ENR West Names 2026 Legacy Award Winners: David Baska, John Helminski and Randy Iwasaki

ENR West is pleased to announce the region's three Legacy Award winners for 2026: Randy Iwasaki, Iwasaki Consulting Services; John Helminski, WSP; and David Baska, Terracon. The three represent the Northern California, Southern California and Northwest sub-regions of ENR West, respectively.

The Legacy Awards program recognizes industry veterans with many years of experience and long lists of contributions to their profession and community. More than a dozen individuals were submitted as nominees to ENR West. In choosing this year’s winner, ENR's regional editors weighed several criteria, including each nominee’s history of innovation, career highlights and engagement within the industry and the communities they serve.

Northern California Sub-region

Randy Iwasaki
President & CEO, Iwasaki Consulting Services
Walnut Creek, Calif.

Iwasaki held multiple leadership roles at Caltrans during which time he directed the $8.7 billion seismic retrofit of California’s toll bridges and major projects such as the Caldecott Tunnel Fourth Bore, the Bay Bridge East Span, and State Route 4 expansion. Iwasaki pioneered innovation by introducing North America’s first Level 3 autonomous shuttles and securing their federal approvals. As executive director of the Contra Costa Transportation Authority, he developed GoMentum Station—the nation’s largest autonomous vehicle testing site—and introduced drone-based construction verification. After retiring from public service, he joined AWS as State & Local Government Transportation Leader, advising agencies nationwide on data-driven, AI-enabled, and digitally transformative transportation solutions.

Southern California Sub-region

John Helminski
Senior Vice President Water Resources, WSP
San Diego

Helminski has spent more than 40 years shaping California’s water infrastructure through leadership in construction, water, energy, and sustainability. Beginning with San Diego’s Clean Water Program in the 1990s, he managed major infrastructure upgrades, including pump station and pipeline projects. As the city’s Renewable Energy Program Manager in 2001, he led two pioneering solar installations—saving more than $1 million annually—and helped launch some of the nation’s first Power Purchase Agreements. A founding member of the U.S. Green Building Council’s San Diego Chapter, he created the city’s first sustainability office and LEED Silver building policy. Helminski later guided the $1.5 billion Pure Water San Diego initiative, recycling 30 million gallons of wastewater daily and influencing statewide water reuse regulations through regional collaboration.

Northwest Sub-region

David Baska
Senior Consultant, Terracon
Mountlake Terrace, Wash.

Baska’s expertise spans seismic hazard and liquefaction analyses, soil-structure interaction, and resilient structural design. Baska co-authored the NRCS Seismic Analysis Manual for Dams, writing most of its chapters. His diverse project portfolio includes bridge design in the New Madrid Seismic Zone, seismic retrofits in Oregon and Vermont, and service on Seattle’s SR-99 Alaskan Way Viaduct Expert Panel. He has also applied performance-based design to high-rises such as Seattle’s 121 Boren and Las Vegas’s World Jewelry Center, as well as essential facilities like hospitals and emergency centers. His post-earthquake reconnaissance in Chile and New Zealand advanced seismic engineering practices worldwide.

To read more about the achievements of Kaneshige, McConahey and Kopczynski, check out the March 2, 2026 print issue of ENR West.

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Here is a list of the prior recipients of the Legacy Awards from each sub-region of ENR West:

ENR West: Northern California Legacy Award Winners
2025	Glen Kaneshige, Nordic PCL Construction, Inc.
2024	Patrick MacLeamy, HOK
2023	Joyce Polhamous, SmithGroup
2021	Glen Ballard, University of California, Berkeley
2019	Ron Hamburger, Simpson Gumpertz & Heger Inc.
2018	Clark Manus, Heller Manus
2016	Peter Nosler, DPR
2015	Jerry Overaa, Overaa Construction
2014	Ken Sletten, Level 10 Construction

ENR West: Southern California Legacy Award Winners
2025	Erin McConahey, Arup
2024	John Rinard, AECOM
2019	Craig Martin, Jacobs
2018	Bill Hansmire, WSP
2017	C. Terry Dooley, ACE Mentor Program
2016	Andy Cohen, Gensler
2015	Paul Matt,  MATT Construction
2014	Timothy Psomas, Psomas

ENR West: Northwest Legacy Award Winners
2025	Cary Kopczynski, CKC Structural Engineers
2024	Jody Walker Belsick, Kimley-Horn
2023	Al Barkouli, David Evans and Associates
2022	John Schaufelberger, University of Washington
2019	Mike Rigsby, US Army Corps of Engineers
2018	Bill Bain Jr., NBBJ
2017	Earl Korynta, Alaska Dept. of Public Works
2016	Glen Tarbox, Stantec
2015	Jon D. Magnusson, Magnusson Klemencic Associates
2010	Jack Rafn, Rafn Co.