Visionary thought leaders join Building Systems Design and secure capital to advance products, pioneer the convergence of specification and BIM technologies
ATLANTA – Building Systems Design (BSD), a leading provider of specification content for the architecture, engineering, construction and owner-operated (AECO) sector, announced yesterday that two well-respected and highly experienced industry experts, Arol Wolford and Iain Melville, have joined the company and closed an investment from Caltius Structured Capital. BSD will continue to lead the built tech industry toward more accurate, collaborative and efficient design and construction through innovation made possible by the combined expertise across the team, investment in new products and the continuing minority equity involvement of the Construction Specifications Institute (CSI).
Iain Melville
“We have brought together a leadership team with strong, forward-thinking expertise, and are well poised for continued success and growth,” said Chris Anderson, who continues as CEO of BSD. “Bringing Arol and Iain’s collective expertise, leadership and passion for AECO technology to BSD are an indication of substantial industry advancements on the horizon. We have a clear vision and road-map that will deliver game changing technology and bring digital and BIM-focused innovation to specifications. We’ll soon be sharing with our customers, and the industry at large, details about exciting new BSD tools and services that will help architects, specifiers, owners and product manufacturers thrive and grow.”
Leadership additions bring unparalleled industry expertise
Wolford and Melville join Anderson in carrying out a progressive vision of enabling new levels of collaboration in design and construction, and creating valuable, problem solving technology for customers.
Iain Melville, Executive Chairman
Melville is an experienced business leader with a demonstrated reputation for achieving great outcomes for customers through businesses that maximize the potential of people, systems and information in data and technology driven environments.
Having leveraged these skills internationally with companies such as RELX group and UBM for 30 years, and more recently as CEO of Construction Market Data, chairman of VIMaec and founder of Blaszt in the UK, Melville now brings that experience to BSD to help its customers succeed and thrive as digital transformation drives change within the AECO industry.
Arol Wolford, Chief Innovation Officer
Wolford has a passion for data-rich design and construction. He is the founder of Construction Market Data (CMD), co-founder of SmartBIM and VIMaec, is a renowned innovator in the AECO sector and has over 30 years of industry experience. Wolford also served on Revit’s board of directors before the company was acquired by Autodesk.
Arol Wolford
Wolford has dedicated his career to empowering architects, engineers and contractors and was named an honorary Fellow of The American Institute of Architects for his contribution to the profession. He is the only non-architect selected to serve on the AIA 150 Committee.
Going forward, members of CSI will remain integral to the strategy and success of BSD. CSI and BSD are committed to continued strategic collaboration and will engage in a high profile and long-term marketing relationship.
“Arol and Iain bring unrivaled experience in our sector that will be invaluable in driving the industry forward,” said Mark Dorsey, CEO of CSI. “We’re proud to support BSD in developing cutting edge technology and making the work of creating specifications more visually appealing, easier and efficient.”
BSD is exhibiting at CONSTRUCT 2017, September 13-15, in Providence, Rhode Island and is demonstrating a new, BIM-integration solution designed to empower specifiers with enhanced visibility and data, and improve coordination throughout the specification-writing process.
About Building Systems Design
Founded in 1983, Building Systems Design (BSD) provides advanced specification and interoperability solutions to architects, engineers, specifiers and building owners nationwide. The company is focused on bringing technology to market that drives collaboration, simplifies design and increases efficiency for all stakeholders in the design and construction process. For more information on BSD, visit www.bsdsoftlink.com.
About the Construction Specifications Institute
Founded March 1948, the Construction Specifications Institute is a national association of more than 7,500 members dedicated to improving the communication of construction information through continuous development and transformation of standards and formats, education and certification of professionals to improve project delivery processes. CSI members work tirelessly to effectively communicate the designers’ vision, the material producers’ solutions, and the constructors’ techniques to create outstanding facilities that meet facility owners’ objectives. For more information visit www.csiresources.org.
About Caltius Structured Capital
Caltius Structured Capital provides owners of middle market companies throughout North America with junior capital solutions for liquidity events and growth opportunities. Caltius Structured Capital invests from $7 million to $50 million in companies with positive cash flow, designing flexible capital structures including subordinated debt, minority/structured equity and unitranches. Currently celebrating its 20th anniversary and investing from its 5th fund complex, Los Angeles-based Caltius Structured Capital has invested $1.2 billion in 63 transactions since being founded in 1997. For more information, visit www.caltiusmezzanine.com.
