For over 25 years, Rob has developed an extensive background in long-term economic development and construction management. As President of Wenaha Group, a tribal member of the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indians, and a nationally recognized entrepreneur, Rob’s character exemplifies teamwork, transparency, collaboration, and integrity. Rob started Wenaha Group because he believes communities are strongest when they work together to achieve greatness. He has a genuine interest and skill set in successfully managing complex projects, navigating political and complicated organizational structures, reducing owner risk by understanding nuances in contract negotiation, and strategically aligning with clients’ needs. Rob’s years of experience managing construction and development for his Tribe has created a deeper understanding of the importance of protecting Tribal resources and sovereignty for each community. Rob’s humble leadership has grown the firm into a strong, financially sound company with a healthy, diverse, and incredibly talented team.
Jose, a native Oregonian, is a proud graduate of the Construction Engineering Management Program at Oregon State University. Originally from Eastern Oregon, he spent the last decade in the Bay Area building his construction career by directing multi-million-dollar commercial projects for various clients. As a bilingual Project Manager with a friendly and approachable style, he can put others at ease while quickly building relationships with key stakeholders. Jose employs a team-centric management style and enjoys solving complex project issues with out-of-the-box thinking.
Born and raised in Washington, Cherise's career began almost 30 years ago as a Production Coordinator, Payroll Specialist, Office Manager, Accounting Specialist/Bookkeeper, and now the Office Manager/Bookkeeper for Wenaha. Her expertise and large range of office experience, including accounts payables, receivables, payroll, human resources, management, monthly and quarterly taxes, and reconciliations, will be applied to providing exemplary support to the office of Wenaha Group. She has been known for her accuracy, organization, and detail orientation, along with being complimented by auditors for her exceptional record-keeping.
Keith is a veteran Senior Project Manager with over two decades of construction management experience in the Northwest. His detailed approach to team leadership and problem-solving provides him with a solid foundation to address the challenges in project development, construction operations, and client relationships. His leadership and management style for the Tacoma Office is grounded in the core values of appreciation of hard work, honesty, integrity, and respect. Keith has a wide breadth of experience in gaming, healthcare, corrections, infrastructure, mission-critical, research laboratory, commercial, and multi-family projects. He has delivered projects in the public and private sectors, quasi-government, and Indian Country.
Pam has a Bachelor of Science in Project Management and a Construction Management Certificate from the University of Washington and over 15 years of experience in private and public commercial construction management. As Project Manager, Pam's competencies range from pre-construction, budget development, value engineering, bid management, contract and change management, through close-out and turn-over. She believes a project's success is built on integrity and respect when working with both the planning and development team, as well as the onsite project team. Pam played a vital role working on the first LEED Gold, Net-Zero energy commercial building in Idaho.
With experience in both architecture and construction, Hunter approaches project management holistically. After earning a degree in architecture, he worked as a superintendent and project manager at a Design-Build firm. He discovered his affinity for construction by coupling the design and construction processes. Hunter has since managed an array of construction projects ranging from single- and multi-family residential to hospitality. Pairing his technical expertise and field experience, Hunter strives to create a trusting and collaborative relationship with his clients.
Yue Chen is a licensed architect in Washington and New York State after completing her undergraduate studies in architecture in China before obtaining her master's degree from the University of Pennsylvania. She brings over eight years of valuable working experience to the field and is passionate about learning and listening to our client’s needs. She is enthusiastic about creating exceptional projects that leave a lasting impact.
Efton has 25 years of FF&E and move management experience including leading projects and overseeing all aspects of equipment and material management, program planning and execution, and logistics. Efton’s collaborative, solution-minded, upbeat spirit enables those around him to do and be better team members. Efton brings in-depth knowledge of all areas associated with supply chain, logistics, inventory management, production planning, procurement, customer service, transportation, and warehouse management. Efton has relationships throughout multiple industries across the United States that provides competitive pricing and an extensive customer offering. Efton served in the United States military with the U.S. Marine Corps, stationed at Whidbey Naval Air Base, Oak Harbor, Washington.
Jason Crain is a graduate of Texas A&M, with a BS in Construction Science. With over 30 years in the construction field, his work has taken him throughout the United States. He brings broad experience in diverse project types from commercial, healthcare, labs, airports, and data centers. His favorite part of his work has always been working with the Owners, helping turn their vision into reality. His broad experience and past work product provided a cadre of substantial clients willing to trust him to coordinate their projects and protect their interests through increased efficiency, quality, and innovation. Saving owners time, money, and headaches is the absolute goal, while building strong trusted relationships.
With a Bachelor of Science in Architecture and an emphasis on Project Management from Portland State University, Bobby has worked in the design and construction industry for more than 20 years. His project management experience spans both private and public sectors with successful built solutions in housing, retail, medical, transportation and education. Bobby is passionate about strengthening communities with every project he takes on.
Evan joined Wenaha Group after graduating from Washington State University with a Bachelor of Science in Psychology. As a project manager, Evan is a critical part of the FF&E and Move Management Division. He is known for his excellent organizational and communication skills and thrives on managing large, impactful projects, optimizing operations, and driving results for our clients.
With a background in education and counseling, Alsea brings a unique perspective to FF&E and move management. After earning a degree in global development studies, she pursued a Master of Arts in Social and Sustainable Management at Seattle Pacific University. While attending University, she provided strategic partnership consultation to Construction for Change and traveled to India and China to support her global business studies. After graduating, Alsea worked as an educator for various organizations, serving students aged from elementary to university. Her experience as an educator gives her the ability to empathize and build trusting relationships.
Along with his degree in Construction Management from Central Washington University, Heath has over two decades of construction management experience. He has worked on various project types as a project engineer, project manager, estimator, general contractor, and owner’s representative. Heath's first-hand expertise gives him insight into predicting problems and innovative solutions, often avoiding the problem entirely. In addition, he understands the value of a team atmosphere, using his communication skills to ensure that all voices have an opportunity to be heard and creating situations where all stakeholders can succeed. Heath successfully manages the Tri-Cities office, providing leadership and long-standing industry relationships to Wenaha Group.
Luke is a son of the northwest, growing up in south Puget Sound and now residing in Portland. After attending the University of Portland he completed a Master of Arts in Teaching and spent ten years as a history teacher and school principal before branching out into K-12 Bond work as a consultant project manager. He has a restless passion for enhancing communities through building projects, partnering with stakeholders and team members to complete excellent and lasting work, and being involved in projects from their inception to closeout. Always creating, Luke enjoys gardening, woodworking, cooking, and seeking adventure with his family in the outdoors and on the Oregon coast.
With over three decades of experience in project management and architecture and a BS in Industrial Design, Jake has worked within various market sectors and building types. With his extensive career, he has had the opportunity to take on numerous roles, including job captain, head of design, and senior project management. In addition, Jake's impressive portfolio in K-12 has provided him with extensive knowledge of industry standards in Washington state.
After completing undergraduate studies at the University of Oregon, Cassie earned her Master of Architecture from the University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee. She has worked in the construction industry for over a decade, transitioning from design to project management. Cassie's experience includes work in the private and public sectors, focusing on commercial, non-profit, and retail clients. As a Project Manager, she is committed to using her skills to help communities grow and thrive.
As a Senior Construction Manager and executive, Jim has successfully managed over five million square feet of construction during his career. For three decades, Jim has been a results-oriented team leader and has gained increased responsibility by solving complex challenges. He sees effective teamwork and open communication as critical in reducing total cost and risk while maintaining delivery schedules and quality. In addition, he brings proficiency in contract negotiation, contract and proposal creation, bid packaging, conceptual estimating, insurance, value engineering, scheduling, and construction management to the table. Jim also excels at tactical planning, implementation, and budget management. Jim leads our Portland office, supporting an experienced and diverse team in various markets in the Portland Metro region and companywide.
Sam joined Wenaha Group as a Project Manager in the Federal Way Office with over 25 years of experience across many disciplines within the construction industry. Sam’s varied experiences as a journeyman tradesperson, superintendent, QA, project manager, and business owner has allowed him to provide insight to the team. He is passionate about providing value and believes in investing the time necessary to understand our client’s needs. Sam has a bachelor’s degree from Pacific Lutheran University and is an enrolled Tribal member of the Choctaw Nation.
Ann is a Project Manager that has served public agency clients in the Portland Metro area for over 16 years. As a graduate of Oregon State University, Ann worked for a large national general contractor, where she supported projects up and down the I-5 corridor. Her experience as a general contractor paired with her success as an owner’s representative Project Manager provides Ann with a unique understanding of the project lifecycle and the issues that often appear at each phase. Ann is an enrolled member of the Mandan, Hidatsa, and Arikara Nation located in North Dakota.
Taylor has two degrees from the University of San Diego, a B.A. in Architecture and B.A. in Art History. After college, she started her career at Seattle Public Schools, where she spent several years in project management, working across 63 of the District's centrally-located properties. She then transitioned to an architecture firm, where she continued her work in K-12 and commercial architecture and completed her professional internship. Taylor has a passion for public art and community-led projects. She was the co-author of the Public Art Plan for the City of Vancouver and is serving on the City's Public Art Committee and Clark Community College's Art Selection and Management Committee. Taylor is also an active member of the American Institute of Architects (AIA), a guest speaker for Girls in STEM, and has won the University of San Diego Excellence in Architecture Award.
With over 30 years of experience, Dale has successfully led many project teams through the various aspects of contracting, including estimating, budget development, and project management. As a Senior Project Manager, Dale has a unique ability to create win-win solutions for the inevitable issues that arise on team projects. He is known for building collaborative, highly functional teams that consistently deliver results above the clients’ expectations. Clients and design professionals value Dale’s involvement. He keeps projects moving forward in an organized fashion, with costs and schedule under control – all while maintaining a fun and effective atmosphere.
Patrick has spent more than 30 years building relationships with owners, architects, engineers, subcontractors, and employees in the construction industry. This experience provides him with a broad understanding of the construction management process that he shares with clients as they navigate an unfamiliar process. As a Project Manager, Patrick has experience with public works, education, commercial, and residential projects. Patrick holds a B.S. in Construction Engineering Management from Oregon State University.
With over 30 years of experience in administrative assistance across diverse industries, Kristin brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to Wenaha Group. Her passion for developing systems and processes fosters efficiency while creating an environment of support, curiosity, and kindness within the communities she serves. Kristin is dedicated to enhancing organizational effectiveness and promoting collaboration through her innovative approach to administrative excellence. Growing up on Whidbey Island, Kristin developed a deep appreciation for the rich beauty of the Pacific Northwest, which continues to inspire her work and community engagement.
Chris has two decades of experience and has completed over 50 projects in 11 U.S. states and five Canadian provinces. His project management experience ranges from healthcare, education, institutional, and infrastructure to hospitality and retail. Chris has learned to apply proven industry methods tailored to a specific project and client needs by tapping into his wealth of diverse project experience with various delivery methods in both private and public work. Utilizing his scheduling, estimating, and project management background and a proactive solutions-oriented approach, Chris strives to streamline projects and bring the best return on investment to his clients.
For over a decade, Sara has been in industrial administration, wore many different hats, and taught the value of being able to multitask in a high-paced environment. Being analytical and detail-oriented, Sara has successfully optimized and created standard operating procedures for billing, timekeeping, cost tracking, and job status reporting throughout her career. She has a passion for job cost auditing, has a history of cleaning up billing dilemmas with great success, and is constantly determined to meet and exceed personal and professional goals.
Cynthia Pagulayan, originally from the Philippines and now calling Kirkland Washington home, holds a BA in Psychology-Management from the University of the Philippines and a Master's in Project Management from City University of Seattle. Using her rich experience in both profit and non-profit sectors, Cynthia blends technical proficiency with strong interpersonal skills in order to support the project teams.
Melanie, a Native Hawaiian from Washington State, has spent two decades striving for a more socially just public education system. Her contributions as a teacher and school principal, along with her district level executive leadership and university teaching have contributed to her expertise in education. Melanie is known for creating opportunities for building shared understanding and outcomes, providing cultural navigation within complex environments, and creating relationships grounded in shared outcomes. Significant contributions to our team include educational adequacy assessments, community organizing and strategic planning, designing multi-sensory and blended learning environments, early childhood and PreK-12 equitable systems and curriculum building, and public relations, capitol project planning and project logistics.
Scott has built his career with an emphasis on collaboration, consensus building, and team interaction. Serving as a facilities director for a public agency instructed him on the value of transparency and accountability with taxpayer funds. Scott specializes in public procurement and energy conservation programs. He works extensively with the Energy Trust of Oregon, integrating sustainability and energy efficiency using cost-effective methods. In 2013, he won a Better Bricks Award for Building Management from the Northwest Energy Efficiency Alliance and, in 2014, became an Earth Advantage Certified Project Steward. Scott leads the team in the Pendleton office with an affable communication style and enthusiasm to mentor those around him.
As a project coordinator, Greta provides a high level of support that is integral to project success. Her strong communication skills and ability to multi-task on a project site make her a valuable asset to the team. Ms. Sandoval was born and raised in Oregon and is a proud member of the Mandan, Hidatsa, and Arikara Nation.
Tammy, a Washington native living most of her life in the greater Tacoma area, has over two decades of experience in the construction industry, including ownership of a small construction company. As the Business Manager, Tammy oversees the day-to-day operations of the Wenaha Group office locations, supports Executive Leadership with financial requirements, and manages the accounting, payroll, and staff benefits. Tammy has a passion for serving our clients, staff, and the community while exemplifying the firm’s values-driven guiding principles.
Kailee, a Washington native, brings a unique skillset as Assistant Manager of Client Relations & Move Management to Wenaha Group. In her experience as a business owner and entrepreneur, she developed an aptitude for logistics and event planning that has been critical to growing Wenaha Group's FF&E and Move Management team. Kailee understands what it takes to deliver a project to achieve client satisfaction, and her approachable communication style makes her a key team member in leading client relationship efforts.
Kieron has a B.S. in Building Surveying and over 20 years of experience as an estimator, project engineer, and project manager. His experience as a Project Manager includes many complex and challenging projects in various market sectors, from K-12 education, assisted living, and healthcare to retail and high-tech facilities. Kieron loves the challenges construction brings, the fulfillment of completed projects, and the bringing joy to occupants of the completed projects.
Meaghan Strey, a Washington native, joined the Federal Way office bringing a diverse skill set providing support in the marketing and business development effort utilizing her strong work ethic and meticulous attention to detail. Meaghan is a powerhouse in and out of the office accumulating years of experience as an entrepreneur and utilizing her strengths learned as a professional athlete. She is passionate about building relationships and values our work throughout the A/E/C industry that enriches the lives of the community and people.
Luisa graduated from the University of Houston with a bachelor’s degree in construction management. In her early years in the AEC industry, Luisa began her career in the accounting department, then developed into the planning and execution of projects. After almost a decade in construction, she enjoys brainstorming and coming up with solutions as a team to better serve clients.
Reyna has a B.S. in Construction Management from Central Washington University with over 10 years’ experience in the construction industry working as a General Contractor. She has been a part of the successful completion of diverse structures ranging in dollar value and complexity as project engineer, cost engineer, and project manager. Each construction project is unique and building methods are constantly changing and improving, which makes this work exciting! Reyna believes collaboration and respect is the foundation to a successful project and long-lasting relationships. Her work ethic, great attention to detail, and motivation to create an exceptional customer experience makes her an asset to the team.
Meredith is an accomplished leader with over a decade of experience in small businesses and startups. Specializing in operations, product management, and support leadership, she excels at streamlining processes and operational efficiency. A veteran of the US Coast Guard, Meredith delivers measurable results in both established and emerging environments. She oversees daily operations in close collaboration with corporate officers, ensuring business efficiency and alignment with company goals. Meredith is passionate about fostering clear communication, delivering exceptional service, and providing tailored solutions to meet client needs.
Shandiin, a member of the Navajo Nation, joined Wenaha Group with a B.S. in Construction Management & Technology from Arizona State University. She brings leadership and passion for construction and project management along with a voracious appetite to expand her experience in the industry. Having served in student leadership positions while earning her degree, Shandiin exhibits those same values and leadership traits in her professional experience. As a Project Manager, she has keen attention to detail, deep care for our clients' interests, and enjoys the ongoing process of learning and sharing her knowledge with others.