Last update: 05/11/2012

Capital Projects Advisory Review Board - Member Bios

The Capital Projects Advisory Review Board (CPARB) will review alternative public works contracting procedures and provide guidance to state policymakers on ways to further enhance the quality, efficiency, and accountability of public works contacting methods.

“State and local governments engage in hundreds of critical public works design and construction projects each year, creating thousands of private sector family-wage jobs in our communities,” said Gov. Gregoire. “I look forward to the careful deliberations and recommendations of the Review Board.”

General Contractor Representative:

Dan Absher of Puyallup has been appointed to a term effective July 29, 2005, ending June 30 2015. Absher is the President of Absher Construction Company and a member of the Washington State Bar Association.

General Contractor Representative:

Vince Campanella of Spokane has been appointed to a term effective December 5, 2007, ending June 30, 2015. Campanella is a Senior Project Manager for Lydig Construction, Inc., a member of the Inland Northwest AGC Board of Directors, and a member of the AGC of Washington State Facilities Committee.

Architects Representative:

Walter Schacht of Seattle has been appointed to represent Architects to a term effective July 29, 2011 ending June 30, 2015. Walter has been a licensed and practicing architect since 1995 in Washington. He is currently the Principal Architect at Schacht Aslani Architects, established in 1996.

Engineers Representative:

Damon Smith, P.E. of Spokane has been appointed to a term effective October 6, 2008, ending June 30, 2015. Smith is a Principal at DCI Engineers; a civil and structural engineering consulting firm based in Bellevue, and has over twenty years of experience as a design professional and consulting civil engineer. Smith serves on the Executive Board of the Greater Spokane Valley Chamber of Commerce and is a member of the American Society of Civil Engineers.

Specialty Contractor Representatives:

Christine McCorkle of Sumner has been appointed to a term effective May 5, 2010, ending July 28, 2013. McCorkle is the Project Executive of SAK & Associates and has experience working on design build, GC/CM, and design bid build projects.

Ed Kommers of Seattle has been appointed to a term effective August 9, 2005, ending June 30, 2015. Kommers has worked on many public works projects including Benaroya Concert Hall and the University of Washington Suzzallo Library Renovation. Kommers is the Director of Technical Services for the Mechanical Contractors Association of Washington.

Construction Trades Labor Representative:

David Myers was appointed to represent to a term effective November 2011, ending June 30, 2015. He is the Executive Secretary for Washington State Building Trades since 2011. He has been a licensed Journeyman electrician since 1999, in 204 gained status of Master Electrician. He worked for L&I from 2004-2007 as an inspector and then a electrical technical specialist.

Mark “Dut” Riker, Business Representative for Sheet Metal Workers’ Local 66, studied and graduated a 5 year Sheet Metal Apprenticeship through Local 66, worked for Hermanson Company of Kent, WA for over 11 years as an apprentice, journeyman, Foreman, and Superintendent before being elected to Local Union office by his peers in the sheet metal industry. Mark is very active in the Mukilteo, WA community where his son lives and goes to school, Mark lives near Lake Ki southwest of Arlington. Mark’s appointment ends on 6/30/2015.

Office of Minority & Women’s Business Enterprises Representative:

Cathy Canorro – of Olympia has been employed with the State of Washington Office of Minority and Women's Business Enterprises (OMWBE) since 1990. She managed OMWBE’s Agency Support and Supplier Diversity Division since 1997. Cathy has been an active member of the Washington State Bar Association since 1975.

Private Industry Representative:

John Ahlers has been appointed as a private industry representative for a term effective November 26, 2007, ending June 2011. John is a founding member of the law firm of Ahlers & Cressman PLLC. Mr. Ahlers’ practice has focused on the resolution of construction disputes since 1983. He represents owners, general contractors, subcontractors, suppliers, architects, engineers, and construction industry associations. John has experience in both government and private contracts. Mr. Ahlers has served as Chair of the Construction Section of the Washington State Bar Association and is licensed in the states of Washington, Oregon and Alaska.

Private Industry Representative:

Christopher Hirst is a partner in the law firm of Kirkpatrick & Lockhart Preston Gates Ellis LLP in Seattle. He practices in the area of education law. He represents a variety of public school districts and a major school district risk retention pool. He performs work directly for school districts and indirectly through the risk retention pool by representing public educators in student-related disputes, public owners in construction-related disputes, and public employers in employment-related disputes. In addition, he provided general counsel work for public entities. His appointment ends on 6/30/2015.

Counties Representative:

Gary Rowe of Olympia represents the Counties interest in CPARB. Gary is the Managing Director of the Washington State Association of Counties. His term is indefinite.

Higher Education Representative:

Olivia Yang of Washington State University, Pullman, WA, has been appointed to a term effective July 28, 2005, ending June 30, 2013. Yang is the Associate Vice President for Facilities Services, overseeing campus planning, capital design and construction projects for all WSU campuses, as well as maintenance and operations on the Pullman campus. She also acts as the University Architect, and is a member of the Design Build Institute of America and American Institute of Architects. She holds a Master’s Degree in Architecture from the University of Washington.

Department of Enterprise Services Representative:

Nancy Deakins is currently representing DES but has not been appointed.

Insurance/Surety Industry Representative:

Larry Byers of Seattle has been appointed to a term effective September 15, 2005, ending June 30, 2013. Byers is the Senior Vice President for Contractors Bonding and Insurance (CBIC). It is a property and casualty insurance company that specializes in bond and insurance products for contractors.

Cities Representative:

Helaine Honig of Seattle is a Senior Assistant City Attorney for the City of Seattle. Helaine has been a practicing attorney for 34 years; 21 years as Senior Assistant City Attorney in the Contracts Section of the Seattle City Attorney’s Office, concentrating on real estate, construction and design. Also a member of the Executive Committee of the WSBA Construction Law Section.

School Districts Representative:

Steven Crawford of Issaquah is the Director of Capital Projects for the Issaquah School District. He has held this position since 1997 and has managed over $370,000,000 in construction projects for the school district. He is also has a Bachelor of Science in Architecture from Arizona State University.

Ports Representative

Robert Maruska of Seattle has been appointed to represent Washington ports. Maruska is the Assistant Director, Engineering, Design Services for the Port of Seattle Engineering Department. His responsibilities include oversight of capital project scope of services, budgets and schedules. Maruska promotes efficiency and promotes quality of constructed facilities. He will the representative for the Ports on the Capital Projects Advisory Review Board. Maruska has many years experience with public works contracts. Mr. Maruska has been the Chair of the CPARB since July 2008.

House of Representatives (D):

Representative Kathy Haigh has been appointed to represent the democratic caucus of the House of Representatives. Rep. Haigh, from the 35th Legislative District - Mason and portions of Grays Harbor, Kitsap, and Thurston Counties, is a member of the following committees: Appropriations Subcommittee on Education Funding (Chair), Appropriations and Education Committees.

House of Representatives (R):

Representative Bruce Dammeier has appointed to represent the republican caucus of the House of Representatives. Rep. Dammeier, from the 25th Legislative District – Puyallup, South Hill, Summit, Midland, Milton, and parts of Edgewood and Fife in Pierce County. He is a member of the following committees: Human Services (Ranking), Ways and Means (Assistant Ranking), and Education.

Senate (D):

Senator Rodney Tom has been appointed to represent the democratic caucus of the Senate. Senator Tom, from the 48th Legislative District – Bellevue, is a member of the following committees: Early Learning and K-12 Education (Vice Chair), Judiciary (Vice Chair) and Consumer Protection and Housing Ways and Means.

Senate (R):

Vacant

For more information, please contact:

Nancy Deakins, P.E.
Deputy Assistant Director
Engineering & Architectural Services
Dept. of Enterprise Services
DES/DSHS Team
Nancy.Deakins@dshs.wa.gov
(360) 902-8161
 
Danelle Bessett, Administrative Support
Administrative Assistant
Danelle.Bessett@dshs.wa.gov
(360) 902-7941