LIVED EXPERIENCES
Panel description: Join us to hear the incredible experiences of our panelists on their journey so far… from overcoming personal struggles to finding their passions and living their dreams!
MODERATOR:
Silas Nigam, President for CA, S+B James Construction
Silas Nigam has over 28 years of experience in the Construction Industry and is the President at S+B James Construction (MBE). Silas has been an active participant with giving back to the community and has supported several programs including WRMSDC, Construction Industry Education Foundation, ACE Mentor Program, CREATE, Sacramento Children Home, and many others. What he enjoys most is teaming with owners, architects, engineers, and trade partners in planning and building of projects as well the ability to mentor and teach the next generation of Builders!
Silas Nigam has over 28 years of experience in the Construction Industry and is the President at S+B James Construction (MBE). Silas has been an active participant with giving back to the community and has supported several programs including WRMSDC, Construction Industry Education Foundation, ACE Mentor Program, CREATE, Sacramento Children Home, and many others. What he enjoys most is teaming with owners, architects, engineers, and trade partners in planning and building of projects as well the ability to mentor and teach the next generation of Builders!
PANELISTS:
Genevieve Vargas, Senior Architect, Facilities Management | Capital Improvement | County of Placer
Genevieve Vargas has been in the architectural industry for over 27 years. She is a licensed Architect and a LEED AP Interior Design and Construction certified professional. Genevieve is a Senior Architect with the Capital Improvements division at Placer County and leads a team of architects and project managers to oversee new construction and tenant improvement projects for the County. Genevieve has a passion for the collaborative Design Build delivery method and advocates for this process. She served on the local AIA Central Valley Chapter Board for 7 years and in 2019, was the fourth female president in the chapter's history. During her time on the Board, she helped create and develop a women in construction conference.
Genevieve Vargas has been in the architectural industry for over 27 years. She is a licensed Architect and a LEED AP Interior Design and Construction certified professional. Genevieve is a Senior Architect with the Capital Improvements division at Placer County and leads a team of architects and project managers to oversee new construction and tenant improvement projects for the County. Genevieve has a passion for the collaborative Design Build delivery method and advocates for this process. She served on the local AIA Central Valley Chapter Board for 7 years and in 2019, was the fourth female president in the chapter's history. During her time on the Board, she helped create and develop a women in construction conference.
Blue Coble. Ironworker/QA Manager, McCarthy, Dove Spokesmodel
Blue Coble joined the union ironworkers in 2011. During her time working construction, she studied safety and quality, served as a trustee to her union, helped as an instructor, along with mentoring other women coming up through the trades. She even landed the role of a spokesmodel for the Dove Beauty Bar! She started working with McCarthy as a Quality Manager in 2020, and has continued her passion for teaching and mentoring.
Blue Coble joined the union ironworkers in 2011. During her time working construction, she studied safety and quality, served as a trustee to her union, helped as an instructor, along with mentoring other women coming up through the trades. She even landed the role of a spokesmodel for the Dove Beauty Bar! She started working with McCarthy as a Quality Manager in 2020, and has continued her passion for teaching and mentoring.
Susan Rodriguez, Field Representative, Carpenters Local 152
Susan Rodriguez has been a proud member of Carpenters Local 152 for 23 years. She was a Field Representative for the NorCal Carpenters Union for 15 years, and most recently served as FOCUS Coordinator. In August 1999, she began a 4 year Carpenters Apprenticeship program; she completed it in 3.5 years and was honored as Apprentice of the Year. She was able to raise her 5 children with the wages and benefits that the Union provided, as well as introduce them to a career in the trades. Today, three of her five children have completed the apprenticeship program and are Journeylevel Carpenters, including her youngest daughter.
Susan Rodriguez has been a proud member of Carpenters Local 152 for 23 years. She was a Field Representative for the NorCal Carpenters Union for 15 years, and most recently served as FOCUS Coordinator. In August 1999, she began a 4 year Carpenters Apprenticeship program; she completed it in 3.5 years and was honored as Apprentice of the Year. She was able to raise her 5 children with the wages and benefits that the Union provided, as well as introduce them to a career in the trades. Today, three of her five children have completed the apprenticeship program and are Journeylevel Carpenters, including her youngest daughter.
EXECUTIVE RESPONSE TO DEI
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion is at the forefront of discussion in nearly all industries. What does DEI really mean? Why is it important to our industry? Who are some of the leaders on this discussion and what can we learn from them?
MODERATOR:
Aaron Schwartz, DBIA - Preconstruction Leader | DPR Construction
Aaron is a Preconstruction Leader for DPR Construction based out of Sacramento, CA. His career has been focused on delivering exceptional Design-Build projects, having been engaged for 15 years on Design-Build work, with experience ranging from Owner’s Program Manager, to Owner’s Representative CM, subcontractor, and now as a Builder. Utilizing the diverse perspectives gained through these experiences, Aaron focuses on truly integrating with our design teams, and leveraging the Design-to-Build mentality to create predictable outcomes.
Aaron is a Preconstruction Leader for DPR Construction based out of Sacramento, CA. His career has been focused on delivering exceptional Design-Build projects, having been engaged for 15 years on Design-Build work, with experience ranging from Owner’s Program Manager, to Owner’s Representative CM, subcontractor, and now as a Builder. Utilizing the diverse perspectives gained through these experiences, Aaron focuses on truly integrating with our design teams, and leveraging the Design-to-Build mentality to create predictable outcomes.
PANELISTS:
Mark Adams, Workforce Development | Teichert Construction
Mark Adams works for Teichert as a strategic partner in Workforce Development with an emphasis on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. With Teichert’s immediate and long-term goals for Work Force development, he is responsible for building, leading, and fostering high performance teams and programs where diversity, equality and opportunity are welcome, encourage and expected. Mark owns and operates AHI Construction, Inc. specializing in tenant improvements, commercial renovations, and Federal Projects. He is a partner in the consulting firm System 2 Solutions which focuses on Executive Coaching, Management and Strategic Planning and Mental Health on all levels. He began his career in work force development through his nonprofit, the Urban Empowerment Academy, which focuses on teaching young and underprivilege children in urban areas construction trades with paid on the job training on AHI Construction projects. Mark has a dual degree from UC Davis in Economics and Sociology, and an MBA from CSU Sacramento. He is a Nehemiah Emerging Leader Fellow and sits on the Sacramento Black Chamber Board. He is passionate about educating the next generation on the career opportunities in construction, whether it be the college route or the trade route. His motto is “College is not for everyone, but Education is…” Mark is the proud father of two beautiful daughters, Malayah and Jaya, and is married to his lovely wife Jamila. In his spare time, you can catch him at one of his daughter’s volleyball games, traveling, boating or working on his culinary barbeque skills to one day compete on BBQ Pitmaster.
Mark Adams works for Teichert as a strategic partner in Workforce Development with an emphasis on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. With Teichert’s immediate and long-term goals for Work Force development, he is responsible for building, leading, and fostering high performance teams and programs where diversity, equality and opportunity are welcome, encourage and expected. Mark owns and operates AHI Construction, Inc. specializing in tenant improvements, commercial renovations, and Federal Projects. He is a partner in the consulting firm System 2 Solutions which focuses on Executive Coaching, Management and Strategic Planning and Mental Health on all levels. He began his career in work force development through his nonprofit, the Urban Empowerment Academy, which focuses on teaching young and underprivilege children in urban areas construction trades with paid on the job training on AHI Construction projects. Mark has a dual degree from UC Davis in Economics and Sociology, and an MBA from CSU Sacramento. He is a Nehemiah Emerging Leader Fellow and sits on the Sacramento Black Chamber Board. He is passionate about educating the next generation on the career opportunities in construction, whether it be the college route or the trade route. His motto is “College is not for everyone, but Education is…” Mark is the proud father of two beautiful daughters, Malayah and Jaya, and is married to his lovely wife Jamila. In his spare time, you can catch him at one of his daughter’s volleyball games, traveling, boating or working on his culinary barbeque skills to one day compete on BBQ Pitmaster.
Dr. Markisha Webster, Interim Chief Diversity Officer, SMUD
Dr. Markisha Webster is SMUD’s Interim Chief Diversity Officer and responsible for company-wide programs and services such as human resources, workforce development, diversity and inclusion, and sustainable communities. The focus of his business areas is to advocate diversity, inspire an inclusive culture based on trust and respect, and to create belonging and connection among our employees, customers, and communities, which ultimately results in positive, equitable outcomes for all.
Prior to arriving at SMUD, Markisha served as the Director for the Office of Equity and Human Rights at the City of Portland and Special Advisor to the Mayor on issues of racial justice for two and a half years. She also served as Director for the Office of Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion at the Oregon Department of Education, where her work was focused on anti-racism, equity, diversity, and inclusion, culturally responsive practice, intersectionality, eradicating anti-Black racism, and working to eliminate systems of oppression.
Markisha also worked as the Director of Undergraduate Teacher Education at Warner Pacific College, as an Assistant Professor at Western Oregon University and Northern Michigan University, and as a high school English teacher in Houston, Texas for nine years.
Markisha is a proud mother of two beautiful children, Cadence and Bryson.
Dr. Markisha Webster is SMUD’s Interim Chief Diversity Officer and responsible for company-wide programs and services such as human resources, workforce development, diversity and inclusion, and sustainable communities. The focus of his business areas is to advocate diversity, inspire an inclusive culture based on trust and respect, and to create belonging and connection among our employees, customers, and communities, which ultimately results in positive, equitable outcomes for all.
Prior to arriving at SMUD, Markisha served as the Director for the Office of Equity and Human Rights at the City of Portland and Special Advisor to the Mayor on issues of racial justice for two and a half years. She also served as Director for the Office of Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion at the Oregon Department of Education, where her work was focused on anti-racism, equity, diversity, and inclusion, culturally responsive practice, intersectionality, eradicating anti-Black racism, and working to eliminate systems of oppression.
Markisha also worked as the Director of Undergraduate Teacher Education at Warner Pacific College, as an Assistant Professor at Western Oregon University and Northern Michigan University, and as a high school English teacher in Houston, Texas for nine years.
Markisha is a proud mother of two beautiful children, Cadence and Bryson.
Pansy Romo, Vice President of Construction, Intech Mechanical
Bio coming soon.
Bio coming soon.