Capital Construction Assistance Board (CCAB)

CCAB Meeting Information: ​

• CCAB Monthly Meeting - April- Thursday, April 17, 2025 1:00pm-3:30pm - Virtual
  • April 17, 2025 - Agenda (Word)
• CCAB Annual Grant Review Meeting - Tuesday, May 13 - Thursday, May 15, 2025 - Times vary - Virtual
  • Grant review Schedule - Schedule is subject to change by BEST Staff

Watch Live

_{Watch Live is only available during scheduled meeting dates and times.}

Board Chair

Kevin Haas

Engineer, Appointed by the Governor

Kevin Haas is currently a principal at Martin/Martin Consulting Engineers in Lakewood, Colorado. With 16 years of experience as a structural engineer, he leads a team that focuses on the structural design of K-12 facilities in Colorado. Through this work he has been involved in dozens of K-12 construction projects, including structural assessments of existing buildings; master planning efforts for grant and bond applications; mechanical/ventilation upgrades; and ground-up new construction, and renovations and additions for elementary, high school, and K-12 facilities throughout the state. In this role he works closely with design professionals, contractors, owner’s representatives, and school district staff to achieve sustainable, efficient, and positive outcomes with the resources and opportunities that are available for the maintenance and development of school facilities. He greatly values the opportunity to contribute as a professional to the betterment of education in Colorado. Kevin is a licensed engineer in Colorado, California, and Georgia; serves as a member of the Structural Engineers Association of Colorado; and a is Colorado native from Fort Collins.

Vice Chair

Matthew Samelson

Public School Finance Expertise, Appointed by the President of the Senate

Matt Samelson works at the Donnell-Kay Foundation, and is an attorney with Western Environmental Law Partners.  Matt’s education work focuses on public school infrastructure issues, such as facilities, transportation, school finance, bond and mill levies, and educator housing.  Recently, he helped improve transit equity in the Denver metro area by working with numerous youth and community organizations to create a more affordable RTD youth pass. As an attorney, Matt works on a variety of oil and gas policy issues for conservation groups and communities. Matt has a law degree from the University of Colorado and a Master of Public Administration degree from the University of Colorado Denver. Prior to engaging in law and policy work, Matt was a journalist for eight years.

Vacant

Facility Planner and Manager, Appointed by the G.A. Speaker of the House

Alan Ford, FAIA

Architect, Appointed by the Governor

Alan Ford, FAIA is a licensed architect with over 40 years of experience, specializing in high-performance educational design. Having completed 150 ECE-12 projects, Alan consistently pursues innovative solutions that inspire, remain flexible for evolving pedagogical needs, and prioritize the health of both occupants and the environment. He has led multiple conferences on evidence-based design and safety and security for schools. Alan is the author of three books: Creating the Regenerative School, Designing the Sustainable School, and A Sense of Entry.

Alan currently serves as a principal at Ford Architects, a firm he founded in 2007. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Environmental Design from the University of Colorado, Boulder, and a Master of Architecture from the University of Colorado, Denver.

Jody Hovde

School Board Member, Appointed by the State Board of Education

Jody Hovde is a current school board member for the Montrose RE-1J School District, representing the Western Slope, and a former teacher and instructional leader with 34 years of experience in education. She wants to ensure that schools are equipped to provide the best learning environments for all students.

Jody’s background as an educator, leader, and school board member, has given her a comprehensive understanding of the challenges and opportunities facing our schools. She is committed to advocating for infrastructure improvements that will benefit both students and communities.

She has developed the skills necessary to work collaboratively with others, navigate complex issues, and advocate for projects that promote student achievement. Jody is  excited about the prospect of contributing to the ongoing efforts to enhance educational facilities, ensuring that our schools meet the needs of future generations.

Wade Turner

Technology Expert, Appointed by the G.A. Minority Leaders

Wade Turner is Business Development Director at Math Champions Professional Development, LLC, which is dedicated to empowering K-8 educators with the content knowledge, skills, and confidence to ignite a genuine enthusiasm for mathematics and nurture problem-solving in students. With over 20 years of service on various nonprofit and city boards, and over 16 years as an active volunteer at charter and district schools, Wade embodies a profound commitment to educational enhancement and community engagement.

Wade is currently serving as Board Treasurer for AXIS International Academy, a PreK-6 dual language immersion charter school in Fort Collins which recently received the “Performance with Distinction Rating." Wade's wife Cassandra is the founder of Math Champions. His sons Cole and Cody are Colorado State University graduates, while his daughter-in-law Nicole (also a CSU alum) is completing her fifth year as a member of the AXIS staff. Wade is honored and excited for the opportunity to serve on the CCAB.

Lara Vincent

Construction Manager, Appointed by the Governor

The daughter of two teachers and a fourth generation Colorado-native, Lara Vincent is passionate about public education and leveraging construction to benefit Colorado’s students.

Lara is currently Director of Client Relations at Haselden Construction, where she focuses on procurement of PK-12 projects. She has been with Haselden for 15 years, where she has been involved with preconstruction and estimating, project management, and project procurement, at various points throughout her construction career. Through this work, she has been involved in dozens of PK-12 construction projects. She is a LEED AP, interested in sustainable building.

Lara has a Bachelor of Science in Construction Management from Colorado State University.

George Welsh

Public School Superintendent, Appointed by the State Board of Education

George Welsh is a 27-year Colorado resident with a BA in Secondary Education and an MA in Education Leadership.

He's in the midst of a 38-year career in public education serving at all levels from classroom teacher to principal, central office administrator, and even 25 years as a Superintendent of Schools. He is currently a PERA retiree but allocates time to the Colorado Education Initiative as a Senior Partner, the Colorado School Finance Project as a Field Representative, the Canon City School District as Coordinator of Special Projects, and as a Trustee of the Colorado School for the Deaf and Blind. 

Mark Wilsey

School Facilities Planner/Manager, Appointed by the State Board of Education

Mark Wilsey has been involved with the Capital Construction program since 2002 when he began working as a School District Facilities Director.  He continued his involvement throughout his 20 year career culminating as COO and Bond Officer.  He has written and received many BEST grants and has helped other districts understand the process and write grants.

Mark is currently PERA retired but stays active volunteering time for districts planning construction projects.  He taught 4 years in private high schools, 2 years at the University of Utah and has his Principal's license.  He is retired from the Navy where he served as a Nuclear Engineer.

Mark has an MBA from Regis University, an MS in Astronautical Engineering from the Naval Postgraduate School, and a BS in Operations Analysis from the Naval Academy.