Meet our 2022 PFG Mentors!

barrientosRYAN | Partner

Ms. Barrientos has been named one of the most influential urban-infill developers in Seattle, a 2015 PSBJ Woman of Influence, and is categorized by her peers as innovative, thoughtful, and creative – creating housing that incorporates many forward-looking trends.

Over the past 30 years, Maria has become a respected leader in Seattle’s real estate development community. Project types include urban mixed-use, mixed-income, historic renovation and adaptive reuse, both market rate and affordable housing, and student housing properties. Maria brings in-depth knowledge of innovative development tools, sustainable development techniques, public/private partnerships, financing mechanisms that include tax-exempt bond financing as well as other sources of private equity and debt. Maria has always been active within the community and serves on several community based and civic organizations and is very involved in land use issues within the city of Seattle.

Jason recently retired from PCS Structural Solutions in fall of 2021 after nearly 20 years of service as Principal-in-Charge on a broad range of project types, including many of the firm’s private development and corporate office projects dealing with new construction that requires inventive structure. Jason’s enthusiasm, leadership and high-end analytical skills bring value to the creative process of design and construction, which has resulted in several award-winning projects.

Jason received a Bachelor of Science, Civil Engineering at Washington State University. He holds a Master of Science, Structural Engineering from University of California San Diego and a Project Management Certificate from University of Washington. Jason is a member of American Institute of Architects, American Institute of Steel Construction, Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat, National Earthquake Hazard Reduction Program, National Institute of Building Sciences Building Seismic Safety Council, Structural Engineers Association of Washington Earthquake Engineering Committee and co-chair of ULI NEXT, as well as the ULI Northwest Resilience Product Council.

B+H Advance Strategy | Director, Global Development Solutions

Shauna Decker is a Commercial Real Estate Development Leader with B+H Advance Strategy, a global company providing strategic development services to build Smarter, Better, Greener Communities. She is also the Founding Partner of Alchemist Development LLC, an organization that brings over 25 years of experience in Real Estate Development, Architecture and Hospitality, creating over 1 billion in value for investors and clients. Shauna is purpose driven and passionate about the necessity of design and place making to have a meaningful impact on the collective human experience. Prior to this, Shauna was the VP of Design & Development at R.C. Hedreen Co., and the Co-Founder of Puget Capital as well as Spencer Decker Architects.

Shauna brings a wealth of knowledge from many sectors of the built environment industry. She is also a licensed Washington State Architect and has received advanced certification in CRE Analysis & Investment from MIT, Hotel Real Estate Investment & Asset Management from Cornell University, and in Commercial Real Estate & Development from the UW. Shauna graduated from Washington State University with a degree in Architecture. 

R.D. Merrill Company | President & Chief Operating Officer

Bill Pettit is the president and chief operating officer of the R. D. Merrill Company with responsibility for Merrill Gardens and sister company Pillar Properties. Merrill Gardens is one of the most respected assisted living operators in the country with 33 communities in six states. Pillar Properties is an award-winning developer, owner and operator of multi-family housing and the developer for Merrill Gardens new communities. Pettit joined the R.D. Merrill Company in 1992 after 18 years in the banking industry. He was instrumental in the formation of the company, starting with one community in 1993. He directed the rapid growth and timely execution of acquisitions and developed the policies that speak to the Merrill Gardens and Pillar Properties commitment to quality. Under Pettit’s leadership, the company was named the Family Business of the Year by Seattle Business Magazine for the company’s commitment to residents, team members and community service.

Pettit received a bachelor’s degree from Princeton in 1971 and an M.B.A. from the University of Oregon in 1973. He is currently the Senior Living Executive in Residence for Washington State University. He serves on the Argentum Board of Directors and he is the past Chairman of the Executive Board of the American Seniors Housing Association (ASHA).

City of Seattle Office of Planning and Community Development | Director 

Driven by the desire to have a meaningful impact on both the urban and natural landscape, Rico works with community organizations to have a positive influence in their own neighborhoods through design. In 23 years of professional experience, Rico believes that existing buildings provide a rich context for our daily lives and that maintenance of this building stock is the ultimate expression of a sustainable architecture and a critical component of a new green economy. In addition to being in his fifth year of service on AIA Seattle’s board of directors, Rico is a mayoral appointment to the Historic Seattle Council, a board member for Pike Place Market PDA, and a founding member of the National Organization of Minority Architects Northwest Chapter. Rico sat on the AIA+2030 national steering committee, a committee born out of AIA Seattle that has seen to it that 24 cities nationally are providing curriculum to help design teams and owners meet the 2030 Challenge. Rico was recognized in 2011 by AIA National as a Citizen Architects on the Move, just completed a term as a member of the AIA National Communications Committee, was an Advisory Group member for AIA’s National Sustainability Scan, and was just awarded the AIA Seattle Young Architect Award in 2014.