Chip Macdonald attended Bowdoin College, after which he worked as a residential carpenter and later a draftsman, estimator and project manager. He then started Cambridge Builder's Service, expediting plans, specifications, bids and permits for commercial contractors. Chip was then hired as the safety director for a heavy industrial fabricators/millwright firm. He moved on and became qualified as a certified ACI concrete inspector and field technician, an authorized OSHA Outreach Trainer and Certified MSHA Outreach Trainer. Chip began Best Safety LLC in 1997 to offer occupational safety and health training and consultation to the New York State Building & Construction Trades Council (AFL-CIO) for 200 union locals throughout New York. He will speak on safety issues at the Business Solutions Conference.

Jim Olsztynski serves as editor of Supply House Times, editorial director of Plumbing & Mechanical, and consulting editor of PM Engineer, as well as editor-publisher of e-PHC Profit Report, an award-winning e-newsletter. He also writes a monthly column called "Smart Business," which appears in Walls & Ceilings. His commentaries and articles have three times been honored with national awards, and he is an eight-time recipient of his parent company's F. M. Cockrell Award for editorial achievements. At the Business Solutions Conference, he will discuss 100 of the best business tips for contractors - some you've thought of, many you haven't.

Ellen Rohr nearly starved in her family's contracting business, until she learned how to make money. Ellen says, "The money won't just take care of itself. I can teach you how to keep track of the money, and make lots more of it!" Learn bare bones business basics at www.barebonesbiz. com. Or call 877.629.7647 to order her best selling books, "Where Did the Money Go?" - Easy Accounting Basics for the Business Owner Who Hates Numbers and "How Much Should I Charge?" - Pricing Basics for Making Money Doing What You Love.

Nick Moretti is the Editor of Walls & Ceilings Magazine, and has worked on several other magazines with BNP Media since 1996. He brings years of journalism experience to the magazine, writing regular features and introduces each month's issue in his column "Up Front." He will be moderating the magazine's Q&A panel Monday, Nov. 8.

Millard Fuller is the founder and president of Habitat for Humanity International. His leadership has helped forge Habitat into a worldwide Christian housing ministry. He founded Habitat with his wife, Linda, in 1976. He travels and speaks worldwide and has earned international recognition for his work advocating decent, affordable housing for all.

EIFS consultant Robert G. Thomas Jr. has 25 years continuous experience exclusively with EIFS. Author of Walls & Ceilings' "Finish Line" column, he is a specialist in the finish system and related materials; building defect investigations; product development and market development. As former manager of technical services for Dryvit Systems Inc., he is chairman of US EIFS technical committee (ASTM E6.58) and chairman of three international symposia on EIFS. Robert is also author of six books on EIFS and dozens of articles and papers.

Executive Director of Plasterers' and Cement Masons' Job Corps William E. Rogers, began working in the plastering industry during summer breaks with his foster father at the age of 14. In 1985, he was elected by his fellow union members as the youngest union representative in the history of the Operative Plasterers' and Cement Masons' International Association. His positions within the union have ranged from apprenticeship instructor for the Southern California Plastering Institute, to business manager of the largest plasterers' local union in America. In December of 2000, Bill was selected by the Trustees of the National Plastering Industry's Joint Apprenticeship Trust Fund to become the new executive director of the Trust Fund's Job Corps Training Program.

J. Dick Hopkins is president of J. Dick Hopkins & Associates Inc., a Building Envelope Consulting Services firm established in 1989. J. Dick Hopkins & Associates provides consultation during the design, bidding and construction phases of a project; plan review; third party inspections during construction; forensic investigations; expert witness; litigation support; project remediation specifications and project remediation management; and training services. Areas of practice include EIFS, Portland cement plaster (interior and exterior), gypsum products, sealant, cold formed metal framing, window and door performance

Bryan Barnes' law practice primarily involves construction, surety, and specialty litigation including defense of products liability, toxic torts, and class actions, both in court and in arbitration. He is a member of the Defense Research Institute South Carolina Trial Defense Attorneys Association, the Forum Committee on the Construction Industry of the American Bar Association, the South Carolina Bar Construction Law Section and the Richland County Bar Association. He frequently presents in continuing education seminars on construction law issues.

John A. D'Annunzio, president of Paragon Roofing Technology Inc., Shelby Township, Mich., has nearly 20 years experience in roofing and waterproofing consulting. He has published three books about roofing and is a technical columnist for Roofing Contractor magazine. John has conducted extensive research in material technology, the results of which have been reported at numerous international and national symposiums and conferences. John is accredited by AIA and frequently conducts seminars related to waterproofing technology.

Michael Gardner is the executive director of the Gypsum Association, an international trade association representing gypsum board manufacturers in the United States and Canada.

Bill Pitt has been a licensed property and casualty insurance agent since 1995. In 1990 he graduated from the College of Charleston in SC. Bill began his career with AEtna Property & Casualty in Atlanta, GA in the Commercial Claims Dept. In 1995, Bill joined the Harold W. Wells & Sons, Inc. insurance firm in Wilmington, NC where he currently specializes in the risk management of exposures for medium and large construction accounts. Bill brings longterm value added services which helps lower his client's TCOR (total cost of risk), making them more profitable and at the same time making them more attractive to the insurance marketplace.

Frank O'Sullivan has worked in labor for 45 years. He worked for Hercules, Inc. for 33 years, and was Head of Corporate Labor Relations for 22 years. After retiring, Frank taught mutual gains negotiation for Cornell University, and facilitated actual negotiations using the mutual gains process. For the past 8 years, Frank has worked with the Int'l. Brotherhood of Electrical Workers and the Nat'l. Electrical Contractors Association facilitating partnering programs. Frank is also a former U.S. Marine.

Danny Bonnell, Sr. is the owner of Commercial Systems in Myrtle Beach, SC. Previously from WV, Commercial Systems is a family business which Danny runs with his son, Danny Lee Bonnell. Danny is the largest contractor on The Grand Strand specializing in EIFS and plaster, and he is also a member of CLAPCA, EIMA and AWCI.