CAIA Board of Directors

BOARD CHAIR

Geoff McDaniel

With over two decades of experience in Business Development, Geoff McDaniel has dedicated his career to forging strategic partnerships, fostering connections, and driving revenue growth. Currently serving as the Senior Business Development Leader at Fishbeck, he specializes in performance motivation, relationship cultivation, and innovative problem-solving.

Geoff’s commitment to professional excellence is underscored by his educational background. He holds a bachelor’s degree in Business, Management, Marketing, from Concordia University Chicago, further enhancing his strategic insights in the corporate realm.

Beyond his corporate achievements, Geoff is deeply engaged in community service. He serves as a dedicated board member for the Boys & Girls Clubs of Grand Rapids, reflecting his commitment to making a positive impact on the lives of others. Additionally, he plays a crucial role as a committee member of the University of Michigan West Health Sponsorship Committee and is recognized as a visionary of the year candidate for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS).

DIRECTOR

Tom Cizauskas

Tom Cizauskas is the Purchasing Manager for the Gerald R. Ford International Airport Authority. He is charged with ensuring all procurement activities comply with professional codes of ethics as well as established Authority policies and procedures. He manages procurement operations associated with the Airport’s vehicle fleet and oversees all Authority purchases of goods and services. In the 5 years Tom has been with the Authority, he has streamlined the procurement process by creating guidelines and facilitating the bidding process in-house, saving time and money. Tom also created the Authority’s Vendor Equality/Inclusion Policy and guarantees its compliance. Prior to Tom joining the GFIAA team, he rose up the ranks in the purchasing division of the County of Kent where he gathered much hands-on experience.

Tom earned his MBA from Cornerstone University and holds a B.S. in History from Grand Valley State University.

DIRECTOR

Nathan Beene

Nate was born and raised in Grand Rapids, Michigan. He is one of five siblings – all engaged in social enterprise and community development work in Grand Rapids.

As CEO of Building Bridges Professional Services and Rising Grinds Cafe, two social enterprises a part of the Grand Rapids Center for Community Transformation network, his role is to be the visionary and drive results through leadership development, key stakeholder engagement, and new business development. Nate is passionate about developing and providing opportunities to indigenous entrepreneurs and incubating and operating transformational businesses that seek impact outside of just profits. Nate also serves as co-chairman of the West Michigan Minority Contractors Association where he advocates for equity and diversity in the construction industry across West Michigan.

DIRECTOR

Laura Hopson

As the President and CEO of EM Services, LLC, Laura is excited to embrace the true meaning of minority business development. Her focus is to help her customers streamline their current procurement processes and platforms as well as to help build a community network of businesses, so they can collaborate on new business ventures and opportunities.

Outside of work, Laura spends time focusing on mentoring young professionals and business leaders, and she has been an active member on numerous West Michigan community and professional boards.

DIRECTOR

Daniel Escobar Bercini

Daniel is a construction project manager with experience at multiple top general contracting companies in West Michigan. He is passionate about real estate development, and helping local and small construction companies grow and develop in a sustainable way. He believes that we were all created equal, with the same potential to do good and great things, and that it is our responsibility to give back some of the many blessings that we are entrusted with.

Daniel’s journey started in Hermosillo, Sonora, a beautiful desert State in the Northwest of Mexico. When he was a teen he discovered his passion for construction through watching Mega Construction on the Discovery Channel. Watching that show, he knew he wanted to be involved in big and challenging projects that bring development and prosperity to the communities around them. He studied a BS in Civil Engineering at the University of Sonora, is a Certified Project Manager Professional by the Project Management Institute, and is currently finishing up his master’s in Business Administration by Grand Valley State University.

DIRECTOR

Jenny Waugh

Jenny Waugh serves as the Vice President of Economic Growth at the Grand Rapids Chamber, where she develops and delivers innovative strategies and resources to foster business growth with an intentional emphasis on supporting traditionally underserved entrepreneurs. In this role, she leads program development, identifies emerging trends, and builds strong partnerships that address the evolving needs of the business community.

She began in the construction industry nearly 20 years ago as Director of Marketing at Rockford Construction. Most recently, Jenny served as Vice President of Sales and Marketing at Fishbeck, where she led transformative growth initiatives that more than doubled the company in staff members, revenue, and geographic footprint, all in less than eight years.

With 15 years of experience working with trade associations and non-profit organizations, Jenny brings valuable insight to the Construction Allies board. She has provided expertise to organizations including the American Institute of Architects, Habit for Humanity Kent County, YMCA of Greater Grand Rapids, Inforum, National Association of Woman in Construction, and American Council of Engineering Companies. Her current leadership on the Associated Builders and Contractors board of directors further demonstrates her commitment to the construction industry’s advancement.