On-Demand Options

Associate in Stoel Rives’ Construction and Design Group in Portland, OR
Mr. Davis is an experienced construction and design attorney who advises clients in a broad spectrum of legal matters, with specific emphasis on resolving complex commercial disputes. He employs a proactive approach in assisting clients in developing pre-litigation and litigation avoidance strategies. Mr. Davis has advocated on behalf of clients before a variety of adversarial tribunals including federal and state courts, arbitration panels and administrative bodies. His clients have included corporations, business owners and entrepreneurs in the construction, real estate, technology, hospitality, telecommunications, financial services and insurance industries. Mr. Davis has significant experience drafting and negotiating project agreements. He also advises clients as issues arise during the course of a project and has successfully resolved disputes in multiple forums, including mediation, arbitration and litigation.

Associate at Parsons Farnell & Grein, LLP in Portland, OR
Mr. DesJardins is an associate in PFG’s insurance recovery group and its national policyholder practice. One of the most sought after policyholder firms on the West Coast, PFG has represented businesses and individuals in disputes with insurance companies for more than 25 years, obtaining successful settlements, verdicts, and appellate decisions in a wide variety of insurance claims, including general liability, directors and officers, professional liability, property, employee dishonesty and fidelity bonds, and cyber. Ryan has been selected as a Rising Star by Oregon Super Lawyers for 2020-2021. He also participates in commercial business civil litigation.

Partner in Stoel Rives’ Construction and Design Group in Portland, OR
Mr. Gay has substantial experience litigating disputes and drafting and negotiating construction and design contracts. In addition, he has extensive public contracting experience, having litigated bid protests and contract disputes. He has also drafted solicitation documents, such as requests for proposals and invitations to bid, and he has negotiated and drafted several construction and design contracts for public agencies. Before joining Stoel Rives, Mr. Gay worked in the construction industry in Alaska, Hawaii and Washington. As a construction project manager, project engineer and field engineer, he was intimately involved in the technical and financial aspects of his construction projects. Now Mr. Gay applies that real-world experience to his clients’ legal issues. His knowledge about how complex construction projects get managed and built, and occasionally result in disputes, has proved an invaluable resource in his legal career. He received his B.S. degree in Civil Engineering from Oregon State University and his J.D. degree from Willamette University College of Law.

Shareholder at Schwabe Williamson & Wyatt in Portland, OR
Over several decades as a construction lawyer, Mr. Loiselle has built a comprehensive, solutions-oriented practice as a key leader in Schwabe’s Real Estate and Construction industry group. His clients include owners, general contractors, designers and engineers, specialty contractors, insurers and maritime interests. Mr. Loiselle has extensive experience negotiating agreements, solving complex disputes and representing clients in litigation on major construction and marine projects. He has served as general counsel to the Columbia River Chapter of Associated General Contractors (AGC), chair of the Maritime Commerce Club, a member of AGC’s Foundation Board, counsel to Associated Builders and Contractors, and chair of the Construction and Maritime Sections of the Oregon State Bar.

Shareholder, Schwabe, Williamson & Wyatt, Portland
Mr. Ohle has more than 20 years of experience representing clients in construction defect and housing accessibility claims, with an emphasis on claims involving design defects by architects and engineers. He defends design professionals against professional malpractice claims and drafts professional service contracts to minimize the risk of construction disputes and meet the needs of specific design disciplines and projects. Mr. Ohle also represents professional clients before regulatory boards including the Oregon Board of Architect Examiners, the Oregon Board of Examiners for Engineering and the Oregon Electrical and Elevator Board.

Mr. Yu is a licensed professional engineer in New York State and the Provinces of Alberta and British Columbia, Canada. Mr. Yu is a project management professional (PMP), a LEED green associate and an AVIXA certified technology Specialist. He possesses extensive experience in planning and management for diversified domain construction projects ranging from medium to large-scale industries, and he has an in-depth understanding of engineering design and construction management. He also provides on-call service as a FEMA substantial damage estimator. Mr. Yu’s areas of expertise includes heavy civil construction, cost estimating, value engineering, project scheduling, feasibility studies, risk assessment, asset management and lifecycle cost analysis. He has conducted cost estimating training programs by invitation of the New York City Economic Development Corporation, and has been teaching the cost estimating and project management lectures for more ten years for the New York City Local 3 electricians, plumbers, carpenters and workers of other trades at the SUNY Empire State College and the Mechanics Institute of the General Society of Mechanics and Tradesmen.

Mr. Holthus’ primary areas of focus are the defense of construction, governmental liability, and employment and general liability claims. He has tried, advocated and arbitrated nearly one hundred cases before civil juries, administrative licensing and other boards and arbitration panels throughout Ohio, as well as Illinois and California, in both state and federal courts. Among his other professional and civic positions, Mr. Holthus is past Chair of the Columbus Bar Association’s Professionalism Committee and is a member of the Professional Liability Defense Federation. 

Mr. Pempus has been a risk manager for more than 18 years, with experience in architecture, engineering, land use, law and professional liability insurance, and a unique and well-rounded background in the construction industry. Prior to risk management, he had 25 years of experience in the practice of architecture and engineering, and as an adjunct professor teaching professional practice courses at the undergraduate and graduate levels for the last 35 years. As a Fellow of the American Institute of Architects and AIA National Ethics Council 2021 chair, he has demonstrated his impact on architectural profession. He is a licensed architect, attorney and property and casualty insurance agent.

Mr. Sherman is a partner in Porter Wright’s litigation department and co-chairs the firm’s construction practice group. He concentrates his practice on complex commercial disputes, with a particular focus on construction matters. Mr. Sherman regularly represents owners, contractors, subcontractors, suppliers, and architects/engineers in contract matters, disputes, and litigation. He has been recognized by Chambers USA as a “Leader in the Field” for general commercial litigation, which described him as “one of the next generation of leading Ohio litigators.” Mr. Sherman has also been recognized as a Super Lawyers Rising Star every year since 2009. He received a B.A. degree from The Ohio State University and a J.D. degree from The Ohio State University Michael E. Moritz College of Law. Mr. Sherman is a member of the American Bar Association’s Forum on Construction Law, the Columbus Bar Association’s Construction Law Committee, and the Builders Exchange of Central Ohio.

Mr. Young is a shareholder with Roetzel. His litigation practice is based in Roetzel’s Columbus office and serves a state- and nationwide clientele. Mr. Young’s practice focuses primarily on infrastructure and real estate-related issues and disputes, particularly eminent domain and easements. Two things set him apart from his peers in the infrastructure space. First, he focuses almost exclusively on representing businesses and commercial properties. This gives him a superior understanding of the unique concerns and challenges businesses face in this specialized area of the law. And second, he has long experience representing both property owners and condemning authorities. This gives him unparalleled insight into the many different issues that can arise and how both sides approach those issues. Mr. Young works hard to obtain just compensation for his clients. Throughout the eminent domain process, he educates and counsels his clients, presenting them with all available options and ensuring that they are equipped to make the right decisions for their businesses. He has represented some of the nation’s largest retail pharmacies, auto parts stores, grocery stores, discount retailers, gas stations, and pipeline companies, yet also enjoys helping smaller, local businesses. In addition to his eminent domain practice, he has considerable experience in zoning and land use, property tax appeals, and commercial foreclosures. Mr. Young also advises and represents clients with their business, contract, commercial, corporate, shareholder, securities, and trust/fiduciary issues and disputes. He earned his B.A. degree, cum laude, from The Ohio State University, and his J.D. degree, cum laude, from The Ohio State University, Moritz College of Law.

Mr. Nechamen was the Floodplain Coordinator for the State of New York Department of Environmental Conservation for 21 years. During that period, he helped to promote higher floodplain standards in New York, including enacting a two foot “freeboard” requirement in New York’s building code, saving property owners millions of dollars in flood losses and flood insurance premiums.
One of the founders of the New York State Floodplain and Stormwater Managers Association (NYSFSMA), a professional association with over 600 active members, He was their first Chair and currently serves the Association as its treasurer.
Mr. Nechamen has been a Board member of the Association of State Floodplain Managers (ASFPM) at various times for 13 years. ASFPM represents over 15,000 professionals across the United States and internationally and is a key national voice in policies designed to reduce flood risk while preserving the natural and beneficial functions of floodplains. He served as chair (2013-2015), vice-chair (2011-2013) and treasurer (2008-2010) and is currently co-chair of the Floodplain Regulations Committee. Mr. Nechamen has received the ASFPM Meritorious Lifetime Achievement in Floodplain Management Award.
In his capacity as Floodplain Coordinator, he has led workshops and training sessions on the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP), floodplain management and regulations, understanding and interpreting flood maps, flood insurance and the Community Rating System.

Mr. D’Aloisio is a principal with Klepper, Hahn & Hyatt, a structural engineering, landscape architecture, and building envelope services firm in East Syracuse, New York. A graduate of Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute and is a registered professional engineer in New York and Massachusetts. He is a member and past president (1997 – 1998) of the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) Syracuse Section, and a member of the American Institute of Steel Construction (AISC), the American Concrete Institute (ACI), the National Society of Professional Engineers (NSPE), and the Structural Engineers Association of New York State (SEAoNY). Mr. D’Aloisio is a member of ASCE/SEI’s Frost-Protected Shallow Foundations Committee, the Structural Condition Assessment of Existing Buildings Committee, and the Sustainability Committee. Mr. D’Aloisio received the Order of the Engineer at Syracuse University in 1997. His 30-plus years’ experience as a consulting structural engineer has primarily involved the design of new building structures, additions, and modifications, and analyses, assessments, and investigations of structures and facades. Mr. D’Aloisio has performed structural condition reviews of over 15 million square feet of buildings and he has performed over 150 structural forensic investigations. He has presented over 300 times.

Mr. Forrest joined the CNCA in 2015 and serves as the technical director.  Mr. Forrest’s function is to provide resources, recommendations, education, technical expertise, and other services to municipalities, engineers, project owners, developers, and contractors. His focus includes cement and concrete materials and applications for transportation, water conveyance, buildings, and other pieces of civil infrastructure.   

Prior to his work with the CNCA, Mr. Forrest worked as a consulting materials engineer on numerous large Caltrans projects in Southern California, most recently on the Gerald Desmond Bridge replacement in Long Beach. Mr. Forrest graduated from The University of Arizona with a bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering. Nathan is a licensed civil engineer in the state of California and maintains industry certifications from the Institute for Sustainable Infrastructure, The American Concrete Institute, The National Ready Mixed Concrete Association, and others.  

Outside of work, Mr. Forrest enjoys spending time with his wife and daughters, camping, playing golf, and riding bicycles.  

Mr. Slocum joined CNCA as the Northern California/Northern Nevada pavements engineer in January 2014 before being promoted to Director of Engineering in 2020. He provides technical expertise, education, concrete resources, and several other services to municipalities, engineers, and developers to advance the understanding and use of cementitious roadway solutions for streets, highways, and parking areas. Mr. Slocum specializes in conventional concrete, full-depth reclamation, roller compacted concrete, concrete overlays, and pervious concrete, but is knowledgeable on most cement-related applications. He is the Past President of the American Concrete Institute (ACI NCAWNV Chapter) and ASCE Feather River Branch and is active in other local societies including APWA, SNCA, and others.

Prior to joining CNCA, Mr. Slocum worked as a geotechnical consulting engineer in Walnut Creek, California. He graduated from UC Berkeley with a Master’s degree in Civil Engineering after completing undergraduate courses at University of the Pacific (Bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering and a minor in Engineering Management). Mr. Slocum is a licensed civil engineer in the states of California and Nevada.

Law offices of M. B. Adelson IV, P.A.
Mr. Adelson is a Florida attorney at his firm, Law Offices of M. B. Adelson IV, P.A. His practices areas include administrative law, appellate practice, business law, civil litigation, construction, environmental law and land use, governance and rule of law, government and administrative law, mediation, real estate and wills, and trusts and estates. Mr. Adelson attended Florida State University College of Law, 1987. His law practice is based out of Tallahassee, Florida, where he is a member of The Florida Bar.

Attorney at GrayRobinson, P.A.
Ms. DeGel is of counsel in GrayRobinson’s Orlando office. She focuses her practice in eminent domain, inverse condemnation, real estate litigation, and property rights. Ms. DeGel has worked with hundreds of property owners on utility projects, such as natural gas pipelines and power lines (including high-voltage transmission and distribution lines) in both federal and state courts. She also works with property owners on all types of road projects and retention ponds. Recently, Ms. DeGel provided invaluable assistance in representing a large shopping center being condemned at an interchange – one of the largest eminent domain valuations in the State of Florida’s history.

Attorney at Ansbacher Law
Mr. Roth represents clients in a multitude of areas, including residential and commercial real property purchases and sales, real property litigation, construction defect litigation, homeowners’ and condominium association disputes, and corporate transactions and litigation. Mr. Roth is also currently the City Attorney for the City of Neptune Beach, Florida. A native of Kentucky, Mr. Roth received his bachelor’s of arts degree from Centre College in Danville, Kentucky, in 2010, graduating with honors. At Centre, Mr. Roth was a four-year letter winner in football and was named to the Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference Academic Honor Roll in 2006, 2007, 2008, and 2009. Mr. Roth is a graduate from Vanderbilt Law School. During law school, Mr. Roth was actively involved with intercollegiate athletics, serving as a compliance intern with the Ohio Valley Conference. Mr. Roth is Board Certified by The Florida Bar in the area of real estate.

Mr. Simpson founded Gradelta Engineering in 2020 with the intent to help clients better understand the combination of geotechnical and structural engineering that he has worked with for the past 20 years. He earned his B.S.C.E. and M.S.C.E. degrees from Georgia Institute of Technology. He currently provides engineering services to contractors and fellow engineers for earth structure pricing, along with the plans and calculations needed for construction. He frequently consults with clients regarding the optimal structure type and location on the construction site to minimize risk and maximize useable space. He also works in the education sector providing not just seminars such as this one, but also acting as a subject matter expert creating study guide and test prep content for the NCEES Professional Civil Engineer exam. Mr. Simpson has also worked with lawyers and insurance companies during forensic investigation and lawsuits surrounding retaining walls and slope failures. His hope is that through the instructional services that he currently provides, slopes will remain stable and retaining wall failure will be eliminated.

Ms. Akpinar received a double bachelor’s degree in Environmental Engineering and Chemical Engineering from the Ataturk University, Turkey. She received her master’s degree in Environmental Engineering from Ataturk University with three years of teaching assistant experience. Ms. Akpinar is now a Ph.D. (c). student in Water Resource Engineering at the University of Delaware. Her research focuses on understanding biochar’s impact on plant growth, nutrient removal and hydrology in bioretention systems and the mechanisms by which biochar enhances soil aggregation, compaction and stormwater infiltration when amended to the soil.

Rob Gladfelter has 20+ years of experience in the landscape trade and has been working as a landscape architect for the past six years. Mr. Gladfelter has worked on all types of projects from municipal planning projects and large park master planning to small residential design and install. His time with Refugia, a mission-based design and install firm that uses best sustainable practices to design native gardens that inspire and improve local ecology has allowed him to explore and learn how to use low impact design and ecological services to manage stormwater. Mr. Gladfelter is also an adjunct professor for the Landscape Architecture program at Temple University and is the acting chairperson of his Borough’s Environmental Advisory Commission.

Landscape architect at Donald Pell Gardens, Philadelphia PA
Ms. Otto received her bachelor’s degree from West Chester University and her master’s degree from Temple University. Her expertise includes the design of outdoor spaces, working in collaboration with team architects, civil engineers and interior designers. Ms. Otto’s work includes planting plans, hardscape plans, grading plans and lighting plans for a variety of commercial and public projects. Her project experience also extends into land development and zoning requirements, and the preparation of all levels of design documentation including schematic design, design development and construction documents. Ms. Otto’s professional background includes serving as a horticultural assistant at the famed Longwood Gardens.

Ms. Paist-Goldman has more than 20 years of experience in water resource engineering with a particular focus in stream and wetland restoration and mitigation design. She is the principal and owner of Rippled Waters Engineering, LLC based in New Jersey. Her firm specializes in water resources engineering services for a variety of projects. Prior to starting Rippled Waters in 2018, she served for many years as principal engineer and director of Engineering Services of a Mid-Atlantic regional natural resources firm. She is an experienced modeler and has worked extensively on design and analysis using a variety of hydrologic and hydraulic programs including HEC-HMS, HEC-RAS, and HydroCAD. Applications for her hydraulic modeling expertise include wetland restoration and mitigation; stream restoration; bridge repair and replacement; and dam repair, replacement, and removal. Specifically related to riverine systems, Ms. Paist-Goldman has extensive expertise with stream restoration, large woody debris, natural channel design and bioengineering stabilization techniques. Ms. Paist-Goldman has designed restoration projects of all sizes ranging from a few hundred feet to several miles of stream. These projects are planned for use as mitigation banks or serve as mitigation for development onsite. Working closely with restoration ecologists and landscape architects, Ms. Paist-Goldman has designed a variety of stream and wetland habitats including creation, enhancement, restoration, and preservation with a focus on sustainability and regulatory compliance.

Registered Landscape Architect
Mr. Pirie received his BS degree from Amherst College and his MS degree in Landscape Architecture and Regional Planning from the University of Pennsylvania (Penn). He is employed as a senior landscape architect at Langan Engineering, working in the greater Philadelphia area. Mr. Pirie has ten years of experience practicing as a landscape architect. He has worked throughout the New England and Mid-Atlantic regions. Mr. Pirie’s project background includes design of urban plazas and streetscape, university campus workspaces and parks. He has special expertise in green roofs and the design of landscape over structures. Mr. Pirie’s project experience extends into urban planning, urban design and sustainable design.

Dr. Souza is the founding partner of Princeton Hydro, LLC. From its inception in 1998 through 2018, he served as president of Princeton Hydro, retiring from the company in 2019. Over the past 35 years he has dedicated his career to the management and restoration of aquatic ecosystems, in particular lakes, ponds and reservoirs. Dr. Souza received his B.S. degree in 1974 from the University of Massachusetts, Dartmouth, his M.S. in 1976 from Rutgers University, and his Ph.D. in 1981 from the University of Connecticut. He has served over the past 25 years as an instructor and course coordinator for the Rutgers NJAES Office of Continuing Professional Education, developing and implementing multiple short courses focused on the management and restoration of aquatic ecosystems. Dr. Souza is also an adjunct professor at Temple University (Ambler Campus), teaching a graduate studies course in the Department of Landscape and Horticulture (Tyler School of Art and Agriculture). He also conducts a professional continuing education course focusing on green infrastructure stormwater management for CPES through Montclair State University.

Senior Aquatic Ecologist; Senior Project Manager with Princeton Hydro
Dr. Szczepanski has taken part in many critical reviews in opposition of planned residential and industrial development, as well as serving as environmental expert on several municipal planning boards in support of development application reviews for stormwater and environmental compliance. He has been asked to review Piping Plover and Seabeach Amaranth Conservation Measure monitoring design and develop a native/invasive species inventory to support an invasive species barrier design to be implemented in the Lake Champlain Canal (between Locks C8-C9), both projects ultimately for the Army Corps of Engineers. Dr. Szczepanski has compiled and analyzed biological, geomorphic and water quality data from the Aquetong Spring stream in Solebury Township, Pennsylvania.

Mr. Pempus has been a risk manager for more than 18 years, with experience in architecture, engineering, land use, law and professional liability insurance, and a unique and well-rounded background in the construction industry. Prior to risk management, he had 25 years of experience in the practice of architecture and engineering, and as an adjunct professor teaching professional practice courses at the undergraduate and graduate levels for the last 35 years. As a Fellow of the American Institute of Architects and AIA National Ethics Council 2021 chair, he has demonstrated his impact on architectural profession. He is a licensed architect, attorney and property and casualty insurance agent.

 Thad Schurter Partner with Drewry Simmons Vornehm, LLP
Mr. Schurter focuses his practice on construction litigation. Having worked in construction for 10 years before becoming an attorney, he brings exceptional insight and technical experience to bear for his clients. He represents clients from across the full spectrum of the construction industry and provides counsel on design and construction defect claims, job site safety, personal injury and wrongful death claims, contract review, lien claims and payment security issues.

Partner, DeFur Voran
Mr. Stuckey primarily represents business owners and design professionals in commercial matters and litigation. He is a registered civil mediator. Mr. Stuckey’s practice is focused in the areas of construction, employment, insurance defense, litigation and alternative dispute resolution. He is admitted to the Indiana Bar Association and admitted to practice before the Indiana Supreme Court, United States District Court (Northern and Southern Districts of Indiana) and United States Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit. Mr. Stuckey earned his B.A. degree from Purdue University and his J.D. degree from William & Mary Law School.

Ms. Healy focuses her practice on a wide variety of personal injury cases. Prior to joining Habush, she worked as an attorney at a civil litigation firm in Madison, Wisconsin, where she dedicated her career to helping those who need it most. She has vast experience representing individuals in both state and federal courts, as well as with transnational litigation. In recognition of her civil litigation work, Ms. Healy was designated a Super Lawyers Rising Star in 2019, 2020, and 2021. Currently, she sits on the board of directors for the Wisconsin Association for Justice (WAJ) and is the immediate past chair of the Women’s Caucus. Additionally, she was  nominated to serve as a Regional Officer for WAJ. She is also a member of the James E. Doyle Inn of Court and is an active member of the Legal Association for Women in Dane County, serving on the board of directors from 2019-2021. Healy received her undergraduate degree from Loras College in Dubuque, Iowa, and graduated cum laude, with honors, from Valparaiso Law School. While in law school, she served as editor of the Law Review.

Ms. LaFave is a trial lawyer at Gingras, Thomsen & Wachs LLP where she represents plaintiffs. Her practice focuses on civil rights litigation, employment disputes, and all types of personal injury cases, including automobile collisions, product liability, premises liability, and nursing home abuse and neglect cases. She initially worked in insurance defense and subrogation litigation. Ms. LaFave is a 2013 magna cum laude graduate of Tulane University Law School. She was selected to The National Trial Lawyers: Top 40 Under 40 and has been selected as a Super Lawyers Rising Star since 2018. She serves on the board of the Association for Women Lawyers. Prior to attending law school, Ms. LaFave worked in legal marketing and as a legal assistant.

Attorney & Partner at Gimbel, Reilly, Guerin & Brown LLP (Milwaukee, WI)
Mr. Strohbehn is a partner at Gimbel, Reilly, Guerin & Brown, LLP in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. He enjoys the challenge of helping clients through difficult situations. He has developed a diverse litigation practice that focuses on personal injury, insurance coverage litigation, civil litigation, and commercial property tax appeals. Mr. Strohbehn’s practice extends throughout the state of Wisconsin. He represents clients across the spectrum – from individuals to small businesses to large national corporations. He is also experienced in litigating in appellate courts across the state, including serving as lead counsel in a number of cases that were litigated at the Wisconsin Supreme Court. Previously, Mr. Strohbehn was President of the Milwaukee Young Lawyer’s Association and was a member of the Board for six years. He also sat for a number of years as an alternate on the City of Milwaukee’s Administrative Review and Appeals Board and was president of a large downtown Condominium Association. Currently, he is a board member of the Wisconsin Association for Justice.

Ms. Wirth was born and raised in River Falls and is proud to serve her hometown community as well as the greater states of Wisconsin and Minnesota as an injury lawyer. She attended law school at the University of Wisconsin in Madison, where she graduated magna cum laude, served on the Law Review senior board, and was inducted into the Pro Bono Society. During law school Ms. Wirth also served as a judicial intern at the United States District Court for the Western District of Wisconsin. Prior to law school, Ms. Wirth graduated summa cum laude from Hamline University in St. Paul, Minnesota as a member of the Phi Beta Kappa honor society. She also obtained her paralegal certificate while attending Hamline. Ms. Wirth’s personal injury practice is grounded in the understanding that injuries can be life-changing and that no one should have to navigate the legal system alone. Her extensive experience in the legal field allows her to employ a myriad of skills in advocating zealously for her clients. Her years of experience in various positions at Bye, Goff & Rohde and her prior work with judges give her a unique perspective in litigating personal injury cases.

Mr. Blackwell represents a variety of clients, ranging from general contractors, subcontractors, owners, developers, insurers, and sureties in construction and labor issues, to companies involved in sales, acquisitions, corporate governance matters, commercial disputes, and other challenges arising in the commercial arena. He has engaged in significant contract negotiation; corporate formation, structuring, and governance matters; sales and acquisitions of assets and ownership interests; contract negotiation and drafting; construction disputes involving delays, terminations for default, payment, asset seizure, fraud, labor and employment issues; and a variety of other disputes that arise during construction. Mr. Blackwell regularly lectures on matters affecting construction clients, on ethics and liability for engineers, and on changes in Louisiana construction law for construction managers. 

Mr. Palmer is a Board Certified Master Arborist® and Tree Risk Assessment Qualified by the International Society of Arboriculture, and a Consulting Arborist. He was the owner of a premium services landscaping company for 20 years. Mr. Palmer’s focus is on trees in urban and construction environments, soil deficiencies and the importance of soils for sustainable mature trees, increasing urban tree canopies by ensuring trees live to maturity, and unsustainable landscape designs. He does tree assessments for individuals, commercial clients, law firms, insurance companies, municipalities, landscape architecture firms, parks and woodland management agencies, and has assessed and evaluated thousands of individual trees in the past decade.

Here’s what past attendees had to say about the program and presenter John Palmer:

“Very good. Very useful. I will change some of what I have been doing based on what I have learned from this webinar.” – Civil Engineer

“John is one of two presenters in the last 30 years who has held my interest throughout an entire all day program.” – Architect

“Excellent presentation and content. I especially appreciated all of the references in the material.” – Civil Engineer

Professor Rauf has over 25 years of experience in teaching undergraduate and post graduate engineering, science, math, business administration and MBA courses, seminars, and workshops. He earned his B.S. degree in Electrical Engineering, with honors, from North Carolina State University in Raleigh, North Carolina. Professor Rauf earned his Executive MBA degree from Pfeiffer University in Misenheimer, North Carolina. He is a registered professional engineer in the States of Virginia, Wyoming, and North Carolina and is a Certified Energy Manager. Professor Rauf holds a patent in process controls technology. His last full-time engineering employment in the corporate world, was at PPG Industries, Inc., where he served as a senior staff engineer. Professor Rauf was inducted as “Legend in Energy” by AEE, in 2014. He is a member of ASEE, the American Society of Engineering Education. Professor Rauf has developed and instructed Professional Engineering and Fundamentals of Engineering Exam (NCEES) Prep Courses over the past 20 years. He develops and instructs PDHs (Professional Development Hours) and continuing education, engineering skill-building seminars and courses. Professor Rauf is also an adjunct professor at Gardner-Webb University. He has published multiple texts over the last 10 years. Professor Rauf also provides text editorial services to River Publishers.

Mr. Harmanos is a professional engineer with extensive experience in subsurface exploration, soil testing, infiltration testing, geosynthetics, and seismic and advanced analysis. His expertise includes commercial, industrial and institutional foundation design; retaining wall and steep slope design; sinkhole remediation; landfill design; site work; forensic engineering; LEED consulting; and construction quality control/assurance (CQA/QC). Mr. Harmanos is a graduate of Drexel University where he received both his BS and MS degrees in Civil Engineering (Geosynthetics and Geotechnical). Hillis-Carnes performs geotechnical engineering consulting and laboratory testing services. Its construction services include evaluation of bearing materials, inspection of pile driving, slope inclinometer installation and monitoring, and retaining wall construction observation.

Westwater Hydrology LLC
Andy Horn, M.Sc., P.G., has almost 30 years of experience providing scientifically-valid and legally-defensible environmental and water resource investigations to public and private entities. He has performed assessment and remediation at hazardous waste sites/facilities including US EPA Superfund, PFAS releases, manufacturing, bulk and retail fueling and maintenance, chemical storage and distribution, and Phase I and II Environmental Site Assessments. He has also performed small- to regional-scale groundwater resource and high water table assessments and has overseen water supply well drilling and installation. His areas of expertise include data collection program design and management, data interpretation, public outreach, and reporting and presentation of study results. Mr. Horn has designed and managed field data collection programs in complex and high-profile urban settings and has worked on a variety of projects across the United States. He has served on the Colorado Ground Water Association (CGWA) Board of Directors, established a mentoring program with the CGWA, and represents the CGWA with the Colorado Water Well Contractor’s Association and the Division of Water Resources Technical Working Group. He is currently on the Board of Directors for the Colorado Environmental Management Society. Mr. Horn earned his B.S. degree from The University of Alabama and his M.Sc. degree from The University of Colorado.

Attorney, mediator and arbitrator, Kinnear LLC
Kevin J. Kinnear, Esq. is an attorney, mediator, and arbitrator located in Broomfield, Colorado.  He has practiced water law for over 25 years, including water rights adjudications and appeals, water rights transactions, and related real estate and land use law. Mr. Kinnearis a graduate of The Colorado College, the University of Colorado School of Law (J.D.), and Pepperdine University Caruso School of Law (LL.M., Dispute Resolution).  He is the past chair of the CBA’s Water Law Section, current member of the Section’s Executive Council, and past co-chair of the Boulder County Bar Association’s Section on Natural Resources and the Environment.  He is the current Articles Editor for The Colorado Lawyer, Natural Resources Column (Water).  Mr. Kinnear has written articles and given presentations on ethics, Colorado water law, groundwater modeling for lawyers, ditch easements, tap fee agreements, and other water rights matters.

Shareholder, Lyons Gaddis, Louisville
Mr. Machado is an expert on surface water and groundwater rights, ditches and associated interests in land. He has 17 years of experience assisting farmers, ranchers, landowners, developers, mutual ditch companies, private ditch and lateral owners, well user groups, special districts, and municipalities in acquiring, selling, developing and protecting interests in land and water rights throughout Colorado. He clerked for the U.S. Department of Justice, the Nature Conservancy and the American Whitewater Association. He represents clients before Colorado’s district courts, water courts, the Colorado Supreme Court, the Colorado Ground Water Commission, the State Engineer, the Colorado Water Quality Control Commission, and various other local government entities.

Associate, Somach Simmons & Dunn
With a background in mathematics and groundwater hydrology, Mr. McCarl brings his clients a unique advantage as a water attorney who speaks the language of engineers and understands the complex and technical questions frequently at issue in water law cases. He has also worked extensively with Indian water rights in southwest Colorado and understands the dynamics of federal and state water rights. His experience in state and federal water matters includes applications for water rights, changes, exchanges and augmentation plans, as well as federal reserved water rights, interstate compacts and water quality law under the Clean Water Act. He has represented a variety of water users, from farmers and ranchers to ditch companies and conservancy districts, as well as Indian tribes. As a fourth-generation Coloradan and descendent of San Luis Valley farmers and ranchers, he appreciates the extent to which water has shaped the history and identity of the state.

Partner, Holland & Hart
Ms. Winokur’s clients rely on her diverse experience in water rights, real estate development and land use planning to find creative solutions to their problems and achieve their goals. She works with water service providers, municipalities, ski areas, agricultural producers, ranchers, real estate developers and private landowners on all aspects of water supply planning, water court litigation, real estate transactions, development activities and land use planning. Ms. Winokur’s water and land use practices bring her in regular contact with the City of Aspen’s and Pitkin County’s review bodies and community development offices. She received her B.S. degree from Fort Lewis College and her J.D. degree from the University of Colorado School of Law.

Owner at JRT-AIA Architect, in Concord, New Hampshire
Mr. Tepe is a licensed architect. In practice for more than 45 years, he has been both a member and an officer of large E/A firms and a sole practitioner. His project experience ranges from single-family dwellings to large, multi-million dollar commercial and industrial facilities. As a sole proprietor, his firm specializes in building, fire and accessibility code (ADA) consulting to architects, contractors, insurance and legal professionals and private entities, including third-party plan reviews and accessibility inspections.

Mr. Tepe has been active in the code development process through the AIA since joining the AIA Codes and Standards Committee in 1987. With the creation of the International Code Council (ICC), he participated in the initial development of the International Building Code on the General/Occupancies subcommittee and was the chair of that group for two terms. Mr. Tepe was a member of the International Fire Code Development Committee for two terms and also the IBC Fire Safety and Egress Code Development Committees. Additionally, he served a term on the ICC Code Correlation Committee. He has made numerous presentations to conference audiences on topics related to building code enforcement and interpretation issues.

Mr. Tepe has held all offices at both the state level (AIANH) and the regional level (AIA New England). He was active in the legislative process in New Hampshire to adopt the first statewide set of building codes. He has taught numerous code and accessibility-related issues in New Hampshire, New England, and at BOCA, ICC, BSA and AIA conferences and HalfMoon Education seminars and webinars. He is a past chair of the Building Code Board of Appeals in Concord, New Hampshire. He has also served on several other code and building related state and local committees and groups and is a past chair of the AIA Center for Building Science and Performance Knowledge Community.

Mr. Trinkaus is an internationally recognized expert in the field of low impact development, having presented at many ASCE/EWRI international conferences and many other regional conferences and workshops on LID and water quality issues. He has been an invited presenter and consultant in Taiwan, China, and South Korea. He has also presented on Sustainable Stormwater at the University of St. Andrews in Scotland. Mr. Trinkaus has written LID design manuals for the Towns of Tolland, Plainville, Harwinton, East Granby, and Morris, Connecticut. He has designed many types of LID treatment systems for a variety of residential and commercial applications. Mr. Trinkaus is chair of the EWRI LID Guidance Document Task Committee and primary author of the Committee’s national guidance document on adopting LID standards. Mr. Trinkaus is a licensed professional engineer in Connecticut and Maryland. He received a Bachelor of Science degree in Forest Management in 1980 from the University of New Hampshire. He has more than 38 years of experience in the land development field, more than 19 years of experience designing low impact development treatment systems, and six years of experience writing LID regulations and design manuals.

Mr. Agee is the director of Building and Code Enforcement for St. Charles County, Missouri. Previously, he worked in urban and suburban municipal governments managing building code enforcement, facilities, and information technology. Prior to his public sector positions, Mr. Agee worked in the construction industry in design and project management.

He has an undergraduate degree in Architectural and Mechanical Design and a graduate degree in Public Administration and Policy Analysis. As a Master Code Professional, Mr. Agee is one of approximately 800 people to obtain the highest level of certification from the International Code Council. He currently holds a total of 28 certifications in building, energy, plumbing, mechanical, electrical, and accessibility areas.

Mr. Agee is a former president of the Missouri Association of Building Officials and Inspectors (MABOI). In addition, he founded Regimen Consulting LLC, which provides code training and technology consultation to various organizations across the country.

Mr. Mohney is the Engineering Geology Program leader for the Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT). The Engineering Geology Program at ODOT encompasses site characterization, subsurface exploration, slopes and embankments, geologic hazards, groundwater, geotechnical instrumentation, and planning and research activities. In this role, he also oversees the Unstable Slopes (landslide/rockfall) Program for ODOT. He is a registered geologist and a certified engineering geologist in Oregon with over 25 years of experience in Oregon and the western states. Mr. Mohney has been the Engineering Geology Program leader since 2004. Prior to this, he had been a staff and project-level geologist for consulting firms and the mining industry as well as for ODOT. He is a graduate of the Geology Program at Portland State University. During his professional career, Mr. Mohney has been involved in the investigation, design, and mitigation of hundreds of landslides and rockfalls.