Note to attendees: Please note new parking requirements effective March 2026 at the 4-H Center. Information to be provided in Program Reminder email to registrants on Monday, March 16th.

Event Date + Time

Tuesday, March 17th, 2026 | 11:30 AM to 1:00 PM

Event registration closes on Friday, March 13th @4pm

Agenda:

11:30a – 12:00p: Registration, Networking, + Grab Your Lunch
12:00p – 12:05p: Announcements/Introductions
12:05p – 1:05p: Program
1:05p – 1:10p: Closing Remarks

Event Description:

Join SMPS Columbus for an exclusive panel discussion featuring key decision-makers from local and state public organizations as we take proposal strategy to the next level. Building on last year’s insights, this session dives deeper into what evaluators really want—helping you refine your approach, avoid common pitfalls, and craft proposals that stand out and win work.

Panelists:

Julie Forejt – Director of Projects, OSU Wexner Medical Center
Julie Forejt is one of two Facilities Design and Construction (FDC) Directors of Projects – Wexner Medical Center for The Ohio State University. Julie leads a team of project managers, alongside Jennifer Son, in the execution of design and construction projects for the Wexner Medical Center Acute Care, OSU East, Imaging Services, and The James Cancer Hospital.  She helps develop strategy and processes for FDC, including growing project management and leadership skills across the organization. Julie joined Ohio State in 2024 after working as a project manager of construction and renovation at Nationwide Children’s Hospital (NCH). While at NCH, she managed development of Livingston Orthopedic and Surgery Center, a $180 million, 7-story building. She previously worked at Columbus, Ohio based WD Partners and began her career in Philadelphia at JKR Partners. Julie graduated from Ohio State with a Bachelor of Science in Architecture.

James Miller, PE – Design & Construction Section Manager, City Of Columbus | Recreation and Parks Department
Jim Miller is a Public Servant and Professional Engineer with 30 years of experience working both in the private and public sectors. The first 13 years of his career was spent in the private sector pursuing and delivering projects that required a technical focus on construction management, bridge, roadway, and traffic engineering. In 2008, Jim entered the Public Sector as a City Engineer and is now the Section Manager of the Design and Construction Section for Columbus’s Recreation and Parks Department. The Department’s mission, to connect people through the power of Nature, Wellness, and Creativity is partly facilitated by 29 community centers, 5 athletic complexes, 6 golf courses, 8 pools, 6 splash pads, over 140 miles of regional trails, 14 Nature Preserves, 2, soon to be 3 skate parks, and over 373 parks, all on over 8,200 acres of land. While keeping Customer Service a focus, to facilitate, maintain, and sustain such a large cross section of public amenities, Jim's section oversees Architects, Civil, Structural, Mechanical, and Electrical Engineers, and various trades to accommodate the needs of the City.

Kevin Noble, RA – Senior Project Manager, Engineering Services, Nationwide Children’s Hospital
Kevin Noble is a Senior Project Manager at Nationwide Children’s Hospital, leading a diverse portfolio of capital initiatives ranging from major new construction to specialized renovations and equipment upgrades. His leadership and impact earned him nomination to the prestigious Journey to Leadership Excellence program—an honor extended annually to only 30 emerging leaders among more than 18,000 employees. Kevin has managed several high‑profile projects, including the $175M Research Building 4 and the $55M Near East Office Building & Garage. He is currently managing the $90M Research Backfill program as well as Nationwide Children’s expansion in New Albany, featuring a new 215,000‑SF facility. A licensed architect, Kevin joined Nationwide Children’s in 2016 following roles at several Columbus‑based architectural firms, including BHDP Architecture and Feinknopf Macioce Schappa Architects, where he gained experience across a broad range of project types beyond healthcare.

Thomas Baker – Program Manager, Ohio Facilities Construction Commission (OFCC)
Thomas Baker is a registered architect and serves as a program manager at the Ohio Facilities Construction Commission (OFCC), overseeing the design and construction of capital improvements to public facilities on state-funded projects for state agencies and institutions of higher education. Prior to joining OFCC in 2014, Thomas began public service at the University of Akron as director of Capital Planning and Facilities Management, administering various construction projects at the main and branch campuses.  Before public service, he worked for 20+ years in the private sector with multiple architecture firms, including a few joint ventures with nationally recognized firms. Thomas received his bachelor’s degree in architecture from Kent State University and his master’s degree in business administration from Youngstown State University.

Justin Goodwin, AICP, PTMP – Division Administrator, City of Columbus | Department of Public Service, Division of Mobility & Parking
Justin Goodwin, AICP/PTMP is the Administrator for the Division of Mobility and Parking Services in the City of Columbus. Justin has 20 years of city planning experience in both the public and private sectors, with a diverse background including transportation, parking and urban street design, land use and zoning, site development, comprehensive planning and strategic planning. Justin oversees a wide range of parking and mobility-related operations and planning efforts for Columbus, including administration of the city’s Mobility Enterprise Fund, on-street and off-street parking systems, shared mobility programs, and multi-modal transportation planning. Justin has been integral to some of the City’s key planning and growth initiatives, including the LinkUS Bus Rapid Transit plan and Zone IN, Columbus’ zoning code modernization effort. Justin holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees in Geography from Ohio University, and a Master of City and Regional Planning from The Ohio State University.

Monroe Welborne – Director of LinkUs Program Controls, Central Ohio Transit Authority (COTA)

CPSM Credits: Yes
How many? 1

This event is proudly sponsored by Compass Infrastructure Group.

Become a Monthly Event Sponsor and receive two (2) admissions to the event, recognition on the event page and all communications around the event, verbal recognition at the event, and have the ability to leave literature on every table at the event.

To learn more and secure your sponsorship, please email Meghan Allsop, Sponsorship Chair, at [email protected]

Registration:
Member of another SMPS Chapter? Please continue as a guest and select the "SMPS Other Chapter Member" ticket option. Please provide the Chapter Name and SMPS ID number during registration for confirmation.