PLDW and DBIA to co-host design-build conference

PROVIDENCE, R.I. — One of the nation’s most effective and efficient alternative delivery methods of construction that bridges the public and private sectors in partnership is the topic of a day-long seminar sponsored by Pannone Lopes Devereaux & West LLC. (PLDW) and the Design-Build Institute of America (DBIA), New England Chapter on Thursday, August 26, 2010 from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the Naval Station Newport, Officer’s Club in Newport, R.I.

Keith Stokes, executive director of the Rhode Island Economic Development Corp., will present welcoming remarks on behalf of the State of Rhode Island. The seminar is entitled, Navigating Design-Build: Best Practices and Principles from Owner Representatives and Process Experts, and will include a panel of owner representatives who will discuss the challenges and opportunities of this alternate construction delivery method, and design-build process experts who will share information on the ‘nuts and bolts’ of getting a design-build project off the ground from contract development, procurement, and environmental and operational function areas.

“We have planned the content of this seminar experience to be one of the most important learning and information sharing events for this year,” said Teno A. West, PLDW partner and chair of the Rhode Island Committee for the DBIA, New England Chapter. “The opportunity to network and talk one-on-one with owner representatives and experts in the field of alternative delivery methods of construction is a key component of succeeding with design-build projects. We encourage everyone with an interest in keeping costs down and efficiency levels high on construction projects from inception to completion to attend.”

West is the leader of the Municipal Infrastructure Team at PLDW and a national expert on public-private partnerships and water and wastewater law, solid waste management alternative energy projects, procurement law and design-build-operate initiatives. He represents municipalities and government agencies across the country in this practice area and frequently drafts the legislation required to undertake alternative procurements, as well as design-build and design-build-operate projects.

Representing on-going or completed design-build projects include Commander Gregor Bo, Naval Station Newport public works officer; Julia A. Forgue, P.E., director of utilities, City of Newport, R.I.; David Guertin, DPW director, Town of Provincetown, Mass.; and Richard Brown, city manager, City of East Providence, R.I. This panel discussion kicks off at 11:30 a.m. followed by a buffet luncheon and presentation on ‘How to do Business with the Military.’

At 2:30 p.m., a second panel of design-build process experts will commence, featuring Teno A. West, PLDW partner and leader of the Municipal Infrastructure Team at PLDW; Michael J. Walsh, P.E. BCCE of CDM; and, Steven Torres, corporate council for the City of Fall River, Mass.

With Commander Bo as the guide, attendees are invited on a tour-by-trolley of design-build projects on the Naval Station in Newport and end the day-long event with a social networking hour on the ocean-side deck of the Officer’s Club overlooking Narragansett Bay.

Pre-registration is necessary and can be completed by contacting Beth Phillips at ( 401) 824-5132 or e-mailing Phillips at bphillips@pldw.com. Click here to access online registration. For more information about PLDW or DBIA, please visit www.pldw.com, or www.dbia.org, respectively.