DBIA NW Western Washington Chapter Puget Sound Owner Project Pipelines & Owners Forum
Building the Future: PNW Owners Reveal Their Upcoming Capital & Infrastructure Projects
Breakfast Program: 7:30AM-9:30AM
Get a look inside the future procurement pipelines from several of our region’s owners. This session delivers the intelligence your business needs to prepare for what’s coming down the pike. Attendees will gain a preview of upcoming project descriptions, budgets, targeted delivery timelines, and how owners plan to procure these works. Whether you are assessing opportunity size and scale or aligning your team’s capacity for upcoming pursuits, this presentation provides the essential roadmap to position your organization for success.
Presenters include King County Waste Water Division, University of Washington, WSDOT, Tacoma Public Schools, with more owners to be added soon.
Register for Breakfast Program
Meet the Speakers
John White, P.E., DBIA
Assistant Secretary of Urban Mobility, Access and Megaprograms, Washington State Department of Transportation
John White, P.E., DBIA, is the Assistant Secretary of Urban Mobility, Access and Megaprograms at the Washington State Department of Transportation. In this role, John oversees the delivery of eight major regional megaprograms and divisions. John has been with WSDOT for over 30 years and has served in various leadership roles across the agency, including five years as the Program Administrator of the Puget Sound Gateway program. He holds a Bachelor’s and Master’s of Science in Civil Engineering from the Florida Institute of Technology.
Pasqual Contreras, Assoc. DBIA™
Construction Project Manager, UW Project Delivery Group.
Pasqual Contreras leads capital improvement, historic preservation, and infrastructure renewal projects at the University of Washington. Recent work includes emergency power restoration at UW Tacoma and the University’s seismic improvements program, that has completed facade improvements at Suzzallo Library. He is also actively involved in the UW Facilities mentorship program, where he supports the development of emerging facilities professionals. Pasqual holds an M.A. in Urban Development and Design from the University of New South Wales in Sydney and a postgraduate certificate in Real Estate Development from Portland State University.
Morris Aldridge
Executive Director Planning & Construction Tacoma Public Schools
Morris Aldridge, with 39 years in education, currently heads planning and construction for Tacoma Public Schools (TPS). Holding an undergraduate degree from Sam Houston State University and a Master’s in Education from Sul Ross State University, Morris has played key roles as a teacher, principal, and assistant superintendent in Texas. TPS, the only Washington state school district with agency certification in Design Build, reflects Morris’s commitment to innovative approaches.
Having served as the past President of the DBIA NW Western Washington Chapter, Morris currently holds the position of DBIA Northwest Regional President and is a member of the DBIA National Board. He leads a Design-Build roadshow, guiding public school districts in transitioning from traditional design-bid-build to Progressive Design-Build. Morris Aldridge’s impact extends beyond TPS, making him a respected speaker in facilities planning, capital projects, and construction bond initiatives.
Kamuron Gurol
Director, King County Wastewater Treatment Division
Kamuron Gurol has served as the Director of the Wastewater Treatment Division (WTD) in the Department of Natural Resources and Parks since April 2021. He manages WTD’s 1000 employees, with an annual operating budget of approximately $250 million, and a $500m capital program forecast to grow to $1b per year. WTD is a 24/7 service that treats wastewater from 34 local partner agencies, protects public health and the environment, recovers valuable resources and works to ensure a healthy Puget Sound.
Prior to WTD, he served as the North Corridor Director for Sound Transit, and oversaw a portfolio of light rail, bus rapid transit and commuter rail expansion and enhancement projects. Kamuron also served as the city manager for Burien, director of community development at Sammamish, and held senior staff roles at WSDOT, Kitsap, Snohomish and King counties. Kamuron has an MPA from the Harvard Kennedy School and a BS in Geology from the University of Washington.
Owners Forum (Owners Only)
Owners Forum: 9:30AM-10:30AM
The Owners Only Forum allows open, honest discussion and provides Owner professionals the opportunity to share views, pose questions, find solutions to project delivery challenges and network with colleagues. The discussion will be facilitated by two WW Owners – Jeannie Natta, University of Washington and Laura DeGooyer, Lake Washington School District.
Please note: Registration for the Breakfast Program is required to attend the Owner’s Forum.
Owner Advisors and Industry professionals, including consultants, are not permitted in this session.