What's next? COVID and Construction

Description

Please join us for one of our timeliest AGC MA Lunch and Learn programs yet. A panel of industry experts will be joined by medical expert Dr. Mark Poznansky, Director of the Vaccine and Immunotherapy Center at MGH to discuss the future of COVID-19 and the Delta variant and how the commercial construction industry is meeting new challenges.

Attorney Ken Rubinstein, Director of the Construction Law Practice at Preti Flaherty LLP will moderate a discussion between Dr. Poznansky and a panel of:

• Kathy Freitas, Director of People Strategies, Bond Brothers Construction
• Brendan Lowd, Employment Attorney at Mintz Levin P.C.
• Jason Edic, Vice President of Risk Management at Lee Kennedy Company

Mark Poznansky, MD, PhD
Director, Vaccine and Immunotherapy Center, Massachusetts General Hospital
Mark Poznansky, MD, PhD, is an associate professor of medicine at Harvard Medical School, an attending physician in infectious diseases medicine at the Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH), and Director of the Vaccine and Immunotherapy Center at MGH. He holds a doctoral degree Cambridge University and a medical degree from University of Edinburgh. His clinical subspecialization includes the treatment of infection in immune-compromised patients. The Poznansky laboratory works at the interface between scientific discovery and medical product development, discovering novel immune processes, defining their molecular mechanisms and exploring their relevance to the development of vaccines and immunotherapies for cancer, infectious diseases and type I diabetes. Their work is funded by the National Institutes of Health, Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, The Marsha Rivkin Center and other private foundations.
 
Kathy Freitas
Director of People Strategies, Bond
As Director of People Strategies, Kathy leads BOND’s Human Resources Department and plays a key role in making BOND a great place to work. With over 30 years’ experience, Kathy is an expert in HR strategy and employee engagement. She oversees BOND’s talent acquisition, training and development, employee relations, onboarding and benefits programs.

Prior to working with BOND, Kathy led the HR function for several global organizations in healthcare, biotechnology and professional services. She has an outstanding track record building and leading a motivated team of HR professionals, with a commitment to achieving operational excellence.

Kathy holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in English from the University of Massachusetts Boston. She is Co-chairperson of the Associated General Contractors (AGC) Human Resources Committee and was recently elected Board Member for Housing Families Inc. In addition, she holds two HR industry certifications including SHRM-SCP (Society for Human Resources Management, Senior Certified Professional) and SPHR (Senior Professional of Human Resources).
 
Brendan Lowd
Associate, Mintz
Brendan is an experienced and creative litigator, advisor, and counselor to public, private, start-ups, and closely-held companies. Brendan also represents high-level executives in the negotiation of their employment agreements and compensation. Brendan dedicates a substantial portion of his practice to employment litigation, regularly practicing before state and federal courts, arbitrators and administrative agencies. Brendan focuses on wage and hour class and collective actions, restrictive covenant matters, False Claims Act cases, and shareholder disputes among the owners of closely-held companies. In addition, Brendan regularly litigates sexual harassment, disability, retaliation, and other employment discrimination and whistleblower suits. 


Jason Edic
Vice President, Risk Management, Lee Kennedy Co., Inc.
Jason has been in the construction industry for 20+ years focusing on construction safety and environmental protection throughout his career.  He holds the designation of Certified Safety Professional through the Board of Certified Safety Professionals and is accredited through the U.S. Green Building Council as a LEED Professional.  Jason oversees the development, implementation and maintenance of LKCo’s Safety Management System, and is particularly focused on integrating EH&S considerations into all facets of the company’s business model.  LKCo’s approach of PEVI (Plan, Execute, Verify, Improve) has produced quantifiable results in the form of reduced injuries/incidents, improved efficiencies and increased profitability, and provides a solid foundation for continuous improvement in the future.
 
Moderator:
 
Ken Rubinstein
Director, Preti Flaherty
Kenneth E. Rubinstein practices as a Director in the firm's Boston, Massachusetts and Concord, New Hampshire offices and is co-chair of the firm's Construction Law group, and a member of the firm's Litigation and Professional Liability groups. Ken regularly represents public and private clients, as well as insurance companies and their insureds, in complex commercial disputes, with an emphasis on matters involving construction issues and financial professionals.
Ken has practical industry experience in both the construction and financial services industries, having worked at a Manhattan construction management firm and at "Big 6" accounting firm, Arthur Andersen, LLP, before beginning his practice as a civil trial lawyer. Prior to joining Preti Flaherty, Ken was an Officer at a New England regional law firm.