2024 SPEAKERS
Tuesday, May 7, 2023 (7 a.m. - 12 p.m.)
TERESA WELBORN
Chief Operating Officer / Deputy Director - ADOT
Teresa Welborn serves as chief operating officer/deputy director for the Arizona Department of Transportation.
Teresa has more than 30 years in the non-profit and government sectors, most recently at Maricopa County Department of Transportation serving as the Administrator from 2014 – 2020. In this role Teresa led the Communications, Administrative Services, Information Technology and Finance divisions. Teresa also served ADOT from 2006 – 2014 as Statewide Public Involvement Director, Assistant Communication Director and Partnering Administrator.
Teresa holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration degree in Finance from The University of Arizona and a Masters of Education in Educational Leadership from Northern Arizona University.
JAMIE BLAKEMAN
Founder & CEO - Lōkahi LLC
Jamie Blakeman, PE, PTOE, (CEO) founded Lōkahi, LLC, located in Scottsdale, Arizona, a Disadvantaged Business Enterprise and Small Business Enterprise in 2019, based on the following five principles: teamwork, collaboration, cooperation, harmony and unity. A graduate from the University of Hawaii in 1996 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Civil Engineering, Jamie began her traffic engineering career 25 years ago. Her vision of shaping a collaborative environment that integrates creativity and outside-the-box thinking within her field of transportation and traffic engineering ignited her dream to forge her own path and launch Lōkahi. She innovatively creates solutions to increase mobility, provide equality between all users and all modes of transportation, and improve safety. Her work contributes to safer communities, increased efficiencies and supports economic development. Her unique ability to balance technical analysis with human scale elements positions her as a unique, recognizable and reputable leader.
GREG BYRES
State Engineer/Deputy Director - ADOT
Greg Byres serves as the State Engineer/Deputy Director for transportation. Supervising the Infrastructure Delivery and Operations Division (IDO), Transportation Systems Management and Operations Division (TSMO), and the Multimodal Transportation Division (MPD), he leads development and delivery of the ADOT construction program, including environmental studies, engineering design, land acquisition and construction. He also supports the maintenance and operation of more than 6,000 miles of interstate and state highways in Arizona.
Greg joined ADOT in 2015, having served as a senior project manager, State Roadway Engineer and as Director of the Multimodal Planning Division.
MARKUS COLEMAN
Light Rail Administrator - City of Phoenix
Markus Coleman has more than 28 years working for the City of Phoenix, where he currently serves as the Light Rail Administrator, spearheading efforts to advance light rail consistent with City of Phoenix Council Action and in coordination with the region’s transit agency, Valley Metro. In addition to several projects in planning, this includes more than $2 billion in infrastructure in the recently completed Northwest Phase II light rail extension connecting to the former MetroCenter Mall to the northwest, the South Central Extension/Downtown Hub currently under construction to bring light rail to South Phoenix, and the Capitol Extension, the next light rail project in line to begin construction. Coleman also oversees the Transit Oriented Development federal grants associated with these projects. Coleman has strong ties to the South Phoenix community and knows how important these generational investments are for citizens who depend on public transit as their main mode of transportation.
ERIC FROBERG
City Engineer - City of Phoenix
Eric has served as City Engineer for the City of Phoenix since January 2019 and during that time has completed a 6 month assignment as Interim Water Services Director, 4 month as Interim Public Works Director, and 1 month as Interim Street Transportation Director. Eric possesses nearly a quarter century of relevant public works, residential, and commercial land development engineering experience. Prior to joining the City of Phoenix, Eric was the New Mexico Operations Manager for TYLIN International and prior to that was a Senior Project Manager for RBF Consulting in Arizona. After spending two decades working as a private consultant, Eric desired to utilize his engineering and management expertise in a way that more directly benefited the public. As the City Engineer for the nation’s 5th largest City, Eric is responsible for overseeing the selection of architects, engineers & contractors and the execution the City’s 5-year, $11.0 billion Capital Improvement Program.
Eric holds a bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering from the University of Arizona and is a Registered Professional Engineer in Arizona, California, and New Mexico. Eric is currently a member of the Alumni Industry Council for the University of Arizona and previously held the position of State Director for ACEC-NM.
JESSE GUTIERREZ
Director of Transportation/County Engineer- MCDOT
Jesse Gutierrez serves as the Director of the Maricopa County Department of Transportation (MCDOT) and as the County Engineer and brings over 30 years of experience in transportation construction and roadway maintenance to the MCDOT Team.
Before joining MCDOT in July 2020, Jesse served as the Globe District Engineer for the Arizona Department of Transportation and as Deputy State Engineer, overseeing staff in engineering, maintenance, construction, and materials throughout the State. Jesse has also worked with the City of Tucson, where he was an integral part of the Tucson Modern Streetcar team, among other positions.
Jesse holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Management and a Master of Science degree in Engineering and is registered as a Professional Engineer in Arizona.
CANDACE HUFF
Deputy Aviation Director - City of Phoenix Aviation Department
Candace Huff is a professional engineer who has been working with the City of Phoenix Aviation Department for over twenty-four years. She is currently the Deputy Aviation Director for the Design and Services Division. She oversees and manages the implementation of the Capital Improvement Program and the Airport Capital Improvement Program which encompasses grant funded projects, Job Order Contracting and Tenant Improvement efforts for the division, and Terminal 4 S1 Concourse ensuring thorough and effective execution for the Aviation Department as well as the overall management of the division. She has worked on several key airport development projects for Sky Harbor (PHX), Goodyear (GYR) and Deer Valley (DVT) Airports and has managed projects such as the reconstruction of the north and center runways as well as the new construction of the south runway for PHX.
LYNSEY JONES
Senior Project Manager - McCarthy Building Company
Lynsey Jones is a Senior Project Manager at McCarthy building companies and graduated from ASU. Lynsey has had the opportunity to oversee a variety of projects during her tenure at McCarthy including Healthcare, Education, Hospitality/Gaming, and most currently, Aviation. As a lead manager for large aviation projects, Lynsey partners with the design phase services team during preconstruction to ensure successful trade partner integration from day one. Lynsey has a passion for local trade partners and strives to work with her McCarthy partners to ensure DEI goals are maximized on every project she is involved with.
FRANCESCA MARTIN
Small Business & Workforce Development Officer - ADOT
Francesca Martin serves as the Small Business & Workforce Development Officer in the Business Engagement and Compliance Office division for the Arizona Department of Transportation. She is responsible for providing support and oversight for ADOT’s DBE Certification, DBE Supportive Services, and OJT Supportive Services & Workforce Development Programs. Francesca joined ADOT as the DBE Supportive Services Program Manager in 2020, drawing on her extensive background in the private sector and entrepreneurship helping to facilitate the growth and development of diverse small businesses.
KEN PRATT
President & CEO - Sun Engineering
Mr. Pratt started Sun Engineering in January 2009. Before Starting Sun Engineering, Mr. Pratt was Executive Vice President and the Phoenix branch Office Manager for Dinter Engineering. Ken has more than 30 years of engineering experience in design and program management. Ken has been involved with transit, commercial and municipal projects throughout the valley.
ALLEXSA ROMAY
DBE Supportive Services Specialist - ADOT
Allexsa Romay serves as the Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) Supportive Services Specialist within the Business Engagement and Compliance Office division for the Arizona Department of Transportation. Allexsa comes from the Nonprofit sector and joined ADOT as the DBE Supportive Services Specialist in 2023. She is responsible for communications, one-on-one assistance, and working alongside the DBESS Program Manager to provide educational opportunities to DBEs and Small Businesses through various programs and events.
FLORENTINA (TINA) SAMARTINEAN
Administrator, Employee and Business Development - ADOT
Tina Samartinean is the administrator of the Employee and Business Development Division. She is responsible for implementing ADOT’s employee development program – technical training, leadership/professional development programs in addition to management of business development programs which include ADOT’s Disadvantaged Business Enterprise and On-the-Job-Training programs since 2012. Tina has more than 20 years of experience in various roles advancing employee and business development, operational effectiveness and innovations. Tina also serves as the Vice Chair on the Committee on Civil Rights for American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials AASHTO. Tina was born and raised in Transylvania and is fluent in Romanian, her native language and calls Arizona her new home since 1999.
ANTHONY SARHAN
Deputy Division Administrator - FHWA
JONATHAN THATCHER
Director, Contracting and Procurement - Valley Metro
Mr. Thatcher leads Valley Metro’s initiatives in contracting and procurement including migration to a new e-procurement system, process improvement, training, and innovation for Valley Metro. Valley Metro provides bus, rail, and on-demand public transportation services throughout Maricopa County. He also engages with the local start-up community providing insights into business strategy, financial modeling, and deal structuring. Prior to joining Valley Metro, Mr. Thatcher served as a Finance Procurement Officer – Lead with the City of Phoenix and held various senior management positions with private companies spanning healthcare, water technologies, and biotech.
LinkedIn Profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonathanjamesthatcher/