- One word to describe yourself: Approachable
- Alma Mater: Seattle University
- Favorite TV show: "MythBusters" and "Anthony Bourdain: Parts Unknown"
- Favorite movie: "Moana"
- Favorite hobby: Riding my motorcycle
- Fun fact about yourself: I have coached youth basketball for more than 13 years, worked summer jobs in the Alaskan canaries, and went to three different colleges.
Justin Umagat has more than 7 years’ experience in mechanical, electrical, plumbing, control systems and fire protection engineering. Early in his career, he was responsible for creating calculations, specifications and designs for high performance buildings in the both the private and public sectors. He embraced the use of technology, including the implementation and development of Building Information Models (BIM) that digitally represented the physical and functional characteristics of buildings. These models contain data that can be extracted, exchanged or networked to support decision-making during engineering, design, through construction and, subsequently, in building operations and maintenance. He was responsible for creating and managing BIM standards across all mechanical, electrical and plumbing disciplines for west coast offices of an international architecture and multi-disciplinary engineering consulting firm. He brought his expertise to Sound Transit in 2013. Through 2017, Umagat managed the integrated systems (fire-life safety, heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC), traction power, plumbing, control systems, and supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA)) design for one of the largest light rail expansion programs in the country, as well as commissioning of one of the largest commuter rail stations on Sound Transit’s commuter rail alignment.
One of his key contributions was on the 14-mile East Link light rail extension. Umagat recognized that a critical smoke control permit, required by the by one of four cities along the alignment to downtown Bellevue had not been acquired. This permit, issued by the Bellevue Fire and Permitting Departments, documents that the tunnel emergency ventilation system, adjacent station smoke control system designs, and integrated test plans met jurisdictional code requirements. Without that permit, other necessary building permits could not be acquired and construction could not proceed, potentially delaying the planned start of revenue service and construction of a subsequent 3.4-mile easterly extension from the city of Bellevue, Washington, to Redmond, Washington, where Microsoft Corp. is headquartered. Umagat marshaled the resources and presented the technical designs and tests plans to the local fire department and permitting officials, demonstrating that the design emergency ventilation system would meet permit requirements, successfully securing the permit without impacting the construction schedule.
In 2017, Umagat realized that the requirements for operating the various modes (light rail, heavy commuter rail and express bus systems) were not always consistent with how the facilities and systems were designed and constructed. These inconsistencies resulted in inefficiencies and significantly higher operations and maintenance costs. Seeking to bridge the gap, he assumed a role within our operations department serving as a conduit between our design and construction and our operations and maintenance teams. In the short time in this position, Umagat leveraged his experience working in planning, designing, construction, and testing and commissioning of system infrastructure to positively impact future expansion projects. He has built collaborative interdepartmental relationships to better deliver facilities and transit systems for the 12.8 miles of northern extension of light rail from Seattle to Lynnwood, Washington. This $5 billion extension includes 3.5 miles of twin bored tunnels, two underground stations, 9.5 miles of elevated/at-grade guide-way, five elevated/at-grade stations and four parking garages. This extension will be completed by 2024.
Umagat is also leading the operations review of design criteria, standard specifications and guidance drawings under development to improve design efficiencies and standardize station and systems elements. He is also the operations lead for the planning and design efforts for Sound Transit’s first bus rapid transit (BRT) systems. These systems will provide transit service to areas of the region where light rail is either infeasible or where projected transit ridership does not warrant investing in light rail.
Consistent with the culture of Sound Transit, Umagat’s passion and unique insight encourages teamwork. He practices a pragmatic and holistic approach that bridges project requirements with realistic expectations of all vested parties. Because of his leadership, he was selected by his peers and executive leadership to participate in the 2018 Eno Transportation Center Multi-Agency Exchange (EnoMAX) program. EnoMAX is a collaborative leadership development, inter-agency networking and best-practice sharing program between public transportation agencies and the Eno Center for Transportation. In addition to Sound Transit, transit agencies participating in the 2018 program include Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART), Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (Metro), Valley Metro, Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority (MARTA), and the Regional Transportation District in Denver, Colorado. Being selected to this program exposes Umagat to best operations and maintenance practices and lessons learned of participating agencies. His specific interest is understanding the operations and maintenance models used by different agencies and investigating the potential for a centralized operations and maintenance center. Umagat hopes to use this information to help shape the future of Sound Transit operational and maintenance as they continue to grow and expand service throughout the region.
Umagat is a member of the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating, and Air Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) and is accredited as an associate in the Design Build Institute of America (DBIA) and a Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design Advanced Professional in Building Design and Construction (LEED AP BD+C). He is also pursuing his Project Management Institute Project Management Professional (PMI-PMP) certification.
Umagat is very active in the community and shares his passion for the transit profession with others. While in the private sector, he was a founding member of a developing professional’s group organizing and overseeing college job fairs/internship programs, enlisting executive keynote speakers for nationwide virtual meetings, and piloting an inter-office job relocation program. He is also a tremendous asset in Sound Transit’s intern program, giving freely of his time to mentor interns considering a career in transit. For more than 13 years Umagat has served as a mentor and youth basketball coach for the Seattle Parks and Recreation, a program that provides a safe, positive experience for our city’s youth some of whom are disadvantaged or experiencing trouble at home/school. Umagat enjoys spending time with his growing family. His daughter Sienna is two years old and he recently celebrated the birth of second daughter Celeste.
"The experience that I felt was a defining moment in my life was in my early 20s. I had started my collegiate track attending Gonzaga University and was pursuing an electrical engineering degree. As the year progressed, I really struggled grasping some of the concepts and on top of that my grandmother back in Seattle was diagnosed with lung cancer. Since both my parents worked multiple jobs, I spent the majority my childhood being raised by her. I decided to move back to Seattle, pursue a mechanical engineering degree and move in with my Gramma to help take care of her. I unfortunately suffered quite the setback changing colleges, losing credits and changing degrees. I went to Bellevue Community College for three years and struggled immensely trying to juggle doing homework to get back into a four year college, caring for my ailing grandmother who was battling cancer and working a job at night and the Alaskan Canaries in the summer. It was the most trying experience of my life.
"After three years, I finally got into Seattle University in the mechanical engineering program. My family and grandmother were so happy for me and the emotions swelled as I finally felt like things were going my way. My very first class of my first day at Seattle University, I received multiple calls from my family and I had a feeling that it was an emergency. After class had ended I called them back to hear that my grandmother had passed. The following months were very difficult for me. Just when I thought I things were going well, they got so much worse. I struggled with depression and finding that light at the end of the tunnel. With the support of my friends and family, I slowly processed things and turned that pain into motivation to finish my degree which I ultimately attained. My early 20s were the hardest years of my life. It was a defining moment from which I learned courage, humility, resolve, and the strength of self-empowerment. Looking back on that experience and seeing where I am today gives me the confidence to pursue the place I aspire to be tomorrow."
"Working in public transit has provided me with the unique ability to work with people from a variety of sectors, industries and backgrounds. Design consultants, contractors, urban planners, maintenance and operations staff, fire departments, city permitting officials, and government relations to name a few. With that said, working with such a diverse groups has given the opportunity to hone my communicative skills. Whether its negotiating the operations and maintenance agreements for projects sites to be built or working with local fire departments to obtain a smoke control permit, one must know their audience, be effective commutators and hardness the power of influence in order to be effective. Constantly having to adapt styles and approaches to the ever changing environment is exciting and keeps me on my toes. I can’t think of another job that would let me to interface with a such a diverse background."
"The most challenging part of my job is finding the right mix of passion for expanding the public transit system to the region and integrating objectivity shaped by a strategic, pragmatic and holistic approach. Sometimes the action that yields the best results is not the fastest or most attractive choice. Every challenge requires its own analysis to determine the best option is chosen."
"The accomplishment that I am most proud of are my two daughters. They have tested me in ways I have never been challenged and smoothed out some edges I didn’t realized I had. They have taught me compassion and took my patience to a whole new level and have made me a better person in more ways than one."
"Three things come to mind: Where others see challenges, see opportunity; Being a subject matter expert will get you in the door but the ability to influence others and work with people will dictate your ceiling and Take pride in your work."
"Being a part of the transit industry allows one to make a profound impact on the everyday lives for thousands of people in the region and leave a lasting legacy. I want to connect my family, my friends and my community to more places."
