Congratulations to Our 2026 Annual Conference Award Recipients!

RICHARD L. TUCKER SERVICE & LEADERSHIP AWARD - PAUL BURROUGHS - OPG

Every year, the Richard L. Tucker Leadership & Service Award recognizes an individual who has greatly contributed to the advancement of CII’s mission and success as an organization. Named after Dr. Richard Tucker, who personally created the Construction Industry Institute in 1983 and served as the first CII director from its inception until retiring as director in 1998.

Paul Burroughs is the recipient of the 2026 Richard L. Tucker Leadership & Service Award in recognition of his exceptional leadership, service, and lasting contributions to the Construction Industry Institute. Throughout more than 15 years of active involvement with CII, Paul served in numerous leadership roles, including Chair of the Executive Committee and Chair of the Power & Utilities Sector, while also providing trusted guidance to CII leadership and staff. Known for his integrity, sound judgment, and unwavering commitment to advancing the industry, Paul has helped strengthen CII through his influence, mentorship, and dedication to its mission, leaving a legacy that will benefit the Institute and its members for years to come.

CARROL H. DUNN AWARD OF EXCELLENCE - BEN BREEN - PMI

Established in 1985, the Carrol H. Dunn Award of Excellence is given every year to honor an individual with significant achievements in improving the engineering and construction industry. The award is CII’s highest honor and is recognized as one of the most prestigious awards within the industry.

Ben Breen is the recipient of the Carroll H. Dunn Award of Excellence in recognition of his transformational contributions to project delivery and construction industry advancement. As the driving force behind the PMI Construction Professional (PMI-CP) program, Ben led the development of one of the industry's most comprehensive global training initiatives, helping standardize project delivery best practices and elevate professional capabilities worldwide. Through his visionary leadership, commitment to excellence, and dedication to developing the next generation of construction professionals. Ben has made a lasting impact on the global construction community and the future of project management.

OUTSTANDING VOLUNTEER AWARD

This year, CII celebrates two outstanding volunteers whose support and contributions have had an innovative and effective impact on CII efforts.

Outstanding Volunteer Award 1 - Mark Mehta, Burns & McDonnell 
CII is happy to present the Outstanding Volunteer Award to Mark Mehta in recognition of his exceptional leadership, service, and commitment to advancing the capital projects industry. Through his contributions to CII's Advanced Work Packaging Community, Technology Committee, and Funded Studies Committee. Mark has helped drive innovation, improve project execution practices, and guide research that delivers practical value to industry stakeholders. Respected for his expertise, collaborative leadership, and dedication to mentoring others, Mark has made a lasting impact on CII and its mission to improve industry performance through knowledge sharing and continuous improvement.

Outstanding Volunteer Award 2 - Robin Mikaelsson, PTAG
The second Outstanding Volunteer Award is presented to Robin Mikaelsson in recognition of his exceptional leadership, sustained commitment, and lasting contributions to CII and the engineering and construction industry. Robin is recognized for his outstanding contributions to the advancement of Advanced Work Packaging (AWP), WorkFace Planning, and project delivery excellence across the global engineering and construction industry. Over a career spanning more than 25 years, and through nearly two decades of dedicated volunteer service to CII, Robin has helped shape industry practices, technologies, and research that improve project outcomes and field productivity. A respected leader within CII's Technology Committee, Fiatech, and numerous research initiatives he has played a key role in bridging the gap between innovation and practical implementation. Known for his technical expertise, mentorship, and collaborative leadership, Robin has made a lasting impact on CII, its members, and the broader capital projects industry. 

OUTSTANDING ACADEMIC AWARD

Outstanding Academic Award 1 – John Gambatese, Oregon State University
Dr. Gambatese is the recipient of CII's Outstanding Academic Award in recognition of his exceptional leadership and contributions to construction safety research, and industry advancement. As a distinguished professor at Oregon State University and a longtime leader within CII's Safety Community for Business Advancement, Dr. Gambatese has played a pivotal role in shaping landmark research initiatives that have improved worker safety, project performance, and safety culture across the industry. Renowned for his commitment to research rigor, industry relevance, and collaborative leadership, he has successfully translated academic insights into practical solutions that deliver lasting value to construction owners, contractors, and practitioners worldwide. 

Outstanding Academic Award 2 – Edward Jaselskis, North Carolina State University
The Executive Committee decided this year to recognize a second Outstanding Academic in recognition of his leadership in advancing practical, industry-focused research. As Principal Investigator for RT-398, Developing Fit-for-Purpose Tools to Support Project Success, he led the development of the Best Practices Primer and PCAM 2.0, two widely adopted resources that help project teams apply CII knowledge, assess project complexity, improve decision-making, and enhance project performance. Through his collaborative leadership, commitment to research excellence, and focus on delivering actionable solutions, Dr. Jaselskis has made a significant contribution to bridging the gap between research and practice and creating measurable value for the capital projects industry. 

OUTSTANDING STUDENT AWARD

Outstanding Student Award – Ali Tabaja - University of Colorado Boulder
Ali Tabaja is the recipient of the CII Outstanding Student Award in recognition of his exceptional contributions to Research Team 413 and his dedication to advancing industry knowledge. As a graduate research assistant, Ali played a pivotal role in developing the research methodology, leading data collection and analysis, and helping translate complex findings into practical insights for industry practitioners. His expertise, professionalism, and collaborative leadership were instrumental to the success of a study that reimagines supplier qualification practices to improve project resilience and performance. Through his commitment to research excellence and industry engagement, Ali has made a meaningful and lasting contribution to CII and the capital projects industry. 

Closing Remarks

On behalf of the staff and members of CII, we extend our sincere congratulations and gratitude to all our award recipients for their outstanding leadership, service, and contributions to the capital projects industry. Through their innovation, expertise, collaboration, and unwavering commitment to excellence, these individuals have advanced CII's mission and helped drive meaningful improvements across our industry. Their achievements serve as an inspiration to their peers and exemplify the values that make our industry stronger. We thank them for their dedication and for the lasting impact they continue to make.

James B. Porter, Jr. Award for Technology Leadership  Ted Blackmon, Construct-X	Richard L. Tucker Service & Leadership Award  Paul Burroughs, OPG
Carrol H. Dunn Award of Excellence Ben Breen, PMI	Outstanding Volunteer Award Mark Mehta, Burns & McDonnell
Outstanding Volunteer Award  Robin Mikaelsson, PTAG	Outstanding Academic Award  John Gambatese, Oregon State University
Outstanding Academic Award  Edward Jaselskis, NC State University	Outstanding Student Award  Ali Tabaja, University of Colorado Boulder