Top 20 Under 40: Meet the Judges
ENR’s Top 20 Under 40 for 2019 was selected from 340 nominations submitted last fall from all industry sectors and across the U.S. Candidates had to be under 40 years old as of Jan. 1, 2019. ENR’s 10 regional U.S. editions assembled local juries that identified up to 20 people for selection in each region. The top five scoring candidates in each region automatically advanced to the national level, where a new panel of judges, working independently, reviewed those top 50 selections to choose 20 individuals to represent the pinnacle of leadership skill, community service, work ethic and talent. The national Top 20 Under 40 judges were also charged with selecting a group that reflects diversity of all kinds found in the construction industry.
Colby Barrett, CEO
GeoStabilization International
Grand Junction, Colo.
Colby Barrett is a passionate leader within the geohazard mitigation industry. He has worked on stabilization projects for more than 15 years, managing projects throughout North America and New Zealand.
Barrett has authored numerous papers on landslide and erosion control as well as Geosynthetically Confined Soil technology. He is an active geotechnical researcher in soil nailing and confined soils, holds several patents in the field, serves as a member of the Deep Foundations Institute Landslide/Slope Stabilization Committee, and is vice president of The Association of Geohazard Professionals. A recent recipient of the prestigious Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award, Colby was also named an ENR National Top 20 Under 40 last year.
Barrett, who served as a captain in the United States Marine Corps, led both infantry and scout/sniper platoons throughout the Pacific Rim and Middle East as part of various operations including Noble Eagle and Enduring Freedom, where he earned the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal for outstanding performance.
Brad Brown, President
Austin Commercial LP
Dallas-Fort Worth, Texas
Brown joined Austin Commercial in 1998 and previously directed the human resources and marketing/business development departments during his tenure with the company. He also served as president and chief executive of TEXO, a commercial contractors association affiliated with the national Associated Builders and Contractors Inc. (ABC) and The Associated General Contractors of America (AGC).
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Mark DeVerges, Senior Manager
DHG
Ashville, N.C.
DeVerges leads his firm’s construction and real estate executive search recruiting team, an executive search and recruiting service line of Dixon Hughes Goodman, a Top 20 CPA and advisory firm.
DeVerges has more than 12 years of experience with C-Suite to critical management level recruitment specifically focusing within the construction and real estate industries locally, regionally, and across North America. He has served on many boards, is active within industry associations and is a regular speaker and contributor for groups such as the Construction Financial Management Association, Carolinas AGC, ENR and The Conference Board Review among others.
Ryan Gallagher, Area Manager, Vice President
Gannett Fleming
Irvine, Calif.
Gallagher serves as an area manager for Gannett Fleming’s water group where he supports water and wastewater clients from Ventura County to Orange County. Gallagher’s expertise includes leading multidisciplinary design teams on complex water infrastructure and treatment projects, advanced planning, alternative delivery, and program management.
Barbara Mullenex, Managing Principal, Washington, D.C. & Board Director
Perkins Eastman
Washington, D.C.
Responsible for supporting and strengthening the firm’s mission and values through consistent communication and participation with clients, support organizations, and philanthropic associations, Mullenex has led the design and management of numerous high-profile projects for clients such as Marriott, WeWork WeLive, Global Holdings and World Bank.
Mullenex, who is recognized for her contributions to hospitality, residential, mixed use and workplace projects, has a passion for mentorship, inclusion, growth and change. She joined Perkins Eastman as a studio leader in Washington, D.C. in 2013 bringing with her an expertise in strategic planning, organizational strategy, talent development, and outcome based management for projects of all scales. In 2015, she joined the firm’s board of directors, and is now the managing principal in Washington, D.C. – Perkins Eastman’s second largest office.
She serves on the executive committee and membership committee of the Federal City Council, is a member of the Economic Club of Washington D.C. and the International Women’s Forum. She has served on the board on the National Symphony Orchestra and is currently vice chair of the Maryland Youth Ballet Board.
Ashley Poage, Industry Marketing Manager
Autodesk
Boston, Mass.
Poage is the industry marketing manager for Autodesk’s infrastructure strategy and marketing group.
At Autodesk, she guides infrastructure strategy and marketing through thought leadership, campaigns, customer storytelling and content. Prior to Autodesk, she led marketing for the New England Region at Stantec as the regional team leader. Poage has been involved in Boston’s AEC industry both as a marketing professional,and as a former committee member for the Society of Marketing Professionals (SMPS), Boston chapter, where she organized AEC industry events. She has also held various marketing roles at CBT Architects and Bain Consulting.
