2026 Innovation Summit: Building Certainty, Building Sustainably: The Decisions That Matter Before We Build
The most impactful sustainability decisions are often made long before construction begins. This session explores how integrating sustainability into the preconstruction process can reduce risk, improve cost certainty, enhance project performance, and deliver long-term value.
From material selection and embodied carbon to energy efficiency, procurement strategies, and constructability, presenters will examine how early collaboration among owners, designers, and contractors can lead to smarter, more sustainable outcomes. Attendees will gain practical insights into balancing environmental goals with budget, schedule, and project expectations—demonstrating that building sustainably and building with certainty can go hand in hand.
Moderated by:
Jacob Savona, LEED AP BD+C, WbLCA AP, GBLI, Sustainability Manager, Consigli Construction Co.
As Sustainability Manager, Jacob helps lead Consigli’s efforts to reduce carbon emissions across the built environment, with a focus on embodied carbon tracking from preconstruction through project completion. His work supports both project-specific goals and company-wide commitments like SBTi, while also advancing green building certifications and sustainability best practices. Jacob is passionate about integrating low-carbon strategies that deliver meaningful environmental and business outcomes.
Panelists:
Alex Carr, Senior Project Manager, Consigli
Alex Carr has extensive work experience in the construction industry. They started their career at Consigli Construction as a Project Management Intern in April 2014 and later became a Project Engineer in September 2014. They then progressed to the role of Assistant Project Manager in April 2017 and eventually became a Project Manager in November 2019. Alex currently holds the position of Senior Project Manager, starting in November 2022.
In addition to their construction experience, Alex has also served as a Member of the Board of Directors at Blue Hill Observatory and Science Center since May 2021. They previously had a brief internship as a Project Management Intern at Consigli Construction in January 2013.
Alex Carr attended the University of Massachusetts, Amherst from 2011 to 2015. During this time, they obtained a Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) degree with a specialization in Finance, General.
Michael Cochrane, Sr. Project Manager Swingpoint Development
Michael is from midcoast Maine and brings over a decade of experience in construction and project management. Michael spent the first eight years of his career in construction management and the last 4 years in project development, working on variety of projects in the institutional, retail, commercial manufacturing, and utility infrastructure markets. Notable projects include: Molnlycke Healthcare (Wiscasset, Maine), L.L. Bean (Burlington, Vermont), Richland Creek Water Treatment (Dallas, Georgia), JAX expansion (Ellsworth, Maine), USM Student Center & Dorm (Portland, Maine), and Northeastern University Roux Campus (Portland, Maine). Michael holds a Bachelor of Science in Civil and Environmental Engineering from the University of Maine and a Master of Science in Engineering Management from Clarkson University. He is a LEED Accredited Professional (LEED AP) and Engineer in Training (EIT). Now based in Freeport, Maine with his family, Michael enjoys staying active through hiking, cycling, and volleyball, exploring the outdoors, traveling, and taking on DIY home projects.