The Design-Build Institute of America announced on March 31 that Lisa Washington, CAE, will assume the role of executive director upon the retirement of current DBIA president and CEO Lee Evey. The transition will be complete by June 2009. As executive director, Washington will serve as DBIA’s chief executive and will be accountable directly to the DBIA Board of Directors. This and the following article feature messages from the outgoing and incoming chief executives.
“Change and Continuity” captures the essence of my transition from DBIA’s chief operating officer to its executive director, and reflects the playing field before us. On the one hand, the successes DBIA has achieved over the past five years have set a high bar. As we move forward, we will be challenged to do more than we have in the past – and do it better and faster – to position the organization and our members for success.
On the other hand, obstacles faced, lessons learned and organizational weaknesses revealed during this same five-year period have served as a window to the future. We are compelled to change and adapt together, whether in the face of favorable or inclement markets.
This maiden message is intended to engage you in shaping the future of DBIA. As your chief executive, my responsibility will span beyond my own contributions to DBIA’s vision. Equally important will be my role in facilitating visionary thinking throughout the organization, including that of valuable volunteer leaders and members. The success of DBIA is measured by its relevance to you. As executive director, my highest priority will be to anticipate and meet your needs and wants by asking, asking, asking again…and listening. Together, we will not only think strategically, but we will act strategically by consistently implementing priorities that align with our mission and market.
As I reflect on the extraordinary work accomplished by industry professionals utilizing design-build, I am in awe of the vast knowledge, expertise and passion at our fingertips. Projects such as Minnesota’s I-35W Bridge – rebuilt in just over 13 months after a tragic collapse with an estimated $240 million in total savings – must be touted, reveled in and learned from in order to advance our industry. The challenges presented by our tenuous world economy are ripe with opportunities for DBIA – opportunities to show our nation that waste and inefficiency in design and construction can be eliminated through innovation, collaboration and teamwork. We must gather our collective influence to effect change by communicating a hard-hitting, data-driven, consistent message, and DBIA must – and will – serve as the impetus for this effort.
I am thrilled to have the opportunity to serve as your next chief staff executive. As we move forward together, I will be constantly on the lookout for possibilities and opportunities presented by members’ needs and expectations. Within the confines of our mission and available resources, the DBIA board and staff will work diligently to further solidify and promote our standing as the “center of expertise” in design-build.
Lisa Washington, CAE