2026 Innovation Summit: “Where Preconstruction Breaks Down: The Owner-GC-Designer Truth Session”

1:30-2:30 p.m. "Where Preconstruction Breaks Down: The Owner-GC-Designer Truth Session"

Misaligned expectations, incomplete information, and delayed decisions can undermine a project before construction begins. This candid discussion brings owner, general contractor, and designer perspectives together to examine where preconstruction breaks down—and what each partner can do to improve it. Explore practical ways to clarify responsibilities, strengthen communication, and address cost, scope, and schedule risks early.

Moderated by: Tom Dunn, Pierce Atwood

Tom Dunn is a construction lawyer and partner at Pierce Atwood LLP, where he serves as Partner in Charge of the firm’s Providence office and leads the firm’s construction practice group. He has been involved with AGC Massachusetts for more than a decade and currently serves as Chair of its Communications Advisory Committee and as a member of its Programs Advisory Committee, supporting industry education and engagement through AGC MA programs and publications. Tom has more than 20 years of construction law experience and represents clients in construction disputes, commercial litigation, and construction contracting matters, with a practice informed by his work with contractors, owners, and energy and infrastructure clients. In 2026, he was elected as a Fellow of the American College of Construction Lawyers and he recently completed service on the Governing Committee of the ABA Forum on Construction Law. He is admitted to practice law in Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and California. He resides in North Attleboro, Massachusetts, proud marching band parent, and is an avid tennis player.

Panelists:

David Doane, Deputy Director, Massport

Mr. Doane has over 35 years of experience in the design and construction of building and infrastructure engineering projects.  He serves as the Deputy Director of Project Delivery, where he oversees a staff of Project Managers responsible for landside roadway and building projects at various Authority facilities.   Mr. Doane is currently overseeing the design and construction of projects including garages for Logan Express, a garage for Terminal E, new roadways for Terminal E, vertical transportation modernization in Airport Terminals, and upgrades to Terminal Area Roadways.  Prior to starting at Massport, Mr. Doane was a consulting engineer for 23 years performing structural design. As a consultant, he was the project manager for ten years on term contracts for the Naval Facilities Engineering Command where he worked on projects ranging from aircraft maintenance hangars, an air traffic control tower, and new office facilities for Naval bases located along the eastern coast of the United States.

Mr. Doane graduated with a degree in Architectural Engineering from Wentworth Institute of Technology.

He is a licensed Professional Engineer in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and the State of New Hampshire and is a Certified Construction Manager with the Construction Manager Certification Institute.

Jared Krieger, Managing Director, Gensler, AIA, LEED AP BD+C, NCARB

Jared Krieger is a Principal and Co-Managing Director of the Boston office of Gensler, a global architecture and design firm. He works with clients and project teams to deliver design solutions across a wide range of building types, including residential and mixed-use developments, tall buildings, airports, sports stadiums, and corporate headquarters. He has more than two decades of experience in design, planning, management, and real estate development in the U.S. and internationally, bringing technical expertise and creative problem-solving to every project. He received his Bachelor of Architecture from Drexel University.

Nicole Blais, Senior Precon Manager, DOC

Nicole serves as Senior Preconstruction Manager at DOC, a construction management firm with longstanding roots in New England. Drawing on more than 25 years of industry experience, she has contributed to projects spanning a wide range of sizes and complexities. She leads DOC’s preconstruction efforts in budgeting, constructability reviews, schedule, and GMP development, and bid package analysis. A collaborative, solutions-oriented leader, Nicole builds trusted relationships with clients, architects, trade contractors, estimators, and project teams. She turns complex information into clear recommendations, anticipates project needs, and develops practical plans that align with contract requirements, reduce disruption, and create lasting value. Nicole holds a Bachelor of Science in Architectural Engineering Technology from Wentworth Institute of Technology.