DevelopME Lunch & Learn – Staying above Water: Navigating the Impacts of Flooding and Sea Level Rise on Real Estate Development
Event Details
SPONSORED BY: Clark Insurance, A Marsh & McLennan Agency LLC Company & Norway Savings Bank January 15, 2025 – 11:30 am – 1:00
Event Details
SPONSORED BY: Clark Insurance, A Marsh & McLennan Agency LLC Company & Norway Savings Bank
January 15, 2025 – 11:30 am – 1:00 pm
Lunch: 11:30-12:00 pm
Program: 12:00-1:00 pm
In-Person – Pre-registration is required.
Location:
McGoldrick Career & Student Success Center
35 Bedford Street, Portland, ME
About the Event:
Flooding is one of the nation’s most costly natural hazards, but—despite the risks—construction continues to increase in flood-prone areas. Sea level rise and increased precipitation associated with climate change increase the frequency and severity of coastal and riverine flooding. Even buildings far from the waterfront can be subject to local or urban flooding. Careful planning and design can help reduce the risk of flood damage and minimize the business interruption caused by flood events. In this lunch & learn, we will help attendees understand flood hazards and share options for improving building resistance to flood damage to enhance community resilience. We will summarize the various types of flood hazards, discuss strategies for designing flood damage-resistant buildings, and explore various approaches to flood mitigation.
Meet our Presenters:
Matthew Gilbertson|Senior Technical Manager, SIMPSON GUMPERTZ & HEGER
Matt Gilbertson has diverse experience designing, investigating, and rehabilitating building and non-building structures. He specializes in evaluating flood hazards and designing structures to mitigate flood risk. His projects include designing buildings subject to flooding, evaluating existing facilities for flood risk, designing flood mitigation measures, and consulting on regulatory flood requirements. Matt is a member of Flood Load and Future Conditions subcommittees for ASCE 7-28, “Minimum Design Loads and Associated Criteria for Buildings and Other Structures,” and the committee for ASCE 24-24, “Flood Resistant Design and Construction.”
Casey Stevenson | Project Director, SIMPSON GUMPERTZ & HEGER
Casey Stevenson has extensive experience in industrial building and non-building structures, rehabilitation of existing structures, construction engineering, and assessment of structures for flood hazards. He excels in managing complex technical projects and leading multi-disciplinary teams, always striving for collaborative solutions. He specializes in the design and behavior of steel and concrete structures, large equipment supports and foundations, and industrial facilities. His leadership fosters cooperation and design integration, leading to innovative outcomes that exceed client expectations. Committed to advancing the field, his expertise and dedication make him a trusted advisor for complex engineering challenges.
Moderating the program is MEREDA Board Member and co-chair of DevelopME, Gwen Hulit is a Mortgage Loan Officer with U.S. Bank, with lending capabilities in all 50 states. She originates residential mortgages on properties ranging from 1-4 units as primary residences, second homes, and investment properties. Gwen is the Co-Chair of MEREDA’s DevelopME committee and is active with the Olympia Snowe Women’s Leadership Institute. Gwen lives in her hometown of Falmouth with her husband and daughter.
Refund Policy: Your RSVP is requested by January 8. Payment is expected at the time of registration. No refunds will be granted to anyone who registers, but fails to attend or who cancels after January 8.
Prices increase by $10 after January 8.
Thank you to our generous sponsors:
Time
January 15, 2025 11:30 am - 1:00 pm
Location
McGoldrick Career & Student Success Center
35 Bedford Street, Portland, ME
Parking
Everyone that parks on the USM Campus in the Bedford Street Garage has to use the digital parking system. You can pre-register for your parking session or do it upon arrival. To avoid a parking citation, you must begin your digital parking session – and pay – within 10 minutes of parking. You can also pre-schedule your session. By purchasing these tickets, you confirm that you have read and understand the Event Parking information provided by the McGoldrick Career & Student Success Center above.
Parking Instructions (PDF)
Events Happening Now
No Events
Coming up Next in
Event Details
The MEREDA Fall Conference 2025 will take a hard look at the housing sector. Experienced leaders in the Maine real estate economy will discuss the challenges and opportunities
Event Details
The MEREDA Fall Conference 2025 will take a hard look at the housing sector. Experienced leaders in the Maine real estate economy will discuss the challenges and opportunities in creating housing, including the barriers developers face, as well as state and local trends shaping the housing market. Speakers will look at the economic impact of the housing crisis at both the national and local level while two panels will discuss ways in which Maine can address local housing needs in a sustainable and impactful way. The conference will bring together industry leaders, policymakers, and stakeholders to discuss solutions and innovative approaches to the evolving housing landscape.
Keynote Speakers include: Dr. Christopher Herbert, Managing Director of the Harvard Joint Center for Housing Studies and Ken Entenmann, CFA, Chief Investment Officer & Chief economist at NBT Bank/NBT Wealth Management.
View our participants and agenda here.
Continuing Education Credit Applications are Pending.
Sponsoring a MEREDA event provides great exposure and is a great opportunity to showcase your company. Check out our available sponsorships!
PURCHASE YOUR EVENT TICKETS HERE!

Time
October 23, 2025 8:30 am - 12:30 pm
Location
Hannaford Hall - Abromson Community Education Center
88 Bedford Street, Portland, ME
Parking
Everyone that parks on the USM Campus in the Bedford Street Garage has to use the digital parking system. You can pre-register for your parking session or do it upon arrival. Commit your license number to memory! You’ll need it to complete your parking session. To avoid a parking citation, you must begin your digital parking session – and pay – within 10 minutes of parking.
Parking Instructions (PDF)
Maine Real Estate Development Association
6 City Center 3rd Floor
Portland, ME 04101
info@mereda.org