DVIDS -NEWS-Hundreds of People Participate in the 2025 Business Opportunity Open House in the USACE LA District

Montebello, California – On March 6, 2025, over 450 participants gathered at the quiet Cannon Banquet Hall on March 6, 2025 to strengthen networking, discussion and business relationships at the 2025 Business Opportunity Open House.

Business Opportunity Open House, or BOOH, is an annual event hosted by the Los Angeles area of ​​US Army Engineers, and promotes direct dialogue with senior leaders, project managers, USACE and the federal government with those who want to do business.

Representatives from the USACE’s Albuquerque and Sacramento districts, as well as the LA County Public Works Department, the LA City Public Works Department, the Federal Emergency Management Agency, and the US Small Business Administration.

In his keynote address, LA District Commander Col. Andrew Baker outlined many of the missions that make up the work of the LA District.

“I want to say there is a program with big results in the LA district,” Baker told attendees. “What we do has a huge impact on national, national security and public security. We cannot do without you.”

The LA district typically hosts BOOH in a different location each year, with event organizers coordinating messages and outreach materials for projects taking place in each area. Last year’s BOOH was in Phoenix, where, for example, Bender had more interest in developing projects at Davis Montan and Luke Air Force Base, but this year’s Boo focused more on the work of the Los Angeles River, Pradodam and Vandenburg Space Force-based.

Rebecca Wetzstein, president of Allie Bridge Energy Solutions, said he attended an event that was looking for opportunities to work on energy modernization and resilience in local installations, primarily through USACE.

“We hope to serve as contractors who provide engineering and professional services and try to understand where the best ones are and where they bring the most value,” says Wetzstein.

This is especially true, she added, considering the current changes within the federal government.

“Every four or five years, there’s a big shift,” says Wetzstein.

“Covid was one. We’ve all been undergoing a huge change in our organization and fundraising. What’s consistent is energy resilience, regardless of technology. Energy is important for all managers. In our world, the technology set is very similar. The goal of how that technology is used is changing.”

This year, the LA Post of the US Association of Military Engineers also held Industry Day, scheduled the day before, in collaboration with BOOH.

“Combining BOOH and Society of American Military Engineers ‘Industry Day was good as it allowed the LA district to support efforts to track what is happening with government agencies at all levels.” “This effort has helped encourage businesses that normally do business with state and local governments to consider working in the LA district. I think both groups need to work together to mutually promote large government projects that have partnerships at local, state and federal levels.”

Another major difference between this year’s BOOH and past past is the addition of USACE representatives from task force Phoenix, which oversees the removal of debris from the Southern California wildfires in January.

Minami said this year’s event is an important opportunity to provide Phoenix representatives with knowledge about local vendors and their capabilities related to ongoing disaster recovery efforts in Pacific Palisades and Altadena, California.

“The task force knows the contracts needed, but is not familiar with the vendor base,” Minami said. “So we want to use local contractors, so we’re trying to get the task force to get used to the functionality here.”

Minami said the contracting process for Wildfire Response Mission is running very quickly and is a learning experience for many vendors.

“It’s fascinating to hear that, hear the latest information about what the concerns are, what everyone is working on that mission, and knowing that it’s a big effort,” he said. “I’ve learned what I can do here, ready to serve the Legion and what I can do to respond when there is a solicitation.”

Strum said he attended Booh to Network and learned more about the recent work the LA district has done, as well as the outlook for future projects.

“The company I work with is doing master plans and feasibility studies,” said Strum, who joined Greenpoint about six months ago. “We also do a lot of engineering work, mainly for the region, cities and counties. We have a lot of technical knowledge to use and use in working with the corps.”

Strum, who worked as a LA district planner and project manager between 2010 and 2021, said USACE’s mission is always in line with his skill set and professional interests.

“That’s something I learned to do,” Stram said. “I have been a water resource expert for over 20 years. The corps are mere drivers for that. Its mission is where action is.