Kyle Boehnlein
Senior project manager for JE Dunn Construction
Kyle Boehnlein began his career with JE Dunn’s healthcare group in Kansas City and was quickly thrown into managing complex projects, including vertical expansions in active hospitals with medical care such as surgeries and operational NICUs continuing throughout construction.

Because of his demonstrated ability to tackle complex construction challenges around existing facility and ongoing operations, Boehnlein was asked to join JE Dunn’s advanced industries group and move to Oregon in 2014 to work on a semiconductor manufacturing project for a high-profile Fortune 50 company. He has since applied his skillsets in governmental, office and behavioral health projects and was promoted to senior project manager in 2016.

Over the past three years, Boehnlein’s leadership on the Gladys McCoy Health Department Headquarters and the new Salem Police Station have netted 91��Ƶ Top Projects and ENR Northwest Best Projects awards.

With every project, Boehnlein has made a deliberate effort to involve the entire project team and clients in a community service activity, usually related to the client’s mission. The team sorted donations for a transition housing facility that neighbored the Multnomah County Health Department Headquarters, and volunteered alongside members of the Salem Police Department for their annual Halloween safety event.

During the Salem Police Station project, Boehnlein and the team coordinated with the Salem-Keizer School District’s Career Technical Education Center program to develop a high-school internship program. It was the first internship for a CTEC student on a public project, and the district hopes that JE Dunn’s example will lead to more opportunities for students.

“He has an innate ability to knit people together into cohesive teams. He lays the groundwork and lets people shine while he remains in the background ensuring his team has the support they need to be successful,” said Tom Heger, JE Dunn vice president.

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Chris Gregg
Senior vice president of operations for Perlo Construction
Chris Gregg began his career as a field engineer and quickly worked his way up to project manager, senior project manager and senior vice president of operations. He had led a variety of improvements within the company, including the implementation of new project management software, adapting processes for major employee growth and spearheading operational changes during the pandemic.

Gregg leads Perlo’s Opportunity for Improvement Committee, which encourages employee feedback for company improvement, and is creating a bridge between office and field employees by working to improve the communication between the two. He promotes equity and inclusion among all working groups, regardless of their title or position.

“Chris is well respected by his peers and transitioned to his senior leadership role with grace and humility,” said HR Director Meghan Looney.

Todd Duwe, vice president of business development, noted that Gregg has been a part of a new executive leadership team and leads individuals with longer tenure than himself.

“Always humble, Chris does not seek attention or recognition for his quiet leadership, and yet, he is one of the most respected individuals within the company,” he said.

In addition to promoting Perlo’s contribution and involvement in the Schweiger Memorial Scholarship Fund, Gregg participates on several committees, including Book Club, Perlo Cares and the DEI Committee.

A champion for all who want to improve, Gregg has mentored several internal leaders and advocated for their advancement, including Perlo’s newest appointed female directors who are the first to join the senior ranks of leadership within the organization.

“Chris is known as a listener and a thinker, and is always seeking ways to improve, whether that’s in regard to processes, employee wellness and culture, or the betterment of the industry as a whole,” said Elissa Looney, director of strategic initiatives.

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Luke Jannusch
PE, engineering manager at CIDA Architects and Engineers Inc.
Luke Jannusch started his career in construction as a general laborer before designing structures as an engineering manager, giving him a big-picture view of how design translates to the field.

He also worked in the quality control department for Kiewit Infrastructure Northwest during the early stages of building the longest bridge in Alaska, where he learned that trust and clear communication between the client, contractors and all other parties involved are crucial for a smooth operation.

As the engineering manager for CIDA, Jannusch oversees a team of engineers and interns to create and renovate structurally sound buildings. His list of successfully completed projects is long and varied. He is balancing a large-scale project for the Vancouver Housing Authority, which includes extensive renovations to veterans housing on the VA Campus, with his weekly dozen or so smaller seismic anchorage projects.

His portfolio includes 91��Ƶ Top Projects awards for Peterson, Daimler Proving Grounds and AllCare Health. His projects also have been recognized by the LEED Building Council.

“Luke’s positive attitude and technical expertise make him a highly valued and trusted member of our team,” said Curtis Gagner, principal structural engineer with CIDA. “In addition to his project work, Luke has taken on the role of mentoring our junior engineers as they progress on the path towards licensure. He exemplifies the ideal of one who is always willing to extend a helping hand to those around him.”

One of Jannusch’s favorite community service activities is to assist in Habitat for Humanity builds. He also helps with the Lions’ and Elks’ clubs annual food drives during the holidays. With CIDA, he assists in Salvation Army food drives, the Angel Tree toy drive, Portland Rescue Mission, and he helped with a Beaverton School District school cleanup when a roof leaked during a storm.

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Sarah Jones
PE, associate and Design Studio Civil Group leader at David Evans and Associates Inc.
When COVID-19 threatened the workload of staff in DEA’s Land Development Business Unit during the spring of 2020, Sarah Jones developed workshare and cross-training opportunities to keep her colleagues fully employed. They gained new skillsets and internal partnerships that continue to open more possibilities within her group.

In recognition of her work, Jones was invited to be a founding member of DEA’s Superior Technical Performance Taskforce. The goal of the 11-member group is to support and advance the careers of the firm’s technical practitioners through training, collaboration, mentoring and recognition.

Jones specializes in projects that improve the built environment by not only meeting ADA and local accessibility standards but are inclusive for all. She developed methods for streamlining site visits for ADA compliance assessments, and she is a regular attendee of the National ADA Symposium.

With multiple years in the top-20 percent of performers within the firm, Jones serves as a mentor and championed the development of a formal, firmwide mentorship program. As vice president of the Board of Directors for MECOP (Multiple Engineering Cooperative Program), she has helped DEA secure outstanding interns and many new hires over the years.

Jones also founded and chairs MECOP Connect, which brings together alumni of the MECOP program and past and present industry and university representatives for networking, community service and career development activities. She participates in the Future Engineers program with local high schools, and serves on numerous panels advising college students interested in the industry.

“Sarah is committed to giving back to the industry and helping interns, engineers in training and emerging professionals secure the opportunities she has experienced in her career. Her work has helped countless students successfully navigate first steps in the A/E profession throughout the state,” said Todd Marcum, Land Development Market Leader.

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Jessy Ledesma
Founder and principal of HomeWork Development
After 15 years of developing both affordable and commercial projects, Jessy Ledesma launched her own company, HomeWork, earlier this year. Her focus is developing attainable housing and broadening access to the real estate development industry.

Ledesma has closed more than 10 complex affordable housing projects for both non-profit and for-profit ownership. She also is developing several new, ground-up projects in the Portland area, delivering much-needed workforce housing in both rental and for-sale models.

In partnership with Anna Mackay, founder and principal of Sister City, Ledesma has launched a new “missing middle” housing platform called Shortstack deployed across multiple infill sites in Portland. In addition to delivering neighborhood-scale rental housing for households earning 80 to 100 percent of median family income, the Shortstack team is committed to engaging a workforce that is 100 percent BIPOC, female and/or non-binary.

Ledesma recently received the 2021 U.S. Forest Service Wood Innovation Grant for Shortstack. The project team also is raising the Shortstack Impact Equity Fund toward the first 75 units built under this platform.

Through HomeWork, Ledesma is developing a three-site workforce ownership model called the Milwaukie Courtyard Housing Project, which aims to deliver a replicable model for highly efficient, mass-timber homes affordable for households earning 80 to 100 percent of the median family income. Ledesma received the Energy Trust Net Zero Fellowship toward this effort.

Ledesma is a member of the inaugural Women’s Leadership Planning Committee and served on the Portland Housing Affordability Commission from 2018-2021. Earlier in her career, she was on the Oregon Opportunity Network Developers Advisory Board.

“Jessy Ledesma of HomeWork Development represents the new vanguard of Portland real estate developers working to make a positive impact on our city,” said Kevin Cavenaugh, founder and owner of Guerrilla Development. “She is a phenomenal developer who deeply understands both the art and science of our industry.”

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Anna Mackay
Founder and principal of Sister City
Anna Mackay founded her company in the midst of a global pandemic and the worst fire season in Oregon’s modern history. Her company is notable for its spirit of collaboration and its reevaluation of standard development practices to one that emphasizes a just balance of equity – social, environmental and financial.

Mackay led Sister City through a joint venture development with Catholic Charities of Oregon called the Annex, a 27-unit affordable housing development that is the first project in Portland to be constructed using cross-laminated timber. The Annex is set to welcome residents in summer 2022.

Along with her business partner, Jessy Ledesma of HomeWork Development, she is launching Shortstack. The 100-unit, scatter-site project will consider a wide array of important impact issues during its implementation, including affordable housing accessibility, racial and gender equality in an historically exclusive industry and environmental sustainability. The project is designed to directly address the housing crisis in Portland by providing affordable units in sizes that meet the market’s need.

Mackay also serves on the advisory board of Mercy Corps NW’s Community Investment Trust, and volunteers business and strategy consulting with female and Black, Indigenous and other People of Color (BIPOC) students and emerging developers in Portland and across the country.

Kevin Cavenaugh, founder and owner of Guerrilla Development, noted that since Mackay left his company to establish her own, she has demonstrated that women can and should step into for-profit leadership roles in real estate development.

“She lives and breathes the tenets that will lead our new economy – tireless dedication to diversity and inclusion, critical reevaluation of staid assumptions, and a creative redefinition of what she calls the ‘whole return,’ a way of discussing real estate performance that includes financial return but also emphasizes long-term community improvement,” he said.

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Amalia Mohr
Senior associate and senior interior designer at LRS Architects
Amalia Mohr joined LRS during the pandemic and quickly helped implement strategies focused on staff well-being. One of several examples is the LRS Gratitude Ninjas, which she spearheaded with a group of her fellow co-workers to show appreciation to all staff members. Mohr also has been a key contributor on the firm’s Work from Home + Return to Work taskforce.

Turning her project programming skills internally, Mohr utilized her proficiency in organizational change management to guide leadership in implementing measures that include monetary allowances and food delivery gift cards to support the emotional and physical well-being of the LRS team during the workplace transitions.

“Amalia’s mission is to treat others as you would want to be treated. She is genuinely collaborative and a true advocate for her clients and her team,” said Managing Principal Michelle Startt.

As president of the Oregon chapter of the International Interior Design Association (IIDA) from 2010-2011, during a recession when nearly half of the architecture community was out of work or on reduced hours and pay, Mohr guided her team of board members to provide support for designers during tough times.

Under her leadership, the chapter offered free and greatly reduced admission to events, worked with sponsors to help with membership and NCIDQ reimbursements, and offered free job postings. As a result, the chapter was recognized nationally with the IIDA’s Small Chapter of the Year award.

Mohr and her family live in Tigard, where she has been selected twice to serve on community development committees. As a member of the Universal Plaza Design Advisory group, she contributed her expertise on environmental impact on behavior to help create a safe, inclusive and welcoming space for families. She also advocated for inclusive, affordable housing as a member of the River Terrace 2.0 advisory committee.

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Jessica Ray
Project manager for Rosendin
Initially planning to become a middle-school math teacher, Jessica Ray’s career plans changed with a mass teacher layoff the year she graduated. After joining Rosendin she returned to college, earned her PM certification and completed a year-long journey in the NEXT Leadership Academy.

Now a project manager in Rosendin’s Hillsboro office, Ray oversees a team of employees and manages a project in excess of $50 million that requires constant adaptation.

“Jessica has been recognized by her supervisors and peers for her ability to pivot to meet changing deliverables, manage client expectations and keep her team motivated during times of adversity,” said Michelle Doyle, Rosendin division manager.

Ray’s positive influence through challenging situations prompted Rosendin’s leadership to ask her to join the company’s ESOP Communication Committee, which drives the employee ownership program and helps shape the company’s workplace culture.

“She truly cares about employees both professionally and personally, and feels her work on this committee helps build employees by giving them opportunities to grow and succeed,” Doyle said.

Ray’s communication skills also help her gain a deep understanding of the causes of clients’ change requests, explain the “whys” to her team, and build consensus toward shared success. The firm’s leadership notes that she not only manages her team effectively through change, but her insight is highly valued by customers who seek out her thoughts on how changes will affect their trade partners and identify other unintended effects.

In addition to her volunteer work on Rosendin’s ESOP committee, Ray is a strong advocate for women in the electrical industry and serves as a role model and mentor. In 2018, she participated in the Women in Construction West Coast Conference, and in 2019 she participated in the Groundbreaking Women in Construction event in San Francisco.

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Daniel Skovron
Senior project manager at DCI Engineers
Daniel Skovron’s expertise in heavy timber projects has been instrumental in supporting the firm’s pursuit of becoming a recognized regional mass-timber engineering team. He has overseen numerous DCI projects requiring innovative solutions and proprietary wood connection technologies for first-time use, and then later implemented on other projects as a new standard.

Skovron is familiar with fire-rated, wood-to-wood connections intended for structural systems built in seismic zones and detailed to be fully concealed. He has shared the data he gathered from product manufacturers’ interstory drift tests with local jurisdictions to exemplify how rigid wood connections are able to withstand building movements during a seismic event. His detailed mass-timber documentation submittals to the city of Portland have allowed his team to obtain multiple building permits.

One of his notable accomplishments includes the King and Parks Apartments, a wood-framed, low-income housing project in Portland. Skovron designed a cost-efficient steel beam transfer system at the second level, which required a higher level of coordination than conventional concrete podiums to implement the design. He also incorporated exposed glulam columns at the ground floor.

A coach for youth baseball and soccer teams, Skovron’s natural interest in schools and how the built environment can influence learning pushes him to think about creative, structural design solutions that produce effective, positive outcomes. As one of DCI’s team leaders, he applies his coaching skills with young engineers and interns and encourages their growth in the profession.

“Daniel’s K-12 project portfolio and mass-timber design experience continues to grow, positioning him to be a niche market expert and a business development professional for the firm,” said Principal Shirley Chalupa.

His work with mass timber includes renovating a covered play structure at Milwaukie El Puente Elementary School, several projects for the North Clackamas School District and the Oregon Episcopal School Gymnasium.

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Chris Young
Client service manager at Murraysmith + Quincy Engineering
Drawing on deep experience in the design and construction of seismically resilient reservoirs, Chris Young has led Murraysmith + Quincy teams across multiple states to tackle long-term planning and seismic resilience projects for local water districts and municipalities. In the first six months of 2021, he completed more than 20 Risk and Resilience Assessments and Emergency Response Plan projects.

Young is leading the development of a firmwide business intelligence program to ensure the company can provide its clients with the latest updates to infrastructure funding, available funding for local communities and environmental policy changes that may affect communities. He’s also developing a firmwide KPI reporting system that integrates Murraysmith + Quincy into one unified platform to enhance consistency and future project performance.

When Young was tasked with providing high-level oversight of professional conferences firmwide, he stepped up with both strategic input and overall support.
“From guiding our teams in a positive way by encouraging abstract submissions to increasing the level of assistance we currently offer to organizations, he’s consistently provided value to the team,” said Alex Orozco, senior marketing coordinator.

Andrew Midwood, director of business development, added, “Chris is continually recognized by junior staff and his direct reports as one of the best managers to work for. He provides outstanding mentorship, staying connected and relaying honest feedback with his teams while staying humble and open to critique.”

In 2020, Young was nominated by the Murraysmith + Quincy marketing team and won the Society for Marketing Professional Services Oregon Marketing Advocate of the Year. An active member of the Pacific Northwest Section of the American Water Works Association since 2009, he has served in several leadership positions and was the 2019 recipient of its Pioneer Award for young professionals exemplifying outstanding leadership. In 2020, he received AWWA-PNWS’ John Lechner Award of Excellence.

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