Schaefer President Greg Riley is presenting Lean on Your Influence Triad: How Leadership, a BOD, and an Advisory Board Maximize AEC Firm Performance at AEC THRIVE on October 2, 2025 in Chicago, Illinois.
About the session | Lean on Your Influence Triad: How Leadership, a BOD, and an Advisory Board Maximize AEC Firm Performance
The most successful A/E/C firm leaders know sound strategic guidance + effective governance drive sustained growth. Attendees will learn how a well-formed triad of engaged leadership, a board of directors, and an advisory board provides balanced oversight, diverse perspectives, and agile action-oriented decisions. Attendees will gain clarity on the unique roles + responsibilities of these three legs, and how to assess your current corporate governance structures to identify opportunities to enhance their effectiveness. Whether firms already has this structure in place or is considering establishing one or both types of boards, attendees will get actionable guidance to support their goals.
Greg shares his board development + service experience to give a clear vision of how to differentiate between each part of the triad, recruit (internally, externally or both), and structure effective boards tailored to firm goals, and how to serve as a board member within your firm or manage those boards as the firm leader.
The session is well-suited for A/E/C executives looking to elevate their organizational effectiveness and for rising leaders who want to grow their careers.
About the conference | AEC THRIVE
For 20+ years, AEC THRIVE has been the premier business success conference for the architecture + engineering industry. AEC THRIVE 2026 is focused on breakthrough strategies for driving growth, enhancing profitability + innovating. Attendees have the opportunity to learn from industry experts, network with executives, explore new strategies and get fresh benchmarking information. This year’s event will be hosted in Chicago, Illinois from October 1-3, 2026. AEC THRIVE is an event through PSMJ Resources, Inc.
About the presenter | Greg Riley, PE, SE
Greg is an experienced leader passionate about the construction industry and the pursuit of sustained profitable growth while treating people well. He joined Schaefer after earning his degrees and has held many operational, people management + leadership roles culminating in his current role as president. While he still maintains professional licensure in select states, his responsibilities have transitioned into strategic planning, firm management, leadership development, client relationships + community involvement. He leads or oversees Schaefer’s continuous efforts to nurture culture and successfully compete in an increasingly challenging industry landscape.
He has diverse experience working with boards, both as a firm leader navigating Schaefer’s boards, and as a board member himself for various community organizations. He currently serves as a board member for YMCA of Greater Cincinnati and Allied Construction Industries, a cabinet member for Artswave, an advisory council member for Core Consulting, and a key contributor to the board development task force for Private Directors Association. He recently served on the industry advisory board for University of Cincinnati College of Engineering + Applied Science.
Greg is a lifelong learner, and started his professional journey by earning his Master of Science, Structural Engineering and Bachelor of Science, Civil + Environmental Engineering from University of Cincinnati.
