C.R. Herro
Homebuilding & Innovation
C.R. Herro has spent 20 years in Fortune 500 companies, driving innovation and supporting change management. During his tenure as Corporate Vice President of Innovation at Meritage Homes, he was primarily responsible for moving it forward as one of the foremost energy efficient U.S. homebuilders. He served as Vice Chair of the RESNET ANSI Standards Development Committee 900; Board President for the Energy & Environmental Building Alliance; the Technical Committee for the Leading Builders of America; the Board of Directors for the Green Chamber of Commerce, and the Ibacos Best Practice Research Alliance. He is an active member of the Housing Innovation Alliance. Herro speaks nationally to advance the industry, regulations, and associated stakeholders in adopting credible improvements to the function, performance, and value of new homes. He earned a Bachelors of Science degree from Arizona State University in Physical and Life Science, a Master's in Environmental Science from Governors State University, and a doctorate in Environmental Engineering from Illinois Institute of Technology.
Dave Binsfeld
Risk, Business & Finance
With over 30+ years as an insurance broker, Dave Binsfeld has provided risk management advice and insurance coverage to a myriad of entities including non-profit/social service entities, charter schools, medical providers, manufacturers, international operations, contractors, retailers, restaurants, financial service firms, technology service providers, bio-tech companies, real estate brokerages, and property investors. Since 2021, he has been a risk advisor with Gallagher, the third largest broker in the world. Besides a Finance degree from Arizona State University, Binsfeld holds several designations including Certified Insurance Counselor (CIC); Associate in Risk Management (ARM); Life Underwriter Training Council (LUTCF); a certificate in workers compensation claims administration; and the Chartered Advisor in Philanthropy (CAP). He has dual citizenship, USA and Luxemburg, and serves on the advisory council of the Global Chamber of Commerce.
Abdoulaye Sambou
Senior Advisor, Innovation
A results-driven senior business professional, Abdoulaye Sambou has more than 15 years' experience in finance and operations management in both banking and the public (U.S. Government) sectors. His skills streamline businesses to drive growth and increase efficiency. Originally from Senegal, Sambou demonstrates extensive knowledge in international development, specifically for the West Africa region, managing projects of various scales, advising for U.S. companies’ expansion to Africa. Previously, he worked for Wells Fargo Bank headquarters, and the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis, Missouri. He also serves as Strategy and Process Manager at GUIDEHOUSE (f/k/a Grant Thornton), an independent accounting and consulting member firm. Currently, he is a Managing Consultant for Conviso, Inc, a professional services network in partnership with Deloitte in the consulting space. He is also the Managing Director of WorldInnova, LLC, an Africa business-entry consulting company, based in Virginia, USA. Sambou works in various sectors including water, renewable energy, housing, agriculture, and oil, and holds an MBA from Webster University.
Rodney Niemann
Civil Engineering & Construction
Rod Niemann, P.E., has over 50 years of construction-related experience, including all phases of Construction Program Management, including schematic design, programming, and development; construction documentation, engineering coordination, contract writing, negotiation, and field construction management and supervision. His work encompasses a variety of industries such as Resident Site Project Manager for Mobil Exploration and Producing Research Lab in Dallas, Texas, responsible for managing the design and construction of an award-winning 360,000 sq. ft. research lab and office facility on a 156-acre campus; and Senior Project Manager for a Salt River Project in Phoenix, AZ, for the construction of a six-story, state-of-the-art, $76 million computer center. Niemann was the Project Director for $200 million of commercial buildings for Del Webb for its Anthem development in Phoenix. Rod has his Master's Degree in Civil Engineering from Purdue University.
Dr. Mathias DeKouassi
Joint Venture Partner
With over 25 years of professional experience in both the private and government sectors, Dr. DeKouassi has served as Senior Manager (the head) for three priority departments within the federal government of Canada: Public Works and Government Services, National Defense, and Environment. He also served as Scientific Director and Senior Advisor for the multinational Terra Nostra Technology (Biopesticide) and Bio Integra. Dr. DeKouassi holds a Ph.D. in Environmental Sciences and an MBA in Bio-Industries & High Technology Mgmt. from the University of Quebec in Montreal (UQAM), along with a Master's degree in Earth Sciences from the University of Abidjan. He has served as a part-time professor across three different universities / institutes, teaching courses ranging from strategy to sustainable development and construction engineering. Through Eburnea Property Group SARL, Dr. DeKouassi manages one of the largest holdings of Commercial, Residential, Agricultural, and Industrial Lands in Ivory Coast.
Ann Niemann
Marking & Sales
With 40+ years of nonprofit and for-profit corporate experience, Ann Niemann has demonstrated analytical and problem-solving skills, exceptional follow-through, and a comprehensive grounding in management across several industries. Previously, she was Founder and Executive Director of an international adoption agency, working primarily in Russia and China. She served on the Phoenix St. Patrick’s Day Parade & Faire Board of Directors and chaired a major committee selecting young women to represent Arizona in Ireland. Niemann is owner of The Desert Shamrock, a magazine-format full-color publication. In the homebuilding sector, Niemann prepares research and proposals on key topics; compiles policy and procedural manuals, creates marketing collateral and serves as a liaison with developers, suppliers, consumers, and as a media spokesperson. She has an MBA in International Management from Thunderbird School of Global Management, Arizona, conferred with honors. She is a published writer and public speaker.