Leadership

2018-2019 DBIA-UMR Executive Committee

Jordan Frank
President

Jordan Frank, MBA, MSCM, joined Rice Companies in 2017 as General Manager of the Glencoe office. Originally from Sartell, Jordan graduated from North Dakota State University with a Bachelor's Degree in Construction Management and a Master of Business Administration. He also earned a Master's Degree in Construction Science and Management from Clemson University. Prior to Rice Companies, Jordan worked with two regional design-build firms as a project manager.

In Jordan's free time, he enjoys spending time with his wife, daughter and Grizzie, their Chesapeake Bay Retriever in Minnetonka.

John Puls
Vice President

John Puls, P.E., Assoc. DBIA, is an Alternative Delivery Manager for Kraemer North America, a national heavy civil contractor focusing in the transportation, rail, and marine markets. In this role, he assists in partnering, pursuits, and delivery of civil infrastructure markets across the United States with a focus on Design-Build and CMGC delivery.

Prior to joining Kraemer North America, Mr. Puls has performed in a variety of roles including Geotechnical Design Engineer, Design Phase Manager, and Project Engineer. He has been exposed to a wide range of projects with the unique opportunity of experiencing the design-build process from both the contractor and engineer perspectives. With a passion for creating high performing teams built on a foundation of trust, Mr. Puls' design-build experience allows for the execution of projects with strong partners who provide value to all stakeholders. He holds a Bachelor of Science and Master of Science in Civil Engineering from Iowa State University where he also serves as a member of the External Advisory Council for the Civil Engineering Department.

Jeff Kurth
Treasurer
Young Professionals
Students

Jeff Kurth, PE, DBIA, is a Senior Engineer for SRF Consulting Group, Inc., a civil engineering firm headquartered in Minneapolis, MN with offices throughout the Midwest. As part of the Construction Services group, Mr. Kurth's work focuses on public transportation and transit projects for state, county, city, and other government and quasi-government clients. He has 10 years of experience in construction management and quality oversight, including several large scale design-build transportation and transit projects.

Mr. Kurth is a registered Professional Engineer, Design-Build Professional (DBIA), and holds a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering from the University of Minnesota.

Jamie Walter
Secretary
Awards

Jamie Walter, Associate AIA is an Associate Designer for TSP Inc., an architecture, planning, and engineering firm located in Excelsior, MN with six additional offices throughout the Midwest. With a present focus on educational planning and design and demonstrated experience for public and private clients in Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Minnesota, and North Dakota, Ms. Walter's creativity, enthusiasm, and technical knowledge make her a valuable member of team TSP. She has been an active member of DBIA for the past two years. In addition to her role as secretary, she serves as the Awards Committee Chair.

Ms. Walter holds a Bachelor of Science in Environmental Design and Master of Architecture degree from North Dakota State University.

2018 DBIA-UMR Board of Directors

Mark Dierling
Strategic Partnerships

Mark Dierling, PE, is a principal at Short Elliott Hendrickson Inc. (SEH ® ), an employee-owned company of engineers, architects, planners and scientists serving public and private sector clients. He has more than 30 years of experience designing and managing complex transportation projects. He provides expertise to clients in detailed highway design and project management, including the coordination of multiple agencies and public involvement. Mark currently leads SEH’s Central Region Transportation Practice which encompasses Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota, and Iowa.

Mr. Dierling holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Civil Engineering from the University of Minnesota.

Benjamin Dzioba
Sponsor Outreach
Legislation

Benjamin Dzioba, PE, PMP, DBIA, is a Client Manager for Mead & Hunt, a Civil Engineering firm headquartered in Madison, WI with over 35 offices nationwide. As part of the National Design-Build group for the company, Mr. Dzioba develops strategic partnerships for Mead & Hunt’s design-build work throughout the country. In addition to his work with design-build projects, Mr. Dzioba leads Mead & Hunt’s Minnesota and Texas Transportation Markets which includes rail, roadway, and transit related work.

With over fifteen years of industry experience and as a registered Professional Engineer, Design-Build Professional (DBIA), and a certified Project Management Professional (PMP), Mr. Dzioba has a passion for creative collaboration and to succeed in whatever he undertakes while meeting the highest of ethical standards. A graduate of the University of Wisconsin-Madison with a Bacholor of Science in Civil Engineering, Mr. Dzioba sums up his personal brand in three words: innovation, integration, integrity.

Jessica Freeseman
Past President
Programs/Tours

Jessica Freeseman, LEED GA, is a Project Manager for Shingobee Builders, a commercial general contractor located in Loretto, MN. She has experience in many different markets including office, industrial, restaurant, gas stations, day cares, and grocery stores. She has experience in both design-build and bid-build projects which helps her to better convey the benefits of design-build throughout the upper Midwest. She has been an active member of DBIA-UMR for over three years where she has served on the DBIA National Young Professional Board and chaired the Awards Committee and the Young Professionals Committee.

Ms. Freeseman holds a Bachelor of Science in Construction Engineering and a Bachelor of Science in Community & Regional Planning from Iowa State University. She is currently pursuing her Master’s in Business Administration and expects to graduate in 2019. Her hard work and dedication is evident not only at DBIA or through her work at Shingobee Builders, but also in her personal life – completing her first full Ironman triathlon in 2015.

Paul Johnson
Owners Outreach
Programs/Tours

Paul Johnson is a Principal at NTH, an award-winning real estate and project management firm based in Minneapolis, MN. With over 20 years of experience in commercial construction project management, Mr. Johnson works with clients on strategic planning, comprehensive project budget development, project scheduling, contractor and architect selection and management, and related services. He has been instrumental in many notable construction projects, including the American Academy of Neurology, Minnesota Orchestral Association, and CHS Field. He most recently represented the city of St. Paul on the renovation of the Palace Theatre and is presently active with Urban Land Institute of Minnesota's Next 10 group.

Mr. Johnson holds a Bachelor of Science in Construction Management from Arizona State University.

Tayler Matzke
Young Professionals
Students

Tayler Matzke, LEED GA, is an Associate Project Manager for Opus Design Build, L.L.C., a division of The Opus Group, a family of commercial real estate development, construction and design companies headquartered in Minnetonka with offices and projects across the country. The Opus Group’s design-build approach effectively integrates all stakeholders to work as a single, multi-disciplinary team with meaningful collaboration. Since joining Opus in 2015, Tayler has been involved with a variety of project types, including multi-family, industrial, office and institutional.

Tayler holds a Bachelor of Applied Science in Construction Management and a minor in Architecture from the University of Minnesota.

Andrew Moriarity
Membership

Andrew Moriarity, LEED AP BD+C, Assoc. DBIA is a Project Manager for Opus Design Build, L.L.C., a division of The Opus Group, a full service Design-Build and Development company and charter member of DBIA. Headquartered in Minnetonka, MN, The Opus Group has national reach with design-build and development offices across the country. Proficient at design-build project delivery, his career reflects a diverse portfolio of experience including multi-family, student housing, commercial, office, renewable energy, and industrial.

Prior to joining Opus in 2014, Mr. Moriarity spent nearly two years as a Project Manager with a general contractor and five years in project controls for a heavy industrial contractor. He has over 10 years of industry experience, is a certified Associate design-build professional, LEED AP BD+C certified, and holds a Bachelor of Science in Construction Management and minor in Business Administration from North Dakota State University.

Eric Sahnow
Programs/Tours

Eric Sahnow, AIA, is a Project Architect at BWBR where he works in coordination with clients and engineers to bring highly technical and complex projects to communities that enhance both the people served and those who live and work around these facilities. His work focuses on higher education and healthcare projects throughout the Minneapolis/St. Paul metropolitan area including Gustavus Adolphus College, Health Partners hospitals and clinics, and the University of Northwestern – Saint Paul.

Mr. Sahnow is a member of the American Institute of Architects, Minnesota chapter and holds a Bachelor of Science in Architectural Studies degree from the University of Minnesota and a Master of Architecture degree from the University of Wisconsin – Milwaukee.

Doug Wild
Programs/Tours

Douglas Wild, AIA, LEED AP BD+C, is a principal at BWBR, a design solutions firm specializing in architecture, interior design, and planning. He has over 25 years experience designing, managing, and leading complex projects for public and private sector clients.

A retired major in the North Dakota National Guard, Mr. Wild holds a Construction Technology degree from the Community College of the Air Force, a Bachelor of Architecture degree from North Dakota State University and a Master of Architecture degree from the University of Minnesota.

Board of Directors, Not Pictured:

Rob Flickinger, Education

DBIA-UMR Support Staff

Jennifer Dzioba
Executive Director

Jennifer Dzioba is proud to come alongside the DBIA-UMR Executive Committee and Board of Directors as the DBIA Upper Midwest Region's Executive Director. With attention to detail and accuracy, dedication to quality of service, and commitment to excellence, she provides support and assistance to DBIA-UMR in its continued efforts to promote design-build information, education, advocacy, and networking opportunities to the Upper Midwest Region.

Ms. Dzioba holds a Bachelor of Arts in Music Performance from University of Northwestern, St. Paul and a Master of Music in Performance from the University of Minnesota.