Education Sessions

Wednesday, November 4th

8:00 - 9:00 AM

Saving a Road Network on the Brink: How Community Advocacy, Voter Support, and Strategic Infrastructure Planning Is Reversing Benicia's Pavement Decline.

Speakers: Derek Linsley, Neil Leary

The Sewer on the Shore: Balancing Infrastructure, Environment, and Community Priorities.

Speakers: Hillal Hamdan, Adam Brown

Savvy Socializing, A Workshop and Survival Guide for Reluctant Networkers.

Speaker: Cheryl Childs

From Reactive to Ready: How Pleasanton Transformed Its Sewer Program.

Speaker: Siew-Chin Young

12:30 - 1:30 PM

How to Plan, Execute and Deliver Right-of-Way to Keep Your Project Moving.

Speakers: Bob Morrison, PE, Travis Bohan

Extending the Life Beneath Our Streets

Speakers: Fidel Salamanca, Ryan O’Kane

Forum: Women in Public Works

Facilitators: Cheryl Childs, Jessica Cadkin

Panelists: Sheila Marquises, Vanessa Garrett, Siew-Chin Young, Stephani Hu, Erica Ahmann Smithies

Professional Licensure for Engineers and Land Surveyors.

Speakers: Natalie King, Dallas Sweeney

3:00 PM - 4:00 PM

Engaging Your Community with Purpose, Clarity, and Creativity: Practical Strategies for Public Works

Speakers: Erica Ahmann Smithies, Sanjay Mishra

From Inventory to Action: Building a Data-Driven Sidewalk & Curb Ramp Asset Management Program

Speakers: Shahram Misaghi, Sarah Fine

From Paper Age to the Field Maps Era: Optimizing Sewer & Storm Maintenance with GIS.

Speakers: Emma Hinojosa, Jerry Barajas

Construction Management Lessons for Creeks, Levees, and Bay-Front Flood Infrastructure.

Speaker: Gus Gregory

Keynote Speaker: Jim Abbott

10:30 AM – 11:30 AM

at Regents' Theatre - Valley Center for Performing Arts

Jim Abbott was born without a right hand. He was an All-America hurler at Michigan; won the Sullivan Award in 1987; was the pitcher for the Gold Medal Olympic Team in 1988; and threw a 4-0 no-hitter for the New York Yankees 
versus Cleveland (September 4, 1993). 
Jim played for 10 seasons on 4 different teams and ended his big-league playing

career in 1999.

Abbott has worked with The Department of Labor's Office of Disability Employment Policy (ODEP) on several initiatives encouraging businesses to hire people with disabilities.

Director's Showcase

1:45 PM – 2:45 PM

at Regents' Theatre - Valley Center for Performing Arts

Daniel Chavarria,

Public Works Director, City of Richmond

Erica Ahmann Smithies

Public Works Director, City of American Canyon

Nouae Vue

Suisun City

Sanjay Mishra Sanjay Mishra

Public Works Director, City of Fairfield

Scott Christie

City of Orinda

John Samuelson

City of Pittsburg

Siew-Chin Young

Director of Public Works, City of Pleasanton

Thursday, November 5th

8:00 AM- 9:00 AM

Unity Park: Abandoned Industrial Site to Recreation Asset

Speakers: Diane Hardy, Dave Rubin

Funding the Biggest Project You Have Ever Done

Speakers: Kyle Carbert, David Donovan

Alternative Maintenance Strategies for Street Ponding Mitigation

Speakers: Steve Martin, Joseph Ortega, William Smith

From Conflict to Collaboration

Speaker: Tiffany Hoang

10:15 AM - 11:15 AM

The Power of Strategic Writing in Public Works

Speakers: Erin Lebacqz, Rochelle Johnson, Christopher Nettles

Connecting a Region, One Roundabout at a Time.

Speakers: Dana Van Horn, Edrie De Los Santos

Transit Bus on Shoulder Testing at GoMentum Station

Speakers: Andrew Dillard, Chris Brecheisen

AI for Smarter Government: Analytics, Dashboards, Forms, Media

Speakers: Johannes Hoevertsz, Glenn Morelli

Beyond the Cut: Building Defensible Pavement Impact Fees. Speaker: Debaroti Ghosh

1:00 PM - 2:00 PM

Building and Mainitaining Longer Lasting Pavements with Fiber Reinforced Asphalt. Speakers: Shawn Graf, Alex Kotrotsios

Design-Build Done Right: Lessons from Gonzales' Award-Worthy Community Center. Speakers: Carmen Gil, Luis Flores

Extending Infrastructure Service Life with Geotechnical Polyurethanes

Speakers: Cliff Frazao, John Moore, 
David Nesbitt

Strategic Career Planning.

Speaker: Flannery Banks

Choosing the Right Project Delivery Method for Successful Public Infrastructure Projects. Speakers: Shawn Strohman, Jeff Werner

2:15 PM - 3:15 PM

South San Franciso’s Oyster Point Project: Completed Ahead of Schedule, Under Budget, and with Zero Complaints

Speakers: Raphael Garcia, Jeff Chou

Municipal Wildfire Resilience: A Practical Case Study

Speakers: Kristin Arnold, Crystal Mainolfi, Nicole Marcucci

International Boulevard Quick-Build Project

Speakers: Joe Wang, Wil Buller, Brian Sukkar

3:30 PM – 4:30 PM

Civil Facilities: Successes, Lessons, and Considerations

Speakers: Jenna Castro, Andrew Powell

Take the Next Step in Your Career: Learn about the Public Works Institute and how it can help your career reach the next level

Speakers: Rich Cunningham, Carlos Melendez

From Quick Build to Permanent: How the City of East Palo Alto Constructed their First Mini-Roundabouts

Speakers: Batool Zaro, Charlie Simpson

Building with Nature: Delivering Infrastructure in Sensitive Ecosystems

Speakers: David Franco, Tara McIntire

Equipment Roadeo

12:15 PM – 1:00 PM

at Valley Center for Performing Arts Upper Parking Area

Public Works Equipment Operators will demonstrate their skill and participate in two back-hoe challenges for the chance to win admission and travel expenses to participate in the National Roadeo at PWX 2027. 

General Registration October 1st through November 1st

1. Two-Day - $285
2. One-Day - $185

Group registration available!

Note: We cannot accommodate the sharing of passes. 
One pass per person required.

Need an invoice? Please complete the invoice request form (button below) and email it to chapteradmin@northernca.apwa.org.

Conference Blood Donation

Join us for the American Public Works Annual Conference Blood Drive

November 4-5, 2026

from 11:30 am to 2:45 pm 

in the Chapel.

Things to Know

• Donors are encouraged to review Blood Donor Qualifications. Donor Eligibility
• Donors should arrive well-nourished and hydrated.
• Donors need photo identification with first and last name.
• The donation process takes approximately one hour (add an additional 20 minutes for a double red cell donation).
• Power Red Cell Donation – Power up your donation with an automated power red cell donation.
• Fast Track – Donors can complete the health questionnaire online prior to arriving to the drive. The questionnaire must be completed the same day as the donation and barcode needs to be presented at the drive. This can also be completed at the drive. Fast Track Link

Volunteers Needed!

Sign-up today to help make this year's conference a success. You can sign up for half a day or a whole day, whatever your schedule allows. Use the link below or email Nicole.

For more information email Jocelyn LaRocque or Nicole Witt.

Thank you to our 2026 Event Sponsors: