This dynamic presentation outlines the game plan that brought Joe Theismann success both on and off the football field. Former NFL MVP quarterback and Super Bowl Champion, he reveals his Game Plan for Success by drawing parallels between winning in football and in business. Joe focuses on how to succeed under pressure - when it's "4th and 1," and how to adapt quickly to unexpected situations when you're faced with a "blitz" instead of a zone. He urges individuals and organizations to set goals and correct errors each step of the way, an approach that builds momentum ... which, once on your side, would be hard for the best "defense" to stop.

Joe Theismann is an entrepreneur, Emmy Award–winning broadcaster, and former NFL star quarterback best known for leading Washington to a Super Bowl XVII victory and earning the NFL’s Most Valuable Player Award. A Notre Dame All-American and Heisman Trophy runner-up, Theismann enjoyed a 12-year NFL career before transitioning into a highly successful two-decade tenure as an NFL analyst for ESPN and the NFL Network. Inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame, he is also a former NFL Man of the Year recognized for his commitment to community service. Today, Theismann brings his high energy, leadership experience, and real-world perspective to audiences nationwide, sharing powerful insights on leadership, resilience, and navigating unexpected change.

Speaker: Bill Gschwind
Minnesota Construction Law Services PLLC
Founding Attorney/CEO

This presentation shows contractors how to use tactical empathy to prevent and resolve customer disputes. We’ll discuss how customers make decisions, identify what’s blocking them, and address that resistance without seeming pushy. We’ll explain simple negotiation moves, such as mirroring, anchoring, open-ended questions, and labeling, to help the customer solve the problem rather than fight about it. These techniques also lead to clear conversations and clean documentation. The result is fewer costly misunderstandings, protected margins, and projects that end with five-star reviews.

Bill Gschwind founded Minnesota Construction Law Services in 2012, bringing more than 25 years of real-world business experience to residential construction and small business law. After building a successful career outside the courtroom, Bill became an attorney to deliver practical, common-sense legal solutions tailored specifically for contractors. His work focuses on helping owner-operated businesses reduce risk, strengthen contracts, and negotiate with confidence.

Speaker: Sean Skellenger
Skelly Build
CEO

Most construction companies fail before year seven due to poor financial controls, lack of process, and reactive leadership. In this talk, we break down the top pitfalls—such as underbidding, cash flow mismanagement, and unclear roles—and share proven strategies to overcome them. By focusing on systems, accountability, and margin over volume, builders can scale sustainably. This is a roadmap for ambitious owners to lead with clarity, protect profits, and build companies that last.

Key takeaways

• Attendees will learn the top financial pitfalls that lead to failure in order to implement stronger budgeting and cash flow practices.
• Attendees will learn how to build scalable systems in order to create consistency and reduce reliance on reactive decision-making.
• Attendees will learn how to define leadership roles and accountability structures in order to drive team performance and long-term stability.
• Attendees will learn to prioritize profit over volume in order to grow sustainably without sacrificing quality or culture.

Sean Skellenger
Skelly Build
CEO

Sean plays a key leadership role at Skelly Build, driving the company’s growth through strong operational strategy, financial discipline, and team development. He brings a sharp business mindset to construction, ensuring that the systems, processes, and people are in place to support long-term success and efficiency.

A graduate from the University of Texas at Austin with a Master’s in Professional Accounting and a minor in Finance, Sean pairs formal business training with hands-on industry experience gained across multiple construction roles. This blend allows him to navigate both the big picture and day-to-day realities of building a thriving organization.

Outside of work, Sean enjoys time with his family, golfing, traveling, and discovering new spots around Austin.

Speaker: Scott Veatch
Ron Scott Design Build
Principal

Clients don’t buy remodeling services for drywall, fixtures, or square footage—they buy how the finished space will make them feel. This 45-minute webinar introduces neuroaesthetics, the science of how design impacts human behavior, and shows remodelers how to harness it to increase profitability, sales, and client satisfaction.

Through real-world remodeling scenarios, attendees will learn how design decisions influence emotional responses such as trust, calm, and excitement—and how to apply that knowledge to upsell projects, close more deals, and shift the conversation from cost to value.

Participants will leave with immediately actionable tools, including a “profit driver” checklist, sample neuroaesthetic sales language, and ideas for positioning remodeling as a wellness and lifestyle upgrade. This isn’t abstract theory—it’s a practical roadmap for remodelers who want to stand out in a crowded market, expand their project scopes, and build stronger client loyalty.

Scott Veatch is Principal of Ron Scott Design Build, a Central Ohio design-build firm recognized for blending high-performance construction with elevated design experiences. With 30 years of experience in custom remodeling and interior design, Scott integrates brain science, wellness, and design strategy to create spaces that enhance both human experience and business results.

Speaker: Parker Schaffel
Parker Schaffel Coaching
Leadership Coach

In the remodeling industry, great projects don’t just depend on craftsmanship—they depend on teamwork. This session introduces Patrick Lencioni’s Five Dysfunctions of a Team through real-world remodeling examples, showing how trust, healthy conflict, commitment, accountability, and results directly impact client satisfaction, profitability, and project success. 

Participants will walk away with practical tools to strengthen their crews, improve communication with subcontractors and clients, and build stronger businesses by fixing the cracks in team dynamics before they become costly mistakes.

Parker Schaffel is a leadership coach and team facilitator who helps individuals and organizations perform at their best across government, nonprofit, and corporate sectors. With experience supporting professionals from entry-level roles to the C-suite—including organizations ranging from small nonprofits to Fortune 10 companies—Parker brings a practical, people-centered approach to leadership development. He also understands the remodeling industry firsthand, having worked closely with a NARI member in Maryland and personally taken on remodeling projects from basements and bathrooms to garages and landscapes. Prior to launching his coaching practice in 2022, Parker taught leadership courses at the Central Intelligence Agency for over a decade and served as an intelligence officer in the U.S. Navy Reserve. 

Speaker: Rathna Ramakrishnan
Remodeler Digital
CEO

In remodeling, the first contractor to respond usually wins—78% of customers choose the business that responds first, regardless of price. This session uncovers why speed-to-lead is the biggest driver of sales success and how automation ensures you never miss an opportunity.

Discover how to respond instantly, impress homeowners, and dramatically increase your close rates by putting speed at the center of your sales strategy.

Rathna Ramakrishnan helps remodeling contractors crush revenue goals through strategic digital marketing and AI automation. As founder of Remodeler Digital, a Grow with Google Partner, and author of The Best Known Remodeler, she brings more than 20 years of experience building lead-generation systems that work 24/7. From AI-powered chat and voice bots to data-driven marketing campaigns, Rathna’s expertise helps remodelers capture better leads, streamline the customer journey, and close more of the right projects—faster. 

Speaker: Forrest Castile
Castile Kitchen & Bath
Owner/President

This session offers practical systems and field-tested strategies for protecting margin once a job moves from design to production. Drawing on nearly three decades of design/build experience, Forrest walks participants through the tools, policies, and mindsets that keep projects profitable — from accurate estimating and clear contracts to trade partner agreements, real-time job costing, and accountability systems. The presentation emphasizes how leadership, communication, and operational discipline protect both profit and reputation throughout the production phase.

Forrest Castile is a nationally respected builder, educator, and thought leader with nearly 30 years in the design/build remodeling industry. As owner of Castile Kitchen & Bath in Eugene, Oregon, he’s known for pairing design excellence with strong systems, leadership, and an exceptional client experience. Beyond his firm, Forrest has spent decades teaching, mentoring, and facilitating peer groups that help remodeling professionals elevate their businesses—and themselves. His passion lies in helping good builders become great leaders through craftsmanship, integrity, and a people-first approach.

Speaker: Chris Kuehl, PhD
Managing Director
Armada Corporate Intelligence

A look at the key economic issues affecting the remodeling industry – inflation, interest rates, labor supply, overall growth, and regional and sector growth. There will be other issues that develop as the year progresses – political decisions, geopolitics, and issues we have not even thought of yet.

Dr. Chris Kuehl is a Managing Director of Armada Corporate Intelligence. He provides forecasts and strategic guidance to a wide variety of corporate clients and business organizations around the world. He is the economic analyst for several national and international organizations.

Prior to starting Armada in 1999, he was a professor of economics and finance for 15 years, teaching in the U.S., Hungary, Russia, Estonia, Singapore, and Taiwan. He holds advanced degrees in economics, Soviet studies, and East Asian studies. 

Chris is the co-author of "The Flagship" and "The Watch"- both publications from Armada. He presents to more than 125 associations and businesses each year – in the U.S. and globally.