Speaker Biographies

Keynote Address: Hal Routh

"10 Do's and Don'ts in Business Development"

President and Founder of Equalizer9

Hal Routh’s career includes executive tenures at two large regional firms, at one of the largest global construction firms in the world, and as a member of the executive leadership team of a large national construction company. Hal’s career has been hallmarked by his unique ability to spur revenue and profitability growth wherever his career took him, and in any economic environment. As a result, he has become a noted expert in creating sustained growth strategies in the commercial construction industry

Over his career, Hal created a unique system that fuels and sustains growth. He founded Equalizer9 to do what he loves everyday – teaching, mentoring, and coaching others on how to take their construction businesses to new heights.

Hal is married to the beautiful and talented Debra. They have 3 children, a new daughter in law, and a very large Newfoundland dog. Hal enjoys golf, duck hunting, and Appalachian trail section hikes. Hal has a degree in economics from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, and an MBA from the University of North Carolina at Wilmington.

Keynote Address: Tyler Enslin

"Mastering Your Memory"

Tyler Enslin International

As a professional speaker since 2012, Tyler has had the privilege to present at over 1000 live events. A determined entrepreneur from day one, he started his first business at the age of 17. While growing a small business into a successful enterprise proved to be an exciting challenge, by 2011 he was ready for a new endeavor. Tyler sold his business and went to work as a salesperson for a national training company where he became immersed in the field of public speaking. Initially a source of fear and nervousness, Tyler ultimately grew to love both public speaking and the professional development industry. As a result he soon became the top sales person in the organization, and eventually went on to hold the positions of regional and national director. In January 2018, he returned to the world of business ownership and launched Tyler Enslin International where he focuses full time on providing engaging practical content to audiences around the world. Tyler has been privileged to speak for hundreds of different organizations and companies ranging from Fortune 500 to small local businesses.  He views each event as a unique opportunity to help his participants and therefore he has a reputation for being relatable, engaging, and delivering a high level of practical value.

Speakers

Dan K. Fordice, III
President, AGC of America
Vice-President/Matfield Division Manager
President of Southern Delta Construction

After graduating from MS State University in 1983 with a bachelor’s degree in Construction Engineering Technology, Dan went on active duty with the US Army in the 10th Engineer Bn. in Kitzingen, Germany. While in the 10th Engineers he served as Demolition Platoon Leader, various battalion and brigade staff positions and Company Executive Officer. In 1987 Dan decided to leave active military service and return to his hometown to work in the family construction business. He also joined the MS National Guard with the 2/20 Special Forces Bn. Here he served as Team Commander, various battalion staff positions and Company Commander. He resigned his commission with the rank of Captain in 1994.

Dan is currently Vice President of Fordice Construction Co. in Vicksburg, MS, which is now a fourth- generation family business since his son Nathan joined the firm in August 2018. Dan and his brother Hunter operate Fordice Construction Co. which is mainly a Heavy and Civil Federal Construction firm that also has a small building division and offices in Vicksburg and St. Francisville, LA. In 2008 Dan and Hunter started Southern Delta Construction, LLC which is a heavy marine construction company in Houma, LA that does mechanical dredging and builds levees and other structures. Dan is currently President of Southern Delta Construction, LLC.

Dan has been very active in the Associated General Contractors of America, both at the local and national level. He has served on almost every committee of the local MS Valley AGC Chapter and was Chapter President in 2001. On the national level he has served on many committees and task forces. He has served as the Federal and Heavy Division Chairman, is a life member of the Board of Governors and served as the National PAC Co-Chairman and on the Executive Board and the Education and Research Foundation Board. Through the AGC, Dan was instrumental in helping to restart the AGC Student Chapter while attending MSU and he was president of the AGC Student Chapter in 1982.

Dan is a pilot, an avid aviator and flies every chance he gets. He flies a variety of airplanes for business, pleasure and in air shows around the country. He prefers the older vintage airplanes and especially WWII trainers and fighters.

Dan has started and helps operate two not for profit foundations located in Vicksburg. The Southern Heritage Air Foundation collects memorabilia of WWII veterans and is preserving five historically significant aircraft. The Warrior Bonfire Project is helping post 9/11 Purple Heart Veterans deal with their lifelong journey of recovery.

Dan is married to the former Ann Claire Roesch and they have three children. They are members of St. Paul’s Catholic Church in Vicksburg where both are very active and have served on the parish council.

Ken Simonson,
Chief Economist, Associated General Contractors of America

Kenneth D. Simonson has been Chief Economist for the Associated General Contractors of America since 2001. He provides insight into the economy and what it implies for construction and related industries through frequent media interviews, presentations and The Data DIGest, his weekly one-page enewsletter that goes to 47,000 subscribers.

Ken has 40 years of experience analyzing, advocating and communicating about economic and tax issues. He currently serves on the Census Bureau’s Scientific Advisory Committee and the Bureau of Labor Statistics’ Data Users Advisory Committee. He is a Fellow and past president of the National Association for Business Economics, and he is co-director of the Tax Economists Forum, a professional meeting group he co-founded in 1982.

Ken has a BA in economics from the University of Chicago, and an MA in economics from Northwestern University.

Jeff DeRamus

Jeff DeRamus started his career at Shook Construction after graduating college. Over the past 25 years, he has helped the organization build a best-in-class technology infrastructure. He was introduced to the current cybersecurity landscape the hard way, survived the ordeal & now hopes to help others avoid the catastrophic impact of cybercrime.