Join us next month for Preventing Floor and Wall Coating Failure at our monthly CSI meeting. This session takes a deep dive into why resinous floor coatings fail and what proactive steps can extend the life of a coating system. Learn how design choices, installation practices, and maintenance strategies all play a role in long-term performance.
This program will earn 1 Hr. of Continuing Education Credit.
Lunch is served at 11:45 and the program begins at noon. $20 per person. Reservations are encouraged in order to get a head count for meals. First time guests and students can attend this program Free of Charge.To register as a first-time guest or student enter the code: XIzWGKcV.
Ms. Eboni James, Winston School of Law, will be presenting a program on Change Orders, Scope Creep and Getting Paid. Eboni James is an attorney, business owner, and operator who works at the intersection of legal risk and day-to-day project execution. She currently serves as Litigation & Safety Counsel at a global technology company, where she manages complex litigation and safety-related regulatory matters.
Most project disputes don’t begin as legal problems — they begin as unprotected decisions. Informal approvals, vague scopes, verbal change orders, and schedule commitments made without honest capacity conversations quietly convert routine project activity into legal exposure. This course examines where design and construction projects most commonly break down, and offers practical, documentation-grade safeguards participants can apply immediately.
Program registered for 1 HR Continuing Education Credit.
Submittal Reviews, Substitutions, and Closeout Docs, OH MY!!
Posted: Wed, Mar 25, 2026
Speaker: Kathryn E. Fuller | AIA, NCARB, CSI CDT, CCCA, Associate | Architecture, MBI Companies, Inc.
Date: April 14, 2026 (lunch served at 11:45, program at 12)
Enforcing the specifications during construction is critical, as this phase can ultimately make or break the owner’s vision and budget. Drawing from the standard design-bid-build delivery method, this course will examine the construction administration phase through the lens of specifications. Much of the construction administration process is defined in Division 01 – General Requirements, and the presentation will reference specific sections to highlight key responsibilities of the Contractor, Architect, and Owner.
Project closeout is often the most challenging stage of a project. Using both the specifications and real-world project management experience, this course will outline best practices for achieving complete and successful project closeout.
At the conclusion of the presentation, attendees will be invited to share their insights and experiences from the construction phase. Discussion will focus on ways to improve processes while meeting the increasing pace of project delivery – from contract award through closeout.
Program registered for 1 HR Continuing Education Credit.
About our speaker: With a total of 24 years’ experience since graduating from the School of Architecture at Washington State University, Kathryn has held positions at small and large architecture firms. Before moving to TN, she was sole specifier at a medium-sized A/E firm in Spokane. She has been at MBI Companies, Inc. for 7 years, where she is a newly minted Associate. The job titles Kathryn answers to include architect, project manager, and specifier.
A member of CSI since 2011, Kathryn has been Communications Director and President of the Spokane Chapter; and Secretary and President of the Knoxville Chapter. Currently, she is on Institute’s Knowledge and Education Committee, helping to review and edit study materials for CSI certifications. Kathryn is also on the Editorial Advisory Board for The Construction Specifier magazine.
TeamBuilding - The Next Generation of Leaders in Design + Construction
Posted: Thu, Feb 12, 2026
As the design and construction industries evolve, so do expectations around leadership, mentorship, and team culture. CSI has gathered a panel of representatives from across our industry to explore how today's professionals are cultivating strong teams, developing future leaders, and redefining what it means to lead in a collaborative, multidisciplinary environment. The panel will include Cara Knapp, Principal Architect of oysk3 Architects; Matt Jordan, President, AIA ETN; Darson Buckner, Dupont Tyvek Senior Certified Weatherization Specialist; John Ewart, Executive Director of AGC; Karina Kane, President, CSI UT Student Chapter; and Becca Schladt, President, NAWIC Knoxville.
The seminar will precede the ETN Building Products Show at the Jackson Terminal, 213 W. Jackson Ave. Seminar starts at 2:30 PM. Click here to make a reservation. The seminar is free to students or professionals in the design & construction industry.
February Chapter Meeting - UT Capital Projects Plan
Posted: Tue, Feb 10, 2026
Presented by Senior Director of Design + Construction Benjamin Luttrell, AIA and Project Manager Megan Chafin, AIA, LEED AP, WELL AP, CDT from the University of Tennessee Department of Capital Projects.
Tuesday, February 10, 2026 -11:30 AM-1 PM
Location: AGC Building at 3306 Ragsdale Ave. Knoxville, TN, 37909
Save the date for next month's chapter meeting! Megan Chafin and Benjamin Luttrell from the University of Tennessee System, will be speaking on the UT Capital Projects Plan.
Lunch is served at 11:45 and the program begins at noon. $20 per person. Reservations are encouraged in order to get a head count for meals. First time guests and students can attend this program Free of Charge.To register as a first-time guest or student, follow the link below and enter the code: XIzWGKcV.
Reserve your spot today by using the link below to register!
