Writing

Recent published work. For older pieces and the full body of writing, see the Archive.

Personal essay · Panama Canal

The Panama Canal Carefully Navigates the China Question

With its next multibillion-dollar capital program, the Panama Canal Authority is getting into the port business itself. A close read of the procurement documents shows the ACP building leeway to keep political pressure over Chinese influence at arm's length.

LinkedIn Pulse · Jun 2026
Panama Canal · Megaprojects

The New Panama Canal Chief Takes on Next Wave of Megaprojects

Incoming ACP administrator Ilya Espino de Marotta inherits an $8.5-billion-plus capital plan: a new LPG pipeline, two container terminals, the $1.6-billion Río Indio reservoir and an expanded interoceanic land corridor.

Engineering News-Record · Jun 2026
Panama Canal · Q&A

Q&A: The Panama Canal's First Woman Administrator Looks Ahead

Ilya Espino de Marotta reflects on her 40-year rise from shipyard engineer to first woman set to lead the Panama Canal Authority, from the Third Set of Locks years through the pink-hard-hat campaign.

Engineering News-Record · Jun 2026
Panama Canal · Water

Water Conservation Meets Geopolitics at the Panama Canal

The Panama Canal Authority's water-discipline playbook faces a Hormuz-driven LPG/LNG demand surge and the prospect of a record-setting El Niño, with preventive draft cuts in place and auction bids nearly tripled.

Engineering News-Record · Jun 2026
Personal essay · MPO Governance

What a Texas Lawsuit Reveals About How America Plans Transportation

Structural analysis of the NCTCOG vs. Regional Transportation Council court fight over Michael Morris's role. Argues the dispute exposes a flaw at the core of every Metropolitan Planning Organization that becomes consequential as size and stakes rise.

LinkedIn Pulse · Jun 2026
Personal essay · AI

Can AI Help Solve Construction's Long-Standing Problem?

Personal essay arguing AI may finally close construction's decades-long productivity gap, the industry's most persistent structural challenge, with examples of how planning, sequencing and field workflows are already shifting.

LinkedIn Pulse · Apr 2026
California · Healthcare

Harbor UCLA Prepares For Every Emergency

Harbor-UCLA Medical Center in Torrance undergoes a $1.8-billion rebuild, the largest capital health-care improvement ever undertaken by Los Angeles County, serving 3 million residents and 90,000 annual emergency visits.

Engineering News-Record · Feb 2026
California · West Coast

California Drought Plan Outlines Billions In Water Infrastructure

California Gov. Gavin Newsom unveils an $8-billion water strategy to capture, recycle, desalinate and conserve supply against a projected 10% loss by 2040, anchored by a San Luis Reservoir expansion.

Engineering News-Record · Oct 2025