Posts for Archives: People

One of the “Founding Fathers” of DBIA, Don Warren has been an influencer in our organization since its inception. Warren’s roles included serving on the Board of Directors from 1993 to 2000 as well as being the chairman of the Board in 1998. He was also the chairman of the Process Industries Committee from 1999-2001 […]

A recognized national expert in design-build delivery, Jim Whitaker has been a tireless advocate for Design-Build Done Right principles as a member of DBIA’s leadership in many roles over the years. This includes a stint on DBIA’s Board of Directors from 2010 to 2017, as well as being Chairman of the Board in 2014.

As the former Chairman/CEO of Gray Construction, Jim helped lead his family-owned business to ultimately become one of the twenty largest design-build firms in the country. The Gray Companies specialize in the design, construction and renovation of large facilities, serving many of the world’s most recognizable brands including: BMW, CVS, Dollar General, Hitachi, Hyundai, Pepsi […]

Preston Haskell founded The Haskell Company in 1965. He served as the Design-Build Institute of America’s first chairman and has been one of the nation’s most influential design-build advocates. Preston is a frequent speaker on design-build delivery and the author of many articles on the subject. He has served on the board for the American […]

When Kraig Krekemeier joined the other “founding fathers” at that first meeting in 1993, he was the President of Sverdrup Facilities. He served as DBIA’s Board Chairman in 1996. Kraig has been a design-build champion for decades including his years as President of the Kreikemeier Group, Inc. Kraig has provided executive oversight on projects spanning […]

Rik Kunnath joined Pankow Builders in 1979, retiring as the Executive Chairman of the Board for Pankow Management, Inc., and the President of the Board of Directors of the Charles Pankow Foundation. Rik served as DBIA’s second National Board Chairman in 1995 and is the former President of the Design Build Education and Research Foundation […]

Matt Girard leads the Civil Division for Plenary. In this capacity, Matt is responsible for project development, delivery, asset management, teaming and business development for all Plenary Group Civil projects in North America. Matt has more than 25 years of hands-on experience in the heavy-civil construction industry across North America, and has been involved with […]

Tuyen Mai is a Senior Vice President with Ernst & Young Infrastructure Advisors, LLC (EYIA), an affiliate of Ernst & Young LLP and part of its US infrastructure advisory group. Mr. Mai is an infrastructure finance specialist with 14 years of experience in the development and financing of large-scale infrastructure projects in Europe and North […]

Michael C. Loulakis is the founder of Capital Project Strategies, LLC, a specialized consulting firm that provides strategic procurement, contracting and risk management advice to clients who develop and construct capital projects. Mr. Loulakis has an extensive and diverse background in the design-build process, including substantial experience on complicated transportation and water projects delivered through […]