LA Fire Reconstruction With Gensler & Miyamoto

John Adams, AIA, LEED AP – Co-Regional Managing Principal | Gensler

John Adams, AIA, LEED AP is the Co-Regional Managing Principal for Gensler’s Southwest region and serves on the firm’s Management Committee. With over 30 years of experience as an architect, real estate strategist, and planner, he is dedicated to the ongoing revitalization of downtown Los Angeles. Adams is recognized as a thought leader in design and development, advocating for high-performance buildings, repositioning, creative office spaces, and sustainable urban development.

Andrew Fusco – CEO & Founder | WorldClaim

Andrew J. Fusco is the CEO and Founder of WorldClaim, a global leader in public adjusting and disaster recovery. With over 40 years of experience, he has secured multi-million-dollar settlements for commercial, residential, and government clients worldwide. Having led catastrophe recovery efforts in over 70 natural disasters, Andrew is a recognized expert in complex claims, risk management, and business interruption negotiations. Licensed across 45 U.S. states and internationally, he holds multiple professional designations, including SPPA, SCLA, CPIU, and AIC, and is an active member of leading insurance organizations.

Traci Petcoff Wong, P.E. – Principal | Miyamoto International

Traci Wong is a Principal at Miyamoto International. With over 25 years of experience, she has played a pivotal role in designing and retrofitting residential, commercial, healthcare, and educational facilities, as well as preserving historic structures. She was born and grew up in Palisades and is currently working with homeowners who lost homes. As a board member of SEAOSC, she will be working with building departments on the permit process for fire reconstruction.

Dr. Kit Miyamoto – Global CEO & Humanitarian Coordinator | Miyamoto International

Dr. H. Kit Miyamoto, Global CEO of Miyamoto International, is a world-renowned structural engineer and disaster resilience expert. As California’s Seismic Safety Commission Chair and President of Miyamoto Global Disaster Relief, he leads reconstruction efforts following major disasters worldwide. Living in Topanga, his connection to LA’s recovery is both professional and deeply personal. Recently awarded Engineering News-Record’s 2024 Award of Excellence, Dr. Miyamoto brings unique insights from decades of international post-disaster recovery experience to help guide LA’s reconstruction efforts.

Sabine Kast – Sr. Principal, International Development | Miyamoto International

Sabine Kast is the Senior Principal of International Development at Miyamoto International, leading disaster risk reduction and engineering programs worldwide. As Executive Director of Miyamoto Global Disaster Relief, she focuses on protecting at-risk communities through seismic safety initiatives. With expertise in earthquake engineering and cultural heritage preservation, she has managed projects in Haiti, Nepal, and beyond. Sabine is also pursuing PhD research at the University of Tokyo, specializing in disaster resilience and risk management.

Benjamin A. Hildebrand, CFSC, CMC, CIEC, Technical Director of Fire & Smoke Investigation | Hillmann Consulting, LLC

Benjamin Hildebrand is an industry-leading expert in fire and smoke investigation with a decade of industrial hygiene and environmental experience. As Technical Director at Hillmann Consulting, a 250-person building science firm, he oversees complex fire-related investigations and ensures compliance with OSHA, EPA, and NIOSH regulations. Having led hundreds of high-profile projects, he collaborates with local, state, and federal authorities while providing advanced technical guidance.