BEC-Iowa Symposium 2026

SYMPOSIUM SPONSORSHIP

Interested in becoming a sponsor for this event? This year we have numerous Symposium Sponsorship opportunities available. Click HERE to secure your sponsorship before April 7th!

Questions? Please email us at contact@bec-iowa.org.

SPEAKER INFORMATION

Mr. Posenecker is the Senior Principal and the Building Enclosure Practice Leader for Terracon Consultants, Inc. His experience includes design, construction, testing and diagnostic investigation of building envelope systems. Previously, he spent 10 years with a large regional waterproofing and roofing contractor, 8 years with an acoustic specialty contractor, and 15 years in the commercial nuclear power industry. Throughout his career, Mr. Posenecker has participated in a wide variety of projects associated with the building enclosure, and he specializes in waterproofing. He is the Vice Chair of the National Building Enclosure Council and is a board member for the Air Barrier Association of America (ABAA) and the ABAA Standards Institute (ASI).

Presentation: The Who, What, When, Where and Why of Waterproofing

The presentation will provide a basic overview of below grade and elevated deck waterproofing and associated drainage systems. The difference between waterproofing systems and other building enclosure barrier systems is explored. An overview of the different types of waterproofing and their installation techniques is included. Several critical transitions to surrounding systems are identified, and details are reviewed. The presentation concludes with some humorous examples of how the as-built condition does not always match the design assumptions.

Scott and Molly Cutler own Cutler Development, a commercial real estate development firm based in Des Moines, Iowa. The firm’s mission is to “develop projects that better neighborhoods, society and the environment.” They focus on urban infill, mixed-use, and affordable housing projects – all with a focus on sustainability. Their recent projects utilize a newly emerging construction technology called mass timber to reduce the carbon footprint of the projects. Most recently, one of their projects is on track to feature the first affordable housing units nationwide to achieve the International Living Future Institute’s Zero Carbon certification.

Scott has over 15 years of industry experience with commercial development including specific experience with historic renovation, affordable housing, and environmental design. Molly joined Cutler Development full time in 2020 after almost a decade working for ExxonMobil in Houston, Texas where she held leadership roles in engineering, manufacturing, data analytics, and business development during her tenure. Scott and Molly live in the Greater Des Moines area with their young son and dog. They enjoy biking, volunteering, and traveling.

Presentation: Using Mass Timber to Develop Carbon Neutral Affordable Housing

The global need for affordable housing is increasing, but buildings account for almost 40% of global greenhouse gas emissions; Cutler Development will share their experiences utilizing a new to market construction methodology called mass timber to simultaneously respond to both societal imperatives with neighborhood focused construction development projects in the Des Moines metro.

Mark Parlee has spent 50 years in residential and commercial construction. The Building Consultant offers services to identify moisture intrusion and construction defects. Clients include attorneys, homeowners, builders, and subcontractors. In addition, Mark is a seminar presenter to inspection organizations for Continuing Education credits, and to builders looking to better their quality. Mark was honored to be guest lecturer for Architecture Forensics at Iowa State University.

Among Mark’s many certifications are Level I Infrared Thermographer, BESI Certified Building Envelope II, EDI Building Envelope II Steep Slope Inspector, EDI EIFS/Stucco/Stone Inspector. He is on the EDI board of directors and is an instructor.
Mark is published in the Journal of Light Construction and has presented seminars to ASHI Inspection World national conference from 2015 to 2025, many state/regional ASHI groups, AIA Iowa Convention 2011 & 2012, Iowa Association for Justice Annual Seminar 2014, Alliant Energy Builder Training 2015 & 2016, and more.

Mark has attended the Westford Symposium on Building Science 2023 and 2024 in Boston, MA led by Joe Lstiburek, renowned author known as the “godfather of Building Science.”

Presentation: Coming Soon

Steven Baczek is a Nationally Recognized Architect and has been in the building industry for over 37 years. Throughout his career, he has designed hundreds of projects across the spectrum of energy performance and sustainability, with a distinct notoriety in the residential construction sector. His commitment to his clients equates beautiful aesthetics with trusted durability, health, comfort, environmental responsibility and energy efficiency. His work extends beyond the Northeast where he calls home, across the United States to serve clients with passions that align with his.

Notable projects include numerous Passive Homes (some of which were the first examples in respective areas), Zero Energy Homes, and many Deep Energy Retrofits/Renovations to include the very first certified Passive House Retrofit in the country. Steve has also designed over 60 LEED Platinum homes. Many of these projects have become industry examples to provide a better understanding of industry perspective, and the ability to see beyond. While these projects highlight some of his work – his philosophy and passion are knitted into every project he does. It’s that Passion that motivates Steve to continually move our industry forward.

Presentation: The GRAPHIC LANGUAGE of Building

Building is one of the largest industries in our country. Building cannot happen without proper planning and design, and most importantly the transfer of the design intent through Architectural Drawings. In this course, how, why, and what information gets transferred will be discussed. Case studies will be used to illustrate recent projects and their success in the transfer of this information.

*Leverage points are places in societal systems where a small shift in one area causes broad system-wide change

CLICK HERE to register

This event is pending approval for AIA continuing education credits. Attendees will earn up to 4.0 LU/HSW.

Please submit your AIA number during your Eventbrite Registration or email contact@bec-iowa.org.