Meet America's Construction Industry Reform Guru
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Praise for Barry B. LePatner Speaking

Barry put on a great event for the Rocky Mountain WPO chapter. His knowledge of the infrastructure problems facing our country is unparalleled, and his message really opened the eyes of the audience. Where Barry really succeeds is in making the business case for infrastructure investment. He very clearly explains why business leaders, whose businesses suffer supply chain disruptions and wasted time and money as a result of congested roadways, can and should play an important role in pushing Congress to make necessary investments.

Barry has a wonderful way of presenting this complicated topic in an engaging, understandable, and down-to-earth manner. Importantly, he also gave us some real food for thought as to how we can begin to effectively tackle the infrastructure challenges facing our nation. It was a fun and highly informative evening on a topic that needs our attention.
—Jeff Bennis, Managing Member, 5280 Partners, LP; Member, World Presidents’ Organization

From the Executive Director of The International Economic Forum of the Americas, regarding LePatner’s November 2007 presentation at The Toronto Forum for Global Cities, The Infrastructure Challenge—Financing and Governance:
The people in Toronto loved him and, actually, I was surprised, because what he says is so close to reality and often speakers are more theory-oriented.
—Marie DuPont, Executive Director, The International Economic Forum of the Americas

From an attendee of The International Economic Forum of the Americas, regarding LePatner’s November 2007 presentation at The Toronto Forum for Global Cities, The Infrastructure Challenge—Financing and Governance:
In November 2007 Barry spoke at a Global Cities conference in Toronto, and his conclusions in Broken Buildings, Busted Budgets hit home with me. While we do have great builders and contractors backed up by many skilled trades in Canada, Barry made clear points as to why structural changes are required to improve construction productivity. I liked the insights contained in the book so much that members of our labour-management association were given year-end gifts of Barry’s marvelous book.
—Andy Manahan, Executive Director, Residential and Civil Construction Alliance of Ontario

From an attendee of LePatner’s November 2007 webinar sponsored by e-Builder Inc.:
This webinar was by far the best one I have ever heard/seen. The speaker was very knowledgeable, made excellent points, provoked too many questions, and I really got a lot out of it. Please have more like this. Thank you for letting me be a participant.
—Lucy H. Crosby Price, Project Management, Colliers Pinkard

From the Marketing Communications Manager at e-Builder Inc. after LePatner’s November 2007 webinar:
For 13 years we’ve been proponents of technology as a platform to effect positive change in the AEC industry. We’ve made significant strides, but we still can do much more to improve collaboration amongst the various organizations within the industry. Getting industry leaders to stop, think, and question where they stand on the spectrum—progress vs. status quo—is the first step. This book is making people stop and think.
—Sergio Aranda, Marketing Communications Manager, e-Builder Inc.

From the President of the Information Technology and Innovation Foundation after LePatner’s January 2008 presentation to organization members in Washington, D.C.:
Barry created a great presentation tailored perfectly for the ITIF group. He was a dynamic presenter who got to the heart of the issues and captured everyone’s attention. He is a sophisticated professional, and we would love to have him back!
—Dr. Robert Atkinson, President, Information Technology and Innovation Foundation

From the Major Accounts Manager at the Long Island Association Inc. after LePatner’s January 2008 presentation at the LIA Breakfast Forum:
Mr. LePatner is an excellent and effective speaker. His contribution of time and expertise made the forum a very successful event. As the keynote speaker, his lucid and provocative presentation retained the interest of our audience—and also triggered a stimulating discussion among panelists and audience members. Thanks to his presentation, our guests learned about structural factors that contribute to the expensive, widespread, and chronic problem of construction cost overruns. Even more importantly, Mr. LePatner enumerated specific, strategic steps that developers and government entities can take to rein in unnecessary construction spending.
—Heather Shivokevich, Major Accounts Manager, Long Island Association Inc.

From the Director of FIATECH after LePatner’s keynote in March 2008 at the 2008 FIATECH Annual Technology Conference & Showcase in New Orleans, LA:
As the keynote speaker on the opening day of FIATECH’s annual conference, Barry LePatner articulated the challenges faced by owners and the construction industry as they attempt to introduce greater levels of technology to improve industry performance. His comprehensive understanding of how the industry operates and his suggestions for improvement by combining technology adoption with improved business management provided a clear road map on how to improve bottom lines now. We need more people in the industry just like him, who are willing to tell it like it is and help to drive change.
—Dr. Richard H.F. Jackson, Director, FIATECH

From the organizer of LePatner’s April 2008 webinar for members of the Project Management Institute titled “America’s Construction Crisis: Can Broken Buildings and Busted Budgets Be Fixed?”:
Barry LePatner challenges the status quo by providing thought-provoking ideas to remedy the current $1.23 trillion construction industry. His observations, analysis, and recommendations are insightful and provide incentives for the industry to adapt, improve, and become more efficient.
—Robert Gries, Chair, Project Management Institute, Design-Procurement-Construction Specific Interest Group

Barry, thank you very much for your talk to our Real Estate Practice Group…It was a dynamic and insightful presentation. 
—Andrew A. Lance, Partner, Real Estate Practice Group, Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP

From an attendee of LePatner’s July 2007 CLE presentation, “Equitable Risk Allocation in Construction Contracting,” for the attorneys of the firm Dewey & LeBoeuf LLP:
You were—predictably—great. Everyone thought it was an excellent presentation.
—Peter Britell, Partner, Dewey & LeBoeuf LLP

From an attendee of LePatner’s May 2008 presentation before the CMAA Metro New York/New Jersey Chapter:
Your presentation at last night’s CMAA meeting is one of the best that I have seen in a long time at these society gatherings. It was very interesting and, being an engineer, I enjoyed the statistics that you presented.
—Russell A. Berner, PE, Principal, Construction Claims Group   

Barry LePatner's recent webinar on America's construction crisis was both informative and intriguing. Most importantly, he provided our attendees with great prescriptives on how they can take back control of their construction projects. We had over 650 attendees for Barry's webinar, and he was very well-received by all. Both Dorothy Alpert, Deloitte's National Real Estate and Construction Leader, and I were very impressed by this excellent presentation.
—J. Henry Knoblick, Jr., Director, Deloitte Financial Advisory Services LLP

From the organizer of the June 2008 Construction Defect and Construction Law Conference in Boca Raton, FL after LePatner’s keynote speech:
Barry LePatner's keynote speech at our recent conference was well received by all of our attendees. I can't thank Barry enough for taking the time to share his knowledge and expertise in the field of construction defects and insurance coverage. Even though some did not agree fully with Barry's views, he certainly got everyone thinking and created a line of discussion amongst attendees that was beneficial for all. His talk was certainly the highlight of our conference sessions!
—Ed Martinet, Chairman of the Board, MC Consultants, Inc.

From an attendee of the June 2008 Construction Defect and Construction Law Conference in Boca Raton, FL after LePatner’s keynote speech:
“I just attended Barry LePatner’s excellent, excellent noontime speech. On a scale of one to ten, I would say that Barry was a twelve. I enjoyed the materials that he provided and I think that he did an excellent job of holding the attention of all the speakers. I highly recommend him.”
—Honorable William Riggs, Senior Judge, Oregon Supreme Court

From an attendee of the June 2008 Construction Defect and Construction Law Conference in Boca Raton, FL after LePatner’s keynote speech:
“I just heard Barry’s presentation. It was a real eye-opener. He gave me a lot of food for thought about the problems in the building industry as I was totally unaware of them. It was very informative and something that I am going to apply to my work.”
—Honorable Juan Ramirez, Judge, Third District Court of Appeals

From the organizer of the June 2008 Construction Defect and Construction Law Conference in Boca Raton, FL after LePatner’s keynote speech:
“What I most appreciate out of Barry’s presentation today is that he not only stated the facts of the industry based on facts and figures that he has gathered over the last decade while serving in the industry himself, he also offered solutions for consideration for the industry in general. So with that I just want to take this opportunity to say I thought Barry did a great job and I think everybody ought to pay attention to his book, and if possible, read it as soon as possible.”
—Daniel R. Ducommun, Vice President, Sales & Marketing, MC Consultants, Inc.

From an attendee of the June 2008 Construction Defect and Construction Law Conference in Boca Raton, FL after LePatner’s keynote speech:
“We are insurance intermediaries and administrators of wrap-up programs for large construction projects. One of the issues in the industry is that there is a lack of standardization and a lack of understanding. I have heard today from Barry LePatner concepts that need to be throughout the industry—like working together and an understanding of all the parts and pieces. I congratulate him on writing this book and I hope that it leads to an industry of understanding and progress.”
—George Schank, President, National Insurance Advisors, Inc.

From an attendee of the June 2008 Construction Defect and Construction Law Conference in Boca Raton, FL after LePatner’s keynote speech:
“My name is Ralph Jaynes and I am a state court general jurisdiction trial judge in the state of Missouri. I’ve been on the bench for over thirty years. I found that Barry’s presentation was not only very informative but most powerful and persuasive as far as what we, trial lawyers and judges, should be informed of. And I hope the message goes out throughout the country. It was a very good presentation.”
—Honorable Ralph Jaynes, Judge, Missouri Circuit Court

From an attendee of the June 2008 Construction Defect and Construction Law Conference in Boca Raton, FL after LePatner’s keynote speech:
“I handle large construction defect claims against developers and general contractors all over the country. It was so refreshing to finally hear somebody highlight the problems with the industry and why we’re seeing a tremendous escalation in construction claims and also to start pointing out the problems with risk transfer and why insurance companies are having difficulty underwriting the risk for general contractors and developers. So I look forward to the solutions that Barry is going to bring about in the industry.”
—Phyllis Modlin, Claims Account Specialist, Markel Underwriting Managers

From an attendee of the June 2008 Construction Defect and Construction Law Conference in Boca Raton, FL after LePatner’s keynote speech:
“I had the pleasure of sitting through Barry’s presentation today and it was the first time that I have heard somebody put into perspective and clearly define all of the issues that surround the construction industry and the problems that we as insurance carriers face in dealing with major construction claims. I would recommend Barry’s presentation and his book to everyone.”
—Mitch Blau, Vice President, Great American Insurance


 
 
  If there’s a guru on construction industry reform, it’s LePatner.

Governing Magazine, 2007
 
 
 
 
link to chapter 1 excerpt