LDP: 2025-2026 Leaders to Watch

Ilene Carreon-Allen, Coffman Engineers, Northern Tier Region

Ilene is the Corporate CAD Advisor for Coffman Engineers with approximately 20 years of experience in the A/E/C industry. Her career has allowed her to work on a wide range of projects, including battery energy storage systems, carbon capture utilization and storage, military, healthcare, education, commercial, industrial, and precast structures. Aside from being very involved in her local Spokane, Wash., Post, Ilene enjoys halibut fishing and mentoring and volunteering in her community.

Lt. Cdr. Patrick Debroisse, CMH-A, NOAA, Office of Coast Survey, North Atlantic Region

Before he began a very successful career with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Patrick graduated from Norwich University: The Military College of Vermont, with a BS in Mechanical Engineering. While there he participated in many organizations including the Mountain Cold Weather Company, the student ambassador club, the hockey booster club, and the Mechanical Engineering Club. Currently, he serves as Executive Officer, where he oversees his ship’s administrative functions and looks forward to his next role as a branch chief in the Marine Chart Division of the Office of Coast Survey. Patrick was the first certified Master Hydrographer by the Hydrographic Society of America, and has been to victory lane at Daytona Motor Speedway as a crew member.

Capt. Billy Edenfield, PMP, USAF, Education With Industry – Universal Orlando Resort, Southeast Region 

Billy is an Education With Industry Fellow assigned to Universal Orlando Resort’s Technical Services Division, Facilities & Utilities team. The focus of his studies is to leverage existing Building Management System sensors and utilize them as part of a “Technical Services Operations Center.” Since enlisting in the Air Force, he has been stationed in Hawaii, Florida, and the Republic of Korea while deploying in support of Operations Inherent Resolve and Spartan Shield. His first high school job was at an amusement park, and twenty years later, he’s back in the industry on military assignment with a fellowship at a theme park. Not only has Billy set foot on all seven continents, he and his wife won a photo contest that was featured on the Jumbotron at a South Korean baseball game.

Craig Franzel, CDM Smith, Europe Region

Originally from Michigan, Craig has been living and working in Germany since 1992. Craig made his way to Germany through his enlisted service with the U.S. Army (1990-1995). He has been with CDM Smith as a Principal (Partner) in Bickenbach, Germany since 2009 and has been a member of SAME Rhein-Main chapter since that time. Twenty-six years into his professional career, Craig is still eager to learn and take on new roles to foster the exchange of ideas across cultures to build a more sustainable world.

Adam Hanks, P.E., AECOM, Middle Atlantic Region

After college, Adam moved to Colorado Springs and began working for a local structural engineering firm where some of his first projects were at Fort Carson, Peterson AFB, Schriever AFB, Cheyenne Mountain AFS, and the U.S. Air Force Academy. In 2012 he started working as a structural engineer for AECOM (then URS) and deepened his work supporting military projects. During this time, Adam slowly began to transition into project management, keeping one foot in the design side and the other in managing projects. In 2018, he and his family relocated to Roanoke, Va., at the AECOM office and began to focus his work internationally. Adam lives in Roanoke with his wife and three children: Amelia, Jonah, and Eli spending their free time hiking, biking, and kayaking.

Kristen Lary, Waldrop Construction Inc., Heartland Region

Kristen is a strategic marketer who reshapes how teams navigate growth. With a sharp focus on results, she drives procurement strategies that cut through the noise, empowering teams and individuals to chart their own path with precision and purpose. As Director of Marketing & Procurement at Waldrop Construction, Inc., Kristen plays a key role in shaping the company’s strategic direction. As a member of Waldrop’s leadership team, she helps guide the firm’s day-to-day operations and long-term growth initiatives. Kristen is an involved leader in her local SAME Post where she has supported the Oklahoma City Post’s Industry Day, fostering industry-government engagement and partnership opportunities. Her commitment to advancing the A/E/C profession earned her a Regional Vice President Coin in recognition of her outstanding service. Outside of work, Kristen enjoys gardening, running, volleyball, and taking walks with her dog, Miggsy.

Sabrina Mohazzabfar, Burns & McDonnell, P.E., California Region

Sabrina is a licensed Professional Electrical Engineer with a Bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering from California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo. With over six years of experience in engineering and construction, she has been instrumental in executing large-scale projects and programs for both federal and private sector clients. Her expertise and passion include enhancing military readiness and modernizing federal infrastructure to provide resilient, future-ready solutions. Sabrina currently serves as a key member of the Federal Project Management team at Burns & McDonnell in San Diego. Sabrina grew up playing competitive soccer and has attended four FIFA World Cup matches.

Matthew Riggs, AECOM, Rocky Mountain Region

Matt Riggs is a senior project manager with nine years of progressive project management and engineering experience. Prior to joining AECOM, Matt served as a U.S. Army Engineer officer leading soldiers in combat engineering operations and creating lasting organizational change through leadership and construction project management. Matt continued his engineering career into the federal and commercial market as a senior project manager with AECOM contributing to multiple 300,000-ft² renovation and new build projects. Matt could have been seen on TV as the West Point collegiate mascot from 2012-2014, and is a descendent of a semi-infamous western outlaw, Barney K Riggs, but Matthew promises that he is able to manage his anger a bit better than Uncle Barney ever did.

Elena Soto, Jacobs, Texas Region

Elena has over 13 years of experience in the A/E/C industry and is currently a project manager within the asset management group at Jacobs, focusing on facility condition assessments and data sustainment for BUILDER SMS. Within the Young Professionals Council of SAME, she has held various roles. Since May 2024, she has been the Assistant Vice Chair of the Credentialing Committee, supporting the development of the Credentialing Review Course program for SAME members. From May 2021 to May 2024, she served as the Vice Chair of Programs, providing educational webinars and connecting Young Professionals with industry leaders. On any given day, you might catch Elena unknowingly switching between English, Spanish, and Cantonese, and enjoys collecting sports and pop culture trading cards.

Kayla Jonas, RA, FFE Inc., Ohio Valley Region

Kayla Jonas is a licensed architect with over nine years of experience in leading successful projects with construction budgets ranging from $1 million to over $40 million.  As the immediate past SAME Cincinnati Post President, she brings a unique blend of experience, dedication, and proven leadership to the table. She has a robust educational background, holding a Bachelor of Science degree in Architecture from the University of Cincinnati and a Master’s Degree in Architecture from Southern Illinois University. When not engaged in professional activities, Kayla enjoys designing graphics for friends with small businesses and non-profits, is a passionate Bengals and Bearcat football fan, and she is an avid gamer, enjoying both board games and Xbox titles.