Innovator of the Year Awards

Preston Robinson is Director of Operations Support at Haskell, where he applies nearly 20 years of design-build experience to improve how people, processes and information connect across the project lifecycle. In his time with the company, Preston has served in many roles across project management, field management and preconstruction, giving him firsthand experience of how project teams work across design, estimating, planning, procurement, construction, and closeout.

Early in his career, Preston was the first person at Haskell to digitize submittals, saving engineers more than 4,000 hours of busy work. He also founded Haskell’s Preconstruction Standards group, bringing together process, data, tools and training into a practical operating model for more consistent, scalable work. Preston created a web-based Preconstruction Process Flow that makes roles, tools, operating procedures and training visible at each step of the process. He has also developed structured training programs, including an AI-enabled learning agent that gives estimators a more accessible way to find guidance, strengthen skills and apply standards consistently.

Preston’s work has advanced how Haskell structures and reuses information. He led a multidisciplinary team of AEC professionals in developing Haskell’s Building Information Relational Database (BIRD) mapping approach: a connected-data strategy designed to make information reusable, traceable and more actionable across the project lifecycle. He also helped lead the development of a modern, assembly-based method to classify work in place. This model-based evolution of MasterFormat is intended to better align design, estimating, scheduling, procurement, safety, quality and construction data.

Most recently, Preston developed a Design Progress Log that helps teams systematically compare design development against expected scope. The approach has already identified several million dollars of previously missing or undocumented project scope, demonstrating how better information structure can improve both project outcomes and decision-making.

He graduated from the University of Florida with a degree in construction management and is now pursuing a Master of Science in Business Analytics at UF – combining practical construction experience with an expanding focus on data, analytics, and innovation. As an Autodesk Preconstruction Council advisor and a longtime instructor at the University of Florida and University of North Florida, Preston uses his creativity, practical problem-solving, and passion for innovation to grow and help his peers improve their skills and projects. His next focus is helping Haskell and the broader AEC industry solve its largest data challenges – creating a future in which reliable, connected information enables better decisions at every stage of the project.

As Head of Research at Henderson Engineers, Dustin leads the company’s technology research division, directly influencing technical strategy and investment in new tools and resources. He is key to driving the company’s success in the areas of quality, innovation, virtual design and construction, and sustainability. An industry veteran since 1999, Dustin has also previously served as Henderson’s Sustainability Director, Engineering Director and Chief Technology Officer.

Michael is the president at Raymond, a minority- and veteran-owned small business. Since joining in 2017, he has grown Raymond’s presence across the company’s public and private sector footprint, helping the firm expand beyond building enclosure consulting to full architecture and engineering design. He is a technology proponent and enthusiast, leading Raymond’s internal technology initiatives and go-to-market strategies. This includes the development of Raymond’s AI-native platforms for Align (specification writing and design quality control), RFX (comprehensive business development platform) and Veritas (field reporting and asset management). Michael leads Raymond’s internal Catalyst group and has spearheaded an AI-centric approach to finding efficiencies within his firm.

Prior to Raymond, Michael served as Director of Analysis at DeWolff, Boberg & Associates and as a senior associate with Booz Allen Hamilton. He holds a BS in Chemical Engineering from MIT and an MS in Chemistry from Tufts University.