Their backgrounds vary, but each of ENR’s Northwest Top Young Professionals honorees for 2017 has talent, works hard and is passionate. This annual competition salutes young leaders who are at the top of their professions and are standouts in the community.

At Global Diving and Salvage, Kyle Coppinger used his special military skills to help with remediation following the 2010 Deepwater Horizon Macondo oil well drilling platform disaster in the Gulf of Mexico. Tarelle Osborn laid sewer pipe to help pay for college and now owns her own firm.

The 11 people named 2017 ENR Northwest Top Young Professionals are not simply regional standouts. In a reflection of modern industry trends, many have also stretched out nationally and beyond.

Cal Bearman investigated corrosion issues in Mumbai, India. Jeremy Mason played a role in a Denver railway project, while Don Ngyuen has worked on bridge projects in Ohio and Montreal.

The Top Young Professionals also excel outside the construction industry, doing good for their communities. Erik Timmons packs food boxes for the Salvation Army, Kim Faust coaches youth sports and Joel Andersen serves on a board of directors for the Boys and Girls Club.

For the competition, ENR sought nominations from and on behalf of people 40 or younger who work in Oregon, Washington state or Alaska.

ENR thanks all the nominees and offers special thanks to the judges of the competition: Michael Newbury, a principal of Stantec; John Schaufelberger, dean of the College of Built Environments at the University of Washington’s Seattle campus; and Kyle Womack, associate principal at Hennebery Eddy Architects in Portland.

Criteria used to evaluate the nominees included their professional achievements, construction industry involvement, contributions to the Pacific Northwest’s built environment and volunteer work.

Related Article:
ENR Northwest 2016 Top Young Professionals

Joel Andersen
Construction success from deep roots
35, President
Andersen Construction
Portland, Ore.

Andersen leads a firm of 700 employees with offices in Idaho, Washington and Oregon. The firm’s current projects are the Oregon Health & Science University Knight Cancer Research Building in Portland, the 41-story Kinects Tower in Seattle, work at the University of Oregon in Eugene and several mixed-use developments in Boise. Earlier, he worked on projects in California and Colorado.

Andersen’s roots in construction run deep, starting with his family business, founded by his grandfather H.A. Anderson in 1950 and later run by his father, David. Andersen served in different roles before being named president in 2015, including estimator, project engineer, project manager, Seattle division manager, vice president of business development and senior vice president. He is considered instrumental in the firm’s growth and is known as a team player who rewards his co-workers.

A University of Oregon graduate with a bachelor’s degree in construction engineering management, Andersen also serves as an adjunct professor at Portland State University and has taught classes at University of Oregon.

In January 2016, he launched the Andersen Foundation, which manages the large volume of community service requests his firm receives. He also created Andersen’s Community Giveback Program for which the company does a pro bono project for the community for every job the company is awarded.

He also serves as a church youth camp counselor and is on the board of directors of the Boys & Girls Club of King County. Additionally, Andersen sits on the board of the Journey’s Foundation, which provides scholarships for underprivileged youth in the Portland area.

Cal Bearman
Global experience
30, Associate III
Wiss, Janney, Elstner Associates Inc.
Seattle

Bearman, a forensic engineer with Wiss, Janney, Elstner, leads field inspections, performs structural analyses, designs repairs and oversees construction. He also serves as a project manager on structural investigations, including aging parking garage structures, deteriorated floor slabs and damaged roof structures.

His portfolio includes projects in the Pacific Northwest and internationally, including a precast concrete condition assessment for Seattle’s Safeco Field ballpark, a structural investigation of the Astoria Column transmission tower in Astoria, Ore., and a corrosion assessment and repair implementation project in Mumbai, India. Bearman earned a master’s degree in civil engineering from the University of Washington.

In 2015, the Puget Sound Engineering Council named him Young Engineer of the Year. Also in 2015, Bearman served as president of the American Society of Civil Engineers Younger Member Forum, supervising the annual Popsicle Bridge Challenge.

“Cal’s efforts are inspiring and very worthwhile, and it goes beyond ASCE to local community efforts as well. I think [Cal] should be commended for promoting engineering,” says David A. Deress, unit manager and principal, Wiss, Janney, Elstner Associates Inc.

He received a master’s degree in civil engineering at the University of Washington. His thesis involved identifying key damage states in reinforced concrete columns for post-earthquake evaluation and modeling column behavior under simulated earthquake loading. He received his bachelor’s degree in civil engineering from Purdue University. 

Along with his work for various professional organizations, Bearman has volunteered for such groups as Food Lifeline, Habitat for Humanity and the Boys and Girls Club. Outside of work, Bearman is a board member with the Phinney Neighborhood Association in Seattle where he often volunteers with bingo-karaoke and the Phinney Center Gallery.

“I have a passion for promoting engineering as a leader within the industry.”
—CAL BEARMAN, 30, Associate III, Wiss, Janney, Elstner Associates Inc.

Kyle Coppinger
From military to global interests
30, Field Engineer
Global Diving & Salvage Inc.
Seattle

Coppinger is a U.S. Army veteran who became the youngest noncommissioned officer in his unit. His 15-month deployment in Iraq earned him a Bronze Star and a Purple Heart. After leaving the Army, he attended the Divers Institute of Technology, graduating as class president.

His military experience was put to good use when he supervised marine environmental technicians to spearhead oil and coastline remediation in the wake of the Deepwater Horizon oil spill in April 2010 shortly after he joined Global Diving & Salvage. Following the Deepwater Horizon disaster, Coppinger worked for more than five years as a deep sea diver and supervisor on a variety of high-profile marine construction and salvage operations.

Coppinger now focuses on leading project development and the execution of multimillion-dollar marine projects in both public and private sectors. He is part of Global’s marine construction, engineering and technology division and supports the estimating department. Coppinger also uses his field experience and equipment expertise to bring a new perspective to marine construction.

Coppinger’s interests also extend beyond Global Diving & Salvage. He is involved in various veteran associations and actively supports the reintegration of past service members into civilian society.

His Army career and living abroad motivates him to help others learn to speak English. Coppinger holds a Teaching English as a Second Language certificate, volunteering his time at the Seattle Public Libraries and the Tacoma Technical College as well as at the American Academy in Vietnam.

As part of a recent sabbatical, Coppinger traveled to Southeast Asia and participated in various humanitarian aid efforts, leading him to volunteer during the construction of a seawall in Indonesia and participate as a dental hygiene instructor for the East Meets West Dental Center in Vietnam.

Kim Faust
Multitasking project execution
37, Senior Vice President
Main Street Property Group
Seattle

Now in her fifth year with Main Street Property Group, Faust oversees the firm’s development and construction activities in the Puget Sound region.

She is responsible for more than $300 million in construction and coordinates mixed-use, multifamily residential and commercial projects. During her first year, Faust guided two $25-million construction projects that were completed on time and within budget.

A native of Seattle’s Eastside, Faust attended Eastlake High School in Sammamish and earned a scholarship to Santa Clara University in 1997. While there, she played Division I basketball for four years, earning a bachelor’s degree in marketing in 2001.

Before joining Main Street, Faust closed more than $250 million in equity financing with development partners for numerous types of real estate projects.

Faust’s colleagues credit her with striving to create better and more sustainable communities for customers while expanding her development and construction expertise to include diverse projects.

“There’s a reason one of our construction general contractors nicknamed Kim ‘Turbo,’” says Kelly Price, president, Main Street Property Group. “She has a remarkable internal drive to make each project better than the last. Her positive energy and determination ignite the energy and passion that has shaped Main Street into who we are today.”

In 2016, Faust was named to the Top 40 Under 40 list for Seattle’s Puget Sound Business Journal.

In her free time, Faust coaches youth softball, basketball and soccer in Kirkland, Wash.

“There’s a reason one of our construction general contractors nicknamed Kim [Faust] ‘Turbo.’ She has a remarkable internal drive to make each project better than the last.” 
—KELLY PRICE, President, Main Street Property Group

Jeremy Mason
A talent for large-scale projects
37, Vice President and Regional Manager
Kleinfelder
Sacramento, Calif.

Mason has been involved in all aspects of engineering and project management related to construction management.

His expertise also includes managing large-scale transportation programs and alternative delivery methods. Mason plays a role in the engineering, construction management, design and environmental professional services firm’s projects across the nation and recently assisted with the Eagle Commuter Railway in Denver.

In 2011, Kleinfelder awarded Mason a Bronze Technical Excellence Award for services on the I-405 Renton Stage 1 design-build project. His current project, the I-405 Express Toll Lanes design-build project, runs 34 linear miles and includes a braided ramp, multiple walls and new tolling infrastructure to create two 17-mile express lanes. Mason’s other notable projects include the third runway at SEATAC; Sound Transit’s Central Link, University Link, Northgate Link and East Link programs; and the I-5 HOV expansions.

Most recently, American General Contractors, Washington, and American Council of Engineering Cos. nominated Mason to represent them as part of the Washington State Dept. of Transportation’s design-build subcommittee as an industry expert.

He has also presented at Kleinfelder’s technical training seminar on multiple occasions, authoring presentations on design-build methodology, how to estimate for alternative delivery, how to pursue and successfully execute alternative delivery programs and what makes a successful quality management plan.

A 2003 graduate of Montana State University—where he earned a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering in 2003—Mason is a licensed professional engineer in five states, including Washington.

An Eagle Scout, Mason volunteered for the Boy Scouts of America between 2012 and 2016, serving as a wolf den leader.

He and his wife have an autistic son, prompting them to become advocates for special-needs legislation and education reform in Washington while also supporting Autism Speaks.

Don Nguyen
Building bridges
27, Junior Bridge Engineer
COWI
Seattle

Even though he is not yet 30, Nguyen is experienced at engineering complex bridge projects. Earlier in his career, he worked on analysis models for the St. Croix River Crossing approaches in Minnesota; analysis/design for the concrete towers of the Ohio River East End Bridge near Louisville, Ky.; and analysis, design and construction services for the Champlain Bridge rehabilitation project in Montreal.

Working from COWI’s Seattle office, Nguyen has been active in the local Seattle section of the American Society of Civil Engineers and its Younger Member Forum. Beginning in 2013, he has served in a variety of positions and is currently house and hospitality chair.

“Don has received accolades from his employer for his leadership and organizational skills, willingness to take on challenging projects and dedication to the profession,” says Courtney Davis, KPFF. “His dedication to community and civil engineering is an inspiration to all.”

Early last year, the American Society of Civil Engineers Western Region Younger Member Council named Nguyen as the Outstanding Younger Member in Community Activities. The Seattle technical section of ASCE also selected him for DiscoverE’s 2016 Outstanding Volunteer.

Nguyen is involved in school outreach and often participates in engineering career fairs and community service activities such as Habitat for Humanity, Rebuilding Together and Seattle Works Day.

He earned his bachelor’s degree in civil engineering from the University of Washington and a master’s degree in the same field, focusing on structural engineering.

Tarelle Osborn
Dedication started in younger years
37, President
Osborn Consulting Inc.
Bellevue, Wash.

Growing up on a dairy farm, Osborn learned the value of hard work at an early age.

To pay for her bachelor’s degree—she studied civil engineering at Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology in Terra Haute, Ind.—she laid miles of sewer pipe throughout Whatcom County, Wash.

When she started Osborn Consulting, a full-service civil engineering firm, in 2004, Osborn had two main goals: create a company that puts client service and experience first and create opportunities for every employee.

“I have constantly been impressed with Tarelle’s confidence in her own abilities to found and run a firm on her own in a male-dominated industry, especially at a young age,” says Kristina L. Swallow, city of Las Vegas engineering program manager. “As she has grown her firm in employees and services provided, she has continued to impress me and many others in the industry with her integrity and intensity.”

Osborn continues to team up with—and pass along project opportunities to—other qualified small businesses to develop a larger pool of companies capable of working for cities and local agencies.

She is also a crucial influence on public agencies in the Puget Sound region for expanding or creating programs to encourage the hiring of women- or minority-owned small businesses.

Osborn and her firm have been recognized for their accomplishments. Last year, she was named the American Society of Civil Engineers’ National Entrepreneur of the Year. In 2015 and 2016, Osborn Consulting was named the Puget Sound Business Journal’s Best Workplace in the 10- to 49-employee category. Additionally in 2016, Osborn Consulting was named Employer of the Year by the Women’s Transportation Seminar, Puget Sound Chapter, an organization that advances women in transportation.

Osborn and her firm also work for the community. She organizes and leads the company’s efforts, including recently cleaning a local park and sorting events for local food banks.

“I have constantly been impressed with Tarelle [Osborn’s] confidence in her own abilities to found and run a firm on her own in a male-dominated industry, especially at a young age.”
—KRISTINA L. SWALLOW, City of Las Vegas, Engineering Program Manager

Andrea Rayner
Traces career to high school
36, Principal Management Consultant
Arcadis U.S. Inc.
Portland, Ore.

Rayner’s environmental consulting career started in high school, when she worked as a technician in a geotechnical firm’s soils laboratory.

In 2003, she earned her bachelor’s degree in environmental health and chemistry from Lake Superior State University, Sault Ste. Marie, Mich. During her college years, she participated in the Water for People program, which develops sustainable water sources in developing nations. That experience culminated with a trip to Tanzania that was canceled after one week due to the 9/11 terrorist attacks.

Throughout her career, Rayner has won high marks for technological solutions and lean practices to improve client’s compliance with jurisdictional regulations and portfolio management for each project.

Rayner now leads a series of teams to manage environmental health, safety, portfolio or product compliance programs. Her teams work with several clients in Fortune 500 companies.

Her management style and organizational approach includes maximizing technology, including leveraging apps and other cloud-based software to offer transparent work progress, documents and budget management. She is also an advocate for workforce diversification through the adoption of workplace programs.

She received an Arcadis Innovation Award 2014 and was a finalist for the Arcadis Paul L. Busch Prize, an honor bestowed upon a staff member who has demonstrated a commitment to making significant professional contributions to the firm early in their careers.

Rayner is a new arrival to Portland from the Detroit area. A mother, Rayner also volunteers to engage parents in the special education program in her child’s school district.

Laura Ruppert
Skill set helps company grow
36, Vice President of Engineering
Osborn Consulting
Bellevue, Wash.

Credited for her leadership skills, Ruppert has headed up development of small stormwater projects that include water resources, sanitary sewer and civil-site design services.

As a project manager for Osborn Consulting, Ruppert recently managed several high-profile projects, including a $4.5-million stormwater retrofit project for the city of Sammamish and capital improvement plans for the city of Shoreline, specifically for the Boeing Creek, Storm Creek, Ballinger Creek and McAleer Creek Basin.

As one of the firm’s top sales leaders, Ruppert has driven the expansion of Osborn Consulting’s client base from a few local clients in 2010 to most municipalities throughout the Puget Sound region. In part thanks to her work, the firm’s annual revenue has grown 800% since 2010.

Ruppert and Osborn Consulting owner and president Tarelle Osborn have achieved their successes with little concern about glass ceilings. The firm’s staff is currently 71% women.

Ruppert gives back to her community in numerous ways. One example is her work with the city of Renton, where she helped install markers next to storm drains as a way to reduce Puget Sound pollution. The crux of the program is to remind residents that storm drains are for runoff water and not a place to dump unwanted liquids.

Serving as a board member and director of technical committees of the American Society of Civil Engineers Seattle Section from 2011 through 2014, Ruppert led the effort to compile and promote ASCE’s Washington State Infrastructure Report Card Update, which identified critical infrastructure needs and funding gaps.

She earned her bachelor’s degree in civil engineering from the University of Washington in 2002, joining Osborn Consulting in 2010.

“Laura has always prioritized and found the time to give back to the industry and community,” says Osborn.

Erik Timmons
Not too busy to give back
36, President and CEO
Yorke & Curtis Inc.
Beaverton, Ore.

Timmons has worked his way from assistant project manager, a job he held when he was just out of college, to the company president, running daily operations for general contractor Yorke & Curtis.

Colleagues praise him for his vision and for leading the team to excellence. Timmons earned his bachelor’s degree in Christian ministries from Indiana Wesleyan University in 2002. He served on the board of the Pacific Northwest Chapter of the Associated Builders and Contractors for three years and was on the ABC for Young Professionals national committee. He has spoken both nationally and locally on how social media can be used in construction.

Married and a father of three, Timmons volunteers weekly at his church in Wilsonville and has raised money and packed food boxes for the Salvation Army. He also supports the Children’s Cancer Association and Africa New Life and sponsors local sports teams.

Timmons was also recently interviewed on the Ideation Nation Podcast after Yorke & Curtis was listed as one of the Top 100 Fastest Growing companies in Oregon.

Garrett Yager
Knowledge pays off in challenging environments
38, Associate
Michael Baker International
Anchorage

At the beginning of his career, Yager worked as a hydrographic surveyor conducting bathymetric surveys for coastal engineering projects, oil and gas development, offshore nautical charting and dredging contracts. Today, he is a water resources engineer specializing in 1D- and 2D-surface-water models for numerous applications. He also develops models for roads and work pads in flood-prone areas.

Clients praise Yager’s development of a real-time flood monitoring network using available cellular and web-based technology. The network, which remotely monitors water levels, pier scour and ice jams, reduces helicopter use for flood monitoring.

“Through all stressful and challenging situations, Garrett maintains an even, patient temperament and his sense of humor. As such he is a natural leader whom others wish to emulate,” says Shawn Snisareanko, Anchorage office vice president, Michael Baker International.

In 2008, Yager received the Dr. Alex Hills Engineering and Civic Engagement Award for working with a local nonprofit organization to improve water quality in local streams.

Yager earned a master’s degree, specializing in water resources, from the University of Alaska. While serving in the university’s Anchorage Engineers Without Borders group, he helped launch a project to improve drinking water and cooking facilities at the Rhema Grace Orphanage in Cameroon.

He frequently participates in Engineers Week, where he attends functions at local schools, speaking to students about the benefits of engineering careers.

“Through all stressful and challenging situations, Garrett [Yager] maintains an even, patient temperament and his sense of humor. As such he is a natural leader whom others wish to emulate.”
—SHAWN SNISAREANKO, Anchorage Office Vice President, Michael Baker International