About the Inland Northwest Chapter

Josh is a certified Design-Build professional currently working as a project manager for Walker Construction, Inc.  With over 24 years’ experience, he holds an impressive resume with several significant achievements.  Josh generates value and overall project cost reduction through his conceptual estimating, target-value design, and integrated project management experience.  Being a LEAN champion with a heavy focus on project planning, organization, and continuous improvement through elimination of waste makes him a key asset on any project.  Josh has a Bachelor of Science degree in Construction Management from Central Washington University.

Rob Decker joined Garco Construction in 2008 as a project engineer. Prior to that Rob served as an Airborne Ranger Infantry Officer in the United States Army and served in Iraq during Operation Iraqi Freedom. He was based out of Joint Base Lewis- McChord; and his military experience has provided him invaluable experience in managing operations, administration and organizational logistics for construction projects. In 2019 Rob was promoted to senior project manager and joined Garco’s senior management team. He provides overall leadership execution and direction for projects and the project team, often leading design-build projects. He is responsible for ensuring that Garco delivers the highest quality project on schedule and within budget. Rob holds a Bachelor of Science in Political Science and Environmental Engineering from US Military Academy West Point, as well as a Construction Management certificate from the University of Washington. Rob resides in Spokane, Washington with his wife and children. In his free time, Rob enjoys spending time outdoors with his family.

Mike has over 24 years of executive experience in consulting, energy performance, and design-build engineering.

Mike’s multifaceted knowledge as a mechanical engineer includes designing industrial, healthcare and laboratory facilities, higher education, K-12 buildings, and public venues such as judicial and civic spaces. His real-world, hands-on facilities management and maintenance experience enhances design efforts and client consideration.

Michael has 25 years of experience in the construction industry managing over $1.2 billion of complex projects in various market sectors including education, health care, commercial, parking structures, entertainment, civic and industrial. He has worked on numerous design-build and P3 alternative delivery projects in recent years including a recent DBIA National Merit Award Winning Project for a water district client. Michael is a graduate of Penn State University with a degree in Civil Engineering and Construction Management and currently getting his MBA at Gonzaga.

As Operations and Program Manager, Colin oversees the procurement and pre-construction efforts for Hill International’s Eastern Washington alternative delivery projects. Colin has 28 years of experience in the AEC industry. He previously was a lead designer and senior project manager, where he managed over $250 million in Progressive Design/Build contracts. Prior to his architectural role, he spent 18 years in the trades, seven working for an integrated Design/Build company. He has held teaching positions in Construction Management and Computer Animation. He received his Master of Architecture from WSU and his undergraduate degrees from WSU and Minnesota State University.

Vince brings nearly 40 years of experience in construction & design management, public & private contracting, and preconstruction services, the last 30 years with Lydig Construction. His experience in alternative delivery projects includes over $300 million in Design-Build projects in the last 20 years. Vince’s leadership on these projects, especially related to preconstruction services, has led to their success and Lydig’s position as one of the top contractors in the region for Design-Build projects.

Robert is a registered Architect and Principal at Bernardo Wills with 35 years of project experience in the Inland Northwest. He holds both Bachelor and Master of Architecture degrees from Montana State University. His expertise is utilized through all phases of projects, starting with programming, concept development, budget management, production, and construction oversight. He is an advocate of the Design Build delivery method and has been involved in numerous successful projects throughout our region. Robert’s out of the office hobbies include everything outdoors: rafting, kayaking, hiking, camping, hunting, fishing, shooting, golfing, all with family, and friends.

An Associate with Integrus Architecture, Tina received her BS Psychology and Speech Communication from WSU and an MBA from EWU. Spending ten years as an AEC Business Management Consultant specializing in Marketing/Public Relations, Strategic Management, and Team Building, her consulting experiences included corporate planning, marketing strategy development, and educational program development and presentation. Exposure to varieties of client challenges allowed her to develop skills in creative problem solving while in a group setting. Simultaneously, she worked as a Marketing and Business Manager for a construction firm. In 2016, she became the Marketing & BD Higher Education Specialist with Integrus.

Emily Moline Meyer, CDFA, CPSM joined the A/E/C industry in 2017 and quickly engaged with professional development organizations. In 2019, Emily took the next step in her career to become a Certified Design Firm Administrator through SDA (Society for Design Administration). In 2022, she passed her CPSM (Certified Professional Services Marketer) exam and certification for SMPS (Society for Marketing Professional Services). She is currently serving as Chapter President for SDA Seattle, OneAEC in Spokane, Washington, as a board member for Northeast Youth and Family Services, Whitworth Women’s Leadership Network, and Inland Northwest DBIA. In her free time, Emily enjoys exercising, running, going for long walks, listening to podcasts, playing music, gardening, and planning her next home improvement project. She ran her first half marathon in 2022 and is currently earning her MBA at Whitworth University in Spokane, Washington.

Rebecca is a senior civil engineer and has been with Coffman Engineers in downtown Spokane for 12 years. Rebecca’s work has focused on site and utility design, stormwater management, ADA accessibility compliance and design, and multi-discipline project management. Rebecca has been a champion of progressive design/build, Lean concepts, and other alternative project delivery methods at Coffman. Rebecca has had the privilege of working with the US Air Force, local governments, global industrial firms, and distinguished architects. Rebecca previously served as Chapter President for the Inland Empire Section of the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) and has been an ASCE member since she was a student. She received her B.S in Civil Engineering from Washington State University – Go Cougs! In her spare time, Rebecca can be found rafting or kayaking the rivers of the PNW or canoe camping at our local lakes.

A.J. serves as oversight of all capital projects and responsible for providing overall guidance and direction on all efforts of the Capital Project Management Office. Executive management duties include, strategic and capital improvements planning and contract review. He is well versed in alternative project delivery methods and follows best practices when selecting the right delivery method for the right project. A.J. focuses on putting the right team together for the right project with a cohesive team that is built on trust, respect, comradery, and accountability.  

A.J. has been with KTEA for 4 years and prior to working for KTEA has 14+ years’ experience in the design and construction industry working for a General Contractor, Fire Protection contractor and Architecture and Design firm.  

A.J. and his family are originally from Southern New Jersey and made the move to Spokane in 2008. He holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Design and Animation as well as an Associates of Science Degree in Construction Management. A.J. is an Associated DBIA and LEED Green Associate and has accreditations from AGC’s Lean Construction and Advanced Management program.  

Blanca received her master’s degree in architecture from the University of Idaho. She recently joined DBIA as an Inland Northwest Chapter Young Professional and Regional Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion co-chair. She appreciates how Design-build has brought more disciplines together to find solutions for successful projects.

Becky Blankenship is a DBIA certified professional with over 30 years of experience in civil engineering, architecture, and construction. She serves as the First Vice President of Operations for Hill International’s Pacific Northwest practice providing project management and owner advisory services for a wide variety of project types. Becky is an industry leader and champion of PDB project delivery and has worked on 24 PDB projects ranging in value from $3 to $75 Million. She assists owners nationwide in determining the most appropriate delivery method, provides training for owners’ internal departments, guides the procurement of the design-builder, and manages risks unique to the PDB process. Becky currently serves on the DBIA Northwest Regional Board, was a co-founder and president of the DBIA Inland Chapter and is the founder and current president of the DBIA Central Washington Chapter.