Business Equity/Diverse Business Inclusion Committee

Established February 14, 2019; Disbanded June 9, 2022; Re-established April 13, 2023

Upcoming meetings

May 21, 2025

-

June 18, 2025
1:30pm-3:00pm

July 16, 2025
1:30pm-3:00pm

Committee members

Co-Chairs: Lekha Fernandes, Santosh Kuruvilla, Irene Reyes

  • Jackie Bayne, WSDOT OEO
  • Frank Boykin, MBDA
  • Stephanie Caldwell, Absher Construction
  • Lekha Fernandes, OMWBE, Chair
  • Bobby Forch, CPARB DBE Representative
  • Shelly Henderson, Mukilteo School Dist. (K-12 Schools)
  • Aleanna Kondelis, Hill International
  • Santosh Kuruvilla, Exeltech (Engineers), Co-Chair
  • Keith Michel, Forma Construction (GC)
  • Brenda Nnambi, Sound Transit
  • Matt Rasmussen, Benton County
  • Irene Reyes, Excel Supply Company, Co-Chair
  • Cathy Robinson, University of WA (was City Rep)
  • John Salinas II, Specialty Contractors
  • Young Sang Song, Song Consulting
  • Cheryl Stewart, Inland Northwest AGC
  • Chip Tull, Hoffman Construction
  • Charles Wilson, DES
  • Olivia Yang, WA State University
  • Janice Zahn, Port of Seattle

Updated May 14, 2024

Purpose:

Focus efforts around the following:

  • Utilize Strategies from the BE/DBI Report to inform potential Legislative Changes.
  • Create consistency in contract language to reduce barriers in policy and eventually statute.
  • Evaluate and advocate to bring forth opportunities for firms to successfully compete and build capacity.
  • Identify metrics for measuring accountability.

Committee resources:

Upcoming meetings

Meetings to occur the third Wednesday of every month from 1:30 - 3 p.m.

  • February 19, 2025
  • March 19, 2025
  • April 16, 2025
  • May 21, 2025
  • June 18, 2025
  • July 16, 2025
  • August 20, 2025
  • September 17, 2025
  • October 15, 2025
  • November 19, 2025
  • December 17, 2025

Committee workgroup meetings

Change Order Workgroup

Schedule: 1st Monday of every month from 3-4 p.m.
Platform: Via Zoom
Meeting URL: https://des-wa.zoom.us/j/99020585325?pwd=727GkF0yEgbspWIpa1zvpba8Z4efpP.1
Meeting ID: 990 2058 5325
Meeting Passcode: 634239
Call in information: 888 788 0099 US Toll-free
Primary Contacts: Steve Russo - srusso@umci.com
Irene Reyes - glovelady@excelsupplycompany.com

Retainage Workgroup

Schedule: 2nd Monday of every month from 1-2 p.m.
Platform: Via Zoom
Meeting URL: https://des-wa.zoom.us/j/94750529704?pwd=MQx4clqZqn5YYn5Ibo8wzbvfQvvZm3.1<
Meeting ID: 947 5052 9704
Meeting Passcode: 078635
Call in information: 877 853 5247 US Toll-free
Primary Contacts: Cindy Magruder - magruder@uw.edu
Maya Huff - maja_huff@wsu.edu

Change Order Workgroup

Schedule: 3rd Monday of every month from 3-4 p.m.
Platform: Via Zoom
Meeting URL: https://des-wa.zoom.us/j/93256180886?pwd=VeJovNEn5oWl0u4z0jSLicPkfuvYLs.1
Meeting ID: 932 5618 0886
Meeting Passcode: 720039
Call in information: 877 853 5247 US Toll-free
Primary Contacts: Steve Russo - srusso@umci.com
Irene Reyes - glovelady@excelsupplycompany.com

Retainage Workgroup

Schedule: 4th Monday of every month from 1-2 p.m.
Platform: Via Zoom
Meeting URL: https://des-wa.zoom.us/j/95233768244?pwd=hUPFVbKxXaHb2OsmardXkh4gCixr88.1
Meeting ID: 952 3376 8244
Meeting Passcode: 125106
Call in information: 877 853 5247 US Toll-free
Primary Contacts: Cindy Magruder - magruder@uw.edu
Maya Huff - maja_huff@wsu.edu

2022 BE/DBI Report to the Legislature

BE/DBI Report Reference Material

Past meetings

April 16, 2025

March 19, 2025

February 19, 2025

January 15, 2025

December 18, 2024

November 20, 2024

Additional past meetings

Contact us

Talia Baker

CPARB Program Specialist

Phone 360-790-8322

Email cparb@des.wa.gov

Monique Martinez

Staff Support

Phone 360-951-5352

Email cparb@des.wa.gov