2026 Spring Summit
Building the Bay’s Economic Future: Industry, Infrastructure, and InnovationThank you to everyone who joined Bay Planning Coalition on May 20 at Scott’s Seafood in Oakland for BPC’s 2026 Spring Summit.
This year’s Summit brought together leaders from across the Bay Area for conversations on the region’s evolving energy landscape, maritime and shipbuilding opportunities, and the role of shoreline development and transit in connecting people, jobs, and communities.
Assemblymember Lori Wilson
California State Assembly, 11th Assembly District
We are grateful to our speakers, sponsors, and attendees for helping make this year’s Spring Summit a success.
We look forward to continuing these conversations at BPC’s next engagement.
Event Photos
Click an image to view the full-size version.
Event Overview
View Full Event Overview
Registration and Coffee
Event Opening
Speaker
- Anju Wicke Senior Principal Scientist | Geosyntec BPC Board Vice President
Assemblymember Lori Wilson
11th Assembly District | California State Assembly
Bay Planning Coalition was honored to welcome Assemblymember Lori Wilson to deliver the keynote address for this year’s Spring Summit.
Representing California’s 11th Assembly District and serving as Chair of the Assembly Transportation Committee, Assemblymember Wilson shared insights on the economic and infrastructure priorities shaping communities across the Bay Area and Northern California.
Segment 1 – Powering Forward: The Bay Area’s Evolving Energy Landscape
This segment focused on how the Bay Area’s energy landscape is evolving to meet growing demand, support regional economic development, sustain jobs and investment, and advance infrastructure and operational priorities.
Panelists
- Brandon Matson Western Region Director of Government Relations | PBF Energy
- Tim Sbranti Executive Director | Contra Costa Building and Construction Trades Council
- Jake Zigelman Vice President – Bay Area Region | PG&E
Moderator
- Brian Hubinger Senior Manager – Public and Government Affairs | Chevron BPC Board Member
Segment 2 – Waterfront Revival: The Bay Area’s Shipbuilding Moment
With historic federal investment on the horizon, this segment explored how the region’s shipyards, ports, workforce, and broader industrial infrastructure position the Bay Area to lead a national shipbuilding revival.
Panelists
- Corey Cook Vice President and CEO | Cal Poly Maritime Academy
- Chris Rico President and CEO | Solano Economic Development Corporation
- Joel Welter CEO and Chief Naval Architect | Bay Ship & Yacht
Moderator
- Emily Loper Senior Vice President of Public Policy | Bay Area Council
Lunch Break
Segment 3 – Shaping the Shoreline: Transit and Waterfront Development
This segment highlighted how the Bay Area can leverage its shoreline assets to better connect people, jobs, and development across its waterfront.
Panelists
- David Beaupre Deputy Director – Planning and Environment | Port of San Francisco BPC Board Member
- Lauren Gularte Government and Regulatory Affairs Manager | San Francisco Bay Ferry BPC Board Member
- Molly Maybrun Chief Development Officer | Fifth Space
- Abby Thorne-Lyman Director of Base Reuse and Economic Development | City of Alameda
Moderator
- Lauren Gularte Government and Regulatory Affairs Manager | San Francisco Bay Ferry
Event Closing
Speaker
- Laura Tam Chief Executive Officer | Bay Planning Coalition
Thank You to Our Sponsors
Get Involved
We look forward to welcoming you at future BPC events and programs.
If your organization is a current BPC member, we encourage you to make the most of your membership by participating in BPC’s committee programming and inviting colleagues to get involved as well. There is no limit on the number of employees from a member organization who can participate in BPC events and committee activities.
For non-members, we invite you to learn more about joining the Coalition. BPC’s policy events, committees, and advocacy efforts provide valuable opportunities to engage with policymakers, stay informed on key regional issues, and connect with leaders across the Bay Area.