Redefining the Table: How UBEs Are Shaping the Future of Design-Build

Join DBIA’s NYC Metro Region for a panel discussion focused on the significant contributions that Underutilized Business Enterprises (UBE) bring to design-build projects when partnering with larger organizations.

The discussion will highlight the unique perspectives on diversity offered by small UBEs within the Metro-NY area. It will also explore effective strategies for engaging with these businesses and fostering their growth when opportunities arise.

Learning Objectives:

1. Hear directly from Underutilized Business Enterprises (UBEs) about their experiences, capabilities, and contributions to successful design-build projects.
2. Gain insight into the value of centering UBE perspectives in project planning, team building, and execution especially in the Metro-NY design-build market.
3. Recognize how Owners and Construction Managers can shift traditional engagement models to become better partners and advocates for UBEs.
4. Identify actionable strategies for creating inclusive procurement and project environments that empower UBEs to lead, grow, and thrive.

Will DBIA CEH be offered? Yes

Will AIA Credit be offered? Yes

Event Outline:

• 4:00 – 4:30 pm: Registration, Networking and Refreshments
• 4:30 – 5:00 pm: PANYNJ Presentation on Upcoming Procurements
• 5:00 – 6:00 pm: Panel Discussion
• 6:00 – 7:00 pm: Q&A and Networking

Pricing (DBIA Member-Only Event):

• Members $65
• Member Owners $20
• Young Professional Members $20
• Student Members $20

Register Now

Sponsored by:

Speakers:

Moderator: Glenessa Gordon

Assistant Director – Business Diversity Operations, Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, Port Authority of New York & New Jersey

Glenessa Gordon is the Assistant Director – Business Diversity Operations, in the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey’s Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion. She currently develops and implements strategies to maximize opportunities, increase the capacity and ensure success of Minority, Women-Owned, Small and Disadvantaged Business Enterprises (MWSBDEs) and Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Businesses (SDVOB) through opportunities within the Port Authority, its business partners and tenants. Read more.

Craig Covil, PE, DBIA
Owner/Principal, C2 Consulting
Craig Covil has been involved in design-build delivery for more than 35 years, first in Australia then later in Hong Kong before arriving in the U.S. in 2001. Craig became a member of DBIA in 2005, is a certified DBIA Design-Build Professional and has attended several DBIA events, including the annual conferences on Water and Transportation. He has a BSc and MSc in Engineering and is Chair of the DBIA NYC Metro Region. Read more.

Betty Brano
Founder and President, Brano Design
Betty has two decades of experience in commercial design, consulting and construction. She consults primarily on capital projects that facilitate the space with best practice solutions, specifying the right sustainable materials for construction projects. She bridges the gap between design and construction. Betty has taken numerous DBIA courses and was featured on the DBIA blog for advising Young Professionals on design-build. Betty is a DBIA UBE member. Read more.

Andrew Nigro, PE
Vice President and Director of Construction Services, MP Engineers and Architects
Andy Nigro is a Professional Engineer with 20 years’ experience in the AECM industry with a particular focus on Rail and Transit, Heavy Civil and large tunnel programs. He joined MP Engineers in 2021 to build their Rail Transit group and has had the pleasure of working on several design-build projects, including MTA C&D East Bound ReRoute in Harold Interlocking, NYCT EV Bus Charging fit out at Queens Village Depot, and currently the Gateway Hudson Tunnel Project Package 3 – NJ Surface Alignment, on which he serves as Project Manager.  Read more.

Lindsay Maguire, PE, ENV SP, DBIA
President, M.D. Modern Engineering, D.P.C.
Lindsay Maguire is Co-Founder of M.D. Modern Engineering, D.P.C., a New York City-based civil engineering firm she leads alongside her business partner, Phoebe Douglas. Proudly certified as a WBE, MBE and DBE, the firm is built on a mission to design and deliver infrastructure that is not only technically sound and resilient, but also socially responsible, community driven, and deeply attuned to the needs of people and place. Since launching full time in 2024, the firm has quickly earned a reputation as a collaborative and dependable small business partner committed to the public good. Read more.

Devon J. Prioleau
Managing Principal, PRI-O-LEAU Development Group
After over a decade as a corporate executive, DeVon Prioleau is currently Managing Principal of PRI-O-LEAU Development Group (PDG) and President of the Council of Urban Real Estate (C.U.R.E.). PDG is a full-service MBE firm delivering high-quality real estate services within the project management & construction management space. C.U.R.E. is a 35-year non-profit organization dedicated to promoting opportunities for those underrepresented within commercial real estate. Read more.

Kamal Shahid, PE
President and CEO, KS Engineers, P.C.
Kamal Shahid is President and Chief Executive Officer of KS Engineers, P.C. (KSE). In 1991, he founded KSE with a vision to provide exemplary engineering and construction services to public sector clients. He is responsible for all corporate growth, contributions to the public and infrastructure renewal, quality assurance and overall client satisfaction. The company has seven offices across the tristate area and provides full-service engineering, construction management, commissioning and special inspection services to both public and private sector clients. Read more.

Eric Hirani, PE, CCM, LEED AP BD+C, DBIA
President, Infinite Consulting Corp
Eric Hirani is founder and president of Infinite Consulting Corp. Under his leadership, the company has experienced exponential growth and established itself as an industry leader, achieving national recognition as an ENR Top CM-for-Fee firm. Eric has been instrumental in expanding the company’s service offerings to encompass site safety management, quality management, cost estimating, scheduling and construction management services across diverse markets. He also spearheaded Infinite Cares, the company’s philanthropic arm, which has made contributions to numerous industry and charitable causes. Read more.