The Design-Build Institute of America (DBIA) has announced the formation of its Region Relations department, naming Richard J. Formella, PMP, CPPO, FAC-C III (Retired), FDBIA, as Senior Vice President and Carissa Linnane, CAE, and Gloria Moore as Field Directors for the East and West regions, respectively. The appointments support DBIA’s recently announced strategic regional realignment, designed to support the dramatic growth of design-build, reinforce member engagement and advance Design-Build Done Right^® nationwide.
 
“DBIA’s regional network has always been the heartbeat of our organization,” said Lisa Washington, CAE, Executive Director/CEO of DBIA. “As our membership and impact have grown, so has the need for dedicated, field-focused support. These new leadership roles strengthen our ability to partner with Regions, respond more quickly to local needs and ensure DBIA continues to deliver meaningful value to members across the country.”
 
The Region Relations department will serve as the primary liaison between DBIA National and its regions, supporting volunteer leaders, aligning regional operations with national strategy and ensuring consistent delivery of programs and resources across the country.
 
As Senior Vice President of Region Relations, Formella will lead DBIA’s Region Relations strategy, drawing on his decades of federal procurement and design-build experience to strengthen coordination between DBIA National and its regions, support volunteer leaders and advance consistent regional operations aligned with DBIA’s national priorities.
 
Formella has previously served in senior federal leadership positions at the Department of Homeland Security and the Department of Justice, including as Chief of Procurement for the Federal Law Enforcement Training Centers and as Chief of Construction Contracting for the Federal Bureau of Prisons. In these roles, he oversaw complex construction and procurement programs involving large-scale facilities, laboratories and infrastructure projects delivered through design-build and other alternative delivery methods. He has also been deeply engaged with DBIA as a National Board member, Federal Committee member and instructor.
 
As Field Directors, Linnane will support DBIA’s Eastern regions and Moore will support the Western regions by working closely with leaders to strengthen governance and operations, advance consistent delivery of programs and resources, and align regional initiatives with DBIA’s national strategy.
 
Linnane brings nearly a decade of experience in the nonprofit and association sector, including extensive work supporting DBIA by partnering with volunteer leaders to strengthen governance, enhance regional operations and align local initiatives with national strategy. Moore brings more than a decade of experience leading DBIA regions, including serving as Executive Director of DBIA’s Western Pacific Region, where she oversaw sustained growth in membership and revenue while deepening engagement across the AEC community.
 
The Region Relations leadership team will begin work immediately, building on DBIA’s regional realignment to deliver a more coordinated and responsive experience for members nationwide.