Kelli Kelly currently serves as the Business Development & Strategy Director - Aviation / Transit for Kiewit Infrastructure Engineers. Her primary function is to develop client, community, and industry engagement strategies to drive and support the pursuit and delivery of key infrastructure projects. Her 16 years of industry experience includes a variety of roles, including proposal management, community outreach, business development, and diversity and inclusion strategy.

Kelli volunteers with several community organizations focused on education and economic development; and currently serves on numerous boards, including Denver Workforce Development Board, Colorado Association of Black Professional Engineers and Scientists, Conference of Minority Transportation Officials (COMTO) Colorado Chapter, and the Hispanic Contractors of Colorado Contractor Academy.  Kelli holds a bachelor’s degree in Communications and a master’s degree in Organizational Leadership.

Mindy Steckmest currently serves as a Design Engineering Director for Kiewit’s infrastructure engineering division, overseeing permanent design across the United States and Canada. Mindy joined Kiewit in 2017 and manages interdisciplinary teams comprised of structural, drainage, and roadway experts to perform engineering analysis, design, and estimates in support of design-build pursuits and ongoing projects. She has over 25 years of experience managing design on large scale design-build infrastructure projects throughout the US and is a licensed Professional Engineer. Mindy is honored for the opportunity to participate on this panel at the 2021 DBIA Transportation & Aviation Conference.

Marvin Thomas is the Co-founder and CEO of Triunity Engineering & Management, Inc. a Denver based engineering and program/construction management firm.   Since 2003, Triunity, has provided a broad range of services to businesses and government agencies tasked with the design, build and operations of complex infrastructure projects. Marvin holds an undergraduate degree in Electrical Engineering from Kansas State University and a graduate degree in Systems Management from the Air Force Institute of Technology.

Lester Woods was appointed Chief Administrative Officer on April 1, 2020 after serving in the position on an interim basis since July 2019. In this capacity, he oversees four MoDOT divisions including communications, diversity and inclusion, health and wellness, and human resources. He has been with MoDOT for nearly 18 years, and previously, served as MoDOT’s External Civil Right Director for 15 years. Before coming to MoDOT, he worked in human resources at the University of Missouri-Columbia. Woods holds a bachelor of science degree in wildlife biology from Grambling State University, a master of public administration from the University of Missouri-Columbia and will be conferred with a doctor of ministry degree from United Theological Seminary in May 2020.

Jerry Jacobsen is Principal at LA Metro, responsible for Post Award Compliance for over 1,000 active contracts valued at more than $15 Billion. Having worked with four concurrent design-build mega projects, Mr. Jacobsen’s responsibilities have ranged from small business goal establishment and subsequent Board Report assessment - to strategic engagement with Metro’s Primes & Subcontractors to ensure project compliance. He also spearheaded the 2014 launch of Metro’s SB Prime Set-Aside program, one of the most successful among US Transportation agencies.

Prior to LA Metro, Jerry worked with some of the most popular and successful brands across the globe, including FOX Broadcasting, 20th Century Fox, HarperCollins Publishing and Dow Jones, where he established a Fortune 100’s supplier diversity initiative, driving more than $750 million in diverse procurement expansion. Jerry has served as a voting member of the Academy of Television Arts and Sciences (Emmys) and lives with his rescued cat “Gucci.”