High-Profile’s Anastasia Barnes recently sat down with Kurt Prochorena, the new president of the Connecticut Building Congress (CBC) and vice president at Loureiro Engineering Associates, to discuss his initiatives and the organization’s plans for the upcoming year.
Kurt Prochorena
Anastasia Barnes: As the newly appointed president of the CBC, what is your primary vision for the organization over the next year?
Kurt Prochorena: My primary vision is to strengthen our role as a key resource and advocate for the architecture, engineering and construction (AEC) industry across the state. Over the next year, I will promote strong collaboration within our membership and increase engagement through valuable programming and networking opportunities. This will position our members to thrive in a rapidly changing industry landscape.
AB: What are the key initiatives or programs you plan to implement during your tenure?
KP: I plan to implement several initiatives that align with the evolving needs of our industry and enhance the value of CBC membership:
- Membership: Increase the number of AEC firms and members in the organization to enhance and diversify interactions between architecture, engineering, construction and allied sectors.
- Engagement: Enhance the ways our members can communicate, interact, and exchange information within the organization. Strengthen our members’ connections and offer platforms for mentoring and professional growth.
- Workforce Development: Position CBC as a resource to help fill the growing skills gap in our industry by collaborating with educational institutions and providing visibility to the benefits of a career in the AEC fields.
AB: How do you see the CBC evolving to meet the changing needs of the commercial construction, architecture, and engineering industries in Connecticut?
KP: The CBC must remain agile and well informed regarding evolving industry trends to continue serving our members effectively. As our industry adapts to new technologies and practices, we will focus on:
- Embracing Innovation: Keep our membership apprised of evolving design and construction tools/practices that enhance efficiency and quality. This includes advanced data capture, AI BIM, smart building materials and prefabrication.
- Sustainability and Resiliency: Support the adoption of sustainable and resilient design and construction.
- Regulatory Advocacy: Ensure that CBC members are well-informed about changes in codes, laws and regulations which impact their work.
AB: What are some of the biggest challenges and opportunities facing CBC members today, and how can the organization help them navigate these?
KP: Significant challenges that face our members include access to new talent that can sustain the industry’s workforce, and finding effective ways to transfer the industry’s “institutional knowledge” to the next generation of designers and builders. CBC can leverage the collective knowledge of our diverse membership to create mechanisms to foster engagement of potential talent and contribute to workforce development across the industry.
AB: For current members, how do you plan to enhance the value of CBC membership?
KP: Goals for the year that will enhance the value of CBC membership include:
- Enhance CBC’s Industry Practices Council to keep our membership apprised of evolving design and construction tools/practices.
- Provide our members with exclusive industry insights.
- Offer informative programs that provide current and relevant information to our members.
- Offer more targeted networking events that connect members with potential partners and clients.
AB: What steps will you take to attract new members to CBC, especially in emerging sectors or underrepresented groups?
KP: CBC will strive to increase its membership by demonstrating the value we bring to industry, organizations and individuals. Through targeted outreach, informative programs and networking events, we will highlight the benefits of membership and the opportunities it brings.
AB: How does CBC plan to address or support industry trends such as sustainability, advanced technology, and workforce development?
KP: CBC’s DEI Committee is diligently working behind the scenes to develop initiatives that tackle key industry trends, ranging from workforce development to health and wellness. We’re excited to see these efforts take shape and look forward to sharing them with our members.
AB: Can you share any collaborative efforts or partnerships that CBC is pursuing to benefit its members?
KP: CBC is continuing several collaborative efforts, including partnerships with educational institutions, healthcare (sector) and industry leaders including other trade associations like Mass Building Congress. These collaborations aim to create new opportunities for our members and to broaden their network.
AB: How do you envision the CBC playing a role in shaping the future of construction in Connecticut and the broader New England region?
KP: CBC will continue to play an instrumental role in shaping the future of construction in Connecticut and New England by serving as a resource for informative programs that provide current and relevant information to our members, providing networking events that connect members with potential partners and clients, creating platforms for mentoring and professional growth and being a proponent of workforce development to aid in filling the growing skills gap in our industry.
AB: What legacy do you hope to leave as president of the CBC, and what impact would you like to make during your term?
KP: During my term, I aim to make a positive impact on CBC by increasing the number of members in the organization, improving the ways our members can engage with each other, and positioning CBC as a valuable resource to help address the growing skills gap in our industry. I plan to achieve this by collaborating with educational institutions and highlighting the benefits of pursuing a career in the AEC industry. In terms of legacy, I hope to be remembered as a president who continued the strong advocacy for the organization that my predecessors upheld.
CBC’s 2024-2025 board officers and directors
CBC’s 2024-2025 Board Officers and Directors
President: Kurt Prochorena, PE, LEP, LEED AP, Loureiro Engineering Associates, Inc.
President Elect: Greg Putnam, The Whiting-Turner Contracting Company
Vice President: Stephanie Greenman, Gilbane Building Company
Secretary: Andrew White, Tighe & Bond
Treasurer: Joseph J. Spagnoletti, CPA, CCIFP, CohnReznick
Past President: Ryan Scrittorale, Benesch
Historian: Martin A. Onorato, Esq., Robinson+Cole
Ex-officio: Michelle Hopson, Hopson Consultancy LLC
Directors
David Barstow, GZA GeoEnvironmental, Inc.
Richard Bergan, Bergan Architectural Woodworking
Katelyn Birge, Sustainable Engineering Solutions
Louis Faassen, Yale New Haven Hospital
Al Lombardi, PE, Michael Horton Associates, Inc
Edward Carvalho, MJ Daly LLC
Robert Delagrange, Hoffmann Architects
Scott Rowland, Turner Construction
