Building Taylor: Materials, Markets & Margins

Description

Building Taylor: Materials, Markets & Margins

A summit-style conversation bringing together leaders from the construction, manufacturing, and legislative arenas to unpack one of today‘s most pressing economic challenges...tariffs.

This event brings together a powerful alliance of leaders from the construction, manufacturing, and legislative sectors to examine how evolving trade policies ripple through our local economy. Our expert panelists will move beyond the headlines to provide grounded, real-world insights into:

• Cost Volatility: Understanding the direct impact on raw material pricing.
• Logistical Hurdles: Navigating the current strain on global and local supply chains.
• Operational Margins: Strategies for protecting project timelines and bottom-line profitability.

Whether you are managing a job site, overseeing a production floor, or shaping regional policy, this session is built to connect the dots between global markets and local decision-making. Prepare to leave with a sharpened perspective on the current trade landscape and a clearer vision for the future of building and manufacturing in our region.

Meet Our Featured Speaker

Guhan Venkatu Vice President | Regional Executive for Austin and Central Texas |Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas

Guhan Venkatu is vice president at the Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas and regional executive for the Austin area. He joined the Dallas Fed in 2025.

In his role, Venkatu is responsible for fostering relationships with stakeholders throughout central Texas and for gathering grassroots information to support the monetary policymaking process. His responsibilities also include expanding engagement with public officials and the technology sector. 

Prior to joining the Dallas Fed, Venkatu served as senior principal and senior policy advisor in the Research Department of the Federal Reserve Bank of Cleveland, where he advised and informed the Bank’s president and its board of directors. His research has focused on inflation, mortgage markets, and factors related to regional economic growth. He joined the Cleveland Fed in 1998 as a research analyst, and in his tenure with the Bank, held positions of increasing responsibility including economist, vice president, and group vice president.

Venkatu is a graduate of Leadership Cleveland and Leadership Pittsburgh, and previously served as a member of the Ohio Economic Roundtable, an advisory group to the state’s governor. He received undergraduate and graduate degrees in economics from Miami University in Oxford, Ohio.

Meet Our Panelists

Phil Thoden President & CEO, Associated General Contractors (Austin Chapter)

Phil Thoden has led the Austin Chapter of the AGC since 2003, serving as a primary advocate for commercial construction companies across Central Texas. With decades of experience navigating the intersection of industry and policy, Phil provides an essential perspective on how shifting material costs and labor trends impact the job site and the regional skyline.

Tony Bennett President & CEO, Texas Association of Manufacturers

As the voice for over 600 member companies, Tony Bennett leads the charge on legislative, regulatory, and economic policy for the Texas manufacturing sector. Based in Austin, Tony brings a macro-level understanding of how global trade shifts affect the production floor, local exports, and the state’s industrial competitive edge.

Meet Our Moderator

Hon. Larry Gonzales Former Texas State Rep | Lobbyist | Founder, Desk 138

First elected to the Texas House in 2010, the Honorable Larry Gonzales served four terms, notably as Chairman of both the Sunset Advisory Commission and an Appropriations Subcommittee. He brings deep legislative, budgeting, and state agency restructuring expertise to his role as founder of Desk 138.

Why Attend?

Whether you are managing a job site, overseeing a production floor, or shaping regional policy, this session is built to connect the dots between global markets and local decision-making. Prepare to leave with a sharpened perspective on the current trade landscape and a clearer vision for the future of building and manufacturing in our region.

Note: Space is limited for this summit-style conversation. Please RSVP to secure your seat at the table.