On August 14, the AACE Seattle Section hosted a technical session titled “Optimizing and Accelerating Capital Projects with AI,” led by capital project strategist John Rewolinski, PSP. The presentation centered on using Artificial Intelligence (AI) in large-scale program delivery. Rewolinski demonstrated two platforms ALICE Technologies and Doxel, outlining how they accelerate schedules, optimize resources, and support data-driven decision-making in high-speed environments like data centers.

John Rewolinski is a seasoned professional in the construction industry with deep expertise in project controls and scheduling. He specializes in applying advanced technologies, including AI tools, to optimize and accelerate large-scale capital projects for major clients like Google, Microsoft, and DPR. His work spans data centers, hospitals, and heavy-civil projects, where he has achieved measurable reductions in both schedule and cost.

Rewolinski walked through the lifecycle of AI integration—from data inputs and process flows to timing and management checkpoints—showing how these tools translate complex analytics into actionable strategies. The session highlighted a clear framework for incorporating AI into project workflows to improve cost, schedule, and strategic planning performance. John emphasized how AI could enhance project forecasting accuracy, strengthen cost management capabilities, and improve schedule reliability.

The session concluded with a thought-provoking discussion on how AI could be integrated into active and future projects. Participants left excited about the opportunities AI platforms bring to project controls.

Over 100 AACE section leaders and Regional Directors from around the world gathered during this year’s AACE Conference & Expo in Anaheim, California, for an in-person section leadership meeting. Sections are the heart of AACE’s community – driving member engagement, hosting technical and networking events, and advancing the profession of cost engineering and project controls locally and beyond.

With more than 90 sections worldwide, there’s a vibrant AACE presence wherever you are. Getting involved with your local section is one of the best ways to connect with peers, grow professionally, and make a lasting impact in the industry.

Ready to get started? Find your local section for meeting schedules, volunteer opportunities, and member resources near you. Stay up to date on AACE International, regional, and section events through the AACE event calendar – so you never miss a chance to learn and network.

Seattle Section

AACE Seattle Hosts Engaging Technical Presentation on the Pitfalls of CPI and SPI

On May 15, the AACE Seattle Section welcomed professionals from the local engineering and construction management community for a highly successful in-person technical presentation. The event featured an insightful and engaging presentation by Onur Yazici, P.Eng., CCP EVP, a seasoned project controls and commercial manager at AXIOM.  

In his talk, “Mission Accomplished? Not Quite. SPI and CPI Say Yes, Reality Says No,” Yazici challenged traditional thinking around earned value management metrics. Drawing on over 20 years of international experience with major infrastructure projects, he unpacked how widely used indicators like the Cost Performance Index (CPI) and Schedule Performance Index (SPI) can sometimes paint an overly optimistic picture of project health.

From front-loaded progress curves to misleading level-of-effort activities, the presentation shed light on scenarios where CPI and SPI may suggest positive performance while projects drift off course. The session also briefly touched on the growing use of artificial intelligence in data-driven decision-making within project management. Attendees were particularly engaged by Yazici’s practical remedies and actionable strategies for identifying red flags early—insights that resonated deeply with seasoned professionals and emerging project managers.

The event was marked by strong attendance and enthusiastic participation, reinforcing AACE Seattle’s commitment to delivering high-value, thought-provoking content to its members and guests. The evening served as a testament to the importance of critical thinking in project controls and the value of community-driven professional development.

AACE has regions around the world. Each region is comprised of sections and led by a Regional Director. Regional Directors are volunteer leaders who help to foster community, promote professional development, and expand awareness of AACE’s technical resources within their geographic area. Regional Directors collaborate closely with section leaders, provide guidance and mentorship, encourage local engagement, and help identify new opportunities for growth.

In February and March, regional symposiums were held in Region 2: United States – Northeast, Region 3: United States – Southeast, and Region 9: Europe and Africa. For each of these events, volunteers from around the whole region, spanning multiple states or countries, came together to plan and meet in person.

Region 2 – Northeast Symposium

The AACE Great Lakes Section recently hosted an exclusive tour of the Southeast Michigan Psychiatric Hospital, currently under construction by The Christman Company in Northville, Michigan. Designed as a 264-bed facility to serve both adult and adolescent psychiatric patients, this state-of-the-art hospital will be 405,168 sq ft on a 45-acre site. Scheduled to be turned over to the state of Michigan in June 2026, the facility features innovative design elements such as a central utility plant with geothermal wells for efficient heating and cooling, secure courtyards, and a range of amenities including a gymnasium, chapel, salon, group therapy rooms, educational classrooms, and creative spaces for music, exercise, and art.  To accelerate construction and enhance efficiency, each patient room is being outfitted with prefabricated bathroom pods designed for behavioral health with features like ligature-resistant grab bars.

Hosted by Shawn Debo, a seasoned project scheduler with over 17 years of experience and current secretary of the AACE Great Lakes Section, the tour offered attendees a behind-the-scenes look at the construction process and the challenges involved in delivering such a complex healthcare facility. This event showcased the innovative approach and commitment of both The Christman Company and the Great Lakes Section to advancing project controls and delivering excellence in construction.

On February 7, the Denmark and Sweden sections gathered at MINC in Malmo for its second in-person meet-up, offering members and guests an engaging afternoon of discussion and networking. The event featured four hours of roundtable sessions, during which participants discussed capital projects in Sweden, the shift from traditional local contract management to internationally recognized standards, and effective strategies in project controls and planning. A key focus was addressing the challenges of acquiring and retaining PPC professionals in an increasingly complex market.