2026 Infrastructure Summit

Next date: Friday, June 05, 2026 | 08:30 AM to 03:30 PM

image-salinas-bardin-rd-safe-routes-to-school.png

Join the City of Salinas and our partners for the 2026 Infrastructure Summit. The day will include invigorating discussions around the infrastructure landscape on the Federal, State, and local levels, Public-Private Partnerships, and a contractor roundtable on undertaking infrastructure projects in Salinas.

RSVP

Agenda

8:30AM - 9:30AM Registration & Networking Breakfast

Enjoy breakfast and pre-event networking.

9:00AM - 9:10AM Welcome Remarks

Welcome remarks from Mayor Dennis Donohue

9:10AM - 9:20AM Opening Remarks on State Infrastructure

To be announced

 

9:20AM - 10:00AM State Infrastructure Landscape

This session will provide a comprehensive overview on the current state of available resources and funding opportunities for infrastructure projects.

Facilitator

  • Sophia Rome, Community Relations Manager, City of Salinas

Panelists

  • Bob Tiffany, Commissioner, California Transportation Commission

10:00AM - 10:15AM Break

10:15AM - 11:15AM Salinas Infrastructure Project Landscape

This session will provide a comprehensive overview of current infrastructure projects underway and scheduled to start within the next 5 to 10 years.

Facilitator

  • Adriana Robles, Assistant Public Works Director/City Engineer, City of Salinas

Panelists

  • Meg Henry, Project Manager, Caltrans
  • Todd Muck, Executive Director, Transportation Agency for Monterey County (TAMC)
  • Carl Sedoryk, General Manager/CEO, Monterey Salinas Transit (MST)
  • Brenda Granillo, District Manager, California Water Service Company (Cal Water)

11:20PM - 12:20PM Public-Private Partnerships (PPP) and Public Procurement Methods

In this candid, solutions-driven session, discussion will center around different procurement methods, fostering stronger and the “right” private/public partnerships, and financing projects.

Facilitator

  • Rhonda Combs, Assistant City Attorney, City of Salinas

Panelists

  • Stephanie Gripne, Ph.D., Founder & CEO, Impact Finance Center
  • Bill McGowan, Vice President of Business Development, Granite
  • Erin Birkenkopf, Vice President, Public Facilities Group

  • Craig Hill, Managing Principal, NHA Advisors

12:20PM - 1:15PM Lunch

1:15PM - 2:00PM Keynote - Larry J. Kosmont

Mr. Larry J. Kosmont, CRE® is Chairman and CEO of Kosmont Companies, which he founded in 1986. Kosmont Companies is an industry leader in public/private real estate transactions and economic development. In 1990, he founded Kosmont Realty, a real estate brokerage firm. In 2015, he launched Kosmont Financial Services which sources financing for public/private projects, P3 initiatives, and infrastructure funding. He is a co-principal, California Golden Fund, a USCIS approved EB-5 Regional Center.

Mr. Kosmont’s distinguished 40-year career encompasses public/private financial structuring, negotiation, development, and management of real estate and public finance transactions exceeding $10B. He has assisted hundreds of local government agencies in public finance and real estate matters ranging from large-scale economic development programs to site-specific real estate strategies and projects. He has guided over 1,000 private sector projects in obtaining public approvals, structuring deal terms, and securing public/private financing.

Mr. Kosmont served as Interim City Administrator for City of Montebello, CA, which focused on a financial turnaround strategy and redevelopment dissolution. He has also served as a City Manager, Director of Community Development, and Redevelopment Director in the cities of Santa Monica, Seal Beach, Bell Gardens, and Burbank.

 

2:05PM - 3:05PM Construction / Contractor Roundtable

In this candid, solutions-driven forum, construction companies will discuss the real-world challenges and opportunities in bidding and completing public projects. Topics will include navigating timelines, streamlining barriers, reform, and fostering stronger partnerships. This open dialogue will provide an inside look at how collaboration can unlock stalled projects and funding to meet local infrastructure needs.

Facilitator

  • Kathryn Avila, Vice President/Business Development, Harris & Associates

Panelists

  • Frank S. Lopez, PE, QSD, Vice President / Business Development, Harris & Associates

3:10PM - 3:30PM Fireside Chat and Closing Remarks

Mayor Dennis Donohue and Brian Dowd, Senior Vice President of Construction, Western Region, Granite Construction will wrap up the day with a fireside chat and closing remarks.

 

General Information

The event is free to attend but RSVP is required for space planning purposes. 

Breakfast and lunch will be provided. 

Parking

Parking is available at the downtown parking garage. The parking garage can be accessed to the right of the event space.

When

  • Friday, June 05, 2026 | 08:30 AM - 03:30 PM

Location

1 Main Street, Salinas, CA, 93901, View Map

Google Map

Add to Calendar

Fields marked as 'Required' must be completed

Email Address*(Required)

Enter your email address or your friend's email addresses all separated by commas.

Event Snapshot

Cost

Free

Contact

Sophia Rome, Community Relations Manager
831-758-7407
sophia.rome@salinas.gov

Related Information

Tagged as:
Back to top