Landscape Architect Lynn Capouya Attends Infrastructure ''Jobs of the Future'' Event at White House

Lynn Capouya (back left), the owner of the landscape architectural firm Lynn Capouya, Inc. in Irvine, Calif., listens to comments from Michelle Caldwell of the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority. To Ms. Caldwell?EUR??,,????'???s right is Robert Medina of TYLin International, and Jorge Moreno of CivCon Engineering (left). Lynn Capouya, Inc. has worked as a visual quality manager and consulting landscape architect for the nearly $1 billion Los Angeles 405 Freeway widening project through the Sepulveda Pass.

Lynn Capouya, RLA, president of Lynn Capouya, Inc. in Irvine, Calif., was among a select group of business leaders who met July 27 at the Dwight Eisenhower Executive Office Building in Washington, D.C. to discuss ''Jobs of the Future'' in the infrastructure and transportation sectors.

Attending the meeting were Latino small business leaders, state and local government transit agency leaders, representatives from the American Road and Transportation Builders Association, the American Society of Civil Engineers, senior administration officials from the U.S. DOT, the Department of Homeland Security and the White House Council on Environmental Quality.

The business leaders learned more about U.S. Government policies and upcoming infrastructure projects, and had the opportunity to share their success stories, best practices and thoughts on how to continue to support infrastructure and transportation job growth. The administration identifies infrastructure investment, along with education, innovation, and clean energy, as critical to job growth and competitiveness in the global economy.

''Infrastructure has helped us to grow and survive during the recent downturn,'' Capouya says of her firm. ''It has kept our staff engaged with meaningful and essential work. Investment in infrastructure has allowed us to participate on major project teams and contribute to projects that enhance movement around Southern California.'' Lynn Capouya, Inc.has a full-time staff of 15, with three licensed landscape architects producing approximately $2 million in annual design fees.

Administration participants included Beth Osborne, USDOT deputy assistant secretary for transportation policy; Brandon Neal, director, USDOT Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business; Camille Hazeur, director, USDOT Office of Civil Rights; Bryna Helfer, director, USDOT Public Engagement; Rohan Patel, associate director, White House Council on Environmental Quality; Chris Cummiskey, DHS Deputy Undersecretary for Management; Michael Frias, deputy assistant secretary, DHS Private Sector Office; Warren Whitlock, associate administrator, FHWA Office of Civil Rights; and Michelle Moore, senior advisor, Office of the Director at the Office of Management and Budget.

The event concluded with perspectives from a national association, a small business leader and a large metropolitan transit agency.

''Today we discussed how globalization is driving a need for better intermodal connections to encourage trade, that our economy is challenged and job creation is paramount,'' said Paul Yarossi, president of HNTB Holdings and chairman of ARTBA. ''Our country must meet these demands or fall behind. We can do this by emphasizing and illustrating infrastructure?EUR??,,????'???s return on investment.''