Speakers

Russell H. Brown, Ph.D., P.E.
Department of Civil Engineering
Clemson University

Russell Brown, P.E., Ph.D., is Professor Emeritus of Civil Engineering at Clemson University. He chaired the Flexure and Axial Loads Subcommittee of the Masonry Standards Joint Committee during the 2005 code cycle. He is past Chair of the Main Committee, ASTM C-15 on Manufactured Masonry Units. He is a Founding Member, Fellow and Honorary Member and Vice-President-elect of The Masonry Society. He has written many papers on behavior and design of masonry structures and components, and several of the current code provisions are based on his research. He teaches a course in structural design of masonry structures and has conducted over 180 seminars on masonry design codes, the Masonry Designer's Guide, masonry design software and other masonry-related topics. Dr. Brown chaired the 9th North American Masonry Conference held in June, 2003 at Clemson University. He is coauthor of the NCMA Structural Masonry Design Software.

Sara Sweeney, RA, CSI, CDT, LEED AP
EcoVision Green Solutions Services, LLC

Sara Sweeney's 18-year architectural career reflects her passion and commitment to sustainable building design and stewardship of our natural environment. The founder of EcoVision Green Solutions Services LLC, Sara worked early on in her career at Susan Maxman & Partners, a nationally recognized leader in sustainable design, and later at Blackney Hayes Architects, where she was an Associate, an accomplished Senior Level Project Architect and also served as the firm's Sustainable Design Coordinator.

Sara is well versed in energy efficient, durable and sustainable design solutions and the financial impacts of building green. She is equally adept at managing the integrated design process. Also an adjunct professor at Philadelphia University, Sara teaches a course in sustainability and building materials in the School of Architecture.

Ann Wolter
MasonrySystems.Org

In her ten years at the helm of the Rocky Mountain Masonry Institute in Denver, CO, Ann promoted the use of masonry products through education, technical services, and promotion to designers and developers. She also worked with local government to enact masonry ordinances to improve the quality and durability of construction in their cities. In addition, Ann developed an intensive certification program for masonry contractors as well as a state-certified apprenticeship program for aspiring masons. Her previous experience includes serving as marketing director for The Charles E. Smith Companies, one of northern Virginia's largest real estate development firms. In that capacity, she managed the zoning & design of a 600-acre, all brick community featuring the Virginia campus of The George Washington University, several corporate headquarters and 1,000 apartments and townhomes. Ann now serves as a consultant to masonry associations around the country and is leading the effort to develop the industry's first comprehensive website, MasonrySystems.Org.

Lonnie Ruckman
Owner
Masonry Resource Company
Liberty, Missouri