EXPLORE

CONSTRUCTION + DESIGN

JANUARY 4-7

Welcome to Explore!

This page has information you’ll find helpful throughout the duration of the program. Below is the schedule of Explore, which includes important locations and addresses that will help you find your way around NYC. After each session, you will be asked to complete a survey. The survey can be found via QR codes in your Explore Workbook, but can also be accessed on this page by clicking the “Session Survey” button.

This page also includes lists of program presenters and participants, with links to each individual’s LinkedIn pages to connect with them! At the bottom of the page, there is contact information for the Phi Psi staff in attendance if you need to reach out for any reason.

SESSION SURVEY

Meet the Presenters

Participants

SCHEDULE

SESSION SURVEY

Sunday, January 4

6:00 PM | Welcome Dinner
- St. Pat’s Bar & Grill
  22 W 46th St, New York, NY 10036

Monday, January 5

8:00 AM | Breakfast
- On your own at the hotel
9:00 AM | Depart to Berenberg Captial
- 712 Fifth Ave, New York, NY 10019
9:30 AM | Explore Overview
10:30 AM | Job Search 101
11:30 AM | NACE Core Competencies
12:30 PM | Lunch
1:00 PM | Design – Engineering
2:00 PM | Construction + Design Industry Overview
3:00 PM | Engineering + Safety Systems
4:00 PM | NYC Walking Tour
5:00 PM | Free Time
- At hotel
6:30 PM | Depart to Madison Square Garden
7:00 PM | Activity
- New York Rangers vs. Utah Mammoth
10:30 PM | Free Time

Tuesday, January 6

8:00 AM | Breakfast
- On your own at the hotel
8:45 AM | Depart to Turner Construction
- 66 Hudson Blvd East, New York, NY 10001
9:00 AM | Turner Construction Experience
11:00 AM | Site Visit
12:00 PM | Lunch
1:00 PM | Construction + Sustainability
2:00 PM | Deep Design Dive
3:00 PM | Free Time
5:45 PM | Depart from Hotel
6:00 PM | Alumni Cocktail Hour
- Capital Grille
  120 W 51st St, New York NY 10020
7:00 PM | Dinner

Wednesday, January 7

8:00 AM | Breakfast
- On your own at the hotel
9:45 AM | Depart from Hotel
10:00 AM | Activity
- Observation Deck @ One Vanderbilt
  1 Vanderbilt Ave, New York, NY 10017
12:00 PM | Lunch
- Rowland’s at Macy’s
  151 W 34th St, New York, NY 10001
1:00 PM | Begin Depart

MEET THE PRESENTERS

Stephan Beavan Lafayette ’08
Civil Engineer and Project Management Professional
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Stephen Beavan Lafayette ‘08 is a Civil Engineer and Project Management professional in New York, where he has lead various complex land development and infrastructure projects. He previously served as a Project Manager at VHB and MFS Engineers & Surveyors and as an Assistant Project Manager at Bohler, gaining extensive experience in site development, permitting, and civil engineering design across residential, commercial, industrial, and institutional sectors. Stephen earned his B.S. in Civil Engineering from Lafayette College.

Dee Bhawmik Rutgers ’12
Accounting Manager at Schneider Electric
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Dee Bhawmik Rutgers ‘12 is an Account Manager at Schneider Electric, where he supports clients across the NY/NJ region with smart building, energy management, and sustainability solutions. He began his career at Schneider Electric as an estimator and has spent more than a decade growing into client-facing leadership roles at the intersection of engineering, energy, and infrastructure. Dee earned a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering from Rutgers University and an M.S. in Energy, Policy, and Climate from Johns Hopkins University, and is a Founding Father of the NJ Gamma Chapter of Phi Kappa Psi.

Matthew Bratsch Butler ’24 (Rowan ’11)
Director of Professional Development + Leadership at the Nelson Leadership Institute
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Matthew Bratsch Butler ‘24 (Rowan ’11) is an educator with five years of highly effective distinctions. Currently, he is the Director of Leadership and Development for the Nelson Leadership Institute and the Phi Kappa Psi Foundation, advancing the programming initiatives within the Phi Kappa Psi Fraternity. In the classroom, Matthew has been awarded over $100,000 in grants for the classroom and school facilities while building two award-winning theatre programs in the state of Florida. Growing up in New Jersey, Matthew received a Bachelor’s in History with a Concentration in International Studies at Rowan University and graduate studies at St. John’s River State College.

Armen Mkhitarian Lafayette ’13
Executive Vice President of Imperial Fire Protection Systems
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Armen Mkhitarian Lafayette ‘13 is the Executive Vice President of Imperial Fire Protection Systems, where he has helped lead the company’s growth and operations since 2017. He began his career as an engineer with Jaros, Baum & Bolles before moving into executive leadership. In addition to his professional work, Armen serves as Treasurer of The Union of Marash Armenians Student Fund, supporting educational opportunities for students in need. Armen received his BS in Electrical and Computer Engineering from Lafayette College in 2016, and his MBA from the Fordham Gabelli School of Business in 2025.

John Pierce Lafayette ’78
Principal of Equinox Consulting Services, LLC
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John H. Pierce Lafayette ‘78 is Principal of Equinox Consulting Services LLC, where he advises organizations across real estate, design, construction, and facilities on strategy, leadership development, and succession planning. His career spans senior leadership roles with Rockefeller Group, Morgan Stanley, Phoenix House, and Turner Construction, managing complex real estate portfolios, capital projects, and global operations across multiple sectors. John holds a bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering from Lafayette College and is a member of the board of trustees of the Phi Kappa Psi Foundation.

Jordan Raugh Muskingum ’13
Wineman Director of Mentoring + Alumni Impact at the Nelson Leadership Institute
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Jordan Raugh Muskingum ‘13 began his non-profit career at Muskingum University as an assistant basketball coach before joining the Admissions Department, where he worked with students from across the country and provided specialized support for those with learning differences through the PLUS Program. He now serves the Phi Kappa Psi Foundation, where he relaunched the Paul R. Wineman Mentoring Advantage Program to connect undergraduates with alumni mentors and leads alumni recruitment and engagement for the Explore Program. Jordan earned his B.A. in History and Adolescent to Young Adult Education from Muskingum University in 2016.

Manda Riley
Scholarship + Academic Data Manager at the Phi Kappa Psi Foundation
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Manda Riley is a social worker and keynote speaker with over a decade of experience in non-profit settings, including case management, student programming, financial aid, and adjunct faculty at the University of Missouri. She serves as the Scholarship and Academic Data Manager for the Phi Kappa Psi Foundation, where she supports national scholarship and NLI program applications, helps Chapters make the most of their funds, and oversees academic data collection and analysis. Manda earned a Bachelor’s in Social Work and a Master’s in Educational Leadership and Policy Analysis. With national scholarship season approaching, she encourages you to apply by March 15!

PARTICIPANTS

Charlie Aldred Missouri ’24
Civil Engineering Major
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Matthew Brown Clemson ’25
Civil Engineering Major
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Alex Campbell Texas ’23
Civil Engineering Major
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Jack Empkey UMN Twin Cities ’25
Construction Management Major
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Jace Franklin Texas ’25
Mechanical Engineering Major
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Varun Iyer CWRU ’25
Mechanical Engineering + Aerospace Engineering Major
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Jonathan Joseph Washington ’22
Materials Scence and Engineering Major
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Colin Kahle UMN Duluth ’24
Mechanical Engineering and Industrial Engineering Major
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Samuel Larkin Texas ’23
Architecture Major
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TJ Meehan Clemson ’25
Civil Engineering Major
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Ashton Ortego UL Lafayette ’22
Engineering Technology Major
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Ezra Rickert CWRU ’24
Mechanical Engineering Major
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Rowan Rineck UMN Duluth ’23
Mechanical Engineering Major
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Thomas Roth Iowa State ’23
Mechanical Engineering Major
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Tommy Stapleton URI ’22
Industrial and Systems Engineering Major
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Will Thomas Iowa State ’22
Industrial Design Major
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Aiden Trudeau UC Berkeley ’23
Housing and Economic Development Major
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Evan Un CWRU ’24
Electrical Engineering Major
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Kyle Williams Purdue ’23
Construction Management Major
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Adam Zerega Missouri ’25
Civil Engineering Major
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