Port of Seattle Business Accelerator Kickoff: Program Overview

Christine is the Managing Principal of Pacific Stormwater and a seasoned Engineering Geologist with over 20 years of experience. She specializes in stormwater and groundwater treatment, environmental compliance, and large-scale remediation projects across multiple states and agencies. Christine has co-authored technical papers, earned numerous performance awards, and served on national committees advancing stormwater and remediation best practices.

Edwin is the Founder and CEO of Sphere Solar Energy, bringing more than 15 years of construction experience and deep expertise in renewable energy. After starting his career with the City of Seattle, he shifted his focus to solar design and installation, leading projects across Washington State and internationally in East Africa. Originally from Kenya, Edwin is passionate about expanding access to clean energy for schools, farms, and healthcare clinics in underserved communities worldwide. 

Gal leads AirGanic, a company focused on creating energy-efficient, healthier indoor environments. Since 2015, he has guided large-scale HVAC and indoor air quality projects for cities, counties, and major companies, specializing in retrofits, energy optimization, and sustainable solutions. Gal is passionate about reducing energy costs, improving building performance, and ensuring healthier spaces for occupants, delivering long-term value through innovation and expert service.

Hardy brings 28 years of experience in transportation and rail system design, overseeing more than 60 projects including highways, bridges, light rail, bus rapid transit, and street improvements. For the past 22 years, his focus has been on rail projects, serving as lead design engineer on numerous light rail and streetcar projects across the U.S. Hardy also has extensive expertise in overhead catenary system (OCS) design, construction management, and field quality assurance, delivering complex projects with precision and reliability. 

Jennifer is the Principal and Design Lead at Grayscale Design Studio, bringing extensive experience in interior and architectural design. She founded the firm to deliver bold, creative solutions that reflect both the user experience and client brand. Known for her collaborative approach, Jennifer fosters a team environment where ideas flourish, ensuring every project exceeds expectations. 

Jimmy Matta Sr. is the founder and president of Ahora Construction, a minority-owned, union-signatory contracting firm. Raised in Idaho and Central Washington, he began working in the fields at age 10, learning the value of hard work from his migrant farmworker parents. After relocating to Burien, WA in 1998, he advanced through various leadership roles within the United Brotherhood of Carpenters, including President of Local 41 and International Representative. He also serves as a Councilmember for the City of Burien. 

  [Bio to be added] 

Matthew Aalfs is a Partner and Design Principal at BuildingWork, which he founded in 2016 to focus on architecture that supports cities, the environment, and culture. With over 25 years of experience, he specializes in civic and community facilities, public libraries, creative workplaces, adaptive reuse, and historic preservation. Matthew leads with a collaborative and thoughtful approach. He has taught design studios at the University of Washington and served on multiple professional and civic boards. 

Miguel Ortega is a Principal Geologist at GO Spectrum NW with over 35 years of experience in groundwater geology, environmental assessment, and remediation. Since joining GO Spectrum NW in 2015, he has managed more than 100 Phase I and II environmental site assessments, UST closures, and remediation projects, delivering expert guidance and solutions across complex environmental challenges. 

Rene Hurtado brings more than 25 years of experience in the construction industry. Recently, he launched Hurtado Consulting, a pre-construction service consulting firm that provides a wide range of construction-focused solutions, including cost estimating, reporting, and planning. While pre-construction consulting is a common practice in engineering, Rene’s firm takes a unique approach by applying this model directly to construction, helping clients plan smarter, manage risk, and achieve greater efficiency from the ground up. 

Scott Lundt is the founder and leader of Freeman Lundt, guiding a team of forward-thinking certified business brokers and lenders. With experience in financial services and owning multiple businesses, Scott helps business owners—predominantly minority, veteran, and women-owned companies—sell their businesses under $50 million for optimal value and exit on their own terms through his proven Valuation to Victory Process. He combines deep business expertise with a client-focused approach, supporting owners at every step from pre-sale planning through post-close. 

Valerie Thiel is the Partner and Principal of SAGE Architectural Alliance, bringing over 30 years of architectural experience and 20 years specializing in senior and special needs housing. With a background in both architecture and structural engineering, she is a regional leader in sustainable and innovative design for senior lifestyles. Valerie is a passionate advocate for affordable senior housing and frequently speaks at industry conferences on sustainable design, social connection in housing, and intergenerational urban communities. 

Xiaoping Zhang is a Principal at Concord Engineering, Inc., based in Seattle, WA. With a PhD in Civil Engineering from the University of Washington, Xiaoping brings extensive expertise in transportation planning, traffic engineering, highways, traffic signal design, and road traffic management. She has previously worked with DKS Associates and continues to apply her technical skills to complex transportation projects across the region.