The School of Construction Expo gives students the opportunity to operate construction equipment, explore new technology, and get hands on experience using construction related tools. Presentations/Seminars will be scheduled Tuesday, April 11; Exhibits will run Wednesday, April 12, 2023, 9am to 3:00pm!
- About
- Registration
- Keynote Speakers
- Sponsors
- Exhibitors
- Events Schedule
- Accommodations
The School of Construction Expo started fairly small a few years ago, with students getting the opportunity to operate a small variety of earth-moving equipment. Crane and pump truck activities have been added, as well as live demonstrations of concrete placement and finishing techniques.
Tuesday, April 11, 2023
- 4pm - Overman Crimson and Gold Ballroom
Beavers Association Distinguished Speaker:
Mr. Paul A Cocotis, Heavy Civil Construction Excecutive
About Mr. Paul Cocotis, P.E.:
Education
University of California at Berkeley
B.S., Civil Engineering Civil Engineering Distinguished Alumni 2017
University of California at Berkeley
B.S., Civil Engineering Civil Engineering Distinguished Alumni 2017
Professional Affiliations
California Registered Civil Engineer; PE California Licensed Contractor; A,B,C10,C13,HAZ
Beavers Inc.; Charitable Trust Trustee American Society of Civil Engineers Associated General Contractors of California
Beavers Inc.; Charitable Trust Trustee American Society of Civil Engineers Associated General Contractors of California
Cocotis started his career as one of the original employees of Shimmick Construction in 1990 after completing his Civil Engineering Degree from UC Berkeley. He started as a field engineer working on projects in San Francisco, rising to a Project Manager for several years on significant railroad bridges in Los Angeles. He was promoted to Vice President in 1999 while serving as the PM on a $210M retrofit project on the Golden Gate Bridge.
Cocotis was elected President of Shimmick Construction in 2003, CEO in 2005, and Chairman of the Board in 2010 and was responsible for overall company operations until AECOM acquired Shimmick Construction in July of 2017. Under Cocotis’s leadership, Shimmick Construction grew from annual revenues of $30M (2003) to $450M (2017) and primarily self-performed over $6B of projects; becoming known as one of the premier general engineering contractors on the west coast. Salaried
employees rose from 40 (2003) to 280 (2017) under Cocotis’s Leadership and in 2017 Shimmick had over 1,200 field/union craft employees. When Shimmick sold to AECOM, Shimmick was licensed and building work in California, Washington, and Hawaii.
Cocotis was elected President of Shimmick Construction in 2003, CEO in 2005, and Chairman of the Board in 2010 and was responsible for overall company operations until AECOM acquired Shimmick Construction in July of 2017. Under Cocotis’s leadership, Shimmick Construction grew from annual revenues of $30M (2003) to $450M (2017) and primarily self-performed over $6B of projects; becoming known as one of the premier general engineering contractors on the west coast. Salaried
employees rose from 40 (2003) to 280 (2017) under Cocotis’s Leadership and in 2017 Shimmick had over 1,200 field/union craft employees. When Shimmick sold to AECOM, Shimmick was licensed and building work in California, Washington, and Hawaii.
During Cocotis’s leadership at Shimmick Construction the business averaged a 23% ROE and an average 15% yearly increase in Stock Valuation. Equity rose from $6 Million (2003) to $70 Million (2017) at the time of selling to AECOM. Sell price to AECOM was $175 Million. Shimmick Construction had been a top contractor regionally and on a national level including several top 5 rankings in Bridges, Dams and Reservoirs, and Water Resources according to ENR. Additionally, Paul’s leadership and focus on safety resulted in consistent recognition in California and nationally including first place in the United States for safety excellence from AGC for 500,000-1,000,000 worker hours in the Heavy/Highway category. Shimmick Construction regularly won safety awards in California each year for outstanding safety and consistently won AGC Project Management awards for its successful projects. Shimmick also prided itself on partnering with it clients to provide a successful completion for both the client and Shimmick Construction.
Cocotis is known as an energetic and forward-thinking leader whose leadership style reflects a commitment to innovation, and the importance of maintaining a solid business foundation. He has a reputation for taking on increasingly challenging projects, and is passionate about providing a safe and diverse work environment and giving back to the industry and community.
Cocotis is known as an energetic and forward-thinking leader whose leadership style reflects a commitment to innovation, and the importance of maintaining a solid business foundation. He has a reputation for taking on increasingly challenging projects, and is passionate about providing a safe and diverse work environment and giving back to the industry and community.
After Shimmick was acquired by AECOM, Shimmick was merged with AECOM’s existing Heavy Civil business (Legacy MK, Washington, URS) to form a diverse and national heavy civil business performing over $800 Million/year of construction throughout the US. Upon Shimmick’s acquisition, Paul took over as the President and General Manager of AECOM’s Heavy Construction Division and led this division profitably for three years till his retirement in July 2020.
Cocotis is currently working with national and region construction companies leading strategic growth and strengthening core business principles by way of Board Member positions and consulting.
He has served as an Executive Director and current Trustee of the Beavers (and Past President), a national heavy engineering construction association, as a Board Member of United Contractors, a regional California contractor association, and is a member participating on several AGC and ASCE efforts. He is also an active leader and fundraiser for Boy Scouts of America and several regional food banks.
Wednesday, April 12, 2023
- 4pm - Overman Crimson and Gold Ballroom
Construction Expo Keynote Speaker,
TBA
Gorilla $2500+
College $1000-2500
School $500-1000
Department $250-500
Program $50-500
2023 School of Construction Expo Event Schedule
Tuesday, April 11, 2023
- 10am "Optimized Batch Design" with George J Shaw Construction Co
- 12:30pm "Building Envelopes" with Crossland Construction Co
- 4pm Beavers Association Distinguished Speaker, Mr. Paul A Cocotis, Heavy Civil Construction Executive
- 6pm-9pm Networking Event, Frisco Center, 210 East 4th, Pittsburg
Wednesday, April 12, 2023
- 9am-3:00pm School of Construction Expo Exhibits (KTC parking lot and North Rotunda)
- 4pm Keynote Speaker, TBA,
(Overman Student Center, Crimson & Gold Ballroom)
The School of Construction has reserved a block of rooms at these two locations:
LaQuinta Inn and Suites
2410 S Broadway
Pittsburg, KS
620-670-5614
Request rooms under: School of Construction Expo
$89.00 + tax
The Hampton Inn & Suites @ Kansas Crossing Casino
1285 US 69 Hwy
Pittsburg, KS
620-231-3100
Request rooms under: Pittsburg State University
$109.00 + tax
Interior Design Exhibits
Electrical Technology Exhibits
Our History...
The Expo started in 2013 with a single company providing an opportunity for PSU School of Construction students to experience equipment that they might see in their careers. In 2022, the Expo expanded to include Interior Design and Electrical Technology exhibits and vendors. Students and exhibitors alike have embraced the Expo with more than 100 vendors and 800 attendees in recent years.
The Expo started in 2013 with a single company providing an opportunity for PSU School of Construction students to experience equipment that they might see in their careers. In 2022, the Expo expanded to include Interior Design and Electrical Technology exhibits and vendors. Students and exhibitors alike have embraced the Expo with more than 100 vendors and 800 attendees in recent years.
Who should attend the School of Construction Expo?
Serving as a vital link between a growing industry–construction–and-prospective-hires as young as high school, The School of Construction Expo is designed for students throughout the area, as well as contractors, and instructors to get an opportunity to network and experience first-hand tools, equipment, and techniques used in the field today. Through live demonstrations, presentations, and interactive exhibits, students explore career opportunities, and vendors can interact with potential future employees.
Serving as a vital link between a growing industry–construction–and-prospective-hires as young as high school, The School of Construction Expo is designed for students throughout the area, as well as contractors, and instructors to get an opportunity to network and experience first-hand tools, equipment, and techniques used in the field today. Through live demonstrations, presentations, and interactive exhibits, students explore career opportunities, and vendors can interact with potential future employees.
Join us
PSU Kansas Technology Center
Tuesday, April 11, 2023 10:00am–9:00pm
Wednesday, April 12, 2023 9:00am–5:00pm
Save the dates!