Johnny Fortune
Executive Director, National BIM Program, NIBS

Johnny Fortune is a technology leader and subject matter expert in building information management (BIM) for the architecture, engineering, construction, and owner/operator industry. He serves as the Director of the U.S. National BIM Program with the National Institute of Building Sciences, where he focuses on the program launch and implementation plan to improve efficiencies in the design and construction industry.

Fortune has more than 20 years of experience in computer-aided design and BIM management. Throughout his career, he has successfully helped many professionals adopt various levels of design and construction technology, from hand drafting to virtual design and construction. His vast experience includes developing BIM strategies, standards, training, workflows, and integration with external stakeholders.

Fortune is a contributing author for several national standards documents, including the USACE and VA BIM requirements. He also has presented at technology conferences, including Autodesk University, AEC Next, and BIMForum. Fortune enjoys utilizing technology for improving business and industry processes and focuses on building meaningful and lasting relationships.

Beth Eckenrode, BS-IE, MBA
Co-Founder, AUROS Group

Throughout her distinguished career in executive leadership, Beth Eckenrode developed a track record as a results-focused leader of high-performing teams in roles like Vice President and Chief Strategy Officer for the H.J. Heinz Company and Vice President of NOVA Chemicals. In 2015, Eckenrode decided to use her skills and abilities to address some of the world's most challenging issues. She co-founded the AUROS Group in 2017, to provide building owners more confidence in their sustainable building investments. Eckenrode co-authored the book, "The Power of Existing Buildings--Save Money, Improve Health and Reduce Environmental Impacts" (Island Press, 2019) and is the holder of two U.S patents. She holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Industrial Engineering (BSIE) from the University of Wisconsin and a Masters Business Administration (MBA) from Northwestern University, and holds many industry accreditations.

Todd Lukesh
Engagement Manager, Gafcon Digital, Inc., San Diego

More than 20 years of Building Performance and Sustainability (BPS) project management and Digital Transformation in commercial real estate, PropTech, masterplanning, portfolio management, development, design, construction, technology, sustainability, health and wellness, and innovation to the project delivery process. Experience includes managing high-performance, LEED and Zero Net Energy commercial projects representing over 50M sqft and $10B in design and construction revenue. Focus is on the full Digital Building Lifecycle (DBL) integrating performance-based hybrid Digital Twin smart building technologies that leverage innovation, physics-based simulation, and advanced analytics to optimize performance. This includes closed-loop analysis for project delivery, commissioning, calibration, bidirectional communication, and handover into operational performance to increase ROI, manage risk, and decrease environmental footprint.

John Turner
CEO, Gafcon Digital, Inc., San Diego

John has built his career around the use of technology to transform organizations. He started in the North Sea Offshore Industry, in vision and remote intervention systems linked to 3D modeling, where his work was recognized by a Fellowship of the Society of Underwater Technology, The David Partridge 1987 Underwater Technology Award, and UK Offshore Industry Awards for Technology and Exporting. This was foundational to leveraging BIM (Building Information Modeling), Digital Twins and the methods to improve organizations by unlocking the value of technology to transform business process.

John current approach has benefited from his experiences of leading large transformational programs as a consultant with Cap Gemini and applying that experience at Gateway, Anacomp, Nissan, Cisco Systems, LimitedBrands and Sempra Global.

John joined Gafcon in 2012 as he wanted to apply evolving construction technology to benefit owners. He built up a stand-alone business unit which was spun out as Gafcon Digital, Inc in April 2022. He has been instrumental in the convergence of multiple siloed technologies and building a team of Architects, Civil Engineers, Technologists, Data Scientists and Project Execution Specialists that all want to transform the digital building lifecycle, but from the perspective of an Owner. He has applied and continually develops this through engagement with multiple multi-billion dollar building lifecycle programs for Serial Builders.

John was a founder member and co-chair of the Infrastructure (now AECO) working group of the Digital Twin Consortium. He is currently a Core Team member of the San Diego Community of Practice of the Lean Construction Institute.

His bachelor’s degree was obtained from Westminster University, London and his post graduate degree from The Robert Gordon University. Aberdeen, Scotland. He has presented and published many papers as well as a book on Underwater Photography.