc. CHICAGO BLACKHAWKS & CHICAGO BULLS Chi Fresh Kitchen iJ Design Studio JGMA Momentum Coffee Pink Hard Hatz UJAMAA USDOT Great Lakes Region Small Business Transportation Resource Center (SBTRC)
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The Chicago Department of Procurement Services (DPS) hosted its annual Construction Summit on Thursday, February 22, 2024 at Malcolm X College (1900 W. Jackson Blvd.) from 9 AM to 4 PM .
Each year, the Construction Summit provides residents and business owners an unparalleled opportunity to network and gain information about upcoming construction and construction-related projects in the City of Chicago. The full-day event featured workshops, resources, and panel discussions with the City and its Sister Agencies, State, Federal, and anchor organizations.
In honor of Black History Month, the program featured Leaders Roundtable sessions that celebrate diversity, financial empowerment, and women in construction. Additionally, attendees had the opportunity to meet with 80 exhibitors representing all levels of government, non-profit organizations, chambers of commerce, and subject matter experts in the construction industry. Participants also had the opportunity to participate in the Business-to-Business matchmaking experience and engage with industry leaders, contractors, subcontractors and suppliers.