BRIAN D. FRENCH
11990 Rosemount DriveHome:239.225.6699
Fort Myers, FL 33913Cell: 239.707.2468
Summary
Significant experience and accomplishments in determining and executing strategic initiatives in Real Estate Development; encompassing design, planning, construction and facilities management.
An effective business unit Executive with advanced skill sets in organizational development and financial discipline.
Excels in when challenged with objectives that mandate extreme deadlines and budget constraints.
Excellent technical knowledge and problem solving skills coupled with the ability to communicate effectively with all levels in an organization.
Strengths are in creating a workplace environment that promotes initiative in others to reach Company goals and directives.
A proven successful Executive level manager with excellent team-building and leadership skills.
Professional Experience
CHICOS FAS, INC., Fort Myers, FL.2005 2009 Chicos, White House Black Market, Soma Intimates
Vice President Construction Services
Executive responsible for the budgetary and operational administration related to growth, expansions, renovations and facilities for 1,000 specialty apparel store locations, headquarters, distribution center and customer-direct campus infrastructure.
Responsible for the creative design oversight and implementation of store related Brand initiatives.
Determined qualitative and uniform procedural standards and timelines for real estate site and deal approval presentations.
Developed and implemented auditable financial processes, guidelines and standards for SOX 404 compliance obligations.
Responsible for all construction related endeavors.
Responsible for all facilities infrastructure activities.
Established leadership core competencies for direct reports and their respective teams.
UNITED RETAIL GROUP INC., Rochelle Park, NJ1999 - 2005
Avenue
Vice President Store Development and Facilities
Executive responsible for the administration of all capital and expense related functions for 600 specialty apparel retail stores, home office and distribution and call center locations.
Reported directly to the CEO/Chairman for all design related activities.
Directly responsible for the successful development of the distribution and call center in Troy, OH.
Created and maintained all quality control standards for area of responsibility.
Integral in the development of corporate processes and subsequent approval sessions with third party auditors related to the inception of SOX 404 compliance.
VENATOR GROUP, INC., New York, NY1998 1999
(Formerly WOOLWORTH CORPORATION)
Foot Locker, Lady Foot Locker, Kids Foot Locker
Director of Special Projects
Oversee the conceptual development and construction of unique projects for the athletic division of a national shoe and apparel retailer.
Directed the conceptual design, architectural and engineering development of a $30 million Foot Locker retail attraction at Disneys Wide World of Sports in Orlando, FL.
Orchestrated the conceptual development of unique theming elements, such as indoor ice climbing walls, suspended running tracks and X-Games skate parks.
Initiated and directed value engineering alternatives for all aspects of the project.
Acted as key liaison between Venator and Disney Corp. and Walt Disney Imagineering.
WARNER BROS., Burbank, CA.1994 1998
Director of Store Planning and Construction
Oversee the operations of store design, planning, construction and facilities for new and existing stores.
Successfully directed the $32 million, eight floor expansion of the New York City flagship location at 57th and 5th.
Directed the design and construction of the multi-floor flagship location at One Times Square in New York City. Included in this project was the direct collaboration with celebrated architect Frank Gehry.
Directed the 9,000 square foot, ground-up store within the Florida Mall in Orlando, FL. Total duration of project from ground breaking to store opening was 39 days.
Responsible for the civil and governmental approvals for all unique locations, including Pennsylvania Avenue in Washington DC, airports and international locations such as Taiwan, Tokyo and Europe.
Directed the design development and production of specialty theme elements and interactive technologies unique to the Warner Bros. Brand.
THE LIMITED, INC., Columbus, OH1989 1994
Construction Manager- Victorias Secret
Traveled extensively to facilitate personal inspection of all phases of store construction and compliance to the design and construction documents.
Initiated plan reviews for the simplification, accuracy and alternative construction methods for cost savings efforts.
Administered all general contractor bid proposals, contracts and cost controls.
Performed anticipatory site surveys to identify potential design and construction conflicts.
HERBERT & BOGHOSIAN, INC. Simsbury, CT1987 - 1989
Project Manager
Lead the construction team for a $40 million, 40,000 square foot Henri Bendel store in Boston, Ma, and New York City. The projects consisted of extraordinarily difficult design parameters and exotic finishes, such as leather and upholstered walls, platinum leaf ceilings, granite panels with integrated lighting, radius cut limestone, elliptical wrought iron handrails and a 900 square foot, conventionally framed, gold leafed dome.
Managed the accelerated schedule of the 20,000 square foot Abercrombie and Fitch prototype store in Boston, MA.
Supervised all construction and specialty trades and administered all bid proposals and contracts.
Early Experience:1983 - 1987
Project Manager
Responsible for the project management and supervision of fine residential homes, corporate tenant space fit-out, banking facilities and hospitality.
Acted as liaison between firm and Eastman Kodak for the successful execution of their regional marketing center.
Responsibilities included the on-site supervision of constructing high-rise office buildings, postal distribution centers and hotels. These projects included; numerous custom homes in Atlanta, GA, Bank One Tower, Davis Island Retail/Office Complex, Hyatt Regency Tampa Airport and the Tampa General Mail Postal Facility in Tampa, FL. My duties included deciphering all construction blueprints and implementing them to actual site conditions.
Additional:
Member, US Green Building Council
Member, International Council of Shopping Centers
Education:
University of Tampa
Southern Connecticut State College
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