How Cleveland Construction is Using AI to Empower Their Teams

An Autodesk University 2025 Interview with Elliot Christiansen, SVP of Operations at Cleveland Construction

At Autodesk University 2025 in Nashville, thousands of innovators came together to explore how AI, robotics, and connected data are transforming the way we design and build. While at the conference, we caught up with customer Elliot Christiansen, Senior Vice President of Operations at Cleveland Construction, Inc., to hear his take on how AI is transforming the industry.

Cleveland Construction, a national commercial construction manager with over 40 years of experience, is known for embracing technology to drive efficiency and reduce risk. In this interview with Tyler Matheny of Trunk Tools, Elliot shares how his team is leveraging Autodesk Construction Cloud together with Trunk Tools’ AI-powered platform to supercharge field productivity, empower younger professionals, and minimize risk across complex projects.

Tyler Matheny (Trunk Tools):
We’re wrapping up a great conference. As always, AI in construction has been the hottest topic. From your perspective, what really cut through the noise this week? What’s got you excited about AI in construction?

Elliot Christiansen (Cleveland Construction):
You know, what stood out to me is that all the contractors here are heavily investing in AI. The big theme is that people have realized it’s not about replacing employees. Instead, it’s about setting them up for success—making them more efficient, giving them more time to focus on what really matters, like actually building the project and delivering value.

Tyler:
Absolutely. And Cleveland Construction has gone a step further—you’ve even changed how you’re using Autodesk so Trunk Tools can help deploy that intelligence to your team and make them even more powerful. What have you done on that front?

Elliot:
One of the things we did was adjust Autodesk settings so everything in cost management is automatically saved back into our files. That means Trunk Tools can search those files. Now if you ask a question like “Who has XYZ?” the system can pull that information up instantly.

Tyler:
That’s awesome. So that’s what you’re doing today—what about looking ahead? What’s got you excited about the future of construction?

Elliot:
What excites me most is how Trunk Tools can level the playing field. For example, someone fresh out of college, with no real-world experience, can instantly operate as if they’ve got five years under their belt. That’s powerful. It also helps reduce risk, because you’re giving people better guidance and decision-making support right away.

Tyler:
That’s huge. Well, we really appreciate you hanging out with us today, Elliot. Enjoy the rest of your time here in Nashville. And as always, if anyone has questions about what Trunk Tools can do for their team, just let us know.

Conclusion

Cleveland Construction’s adoption of Trunk Tools illustrates the next era of building—where AI doesn’t replace people, but empowers them to work smarter, faster, and safer.

If you’re ready to see how Trunk Tools can help your team eliminate data bottlenecks, reduce risk, and supercharge productivity, we’d love to show you.

In the ever-evolving landscape of construction technology, staying ahead means embracing innovation that enhances workflow efficiency. We had the opportunity to speak with Mike Trenski, Director of Construction Technology at AMLI, about how Trunk Tools has become a vital part of their technological toolkit and the positive impact it has had on their operations.

Q: Mike, can you tell us about your role at AMLI and what your primary responsibilities are?

Mike: As the Director of Construction Technology at AMLI, my main focus is on implementing innovative solutions that streamline our construction teams’ workflows. A significant part of my job involves reducing data silos and eliminating repetitive tasks, allowing our teams to concentrate on what they do best—building.

Q: What are some of the biggest challenges you face in your role?

Mike: Managing change is, without a doubt, the biggest challenge. People naturally resist changes that impact the way they work, even when those changes are intended to make their jobs easier in the long run.

Q: How can technology tools best empower your team in overcoming these challenges?

Mike: Technology that doesn’t make our people’s day-to-day work easier simply won’t succeed. It’s crucial that any new tech we introduce gives our teams back their time. The goal is to ensure they can focus more on the aspects of their jobs they love—building—rather than getting bogged down by administrative tasks or data management.

Q: What made you decide to try Trunk Tools?

Mike: The moment we saw the demo, we knew Trunk Tools was something special. By the end of that call, it was clear we had to give it a try. The platform’s ability to deliver real-time, actionable data stood out immediately as a game-changer.

Q: How has your team been using and benefiting from Trunk Tools?

Mike: Our construction teams operate at an incredible pace, and we generate a vast amount of data. Trunk Tools has been invaluable in parsing through this data quickly, allowing our teams to get the information they need without having to trek back to the jobsite trailer and open a laptop. It’s streamlined our processes significantly, making it easier for everyone to stay on top of their tasks.

Q: How was the process of implementing Trunk Tools at AMLI?

Mike: The implementation process was almost plug and play, and it provided immediate value. It was one of those rare instances where the transition to using a new tool was seamless, and the benefits were evident right from the start.

Q: Can you share a recent success story with Trunk Tools?

Mike: After just a few months of using Trunk Tools, we decided to standardize it across all our projects. The feedback from our teams was overwhelmingly positive; they recognized the value it brought to their roles almost immediately. While we’re still in the process of quantifying the return on investment, the qualitative benefits were clear from day one.

Q: What are your hopes for the future of construction innovation?

Mike: The notion that “construction lags behind in technology” is something we’ve all heard countless times, but it feels like that’s finally changing. New solutions that fill gaps in our workflows are coming to market rapidly. For the first time, construction firms are really starting to value their data and recognize its importance for future decision-making. With AI now taking center stage, I hope the industry continues to innovate and embrace advanced technologies like AI, robotics, and augmented reality.

Conclusion: Mike Trenski’s experience with Trunk Tools at AMLI underscores the platform’s ability to not only simplify data management but also drive innovation within the construction industry. As technology continues to evolve, tools like Trunk Tools are essential in helping teams work smarter, not harder.