Leadership

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.

2019 DBIA-UMR Board of Directors

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.

Rob Flickinger
Education

Rob Flickinger is a Senior Engineer/Manager at American Engineering Testing, Inc. (AET) a consulting engineering firm specializing in geotechnical, environmental, construction materials and petrographics. He has over 35 years of experience in geotechnical engineering and construction materials testing on projects for public and private sector clients.

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

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.

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.

Ben Walters
Strategic Partnerships

Ben Walters, AIA, is a Project Architect at HGA, a multi-disciplinary design firm rooted in architecture and engineering with 11 offices nationwide. With 13 years of experience in the architecture and construction industries, he has provided leadership, planning, design, and technical detailing for a wide range of facility types. His experience includes corporate, public, historic, and manufacturing projects. Ben has a passionate commitment to client services throughout all design phases from small renovations to large, complex multi-phased projects.

Mr. Walters holds a Bachelor of Science in Architecture from the University of Minnesota and a Master of Architecture degree from the Boston Architectural College. He is a licensed architect in the State of Minnesota and Wisconsin; and is a member of the American Institute of Architects.

Not Pictured:
Zac Anunson, Young Professionals

DBIA-UMR Support Staff

Jennifer Dzioba
Executive Director

Jennifer Dzioba is proud to come alongside the DBIA-UMR leadership 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. In addition to her role at DBIA-UMR, Jennifer also serves as the Executive Director for the Minnesota Surveyors and Engineers Society.

Ms. Dzioba holds a B.A. from University of Northwestern, St. Paul and a M.M. from the University of Minnesota - Twin Cities.