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MARCY SZARAMA
President & Principal Consultant
Ms. Szarama has over 24 years of experience in the construction industry, specializing in construction managment, change negotiation, project closeout and dispute voidance and resolution. Her background encompasses all phases of construction, from start-up to closeout, and all elements of construction, from civil and structural work to finishes, with extensive onsite experience.
She has widespread knowledge of the construction change order/claims process, with a highly successful track record in analysis, presentation, and negotiation of construction changes and disputes both during the project as well as post-project settlement negotiations, mediation and litigation support, including testimony in jury trial. Her experience includes daily oversight of all contractor activities as owner representative, concurrent with resolution of complex interrelated issues between various agencies, consultants and affected business and residential communities. Ms. Szarama is thoroughly versed in construction industry protocol, reporting and tracking procedures.
Marcy Szarama
President & Principal Consultant
PETER FOTOOHI
Transit Systems Resident Engineer
Peter Fotoohi is an experienced Engineering and Program Management professional with over 30 years of expertise in the transit industry, specializing in managing large-scale projects across Los Angeles and other major U.S. markets. Since 2009, Peter has been instrumental in delivering complex transit solutions for LA Metro, along with numerous other transit agencies, including SANDAG, MTS, Caltrain, TriMet, and Sound Transit. His work focuses on expanding and upgrading transit infrastructure, with a proven track record in new line additions, system extensions, and advanced systems integration.
Known for his ability to build strong relationships with transit agencies and stakeholders, Peter consistently aligns customer needs with innovative and cost-effective technical solutions. He has successfully led key projects like California High-Speed Rail and is involved in emerging technologies such as Hyperloop. His focus on leveraging cutting-edge innovations—including AI, real-time monitoring, and cybersecurity—ensures enhanced performance, safety, and operational efficiency across transit systems.
Peter Fotoohi
Resident Engineer
MARCO ZAFRANCO
Senior Estimator
Marco Zafranco has over 20 years of experience in the construction industry as an estimator, project/construction manager, and job superintendent. He has been involved from the design development phase to execution of new, tenant improvement, educational facilities, aviation and transportation, healthcare, advanced technology, commercial, and state/federal and municipal infrastructure projects including light and heavy rail projects. He has performed budget cost reconciliation through value engineering/conceptual estimating and constructability review, bid document packaging, bid result analysis, change order technical audit, and cost settlement.
Marco Zafranco
Senior Estimator
REBECCA A. PERRY, J.D.
Director of Business Development and Claims Strategist
Rebecca has over 20 years of experience in the construction industry. She began her career working in the field for top tier contractors. After seven years, she decided to pursue a law degree to enhance her contracts and change negotiation skills. Her law studies centered on drafting contracts and understanding administrative agencies. Once she obtained her law degree, she then focused on strategizing, training, and creating compelling content for complex construction change and claim issues on various large projects, including LA Metro projects. She has now transitioned to representing owners, which allows her to bring a contractor perspective and insight to the owner's side of the table.
Rebecca is passionate about approaching adversarial situations with a sense of curiosity, confidence and adventure. She brings stability, clarity and order to complex issues related to claims, contracts, and project conflicts. She has a reputation for an impressive capacity to remain level-headed in contentious conversations and to steer discussions between the parties back to partnering to resolve the conflict. Her negotiation skills have been influenced by Harvard's Program on Negotiation. She seeks to leverage principled negotiation skills in guiding parties to resolutions that address their interests and, wherever possible, preserve their relationship, and even strengthen it.
Rebecca invests in the future generations through various mentoring and training opportunities within DE and outside of DE, as well. She believes sharing her knowledge and experience is one of her greatest assets.
Rebecca A. Perry
Director of Business Development / Negotiator / Contract and Claims Specialist
PELUMI FAJEMISIN
Cost Engineer
Pelumi has over 4 years of experience in Project Management and Project Coordination. He is self-directed, disciplined and collaborative. He strives to deliver exceptional results, above and beyond what is defined and expected. His toolkit includes strategic thinking skills, innovative perspectives on challenge resolutions, and enthusiastic energy to team environments.
Pelumi Fajemisin
Cost Engineer
MATTHEW FEWELL
Welding Inspector
Matthew is a Special Inspector with 6 years of experience in the construction inspection industry as an independent contractor providing quality assurance, special inspections and collecting samples for material testing. 8 years welding experience in the Oil & Gas and construction industries. He has sound knowledge of applicable codes, is experienced writing detailed and informative report. Matthew has a strong work ethic and is a self-motivated critical thinker.
Matthew Fewell
Welding Inspector
CAS ALLEN
Senior Scheduler
Cas has over fifteen years of experience managing schedules for a wide range of projects from educational facilities to transportation to confidential US projects. He served as an adjunct instructor for project management at ITT Technical Institute in Norfolk Virginia from 2008-2016. Cas created a document submittal tracker for the California High Speed Rail Project which he implemented on SharePoint and trained the project team, eliminating delays caused by lack of a centralized submittal tracker on preliminary engineering and environmental planning. Engineered a schedule milestone variance reporting tool utilized by the California Department of Correction and Rehabilitation on a variety of its programs.
Cas Allen
Senior Scheduler
SONIA JENNIFER
Construction Manager
Civil Engineer with over five years of experience in construction management, specializing in underground utilities, seismic retrofits, and public works projects. Skilled in managing all phases of construction, from planning and design to commissioning and close-out, with a strong focus on sustainable design, efficiency, and regulatory compliance. Proven expertise in coordinating complex mechanical and electrical work, negotiating change orders, and delivering projects on time and within budget. Adept at leading teams, fostering clear communication, and maintaining effective relationships with stakeholders to ensure project success.
Sonia Jennifer
Office Engineer
ERIC HILDRETH
Electrical Inspector
Eric has 25 years of construction industry experience on a variety of projects including multiple Metro improvement and extension projects. Systems inspector with a multitude of experience as a Foreman, Journeyman, Project Manager, and most recently a Systems Electrical Superintendent. Types of work include various commercial, industrial, electrical, and transportation projects. Experience with responsibilities that include commercial tenant improvement, building management, electrical demo, conduit systems, field supervision, subcontractor coordination, scheduling oversight, quality control, document control, design assistance, and change orders and proposals.
Eric Hildreth
Electrical Inspector
MARK MIYAJIMA
Senior Estimator
Specializing in construction cost estimating and project management, Mark has had significant roles including Superintendent, Foreman, Lead Estimator, Project Manager, and Claims Manager on a wide variety of large-scale infrastructure and public works improvement projects, including vertical structures, geothermal power plants, water treatment plants, tunnels, railroads, roads, golf courses, and deep-foundation construction projects. He is familiar with all aspects of project management; he was Responsible Project Manager for five construction projects in the U.S. He has prepared large claims, and managed claims during negotiation, mediation, and legal processes. His claims experience includes perspective from contractor side to determine the merit and right value of claim, including negotiation, mediation and litigation.
Mark Miyajima
Senior Estimator
GHAZAL HAFIZI
Construction Manager
Ghazal is an accomplished and dynamic Construction Manager with extensive experience in the field and project management of public and private work spanning from commercial and industrial to educational facilities. She is highly skilled in design management, bid evaluation and estimating, management of RFIs, Submittals, Change requests, inspection oversight, permit applications, contracts and subcontracts as well as the preparation and processing of progress payments. She has strong negotiation skills. Ghazal is focused on process improvements and building strategic partnerships. She has a proven record of accomplishment working for contractor, in bottom-line profitability and productivity increases in projects, contract plans, and cost controls. She is an expert in achieving optimal results with strategic planning, organization, and solutions-oriented approach while driving project schedule. She is adept at identifying redundancies and maximizing resources to streamline project operations.
Ghazal Hafizi
Construction Manager
JEFF COOPER
Senior Construction Manager
Jeff has over 25 years of experience in the construction industry, specializing in construction management, inspections, standards, and industry best practices. He has a proven knowledge of construction codes, regulations, compliance procedures, and record keeping. He is an ICC certified commercial building inspector and has an OSPHD building license which he obtained while working on the SoFi stadium for the City of Inglewood. Jeff enjoys adding to his extensive knowledge base by actively seeking to discover and learn innovative approaches to accomplishing the various aspects of construction work.
Jeff Cooper
Senior Construction Manager
MARK CROWLEY, MIRSE
Signal Engineer/Inspector
Mark Crowley is an accomplished signal engineer with 24 years of experience in the railroad industry, specializing in design, quality assurance and signal system commissioning. He has working knowledge of American Maintenance of Way practices (AREMA) and Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) rules and regulations pertaining to signal and highway grade crossing warning systems. Mr. Crowley is an Accredited Technician with IRSE (The Institute of Railway Signal Engineers).
Mark Crowley
Signal Engineer/Inspector
JAZ JAHAZI
QA/QC and Roadway Inspector
Jaz has over 24 years of experience as a Quality inspector on public works projects. His experience includes tunnel and pump station inspection on BART subway, LRT projects, and significant roadway projects including the I-405 Sepulveda Pass Widening Project. In addition, he has experience on numerous highway projects on the east coast working on NDOT and FDOT projects which included oversight of asphalt paving, concrete paving, utilities, earthwork, MSE walls, bridge retrofits, signalization, SWPPP and BMP. His various certifications include: ACI and FDOT for concrete, asphalt and earthwork and Caltrans for MSE wall construction. He also has substantial experience in soils and concrete testing,
Jaz Jahazi
QA/QC and Roadway Inspector
MICHAEL MOYER
Senior Signal Engineer
Michael has a rich history of experience in the railroad industry as a signal engineer. His expertise includes signal construction, installation, and commissioning of new Positive Train Control (PTC) signal installations and modifications to existing systems. His past roles include the Signal Manager for the First Mile Extension Project of the Metrolink train system for the SBCTA in San Bernardino, CA; Signal Superintendent for the San Diego Association of Governments (SANDAG) Sorrento to Miramar Double Track Project; Signal Superintendent for the North County Transit District (NCTD) and San Diego Metropolitan Transit System (MTS) San Diego Quiet Zone Project; and Manager of Engineering for Xorail’s Ontario, CA office.
Mike Moyer
Senior Signal Engineer
TRUC CHI BLAKELY, ICC, ACI, AWS
Building and Special Inspector
Chi is a Field Engineer and Project Inspector of Record who has 14 years of experience inspecting public works, commercial, and private projects in Southern California. She is a certified welding inspector with a keen focus on construction safety. She has significant experience with inspection of concrete, prestressed concrete, asphalt, welding, reinforced concrete, masonry, soil, materials, plumbing, and steel structures. In addition, Chi is knowledgeable in construction management, contract management, quality control, and blueprint reading. She has experience working in heavy civil construction for various authorities and school districts.
Truc Chi Blakely
Building & Special Inspector
HENNIE DEGENAAR
Senior Cost Estimator
Hennie has comprehensive cost estimating, cost management and cost control experience including budgeting, estimating, the preparation, evaluation and negotiation of change orders, progress payments, financial reporting and the implementation of effective cost control measures. He demonstrates well-developed problem solving, organizational, time and resource management skills, utilizing analytical and strategic experience. Hennie has great team building and management abilities, promoting cohesive working relationships and delivering solutions to exceed expectations. He has been the recipient of numerous notable estimating and management commendations including the American Society of Professional Estimators’ distinguished award as “Estimator of the Year.”
Hennie Degenaar
Senior Cost Estimator
LUCELIA ARAUJO
Cost Estimator
Lucelia is a Construction Cost Estimator on the Metro Purple Line Extension, a $7.2B rail project that provides a high speed, high capacity alternative for commuters to travel between downtown Los Angeles, the Miracle Mile, Beverly Hills, and Westwood. She is a Mechanical Engineer with experience in cost estimation and scheduling.
Lucelia Araujo
Cost Estimator
ROBERT FAHIM
Civil Inspector
Robert offers 47 years of experience in Construction Management and inspection of complex public works improvement projects. His experience spans over the entire range of project development to owner acceptance, from initial client concept to programming, design and construction documents, bid packaging, construction contract award, permit acquisition, supervision, and administration of multiple prime contractors, inspections to final completion, and expediting of Certificate of Occupancy for the owner.
Robert Fahim
Civil Inspector
EMMANUEL LAMENTO
Senior Cost Estimator
Emmanuel is a civil engineer and expert quantity surveyor and cost estimator. His experience includes educational facilities, hotels, residential, commercial and transit projects including Singapore Mass Rapid Transit and Metro Purple Line Section 3.
Emmanuel Lamento
Senior Cost Estimator
JOHN WEBBER
Construction Manager & Systems Engineer
John Webber is a Systems Engineer and Construction Manager with over 20 years of experience in transportation design, construction and scheduling preparation and oversight, specializing in rail, highways, and airport systems. He has a proven track record of successfully delivering complex, multidisciplinary projects from inception to completion, often under tight timelines and budgets.
With a strong foundation in systems and civil engineering, advanced electrical certifications and extensive rail systems expertise including OCS and SCADA, John excels in integrating systems to enhance project schedule, cost, testing and commissioning. Throughout his career, John has achieved significant milestones in installation, design, construction management, testing and commissioning, design management, project engineering, interface management, and project controls. Projects include regional and metropolitan railways in the United States, United Kingdom and Southeast Asia, the California High-Speed Rail, and the LAWA Airport People Mover (APM).
John Webber
Construction Manager and Systems Engineer
OLA OWOLOYE
Senior Scheduler
Ola is a resourceful, dynamic project scheduler/planner/ project control analyst with a demonstrated record of conceptualizing and effective scheduling experience on commercial, government institutional, and industrial projects. He is an expert in CPM scheduling with significant experience preparing contractor schedules, reviewing contractor schedules for owners, handling construction disputes including testimony as a schedule expert.
Ola Owoloye
Senior Scheduler
YONAS BEKELE
Senior Estimator
Yonas has over 10 years of experience in the construction industry as a cost estimator and Project Manager, as well as project close-out experience. His estimating expertise includes complex civil, structural and light rail/track. Projects include aviation (LAWA/LAX), transit (Minnesota Metro Blue Line) and roadway projects. Yonas is currently handling DE's estimating for a variety of projects for Los Angeles County Department of Public Works (DPW).
Yonas Bekele
Senior Estimator
JEFF POND
Senior Electrical & Systems Inspector
Jeff has over 35 years of extensive experience in supervising and installing electrical systems, working closely with inspectors, designers and owners to ensure timely completion of various projects in compliance with specifications and codes of that jurisdiction. He offers thorough knowledge of electrical and building codes and requirements of city utilities and municipalities. Jeff comes from a long history of installing electrical and video systems in facilities and public transit, including Expo 1 Culver City station and bridge electrical and tie-ins with SCE, as well as numerous Metro rail transit facilities, at LAWA and Burbank airports, educational and commercial projects (including The Grove).
Jeff Pond
Senior Electrical & Systems Inspector
KIM FLYNN
Senior Labor Compliance Manager
Kim has over 23 years of experience as a Labor Compliance Officer, overseeing General Contractor and Subcontractor labor compliance, to ensure that all necessary forms and certified payroll reports are prepared and uploaded, and ensuring that State and Federal (as applicable) prevailing wage requirements are met for each trade classification; she has also provided compliance oversight to agencies employing contractors. Kim provides labor compliance oversight of DE’s construction management services, to ensure that documentation for prevailing wage personnel is submitted and uploaded, to maintain compliance with all applicable requirements.
Kim Flynn
Senior Labor Compliance Manager
TONY SAWAYA
Resident Engineer
Tony has experience in leading diverse construction projects in rail transit, commercial, hospitality and educational sectors. Tony’s expertise includes contract negotiation, risk management, and stakeholder coordination. His experience covers the project lifecycle from pre-construction planning to final closeout, ensuring that projects are delivered on time, within budget, and to the highest quality standards. He excels in optimizing project outcomes while maintaining compliance with safety regulations and industry best practices. He is known for his problem-solving abilities and attention to detail. He has successfully managed high-profile projects, including restaurant developments, hotels, and large-scale infrastructure projects. Tony holds certifications in rail safety and degrees in construction management and is currently pursuing an MBA to further enhance his leadership and strategic management skills.
Tony Sawaya
Resident Engineer