On August 4, 2025, we hosted our first-ever Construction Intelligence Summit at Smith + Howard’s office in Atlanta. We brought together 50 professionals from across the construction industry. From contractors and CPAs to ProNovos’ team members and industry partners, the diverse mix of attendees made for great conversations, valuable insights, and strong networking throughout the day.
Published August 8, 2025 . 4 mins read
Inside Our Inaugural Construction Intelligence Summit
Business
Samantha Lake
COO, ProNovos
A Company Growing with Intention
The day kicked off with a welcome from Paul Atkinson of Smith + Howard, followed by a company update from Bruce Orr and me. We shared the story of where ProNovos started and where we’re headed next.
Our focus is clear. We’re building a comprehensive financial intelligence platform for the construction industry. The goal is to make it easy for everyone, from the office to the field, to access and understand financial data, so they can make smarter, faster decisions.
We also gave a preview of what’s ahead. That includes enhanced reporting tools to help project managers quickly understand their project’s status. Gamification features are in development to drive engagement and adoption. We’re investing in AI to help contractors spot risks before they become problems. And tools like QuickPay are being built directly into the platform, so when financial issues are flagged, teams can take immediate action.
ProNovos is growing, and we’re doing it with purpose. Every update we make is about helping construction companies protect their profits, manage risk, and build with confidence.
Changing the Way We Think About AP
Next came a fireside chat on how accounts payable can be more than just back-office paperwork. Bruce Orr, Greg DiDonna of Viva Capital, and Avi Reddy of Envision Construction joined me. Together, we talked about the impact that delayed payments have on job performance and why it makes sense to treat AP as a strategic lever. The conversation focused on the role of QuickPay in improving working capital, keeping jobs moving, and maintaining trust with subcontractors.
What CPAs Wish You Knew
After lunch, a panel of seasoned CPAs from Top 100 firms like Smith + Howard, GBQ, CBIZ, Pinion, and REDW, all deeply experienced in construction accounting, shared their top ten tips to improve financial outcomes and make year-end far less stressful. Their advice was clear and actionable: track job costs more consistently, reconcile job schedules monthly, involve your CPA earlier, and fix billing issues before they snowball. For contractors looking to avoid surprises and build smarter financial habits, this session delivered a roadmap.
Where the Industry is Headed
Neil Shah, CEO of CFMA, followed with a sharp look at construction industry trends. Using data from the Financial Benchmarker and CONFINDEX, Neil walked us through the economic indicators contractors should be paying attention to. His message was simple: pay attention to the data, but also think long term.
Making Better Use of Your Data
One of the most engaging sessions of the day was a panel on turning data into decisions. Garrett Cochran moderated a discussion with Denver Sperry, Kevin Bright, and Jake Agnew. Each offered their take on how contractors can move from spreadsheets and siloed systems to actionable, connected insights. The panel walked through real use cases showing how ProNovos is helping companies better manage projects, forecast outcomes, and bridge the gap between accounting and operations.
Right-Sizing Your Business
We then welcomed Professor John Killingsworth from Colorado State University. His session focused on how to determine the right amount of cash to keep in the business and when it makes sense to use debt. He challenged some common assumptions in construction finance and explained how to work with CPAs and sureties to find the balance between caution and growth.
Leading Without Pretending
To close out the sessions, Sean Taylor of Smith + Howard shared a powerful talk about leadership. He explored what it means to lead without masks and how traits like honesty, accountability, and self-awareness can change not just how we manage, but how we show up for others. It was a grounded, personal reminder of what real leadership looks like.
A Community Taking Shape
We ended the day with a group trip to the Braves game, but the conversations and connections didn’t stop there. This event wasn’t just about sharing information. It was about building a community of professionals who care deeply about the future of construction.
We’re just getting started. If you weren’t able to attend, we hope to see you at the next one.
