As we closed out 2025, the fourth quarter marked a meaningful period of transition, progress, and momentum for the American Institute of Constructors (AIC).

From leadership changes and educational achievements to member engagement and organizational updates, the fourth quarter reinforced our commitment to advancing professionalism and excellence across the construction industry.

Learn about the latest developments shaping the Board of Directors leadership, certification programs, and member engagement as we move into 2026.

Quarterly Highlights: Leadership, Learning, and Industry Impact

The following updates highlight the progress made in the fourth quarter and how the latest initiatives position AIC and our members for a successful year ahead.

1. Leadership Transition at AIC

One of the most significant updates this quarter was Gregg Bradshaw, FAIC, CPC, stepping down as AIC President after two and a half years of dedicated service. Thank you, Gregg!

During his presidency, Gregg helped guide AIC through a period of challenge and growth while strengthening the organization’s foundation for the future. Throughout Gregg’s tenure, AIC achieved the following milestones:

• Unified the Constructor Certification Commission and Board of Directors under a single set of updated bylaws.
• Navigated the challenges resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic while maintaining organizational stability.
• Reinforced the value of industry certification across all career stages.
• Expanded collaboration with universities to strengthen the CAC Level I certification nationwide.
• Fostered a culture of mentorship, teamwork, and professional connection.

As Gregg transitions into the role of Immediate Past President, AIC extends its sincere appreciation for his steady guidance and lasting impact on the organization.

Looking ahead, AIC is pleased to announce that Hugh Cronin, FAIC, CPC, LEED AP, PMP, will step into the role of President in 2026. As AIC prepares for this leadership transition, the organization is focused on ensuring continuity and long-term strategic direction.

During the 2026 leadership transition, the following priorities have been identified:

• Develop a long-term strategic plan under Hugh’s leadership.
• Ensure leadership continuity through a strong management team led by Canda Mueller, Ph.D.
• Communicate additional leadership updates and initiatives in Q1-2026.

2. Continued Emphasis on Education and Certification

Education was a core priority throughout the fourth quarter, with the successful completion of the Fall 2025 CAC and CPC exams. The Fall 2025 exam cycle produced the following results:

• CAC Level I exam: greater than 70% pass rate.
• CPC Level II exam: 100% pass rate.
• Successful exam administration across participating institutions.
• Distribution of surveys to administrators and educators to collect feedback on exam experience.

These outcomes reflect the rigor of our certification programs and the preparedness of candidates at all career stages.

Plus, the feedback collected will help inform future refinements to our certification program and exam processes, ensuring continued alignment with academic partners and industry expectations.

3. Events and Member Engagement

Member engagement continued to grow in Q4-2025 through educational programming designed to support the integrity of certification exams. In October, AIC hosted an exam item writing workshop for members interested in contributing their expertise to exam development.

The exam item writing workshop focused on the following objectives:

• Taught members how to properly analyze content for exam development.
• Shared best practices for writing high-quality, valid exam questions.
• Leveraged real-world construction experience to strengthen exam rigor.
• Engaged experienced CAC and CPC credential holders in the exam process.

The workshop was attended by multiple members, with several additional participants expressing interest in future sessions. AIC plans to continue offering these workshops on a quarterly basis.

4. Organizational Updates and Committee Changes

In addition to the presidential leadership transition, this quarter included organizational updates aligned with our updated bylaws and ongoing membership efforts. These changes are designed to support operational clarity and long-term sustainability.

During the fourth quarter, AIC implemented the following organizational updates:

• Updated committee leadership and the committee structure in alignment with the revised bylaws.
• Continued the refinement of committee roles and responsibilities.
• Communicated an updated address for invoice processing for our members.

These updates reflect AIC’s commitment to transparent governance and effective organizational management.

5. ACCE Visiting Teams and Member Participation

AIC continued its collaboration with the American Council for Construction Education (ACCE) through member participation on ACCE Visiting Teams (VT). This engagement plays a vital role in supporting accredited construction programs and advancing the profession.

During the quarter, AIC emphasized the following related to our VTs:

• Recognized AIC members who are actively participating in ACCE visits.
• Thanked members for their time and expertise in supporting construction education.
• Reinforced the importance of AIC engagement in ACCE processes to encourage program growth.
• Encouraged additional members to become involved with VTs.

Specific to 2025 participation, we would like to highlight AIC members Murray Papendorf, Hugh Cronin, Geno Hogan, Paul Mattingly, Dr. Charles Berryman, Professor Erin Vitale, Dr. Ryan Penlerick, and Walter Lehner for serving on the visiting teams.

We would also like to extend our appreciation to Marty Garza, John Tingerthal, and Tim Becker for their support of this initiative.

In addition to the AIC community participating and presiding over numerous ACCE visiting teams, they are also leading the new ACCE Forum on February 26 during the 2026 ACCE Midyear Conference in Las Colinas, Texas, much in the fashion as AIC’s previous Forums under former AIC president Paul Mattingly‘s leadership.

Looking Ahead to 2026 with Confidence

The latest initiatives underscore our ongoing dedication to supporting professional constructors, strengthening construction education, and elevating standards across the industry.

Closing out 2025, AIC is well-positioned for continued growth and impact under new leadership. With Hugh Cronin stepping into the role of President and a strong leadership team in place, 2026 presents exciting opportunities to build on the momentum established this year:

• Continued emphasis on education, professional standards, and certification (including international growth with the Chihuahua Cluster in Mexico).
• Expanded opportunities for member engagement and leadership.
• Strategic initiatives that support our long-term vision.

The future is bright for AIC, and the organization looks forward to advancing its mission to accelerate constructor excellence in 2026 and beyond. As new leaders step forward and more members engage in certification, governance, and academic partnerships, AIC’s impact will continue to grow.

We invite all members – and those interested in joining – to stay engaged, share their expertise, and help shape the future of the construction profession in 2026 and beyond. To get involved and make your mark, please contact Canda at [email protected].