News & Insights
Photo courtesy of: Greg Land
What you put into it is what you get out of it
California institutions operate in a uniquely complex environment—from regulatory oversight to environmental risk and public accountability. Resilience in California doesn’t happen by accident; it’s intentionally planned and actively managed. In this Ask the Expert, Amanda Adams shares how California leaders can extend the life of their facilities while planning for generations of users.
B&D: Tell us about your background.
Amanda Adams: I spent more than 16 years at Louisiana State University working in collegiate athletics, facilities, and capital project management. I always gravitated toward projects, and when I relocated to California, that focus led me to B&D. Today, I work with a community college and two K–12 districts, helping owners make informed decisions by giving them clear, unbiased information and not pushing a predetermined solution.
B&D: What’s shaping capital project planning in California right now?
AA: Everything typically starts with bond measures tied to local or presidential elections. Once a bond passes, the approved project list really drives the entire process. From there, it’s about managing spending timelines and navigating layers of regulatory oversight, especially review by the Division of the State Architect, which alone can add six to eight months before construction starts.
B&D: How do you help clients plan for long-term resilience?
AA: We focus on total cost of ownership and life cycle planning from day one. Flexibility is key. Spaces need to adapt as needs change. Preventative maintenance is just as important; strong documentation, training, and leadership support make a real difference in how long a facility performs as intended.
B&D: What advice do you have for California public-sector leaders looking ahead?
AA: Trust your people and empower them to make decisions. When teams feel ownership, projects run better. With challenges like wildfire recovery and global events such as the Olympics and Super Bowl on the horizon, proactive planning is critical to keeping projects on schedule and costs under control.
Thank you again to Amanda for her participation in Ask the Expert. If you have a topic you’d like one of our experts to cover in a future issue, please submit them here.
