Westcon - Events

Upcoming events

Dinner Program "Wildland-Urban Interface Zones: Lessons Learned from Recent Wildfires"

When
April 16, 2025
6:00 PM - 8:00 PM
Location
Zio Fraedo’s, 611 Gregory Ln, Pleasant Hill, CA 94523
Registered
14 registrants

You are invited to the Dinner Educational Program "Wildland-Urban Interface Zones: Lessons Learned from Recent Wildfires" on Wednesday, April 16th from 6:00 - 8:00pm at Zio Fraedo's in Pleasant Hill.

Recent fire events in Southern California caused multiple fatalities and extensive property loss, leading many to question how we design, build, and maintain our built environment. Christine will explain why the recent fires were so destructive, how wildfires attack structures, define wildland-urban interface (WUI) zones, and outline best practices when designing, assessing, and maintaining buildings.

Learning Objectives

At the end of this presentation, attendees will better understand:

The growing risk of California wildfires and the factors that contribute to this risk
The ways fire spreads (embers, radiant heat, and direct flames)
Define a WUI zone and the code requirements for roofs and decks in a WUI zone
Buildings can burn regardless of fire hazard designations
Long-term hazards posed by fires (soil and water contamination)
Fire-resilient building strategies (fire-resistant building materials & strategic landscaping)

SPONSORS:

Biography:

Christine Diosdado, P.E., Principal at Simpson Gumpertz & Heger, has over 30 years of experience as a lead forensic investigator and expert witness on complex, construction defect cases. Her investigation experience covers a variety of building types, including high-rise and low-rise residential, institutional, commercial, medical, and research buildings. She has performed SB 800 assessments on over 1,600 units. Christine earned a B.S. in Architecture & Environmental Design from California Polytechnic State University and a M.S. in Civil and Environmental Engineering from UC Berkeley. Christine is SGH’s Quality Assurance Officer and a Westcon Director.

*The Board has adjusted ticket prices for our Dinner Programs to account for rising costs; this change ensures we can continue providing high-quality events while also offering valuable membership incentives for non-members. We appreciate your understanding and support as we strive to enhance the experience for all attendees.

Dinner Buffet to be served.
Vegetarian Options included.

*Details subject to change.

Show details

Dinner Program "Horizontal Assemblies"

When
May 21, 2025
6:00 PM - 8:00 PM
Location
Zio Fraedo’s, 611 Gregory Ln, Pleasant Hill, CA 94523

MORE INFORMATION TO COME!

You are invited to the Dinner Educational Program "The Westcon Members Role in Civil Litigation: An Interactive Intro to the Business of Construction Defect Expert Witnesses" on Wednesday, October 16th from 6:00 - 8:00pm at Zio Fraedo's in Pleasant Hill.

NEW! Program offers one (1) CEH from IIBEC!

Program Description:

SPONSOR:

Biographys:

Joe is a Licensed California Civil & Structural Engineer specializing in construction defects and civil and structural engineering. Joe was the President of Quilici Engineers, Inc., CompuPools Water Feature Design, and Silicon Valley Civil and Structural Engineers since 1997. Quilici Engineers, Inc. has been providing expert witness services throughout California, on residential, commercial and industrial matters, as well as civil and structural engineering design services for over 40 years.

Dave joined the R.L. Brown Construction team in February of 2000. After over two decades, his favorite part of the job continues to be working with skilled team members and helping to problem-solve construction issues. Dave is a Bay Area native whose hobbies include ice hockey, mountain biking, observed trials riding, fly fishing, and spending time with his wife, son and daughter.