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2026 Venue
Floor 3
1200 S Hope St
Los Angeles, CA 90015
Point of Contact: Ken Bauco | 646-675-0171 | ken@infraday.com
The Big Picture
Infraday California 2026
April 22-23 | Los Angeles, CA
California continues to lead the nation in infrastructure transformation.
Join 50+ expert speakers and hundreds of infrastructure leaders on April 22-23 at Infraday California 2026, the 8th annual gathering focused on solving the state’s most complex public works challenges. Hosted in the heart of Los Angeles, this full-day event brings together voices from across California, including transit agencies, water districts, utilities, city officials, and private sector partners for sharp insights, strategic connections, and real-world collaboration.
With a dynamic, multi-format program, Infraday California 2026 explores urgent topics across:
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Smart infrastructure, data platforms, and AI integration
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Urban transportation, high-speed rail, and mobility planning in the Bay Area and beyond
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Climate adaptation in water, energy, and wildfire risk zones
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Grid modernization, EV infrastructure, and electrification
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Resilient infrastructure delivery and long-term capital planning
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Workforce, permitting, and sustainability in housing, ports, and transit
From capital planning and digital tools to grid upgrades and climate resilience, Infraday California offers a front-row seat to the people, projects, and policies shaping the state’s infrastructure future.
Interested in partnering with us? Visit www.infraday.com/partner
Point of contact: Ken Bauco | 646-675-0171 | ken@infraday.com
Meet the 2026 Speakers
AJ Waters, Chief Evangelist, Kahua
AJ Waters is Chief Evangelist at Kahua, where he helps construction owners, contractors, and technology leaders navigate digital transformation across complex capital projects. With a background spanning product management, solution engineering, and industry strategy, he has spent his career translating construction technology into practical outcomes for project teams. AJ is widely recognized as an industry advocate and speaker who simplifies complex contech concepts and champions technology adoption that actually improves jobsite performance. He also created TheEngiNerdLife, a platform dedicated to making construction technology more accessible, relatable, and impactful for the broader AEC community.
Angelo Onevelo, Principal Manager, Grid Integration, EVgo
Angelo Onevelo is Principal Manager of Grid Integration at EVgo, where he leads utility coordination and engineering for large-scale EV fast-charging infrastructure projects across the United States. With a background in power systems engineering, he specializes in utility interconnections, grid integration, and the deployment of charging infrastructure supporting transportation electrification. Onevelo previously worked at Intel managing electrical infrastructure for data centers and fabrication facilities, and at Central Hudson Gas & Electric focused on distribution reliability and grid modernization. He holds degrees in electrical engineering and engineering management from Clarkson University.
Anthony Rainey, Port Commissioner, Ventura Port District
Anthony Rainey is a public sector finance and administration leader serving as a Port Commissioner for the Ventura Port District, where he helps oversee governance, budgeting, and long-term economic development for Ventura Harbor. With more than two decades of experience across federal, municipal, and special district organizations, he specializes in integrating financial strategy, enterprise risk management, and technology planning to strengthen public sector operations. Rainey previously served as Finance Director for the City of Sierra Madre, overseeing a $42 million operating and capital budget and leading long-term fiscal planning initiatives. He also teaches information systems and business continuity courses as an adjunct faculty member at University of Maryland Global Campus.
Arianna Barrios, Councilmember, District 1, City of Orange, California
Arianna Barrios is CEO of Communications LAB and a Councilmember representing District 1 for the City of Orange. She is a communications and public affairs leader with extensive experience advising public agencies on community engagement, crisis communications, and strategic messaging. Barrios has served her community in several elected roles, including a decade as a Trustee for the Rancho Santiago Community College District, helping shape educational policy and regional workforce development. She also holds a Public Leadership Credential from Harvard Kennedy School and a B.A. in Communications from California State University, Fullerton.
Bhaskar Ray, VP & Head of Transmission, Interconnection & Performance Engineering, Hanwha Renewables
Bhaskar Ray is Vice President and Head of Transmission, Interconnection & Performance Engineering at Hanwha Renewables, where he leads grid interconnection and transmission planning for large-scale solar and energy storage projects across North America. With more than three decades of experience in electric utilities and renewable development, he specializes in transmission system planning, grid integration, and power procurement strategy. Ray has previously held senior roles at Qcells USA Corp., BayWa r.e., and Burns & McDonnell, advising developers and utilities on complex grid interconnection and infrastructure planning. Earlier in his career he worked with Southern California Edison on transmission planning and renewable procurement initiatives. He holds a master’s degree in electrical engineering from Iowa State University with a focus on power systems dynamics.
Brian D'Amour, Public Works Director, City of Santa Barbara
Brian D'Amour is the Public Works Director for the City of Santa Barbara, overseeing the planning, delivery, and maintenance of the city’s transportation, water, airport, and public infrastructure systems. With nearly two decades of experience at the city, he has progressed through engineering and leadership roles including City Engineer, Acting Public Works Director, and Interim Airport Director. His work focuses on capital project delivery, infrastructure resilience, and maintaining critical municipal services in a coastal environment facing climate and growth pressures. D'Amour began his career in environmental engineering with the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation and holds a B.S. in Civil Engineering from Penn State University.
Christian Lofton, Cyber Threat Intelligence Analyst-Contractor, Technology & Innovation | Bureau, City of Long Beach
Christian Lofton is a Cyber Threat Intelligence Analyst supporting the Technology & Innovation Bureau at the City of Long Beach, where he focuses on identifying and analyzing emerging cyber threats impacting municipal systems and critical infrastructure. His work spans security operations, threat hunting, incident response, and intelligence analysis aimed at strengthening the city’s cyber defense posture. Christian previously worked in cybersecurity roles across the private sector, including incident response and threat detection environments supporting large-scale enterprise networks. He is also the founder of Xpoose Cyber Sec, where he provides consulting on digital security, operational security, and cyber threat awareness.
David Renfrew, Vice President, Water Resources, NV5
David Renfrew is a Southern California water resources executive with more than two decades of experience supporting municipal agencies, industrial clients, and infrastructure programs on environmental compliance and stormwater management. As Vice President of Water Resources at NV5, he leads permitting, watershed studies, and regulatory strategy related to the Clean Water Act and NPDES programs across California. His work focuses on helping cities, utilities, and developers navigate complex stormwater regulations while advancing resilient water infrastructure solutions. Renfrew previously held leadership roles at Alta Environmental and Weston Solutions and began his career as a hydrogeologist before transitioning into program leadership across large municipal contracts.
Dina Aryan-Zahlan, Deputy Executive Director Development, Port of Los Angeles
Dina Aryan-Zahlan, P.E., serves as Deputy Executive Director of Development at the Port of Los Angeles, where she oversees major capital development initiatives and long-term infrastructure planning for one of the busiest container ports in the United States. With more than two decades at the port, she has led engineering, design, and construction programs supporting port modernization, cargo movement, and waterfront infrastructure. Previously serving as Chief Harbor Engineer, Dina managed complex maritime, transportation, and environmental infrastructure projects across the harbor district. A licensed Professional Civil Engineer in California, she holds a civil engineering degree from the University of Southern California and has been actively involved with organizations such as ASCE and APWA.
Donal Kennedy, CTE and Career Pathway Coordinator, Grants Administrator, Los Angeles Unified School District
Donal Kennedy is an experienced educational leader with the Los Angeles Unified School District focused on career pathways, workforce development, and industry partnerships. He works with schools, employers, and community organizations to connect students to opportunities in architecture, engineering, construction, healthcare, and other high-demand sectors. Kennedy leads initiatives that build apprenticeship programs, internships, and career exposure events that prepare students for college and the workforce. With a background in teaching, curriculum development, and educational leadership, he focuses on aligning education with real-world career opportunities for students across Los Angeles.
Eric Ritter Supervisor, Renewable Integration Unit, Energy Research & Development Division, California Energy Commission
Eric Ritter leads renewable integration research at the California Energy Commission, where he manages grant programs advancing technologies that help integrate distributed energy resources into California’s electric grid. His work focuses on microgrids, energy storage, EV charging infrastructure, virtual power plants, and grid-edge technologies that support a reliable transition to clean energy. Ritter oversees projects funded through California’s EPIC program that demonstrate emerging technologies aimed at improving grid flexibility, resilience, and affordability for ratepayers. He previously worked on renewable energy policy and distributed energy programs at the Commission and brings deep expertise in clean energy research, grid modernization, and decarbonization strategy.
Esther Lofton, Urban Watershed Resilience Advisor, University of California Agriculture & Natural Resources
Esther N Lofton is an Urban Watershed Resilience Advisor with University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources based at the South Coast Research and Extension Center. She supports water resource management efforts across Orange, Los Angeles, Riverside, and San Bernardino counties, focusing on improving water quality, supply reliability, and efficient water use in both urban and agricultural systems. Her work integrates hydrologic modeling, stormwater and groundwater analysis, and geospatial technologies such as GIS and remote sensing to better understand watershed systems. Dr. Lofton collaborates with watershed managers, policymakers, and communities to develop science-based solutions that strengthen urban watershed resilience and sustainable water management.
Jeremy Lumsden, Information Technology Analyst, City of Beaumont
Jeremy Lumsden is an Information Technology Analyst at the City of Beaumont, CA, where he supports municipal network infrastructure, cybersecurity operations, and enterprise systems management. His experience spans network engineering, systems administration, and cyber defense across both public-sector and high-security environments. Prior to joining the City of Beaumont, Jeremy worked as a Cybersecurity and Network Engineer at Boeing and served in the United States Army as a Satellite Network Engineer supporting mission-critical communications systems. He holds a Master of Science in Information Technology Management from Golden Gate University and a Bachelor of Science in Network Operations and Security from Western Governors University.
Josh Kanner, Sr. Director of Product and Strategy | Analytics & AI, Oracle
Josh Kanner is Sr. Director of Product and Strategy for Analytics & AI at Oracle Construction and Engineering, where he focuses on applying predictive analytics and artificial intelligence to improve risk management, safety, and performance across capital projects. A longtime entrepreneur in the AEC technology sector, he previously founded and led Newmetrix, an AI company focused on reducing jobsite risk and improving project outcomes. With nearly two decades in construction technology, Josh has been a leading voice on how data, machine learning, and digital platforms are transforming how infrastructure and buildings are planned and delivered. He also serves as a Venture Partner with Converge Venture Partners, supporting early-stage technology startups.
Josue Vaglienty, Sr. Project Manager, Capital Project Delivery, Orange County Transportation Authority
Josue Vaglienty, PE, MS is a Senior Project Manager at the Orange County Transportation Authority, where he leads the delivery of transportation infrastructure projects that enhance mobility, safety, and quality of life across Orange County. With more than two decades of experience in civil engineering and project delivery, he has managed major highway and transit initiatives spanning planning, design, and construction phases. Vaglienty previously held project leadership roles at HNTB and Michael Baker International, supporting complex transportation programs throughout California. He holds a Master of Science in Transportation Management from San José State University and a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering from California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo.
Julie Owen, Senior Executive Officer, Project Management Oversight, Countywide Planning, Los Angeles Metro
Julie Owen, DIF(ICEC), F(GPC) is Senior Executive Officer for Project Management Oversight at the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority, where she oversees program controls for the agency’s $160-billion long-range transportation capital program. With more than 30 years of experience, she specializes in program and project management, cost engineering, scheduling, contract administration, and claims analysis across major infrastructure projects. Julie has led enterprise transformation initiatives at Metro, including implementation of a comprehensive business management system supporting capital program delivery. Earlier in her career she held leadership roles at Jet Propulsion Laboratory and in major construction programs across transit, defense, wastewater, and public infrastructure sectors.
Lisa Wymer, Executive Officer, IT Operations & Service Delivery, Los Angeles Metro
Lisa Wymer, MS is Executive Officer of IT Operations & Service Delivery at Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority, where she leads cybersecurity, IT operations, telecommunications, and technology activation for major transit infrastructure projects. With more than a decade of experience in cybersecurity, risk management, and IT governance, she focuses on strengthening digital resilience across large public transportation systems. Wymer previously served as Deputy Director of IT Risk & Compliance at the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority, where she led enterprise risk management, cybersecurity policy development, and regulatory compliance programs. She also contributes to national and global AI governance efforts, including work with the National Institute of Standards and Technology AI Safety Institute Consortium and the IEEE Standards Association on standards for AI procurement and automated decision systems. She holds a Master’s degree in Cybersecurity Policy and Governance from Boston College.
Michael Christensen, Assistant General Manager – Chief Airport Development Officer, Los Angeles World Airports
Michael R. Christensen is the Assistant General Manager of Airports and Chief Airport Development Officer at Los Angeles World Airports, which operates Los Angeles International Airport and Van Nuys Airport. He oversees planning, design, and construction across the agency’s $30 billion capital improvement program, including major airside, terminal, and landside infrastructure projects. With more than four decades of experience in transportation engineering, Christensen has previously held senior leadership roles at the Port of Los Angeles, the Port of Long Beach, and Parsons. A registered professional civil engineer and Accredited Airport Executive, he has led major aviation, rail, port, and transportation programs across the western United States. Christensen holds a civil engineering degree from Arizona State University and has completed executive education at the Harvard Kennedy School.
Monica Palta, Cooperative Extension Specialist in Urban Water Quality, Health, and Justice, University of California Agriculture & Natural Resources
Monica Palta joined University of California Agriculture & Natural Resources (UC ANR) on Sept. 1, 2024, as a UC Cooperative Extension specialist in urban water quality, health and justice. She is the first UCCE specialist to be based at UC Irvine. An urban ecosystem ecologist and environmental scientist, Palta has conducted applied research in aquatic and coastal ecosystems throughout the U.S. Before taking the position with UC ANR, she was an Associate Professor in the Department of Environmental Studies and Science at Pace University in New York City. The main goal of Palta's research is to develop sustainable and mutually beneficial relationships between natural ecosystems and human populations in urban watersheds. A central focus of her work is on interactions between infrastructure, ecosystem functions and associated environmental benefits to humans in urban waterfronts, and how these interactions may be altered by global change. Her research investigates sources and mitigation strategies for water pollution, as well as develops green infrastructure and environmental management strategies to facilitate greater environmental benefit, equity, access and resilience in marginalized waterfront communities.
Nadia Fahoum, Associate Engineer | Public Works, City of Malibu
Nadia Fahoum, EIT is an Associate Engineer with the City of Malibu, where she works on transportation and public infrastructure projects focused on improving mobility and safety along the city’s coastal corridor. She has played a key role in delivering traffic and signal modernization initiatives, including the Pacific Coast Highway signal synchronization project designed to improve traffic flow and corridor safety. Fahoum began her career with the City of Malibu as an Assistant Civil Engineer and has quickly advanced into project leadership roles. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering from California State University, Sacramento and is certified as an Engineer-in-Training in California.
Nathaniel Peterson, Director, Program & Project Management, Gafcon PM-CM LLC
Nathaniel Peterson, CCM, DBIA is Director of Program & Project Management at Gafcon PM-CM LLC, where he leads complex capital programs and construction management initiatives across Southern California. He brings more than a decade of experience in program delivery, having previously held leadership roles in project and construction management with firms including AECOM. Peterson specializes in collaborative delivery methods and large-scale infrastructure and facilities programs, supporting public sector clients through planning, design, and construction. He is a Certified Construction Manager (CCM) and Design-Build Professional (DBIA), reflecting deep expertise in modern project delivery and program oversight.
Paul Chung, Chief Safety Officer & Division Chief (acting), HQ Division of Safety Programs, California Department of Transportation
Paul Chung is Chief of Road Safety at the California Department of Transportation, where he helps lead statewide initiatives to improve roadway safety and transportation system performance. With nearly three decades at Caltrans, he has held senior roles spanning bridge design, seismic engineering, and transportation program management. Chung previously served as Deputy Design Division Chief and Bridge Design Office Chief, overseeing major infrastructure delivery and structural engineering programs across California. He holds advanced degrees in civil and structural engineering from University of California, Berkeley and University of California, Davis.
Paul Van Dyk, City Traffic Engineer, City of Long Beach
Paul Van Dyk is City Traffic Engineer for the City of Long Beach, where he oversees traffic engineering programs that improve roadway safety, mobility, and transportation operations across the city. He has more than a decade of experience with Long Beach Public Works, advancing through roles in traffic engineering and transportation planning. Van Dyk leads initiatives related to traffic signal systems, roadway safety improvements, and multimodal corridor management. He is a licensed Professional Traffic Engineer in California and a certified Roadway Safety Professional.
Rhett Williams, Airport Manager, City of Merced
Rhett Williams is an airport management professional serving as Airport Manager for the City of Merced. He oversees daily airport operations, safety and security compliance, capital improvement projects, and passenger services while coordinating closely with federal agencies such as the Federal Aviation Administration and Transportation Security Administration. Williams has led initiatives including terminal upgrades, air traffic control tower improvements, and operational efficiency programs to enhance passenger experience and airport performance. With a background in aviation operations and business administration, he focuses on strategic planning, stakeholder collaboration, and advancing regional air transportation infrastructure.
Richard Quodomine, Senior Manager Special Project, Los Angeles Metro
Richard D. (Rich) Quodomine is a geographer, analyst, and Senior Manager of Special Projects at the Los Angeles Metro, where he works on geospatial analysis and infrastructure planning initiatives. His work focuses on applying geographic information systems (GIS) and spatial analytics to support transportation systems, infrastructure investment, and regional planning. Rich previously held senior GIS and program management roles with the City of Philadelphia and Moffatt & Nichol, leading major asset management and water infrastructure initiatives. He is also the founder of LocalPoint Technologies & Consulting and has taught GIS as an adjunct professor at Rowan University.
Interested in becoming a partner or exhibitor? Please contact ken@infraday.com
Official Partners – 2026
Aurigo
Aurigo builds software that helps build the world. Aurigo provides modern, cloud-based solutions for capital infrastructure and private owners to help them plan with confidence, build with quality, and maintain their assets efficiently. With more than $300b of capital programs under management, Aurigo’s solutions are trusted by over 300 customers in transportation, water and utilities, healthcare, higher education, and the government on over 40,000 projects across North America. Aurigo helps capital program executives make better decisions based on proprietary artificial intelligence and machine learning technology. Aurigo is a privately held US corporation headquartered in Austin, Texas, with global offices in Canada and India. Learn more at www.aurigo.com.
Fenagh Engineering & Testing
Fenagh Engineering & Testing was established to address the structural integrity of construction projects. Fenagh has provided special inspections, geotechnical engineering, and other materials testing services for a wide array of private and public sector developments. Our team competitively bids projects and provides the highest level of service including project management and budget control services. Our mission is to provide our clients with consistent customer service, knowledgeable engineers, and qualified inspectors. We strive to be the leading special inspection and material testing company in the industry and look forward to being part of your construction team.
Kahua
Kahua helps you manage processes, documents and cost on your construction programs and projects from inception to closeout. Purpose-built solutions for owners, program managers, general contractors and subcontractors help you minimize time-to-value and enhance user adoption. Kahua enables collaboration between all project participants to streamline communication and improve efficiency. Eliminate waste and rework by keeping everyone on the same page with the latest design and scope information. And with Kahua’s comprehensive dashboards and reporting, you get the visibility and control you need to minimize risk.
Kahua is a lifecycle solution, with applications for capital planning, sources of funds, design review, bid management, document management & control, cost management and asset handover. Kahua is available on all mobile devices to easily connect field to office.
Kahua apps are built on kBuilder, an Enterprise Low-Code Application Platform which enables Kahua partners and customers to rapidly build new apps or customize existing apps to extend or enhance Kahua solutions. This gives you the agility you need to adapt as your business needs evolve. To date, over 600 private and public apps have been developed on kBuilder, and public apps are available to the Kahua community on the kStore app marketplace.
Kahua is a lifecycle solution, with applications for capital planning, sources of funds, design review, bid management, document management & control, cost management and asset handover. Kahua is available on all mobile devices to easily connect field to office.
Kahua apps are built on kBuilder, an Enterprise Low-Code Application Platform which enables Kahua partners and customers to rapidly build new apps or customize existing apps to extend or enhance Kahua solutions. This gives you the agility you need to adapt as your business needs evolve. To date, over 600 private and public apps have been developed on kBuilder, and public apps are available to the Kahua community on the kStore app marketplace.
Oracle Construction and Engineering
Asset owners and project leaders rely on Oracle Construction and Engineering software for the visibility and control, connected supply chain, and data security needed to drive performance and mitigate risk across their processes, projects, and organization. Feel confident in your digital transformation with modern cloud solutions that grow and scale with you at every step of your journey. Enable efficiency, collaboration, and change control for your teams that plan, build, and operate critical assets.
Procore
Procore is a cloud-based construction management platform that streamlines project workflows. It connects all project stakeholders—from owners and contractors to subcontractors—on a single, collaborative platform. For public sector projects, this means improved transparency, accountability, and efficiency. Procore facilitates real-time communication, document control, bid management, and cost tracking, helping ensure projects stay on time and within budget. It enhances collaboration, reduces risk, and provides valuable data insights for better decision-making throughout the project lifecycle, ultimately benefiting taxpayers.
Trimble
Trimble is a global technology company that connects the physical and digital worlds, transforming the ways work gets done. With relentless innovation in precise positioning, modeling and data analytics, Trimble enables essential industries including construction, geospatial and transportation. Whether it's helping customers build and maintain infrastructure, design and construct buildings, optimize global supply chains or map the world, Trimble is at the forefront, driving productivity and progress. For more information about Trimble (Nasdaq: TRMB), visit: www.trimble.com.
2026 Agenda
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