CII Staff
Directors
Jamie Gerbrecht
Executive Director
Bio + Contact
Jamie is CII’s Executive Director. He has multiple years of CII service and engagement through ExxonMobil and brings nearly four decades of industry and leadership experience to CII.
Jamie’s career with ExxonMobil included positions in reservoir engineering, environmental / regulatory affairs, civil / facilities engineering, project execution planning, and construction / project management covering numerous projects across global locations. This included years of execution planning and construction site management for major projects.
As a CII member company representative prior to joining the CII staff, Jamie’s past experience across the Institute included serving on the following:
- Board of Advisors
- Multiple research teams
- Downstream and Chemicals Committee
- Advanced Work Packaging (AWP) Community for Business Advancement (Vice Chair) and related subcommittees
- AWP + Lean and other working groups
- Best Practices Course instructor team
Jamie has a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering from Louisiana State University and is a registered Professional Engineer in Texas and Louisiana.
Daniel Oliveira
Director of Research & Operations
Bio + Contact
Dr. Daniel Oliveira is the Director of Research & Operations at the Construction Industry Institute. Previously, he has served as Associate Director for Funded Studies, managed CII’s Research Services, and was a researcher in data analytics for capital projects. Daniel is passionate about using research and data analytics to improve capital projects, and he works with industry members and academics to manage CII’s research portfolio.
Before he joined CII in 2014, Daniel was a project manager with The University of Texas at Austin’s Office of Campus Planning, where he planned capital projects and worked on the university’s master plan. He holds a Master’s in Engineering from the Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (in Brazil) and a Ph.D. in Civil Engineering from Carnegie Mellon University.
Staff
Nuria Ayala
Manager of Information Systems
Bio + Contact
Nuria is the Manager of Information Systems at CII, where she oversees the purchasing, implementation, and maintenance of resources to ensure the efficient and effective delivery of IT solutions.
Prior to joining CII in 2004, Nuria worked at Gateway and at SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory.
Nuria holds a Master of Arts in Education with a concentration in Instructional Technologies from San Francisco State University and a Bachelor of Arts in American Literature with a minor in Education from UCLA.
Prior to joining CII in 2004, Nuria worked at Gateway and at SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory.
Nuria holds a Master of Arts in Education with a concentration in Instructional Technologies from San Francisco State University and a Bachelor of Arts in American Literature with a minor in Education from UCLA.
Heather Beal
Project Manager for Deployment
Bio + Contact
Heather came to CII with varied experience in the retail space, from team manager to project management for an e-commerce marketing department. In these positions she created work flow standards, and put in place processes where there weren't any and is now putting that knowledge into practice by supporting our Deployment efforts.
Jenny A. Bien
Associate Director for Membership and Communications
Bio + Contact
Jenny A. Bien
Associate Director for Membership and Communications
jenny.bien@cii.utexas.edu
512-232-3005
Jennifer A. Bien is the Associate Director of Membership and Communications. She previously worked at Fleishman-Hillard, a large international PR firm, and then at UC Davis Medical Center in Sacramento. She started her career at Fleishman-Hillard, and worked her way through the ranks to become a managing supervisor at the firm. Jenny primarily focused on telecom accounts but was also able to work with other large companies, such as Sony PlayStation, Universal Studios, and the San Francisco Giants. Jenny left the corporate PR business to manage communications for UC Davis Healthcare Systems in Sacramento. One of her main focus areas of communications was the UC Davis Mind Institute, a collaborative research center comprised of clinicians, researchers, and academics.
Bryana Cantu
Marketing Coordinator
Bio + Contact
Bryana is a University of Texas graduate with a bachelor’s in marketing serving as the Marketing Coordinator for CII. Here she holds the responsibilities of marketing and promoting the Construction Industry Institute events and research outcomes and maximizes CII’s impact and exposure to organizations managing and building capital projects.
She has previously worked as an analyst at a Fortune 50 corporation where she managed the supply chain for an assortment of items, developed business strategies to drive availability and worked with the largest vendors in the over-the-counter industry. She then worked as a Marketing Coordinator for an Austin founded restaurant chain where a few of her responsibilities consisted of creating content for their social media, serving as the liaison between guests and upper management, and aggregating data to create and provide area managers with quarterly review reports of each location.
She has previously worked as an analyst at a Fortune 50 corporation where she managed the supply chain for an assortment of items, developed business strategies to drive availability and worked with the largest vendors in the over-the-counter industry. She then worked as a Marketing Coordinator for an Austin founded restaurant chain where a few of her responsibilities consisted of creating content for their social media, serving as the liaison between guests and upper management, and aggregating data to create and provide area managers with quarterly review reports of each location.
Erika Corbell
Associate Director for Deployment
Bio + Contact
Originally hired to manage CII publications in 2009, Erika quickly transitioned to supporting various CII initiatives and committees over the years. Most recently, she served as the Project Manager for Deployment.
Before joining CII, Erika was the Director of Volunteer Services with Special Olympics Texas, managing its state-wide volunteer program requiring thousands of short-term and long-term volunteers each year.
Erika brings this same passion to CII volunteers, helping them get the most out of CII’s research through our professional development and implementation programs.
She holds a Master’s in Education from Texas State University at San Marcos.
Before joining CII, Erika was the Director of Volunteer Services with Special Olympics Texas, managing its state-wide volunteer program requiring thousands of short-term and long-term volunteers each year.
Erika brings this same passion to CII volunteers, helping them get the most out of CII’s research through our professional development and implementation programs.
She holds a Master’s in Education from Texas State University at San Marcos.
Kristi Delaney
Project Manager
Bio + Contact
Kristi began her career with CII in 2008, previously working in the McCombs School of Business since 1996. She is the Project Manager supporting CII’s research efforts, including FSC and RT support, contracting and financial management of CII’s research portfolio, and academic selection through CII’s RFQ process.
She earned her Master’s in Education from the University of Texas at Austin.
She earned her Master’s in Education from the University of Texas at Austin.
Deborah DeGezelle
Manager of the Data Warehouse
Bio + Contact
Deborah DeGezelle is the Manager of the Data Warehouse benchmarking services. Deborah brings nearly three decades of benchmarking and data analytics leadership experience to CII.
Deborah is passionate about bringing data to life. Data is everywhere and she excels at integrating and curating data that can drive business advancement. Deborah is a passionate believer that "what gets measured gets improved."
Deborah is passionate about bringing data to life. Data is everywhere and she excels at integrating and curating data that can drive business advancement. Deborah is a passionate believer that "what gets measured gets improved."
Fahimeh Foroughi
Accountant
Bio + Contact
Fahimeh is the accountant at CII.
Yu-Chen (Gabrielle) Lee
Graduate Research Assistant
Bio + Contact
Yu-Chen (Gabrielle) Lee is a Graduate Research Assistant at CII.
Gabrielle's educational journey began at National Central University, Taiwan, where she earned a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering in June 2017 and later a Master of Science in Structural Engineering in July 2019. Intent on further growth, she moved to the U.S. to study at The University of Texas at Austin, completing a Master of Science in Construction Engineering and Project Management in December 2021. As of January 2022, Gabrielle has been working towards her Ph.D. in the Sustainable Systems Program at UT Austin. Her research is centered around promoting circular economy strategies in urban systems, reflecting her commitment to innovation and sustainability.
Cathleen (Kelly) Lenig
Events Manager
Bio + Contact
Cathleen (Kelly) joined CII in 2007. She negotiated industry and government contracts and managed contract specifications, including budget and compliance.
In 2021, she took a three-year sabbatical to wander the fair lands of these United States. She rejoined CII in December 2023 as Events Manager.
In 2021, she took a three-year sabbatical to wander the fair lands of these United States. She rejoined CII in December 2023 as Events Manager.
Natcha Luechakiettisak
Graduate Research Assistant
Bio + Contact
Natcha is a Graduate Research Assistant working with Deborah DeGezelle on CII's Data Warehouse.
Natcha is originally from Thailand. He obtained his undergraduate degree at Auburn University in Alabama. He worked for the design team or highway group at SNC Lavalin - Atkins in Atlanta, Georgia for three years. Then he decided to go back to school to pursue his master’s degree at UT.
William (Bill) J O'Brien
Associate Director for Technology Guidelines
Bio + Contact
William (Bill) J O'Brien
Associate Director for Technology Guidelines
wjob@mail.utexas.edu
512-471-4638
Dr. William (Bill) J. O’Brien is the Associate Director for Technology Guidelines. He is an expert on construction supply chain management and collaborative approaches. He conducts research, teaches, and consults on both systems design and implementation issues.
Bill is currently the C.T. Wells Professor of Project Management in the Cockrell School of Engineering at The University of Texas at Austin. He has had many service appointments, including Associate Chair for Architectural Engineering in the Department of Civil, Architectural, and Environmental Engineering from 2016-2021. He led the Construction Engineering and Project Management program as Area Coordinator from 2011-2017 and was Transition Manager (Interim Director) of the Fiatech Industry Consortium from 2016-2017.
Bill holds a Ph.D. and an M.S. degree in Civil Engineering and an M.S. degree in Engineering-Economic Systems from Stanford University. He also holds a B.S. degree in Civil Engineering (Academic Honors) from Columbia University. He is a licensed Professional Engineer in the State of Texas.
Bill is currently the C.T. Wells Professor of Project Management in the Cockrell School of Engineering at The University of Texas at Austin. He has had many service appointments, including Associate Chair for Architectural Engineering in the Department of Civil, Architectural, and Environmental Engineering from 2016-2021. He led the Construction Engineering and Project Management program as Area Coordinator from 2011-2017 and was Transition Manager (Interim Director) of the Fiatech Industry Consortium from 2016-2017.
Bill holds a Ph.D. and an M.S. degree in Civil Engineering and an M.S. degree in Engineering-Economic Systems from Stanford University. He also holds a B.S. degree in Civil Engineering (Academic Honors) from Columbia University. He is a licensed Professional Engineer in the State of Texas.
Vishal Porwal
Graduate Research Assistant
Bio + Contact
Vishal is a Ph.D. student in Civil Engineering at UT. He earned his B.S. in Civil Engineering at Rajiv Gandhi Proudyogiki Vishwavidyalaya in India, and his MS in Civil Engineering at Texas A&M University. His professional experience includes work at Builderbox, a startup he founded in 2016, and work as a BIM coordinator for Hoffman Construction. Vishal supports CII's AWP initiatives.
Pipper Ramsey
Project Manager for Membership
Bio + Contact
Pipper joined CII in 2014 to manage membership dues, invoicing and collections.
Before joining CII Pipper was the Director of Admin Services for a large Logistics company.
Pipper has helped CII transition to a financial management system, works to improve reporting efforts,
manages the helpdesk and provides support to CII Members.
Before joining CII Pipper was the Director of Admin Services for a large Logistics company.
Pipper has helped CII transition to a financial management system, works to improve reporting efforts,
manages the helpdesk and provides support to CII Members.
Debbie Samilpa
Administrative Manager
Bio + Contact
Debbie is the Administrative Manager at CII. She is responsible for negotiating contracts with venues for CII's events, including the Annual Conference. Debbie also negotiates contracts for the various procedures and materials required to run CII.
Janet West
Executive Assistant
Bio + Contact
Janet has worked for the State of Texas and The University of Texas System for over 33 years. She brings to her position experience in Human Resources, Project Management, supervision, and working with executive leaders. She completed a week-long on-site Governor’s Management Program. She was the chair and co-chair on many charity organizations for the State of Texas and served on the board of the United Way Campaign.
Robert (Bob) Wible
Project Manager for Technology Guidelines and CBAs
Bio + Contact
Robert (Bob) Wible
Project Manager for Technology Guidelines and CBAs
robert.wible@cii.utexas.edu
703-568-2323
Robert (Bob) brings 5 decades of experience in Federal and state government, international affairs, building design and regulatory processes and reviewing innovative construction technologies to CII.
He came to CII in 2018 with the merger of Fiatech where he served for 10 years overseeing Productivity Advancement practices and creating the Horizon 360 committee which scans the global economy for innovative technologies that enhance the safety and effectiveness of the building design and construction processes.
Prior to joining Fiatech, he served for 21 years as the Executive Director of an association affiliated with National Governors Association, National Conference of State Legislatures and the U.S. Conference of Mayors and before that as a Foreign Service Officer serving in posts in South Asia.
He came to CII in 2018 with the merger of Fiatech where he served for 10 years overseeing Productivity Advancement practices and creating the Horizon 360 committee which scans the global economy for innovative technologies that enhance the safety and effectiveness of the building design and construction processes.
Prior to joining Fiatech, he served for 21 years as the Executive Director of an association affiliated with National Governors Association, National Conference of State Legislatures and the U.S. Conference of Mayors and before that as a Foreign Service Officer serving in posts in South Asia.
Hong Zhao
Manager of Shared and Financial Services
Bio + Contact
Hong is the Manager of Shared and Financial Services. She is responsible for supervising and providing the administrative support required to conduct research & development at CII, including accounting, budgeting, contracts, and procurement services.
Before joining CII in 2007, Hong was the Senior Business Analyst at Ford Motor Company for 8 years. She has managed multiple IT projects for Ford Sales & Marketing organization from gathering requirements, to making a development plan to the final delivery.
Hong holds a Master of Science in Accounting from the University of Michigan-Dearborn, Master of Science in Electronics and Computer Control Systems from Wayne State University, and a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism from Renmin University of China.
Before joining CII in 2007, Hong was the Senior Business Analyst at Ford Motor Company for 8 years. She has managed multiple IT projects for Ford Sales & Marketing organization from gathering requirements, to making a development plan to the final delivery.
Hong holds a Master of Science in Accounting from the University of Michigan-Dearborn, Master of Science in Electronics and Computer Control Systems from Wayne State University, and a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism from Renmin University of China.