The annual conference serves as a forum for transportation practitioners from federal, state, and local agencies, academia, and private industry to exchange ideas, share best practices, and collaborate on innovative approaches to transportation systems and infrastructure management. This year’s program featured discussions on AI and advanced sensing technologies, resilient infrastructure solutions, sustainable materials, and data-driven transportation planning.

PMA exhibited at Booth #115, where the team connected with transportation leaders, industry partners, and public-sector representatives throughout the two-day event. Attendees showed particular interest in PMA’s expertise in project controls, scheduling, estimating, risk management, climate resiliency, and Net Zero initiatives.

Presentation

As part of the conference program, Hatim Elnueri presented alongside Suzie von Bermuth of MassDOT on the topic: Build Before You Bid: Integrating Early Constructability and Schedule Discipline to Improve MassDOT Project Delivery. Their session explored common project delay drivers — including owner and third-party impacts, contractor coordination challenges, and unforeseen field conditions — while outlining proactive mitigation strategies centered on constructability planning, data-driven scheduling, and early stakeholder coordination. Through real-world examples, the presentation demonstrated how integrating strong build strategies with disciplined schedule management can improve predictability, reduce risk, and support more resilient project delivery outcomes.

Takeaways

“It was great to connect with transportation professionals from across New England.  This conference has highlighted the importance of collaboration, innovation and effective project delivery in addressing today’s infrastructure challenges.”

—Dennis Lucey, Executive Director at PMA

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As part of an expert panel, Graham will share how disciplined schedule management improves accountability, reduces risk, and aligns stakeholders, whether delivering capital programs or preparing for high-demand events.

Session details

Graham will join an expert panel for “Synchronized Success: From Capital Projects to FIFA, Why Schedules Win” on Tuesday, April 14, 2026, from 2:40–3:40 PM in Wildwood Room 21.

The session challenges a familiar misconception: that project schedules are merely administrative artifacts to revisit once construction begins. Instead, it highlights how a well-built schedule functions as one of an owner’s most powerful tools, helping teams drive accountability, surface risks early, and align decision-makers across planning, design, procurement, and construction.

Panelists include Dana Hecht (H&H), Jesse Heimowitz (Tectonic Engineering), Binu Thomas (Senior Advisor to NJ TRANSIT; CEO/President for FIFA World Cup Planning), and Albert Yannarelli (NJ TRANSIT).

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Chicago Team Takes the Polar Plunge

Earlier this season, the PMA Chicago team participated in the Polar Plunge to raise funds for the Special Olympics. This annual event provides year-round sports training and competition for individuals with intellectual disabilities. Our participation, promoted by client Peoples Gas, supports both a valued client initiative and an important community cause. 

Supporting the Next Generation of Engineers

In recognition of National Engineers Week 2026, the PMA NY/PSEG team donated to the Engineers Without Borders NJIT Student Chapter. This organization enables students to use their technical skills to design sustainable infrastructure projects in underserved communities worldwide. 

Supporting Wildlife Education in Michigan

The PMA Detroit team donated to the Creature Conservancy in Ann Arbor, Michigan, a nonprofit dedicated to conservation through education. The conservancy cares for rescued and non-releasable animals and provides hands-on learning through animal presentations, school field trips, camps, and community outreach. These efforts promote wildlife conservation and responsible stewardship in southeast Michigan. 

Investing in Local Education

The NE1 team donated to the Somerset Berkley Education Foundation, a valued K–12 client, and to the Bristol Warren Education Foundation, another K–12 partner supporting district-wide educational enrichment. By funding innovative classroom initiatives, student programs, and resources, these foundations create more engaging and meaningful learning opportunities for students and teachers. 

Rooted in our pillars of ethics, inclusion, community, and environmental stewardship, we remain dedicated to strengthening the places where we live and work. Together, we’re building a more sustainable and equitable future.

The post Our Values in Action: Community & Social Impact Highlights appeared first on PMA Consultants.

Meritage Resort & Spa, Napa Valley, CA 

As a platinum sponsor at the 2026 Western Winter Workshop, PMA is excited to learn and discuss the very latest program management, project controls, and construction management. The Workshop gathers capital program leaders, consultants, contractors, and groups from the West Coast and beyond. This multi–day event offers networking opportunities and informative talks on best practices and technologies in ‘asset-centric’ project management. These talks focus on multi-owner infrastructure projects and feature top innovators in the industry.

Plan Hard or Go Home: Scheduling Strategies that Let CMs Sleep at Night

Presented by:

Dana Hecht (GFT), Graham Briggs (PMA Consultants), Jesse Heimowitz (Tectonic Engineering)

March 27, 2026 | 1:10 PM – 1:55 PM | Procore Panels Room

Scheduling is often viewed as a contract requirement or a task reserved for the construction phase. In reality, a well-structured schedule is a powerful tool for accountability, communication, and problem-solving—beginning on Day 1 of project inception and continuing through design, procurement, and pre-construction. This session will highlight a case study of an owner who relied solely on consultant- and contractor-submitted schedules, resulting in systemic delays at both the program and project levels. We will share the client’s challenges and demonstrate the value of adopting a lifecycle scheduling approach. Our team partnered with project leadership and end users to develop templates, create a scheduling manual, and deliver organization-wide training. The result was a shared framework that improved collaboration, reduced delays, and established scheduling as a strategic tool rather than an afterthought—empowering teams to integrate, coordinate, and deliver with greater confidence.

Integrated Delay Theory: Overt Delay, Covert Delay, and Duration Uncertainty

Presented by:

Gui Ponce de Leon (PMA Consultants)

March 28, 2026 | 11:00 AM – 11:55 AM | Oracle Room

In solving the delay problem, rather than providing scientific principles for explaining and algorithmically modeling delay, practitioners have focused on methods sourcing contemporaneous schedules, unconcerned about the limited predictive value of deterministic schedules, or ex post facto forensic schedules, unconcerned about algorithmic precision. The integrated delay theory (IDT) exploits graphical path method (GPM) science to lay a framework for delay phenomena in respect to network-based schedules. This primer explains overt delay, covert delay both in progress interruptions and that occurs when intentional use of then-available total float to delay starting an activity impacts project completion risk profile, and the error in ignoring duration uncertainty when inferring delay from duration variance.

Visit our Booth

PMA will host booth 24, providing a space to network with industry professionals. Visit our booth for a live demonstration of our innovations in project scheduling software. Our Innovation software focuses on planning and scheduling, risk management, analyzing and determining schedule reliability, and aims to improve project delivery.

With a nationwide presence of skilled professionals in project planning, development, design, technology, claims, and finance, PMA offers proven expertise in ensuring our clients’ goals are met. Our consultants focus on critical issues to deliver high-performing construction projects, sustainable facilities, and projects within budget.

Learn more and secure your spot by visiting the Western Winter Workshop website.

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When he joined PMA, Brian brought key insights into the transportation sector, particularly within Rhode Island, where he has developed professional relationships for over 25 years. His clients count on him to provide forensic scheduling and cost analysis, including the preparation and defense of claims analyses, as well as proactive scheduling and cost-control strategies designed to minimize risk and manage potential claims. His knowledge has expanded PMA’s service offerings and strengthened the firm’s presence in key markets.

“Over the last three years with PMA, Brian has helped grow our footprint through new engagements with local universities, contractors/construction managers, and law firms,” said Dennis Lucey, Executive Director. “In addition, Brian has taken an active role in leading both our local and national construction claims support, helping to continue PMA’s long-standing claims and delay analysis practice. We look forward to having Brian in this new role and to the challenges ahead.”

Brian is a true ambassador for PMA Consultants, regularly participating in conferences and industry events to share insights with the wider professional community. The Executive Board is thrilled to have the opportunity to recognize his leadership and dedication and looks forward to what he will accomplish in the future.

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The PMA team presented “Integrated Delay Theory: Delay Fundamentals.” When analyzing delay, analysts have historically fixed their attention on methods 1) sourcing contemporaneous schedules, unconcerned about the limited predictive value and the lack of forensic modeling value of deterministic schedules, or 2) ex post facto forensic schedules, unconcerned about algorithmic precision. This dialog on the integrated delay theory explains classes of delay by causal event category: 1) overt delay, 2) covert delay from progress interruptions, and 3) covert delay from pre-use of total float before starting activities.

Further, it introduces the variance disassociation theorem postulating that it is an error to infer delay from duration variance merely reflecting duration variability, and the schedule overrun mitigation theorem addressing the combined effect of duration variability and merge bias in the later stages of execution.

PMCOS is a select group of professionals with representatives around the world, leading the way in project management, planning, scheduling, and delay analysis. Being selected by one’s peers is a prestigious honor. The opportunity to present at this meeting highlights the important work that PMA’s leaders are conducting, as well as their commitment to sharing it with the wider industry.

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Each firm is required to supply data about its work over the last year, which is verified for accuracy before final numbers are released. Within this new system, PMA has earned itself rankings in 10 different sectors! To see the full lists, visit 2025 Giants 400 Report: Ranking the nation’s largest architecture, engineering, and construction firms | Building Design + Construction.

Our recognitions include:

#29 in Construction Management Firms

#48 in Airport Facility Construction Firms

#49 in Student Housing Construction Firms

#67 in Sports Facility Construction Firms

#81 in K-12 School Sector Construction Firms

#85 in Hospitality Facility Firms

#97 in University Building Construction Firms

#102 Apartment and Condominium Construction Firms

#122 in Healthcare Facilities Firms

#122 in Multifamily Construction Firms

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Walking for Heart Health in Southern California

The PMA Southern California team joined the American Heart Association’s Heart & Stroke Walk at the iconic Rose Bowl in Pasadena, CA. They walked to raise awareness and funds for heart disease and stroke prevention, actively advancing the AHA’s research and community-health programs.    

Building Hope, One Playhouse at a Time

In Northern California, PMA partnered with Habitat for Humanity’s Playhouse Build Program. They enjoyed a full day constructing and decorating playhouses for local children. The project raised funds for Habitat’s affordable-housing initiatives while delivering completed playhouses directly to families in need.  

Feeding Families in Boston

Members of our PMA Boston team volunteered at the Greater Boston Food Bank, where they sorted and packed meal boxes for distribution throughout Eastern Massachusetts. Their efforts bolstered the food bank’s large-scale operations, ensuring reliable access to meals for families facing food insecurity. 

Rooted in our pillars of ethics, inclusion, community, and environmental stewardship, we remain dedicated to strengthening the places where we live and work. Together, we’re building a more sustainable and equitable future. 

The post Our Values in Action: Community & Social Impact Highlights appeared first on PMA Consultants.