ENR California & Northwest's 2024 Top Young Professionals
Each year a group of dynamic and enterprising young professionals under the age of 40 are recognized by ENR California and ENR Northwest for their extraordinary leadership and service. This year, 20 individuals were selected from California and Hawaii, while 10 were tapped from Washington, Oregon and Alaska.
A panel of volunteer judges evaluated the nominees on their experience and education; career accomplishments and leadership; and community service and involvement. This year’s judges for ENR California were 2020 ENR Northwest Top Young Pro Mannie Barnes, Guy F. Atkinson Construction; 2016 ENR California Top Young Pro Michael Boomsma, Cordoba Corp.; 2020 ENR California Top Young Pro Wendy MacLeod, Turner Construction Co.; and 2023 ENR California Top Young Pro Michelle Rabinovich, Shawmut.
This year’s judges for ENR Northwest were 2022 National 20 Under 40 winner Diego de Veyga, Flatiron, and 2023 National 20 Under 40 Winner Kabri Lehrman-Schmid, Hensel Phelps.
This year’s group of 30 up-and-comers found their calling in the fields of architecture, construction and engineering by following unique paths.
They have climbed their way up the ranks of their respective companies, impressing superiors and inspiring peers. Along the way, they have demonstrated hard work and passion for their chosen fields. These individuals have led large teams through multimillion-dollar projects, broken ground with new innovations and delivery methods, championed the growth of women and minorities in construction and kept a close eye on a more sustainable future.
While all of the honorees are dedicated to their professions, they still manage to find time to give back to their communities. They have volunteered with industry groups and contributed to community based organizations, displaying a great level of compassion for others.
ENR thanks the judges for their time and hard work and congratulates the 2024 regional Top Young Professionals.
“Structural engineering combines my love for challenge and purpose with the joy of creating buildings that are aesthetically pleasing and safe for the community.”
—Ryan Anderson, 38, Principal, Managing Director of Structural Engineering, Walter P Moore
Allie Ackerman
ENR California
36, Project Manager
Hensel Phelps
Honolulu
Specializing in wastewater, federal and industrial construction, Ackerman has overseen a range of projects, including the $627-million U.S. Army Corps of Engineers data center at Fort Meade, Md., and the $420-million Sand Island Wastewater Treatment Plant Secondary Treatment Phase I project in Honolulu, which she’s currently leading as project manager.
Ackerman first joined Hensel Phelps in the MidAtlantic region. She transferred to the Pacific region in 2016, and just three years later she was promoted to project manager overseeing a majority of the firm’s wastewater projects in the area.
Beyond her work at Sand Island, Ackerman assists the estimating department with wastewater pursuits and has helped to secure more than $1 billion in wastewater treatment plant revenue backlog across the region. Embracing Hensel Phelps’ philosophy of “training your replacement,” Ackerman mentors colleagues in the office and the field and serves on the leadership planning committee of the firm’s Pacific region W-Net group, supporting career growth opportunities for women.
Heather Anderson
ENR California
39, Project Manager
HNTB
Los Angeles
Inspired by her father’s career at Caltrans, Anderson became a transportation engineer. She spent the first eight years of her career with CH2M Hill, then joined HNTB in 2018, growing from design engineer to project manager overseeing numerous projects. Those have included the SR-91/Central Avenue to Acacia Court PS&E and the Doran Grade Separation project for LA Metro, among many others.
In addition to her project management role, Anderson takes on business development and quality manager duties while also serving as client service leader for Caltrans District 7 and as a mentor to rising fellow engineers. Since receiving a scholarship from the Women’s Transportation Seminar (WTS) as an undergrad, Anderson has remained active with the organization, serving on the board for more than seven years. She is currently the WTS-LA board president, leading development of programs that promote diversity and inclusivity with the aim of providing more women with opportunities in construction and transportation.
Ryan Anderson
ENR California
38, Principal, Managing Director of Structural Engineering
Walter P Moore
San Diego
As managing director of Walter P Moore’s San Diego office, Anderson oversees all operations in the region, including winning new projects and developing business opportunities.
His career began as a project manager at John A. Martin & Associates, where he spent nine years before joining Walter P Moore in 2017, becoming a principal the following year. From a leadership position, Anderson focuses on recruiting and retention, spearheading office planning initiatives and organizing social gatherings and team-building activities.
Anderson’s project portfolio includes several notable sports and entertainment venues, including SoFi Stadium, Intuit Dome and Acrisure Arena. Other work has focused on academic projects, with a focus on the University of California and other higher education campuses.
Within the firm, Anderson commits time to several internal committees, such as the design-build community of practice and the sports community of practice. Beyond the office, he regularly contributes to beach cleanup initiatives and local food drives. Anderson also helps to inspire the next generation of engineers through K-12 classrooms and through the ACE Mentoring Program, where he has volunteered since 2011.
Chad Arthur
ENR California
37, Northwest Region VDC and Design Integration Leader
DPR Construction
Sacramento
Following a more unconventional path, Arthur began his career at age 20 at ImageWorks Architecture, where he created the company’s first BIM library and VDC department while also detailing churches and libraries as a project designer.
He went on to build his skills over the next 12 years at TITAN AEC and then at Dreyfuss + Blackford Architecture, where he was promoted to director of design technology while playing a leading role on key project pursuits. Since joining DPR in 2018, Arthur has been involved in projects such as the UC Davis Sacramento Ambulatory Surgery Center, where he served as design manager and VDC leader.
In his role as VDC and design process leader for the Northwest region, Arthur also implements VDC on projects across the region. From 2017 through 2023, Arthur taught courses as an adjunct professor at the University of California Berkeley Extension with a focus on BIM and virtual design as part of the construction management certification program. In addition to his professional responsibilities, Arthur makes time for numerous community programs, including Architecture Pavilions, and he mentors high school students through the ACE Mentorship program.
“I believe that no matter what the job is, the vast majority of work can be accomplished with communication, critical thinking and problem-solving.”
—Nick Chen, 34, Community Planner/Urban Designer, Kimley-Horn
Sue Bhattacharjee
ENR California
39, Director of Preconstruction
Herrero Builders
San Francisco
After earning a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering at the University of Mumbai, Bhattacharjee came to the U.S. to pursue her master’s degree in construction management at Texas A&M University.
Upon graduation in 2008, she moved to the West Coast, where she worked on her first shear retrofit hospital for the Office of Statewide Health Planning and Development with Hensel Phelps. She joined DPR in 2014 and began to transition toward preconstruction before joining Herrero Builders in 2021 to focus on growing people, processes and software to improve the company’s preconstruction practices. Bhattacharjee is also a lead preconstruction executive on the multi-billion-dollar new hospital project for UC San Francisco at Parnassus Heights.
A commitment to mentoring and creating an industry that is safer and more diverse drives her to participate in events with DBIA and ENR, such as Groundbreaking Women in Construction. Her many community outreach efforts include events with Turning Wheels for Kids and Second Harvest Food Bank.
Kasie Bowden
ENR California
39, Project Superintendent
Hensel Phelps
Irvine, Calif.
As one of a growing group of women who are running projects from the field, Bowden has managed more than $1.5 billion in work during her 17-year career at Hensel Phelps in the education, health care and aviation sectors. She joined the firm in 2006 and is currently project superintendent on the $730-million UC Irvine Medical Center project.
Given her personal experience of growing up in a family with two mothers, Bowden felt driven to reach out to her local LGBTQ+ colleagues during the pandemic, kick-starting virtual meetups. In 2013, she co-founded the nonprofit Women in Construction Operations (WiOPS) to grow a community for female leaders in construction operations. She serves as the governing board president of WiOPS, which has grown into separate Northern and Southern California chapters and a New York City chapter with more than 2,500 members combined.
As part of her efforts to pave the way forward for women in construction, Bowden created a maternity leave road map while pregnant with her first child in 2016. She has since helped launch an unofficial employee resource group for working moms in construction.
Courtney Brozovsky
ENR Northwest
36, GIS Specialist
AECOM
Anchorage
It took just one required undergrad course in GIS at Alaska Pacific University for Brozovsky to find her career path. She took on her first full-time GIS position with the Alaska Dept. of Natural Resources as a GIS analyst, where she created a public GIS data repository and webmap for a proposed hydroelectric dam.
In 2013, she joined AECOM’s Anchorage team and has been a vital contributor ever since. In her current role, Brozovsky performs geospatial-related tasks for internal and external clients. After learning about GISP accreditation, Brozovsky quickly pursued the educational and community requirements and promptly achieved accreditation in 2015. She was part of the first cohort of GISP candidates to take an exam for certification.
For the last decade, she has been a member of the Alaska Arc User Group, where she has served in a variety of positions. Brozovsky’s portfolio includes career-defining projects such as the Susitna-Watana Hydroelectric Project for the Alaska Energy Authority and the Bering Sea-Western Interior Resource Management Plan and Environmental Impact Statement for the U.S. Dept. of the Interior and Bureau of Land Management.
Nick Chen
ENR Northwest
34, Community Planner/Urban Designer
Kimley-Horn
Seattle
An urban designer and community planner, Chen began his career as an architectural assistant at the San Diego Zoo. He went on to work at Galloway Group and Michael Baker International before joining Kimley-Horn in 2017.
During his time in Southern California, Chen worked on such projects as the Costa Mesa 2021-2029 Housing Element Update, which established policies and objectives to meet Costa Mesa’s current and future housing needs. Two years ago, Chen relocated to Seattle, where he now leads the land planning and entitlements team. He also serves as office production coordinator, assisting partners across all four Pacific Northwest offices with profitability reviews.
Throughout his career, Chen has taken leadership roles in multiple professional organizations, including the American Planning Association and the University of Washington’s Urban Planning and Design Professionals Council. From 2017 to 2021, Chen was a visiting lecturer at UCI, where he taught a course in annual site planning and design. Away from the office, he volunteers as a coach with the American Youth Soccer Organization.
“I was lucky to have mentors over the years who prioritized helping me to be a better leader. Grow the next generation to continue to push boundaries, innovate and inspire the next.”
—KK Clark, 35, Project Executive, Clark Construction
KK Clark
ENR California
35, Project Executive
Clark Construction
San Diego
Just hours after her team’s final presentation in February 2013 at Clark Construction’s design-build graduate student competition for the Associated Schools of Construction in Reno, Nev., Clark received a hand-delivered offer letter to join the company.
She worked on multiple large projects in her first year at Clark, from the $463-million Highland Hospital Acute Care project in Oakland, Calif., to tenant improvement work for United Airlines at San Francisco International Airport. In 2016, she relocated to Pullman, Wash., to manage Washington State University’s Spark: Academic Innovation Hub. Today, Clark manages work at the UC San Diego while also supporting projects across Southern California.
As a leading force behind multiple workplace initiatives, Clark served on Clark Construction’s national inclusion and diversity sounding board from 2020 to 2021 to help develop the firm’s strategic inclusion and diversity road map. In 2021, she helped found the company’s first employee resource group, the LGBTQ+ Employee Advocacy Program and served on its board until becoming executive champion in 2023. In every location she has worked, Clark has found time to give back to local charities such as the Boys and Girls Club in San Francisco, Mary’s Place in Seattle and the San Diego Rescue Mission.
Katherine Doherty
ENR California
39, City Engineer
City of Manhattan Beach
Manhattan Beach, Calif.
Doherty began her career with the city of Los Angeles as a civil engineering associate. While working, she earned a master’s degree in civil engineering in 2009 and moved up the ranks to senior environmental engineer. Her roles included managing the $500-million Los Angeles River Taylor Yard G2 Projects and stormwater projects such as the Echo Park Lake Rehabilitation and the Machado Ecosystem Lake Rehabilitation.
In 2021, Doherty became city engineer for the city of Manhattan Beach, overseeing the design and construction of city infrastructure, buildings and transportation systems. Among projects now under her purview are the reconstruction of Fire Station No. 2 to replace the original station that was built in 1954 and the Polliwog Park project, which will act as a flood detention basin.
During her time with the city of Los Angeles, Doherty participated in monthly mentoring sessions to discuss career advancement and experiences, and, since joining the city of Manhattan Beach, she has introduced a similar program to mentor rising leaders within the Public Works Dept.
Within the industry, Doherty regularly attends American Public Works Association events and has presented projects at the Water Environment Federation’s technical exhibition and conferences.
“If you have a problem or issue with someone, try helping them solve their issue instead. You’ll often find you resolve the issue for both of you—and you might make a friend along the way.”
—Stacey Flint, 33, Senior Project Manager, JE Dunn Construction Co.
Stacey Flint
ENR Northwest
33, Senior Project Manager
JE Dunn Construction Co.
Beaverton, Ore.
Flint first joined JE Dunn as an intern while earning a master’s degree in construction management with a specialty in sustainability from Southern Polytechnic State University. She joined the firm full time as a project engineer in 2014.
Working her way up the ranks, Flint contributed to numerous projects at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport in Atlanta. In 2022, she was promoted to senior project manager and relocated to Portland, Ore., to work on projects at the Port of Portland and Portland International Airport. Recent major projects include the $334-million design-build Portland Airport Parking and Consolidated Rental Car Facility and the TriMet Powell Bus Maintenance Facility.
Helping guide the next generation of industry professionals is a priority for Flint, who has mentors both at JE Dunn and through the National Association of Women in Construction. She helped form JE Dunn’s internal networking group for women and co-leads the group in Portland. Another passion for Flint has been championing the minority and small business community in Portland. In addition to volunteer work at Habitat for Humanity and Catalyst NW, Flint has spearheaded several collection drives and events for Rose Haven, a day shelter for women and children.
“Sustainability goes beyond reducing carbon emissions. It's about blending environmental stewardship while fostering diversity, equity and inclusion.”
—Celia Hoag, 38, Sustainability Leader - Southwest, DPR Construction
Rob Foster
ENR California
38, Preconstruction Project Manager
Sundt Construction Inc.
San Diego
Foster’s first role with Sundt Construction was as an estimator in 2008. He worked his way up the ranks, from field engineer to preconstruction project manager. Today, Foster is leading Sundt’s team on the $95- million San Diego International Airport Administration Building. Although power shutdowns were necessary at active terminals, there were zero impacts to passengers or flight operations. His other major projects include the $227-million SDIA Terminal 2 Landside Expansion and the $240-million SDIA Rental Car Center.
As a member of AGC’s airport authority liaison committee, Foster works to improve the contracting and delivery experience at SDIA. Within the community, Foster adopts a military family during the holidays each year through the Support the Enlisted Program and participates in the Baja Challenge to build houses in Mexico through Project Mercy. He works with the Healing Our Heroes’ Homes campaign as well, restoring homes for disabled veterans.
Michael Golias
ENR California
35, Associate Principal, Vice President
Langan
Irvine, Calif.
When Golias joined Langan in 2011 as a new graduate, he started off as a staff engineer at the Lawrenceville, N.J., office, where he focused mostly on warehouse development. Thanks to consistent achievements and business growth in the years following, he quickly rose through the ranks, becoming an associate principal at age 35, making him one of Langan’s youngest shareholders ever.
Golias relocated to Irvine, Calif., in 2019 to grow Langan’s site/civil practice. He has served as civil engineer of record for large-scale projects across Southern California, including a 4.3-million-sq-ft multistory fulfillment center in Ontario and a 1-million-sq-ft fulfillment center in Victorville.
As an active member of NAIOP SoCal, Golias participates with the mentor/mentee program, providing students with insight and guidance while raising awareness and support for scholarships. He is also involved with several community-based organizations, including the OC Food Bank and Salvation Army Angel Tree program. As a past member of the Boy Scouts of America and a former Eagle Scout, Golias regularly participates in other charitable efforts, including community clothing and food drives and fundraising for the SIDS Foundation.
Celia Hoag
ENR California
38, Sustainability Leader, Southwest
DPR Construction
San Diego
Hoag has more than 16 years of experience implementing sustainable solutions in the built environment. She came to San Diego in 2008 from Australia to work for DNV, where she created sustainable and energy efficient designs for commercial and residential building projects.
In 2021, she came to DPR Construction to lead sustainability efforts across the Southwest. Hoag has developed greenhouse gas emissions forecasting tools and was vital in the design and launch of two industry-leading utility programs: Southern California Edison’s Sustainable Communities Program and Consumers Energy’s Zero Net Energy Pilot Program.
At DPR jobsites, Hoag champions initiatives such as a zero-waste culture that has yielded an average diversion rate of 82% across the region as well as a zero single-use plastic jobsite initiative and retro-commissioning projects for the San Diego and Phoenix offices that has lowered DPR’s operational carbon emissions by 20% in the last year.
Beyond the office, she is a member of the San Diego Green Building Council, having recently joined its Building Connections Mentorship Program as a mentor, and she volunteers at National Association of Women in Construction’s summer and spring break construction camps for middle and high school students. She is also co-leader of the San Diego women employee resource group at DPR.
Rohan Jawali
ENR California
38, Founder & CEO
Joist.ai
San Diego
From the California Air Resources Board headquarters to UC Irvine expansions, the San Diego Courthouse and Rady Children’s Hospital, Jawali has played a role on a wide range of projects across Southern California.
In 2009, he moved to San Diego to join Hensel Phelps. In addition to his responsibilities on the jobsite, Jawali was instrumental in the internal development of the company’s virtual design and technology department. He developed more than 60 mobile applications dedicated to safety.
In 2021, Jawali left Hensel Phelps to found Joist.ai, a software and data management company that helps AEC firms curate and organize content and data to help create high quality proposals.
Beyond the workplace, he’s an advocate of machine learning and artificial intelligence, working to educate the industry on the technology and how it can be effectively applied. In addition, Jawali has been actively involved with AGC, SMPS and the ACE Mentor program.
Jawali also works with organizations such as Startup San Diego, On Deck San Francisco and the SD Founders Hike.
“Be humble and honest in accepting what you know and when and where you need help. Seek the help and continue being honest. You will learn so much and that takes you to the next level.”
—Sue Bhattacharjee, 39, Director of Preconstruction, Herrero Builders
Paolo Leon
ENR California
37, Partner
AO
Orange, Calif.
With a career spanning nearly two decades in the architecture industry, Leon worked for MVE + Partners and Taylor Design before joining AO in 2020 as a principal and leader of the global design studio.
In 2021, he began leading a team in the multifamily practice, creating processes to help his team work collaboratively with the company’s 16 other specialty areas. His team was responsible for 50% of the firm’s $115 million in billings over the past year, and in December 2023, he was promoted to partner.
With a vast project portfolio, some of Leon’s most notable projects include The Market Place Apartments and Promenade Village in Irvine and Emerald Apartments in Los Angeles. Dedicated to evolving the architectural industry and profession, Leon serves as vice president/president elect of the American Institute of Architects Orange County chapter and is a director on the board of the American Institute of Architects California.
When he was in fifth grade, Leon was a student with Think Together, a nonprofit that implements academic solutions to help underserved children throughout California. With the group’s support, he was able to attend Sage Hill High School, setting him on the path toward his architecture career. Today, he is the first alumnus to serve on Think Together’s board and is also co-chair of its Friends of Shalimar committee.
Michael Lubovich
ENR Northwest
37, Operations Manager, Vice President
Kennedy Jenks Consultants Inc.
Federal Way, Wash.
Although Lubovich originally planned to go into automotive design, his first job after earning a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from Gonzaga University was with engineering consulting firm Parametrix—a fortunate accident that ended up putting him on his current career path.
After eight years there, he joined Kennedy Jenks in 2016, quickly rising from project engineer to operations manager in 2020, then to vice president—the highest level of employee ownership at KJ—in 2022. In his current role as operations manager, Lubovich helped KJ’s Washington business grow its sales from $2 million in 2017 to $10 million in 2023.
His portfolio features a range of projects, including the Washougal-Reservoir and Booster Station and the Belfair WRF Sewer Extension, where Lubovich led a gap assessment and redesigned an expansion solution that reduced the expected budget by half.
As an avid reader, Lubovich helped launch KJ’s book club to discuss ideas for improving company culture, processes and internal communication, along with a companion podcast showcasing individuals across the firm.
He is an active member of several industry groups, including the American Water Works Association and the Pacific Northwest Clean Water Association.
“I think being decisive and going for what you want is very important. If you don’t know, you can’t aim in the right direction.”
—Courtney Brozovsky, 36, GIS Specialist, AECOM
Bryan Maggio
ENR Northwest
38, Project Executive
Mortenson
Kirkland, Wash.
While pursuing a bachelor’s degree in construction science at Drexel University, Maggio served as an assistant project engineer at T.G. Nickel & Associates on the interior renovation of an active hospital, sparking his passion for health care construction.
Maggio spent the first eight years of his career with Gilbane in New York, leading such projects as the multiphased renovation of the New York Presbyterian Morgan Stanley Children’s Hospital. In 2017, Maggio decided to relocate to Puget Sound to be closer to family and joined Mortenson.
He served as Puget Sound health care market leader from 2018 to 2021, then as director of business development over the next three years. In January, he was promoted to project executive on the $1.3-billion North Tower expansion at Swedish Health Services’ First Hill Hospital.
Within Mortenson, Maggio serves on the Seattle safety leadership team and is an executive chair of the community impact team. In the broader industry, he commits time to the Washington State Society for Healthcare Engineering, American Society for Healthcare Engineering and the DBIA.
In addition to mentoring younger professionals, Maggio is an assistant varsity coach for the Mount Si High School lacrosse club and serves on the executive committee of the American Heart Association’s Hard Hats with Health campaign in Puget Sound.
“I was told many years ago to listen to the conversations around me, especially those with people who have been in construction for a long time. I have learned so much by just listening.”
—Danica L. Mason, 37, Principal, RedTeam Go
Ioanna Magiati
ENR California
38, Partner
AO
Orange, Calif.
Originally from Greece, Magiati moved to Southern California in 2007 to pursue a master’s degree in architecture from California State Polytechnic University, Pomona. She specializes in complex multifamily and mixed-use developments.
Magiati leads AO’s R&D efforts and heads the company’s internship program. Magiati became both the youngest and first woman partner at AO in 2023.
Among her landmark projects are multifamily communities VRV and Cloud House in Stanton, Calif., Dupont Village in San Jose and Iowa Apartments in Riverside. Magiati is active with multiple professional organizations, including the Urban Land Institute Orange County and Inland Empire Chapter and the California Housing Consortium. She also serves on the design council for the Modular Building Institute.
In addition to leading AO’s corporate giving programs since 2013, Magiati serves as a member of Cal Poly Pomona’s ARC alumni advisory board.
Danica L. Mason
ENR Northwest
37, Principal
RedTeam Go
Snohomish, Wash.
Mason began working as an administrative assistant at H.W. Lochner while finishing her bachelor’s degree in literature at Seattle University. She was promoted to regional proposal manager within a year, winning several large alternative delivery, regional municipal and transportation department projects throughout the Pacific Northwest during her three years there.
At the encouragement of her management team, Mason opened in 2010 RedTeam Go (RTG)—a full service business, marketing and proposal development firm focused on the AEC industry and alternative delivery projects. RTG has grown over the last 13 years to include eight employees and more than 50 clients. Although many of Mason’s proposals are for multibillion dollar projects, companies often seek her guidance in bolstering DBE project engagement. RTG’s services expanded in 2019 to offer civil rights and inclusion management.
As part of her commitments away from the office, Mason works with organizations such as BuildOUT California, the AEC industry’s first LGBT association, and the Transportation Working Group.
Ryan Merrell
ENR California
39, Principal/National Sector Leader, Power Generation and Transmission
Terracon
Concord, Calif.
Across nearly 15 years in the geotechnical and materials testing industry, Merrell worked at Neil O. Anderson & Associates, Murray Engineers and BKF Engineers before joining Terracon in 2015.
From 2017 to 2021, Merrell grew the local materials department by an average of 30% year over year. He also began managing national accounts in 2018 and currently oversees approximately 60. He serves as a member of Terracon’s client experience leadership team and emerging leaders strategic planning team.
In addition to participating with ACEC, the Solar Energies Industry Association and Western Energy Institute, Merrell is active with the Terracon Foundation and employee resource groups within the company. He volunteers with Engineers Without Borders and local city community development programs while also contributing to mental health organizations such as the National Alliance on Mental Illness.
Joshua Morgan
ENR California
37, Geotechnical Department Manager
Terracon
Carson, Calif.
An expert on commercial-scale solar facilities, Morgan has spent most of his 15-year career with Terracon. He joined the firm as a geotechnical engineer in Texas before transferring to the West Coast in 2013. While working full time, he obtained his master’s degree in civil engineering from Cal Poly Pomona. Morgan was promoted to department manager for the Orange County office in 2018, and after four years in charge, he more than doubled the size and revenue of the department.
In January 2022, Morgan became manager of geotechnical engineering services for four offices, overseeing 24 engineers, scientists and geologists. He recently became one of the company’s youngest ever principals.
Over the years, Morgan has become the go-to solar subject matter expert for some of Terracon’s largest solar EPC clients. He has been principal engineer on geotechnical engineering services for more than 100 large-scale solar facilities.
Away from work, Morgan is a member of the local American Public Works Association chapter. He participates regularly in charity events and as a fundraising organizer for Reach Out and Read.
Shawn Pankratz
ENR Northwest
39, Division Manager
SSOE Group
Hillsboro, Ore.
Following six years in banking and financial consulting, Pankratz was looking for a change of pace. So when SSOE Group acquired Evergreen EDC in January 2013 and company leadership identified him as a strong candidate for proposal management, he was hired as a project management assistant. Just six months later, he was promoted to assistant project manager.
In 2023, he was named division manager for SSOE’s advanced technology strategic business unit. Today, Pankratz is responsible for the administration, operation and delivery of client programs and projects through all phases. For nearly 12 years, Pankratz has also been located on site with SSOE’s top client, a semiconductor manufacturer, managing high-priority designs and serving as the primary contact.
Over the last five years, Pankratz has been part of SSOE’s project management strategy group—a committee that develops, evaluates and improves a standardized project management strategy across the company.
In his time off, Pankratz volunteers as a medic for Wilderness Search and Rescue organizations and maintains his first-responder certifications. He has served as a volunteer carpenter and framer for Habitat for Humanity and as an animal care and rehabilitation volunteer at local shelters.
“The world is changing, and our industry is at a point where we must open our minds and listen to the next generation if we want to stay relevant.”
—Kasie Bowden, 39, Project Superintendent, Hensel Phelps
Brice Plouse
ENR Northwest
34, Geotechnical Department Manager, Senior Associate
Terracon
Portland, Ore.
After joining Terracon in 2012 as a field geotechnical engineer, Plouse earned six promotions over the next decade, most recently to geotechnical department manager in 2019.
In his first year leading the group, Plouse more than doubled revenue and grew the team to 10 employees from three. On top of managing large-scale projects and operations for his department, Plouse serves as client national account manager and is a subject matter expert for solar projects and laboratory thermal resistivity testing. He’s also working to develop new applications for soil exploration and testing data that can be collected from a smartphone or tablet in the field and uploaded to the cloud.
In the broader industry, Plouse is an active member of Oregon’s American Society of Civil Engineers and American Public Works Association chapters. Outside of his professional life, he has served as a coach for Washington County’s Special Olympics powerlifting team, volunteered at Special Olympics track meets and participated in local trail maintenance and cleanup efforts.
“Public transportation was used by my grandparents when they moved to the United States. I love being able to contribute to making public transportation accessible for someone else’s grandparents.”
—Rubi Sanchez, 33, Transportation Deputy Project Manager, HDR
Faith Powell
ENR Northwest
33, Water Resources Project Manager
HDR
Bellevue, Wash.
Inspired to pursue engineering by her father, also an engineer, Powell is a project manager for HDR’s large infrastructure, water supply system and mechanical systems.
She began her career with Tetra Tech INCA as a mechanical engineer. Powell joined HDR in 2018 and is currently pursuing a master’s degree in civil engineering. Throughout her career, Powell has worked on complex projects including the Cle Elum Dam Helix Fish Passage Structure and the Detroit and Cougar Dam Floating Surface Collectors. She also worked on the Panama Canal third lane expansion and even obtained her SPRAT Rope Access Technician Level 1 certification.
At HDR, Powell mentors two younger staff members and works as professional development co-chair for HDR’s young professionals group. She has served on the board of directors for the Society of American Military Engineers’ Seattle Post since 2019 and is in her second year as vice president. Away from work, Powell is a semiprofessional disc golfer and leads local community outreach programs teaching disc golf.
Katie Regina
ENR California
36, Senior Project Manager
Langan
Irvine, Calif.
Regina first joined Langan as an intern in New Haven, Conn., while working on a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering from Lehigh University. After graduating in 2008, she joined Langan’s New York City office as a staff engineer, contributing to projects such as the New York City Police Academy and McCarren Park Pool.
In 2009, Regina transferred to San Francisco, where she helped establish Langan's site/civil practice on the West Coast. Her work took her next to Portland, Ore., and then in 2022, Regina transferred to Irvine to grow Langan’s Southern California presence. She has played a role on numerous projects including the Cultural Terrace in Irvine and the University of California, Irvine’s Verano 8 Graduate Student Housing.
Within the company, Regina is a committee member for the Women@Langan employee resource group and is involved with Langan’s internal mentoring program.
Outside of work, Regina is an active member of the ULI Orange County/Inland Empire NEXT Affinity Group and the Southern California Development Forum.
Jacqueline Saladé
ENR California
38, Natural Resources Group Manager, Southern California, Project Director/Senior Restoration Ecologist
AECOM
San Diego
Saladé’s work in restoration ecology started at the Soil Ecology and Restoration Group, a nonprofit under the San Diego State University Research Foundation.
She was hired at AECOM in 2015 as a restoration ecologist and within three years was promoted to Southern California botany and restoration practice leader. In 2022, she was promoted to AECOM’s Southern California natural resources group manager, leading a team of 60. Her work also extends into Northern California, where she oversees financials on projects as a portfolio delivery lead.
Currently, Saladé is project manager for the SDG&E Cleveland National Forest Powerline Replacement Project, which includes environmental support and native habitat restoration. Understanding the importance of mentorship, Saladé participates with the Fleet Science Center’s Better Education for Women in Science and Engineering Program and AECOM’s equality, diversity and inclusion group.
Rubi Sanchez
ENR California
33, Transportation Deputy Project Manager
HDR
Irvine, Calif.
In her current role as a project controls specialist on the Orange County Transportation Authority’s $579.2-million OC Streetcar project, Sanchez balances cost, schedule and budget through every step of project delivery. She first joined HDR in 2015 and today supports projects across the U.S. Those include Metrolink’s $10-billion Southern California Optimized Rail Expansion.
In Austin, Texas, she trained established project controls leaders how to work in an FTA environment for Project Connect. Bolstered with a background in political science and public administration, Sanchez graduated from the APTA Emerging Leaders Program in 2022 and remains involved with the group, speaking at the Emerging Leaders Conference. She also contributes to the APTA Workforce Development Committee, Young Professionals in Transportation - Los Angeles and Latinos in Transportation.
Irene Turletes
ENR Northwest
35, Water Resources Market Sector Lead
HDR
Anchorage
Known as the Culvert Queen for her expertise and skilled design, Turletes gained the moniker during her years with the U.S. Forest Service, from 2017-2019.
She earned a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering at the University of Alaska, Anchorage in 2011 and got her start in engineering consulting in the years between. She specializes in hydraulics and hydrology projects, bridge studies, aquatic organism passage design, urban drainage and hydropower feasibility studies.
After joining HDR in 2019 as a civil engineer and project manager, Turletes was quickly promoted to water resources market sector lead in 2020. Today, she is project manager for HDR’s work on the $500-million Sterling Highway Milepost 45-60 project—the largest greenfield highway project under construction in Alaska.
At HDR, she is the co-leader of the Alaska chapter of the women’s employee network group. With a strong commitment to her local community, Turletes serves on the board of directors for Alaska Trails and as a member of the Citizen Advisory Board for Chugach State Park. In 2018, Turletes was selected as a member of Alaska Humanities Forum’s Leadership Anchorage.
“Try hard. Be kind. Ask questions. No matter what stage of life or career you’re at. Giving your all, treating others with respect and never being afraid to ask questions can be difficult, but should always be a priority.”
—Irene Turletes, 35, Water Resources Market Sector Lead, HDR
James Walker
ENR California
39, Principal Cost Engineer
CM Solutions
Los Angeles
A project controls leader supporting utility, oil and gas projects, Walker entered the field as a cost specialist at Fluor in 2008.
In 2010, he joined Worley to support a multibillion-dollar clean fuels initiative for Saudi Aramco/ExxonMobil, which involved a short-term field assignment in Saudi Arabia before tackling a multibillion-dollar project in Alaska. Walker joined CM Solutions as a consultant in 2019 to work on the SoCalGas compressor station upgrade program, which is valued at almost $2 billion.
His project portfolio includes the Sempra/SoCal Gas Compressor Station Upgrade Program that integrated clean energy decarbonization technologies and blended green hydrogen into the fuel stream.
Beyond his primary job scope, Walker often serves as a project controls manager and as a mentor to colleagues. Community outreach is a priority for Walker, who volunteered at CHOICES Women’s Resource Center from 2015 to 2017 as a client advocate and counselor for young and expectant fathers. Since 2019, he has been actively involved in starting, building and growing a church in the Chino Hills area east of Los Angeles.
