Perspective: A view from Brindley Engineering’s Project Control Specialist lens of AACE’s 70th Anniversary Conference & Expo in Las Vegas.
The annual AACE Conference wrapped up but the learnings are still ongoing. In addition to Jessica Edwards, Brindley Engineering Project Services Specialist and Peter Glaser, Brindley Engineering Project Manager who spoke at the conference, Project Controls Specialist, Katy Summers attended the conference. We sat down with Katy to hear how the conference went and to hear feedback on her own colleague’s performance speaking at the event!
Q: Why did you attend the AACE annual conference and what did you hope to get out of it?
A: I attended the conference to continue expanding my knowledge of industry best practices and to see how other organizations approach project controls, planning, scheduling, cost management, and emerging technologies. Being relatively new to the engineering side of the industry, I saw the conference as a valuable opportunity to learn from experienced professionals, gain a broader understanding of the field, and bring back ideas that can strengthen the work we do at Brindley Engineering. I was also excited to support my colleague, Jessica Edwards, as she presented her paper alongside Peter Glaser. Watching fellow Brindley employees share their expertise on an international stage was something I was proud to be part of, and it made the experience even more meaningful.
Q: I heard your colleagues presented a paper they authored called: “Reviving Earned Value Management: From Illusion to Insight.” What was your top takeaway from their talk?
A: My biggest takeaway was the value of hearing the Project Controls and Project Management perspectives together. Seeing how they complement one another provided a much more complete understanding of the project lifecycle. It was a great reminder that project controls isn’t just about producing reports or maintaining schedules. It’s about collaboration and delivering meaningful insights that help teams recognize trends early, make better decisions, and ultimately improve project outcomes. Seeing that collaboration on stage reflected exactly how successful projects should operate.
Q: Were they nervous?
A: Like anyone presenting to a room full of industry experts, I am sure there were some nerves beforehand. But once they started, you couldn’t tell. I know that they prepared for this and knew their topic inside and out. I attended over thirteen technical presentations that weekend, and theirs was honestly one of my favorites, not because I’m biased, but because it felt like a conversation instead of a lecture. They balanced the technical content with relatable examples, light humor, and natural interaction with each other, which kept the audience engaged throughout
Q: What kind of questions were asked?
A: The audience asked thoughtful questions about how different organizations should use Earned Value Management in their day-to-day work. There were discussions around Schedule Performance Analysis, variance analysis, and how to build processes that provide useful information instead of just checking a reporting box. It was obvious that a lot of companies are working through the same challenges. What really stood out to me was that people weren’t just asking questions, they were jumping in to share their own experiences and how their organizations manage similar situations. It felt more like a group discussion than a typical Q&A. Even after the presentation ended, several attendees stayed behind to keep talking with Jessica and Peter. To me, that’s a pretty good sign that the presentation connected with people and got them thinking.
Q: Did you attend other lectures? Which ones and what did you learn?
A: I attended several sessions throughout the conference, but one of my favorites was The Ten Biggest Lies in Project Controls Told by PMs. The room was packed, there were around 150 to 200 attendees, including the AACE President, people sitting on the floor and lined up along the back and side walls. It was easy to see why. The presenters, Christopher Carson and Glen Palmer, had great chemistry and kept the audience laughing with their back-and-forth banter while still delivering valuable lessons. You could tell they were well-known and highly respected within the AACE community, and people were genuinely excited to hear them speak. It was an engaging presentation that highlighted common misconceptions between project managers and project controls professionals while offering practical ways to improve communication and collaboration.
Q: Is there anything else you would like readers to know about this event?
A: One thing that stood out to me was the sense of community within the project controls profession. Whether you were attending a technical presentation, networking between sessions, or talking with exhibitors, everyone was willing to connect, share experiences. I left feeling even more proud to be part of Brindley Engineering. Seeing my colleagues present to a room full of project controls professionals which sparked meaningful discussions showcased the depth of knowledge and expertise on our team. I’m also grateful for the opportunity Brindley gave me to attend the conference. Investing in my professional development and giving me the chance to learn from industry leaders, build new connections, and bring innovative ideas back to our team is something I truly appreciate.
About Katy Summers:
Katy thrives in high-pressure environments and is known for her reliability, attention to detail, and ability to provide exceptional support to senior executives. As a Project Controls Specialist, Katy collaborates with clients, contractors, project managers, and department leaders to drive the development, tracking, and forecasting of project estimates, schedules, and progress. She is known for maintaining project success through proactive earned value management, effective change management, and accurate forecasting to ensure projects are delivered on time, within budget, and with the highest quality.
About Jessica Edwards:
As a Project Controls Specialist, Jessica Edwards brings a strong background in estimating, scheduling (Primavera P6), cost engineering, and digital transformation with tools like Power BI and Power Automate. She thrives on turning complexity into clarity, building processes, dashboards, and systems that empower teams to deliver with confidence.
About Peter Glaser:
As a Project Manager, Peter Glaser has a track record of leading professional development initiatives and fostering innovation in engineering. His background includes successful project management in both the Transmission and Distribution energy infrastructure industries. He excels at mentoring staff, driving process improvements, and managing maintenance and capital projects and reliability programs.
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