J. Nicholas Rowntree, PE, PMP
DOB: July 26, 1972
Citizenship: United States
Higher Education The University of Texas, Austin, Texas, USA
Bachelor of Science, Civil Engineering (Architectural Engineering Program, structural engineering focus), graduated May 1998
Professional
Qualifications Professional Engineer (PE, Civil) in the State of New York (License No. 081678)
Certified Project Management Professional (PMP), PMI (Certification No. 1324850)
Experience
03/2011-Present Independent Consultant, Structural Engineering Services
09/2010-02/2011 Senior Project Management Consultant to UAE Armed Forces Command of Military Works (CMW), Abu Dhabi, UAE
Hired as a Senior Project Management Consultant to act on behalf of the Employer/Client CMW for the simultaneously delivery of three major military air base installations with aggregate contract values of several billion dirham. Responsibilities and deliverables as Project Leader include overseeing, directing and delegating to a large consultant team (Dorsch Gruppe Abu Dhabi) for design, supervision and contract management services; provide recommendation to Employer on work package procurement strategy; conduct and conclude tendering process for multiple design build contract packages from review and approval of tender documents and addenda, tender technical/commercial analysis to final negotiation and contract award; act on behalf of the Employer to resolve difficult novation agreements of specialty contractors to main contractors; resolve conflicts between design team and contractors; conduct risk assessments and advise Employer accordingly with recommended course of action on myriad issues; write all outgoing project correspondence on behalf of Employer; review all incoming correspondence and action accordingly; review and approve all contractor payment certificates and consultant design and supervision invoices; chair technical workshop meetings with specialist design consultants and military end users; develop project management plan and implement project management metrics including processes, procedures and reporting techniques to track progress to established baselines, developing remedial and recovery measures as required.
03/2010-09/2010 Oger International, Abu Dhabi UAE
Senior Design Manager in the Architectural/Engineering division for the Abu Dhabi Financial Center (Sowwah Square), a 6.1m square foot Engineer, Procure, Construct (EPC) development for Mubadala Development Company on Sowwah Island comprising 4 commercial towers, stock exchange, retail and car parks. Scope of services include management of structural and MEP departments; liaising with Client Representatives; act on behalf of top management; oversee and instruct on the closing out of pending design, coordination & commercial issues; resolve conflicts between design team and contractors; facilitate work on site for the construction team; forecasting critical issues; chair large team meetings; advise on claim and variation management; oversee local authority approvals and permitting process; oversee and instruct interior design team, assist with fit out procurement and sub-contractor conflict resolution.
03/2009-02/2010 Roya Project Management (RPM), Abu Dhabi, UAE
Hired as Senior Project Management Consultant for the Tilal Hotel project, a very fast-track 120 key four star desert hotel in the remote Western Region of Abu Dhabi for VIP Client. Scope of services include development of budget and high level program; overseeing construction activities; management of enabling and main contractors; tendering and negotiation of main contract; liaise as main point of contact with Client Representative; manage Contractor in maintaining demanding program of seven month duration for construction, fit-out and commissioning; instruct & write correspondence to Contractor; chair and steer large progress and MEP & civil technical meetings; direct Design, Supervision, and Cost Consultant teams; troubleshoot & resolve on-site technical, construction, coordination & logistics issues; oversee external and utility works; liaise and assist with Authority approvals (ADM, ADDC, Civil Defense); instruct & coordinate external works between municipality sub-contractors for services, roads & earthworks; oversee interior design, procurement and coordination of fit out trades; update & advise external stakeholders; prepare tender evaluation/recommendation & progress reports for Client. Hotel delivered and opened successfully by critical milestone date.
EC Harris International, Abu Dhabi, UAE
5/2007-2/2009 Appointed as Architectural/Structural Project Manager for The Landmark ($400M+), a 330 meter residential and commercial high-rise project in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi. Responsibilities include: manage and monitor progress of design, coordination and construction; liaise with supervising design team with regard to the progress and process of contractor submittals; write contractual and technical letters to Construction Manager; oversee the implementation of quality control procedures; liaise with the Planning Manager and develop delay mitigation measures including floor cycle reduction; monitor the contractors compliance with the specifications; issue non-conformance notices as appropriate; monitor and instruct on health and safety issues; assist in the administration duties of the Engineer; advise key external stakeholders on the overall status of the project in the field; chair and steer coordination, technical & large project team meetings; prepare monthly reports to Client; provide technical & contractual (FIDIC) input on contractors claims; identify potential problems and advise Project Director and Client on possible alternative courses of action; oversee sub-contractor progress including below-grade, de-watering, concrete, post-tensioning, structural steel, cladding, building maintenance, static/dynamic monitoring & surveying of building structure.
Also worked on: structural value engineering review for mixed-use Bridgeway Abu Dhabi; successfully interviewed with Client to secure PM commission for two towers in Capital Centre at ADNEC for which I developed geotechnical & structural requests for proposals and reviewed technical reports.
DeSimone Consulting Engineers, New York, New York
6/1998-4/2007 As Senior Structural Engineer I was responsible for every aspect of the development of structural construction documents for several buildings in New York City and throughout the east coast. Performed all structural calculations and details. Directed team of drafters for document production. Coordinated work with Architect and Construction Manager. Made technical construction decisions throughout the development process. Extensive field experience resolving site issues and directing structural inspection requirements and field operations. Extensive experience with medium-rise structures (+20 floors), renovations & conversions of existing structures.
Atlantis Resort Phase III: Resided in Paradise Island, Bahamas (09/2005 to 05/2007) as on-site Operations Manager for Structural Engineering Consultant in charge of directing all aspects of field operations, inspection services and on-site structural technical issues. The $1B+ project includes two post-tension slab towers, convention center, spa, water park, various site buildings & expansion/conversion of existing casino. Extensive on-site experience with developer, consultants and contractor throughout entire construction period.
Major projects designed & constructed under my supervision include:
90 West Street: $100M+, 320,000 square foot, 23 story renovation and conversion of landmark Cass Gilbert-designed tower in New York City damaged by the 9/11 attacks and converted to luxury residential condominiums. Received an ACEC Gold Award in the category of Structural Systems.
158 Madison: $100M+, 100,000 square foot, 22 story concrete condominium tower on unique T-shaped site in New York City. Responsible for structural design of superstructure and complex foundation system.
St. Moritz Conversion: $200M+, 140,000 square foot gut renovation and conversion to Ritz-Carlton flagship hotel and luxury full-floor New York City apartments.
823 Park Avenue: $100M+, 50,000 square foot gut renovation and penthouse addition to existing landmark structure.
Tropicana Imax Theater, Atlantic City, NJ.
Other major projects I have served as on-site engineer as well as contributed to various aspects of structural design and analysis include:
Mohegan Sun II: $800M+ expansion of existing Connecticut Casino and Hotel.
Georgetown Incinerator: $100M+ Conversion of existing landmark incinerator building to Ritz-Carlton Hotel, residences, retail and cinema complex in Washington D.C.
The One & Only Ocean Club: Expansion of existing beachfront property in Paradise Island, Bahamas including several luxury villas. Responsible for site operations.
Demolition and Reconstruction of Tropicana Casino Expansion, Atlantic City, NJ: Engineer sent to assure the safe advancement of the project after a sudden 7-story partial collapse of a garage structure. Worked directly with the Construction Manager in developing the challenging ($30M) demolition plan and subsequent reconstruction. Performed forensic work to determine cause of collapse, provided new details for repair and reconstruction, met with labor force to answer concerns regarding the remaining structure, directed demolition activities and implemented higher quality assurance measures for continued construction. Work performed in an emotionally and politically charged atmosphere with pending legal action.
Other projects worked on include:
The Metropolitan: Upper East Side New York City luxury Phillip Johnson-designed condominium tower.
Bard College Performing Arts Center: Award-winning Frank Gehry stainless steel clad structure with double curvature envelope.
Cond Nast Glass: Finite element analysis of award-winning annealed glass panels by Frank Gehry in Cond Nast Building employee cafeteria in New York City
Millennium Place: Multi-use two tower high-rise structure in Boston, MA.
Century 21 2nd floor Addition: Designed and oversaw the construction of floating mezzanine level cantilevered off existing columns of previous bank building without interrupting first floor sales department.
Other work includes several New York City tenant fit-outs, landmark faade repair work and feasibility studies. For several of the aforementioned projects I established scope, wrote proposals and with guidance determined fee amounts.
Computer Skills AutoCad, MS Office, structural software including ETABS, SAFE, RISA, PCA. Document and project management platforms including CT Space & Aconex.
Languages Spanish (fluent), Portuguese (intermediate), Serbian (basic)
Professional
Referees Stephen DeSimone, CEO, DeSimone Consulting Engineers (t: +1 212-532-2211)
Mark Plechaty, Managing Principal Abu Dhabi Office, DeSimone Consulting Engineers (t: +1 212-532-2211)
Peter Titmus, Project Management Consultant, former Managing Director EC Harris International Abu Dhabi (t: +971 50 4580064)
Blair Maine, Property Developer, former Associate EC Harris International Abu Dhabi (t: +33 78 6428503)
Graham Stanley, Director Construction Development, Roya International (t: +971 50 4513873)
Bruce Dunnet, Head of A&E Department, Oger International Abu Dhabi (t: +971 50 6147483)
Gordon Alexander, Contract Manager, Dorsch Gruppe Abu Dhabi (t: +971 50 6854835)
Joshua John, Owner 8x8 Construction (t: +1 212-941-6
