Click the title below for the session overviews.
Wednesday, October 15, 2025
Track 1 – Meeting Room 600
Stormwater ESA Compliance Lessons from the Field
Wednesday, October 15, 1:30pm – 2:30pm
Stormwater ESA Compliance Lessons from the Field
Session Overview:
WSDOT’s Environmental Policy Manager will discuss design considerations to help projects successfully manage ESA consultation risk, including lessons learned and strategies used on recent projects. Civil engineers from Osborn Consulting share practical lessons learned from leading stormwater design on federally funded projects that local agencies can apply to effectively schedule and budget for their projects. This session highlights scalable strategies for ESA compliance, permitting, and design that may aid in navigating regulatory complexity.
Session Objectives:
• Identify common ESA compliance challenges for stormwater design.
• Improve coordination with regulatory agencies through lessons learned and insights into ESA compliance updates.
• Provide tools for navigating stormwater ESA compliance from an engineering and project management perspective.
Janina Glovatchi
Senior Project Manager
Osborn Consulting
Speaker Bio:
Janina is a Senior Project Manager at Osborn Consulting with expertise in managing and delivering stormwater design solutions for local roadway and bridge improvement projects. In addition, she has extensive experience in hydrologic and hydraulic modeling, roadway drainage design, writing hydraulic reports, and designing erosion and sediment control elements. Janina has managed the stormwater design of several federally-funded roadway projects over the last several years, navigating the pathways for ESA compliance.
Deepa Mungasavalli
Transportation Drainage Practice Lead
Osborn Consulting
Speaker Bio:
Deepa brings 15 years of experience designing and leading highway and roadway drainage projects for local public agencies, WSDOT, and transit agencies. She regularly leads stormwater design teams focused on hydraulic analysis, flow control and runoff treatment facility design, and conveyance design for projects ranging from planning to conceptual design to PS&E. She has an in-depth understanding of the stormwater design needs for the Programmatic ESA Consultation on WSDOT projects, as well as finding a balance between project requirements and goals, and permit needs.
Melanie Vance
Environmental Manager Local Programs
WSDOT
Speaker Bio:
Melanie Vance has over 20 years of experience at both the local and state level with National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) compliance on transportation projects. She started her career at Spokane County Engineering and Roads, then worked in the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) Eastern Region office. She currently manages the Environmental Program for WSDOT Local Programs, and assists local agencies with NEPA on their federally-funded transportation projects.
Monroe Ave Infiltration Facility
Wednesday, October 15, 3:15pm – 4:15pm
Monroe Ave Infiltration Facility
Session Overview:
Navigating challenges associated with the design and construction of one of the largest treatment and infiltration facilities in Washington state from land rights, funding, design constraints and material availability.
Session Objectives:
- Discuss the most interesting project delivered by City of Renton.
- Showcase successful multi-benefit project.
- Share lessons learned.
Kevin Evans
Civil Engineer
City of Renton
Speaker Bio:
PE with 10 years of experience in stormwater engineering design and construction.
Joe Farah
Surface Water Engineering Manager
City of Renton
Speaker Bio:
I am a Professional Engineer with over 15 years of experience in stormwater management projects. In my current role as the Surface Water Engineering manager in Renton, I oversee the delivery of the stormwater capital investment program consisting of drainage improvement, water quality treatment retrofits, habitat improvement, and flood control projects.
Jared McDonald
Surface Water Principal Civil Engineer
City of Renton
Speaker Bio:
Jared is a Principal Civil Engineer in the Surface Water Utility Section at the City of Renton with expertise in managing, designing, and delivering stormwater projects. He has over 5 years’ experience as a civil design consultant and approximately 10 years working for municipalities as a project manager and designer. Jared has completed various projects from street right-of-way development, salmon spawning channels, and surface water treatment/detention facilities.
Accessible Modeling for Practical Stormwater Decisions
Wednesday, October 15, 4:25pm – 5:25pm
Session Overview:
Hydraulic/hydrologic modeling of stormwater systems has evolved rapidly, with incorporation of faster processing, publicly available data, and increased sophistication in GIS data management, making rapid and informed analysis via modeling more accessible than ever before. We’ll explore previous successes, current applications, and future considerations to help manage your stormwater system.
Session Objectives:
- Evaluate what resources and gaps you have in your stormwater data.
- Identify practical applications and approaches to further leverage your stormwater models.
- Identify practical considerations to ask yourself, consultants, and stakeholders to substantiate modeling results and make informed decisions.
Kevin Cook
Project Manager/Senior Modeler
BHC Consultants
Speaker Bio:
Kevin Cook is a project manager and senior modeler who specializes in stormwater and wastewater collection system. He has experience with a wide range of specialized modeling application as it relates to real time controls, 1D-2D modeling, climate change considerations, and custom tool development to support communication. He places great emphasis and making hydraulic analyses engaging and digestible for a wide range of audiences.
Track 2 – Meeting Room 500
APWA Federal Government Affairs Perspective on Legislation and Policy
Andrea Eales, Director of Government and Public Affairs, APWA’s Washington, D.C. office
This session will provide an overview to the major issues that are being tracked and acted on by APWA’s Government and Public Affairs office. Discussion will focus on the office’s three US Public Policy Priorities: Emergency Management, Transportation and Water Resiliency.
- Learn about APWA National’s three Public Policy Priorities.
- Review the recent activities of that the Government and Public Affairs office has undertaken to advocate to the US Congress and federal agencies.
- Discuss how the APWA is responding to the changing landscape initiated by the new executive administration
WSDOT Standard Plans for Buried Precast Structures 2.0
Wednesday, October 15, 1:30pm – 2:30pm
WSDOT Standard Plans for Buried Precast Structures 2.0
Session Overview:
Follow up to last year’s presentation on WSDOT’s development and execution of Standard Plans for Buried Structures in support of fish passage restoration projects. Hear from both WSDOT and Industry on the new updates, development efforts and how engineers can utilize them to expedite the design process on future projects.
Session Objectives:
- Review structure spans, rises, fill depths and other critical items covered in the Standard Plans
- Define hydraulic and geotechnical conditions for implementation of Standard Plans
- Review updated loading criteria for design
William J. Miller III
Bridge Design Engineer, Precast Concrete Buried Structure Specialist
Washington Department of Transportation
Speaker Bio:
William J. Miller III is a bridge design engineer for the Washington State Department of Transportation. Will currently serves as the Precast Concrete Buried Structure Specialist for the WSDOT Bridge Design Office and has been instrumental in the development of WSDOT’s Precast Buried Structure policy, specifications, design criteria, and Standard Plans.
Corey Fraser, PE
State Director
ACPA-NW
Speaker Bio:
Corey is a registered engineer in the state of Texas and has 15 years helping engineers design and specify precast concrete. He is a new father and passionate about pizza.
Federal Funding Roundtable
Wednesday, October 15, 3:15pm – 4:15pm
Federal Funding Roundtable
Session Overview:
This panel discussion will explore recent changes to federal funding policies with focus on Transportation and disaster response and recovery funding. Panelists will discuss impacts to local agencies and communities and take questions from attendees.
Session Objectives:
- Discus changes to federal Transportation and Emergency Management funding.
- Review implications for local agencies and communities
- Identify strategies for addressing the changes that can be reasonably foreseen.
Andrea Eales
Director of Government and Public Affairs
APWA
Speaker Bio:
Andrea Eales is the Director of Government and Public Affairs and has led the US Government Affairs program and the APWA Washington, DC office since January 2015.
Andrea graduated with a bachelor’s degree in political science from the University of Akron with a certificate in applied politics from the Ray C. Bliss Institute of Applied Politics. She also has a master’s degree in international affairs from Georgetown University.
Her professional experience includes working on various levels of political campaigns and serving as a staff member in the US Senate for former Senator, now Governor, Mike DeWine of Ohio. Additionally, Andrea has previously worked for the National Association of Counties, Georgetown University, and the Naval Criminal Investigative Service (NCIS).
Jay Drye
Director, Local Programs
Washington State Department of Transportation
Speaker Bio:
Jay Drye is the Director of Local Programs for the Washington State Department of Transportation. Jay has been with WSDOT delivering projects and programs for over 33 years in a variety of positions across the state. In his current role, he oversees the growing FHWA federal aid program (more than $600M in Federal Fiscal Year 2025) for local agencies throughout Washington.
Kirk Holmes
Director of Public Works Emergency Management Services Division
Perteet
Speaker Bio:
Kirk is the Director of Public Works, in the Emergency Management Services Division with Perteet Inc. He has over 33 years of local government service including 20 years as a Director of Public Works and has served as a first responder in 21 Presidential Disaster Declarations. Additionally, Kirk is serving the APWA-WA Chapter as the 2025-26 Washington Emergency Management Council co-chair.
Use of Recycled Plastics for Roadway Construction
Wednesday, October 15, 4:25pm – 5:25pm
Use of Recycled Plastics for Roadway Construction
Session Overview:
This presentation will review the use of recycled plastics in asphalt paving in Washington and discuss lessons learned from the construction process.
Session Objectives:
- Evaluate the use of recycled plastics in paving
- Discuss lessons learned
- Identify potential improvements.
Shafkat Bin Jfar
PhD Student
Washington State University
Track 3 – Meeting Room 400
Fee-quently Asked Questions: Transportation Impact Fees
Wednesday, October 15, 1:30pm – 2:30pm
Fee-quently Asked Questions: Transportation Impact Fees
Session Overview:
Transportation impact fees help fund local infrastructure and have gained relevance amid federal funding uncertainty. This session covers recent legislative changes supporting trails and middle housing, a Supreme Court case, and insights from jurisdictions on why they chose impact fees, how their programs work, and how they compare to other funding tools.
Session Objectives:
• Define the purpose and allowable uses of transportation impact fees in Washington State.
• Evaluate recent legislative and judicial developments affecting impact fee programs.
• Compare different jurisdictional approaches to adopting and managing impact fee programs.
Daniel Dye, PE
Senior Associate Transportation Engineer
Fehr & Peers
Speaker Bio:
Daniel is an associate transportation engineer with experience in a variety of transportation projects throughout Washington. His recent experience includes working with communities to update their transportation elements, planning for transportation investments with WSDOT, updating or implementing transportation impact fee programs, assisting jurisdictions with peer review of development traffic studies, and managing on-call services for agency clients.
Partnering with WSDOT: Keys to Success
Wednesday, October 15, 3:15pm – 4:15pm
Partnering with WSDOT: Keys to Success
Session Overview:
Gain direct insights from WSDOT’s Local Programs and Environmental experts on how to successfully navigate procurement, consultant selection, and NEPA/SEPA processes. This interactive panel will highlight key considerations for working with WSDOT and offer practical guidance to help consultants avoid common pitfalls. Audience Q&A included—bring your questions!
Session Objectives:
- Identify key steps in WSDOT’s consultant selection and procurement process.
- Evaluate common challenges and considerations related to NEPA/SEPA compliance.
- Discuss best practices for working effectively with WSDOT Local Programs and Environmental teams
Sanaz Malaki
Project Manager / Office Manager
Keller Associates
Speaker Bio:
Sanaz Malaki, PE, is the Seattle Office Manager for Keller Associates and brings over 10 years of experience in civil engineering, spanning both design and construction. Her background includes work with WSDOT and Skanska, managing transportation and infrastructure projects from planning through delivery. Sanaz is passionate about building strong partnerships with public agencies and advancing practical, community-focused solutions.
Melanie Vance
Environmental Manager
WSDOT
Speaker Bio:
Melanie Vance is the Environmental Manager at the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT), where she oversees NEPA compliance for local government projects receiving federal funding. With over 20 years of experience in environmental permitting and documentation, she brings deep expertise in navigating regulatory processes and agency coordination. Melanie is passionate about helping local agencies streamline environmental reviews while ensuring regulatory compliance.
Jacki Doty
Transportation Technical Engineer
WSDOT Local Programs
Speaker Bio:
Jacki Doty is a Transportation Technical Engineer in WSDOT’s Local Programs Division, supporting local agencies through technical assistance and project development guidance. She works closely with cities and counties to ensure projects meet WSDOT’s funding and compliance requirements. Jacki’s role emphasizes collaboration and problem-solving to help agencies successfully deliver transportation projects.
William Wonch
Transportation Technical Engineer
WSDOT Local Programs
Speaker Bio:
William Wonch is a Transportation Technical Engineer with WSDOT Local Programs, where he provides guidance and oversight to local agencies delivering federally funded projects. He manages the Local Agency Guidelines (LAG) manual and helps ensure project compliance with federal and state requirements. William is a key resource for navigating policies, funding processes, and project delivery standards.
WSDOT Active Transportation Funding Programs
Wednesday, October 15, 4:25pm – 5:25pm
WSDOT Active Transportation Funding Programs
Session Overview:
WSDOT has had over $120 million per biennium available in recent years to fund local agency and tribal projects that improve walking and biking. This presentation will discuss how to apply to the programs and the impacts the programs have had on walking and biking across the state.
Session Objectives:
- Define the WSDOT active transportation funding programs
- Evaluate the benefits of walking and biking infrastructure funded by the programs
- Review how the funding programs can support projects in communities across the state.
Chris Hawkins
Active Transportation Planner
WSDOT
Speaker Bio:
Chris has worked in WSDOT’s Active Transportation Division since 2023 coordinating capacity building technical assistance for local agency and tribal partners. Previously he worked in local government as a planner in public health and community design to improve built environments in relation to physical activity. The start of Chris’ over two decades of work in transportation projects planning, development and support was as a volunteer for City of Olympia’s Bicycle & Pedestrian Advisory Committee and Planning Commission before joining the staff of a non-profit delivering local transportation projects with an emissions reduction focus.
Track 4 (O & M) – Meeting Room H
Competent Person Training – Trench and Excavation
Wednesday, October 15, 7:30am – 8:30am
Competent Person Training – Trench and Excavation
Session Overview:
The presentation is an overview of OSHA 1926 Sup. (P) for trench/ excavation and WAC 296-155 (Part N). Discussion in class includes ensuring effective methods of protecting employees against cave-ins and providing a safe workplace and practices for employees during excavation/trenching jobs.
Session Objectives:
- The presentation will discuss the key hazards associated with Trench/ Excavation projects and how to identify existing and predictable hazards.
- By the end of the presentation, attendees should be able to (at min.) be able to identify the hazards associated with Trench/ Excavations and be able to develop action plans.
- Attendees will review General Protection Requirements, Soil Classification, and Protective Systems as outlined in the OSHA and WAC codes. Going forward, attendees should be able to utilize this information to make their jobs safer and compliant with state and federal regulations.
Brian Garlinghouse
Owner
Trenchman Shoring
Speaker Bio:
Brian has been in Trench/ Excavation Safety for 31 years. He assisted NIOSH develop the 1st interactive training program that they released in 2003. He also helped multiple rental companies and Evergreen Rual Water develop trench safety awareness programs/ training.
Troy Canoy
Regional Manager
Trenchman Shoring
Speaker Bio:
Troy provided training for Idaho Rural Water Association (IRWA) for over 10 years and was a volunteer trainer speaker for N. Idaho Safety Fest for 8 years. He has 25 years’ experience in the industry which allows him the ability to understand the needs of contractors in the field.
Dynamic Spreading—Using Real-Time Data to Determine Treatment
Wednesday, October 15, 8:45am – 9:45am
Dynamic Spreading—Using Real-Time Data to Determine Treatment
Session Overview:
Dynamic spreading is an innovative approach for winter road safety. By using vehicle-mounted sensors and dynamic dispensing, material application can be adjusted in real time based on road conditions. This not only enhances efficiency but also reduces environmental impact. Join us to explore this exciting development!
Session Objectives:
• Explain the concept of dynamic spreading
• Discuss testing and results from pilot projects.
• Determine if the process would be beneficial to their agency.
Bert Murillo
Head of Roads, North America
Vaisala
Speaker Bio:
Bert Murillo is the Head of Sales for Vaisala’s North American Roads division, which focuses on empowering roadway and runway decision-makers to address the impact of weather on safety and operational efficiency. Bert’s experience covers more than 15 years in the Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) industry. He speaks at industry conferences throughout North America on how weather observation and forecast tools can help agencies solve real operational challenges
Kenberley Field
Sales Manager
Vaisala
Speaker Bio:
Kenberley Field has extensive experience in business development, sales management, and customer applications training within the winter maintenance industry for over 25 years. She started her career with a winter maintenance product supplier and later joined Vaisala’s Road Division, specializing in Road Weather Information Systems.
Full Depth Reclamation: Better Roads, Lower Costs
Wednesday, October 15, 10:00am – 11:00am
Full Depth Reclamation: Better Roads, Lower Costs
Session Overview:
Members will learn how to stretch their road maintenance budget by bringing projects inhouse and choosing the most cost-effective repairs. This panel discussion with WA APWA road maintenance professionals explores Full Depth Reclamation vs. asphalt milling, offering practical insights to improve road durability, reduce repair costs, and optimize resources.
Session Objectives:
• Identify Opportunities to Maximize Budgets by Bringing Select Road Projects In-House
• Evaluate Full Depth Reclamation (FDR) for Cost Efficiency and Repair Durability
• Compare Asphalt Milling and FDR to Guide Optimal Road Repair Methods
Marion Watson
Roads and Preservation Specialist
Asphalt Zipper, Inc.
Speaker Bio:
Roads / preservation professional. 8 years of asphalt patching / road repair experience. Previous to Asphalt Zipper, was National Sales and Training Manager with Aqua Patch, water activated cold mix asphalt
Tom White
Road Foreman
County of Walla Walla
Speaker Bio:
Tom White is the Road Maintenance Foreman for the County of Walla Walla. He has worked in the road maintenance industry for his entire career. Currently, he is implementing an FDR program with the County of Walla Walla
Patrick Zellner
Maintenance Manager (Retired)
City of Renton, WA and APWA Washington State Chapter
Speaker Bio:
Patrick spent 37 years with the City of Renton, retiring as the Street Maintenance Services Manager. Passionate about the benefits of in-house road repair, he has a wealth of knowledge to share on full-depth reclamation and asphalt recycling. He also serves as chair of the APWA Washington State Chapter Maintenance Committee.
Smart Work Zone Solutions for PW Operations
Wednesday, October 15, 1:30pm – 2:30pm
Smart Work Zone Solutions for PW Operations
Session Overview:
Include Smart Work Zone technology into your traffic control plans. Keep workers safe by using technology that uses real-time closure and work zone information to the public via Waze and 511.
Session Objectives:
• Prepare smart work zone technology traffic control plans using WSDOT Standard Specifications
• Define the benefits of smart work zone technology for maintenance, surveying, emergency work, and inspections.
• Discuss the different types of agnostic solutions for all facets of traffic control
Damian Casados
Senior Regional Sales Manager
Coral Sales Company
Speaker Bio:
Originally from the high desert region in New Mexico, My family and I relocated to the Pacific NW over 15 years ago. My family and I love to travel the Pacific Northwest and visiting new places.
Turning Weather Information into Operational Decisions
Wednesday, October 15, 3:15pm – 4:15pm
Turning Weather Information into Operational Decisions
Session Overview:
Providing an understanding of how to better utilize weather information including probabilities, winter precipitation, road weather such as frost and ice, and summer concerns such as high heat and fire weather.
Session Objectives:
• Identifying weather concerns that will impact public works operations
• Utilizing freely available weather sources (such as the National Weather Service) to gather data for decision-making
• Evaluating weather data to make appropriate decisions on a course of action
Tyler Comerford
Meteorologist
Weathernet
Speaker Bio:
Tyler is a meteorologist with nearly two decades of experience in weather decision support services to various government agencies including public works and road departments. He has worked locally in Washington since 2011, and manages a team of 17 meteorologists who provide operational support throughout the Pacific Northwest.
Track 5 – Meeting Room I
What Comes After the ‘And’?
Wednesday, October 15, 1:30pm – 2:30pm
What Comes After the ‘And’?
Session Overview:
This interactive session builds on the keynote by diving deeper into the “Yes, And” mindset. You’ll explore how to tap into your creativity, communicate more effectively, and navigate change with confidence. Walk away with real tools to access your best ideas—right when you need them most.
Session Objectives:
- Apply the “Yes, And” principle to real-world communication and collaboration challenges.
- Develop strategies for accessing creative problem-solving under pressure.
- Identify practical tools for responding to unexpected situations with flexibility and confidence.
Avish Parashar
Keynote Speaker, Author, Improv Comedian
Avish Parashar Productions, Inc.
Speaker Bio:
Avish Parashar is a keynote speaker, author, and improv comedian who helps organizations navigate change, improve communication, and spark innovation using improv comedy principles. With over 25 years of experience, he delivers fun, high-energy sessions that blend powerful content with audience engagement.
Coaching Strategies for Public Works Leaders
Wednesday, October 15, 3:15pm – 4:15pm
Coaching Strategies for Public Works Leaders
Session Overview:
Command and control leadership no longer works. Our team members need coaches, not bosses. For many public sector leaders, though, coaching is confusing. In this session we clear up the confusion and give you the essential strategies and simple tactics you need to become an effective coaching leader.
Session Objectives:
- Transition to Coaching Leadership: Identify the essential elements of professional coaching for public agency leaders.
- Supercharge engagement: Define the proven communication strategies and tactics that energize public sector team members leading to increased productivity.
- Strengthen accountability: Evaluate the accountability tactics that correct underperformance and encourage individual responsibility for results.
Jonathan Wilson
Founder
Center for Coaching Leadership
Speaker Bio:
Jonathan Wilson is an International Coach Federation certified coach and founder of the Center for Coaching Leadership. The Center studies, advocates for, and teaches the art and science of coaching leadership. Over the past decade, Jonathan has delivered hands-on workshops, keynote presentations, and breakout sessions on coaching, leadership, and project management across the United States and Canada.
Mentorship in Action: Developing People, Enhancing Community
Wednesday, October 15, 4:25pm – 5:25pm
Mentorship in Action: Developing People, Enhancing Community
Session Overview:
Join APWA WA Mentorship Program participants to reflect on how mentorship fosters community and enhances professional growth. Through personal testimonials, panelists will share insights on building meaningful connections and sustaining engagement to establish successful mentoring relationships. This session will explore how mentorship provides lasting support for career and community development.
Session Objectives:
- Define the role of mentorship in professional development, career growth, team building, and sustaining a thriving Public Works industry.
- Develop actionable mentorship approaches that foster meaningful relationships, support professional development, and enhance long-term career growth and industry engagement.
- Evaluate common challenges with mentorship and discuss strategies to mitigate them through collaboration and commitment to shared learning and objectives.
Caroline Barlow, PE
Capacity, Management, Operations and Maintenance (CMOM) Section Manager
Seattle Public Utilities
Speaker Bio:
With 24 years of experience in the municipal utility industry, Caroline currently serves as the Capacity, Management, Operations and Maintenance (CMOM) Manager for SPU’s Drainage and Wastewater Line of Business, overseeing $45M in annual investments to rehab drainage and wastewater system with a focus on trenchless improvements. Caroline uses her utility engineering and project management experience to work closely with a team to define long term improvement strategies, set performance goals and identify resource needs to deliver a programmatic capital improvements portfolio. Caroline currently serves on the Mentorship Committee and is the Treasurer for the APWA Washington Chapter.
Patrick Skillings
Executive Vice President
Skillings, Inc.
Speaker Bio:
Patrick Skillings is the Executive Vice President and Environmental Manager at Skillings, Inc. He has a unique background in both environmental permitting and civil engineering project management, allowing him to integrate environmental considerations with engineering design standards. Over the last 24 years, Patrick has mentored staff and colleagues with a goal of improving Public Works.
Ellen Tiedemann
Project Manager
Crawford and Associates, Inc
Speaker Bio:
Ellen Tiedemann, PE is a part owner and project manager at Crawford and Associates and provides geotechnical consulting and project management on bridge, pavement, pipeline, and water/wastewater facility infrastructure projects. Ellen is responsible for overseeing report preparation, engineering analysis, communications with clients, and managing staff. Within APWA, Ellen is currently serving on the Washington MPAC and Emerging Professional committees, the PWX Review committee, and previously participated in the Emerging Leader Academy.
Karissa Witthuhn, PE
PNW Engineering Team Lead
Psomas
Speaker Bio:
Karissa is an Engineering Team Lead at Psomas, where she also manages the firm’s Wenatchee office. She credits much of her professional development to the guidance and support of mentors, and has participated in the APWA Washington Chapter Mentorship Program as both a participant and Committee member.
Track 6 – Meeting Room J
Addressing the OT Staffing Shortage in Utilities
Wednesday, October 15, 3:15pm – 4:15pm
Addressing the OT Staffing Shortage in Utilities
Session Overview:
Operational Technology (OT) supports physical systems in utilities, while Information Technology (IT) manages data and networks. This session highlights why retraining IT professionals for OT roles is a strategic workforce solution, sharing practical steps and key considerations for utilities seeking to address staffing shortages by integrating IT staff into OT operations.
Session Objectives:
- Evaluate the strategic potential of retraining IT professionals to fill emerging OT roles across utility operations.
- Define critical OT skill sets required in cloud-enabled environments.
- Discuss best practices and implementation strategies for integrating IT staff into OT functions within the utility sector.
David Strom
Sr. Consultant
Strategic Business Solutions
Speaker Bio:
David Strom brings over 20 years of experience in IT strategy, enterprise architecture, and project leadership. Known for his forward-thinking and cross-functional approach, David has guided organizations through complex transformations with a sharp focus on business alignment, operational efficiency, and sustainable growth.
Tim Mather
COO
Strategic Business Solutions
Speaker Bio:
Tim Mather has over 30 years of experience in management consulting, executive leadership, and project management. He has deep expertise in full-stack technology development and deployment, particularly in SCADA/Control Systems. Tim has led significant projects for notable clients such as Philips Lighting, Oracle, Detroit Water & Sewerage, Lender’s Bagels, and the Port Authority of NYNJ.
Jared Tatro
Software Development/System Integration Professional
Jacobs Engineering
Speaker Bio:
Jared Tatro is a Senior Systems Integration professional with over 15 years of experience in Instrumentation and Controls (I&C), SCADA systems, industrial software and hardware architectures, and Operational Technology (OT). He leads complex I&C designs, manages projects, and mentors I&C and OT technical teams, bringing strong leadership and strategic vision to every phase of delivery. His work spans from small remote Alaskan villages to major infrastructure projects like a 300 MGD treatment facility.
Mix and Match Funding for Water Projects
Wednesday, October 15, 4:25pm – 5:25pm
Mix and Match Funding for Water Projects
Session Overview:
How does a rural town fund major infrastructure? This case study shows how Willamina, Oregon (pop. 2,300) secured $12.3 million for water improvements by combining local, state, and federal funding—a blueprint for small communities tackling big challenges.
Session Objectives:
- Evaluate strategies for identifying and aligning local infrastructure needs with potential funding sources.
- Discuss how to leverage a combination of local, state, and federal funding to finance large-scale projects in small communities.
- Review Willamina’s approach to planning, applying for, and managing multi-source infrastructure funding.
Shannon Williams, PE
Principal Engineer
Keller Associates, inc.
Speaker Bio:
Shannon Williams, PE is a principal engineer with Keller Associates. She has 26 years of experiences providing a broad range of public and private engineering solutions to clients across the US. She currently serves as the President Elect for the Oregon APWA and is the outgoing National APWA Water Resources Management Committee Chair.
Thursday, October 16, 2025
Track 1 – Meeting Room 600
Resilience Districts and How Public Works “Plugs-In”
Thursday, October 16, 9:00am – 10:00am
Resilience Districts and How Public Works “Plugs-In”
Session Overview:
This presentation explores the components of community resilience districts and how Public Works facilities contribute to and integrate within them. Speakers will discuss the value of resilience districts as providers of essential services and the design, sustainability, and partnership strategies available to bring them to fruition.
Session Objectives:
- Define resiliency in design and discuss risk assessment best practices in this context.
- Identify the components of resilience districts and how Public Works facilities integrate.
- Review how public/private/utility partnerships strengthen resilience districts and create avenues to achieve comprehensive results.
Brandon Dole
Associate Principal
Scott Edwards Architecture
Speaker Bio:
Brandon Dole has practiced architecture for over 18 years, working on a range of civic and commercial projects in the Pacific Northwest. He enjoys developing responsive places that serve the community, and he is driven to use design to positively shape how people experience the world. Brandon’s focus on resiliency stems from his past and current partnerships with Public Works departments and witnessing first-hand the direct positive impact resilient design can have in these spaces.
Juliette Grummon-Beale
Sustainability Director, Senior Associate
Scott Edwards Architecture
Speaker Bio:
Juliette Grummon-Beale has over 15 years of experience in architecture, working on a wide range typologies, including municipal buildings and community centers. She was drawn to architecture for its balance of art, problem-solving, and environmental stewardship, and she is passionate about developing places that positively impact communities. Juliette’s role as Sustainability Director at Scott Edwards Architecture enables her to contribute innovative and thoughtful solutions to the firm’s holistic approach to resilient design.
Navigating a 6PPD-quinone World
Thursday, October 16, 9:00am – 10:00am
Navigating a 6PPD-quinone World
Session Overview:
Highly toxic 6PPD-quinone is ubiquitous in stormwater runoff and is harmful to fish. Standards for runoff treatment are under development but remain elusive. Learn about steps being taken by state agencies to build a predictable path forward and how some projects are advancing despite the current lack of regulatory clarity.
Session Objectives:
• Identify the risk 6PPD-quinone has to fish and potential solutions, and hear about Ecology’s response and how partners across the region are advancing research to arrive at solutions.
• Review the progress of developing the programmatic ESA Consultation tools provided by WSDOT Local Programs.
• Utilize key strategies to design your way out of regulatory uncertainty, prepare for long timelines for permit processes, and take advantage of the work developed by state agencies.
Steve Hitch, PE, CSM
Washington Stormwater Program Lead
HDR, Inc.
Speaker Bio:
Steve Hitch, PE, has over 30 years of experience in the management, planning and design of stormwater, stream restoration, water, wastewater and other public works infrastructure projects. Prior to joining HDR, Steve was the Utilities Engineering and Planning Manager for the City of Redmond, Washington. Steve specializes in creatively implementing green stormwater infrastructure. He is excited about supporting public infrastructure projects in all lines of business from local agencies to state and federal agencies.
Nat Scholz
Research Ecotoxicologist
Retired NOAA Fisheries
Speaker Bio:
Nat Scholz is a marine conservation biologist. His graduate training spanned Boston University’s marine program in Woods Hole (masters) and marine zoology at the University of Washington (doctoral), followed by a postdoctoral position with the National Academy of Sciences (National Research Council). In 1999, he joined NOAA’s Northwest Fisheries Science Center in Seattle, becoming the lead for the Ecotoxicology Program in 2004. For the past 25 years, he has spearheaded the Center’s research on urban stormwater threats to Pacific salmon conservation. This includes extensive field, laboratory, and modeling investigations into a severe mortality syndrome affecting coho salmon in restored urban streams. These different lines of evidence laid the groundwork for the eventual discovery of 6PPD-quinone as the cause of the syndrome. He has also published widely on pollution threats to coastal, estuarine, and open-ocean habitats (Google Scholar: https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=uY1oifMAAAAJ&hl=en&oi=ao). He retired from federal service in May of 2025.
Melanie Vance
Environmental Manager Local Programs
Washington State Department of Transportation
Speaker Bio:
Melanie Vance has over 20 years of experience at both the local and state level with National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) compliance on transportation projects. She started her career at Spokane County Engineering and Roads, then worked in the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) Eastern Region office. She currently manages the Environmental Program for WSDOT Local Programs, and assists local agencies with NEPA on their federally-funded transportation projects.
Aaron Poresky
Principal Water Resources Engineer
Geosyntec Consultants
Speaker Bio:
Aaron Poresky, PE, has over 20 years of experience in stormwater quality, watershed management, and integrated planning, with a focus on characterizing stormwater impacts and developing comprehensive mitigation strategies. Aaron has supported clients in the municipal, transportation, applied research, land development, and legal sectors with projects ranging from planning studies and technical guidance to design and O&M.
Practical Inclusion in Public Works
Thursday, October 16, 1:15 pm – 2:15 pm
Practical Inclusion in Public Works
Session Overview:
Neither a liberal pitfall to be avoided or a sacred idol that must not be questioned, inclusion is a positive concept worth discussing and implementing as a public works community. Presentation will include lessons learned for organizing and facilitating team meetings, providing feedback, and working with diverse project teams.
Session Objectives:
- Identify opportunities for increased inclusion in public works.
- Review examples of inclusive team building and public works delivery.
- Discuss practical strategies for more inclusive community engagement, meetings, feedback, and project delivery.
Jesse Williams, PE
Water Resources Engineer
Jacobs Engineering Group
Speaker Bio:
Jesse is a water resources engineer, project manager, and group leader focused on building and leading teams for public infrastructure projects and programs.
New Construction Stormwater General Permit Overview
Thursday, October 16, 2:45pm – 3:45pm
New Construction Stormwater General Permit Overview
Session Overview:
We will highlight stormwater policies that are influencing permits across the US. We will discuss the upcoming changes to the 2026 Construction Stormwater General Permit (CSGP) and how it may affect construction activities in and for your jurisdiction. We will discuss some new programming for CESCL and other training courses.
Session Objectives:
• Review some of the national policies and State water quality standards affecting NPDES permitting
• Identify the changes coming to the 2026 CSGP
• Evaluate how the permit will affect MS4 Permit compliance, maintenance operations and construction activity within a WA municipality
Nathan Hardebeck
Owner
Training Academy
Speaker Bio:
With over 25 years of experience, Nathan has provided stormwater support services and BMPs for construction, industrial, municipal, agricultural, and commercial programs. He travels all over the U.S. providing technical assistance and training on a variety of stormwater issues. He is a certified CESCL instructor and provides workshops and training for industrial and municipal permittees both in person and through CWT Training Academy.
Stormwater Infiltration Retrofits for Water Quality
Thursday, October 16, 4:00pm – 5:00pm
Stormwater Infiltration Retrofits for Water Quality
Session Overview:
Discussion of stormwater retrofit projects in Asotin County, Washington funded by Ecology with infiltration BMPs to reduce flooding and improve water quality adjacent to the Snake River. These widespread improvements occurred in areas with minimal stormwater infrastructure. BMPs included infiltration trenches, swales, drywells, and bio-retention swales to manage stormwater.
Session Objectives:
- Define basic infiltration design parameters compared to stormwater detention systems
- Review projects design criteria with site-specific challenges and solutions
- Evaluate performance, constructability, and maintenance requirements for the BMPs
Angela Taylor, PE, LEED AP
Senior Project Manager / Site Civil Group Lead
Keller Associates, Inc.
Speaker Bio:
Angela Taylor, PE, LEED AP has over 25 years of professional engineering experience licensed in Washington, Idaho, Oregon, and Utah. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Geological Engineering and Geology, both from the University of Idaho as well as Masters of Science in Civil Engineering from Washington State University. She has completed project management and design for wide variety of projects from institutional, residential, commercial, and public works to large scale water system, stormwater, and floodplain modeling in the northwest.
Track 2 – Meeting Room 500
How the Safe System Approach Affects Youion 1
Thursday, October 16, 9:00am – 10:00am
How the Safe System Approach Affects You
Session Overview:
What is the Safe System Approach? Why does it matter to you? How is it going to change how your agency addresses safety in the future? Learn how this approach to safety is already changing the foundations of safety in Washington, from Target Zero to funding programs.
Session Objectives:
• Identify the components of the Safe System Approach in Washington.
• Evaluate the impact of the Safe System Approach on funding programs and opportunities.
• Discuss the ways local agencies can start preparing for and adapting to this change.
Matthew Enders
Technical Services Manager
WSDOT Local Programs
Speaker Bio:
Matthew Enders works in the Local Programs division of the Washington State Department of Transportation. Within that division he manages the safety program for local agencies in Washington State, including managing the federal Highway Safety Improvement Program. Matthew also oversees the traffic engineering unit and is the director of the Washington State Local Technical Assistance Program (LTAP) Center.
Strategic Onboarding: Boosting Retention & Productivity
Thursday, October 16, 10:45am – 11:45am
Strategic Onboarding: Boosting Retention & Productivity
Session Overview:
Discover how strategic onboarding drives retention and productivity by aligning new hires with your company culture. Learn to deliver clear fundamentals, foster early engagement, and set up employees for long-term success by turning first impressions into lasting impact.
Session Objectives:
- Evaluate onboarding practices to enhance retention and long-term employee success.
- Identify key elements of a strategic onboarding process that align with company culture.
- Develop an onboarding framework that supports early employee engagement and productivity.
Cheyanne Schaefer
Senior Talent Business Partner
Psomas
Speaker Bio:
Cheyanne Schaefer is a strategic HR leader based in the Pacific Northwest, known for building high-performing, inclusive workplace cultures. With broad expertise across the HR spectrum and cross-industry experience, she aligns people strategies with business goals to drive meaningful outcomes. Cheyanne holds a B.A. in Business Administration, an M.S. in Human Resources Management, and is SHRM-SCP certified. She currently is the upcoming 2026 President for Washington State SHRM, reflecting her deep commitment to advancing the HR profession.
Panel: Clients & Consultants on Remote Collaboration
Thursday, October 16, 1:15pm – 2:15pm
Panel: Clients & Consultants on Remote Collaboration
Session Overview:
Public agency members and consultants share experiences balancing remote collaboration with the value of face-to-face interactions. Learn practical tips for communication, project management, and building strong client-consultant relationships in a hybrid environment, ensuring public works projects stay connected, efficient, and effective.
Session Objectives:
- Spot the kinds of collaboration cities really appreciate when mixing remote and in-person work to build strong client–consultant relationships.
- Use down-to-earth strategies to blend classic workflows with hybrid project management on public works projects.
- Pick up on consultant habits that help keep folks engaged, build trust, and meet client needs in a hybrid setup.
Russell Craven
Senior Project Manager
Perteet
Speaker Bio:
Russell is a senior project manager and engineer in Perteet’s Central Washington group, where he leads multidisciplinary transportation projects for local agencies. He specializes in managing and designing projects ranging from downtown urban improvements to rural corridor enhancements. Russell enjoys working collaboratively with clients across Washington to help meet their transportation needs and goals.
Enrique Borges
Lead Engineer/Manager
Perteet
Speaker Bio:
Enrique is a lead engineer and new manager with Perteet’s Central Washington group, bringing deep technical experience in transportation projects – from roundabouts and corridor projects to pavement preservations. He’s all about practical solutions, teamwork, and keeping projects moving forward.
Andi Zontek-Backstrum
Public Works Director
City of Leavenworth
Speaker Bio:
Andi is the Public Works Director for the city of Leavenworth, making sure everything from streets to parks to water systems works well for the community. She loves helping the city stay safe, welcoming, and easy to get around – whether that’s through adding bike lanes or tackling big infrastructure projects.
Levi Bisnett
Design Engineer
Perteet
Speaker Bio:
Levi Bisnett, PLS, serves as a Professional Land Surveyor and Design Engineer for the City of Moses Lake, where he plays an integral role in infrastructure development and long-term urban planning. With nearly 20 years of experience in municipal government, he has significantly contributed to the city’s growth through his work in securing grant funding, facilitating public engagement, overseeing design initiatives, and coordinating projects with consultants to enhance the built environment for future generations.
Outside of his professional responsibilities, Levi is a devoted husband of 16 years and a proud father of 5 daughters and 1 son. He enjoys being surrounded by beauty and attitude, golfing, boating, coaching youth sports, and gaining new experience and insight to share with others.
Engineered to Advance: Unlocking Potential Water & Wastewater Infrastructure
Thursday, October 16, 2:45pm – 3:45pm
Engineered to Advance: Unlocking Potential Water & Wastewater Infrastructure
Session Overview:
Explore how the Tapteal I BPS project in Richland optimized reservoir use and resolved cavitation by lowering the new booster pump station. We’ll highlight this success and examine broader opportunities in water and wastewater systems to better leverage existing infrastructure for improved performance and efficiency.
Session Objectives:
- Evaluate strategies for optimizing existing water infrastructure using real-world project outcomes.
- Identify system deficiencies and potential mitigations methods.
- Discuss opportunities to enhance performance in underutilized water and wastewater system components.
Curtis Butterfield, PE
Office / Project Manager
Keller Associates, Inc.
Speaker Bio:
Curtis Butterfield is a licensed civil engineer in WA, ID, OR, UT, NV, with a background in both engineering and construction. Before earning his degree from Boise State University, he spent over 15 years as a contractor, including work on military water and wastewater infrastructure in Iraq and Afghanistan. Since 2018, he has been with Keller Associates, focusing on the planning, design, and construction of municipal water and wastewater systems.
Pat Everham
Water Manager
City of Richland, WA
Speaker Bio:
Pat Everham is the Water Manager for the City of Richland, Washington, with over 30 years of experience in public utilities. He previously served as Utilities Superintendent for the City of Kennewick and began his career in the U.S. Army. Pat holds degrees in biology and public administration and is active in regional water management initiatives.
Public Infrastructure Diagnostics Using GPR Technology
Thursday, October 16, 4:00pm – 5:00pm
Public Infrastructure Diagnostics Using GPR Technology
Session Overview:
Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) is a fast, non-destructive tool for pavement evaluation. This presentation covers GPR principles and applications in Public Works, demonstrating its use in estimating pavement thickness, detecting delamination, identifying voids, and locating buried features to support infrastructure assessment and maintenance decisions.
Session Objectives:
- Describe the basic principles and functionality of Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) technology used in pavement engineering.
- Identify and evaluate common applications of GPR in Public Works projects, including pavement thickness measurement, detection of delamination and voids, and location of subsurface features.
- Apply fundamental GPR data interpretation techniques to support decision-making in pavement assessment, maintenance, and rehabilitation planning.
Shashwath Sreedhar
Project Engineer
Geotechnical Resources Inc. (GRI)
Speaker Bio:
Shash serves as a project engineer within GRI’s pavement group. He has about 6 years of experience in pavement engineering consulting and has been with GRI for about 3 years. He specializes in pavement testing, design, and management.
Track 3 – Meeting Room 400
Winning Work: Crafting Compliant, Compelling, Competitive Proposals
Thursday, October 16, 9:00am – 10:00am
Winning Work: Crafting Compliant, Compelling, Competitive Proposals
Session Overview:
Whether you’re new to proposal development, or a seasoned pro, this session offers practical strategies to streamline your process, ensure compliance, and sharpen your message. Learn how to write with clarity, meet every requirement, and impress evaluators. Learn how to avoid disqualification and elevate your team’s win rate.
Session Objectives:
- Plan with Purpose: Learn how to interpret RFP requirements, outline a compliant response strategy, and identify key pursuit team roles and responsibilities early in the proposal process.
- Write to Win: Understand how to integrate evaluation criteria, win themes, and persuasive storytelling to make your proposal stand out.
- Review with Vigor: Master the Red/Gold team review process to catch compliance gaps, strengthen content, and polish the final submission for maximum impact.
Noelle Brooks
Business Development Director
Hill International
Speaker Bio:
Noelle Brooks draws from over 15 years of experience advancing growth strategies in the construction and program management industry. She has helped position both small and large firms for success by leading pursuit efforts that blend market insight, client alignment, and a clear understanding of project delivery dynamics across regions and sectors.
Melissa Quezada
Marketing & Business Development Manager
Furtado
Speaker Bio:
Melissa Quezada has 26 years of AEC marketing experience, including 21 as a consultant supporting firms regionally and nationwide. She has led successful proposal efforts across a range of project types and complexities, combining strategic thinking with the art of proposal development. Melissa currently serves as Marketing and Business Development Manager at Furtado.
Compact Roundabouts on Washington State Roadways
Thursday, October 16, 10:45am – 11:45am
Compact Roundabouts on Washington State Roadways
Session Overview:
Many local agencies strive for good safety outcomes and the niche area of roundabouts, named compact roundabouts are proving effective in solving an intersection safety issue for all the modes as well as being more affordable for the community or government agency. Because the affordable piece involves numerous trade offs from traditional roundabout designs and accepted practice, they sometimes get overlooked as solutions when design parameters aren’t flexible. This presentation will show the balanced conversations and technical input needed to select and construct a compact roundabout.
Session Objectives:
- Identify good intersection candidates for compact roundabouts (smaller than traditional roundabouts)
- Utilize operational (including safety) data to inform the inevitable conversation of holding onto a roundabout for strong consideration rather than choose less safe or do nothing outcomes
- Discuss Trade offs with smaller roundabouts / fully mountable central truck aprons
Brian J Walsh
Senior Transportation Engineer
Burgess and Niple, Inc
Speaker Bio:
Brian is the former State Traffic Design Engineer at WSDOT and joined B & N in Summer 2024. He is an Associate with the company (a full civil and infrastructure firm)and responsible for building the Washington State presence for the company currently. His past technical background and oversight of research, design, operations and staging of roundabouts of all types on state and local roadways makes him ideally suited to share this wide ranging topic with local agencies.
Stakeholder Involvement for Clarkston’s 5-leg Roundabout
Thursday, October 16, 1:15pm – 2:15pm
Stakeholder Involvement for Clarkston’s 5-leg Roundabout
Session Overview:
The City of Clarkston’s Bridge Street, Diagonal Street, and 2nd Street intersection improvements included seven directly adjacent primary stakeholders to the roundabout with varying levels of impacts. Stakeholders were engaged throughout the design of the project and through construction. This presentation focuses on recommended stakeholder involvement efforts for municipal projects.
Session Objectives:
- Discuss level of effort for stakeholder involvement for the City of Clarkston’s roundabout project.
- Evaluate how similar involvement efforts can be leveraged for local agency projects.
- Define the level of public and stakeholder participation depending on local agency project.
Scott Linja, P.E.
Project Manager
Keller Associates, Inc.
Speaker Bio:
Scott Linja has been with Keller Associates for 11 years and has been involved in many large transportation projects with varying levels of public participation and stakeholder engagement. Scott leads transportation projects out of Keller’s Clarkston, Washington Office, and has experience with bringing projects from planning all the way to construction closeout.
Stillman Norton, P.E.
Project Manager
Keller Associates, Inc.
Speaker Bio:
Stillman has managed and worked on a variety of transportation, water, wastewater, and stormwater system projects over the past 21 years. His transportation specific experience includes master planning, roadways (new construction, rehabilitation, overlays, chip seals), pathways, walkways, pedestrian facilities, ADA improvements, roundabouts, and safety related improvements. He has led complex stakeholder engagement processes for both the planning and design phases, and he is licensed in three states, including Idaho, Washington, and Oregon.
Stops That Move Freight: Truck Parking Unpacked
Thursday, October 16, 2:45pm – 3:45pm
Stops That Move Freight: Truck Parking Unpacked
Session Overview:
Truck parking is a critical and complex link in the supply chain, increasingly strained by the growth in e-commerce and global trade. This session examines how accessible, safe, and secure truck parking supports residential and commercial needs, while highlighting public and private roles in addressing this often-misunderstood necessity.
Session Objectives:
• Discuss the role of truck parking in supporting goods delivery and associated truck driver needs.
• Discuss strategies to evaluate truck parking needs and potential solutions
• Identify federal and state funding opportunities available for truck parking initiatives and infrastructure projects.
Tino Jonga
Senior Transportation Engineer
Fehr & Peers
Speaker Bio:
Tino is a transportation enthusiast with a keen interest in freight mobility and multimodal transportation planning. He champions Fehr & Peers’ freight practice in the Pacific Northwest region and actively contributes to internally funded freight planning initiatives. Tino has been instrumental in various truck parking efforts including the development of the National Guidebook for Local Truck Parking Regulations as well as the 2024 Washington State Truck Parking Implementation Plan.
Jason Beloso
Freight and Rail Planning Program Manager
Washington State Department of Transportation
Speaker Bio:
Jason Beloso manages WSDOT’s Freight and Rail Planning Program, focusing on future projects to address the needs of both passenger and freight trains, as well as all modes of freight movement within the state. He and his team are updating the 2026 Freight System Plan and are currently focused on planning related to the future of Washington state’s rail network, including the expansion of truck parking.
Geraldine Poor
Regional Transportation Senior Manager
Port of Seattle
Speaker Bio:
Geri manages regional transportation partnering, planning and policy issues for the Port of Seattle, including maritime, real estate and aviation sectors. She collaborates with local, regional, state and federal agencies, along with the private sector, to improve transportation for people and goods in the Port’s broad interests.
Desiree Wood
President/Truck Driver
Real Women in Trucking
Speaker Bio:
Desiree Wood is the Founder and President of REAL Women in Trucking, Inc. (RWIT), a 501(c)(6) advocacy organization addressing discrimination, gender-based violence, and harassment in the commercial motor vehicle industry, as well as Truckers Emergency Assistance Responders, Inc., a 501(c)(3) that supports drivers stranded due to carrier abandonment. Since earning her commercial driver’s license in 2007, Desiree has logged over a million safe miles and has become an internationally recognized expert on trucking policy, frequently sought after by media and featured in the 2024 documentary Driver, which premiered at the Tribeca Film Festival. Desiree also serves as a freight transportation planner for the Nevada Department of Transportation.
Integrating Urban Design into Seattle’s Waterfront Transformation
Thursday, October 16, 4:00pm – 5:00pm
Integrating Urban Design into Seattle’s Waterfront Transformation
Session Overview:
Seattle’s Waterfront Program completed construction in 2025 and successfully integrated urban design elements envisioned by the program’s landscape architects into 20 blocks of new urban arterial and 20 acres of new public space. Implementing the non-standard improvements and obtaining asset owner approvals was a challenging process that required compromise and detailed discussions both during design and the construction mock-up process. We’ll discuss the challenges and lessons we learned along the way – what went right and what we would change if we could do it all again.
Session Objectives:
- Identify successful methods for achieving urban design objectives.
- Discuss the lessons learned from the Seattle Waterfront program.
- Review special provisions and contract requirements associated with mock-ups
Barbara Lee, PE
Project Delivery and Engineering Director
City of Seattle-Office of the Waterfront and Civic Projects
Speaker Bio:
Barbara leads the project management team for the waterfront program of the City of Seattle’s Office of the Waterfront and Civic Projects. The Waterfront Program has transformed Seattle’s Central Waterfront with the creation of 20-acres of new parks and public spaces, along with extensive transportation improvements. Barbara brings 30 years of engineering and management experience in civil, structural and transportation infrastructure improvements leading pedestrian and vehicular bridge, streetcar, bicycle facility, and complete street projects.
Mike Colyn, PE
Waterfront Design Manager
WSP
Speaker Bio:
Mike is a project manager with over 30 years of experience providing engineering and project management services for transit, roadway, and utility projects. Mike has delivered some of the most complex infrastructure projects in Seattle, including Sound Transit’s Central Link & East Link Projects, WSDOT’s Alaskan Way Viaduct Replacement Program, and the City of Seattle’s Waterfront Program.
Track 4 – Meeting Room H
Alternative Delivery? What’s That? Sounds Frightening!
Thursday, October 16, 9:00am – 10:00am
Alternative Delivery? What’s That? Sounds Frightening!
Session Overview:
This session will take the fear out of choosing an alternative project delivery method. The panel of speakers will review the options available to project owners and share the pros and cons of each from the owner’s perspective as well as that of a Program Manager with over 47 years of experience using these methods.
Session Objectives:
• Review each project delivery method available to project owners in the state of Washington
• Discuss the pros and cons of each method
• Identify key questions that owners must address when considering which method to employ.
Jim Rioux, PMP
Engineering Project Manager
City of Olympia
Speaker Bio:
After starting his career as an operating engineer in the maritime industry, Jim moved to public works. He worked for the state Department of Health in the areas of water utility planning and water resource policy before earning a position with City of Olympia’s Public Works Department. Jim has served the City of Olympia as an Engineering Project Manager since 2008.
Jim Dugan
Principal
Parametrix
Speaker Bio:
Jim is a Principal at Parametrix and manages the Tacoma Office. He has served on the state’s Project Review Committee since 2016 and has been an alternative project delivery practitioner 1978. Jim continues to work with clients to ensure successful implementation of projects using alternate delivery methodologies.
Stan Ryter, PE, PMP
Senior Project Manager
Port of Tacoma
Speaker Bio:
Stan is currently Senior Project Manager at the Port of Tacoma where he has been responsible for managing all types of Port infrastructure projects over the last 11 years. Previously he had a 20-year career in transportation consulting engineering as a supervising engineer on bridge and highway projects. He is a lifelong Washingtonian with a bachelor’s and master’s degree from the University of Washington.
Smarter Project Delivery: Progressive Design-Build Explained
Thursday, October 16, 10:45am – 11:45am
Smarter Project Delivery: Progressive Design-Build Explained
Session Overview:
Learn how Progressive Design-Build (PDB) helps Public Works departments deliver complex capital projects more efficiently. This session explains PDB’s collaborative, flexible approach, contrasts it with traditional methods, and highlights its growing use in the public sector. Real-world examples will show how PDB improves outcomes, reduces risk, and fosters early collaboration.
Session Objectives:
- Define the key phases and characteristics of Progressive Design-Build
Compare Progressive Design-Build with other project delivery methods - Design-Bid-Build, GC/CM and traditional Design-Build
- Identify the benefits and challenges of using Progressive Design-Build in public sector capital projects
Stacy Shewell
Senior Director
Turner & Townsend Heery
Speaker Bio:
Stacy is a seasoned Owner Advisor with over a decade of experience in the construction industry, specializing in Design-Build delivery. While serving as an Owner’s Representative or Owner Advisor, Stacy has led 21 Progressive Design-Build and four traditional Design-Build projects, many of which supported owners using design-build for the first-time. As a long-time DBIA NW Region board member and current treasurer, Stacy has played a key role in advancing Design-Build practices and expanding access to this delivery model across Washington State.
Local Programs 101
Thursday, October 16, 1:15pm – 2:15pm
Local Programs 101
Session Overview:
Do you know what Local Programs is in the State of Washington and all the services they provide? This session will provide a general overview of Local Programs along with the various services and highlight some of the funding programs. If you have a federally funded project, this information will help you to successfully deliver your project.
Session Objectives:
- Prepare to successfully deliver federal and state aid projects.
- Discover the various resources available through Local Programs.
- Identify future funding opportunities.
Kyle McKeon
Engineering Manager
Local Programs – WSDOT
Speaker Bio:
Kyle McKeon has over 30 years of experience in the transportation industry and for the last 25 years he’s filled various roles within WSDOT working in two regions and now at WSDOT Headquarters. For the last 11 years he’s been the Engineering Services Manager within WSDOT Local Programs where he continues to assist local agencies deliver their federal and state funded projects.
Michele Britton
Assistant State Local Programs Engineer
WSDOT
Speaker Bio:
Michele Britton is the Assistant State Local Programs Engineer. She graduated from Saint Martins’ College in 1990 and has been with WSDOT for 35 years. She has held a variety of positions focused on both design and construction projects including the State Specification Engineer at WSDOT Headquarters Construction.
Matthew Enders
Technical Services Manager
WSDOT Local Programs
Speaker Bio:
Matthew Enders works in the Local Programs division of the Washington State Department of Transportation. Within that division he manages the safety program for local agencies in Washington State, including managing the federal Highway Safety Improvement Program. Matthew also oversees the traffic engineering unit and is the director of the Washington State Local Technical Assistance Program (LTAP) Center.
Michelle Newlean
Local Programs Right of Way Manager
WSDOT
Speaker Bio:
Michelle has served in her current position for seven years and has over 25 years of right of way experience. Michelle enjoys working with various local agencies to help deliver their federally funded road projects.
Melanie Vance
Environmental Manager
WSDOT
Speaker Bio:
Melanie Vance is the Environmental Manager at the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT), where she oversees NEPA compliance for local government projects receiving federal funding. With over 20 years of experience in environmental permitting and documentation, she brings deep expertise in navigating regulatory processes and agency coordination. Melanie is passionate about helping local agencies streamline environmental reviews while ensuring regulatory compliance.
Division 1-4 Changes - 2026 Spec Book
Thursday, October 16, 2:45pm – 3:45pm
Division 1-4 Changes – 2026 Spec Book
Session Overview:
The 2026 WSDOT/APWA Standard Specifications for Road, Bridge, and Municipal Construction will remove certain pay items from Division 1 and place them in Division 2. There will be continued changes in future years. This session will answer questions and provide information regarding Division 1 through 4 updates.
Session Objectives:
- Prepare specification writers for the 2026 Standard Specifications changes
- Identify what has changed and potential future changes coming to the Standard Specifications
- Utilize the Standard Specifications and GSPs, with the new changes, to navigate requirements for federally funded, state funded, and locally funded projects.
Diane Sheesley
Director South Sound Design
Perteet, Inc
Speaker Bio:
Diane has worked in the industry for over 25 years, graduating from Washington State University in 2025. She has been a part of the Construction Specifications Committee for 17 years. She has worked at local agencies and consultants in design and construction of local agency projects throughout her career.
Michele Britton
Assistant State Local Programs Engineer
WSDOT
Speaker Bio:
Michele Britton is the Assistant State Local Programs Engineer. She graduated from Saint Martins’ College in 1990 and has been with WSDOT for 35 years. She has held a variety of positions focused on both design and construction projects including the State Specification Engineer at WSDOT Headquarters Construction.
Sam Therres
Tech Resources Supervisor
Snohomish County
Speaker Bio:
Sam Therres is a Supervisor in Engineering Services at Snohomish County with 25 years of experience. He leads a team that handles contract provisions, County Engineer records, division IT and plan reviews, ensuring efficient and reliable service across the department.
Acquiring Right of Way Rights-on Time!
Thursday, October 16, 4:00pm – 5:00pm
Acquiring Right of Way Rights-on Time!
Session Overview:
The right way to scope your Right of Way impacts, prepare sufficient Funding Estimates, Relocation Planning, and ensure your schedule is realistic to meet CN deadlines. This class will help you succeed.
Session Objectives:
- Develop your schedule early, utilize evaluation points within your 30-60% , tracking through to 90% and meeting your CN deadlines
- How you properly define RW impacts to correctly scope your project? Are you Relocation aware?
- Preparing realistic funding estimates to ensure you have sufficient funding, when to review and discuss them, and be prepared to utilize proper consultant/staffing.
Michele Pescador
Right of Way Supervisor
Snohomish County
Speaker Bio:
Michele has 22 years managing the acquisition and relocation of a variety of rights necessary for LPAs to build capital projects. Michele’s been an SR/WA since 2009, specializing in acquistion/relcoation, and she is currently the Engineering Services Right of Way Supervisor for Snohomish County.
Cyndi Whelpley, SR/WA, R/W-RAC
Project Manager R/W Acquisition & Relocation
HDR
Speaker Bio:
An expert specialist in Acquisition and Relocation, Cyndi has been an active IRWA member since 1992, and she is currently a Project Manager at HDR in Everett. Cyndi is an SR/WA, a seasoned IRWA Course Instructor, and was just awarded IRWA 2025 Instructor of the Year!
Track 5 – Meeting Room I
From Wallula Gap to Union Gap
Thursday, October 16, 9:00am – 10:00am
From Wallula Gap to Union Gap
Session Overview:
The Yakima-Tri-Cities region has played a vital role in Washington’s transportation network and agricultural production, a role greatly affected by the Ice Age Floods. The Yakima Valley, in particular, has been impacted by native American tribal history, railroads, early roadbuilding attempts, and even one of the first electric tramway railroads in Washington.
Session Objectives:
- Identify key transportation elements in Washington history.
- Evaluate the impact of Ice Age geology on Washington history.
- Review Yakima Vally history in relation to present conditions.
Susann Babaei
Project Manager
SCJ Alliance
Speaker Bio:
Susann has worked in the industry for 15 years. Her career includes 6 years in Virginia and 9 years in Washington. She has been with SCJ Alliance for 6 years.
Kyle Nolan
Design Engineer
CM Design Group
Speaker Bio:
Kyle graduated from Gonzaga University in 2022 with a degree in Civil Engineering. He has worked on various civil design efforts in his short career, such as site developments, stormwater management, curb ramp design, pavement overlays, and traffic calming measures. He is passionate about efficient delivery of effective public works solutions
Jennifer Hushour
Director of Cultural Resources
WestLand Engineering and Environmental Services
Speaker Bio:
Jennifer Hushour is an archaeologist with over 20 years of experience in cultural resources management. She is the director of the cultural resources division for the western U.S. at WestLand Engineering and Environmental Services. Jen assists project proponents with navigating the complex regulatory landscape by identifying project challenges, preparing and implementing appropriate scopes of work, coordinating with regulatory agencies and Tribes, and overseeing project staff and field efforts. She has lived in Washington for 10 years and in her free time loves to hike the Cascades and play video games with her kids.
Pastries, Pizza, and Public Participation
Thursday, october 16, 10:45am – 11:45am
Pastries, Pizza, and Public Participation
Session Overview:
Learn how the City of Yakima turned the 6th Avenue Rebuild into more than just a road project by meeting people where they were with surveys, clipboards, donuts, and coffee. This session covers creative outreach tactics and highlights what actually worked and how feedback shaped real design decisions.
Session Objectives:
- Identify creative outreach strategies used to engage diverse community groups
- Evaluate the effectiveness of informal outreach tactics in increasing public participation
- Discuss how public feedback influenced key design elements of the 6th Avenue corridor
Michael Uhlman, PE
Principal Engineer
HLA Engineering and Land Surveying, Inc
Speaker Bio:
Michael Uhlman joined HLA in 2015 after years spent building bridges roads and dams as a general contractor and he somehow still finds joy in writing specs and calculating curb grades. He believes Yakima and the surrounding communities are the best place in the world to live and thrives on helping clients find creative solutions to difficult problems. Fueled by caffeine and unexpected enthusiasm for roadway alignment he can often be found nerding out on design standards and the technical details that keep projects on track.
Bill Preston, PE
Community and Economic Development Manager
City of Yakima
Speaker Bio:
Bill Preston is the Community and Economic Development Director for the City of Yakima and a former City Engineer with a long career at WSDOT. He brings energy, candor, and the occasional LED hat to every meeting and is never afraid to speak his mind. Known for making infrastructure engaging and meetings unforgettable, Bill is a force for progress with charisma to match.
Aaron Luoma, ASLA
Principal
Landscape Architecture
Speaker Bio:
Aaron Luoma is a landscape architect with HBB, with expertise in context-sensitive design and just enough charm to make people care about plant spacing. He has worked on waterfronts, schools, parks, and corridors throughout the region, always grounding his designs in the character of the community. Aaron enjoys listening, crying, and laughing with others, while integrating collaborative and fun processes into his work.
RFP Matchmaker: Finding the Right Fit from Both Sides
Thursday, october 16, 1:15pm – 2:15pm
RFP Matchmaker: Finding the Right Fit from Both Sides
Session Overview:
This session will help both agencies and consultants navigate the RFP process more effectively. We’ll provide practical strategies for crafting clear, targeted RFPs that attract the right partners. Participants will also learn how to develop compelling, responsive proposals that align with agency needs and expectations.
Session Objectives:
- Develop clear, well-structured RFPs and proposal responses
- Identify common pitfalls in both issuing and responding to RFPs, and understand how to avoid them
- Utilize structured scoring criteria to guide RFP and proposal development
Taylor Michaels
Marketing Specialist
Kimley-Horn
Speaker Bio:
Based in Kimley-Horn’s Downtown Seattle office, Taylor is a marketing and traffic safety professional with nine years of experience supporting internal and external clients to reach their goals. Known for her attention to detail and ability to coordinate large teams, Taylor partners with both technical and marketing staff to develop tailored responses to RFPs.
Building Tomorrow: Mentorship in the RFP Process
Thursday, October 16, 2:45pm – 3:45pm
Building Tomorrow: Mentorship in the RFP Process
Session Overview:
It is important to prepare future project managers and leaders of tomorrow by training them in the procurement process, from the time of project funding, through the RFP process, interview, and selection and negotiation. For both agencies and consultants, this session will provide tactics for meaningful involvement of emerging professionals throughout the procurement process.
Session Objectives:
- Identify the roles and responsibilities of emerging professionals and project managers at each stage of the procurement cycle.
- Develop strategies to actively involve emerging leaders in the RFP process, including effective collaboration with senior team members and the marketing team.
- Develop a framework for involving emerging professionals in the procurement process, fostering a deeper understanding of procurement mechanics and their role in the firm’s growth.
Brian Reznick, PE
Vice President
Shannon & Wilson
Speaker Bio:
Brian is a consultant project manager and engineer with over 22 years’ experience proposing, negotiating, and working on public works projects. He also serves as the Shannon & Wilson Seattle Office marketing manager, giving him a unique perspective on both the technical and marketing aspects of the RFP process.
Charlie Green
Engineering Manager
Snohomish County
Speaker Bio:
Charlie has been in Civil Engineering for 34 years, 32 of which he spent in Public Service at Snohomish County. He is passionate about the work we do to maintain and improve transportation facilities for residents and businesses while encouraging and developing staff. Charlie has experience working in surface water management, construction inspection and management, civil engineering design, emergency management and the management of people. His diverse career has allowed him to view public works from many perspectives.
Taylor Michaels
Marketing Specialist
Kimley-Horn
Speaker Bio:
Based in Kimley-Horn’s Downtown Seattle office, Taylor is a marketing and traffic safety professional with nine years of experience supporting internal and external clients to reach their goals. Known for her attention to detail and ability to coordinate large teams, Taylor partners with technical staff to develop capture strategies tailored to specific markets, clients, and pursuits.
Best Practices of Grading a Roundabout
Thursday, October 16, 4:00pm – 5:00pm
Best Practices of Grading a Roundabout
Session Overview:
Roundabout vertical design represents a combination of roadway profiles, cross-section elements, and resulting 3D surfaces that consider the relationships between elements. It’s an iterative performance-based process including checks for ISD, drainage, and user needs. Join us to discuss best practices for grading roundabouts and tips for spotting vertical design concerns.
Session Objectives:
- Define best practices for roundabout vertical design decisions and performance checks
- Develop an accurate comprehensive roundabout model to evaluate constructability and support PS&E development
- Review real world case-studies on the impact of efficient grading on roundabout design projects
Mohammad Khan, P.E.
Senior Transportation Engineer
Jacobs Solutions Inc.
Speaker Bio:
Mohammad Khan, P.E., is a civil engineer with Jacobs’ Transportation Engineering & Design Services Group in Bellevue, WA. With over a decade of experience, he specializes in roadway geometrics, roundabout design, grading, and stormwater management. His projects have improved traffic flow, reduced runoff pollution, and enhanced pavement durability statewide.
Katie Handel, P.E.
Senior Transportation Engineer, Roundabout SME
Jacobs Solutions Inc.
Speaker Bio:
Katie Handel is a roundabout geometric specialist who has dedicated her career to the design and planning of over 120 roundabouts across the US. She is passionate about engineer education and the implementation of roundabouts. Katie serves on TRB’s Standing Committee on Roundabouts and Other Intersection Design and Control Strategies.
Track 6 – Meeting Room J
Wheeling Suspension Bridge: Modeling and Assessment
Thursday, October 16, 2:45pm – 3:45pm
Wheeling Suspension Bridge: Modeling and Assessment
Session Overview:
Explore practical lessons in efficient modeling, QA/QC, and structural assessment from the load rating of the Wheeling Suspension Bridge in West Virginia, the oldest standing vehicular suspension bridge in the U.S. Developed in CSiBridge, this case study offers insights that translate directly to complex bridge evaluations and preservation efforts in Washington, where aging infrastructure and seismic resilience are key priorities for structural engineers.
Session Objectives:
- Evaluate modeling strategies for complex and historic bridge structures using CSiBridge.
- Identify common QA/QC challenges and solutions in bridge load rating and structural assessment.
- Review key takeaways from the Wheeling Suspension Bridge to inform modeling efforts on aging infrastructure, including bridges in Washington State.
Sergio Yugar-Arias, PE
Professional Engineer
Consor North America, Inc. (Consor)
Speaker Bio:
Sergio Yugar-Arias is a bridge engineer with six years of experience in structural analysis, design, and load rating of highway and pedestrian bridges. He holds a master’s degree in Structural Engineering from the University of Washington and has been based in Seattle since graduating in 2019. Sergio has contributed to infrastructure projects at the local, state, and national levels.
Real-Time GIS for Public Works Emergencies
Thursday, October 16, 4:00pm – 5:00pm
Real-Time GIS for Public Works Emergencies
Session Overview:
Esri’s real-time GIS gives public works teams live insight during emergencies—combining sensor data, field updates, and maps to support faster, coordinated action. As the first to respond and last to leave, public works can depend on real-time GIS to protect infrastructure, ensure safety, and keep communities running.
Session Objectives:
- Explain the Role of Real-Time GIS in Emergency Response:
Participants will be able to articulate how real-time GIS integrates sensor data, field updates, and maps to provide live insights during emergencies. - Apply Real-Time GIS in Practical Scenarios:
Learners will be able to demonstrate the use of real-time GIS tools in simulated emergency situations to enhance decision-making and response efficiency. - Identify the Benefits of Real-Time GIS for Public Works:
Participants will be able to describe how real-time GIS supports faster, coordinated action, protects infrastructure, ensures safety, and maintains community operations during emergencies. Additionally, participants will learn to analyze real-time data collected from an incident to aide in mitigation planning for future emergencies.
TJ Abbenhaus
Solution Engineer
Esri
Speaker Bio:
TJ Abbenhaus is a Senior Solution Engineer at Esri Inc. With extensive experience in GIS and digital twin technologies, TJ has been instrumental in developing innovative solutions that enhance spatial analysis and visualization. TJ is passionate about leveraging technology to solve complex problems and improve decision-making processes.
Heather Glock
Account Manager
Esri
Speaker Bio:
Heather is an account manager for Esri, where she helps local governments in Washington state apply GIS technologies to improve a wide variety of business functions and challenges. She holds a master’s degree in public administration from The Evergreen State College.
Visit the Chapter Website
