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In today’s rapidly shifting economic landscape, commercial real estate professionals are facing increasing challenges around budgeting, forecasting, and long-term planning. From tariff-driven material cost hikes to rising insurance premiums and shortened estimate validity windows, volatility is becoming the norm—not the exception.
How should vendors and suppliers adapt when pricing can change from month to month? How do tariff-related price increases affect capital planning and project timelines? What role can insurance innovation play in helping teams manage rising rebuild costs, and are there proactive steps property managers can take to get ahead of it? What roadblocks or concerns emerge when costs are unstable and planning becomes increasingly complex?
With budget season upon us, this timely and practical discussion comes at a critical moment. The panel will bring together industry experts to explore how today’s unpredictable conditions are impacting every stage of planning and execution.
Join us for this timely and insightful discussion at our upcoming BOMA San Francisco Membership Luncheon. Whether you’re navigating these challenges firsthand or supporting those who are, this panel will offer practical perspectives and valuable takeaways to help you stay ahead in an uncertain market.
MODERATED BY
Matt Montanez | UG2
With over 20 years of engineering experience, Matt Montanez brings seasoned expertise and forward-thinking strategy to the built environment. From his early days as a Utility Engineer to his current role overseeing Northern California operations as Regional Engineering Manager, Matt has consistently championed sustainable innovation. His commitment to prioritizing providing value and creative solutions to property managers has been a consistent strength.
Certified as a LEED Green Associate and Licensed BREEAM Assessor, Matt integrates the best global practices into regional operations. Now in his third year as Chair of the BOMA San Francisco Education and Events Committee, and in its inaugural year as Vice Chair for BOMI Building Engineer’s Committee, he plays a pivotal role in advancing industry knowledge and collaboration. As today’s panel moderator, Matt offers not just insight, but a genuine passion for driving progress in commercial real estate operations.
PANELISTS
Zach Blake | Mesa Energy Systems
Zach Blake is the Director of Sales for Mesa Energy Systems, Inc (an EMCOR Company) in the San Francisco Bay Area, where he leads business development and preconstruction strategy for one of the region’s premier mechanical contractors. With three decades of industry experience across mechanical systems, HVAC design, and energy performance, Zach has worked directly with building owners, engineers, and property managers to deliver major infrastructure upgrades for critical facilities throughout California and beyond. His expertise spans everything from aerospace to healthcare, with a proven record of aligning mechanical solutions with client risk profiles and financial objectives.
Zach is known for transforming the perception of HVAC from an unavoidable cost into a strategic asset. By focusing on complex retrofits, predictive maintenance, capital planning, and operational resilience, he helps clients mitigate market volatility and reduce exposure from both energy and uptime pressures. As a frequent collaborator with asset stakeholders and design professionals, Zach brings a practical, high-trust approach to technical topics, cost containment, risk reduction, and long-term asset value.
Marc Gille | Rockhill Management
Marc Gille is involved in Rockhill’s office and industrial U.S. property services activities. Mr. Gille is based in Rockhill’s San Francisco office. Prior to joining Rockhill in 2016, Mr. Gille worked at Embarcadero Capital Partners and Broadway Partners, where he focused on asset management activities for nine years. Mr. Gille received a B.S. from Oregon State University and an M.B.A. from the Haas School of Business at University of California, Berkeley. He is Past-President of BOMA San Francisco and currently serves on BOMA International’s Executive Committee.
Sarmad Naqvi | Woodruff Sawyer
Sarmad has two decades of experience in the commercial real estate insurance industry and profoundly understands his clients' risks and challenges. He helps clients manage business risks and crafts cost-effective, tailored insurance programs using innovative risk transfer strategies and loss control implementations.
Before Woodruff Sawyer, Sarmad worked with top insurance brokerage firms and was a property manager and leasing agent. This firsthand experience gives him a unique perspective on the needs of commercial real estate businesses.
Sarmad holds a Commercial Lines Coverage Specialist (CLCS) designation. He is also a member of various local and national building ownership associations, developing strong connections to thoroughly understand client needs.
Mary Rothaus | BluSky Restoration Contractors
Mary Rothaus is a seasoned professional with over 20 years of experience building strategic relationships in the emergency restoration industry. As a Business Development Manager at BluSky Restoration Contractors, she partners with commercial property owners, managers, and developers to lead restoration efforts following floods, storms, fires, and other emergencies. With deep expertise in responding during unpredictable and high-stress situations, Mary offers a valuable perspective on resilience, speed, and risk management in commercial real estate.
She is known for her steady hand, solution-oriented mindset, and ability to exceed expectations for all stakeholders. Mary works closely with property managers, insurers, and onsite teams to develop proactive response plans that support business continuity and protect asset value. She is actively involved in industry organizations including BOMA, CREW, IFMA, IREM, and AFE, and supports the Concussion Legacy Foundation in its efforts to solve the concussion crisis.
EVENT DETAILS:
Thursday, August 7, 2025
Julia Morgan Ballroom | 465 California Street, 15th Floor, San Francisco
11:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. | Check-In & Networking
12:00 p.m. - 1:00 p.m. | Lunch & Program
1:00 p.m. - 1:30 p.m. | Post Event Networking
REGISTRATION:
Early Registration: $95 per person until 7/26/25. $110 per person after 7/27/25. No refunds will be provided for cancellations or no-shows after 7/25/25. If you require an invoice, please contact Randi Ward, [email protected].
The BOMA SF Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) Committee is excited to once again partner with The Women's Building in honor of Women’s Equality Day and National Civility Month. Spreading positivity, benefitting our community, demonstrating care for others, and promoting respect are all powerful ways to participate, and this partnership is a meaningful way to do just that. Founded in 1979, The Women’s Building is the first woman-owned and operated community center in the country, and today it welcomes over 25,000 clients each year to access social services, attend workshops and wellness classes, volunteer, celebrate, and build stronger community connections.
The DEI Committee will be hosting a donation drive on August 7th during the Member Luncheon at the Julia Morgan Ballroom. Below is a list of items we are looking to collect:
- Backpacks
- Pencil pouches
- Notebooks, writing utensils
- Lunch boxes
- Tissues
- Folders
- Activity Books (variety of ages)
- Board Games, card games, puzzles, toys
- Smartphone/Tablet
- Headphones
- Art supplies
- Portable chargers/batteries
- Water bottles
Please help us support this organization which empowers women and provides people with the tools and resources to create better lives for themselves, their family and their community.