Casso

We are saddened by the loss of Mark A. Casso, who died suddenly on June 25th from heart complications, with his family at his side. Mark was 70 years old.  He was inducted into NAC in 2016 for his outstanding leadership including exceptional skills in collaboration, teambuilding and using creative solutions to solve complex problems in our industry.

Mark received a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration and Management from The University of Maryland in 1977. He then earned his Juris Doctorate degree from Brooklyn Law School in 1981 and was licensed to practice in the State of New York.

Mark started as an associate with a Washington DC law firm, specializing in international trade and customs law. He then served as Deputy Executive Vice President and General Counsel for the American Consulting Engineers Council (ACEC) and as Director of Government Affairs with the American Institute of Architect’s national headquarters.

In the fall of 1998 Mark became President of the Construction Industry Round Table (CIRT). CIRT was formed to be a force for positive change in the construction industry while helping CEOs improve the management performance of their individual companies.

Among other initiatives he championed is the ACE National Design and Construction Competition, an annual event for high school students as part of teams in collaboration with the ACE Mentor Program, to develop solutions to real-world design and construction challenges, foster innovation, promote the industry's image and offer a networking and education platform, says the industry group.

Entries from ACE Mentor teams are judged each year by CIRT member executives. In 2024 the group said an "unprecedented" 74 submissions representing 19 state ACE Mentor Program groups and 27 affiliates were received. It should be noted that the first competition in 2007 had just six entries! Mark was passionate about ACE and was a driving force in the success of this initiative.

"I joined the Construction Industry Round Table (CIRT) when it was then called the Presidents Forum, founded and run by the Engineering News-Record (ENR). Mark joined the organization a few years later as its CEO, following a strategic plan that established the organization as an independent entity and led to the name change to CIRT. Mark's leadership was transformational, guiding the organization through significant growth and impactful initiative. He was a gifted leader and a true friend. We’ll miss him”, as related by NAC member J.J. Suarez.

"Mark was a man of great brilliance and even greater humility. He carried no ego, and his instinct was always to offer help to those around him. whether in the boardroom or in a quiet moment of counsel," said CIRT current Chairman Thomas V. Reilly, president of Turner Construction Co., who noted his efforts "to influence public policy, elevate the industry’s image and foster meaningful connections among members."

As NAC member Bob Alger shared, “I joined CIRT back in 2000 and found this to be the best organization for me to be part of. Mark had a way about him that lead to open and honest communication, his insights were always spot on target and his demeanor was that he never got upset or angry. He was a true joy to know and work with and this has left a big hole in my heart with his passing and my heart aches for Julie and his family and close friends.”
Mark was a leader of uncommon vision and character, and a trusted friend—someone who offered his heart as readily as his insights. For those who had the privilege to know him well, his passing leaves a space that cannot be filled.

Please keep Mark’s wife, Julie, and his children, Nicholas, and Nia, in your thoughts and prayers as they navigate this unimaginable loss.  He will be missed by his family, friends and by the industry!

― Bob Alger, Linda Figg, Greg Kelly, and J.J. Suarez ,2025