Northern California CoP Hosts First Annual Appreciation & Recognition Event
On January 22, 2026, the LCI Northern California Community of Practice (CoP) gathered at Side Gate Brewing in Concord for a milestone celebration—our first-ever Appreciation & Recognition Event.
With more than 50 attendees, the evening brought together local Lean pioneers, Community of Practice core group members, and—most importantly—the 2025 sustaining sponsors whose support made last year one of the most successful and impactful years in LCI NorCal CoP history.
An Evening Designed for Community
From the start, the intent was clear: this was a night to enjoy ourselves.
Attendees were encouraged to network, eat, and enjoy libations, reconnecting with peers and building new relationships across organizations and roles.
Live music from local rock band Diablo Fugitives set a celebratory tone and gave the evening an unmistakable Northern California vibe.
Sharing the Impact: 2025 by the Numbers
Midway through the evening, the Community of Practice paused to reflect on the past year.
The NorCal CoP shared key metrics from 2025, highlighting the goals that had been set and the outcomes the community helped achieve. Attendance, engagement, and overall participation demonstrated the tangible results made possible by sustaining sponsors, volunteers, and committed members. This moment was about transparency and appreciation—showing supporters the real impact of their investment.
Honoring Two Pillars of the LCI NorCal CoP
A highlight of the evening was the individual recognition of two exceptional contributors whose leadership and service have had a lasting influence on the Northern California Lean community.
Dan Goodman – Leadership Through Uncertainty
Dan Goodman, currently with UCSF, has been a long-standing leader within the LCI Northern California Community of Practice. Serving as Vice Leader in 2019 and 2020, and then as CoP Leader from 2021 through 2023, Dan stepped into leadership at one of the most challenging moments in the CoP’s history.
Dan assumed the leader role during the COVID-19 pandemic and took on the monumental task of keeping the Community of Practice active, connected, and moving forward during a period of uncertainty and disruption. He graciously extended his leadership longer than initially planned, providing stability and continuity before handing leadership off to Felipe Engineer-Manriquez in 2024. His steady presence helped ensure the NorCal CoP not only endured the pandemic—but emerged stronger because of it.
Vic Ortiz – A Legacy of Lean Leadership and Learning
Vic Ortiz, Construction Organization Development Consultant, was also recognized for his extraordinary and enduring contributions to Lean construction—both in Northern California and nationally.
A LCI Northern California Community of Practice core group member since 2017, Vic has served as the CoP’s Education and Training Leader, shaping how Lean thinking is taught, shared, and practiced across the region.
Vic’s passion for continuous improvement spans more than four decades, predating Lean as it is widely known today. He has worked closely with LCI co-founders Glenn Ballard and Greg Howell since 1985, and co-facilitated many of the early meetings that helped form the foundation of the Lean Construction Institute.
His guidance on leadership development and collaborative approaches—positioned as fundamental strategic Lean practices – has been transformative to the Northern California construction culture. Vic’s High-Performance Leadership workshops continue to be a cornerstone of the CoP’s learning offerings and a major contributor to the growth of NorCal’s leading-edge Lean community.
Open Dialogue and Shared Ownership
The formal program concluded with a questions and answers session, giving attendees the opportunity to engage directly, reflect on the year’s successes, and share perspectives on what lies ahead. The dialogue reinforced a sense of shared ownership and collective responsibility for the future of the community.
LCI Northern California CoP extends heartfelt appreciation to:
- Our 2025 sustaining sponsors
- The Lean pioneers who helped build this community
- The CoP core group members who volunteer their energy, time and talent
- And every attendee who helped make the evening meaningful
Our first Appreciation & Recognition event was more than a celebration—it was a reminder that Lean thrives when people, relationships, and community come first.
We look forward to continuing the journey together in 2026!