Modular Design Series Part 2: From Concept to Closing - Overcoming Modular Construction Challenges
The first panel, “Charting the Course: How to Approach Modular with Success,” explores the practical realities of modular construction in the Bay Area. Panelists will unpack the challenges that teams regularly face, from the need for earlier project commitments to the barriers preventing modular from being more widely applied. Attendees will gain perspective on how to approach modular projects with clarity, commitment, and strategies for success.
Building on this foundation, the second panel turns to the financial side of modular delivery, focusing specifically on affordable housing. This conversation will address the complexities of navigating funding structures when modular methods are introduced, including how lender perceptions, cost certainty, and financing timelines influence feasibility. Panelists will share strategies for fostering financial confidence and structuring deals that unlock the potential of modular construction to deliver affordable housing more effectively.
Part 1
Name: Randall Thompson (moderator)
Email: ranallt@nibbi.com
Company Name & Position: Nibbi Prefab, Preconstruction Executive
Bio: Randall Thompson is the Preconstruction Executive of Nibbi Prefab at Nibbi Brothers General Contractors. From preconstruction through project delivery, NibbiPrefab works directly with clients, design teams, modular manufacturers, and Nibbi operations staff to ensure the successful design, procurement, and construction of its modular projects.
With over 20 years of construction industry experience, Randall excels at merging modern methods of construction with tried-and-true practices. His leadership at Nibbi Prefab further demonstrates his dedication to advancing the construction sector through innovations in industrialized construction.
He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Architectural Engineering from California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo.
Personal LinkedIn URL: https://www.linkedin.com/in/randallethompson/
Name: Brian Caruso
Email: bmcaruso@amjcm.com
Company Name & Position: AMJ Construction Management, Director
Bio: Brian Caruso represents developers of mixed use and multifamily real estate in California, the Rockies, and the Pacific Northwest. He leads AMJ's Boise office and modular division, which is focused on modular building in affordable housing, where he brings to bear decades of real estate experience and lessons learned.
He was a founding member of RAD Urban, an Oakland, CA-based developer and builder innovating first-of-its-kind steel frame volumetric modular for high-rise construction. At Wilson Meany in San Francisco, Brian was responsible for the development and construction of the Residences at Yerba Buena Island and the first ever high-rise building on Treasure Island.
Brian’s experience as a developer, designer and builder spans over 20 years of ground up and renovation projects in California, Colorado and New York, including residential, institutional, commercial, and high-rise. He is trained as a structural engineer, a builder by trade, and an innovator in the prop tech space. Brian is active on several advisory boards and develops apartment and townhome properties in Idaho and the Pacific Northwest.
Personal LinkedIn URL: https://www.linkedin.com/in/carusobrian/
Name: Ellen Morris
Email: ellen.morris@edenhousing.org
Company Name & Position: Eden Housing, Director of Real Estate Development
Bio: Ellen Morris is the Director of Real Estate Development at Eden Housing, a non-profit affordable housing developer based in Hayward, CA. Since joining Eden in 2016, Ellen has managed a range of affordable housing projects, including new construction, resyndication/rehabilitation, and adaptive reuse projects. Prior to Eden, Ellen attained her master’s degree in city planning at MIT DUSP.
Personal LinkedIn URL: https://www.linkedin.com/in/evmorris/
Name: Michael Merle
Email: michaelmerle@autovol.com
Company Name & Position: Autovol, Director of Development
Bio: Michael has more than 30 years of experience in construction and building products, with over 15 in modular related companies. Prior to joining Autovol in early 2023, Michael held senior positions in multiple leading modular and building products companies, with the most recent being General Manager of Mitsui Home America and Vice President at Guerdon Modular Buildings.
Michael has a depth of experience in multiple sectors including multifamily, hospitality, workforce, student housing and assisted living projects across the western U.S. and Canada. Michael was instrumental and helped establish the processes for the first branded modular hotels in the U.S. for Marriott, Hilton, Hyatt, and IHG.
Personal LinkedIn URL: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-merle-72804412/
Name: Nick Gomez
Email: nickg@aoarchitects.com
Company Name & Position: AO, Principal-Director of Modular Design and Construction
Bio: Nick has over 25 years of expertise in multifamily, affordable housing, with a specialization in prefabricated construction. He has permitted over 2,500 factory-built housing units across California and is a recognized leader in Offsite Construction. Nick has successfully collaborated with prefabrication factories across the U.S., Europe, and Asia, leveraging global expertise to advance efficient, high-quality modular solutions.
Personal LinkedIn URL: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nick-gomez-8367a2111/
Part 2
Name: Matthew Wickersham (moderator)
Email: mjwickersham@amjcm.com
Company Name & Position: AMJ Construction Management, Principle
Bio: Since 2011, I’ve led AMJ Construction Management as Co-Founder and Principal, guiding teams through multifamily residential, commercial, healthcare, and education developments totaling more than $2.5 billion in value. My work is rooted in a deep commitment to affordable housing and a forward-thinking focus on alternative construction technologies.
Personal LinkedIn URL: https://www.linkedin.com/in/matthew-wickersham-1381b021/
Name: Vanessa Diffenbaugh
Email: vdiffenbaugh@sfhaf.org
Company Name & Position: San Francisco Housing Accelerator Fund, VP of Lending
Bio: Vanessa Diffenbaugh joined HAF in 2024 as VP of Lending. Prior to joining HAF, Vanessa served as an Associate Director of Housing Development for MidPen Housing, where she managed a wide variety of new construction and rehab projects in the Bay Area and on the Central Coast.
Personal LinkedIn URL: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vanessa-diffenbaugh-7346737/
Name: Ryan Cassidy
Email: ryan@mutualhousing.com
Company Name & Position: Mutual Housing California, Vice President of Real Estate
Bio: Ryan joined Mutual in 2023 and oversees its Housing Development division. He spent 15 years with New York City’s leading affordable nonprofit and led the development and management of over 3,000 units of affordable housing, totaling over $750 million. Ryan has cross divisional experience in project management, construction management, and property management. He is a leading policy voice for sustainable housing, lending his counsel to New York City Mayor’s Office of Sustainability, New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA), and federal agencies. He is a national leader in affordable Passive House development including tenant in place rehab and modular projects. Ryan currently leads a dynamic Housing Development team with a focus on factory built, zero net energy housing. Ryan has a B.A. in History and Political Science from James Madison University and is a Certified Passive House Consultant
Personal LinkedIn URL: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryan-cassidy-a46524145/
5:30-6:00 Check In/Opening Reception
6:00-6:05 Introduction - Bradley Sugarman
6:05-6:45 Part 1 - Charting the Course: How to Approach Modular with Success
(Moderated Panel Discussion)
- Moderator: Randall Thompson (Nibbi Prefab)
- Panelist: Brian Caruso (AMJ)
- Panelist: Ellen Morris (Eden Housing)
- Panelist: Michael Merle (Autovol)
- Panelist: Nick Gomez (AO)
6:45-6:55 Audience Q+A
6:55-7:35 Part 2 – Navigating Project Financing for Modular Construction Projects
- Moderator: Mathew Wickersham (AMJ)
- Panelist: Vanessa Diffenbaugh (SF Housing Accelerator Fund)
- Panelist: Ryan Cassidy (Mutual Housing)
- Panelist: Michael Merle (Autovol)
7:35-7:45 Audience Q+A
7:45-8:30 Networking Social
2 Learning Units Pending
- Discuss common challenges to implementing modular construction for multi-family housing projects.
- Learn how design professionals, developers and builders navigate these challenges and successfully deliver modular construction projects.
- Discuss how funding limitations and requirements impact the implementation of modular construction for affordable multi-family projects.
- Gain insight on how to successfully navigate the financing process for affordable housing projects when using modular construction.
SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES
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