Moderator - PCL Construction - Aaron Yohnke - President, California Buildings
For more than 20 years, Aaron Yohnke has contributed to the success of construction teams and projects across North America, including in the United States and across Canada. His focus is working in and leading teams that produce extraordinary results. Now, he oversees work throughout the state and offices in Los Angeles, Orange and San Diego counties.As a proud third-generation builder, he has diverse project experience in many markets including sports and entertainment, higher education, aviation, healthcare, commercial, civil and institutional work. Aaron’s purpose is founded on trying to make a positive impact on his family, the business and within the community. Under his leadership over the past 24 months, California Buildings has thrived in a time that has been challenging for many, successfully breaking internal firm revenue records.
Dr. Rueben Smith serves as the Vice Chancellor and Chief Facilities Executive for the Los Angeles Community College District (LACCD). With undergraduate degrees in civil engineering and mathematics, an MBA in environmental sustainability and a doctorate in computer science, enterprise information systems, Dr. Smith understands the need for a sustainable future as a community partner focused on taking steps to decarbonize, electrify, conserve, and preserve natural resources. As a multi-faceted Built Environment Professional with over 20 years of experience in engineering design, construction, facilities, and environmental sustainability, he has led the design, development, and post construction management of dozens upon dozens of projects of varying delivery methods including the implementation of zero-net energy (ZNE) master plans and integrated energy resource plans at various college and K-12 Districts across the State of California. With a goal to facilitate and deliver the best possible teaching, learning, and working environment, Dr. Smith recognizes the commitment required to build, maintain, and operate green, healthy/safe WELL buildings and the infrastructure to support it.
Speaker - LAWA - Terri Mestas - Chief Development Officer
"Terri Mestas is the chief development officer for Los Angeles World Airports. LAX, the fifth-busiest airport in the world in 2021 with 48 million passengers, is in the midst of a $15-billion capital improvement program that will touch on all nine passenger terminals and build new facilities, including an Automated People Mover train, Consolidated Rent-A-Car facility and the West Gates at Tom Bradley International Terminal under Mestas’ oversight.
Mestas previously held the position of senior director for capital projects, modernization, planning, design and construction at the California Institute of Technology. She oversaw complex projects across 124 acres and other satellite locations. Mestas also held several positions for AECOM, including vice president, federal market sector leader, principal in charge and program manager for two NASA centers and program manager for the Los Angeles Community College District bond program, the largest community college district in the country."
Julie Owen, DIF(ICEC) F(GPC), is a senior leader and manager with over thirty years of experience in program and project management, program and project control, cost engineering, scheduling, contract administration and claim analysis. She is a dynamic thought leader and innovation advocate with a proven ability in business transformation. She works as Senior Executive Officer of Project Management Oversight for Los Angeles Metro managing the $160 billion over 50-year capital program to improve Los Angeles County transportation infrastructure.
Ms. Owen oversees team members supporting the following projects that will be integral to transportation for the Olympics:
Crenshaw/LAX transit
Regional Connector transit
Airport Metro Connector Station
Purple Line Section 1, 2, 3
GoldLine Extension to Pomona
East San Fernando Valley Transit
Link Union Station
I-5 North Capacity Enhancements
I-105 Express Lanes
Ms. Owen manages the program control department serving the highway, regional rail, transit, and small transit and bus capital repair programs. She often serves as program management department liaison working on cross functional teams across departments for business improvement initiatives. She managed implementation of the enterprise-wide business management system for capital program management.
She has worked in transit, defense, wastewater, and vertical building industries and on all sides of the table including owner, contractor, and construction manager. She is a published author and international speaker. Her highly interactive presentations have been enjoyed by audiences around the world."
Parking
Olive Street Parking Structure – Entrance: Olive St., between Washington Bl. and 21st St.
Flower St. Lot (Oak Hall) – Entrance: Southbound Flower St., between 22nd St. and 23rd St.
24th St. Parking Structure, 2nd through 5th – Entrance: 24th St., between Grand