Mass timber construction is a game-changer for the building industry. On Wednesday, March 13, 2024 from 12 PM – 1:30 PM PST, join us in this dynamic lunch conversation at the Perkins Coie office downtown Seattle with ample time to network!
Featured Speakers:
Julie Anderson, Agricultural Innovation, Washington State Department of Commerce
Julie returned to Commerce after a local government career in the City of Tacoma and Pierce County, Washington. Previously, she served Commerce as a senior policy advisor, focused on Washington’s green economy job initiative, cluster development, and innovation partnership zones. She also served on the CERB Board, providing low-interest loans and grants for public infrastructure that promote private business growth. With over 20 years of executive experience in government and nonprofit sectors, Julie is known for her authentic community engagement and the ability to build enduring stakeholder relationships. She’s passionate about working forests, preserving family farms, sustainability technology, and supporting Washington’s rural communities. Julie’s volunteer work includes the UW-Tacoma Center for Leadership and Social Responsibility, the American Leadership Forum, and Rotary International.
Ryan Edwards, Regional Manager, Pacific Northwest, Mercer Mass Timber (MMT)
Ryan spearheads our mass timber operations in the Pacific Northwest, covering the states of Alaska, Washington, and Oregon, as well as his home state of Idaho and the mountainous regions of Montana and Wyoming.
With a diverse background in construction, including roles as a contractor, inspector, and material supplier, Ryan brings extensive experience in wood construction connections and fasteners. His expertise, experience, and perspective are valuable assets to projects.
Ryan’s portfolio includes involvement in noteworthy projects such as the Portland Airport, MPG School in Portland, OR, Janicki Industries B10 in Hamilton, WA, Southstone Yards in Frisco, TX, Under Armour in Baltimore, MD, District Office in Bellingham, WA, and The Catalyst Building in Spokane, WA.
Ryan is fueled by his passion for mass timber construction and its myriad benefits, including sustainability. He is dedicated to assisting clients in achieving timely and successful project outcomes.
Moderator:
Linda Neunzig, Division Manager, Snohomish County Conservation and Natural Resources | Agriculture Office
Linda Neunzig is the Division Manager for the Agriculture Office for Snohomish County. In this role Neunzig leads Snohomish County’s agriculture initiatives, which have received national recognition for their innovative approaches to revitalizing the agriculture sector, and provides assistance to farmers operating within Snohomish County.
She spearheads several agriculture initiatives for the county, including the Snohomish County Focus on Farming conference, the largest agriculture conference in western Washington State; agriculture sustainability programs; and agriculture education and information programs including at the annual Evergreen State Fair. Linda is the lead on the Snohomish County Food and Farming Center and the Advanced Technology in Agriculture programs.
In addition to her role with Snohomish County, Neunzig is the owner of Ninety Farms, a 50-acre sustainable farm in Arlington, Washington. There she raises all natural grass-fed USDA beef and Katahdin lamb for Seattle area restaurants and local farmers markets. She regularly exports Katahdin breeding stock to the Philippines to improve the production capabilities of the native sheep breeds. She has attended “Terra Madre” in Turin, Italy—one of the world’s leading agriculture symposiums—three times as a U.S. delegate for Slow Food USA. She was one of five farmers chosen from across the United States to represent the American Farmer at the New York City Meals On Wheels benefit , and was featured in Gourmet Magazine as one of the producers. Neunzig was awarded the “Women Who Inspire” award by the National Women’s Chef and Restaurateurs’ Association for her work in agriculture.
Introductory Speaker:
Chuck Blumenfeld, Senior Counsel, Perkins Coie
Chuck Blumenfeld, senior counsel and former firmwide chair of the Environment, Energy, and Resources practice group, represents clients in permitting and enforcement matters under the federal and state Clean Water Act, Clean Air Act, Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA), CERCLA, and Model Toxics Control Act (MTCA). Chuck’s practice also includes the siting of major facilities such as mines and power generation projects.