Roland DeGuzman

Roland DeGuzman

Presentation: Best Practices for Confronting Resiliency and Sea Level Rise

Abstract: There are several different efforts underway to help our nation, our military, and our local communities improve resilience so we can minimize disruptions to daily activities, business operations, military operations, and maintain the health and safety of our citizens. Improved resilience will help guard against threats coming from increased storm frequencies/ intensities, tidal flooding, and the threat of rising sea levels. But resilience should also guard against threats from other types of disruptions such as natural disasters, public health pandemics. Southeastern coastal Virginia (including Norfolk, Virginia Beach, Portsmouth, Suffolk, Hampton, Newport News, Chesapeake, as well as other municipalities in the Virginia Peninsula) and the NY/NJ/ CT Tri-state area are extremely important centers of gravity for these efforts: thriving regions composed of a diverse municipalities that recognize the threats of sea level rise (SLR) and recurring flooding events. These areas are both particularly susceptible to threat of increased flooding and SLR because of their comparative elevation, the proximity of critical assets to the waterfront, and the rapid rate of relative sea level rise.

Fortunately, federal agencies and state/ local entities are working together to identify the biggest risks associated with SLR and plan mitigating actions to improve resiliency. They have important stories to tell that can serve as examples of how communities can come together to address a tremendously complex problem. Attendees will hear their stories of critical work in the resilience arena and how collaboration with their neighbors and their communities has helped them make progress. Attendees will also learn about best practices to improve resilience and their plans for addressing the challenges of SLR.

PMI Talent Triangle: Strategic and Business Management


Biography: Roland DeGuzman is a Senior Project Manager with MBP and he has over twenty-five years of experience in project management, design, and construction in commercial, industrial, healthcare, and utility projects as well as facilities management and environmental compliance. He recently completed a successful Navy career of managing projects and military infrastructure around the world. He has led all infrastructure operations and facilities maintenance at three of the Navy’s largest and most complex bases. Roland has also served in senior positions in Washington D.C. developing infrastructure policy, budgets, and legislation. He is currently managing MBP’s Construction Management Services Program, Pacific Area of Responsibility. He orchestrates all internal MBP program management effort for this $98M joint venture contract with the Department of the Navy. Duties include delivery of construction project management service for Navy facilities engineering operations in the Pacific Fleet area of responsibility. He also manages a $130M construction at West Chester University for a new Sciences and Engineering Center and The Commons (WCU SEC&C). As Project Manager and Owner’s Representative, he provides oversight and coordination of on-site construction management, implementation of PMIS for management of construction documentation, and development of project control tools including risk register and detailed schedule analysis.