Friday, November 1 to Sunday, November 3, 2024
Hyatt Regency Long Beach
200 South Pine Avenue, Long Beach, CA 90802

Get ready for an exciting event filled with informative sessions; a thought-provoking keynote and an owner’s panel; a dinner/casino night; networking opportunities with Vanir leadership, clients, industry leaders and peers; and a shared gala with The Dominguez Dream. Additional information to follow.

Vanir will be hosting a three-day, in-person conference for all technical employees. This event will provide an opportunity to learn about various topics relevant to our industry and profession.

Please note that November 1 and 2 will be open to clients, guests and Vanir technical employees. November 3 will be dedicated to Vanir technical employees only.

Mission Statement

Vanir is dedicated to empowering our people by fostering a culture of purpose-driven innovation and collaborative success leading to transformative solutions that enrich lives and our communities.

Core Values

  • Integrity: We are committed to the highest level of ethics.
  • Leadership: We develop leaders who inspire others to reach beyond.
  • Collaboration: We build robust teams that combine expertise and ingenuity to drive success.
  • Innovation: We promote a culture that embraces new ideas and technologies.
  • Safety: We integrate safety into everything we do.
  • Inclusion: We embrace diversity as a source of strength, creativity and success.
  • Philanthropy: We strive to impact our communities in a meaningful way.
    Nothing showcases this commitment more than The Dominguez Dream 501(c)(3) public nonprofit organization. Founded by our Chairwoman and CEO Dorene C. Dominguez in honor of her late father H. Frank Dominguez, the nonprofit empowers children in underserved communities and transforms their lives.

KEYNOTE SPEAKER

Barbara J. Jackson, PhD, FDBIA

Director & President, Barbara Jackson LLC

After 20 years in the industry as a chief estimator, senior project manager and CEO of Design-Build Services Inc., and another 15 years developing design-build and integrated project delivery education at Cal Poly in San Luis Obispo, California, Barbara returned to Colorado, where in August of 2013, she took over the helm as the Director of the Burns School of Real Estate and Construction Management at the University of Denver in Denver, CO. There, she developed an integrated educational model representing the full life cycle of the built environment, encompassing all aspects of commercial and residential construction, commercial real estate and project delivery. As director of the Burns School, she developed and delivered the most advanced education in the built environment. In 2022, Jackson transitioned from her career in academia and dedicates her efforts toward transforming leadership and culture in the AEC industry through her company, Barbara Jackson LLC, where she offers speaking services, educational boot camps and training, consulting services, leadership support, culture mapping, strategic planning and various tailored services.

As one of the most recognized and respected thought leaders in the AEC industry, Dr. Jackson’s primary focus is on leadership and culture in the transforming design and construction disciplines. She is a leading expert in the areas of design-build, integrated project leadership, gender intelligence, interdisciplinary collaboration and cultural transformation. Dr. Jackson spent 20 years in the construction and real estate industry working as a project estimator and senior project manager and then as president and owner of Design-Build Services Inc. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Housing and Design, a Master of Construction Management, and a PhD in Education and Human Resources with a specialization in the construction industry from Colorado State University.

In 2018, Dr. Jackson received the prestigious Brunelleschi Lifetime Achievement Award, which is the highest honor bestowed by the Design-Build Institute of America (DBIA). That same year she was recognized as a DBIA Fellow by the Institute. This is in addition to receiving many Distinguished Leadership and Service awards over the years.

Always in high demand, Dr. Jackson is a nationally recognized speaker. She presents the most innovative
and thought-provoking industry material to a multitude of regional, national and international design and construction companies; professional associations; and public entities each year. In 2015, Dr. Jackson created the Women Building Change Leadership Boot Camp dedicated to preparing and advancing women in construction and related fields to leadership roles. In 2023, Dr. Jackson will be rolling out additional leadership training programs and providing deeper dive leadership coaching on a one-to-one basis.

In addition, she is the author of two books – “Construction Management Jumpstart” and “Design-Build Essentials.”

OWNER's PANEL: SIXTY YEARS OF LEGACY, PURPOSE, COLLABORATION AND VISION

Moderator: Tim Hancock, Executive Director of Justice, Vanir

David Lewis

Director, Facility Planning, Construction and Management

California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation

Kaveh Dabiran

Managing Director, Planning & Development, Corporate Real Estate

United Airlines

David Zupan

Senior Project Manager

Pueblo County, Colorado

Matias Segura

Superintendent

Austin Independent School District

CONFERENCE SCHEDULE

Day One

Friday, November 1, 2024

Clients, Guests and Vanir Employees

Registration & Lunch
Location:
Regency Ballroom
Presenter(s):
Safety Orientation
Location:
Regency Ballroom
Presenter(s):

Karen Meistas

Conference Kickoff
Location:
Regency Ballroom
Presenter(s):

Dorene C. Dominguez, Vanir Chairwoman and CEO

Welcome remarks from Dorene C. Dominguez, Vanir Chairwoman and CEO.

Keynote Speaker
Location:
Regency Ballroom
Presenter(s):

Barbara J. Jackson, Ph.D, FDBIA

It’s Time to Jump the Curve

Owner’s Panel
Location:
Regency Ballroom
Presenter(s):

David Lewis, CDCR
Kaveh Dabiran, United Airlines
David Zupan, Pueblo County, Colorado
Matias Segura, Austin ISD

Break
Location:
Presenter(s):
Happy Hour
Location:
Seaview Foyer & Rotunda
Presenter(s):
Casino Night
Location:
Seaview Foyer & Rotunda
Presenter(s):

Day Two

Saturday, November 2, 2024

CLIENTS, GUESTS AND VANIR EMPLOYEES

Breakfast
Location:
Regency Ballroom
Presenter(s):
Vanir Only: PMCM 101 – An Overview
Location:
Shoreline A
Presenter(s):

Stan Ng
Lisa McLean

This presentation is an overview of the work we do and how we do it and will provide a high level overview of what contributes to successful project execution with a focus on our role as Project and Construction Managers.

Open to All: Construction Law, Change Management & Negotiation
Location:
Seaview C
Presenter(s):

Kurt Weidmann
Scott Murphy
Chris Kuennen
Ben Sabati

Panel discussion providing an overview of the law dictating our work (Spearin Doctrine, Betterment, Standard of Care), and best practices for the determination of entitlement, completing an independent estimate, and building & executing a negotiation plan.

Open to All: What to Do When an Owner “Off Ramps” a Project
Location:
Seaview A
Presenter(s):

Steven Solka
Joe Sweat
Michael Clark

Presentation of three recent projects when an Owner changes delivery methods in the middle of the project. A quick summary and background on each project will be provided for the audience, including the events and factors leading up to the ‘off ramp’ decision. The discussion will conclude with a lesson learned and best practices discussion with the audience should they find themselves in a similar situation.

Open to All: Personal Empowerment
Location:
Seaview B
Presenter(s):

Karen Meistas
Arielle Villalobos

You are invited to join this relaxing, interactive workshop where we will explore the Power of One, the Impact of Many. We will discuss loading our bus with the right people and conduct a personal inventory about our own work traits and styles. We will review strategies on Communicating through Conflict and putting Diplomacy and Tact into Action. This will be a time of self-reflection and assessment.

Vanir Only: Managing Client Expectations
Location:
Shoreline B
Presenter(s):

Jinous Samii-Saremi
Darnell Cola
Cymbre Potter
Dan Ferst

Managing client expectations involves clearly defining and communicating project goals, timelines, and deliverables to ensure alignment and satisfaction, fostering trust and long-term relationships

Vanir Only: Schedule & Budget Management
Location:
Seaview A
Presenter(s):

Travis Price
Anthony Foster-Davis
Lance Durfee

This presentation is an overview of Vanir best practices in schedule and budget management aligned with CMAA standards of practice.

Open to All: Communicating to Connect, not Reject
Location:
Regency Ballroom
Presenter(s):

Dr. Barbara Jackson

Dr. Barbara Jackson presents on communication skills.

Lunch
Location:
Regency Ballroom
Presenter(s):
Vanir Only: Risk Management
Location:
Seaview A
Presenter(s):

Adriana Valencia
Rufo Reyes

This presentation is an overview of Vanir best practices in risk management aligned with CMAA standards of practice.

Open to All: Becoming an Impact Player
Location:
Regency Ballroom
Presenter(s):

Dr. Barbara Jackson

Dr. Barbara Jackson presents on being an impact player in your company and project role.

Group Photo
Location:
Seaview Rotunda / Outside Main Lobby
Presenter(s):
Vanir Only: Safety & Quality Management
Location:
Shoreline A
Presenter(s):

Karen Meistas
Cole Weyenberg
Mac McDonald

Open to All: Escalation Ladder for Change Management
Location:
Seaview C
Presenter(s):

Chris Kuennen
Scott Murphy
Mercedes Sullivan

Panel discussion regarding the escalation ladder for change management, including the functions of the Project Implementation Committee, Project Executive and Client Leadership, dispute review boards, arbitration, mediation and litigation. The discussion will follow our recent experience with the Valleywise Health program.

Vanir Only: Defining & Communicating Vanir’s role in DB / PDB Delivery
Location:
Seaview B
Presenter(s):

Mike Meredith
Sheri O’Brien
Raaj Patel

Open to All: Opportunities to Utilize AI in Project Delivery
Location:
Seaview A
Presenter(s):

Phil Deak
Doug Kelley

The intent for this course will be to provide an overview of Vanir’s policies associated with AI, and introduction to the AI tools available to Vanir Staff. This course will also provide a case study of using AI for business success and efficiency.

Vanir Only: The Power of Business Development
Location:
Shoreline B
Presenter(s):

Onallee Elsberry-Crabtree
Jason Wooley
Laura McCarty
Marc Michalson

“Start where you are. Use what you have. Do what you can.” Believe it or not, all firm employees – from the receptionist to the field inspector working on a project – engage in business development for the company. So, together, how can we build a business development culture? Hear lessons learned from business development rainmakers and learn key tools and tactics to develop your presell skills to add value to the capture strategy and take responsibility for your part in business development. We all contribute to the greater success of the company.

Break
Location:
Presenter(s):
The Dominguez Dream Gala
Location:
Regency Ballroom
Presenter(s):

Day Three

Sunday, November 3, 2024

VANIR EMPLOYEES

Breakfast
Location:
Regency Ballroom
Presenter(s):
Business Meeting & Area Videos
Location:
Regency Ballroom
Presenter(s):
Vanir Only: Career Development & Progression
Location:
Seaview A
Presenter(s):

Masood Mesbah
Liz Hernandez

This course is intended to focus on employee development and engagement. It will provide an introduction to the career paths available at Vanir including the resources available to complete certifications and gain knowledge and experience to advance one’s career.

Vanir Only: Change Avoidance & Mitigation
Location:
Seaview C
Presenter(s):

Sheri O’Brien
Steven Solka
Aldo Lujan

Our ability to reduce risk for project change is highest at the earliest phases of design and decreases exponentially as we move through the design process and into construction. By setting up the project for success at the outset, and through careful management of the design process, we can greatly reduce risk for change and thereby help maintain project budget and schedule.
This session will pull panelists with expertise in each phase of project delivery from project conception through design and construction. We explore how to best reduce risk as much as feasible early on in the project and then how to mitigate and manage changes during construction. Topics that will be explored include:
• The importance of predesign and planning – how to make the most impact on the project and reduce risk for changes at project outset
• How defining project success, project objective, visions and goals reduces changes in design and construction
• The importance of ensuring the client and stakeholders are actively engaged in decision making throughout design
• The return on investment of design and constructability reviews
• How management of documents and project controls helps to mitigate change and identify potential project risks before they arise
• What to look for in Division 1 Specifications as it relates to mitigation of changes
• Tips and tricks for reducing changes, managing changes, and early identification of change risk during construction management”

Vanir Only: Selecting Delivery Method for Project Success
Location:
Seaview B
Presenter(s):

Kaitlin Rathe
Raaj Patel
Mike Meredith
Laura McCarty

Overview of delivery methods available to our projects and a presentation of approach and available tools to council client owner’s on selecting the delivery method best suited to project needs, agency preparedness, and achievement of prioritized goals

Vanir Only: Contract Types, SOW, LOE & Contract Negotiation
Location:
Shoreline A
Presenter(s):

Jon Czarnik
Mercedes Sullivan
Olton Swanson

Overview of client contracting types (lump sum, T&M, CPFF, Staff Aug.), the opportunities and red flags associated with each and best practices for applying lessons learned in contract negotiations.

Vanir Only: Proposal Development & Interview Prep (Canceled)
Location:
Presenter(s):

The course has been cancelled. Please plan to attend another course in this session.

Lunch
Location:
Regency Ballroom
Presenter(s):
Closing Ceremony
Location:
Regency Ballroom
Presenter(s):
Trade Show
Location:
Regency Ballroom
Presenter(s):

Registration is now closed.

Registration is by invitation only and space is limited

Learn More