Our Subject Matter Experts (SME's)
Charlie Bowers
Charlie has over 45 years of construction industry experience with an extensive background in field construction, construction management, project management, operations management, and business development.
Professional affiliations include CJP
(Certified JOC Professional)
Charlie was National Education Chairman of CJE for many years and is know an Emeritus Member.
The last 16 years of Charlie’s career have been devoted to operations, training and business development in the JOC industry. He helped educate school, university, and local government clients on the benefits of job order contracting.
Charlie was involved in the implementation of the Arizona State University (ASU) JOC program.. He has traveled the country introducing education and public clients, to the JOC/IDIQ construction project execution concept.
Charlie Bowers
Charlie has over 45 years of construction industry experience with an extensive background in field construction, construction management, project management, operations management, and business development.
Professional affiliations include CJP
(Certified JOC Professional)
Charlie was National Education Chairman of CJE for many years and is know an Emeritus Member.
The last 16 years of Charlie’s career have been devoted to operations, training and business development in the JOC industry. He helped educate school, university, and local government clients on the benefits of job order contracting.
Charlie was involved in the implementation of the Arizona State University (ASU) JOC program.. He has traveled the country introducing education and public clients, to the JOC/IDIQ construction project execution concept.
Wylie K. Bearup, PE, PhD, DBIA
Dr. Bearup joined the Del E. Webb School of Construction (DEWSC) as a full-time Professor of Practice in July 2014
Previously, Dr. Bearup worked for the City of Phoenix for 14 years and retired as the City Engineer and Street Transportation Director.
Under his direction the City successfully completed over 400 projects using Construction Manager at Risk, almost 100 Design Build projects, and approximately 5,000 projects using Job Order Contracting with an aggregate value of over $6 billion.
Dr. Bearup was an active duty commissioned officer in the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers with assignments around the world. He retired as a Lieutenant Colonel in February 2000 after serving on active duty for 24 year career.
Dr. Bearup has been married to his high school sweetheart Yulon for 45 years and has two grown daughters, Darshon and Brianne, who are both ASU grads.
R. Anthony Araza, MBA, CPM
Anthony has 35 years experience in State and local government, among other things managing CIP programs.
Anthony has applied a hybrid approach of applying Engineering/Budget/Finance principles concurrently to manage capital projects and their budgets while maintaining transparency and auditable accounting standards.
Anthony believes capital project budgets are imperative and essential in order for projects to be successful from cradle to grave. He has helped government agencies and school districts, execute a CIP program that is achievable to complete, financially balanced, auditable, and has positive program metric. Reporting is critical to any entity that has a fiduciary responsibility of resources given to them".
He also has extensive knowledge of public financing instruments including managing voter approved bond authorizations, bond sales, and bond fund balances for all capital bond programs along with other multiple funding sources. Anthony is an active member of American Public Works Association (APWA) and Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA). When not working, Anthony likes traveling with his wife, skiing, hiking, and spending time with his kids and grandkids.
Charlie Popeck
Charlie Popeck is a recognized authority and leader in the field of sustainability and green building.
Charlie is sought after as an expert in sustainability, building science and LEED, the GreenBuilding Rating System developed by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC).
His passion for sustainability and green building, along with his construction management and tradesman background uniquely qualifies him as one of the most versatile high-performance building consultants in the country.
As one of the first LEED Accredited Professionals in the United States, Charlie has been a leader in the green building industry for many years.
In addition, Charlie served on the steering committee that was responsible for bringing a chapter of the USGBC to Arizona in 2002, and has held leadership positions within the chapter including Chairman, Vice-Chairman and Secretary.
Charlie has personally trained over 40,000 architects, engineers, contractors, product
manufacturers, building owners, and other construction industry professionals about
sustainability issues, building products, material selection, and construction means and methods relating to green building and the LEED Rating System.
Nate Kagan
Nate Architecture balances aesthetics and cost control
It is a primary tenet of his that visual appearances are key and functions need to be preserved while staying within budget.
Over the last 18 years Nate has been involved in the design of buildings in both the private and public sector including the design of schools, libraries and other public buildings.
Nate feels strongly that a successful project involves far more than its appearance.
Buildings especially schools must be functional, safe, and economical and must suit the needs of the people who use them.
Adam Rouse
Adam is a member of BKD’s Risk Advisory Services division where he specializes in construction auditing and advising.
He focuses his efforts on construction audit services.
Utilizing various departments within BKD, Adam is able to offer cohesive solutions for his clients so they can make informed financial decisions.
Adam has uncovered millions of dollars during the course of his construction audits. Adam is a frequent speaker at professional conferences and webinars related to construction auditing and consulting.
Adam is a member of the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners (ACFE), the National Association of Construction Auditors (NACA), the Institute of Internal Auditors (IIA), the Association of Government Accountants (AGA), and the Construction Financial Management Association (CFMA). He is a Certified Fraud Examiner (CFE), Certified Construction Auditor (CCA) and Construction Control Professional (CCP).
In addition, Adam is a board member with the National Association of Construction Auditors where he is responsible for reviewing professional guidance.