As the Architectural, Engineering, and Construction (AEC) industries face workforce shortages and evolving skill demands, trade schools are playing a critical role in shaping the next generation of professionals. This program will explore how trade schools are currently preparing students for careers in AEC, the challenges and opportunities they face, and what the future holds for skilled trades education. Join us for an insightful discussion with industry leaders and educators on how these institutions are influencing the workforce pipeline and the long-term success of the AEC industry.

Capacity is limited so register today to secure your spot!

Our Speakers:

Moderator: Tim Wikette, Senior Company Foreman, Messer Construction Co.

Harry Snyder, President / CEO, The Oaks

For more than two decades Harry Snyder, President and CEO (Superintendent) of Great Oaks Career Campuses, has been committed to ensuring that youth and adults are prepared with the competitive skills necessary for economic growth. Because he understands that this means business and education working together, he has become a major voice in workforce training.

In 2014, the Great Oaks Board of Directors named Harry its fifth President and CEO. He is responsible for four campuses and career technical training for over 20,000 youth and 15,000 adults from 36 partnering school districts. Great Oaks is one of the largest career-technical school districts in the country, covering over 2,100 square miles in southwest Ohio.

Great Oaks has been named a Cincinnati Enquirer Top Workplace for 8+ years. Harry has been acknowledged multiple times as a Cincy Magazine Power 100 recipient.

He continues to hold many leadership roles in both professional and community organizations.  Presently serving on Boards of Christ School of Nursing, High Aims, Christian Benevolant Association, Ohio Association of Career Tech Superintendents, Clermont County Chamber of Commerce Clermont County Park Board and the UC Clermont Advisory.

Harry holds a Master’s Degree in Vocational Education from Wright State University and a Bachelor of Business Administration in Management from the University of Cincinnati. 

Harry has resided in Southwest Ohio his entire life. Presently he resides outside of Batavia with his wife Janet, he has two daughters, one son and two grandchildren.

Dr. Fernando Figuero, President, Gateway Community & Technical College

Dr. Fernando Figueroa is the president of Gateway Community & Technical College in Northern Kentucky. He has served students in higher education for more than 25 years from classroom instruction to all aspects of administration. 
 
In his time at Gateway, he has been an advocate for key initiatives in the region particularly focused on workforce development and economic opportunity. He has championed Gateway’s role in strong K-12 partnerships as well as the relationships with local colleges and universities.  
 
A native of New Orleans, Dr. Figueroa appreciates a good Cafe Au Lait and a great Rock n Roll riff. He enjoys playing guitar and recording and publishing his own music. Dr. Figueroa and his wife Debbie, a professional artist, share four wonderful children, three grandchildren and two fur babies. 
 
Dr. Figueroa holds a Ph.D. and Master of Arts in English from Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge and a Bachelor of Arts in English from Loyola University, New Orleans, Louisiana. 

Amy Waldbillig, Workforce Development, Cincinnati State


Amy Waldbillig serves as the Vice President of Workforce Development at Cincinnati State Technical and Community College, a position she has held since 2015.

In this role, she leads initiatives that address workforce needs, with a focus on advanced manufacturing, technology, and other high-demand sectors.

Originally from Euclid, Ohio, Waldbillig earned a Master of Public Administration from Pennsylvania State University and a Bachelor of Arts in English Literature from Miami University in Oxford, Ohio.

Since transitioning into education in 2005, Waldbillig has held several key leadership positions in workforce development. Prior to joining Cincinnati State, she served as Assistant Superintendent of Performance and Accountability at Butler Technology and Career Development Schools.

Waldbillig’s commitment to workforce development extends beyond her role at Cincinnati State. She currently serves as President of the Ohio Workforce League, representing the state’s 22 community colleges, and she is actively involved in strengthening workforce pipelines through organizations such as REDI Cincinnati and the Southwest Ohio Workforce Investment Board. Her accomplishments have been recognized with numerous awards, including the 2017 West Chester Liberty Chamber Alliance Women of Excellence Award and the 2019 National Diversity Council's Most Powerful Women Award.

A dedicated advocate for aligning educational programs with industry needs, Waldbillig is at the forefront of creating partnerships that prepare students for success in advanced manufacturing and other critical sectors.

Charlie Setterfield, Chair, Built Environment, Sinclair Community College

Charlie Setterfield, AIA, NCARB is a distinguished architect and educator with over three decades of experience in the architecture and construction industries. He currently serves as a Professor of Architectural Technology and Chair of the Built Environment Department at Sinclair Community College in Dayton, Ohio. 

Setterfield's professional journey encompasses comprehensive roles in architectural project delivery and construction management, providing him with a robust foundation to impart real-world insights to his students. He holds an undergraduate degree in East Asian Studies from Wittenberg University and a Master of Architecture from The Ohio State University. 

A committed advocate for architectural education, Setterfield is a founding board member of the Coalition of Community College Architecture Programs (CCCAP), an organization that unites over 130 two-year institutions to create inclusive pathways to architectural education. He has also contributed to the Association of Collegiate Schools of Architecture (ACSA) Education Committee and serves as an NCARB Licensing Advisor. 

In his leadership roles within the American Institute of Architects (AIA), Setterfield has made significant contributions. He is a past president of AIA Dayton and has held positions as Secretary and President-Elect of AIA Ohio. Additionally, he serves as a board member for Hatch Architects Design Center, a Dayton-based nonprofit organization dedicated to raising awareness of architectural careers among K-12 students. 

At Sinclair Community College, Setterfield leads a multidisciplinary Integrated Project Delivery (IPD) capstone, resulting in student work showcased at esteemed venues such as Autodesk University, the American Society for Engineering Education, and the League for Innovation in the Community College. His dedication to teaching has earned him accolades from the Southwest Ohio Consortium for Higher Education and the National Institute for Staff and Organizational Development, along with recognition in Ohio Magazine.

Dr. William Sprankles, Executive Director for Innovation, Teaching and Learning

Dr. Sprankles is the incoming Superintendent for Butler Tech Schools beginning in 25-26, and has been with the organization for 8 years. 

Dr. William Sprankles is a passionate and accomplished educational leader with a proven track record of driving innovation, fostering collaboration, and transforming school cultures to achieve exceptional results. Since joining Butler Tech in 2017, William has played an integral role in shaping the district's programming and instructional excellence across four campuses, 11 associate school districts, and 120 satellite programs, impacting over 235 teachers and countless students.

In his current role as Assistant Superintendent of Secondary go Butler Tech, William leads strategic planning, instructional coaching, and emerging best practices. He has been instrumental in initiatives such as creating Showcases and The Fifth Day Experience, developing comprehensive teaching and learning models, and supporting leadership development for principals, satellite supervisors, and other key personnel. His visionary leadership has also contributed to the design of cutting-edge facilities, including the new Aviation Center, Advanced Manufacturing Hub, and BioScience Expansion.

William’s dedication and impact have earned him prestigious accolades, including the 2022 Ohio ACTE Administrator of the Year and the 2010 Merlin G. Pope, Jr. Diversity Leadership Award from the Cincinnati Human Relations Commission.

Before his tenure at Butler Tech, William served as an Executive Coach and Partnership Manager for the Center for Transformative Teacher Training (CT3), where he worked with multiple school districts to strengthen leadership, classroom management, and teaching practices. Prior to that, he spent nearly a decade at Princeton City Schools as Executive Director of Teaching and Learning, Head Principal for Princeton High School, and 6-12 Principal, where he oversaw school improvement initiatives for over 300 educators and 3,000 students.

William began his career in education at Withrow University High School as an English teacher and Varsity Men’s Soccer Coach, where he fostered a love of learning and leadership among his students.

A lifelong learner, William earned his EdD from Miami University in 2021, building on his bachelor’s degree in English Education from Northern Kentucky University and a master’s in Educational Leadership from Xavier University. He is a dynamic presenter at local and national conferences and an advocate for innovative practices that prepare students for bright futures.

William Sprankles embodies a commitment to excellence and collaboration in education, consistently inspiring those around him to push boundaries and redefine success.

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Please contact us at [email protected] to learn how you can support this or future programs.

CPSM CEU
1 credit hour

Agenda
11:30am - 12:00pm: Check-In & Networking
12:00pm - 1:00pm: Lunch Panel
1:00pm: Adjourn

For any questions on this program or registration, please contact Melanie Cannonr at [email protected].

Online registration closes at 12 pm on 5/12/2025.