Washington D.C.. August 10, 2015 – The Design-Build Institute of America (DBIA) – the only organization that defines, teaches and promotes best practices in design-build – is proud to announce the selection of Lisa Choplin to fill the newly created Deputy Executive Director position. Choplin will be a thought partner to DBIA’s Executive Director/CEO, with a primary focus on working in close partnership with DBIA’s Regions and Chapters to lead the development and implementation of strategies to grow membership and industry engagement with DBIA. As an experienced public owner utilizing design-build, a former member of the DBIA Mid-Atlantic Region’s Board of Directors and a co-founder of the DBIA Maryland Chapter, Choplin is uniquely qualified for this role.
Choplin was instrumental in bringing Design-Build Done RightTM to Maryland, having taken over MSHA’s design-build program in 2000 when it was still in its infancy. She was directly involved in developing the project delivery strategies and procurement of the $2.4 billion Intercounty Connector (ICC) project, an 18.8-mile highway that connects major transportation corridors north of Washington, D.C. The ICC is Maryland’s largest design-build project ever and was awarded a 2012 National Design-Build Award.
On her new role at DBIA, Lisa Choplin said, “I have long admired DBIA’s commitment to the development and advancement of best practices in design-build, or Design-Build Done Right. I am thrilled to be joining the DBIA family and bring my experience as an owner to build on the strong support and education DBIA provides to owners and practitioners.”
“I could not be more excited for Lisa Choplin to join us at DBIA’s headquarters in Washington, D.C.” said Lisa Washington, CAE, DBIA’s Executive Director/CEO. “I have known her as a dedicated DBIA member, strong design-build supporter and faithful volunteer leader for more than a decade. Her reputation and knowledge as a thought leader in the transportation sector, an experienced project manager and a leader in state government will be invaluable as we work closely to implement DBIA’s strategic priorities, with the greater goal of improving the industry.”
“Lisa Choplin’s combination of public owner experience and past DBIA involvement make her the perfect addition to the DBIA headquarters team to help drive future growth and success,” said DBIA’s Board Chairman Peter Kinsley, DBIA. Kinsley leads the Government & Public Services Group at Haskell. “Lisa Choplin oversaw the Maryland State Highway Administration’s transition from not using design-build at all to the regular delivery of major design-build projects. That experience will be essential as we continue our efforts to universalize Design-Build Done Right.”
Choplin added, “Maryland’s design-build program has significantly matured since it began in the late 1990’s. The education and training that was provided through DBIA and their support of practitioner/owner collaboration is exactly why we were able to be successful in Maryland and I can’t wait to help bring that success to the entire country.” Choplin will start her new role September 8, 2015.