Senior Executive Summary

Executive director

 



I am an award winning, energy industry recognized, task and results driven construction leader focused on creating collaborative, efficient and accountable cultures in highly competitive and technical environments. Utilizing a hands-on approach, I am known for having the experience and skillset to develop vertically integrated, highly profitable teams.  Skills that I am known for and with which I have specific, demonstrated industry expertise includes:

Capital Program and Operational Budget Management	Local, State and Federal Government Relations/Policy
P/L Management	Program/Project/Operations Management
Board of Directors Interface/Management	Project/Services Delivery Strategy
Complex Negotiations and Deal Structure	Business Development and Marketing Strategy
Project and Organizational Turn-Around (Current Position:  $5.5M Cash Turn-Around in Four Years)	Risk Management Public Speaking Incl. Radio (NPR), Bloomberg, & TV
Legal, Technical and Political Leadership	Complex Team Building
Critical Thinking, Problem Solving & Decision Making	Organizational Planning and Strategy

I bring a strong professional construction management and technical operations background having spent over 24 years helping organizations with all aspects of construction, engineering, procurement, maintenance, business operations and technical product and services delivery.   Over my career I have managed the delivery of construction projects with value totals exceeding $3.5 Billion and have had the opportunity to lead large, multi-discipline teams for clients in a variety of industries including but not limited to Energy/Utilities (including nuclear, oil, coal and gas fired generation plants), utility scale renewables, transmission, heavy infrastructure (including water, sewer, and gas) and commercial and industrial facilities (including manufacturing, warehouse, and mission critical, higher education, Department of Defense and Department of Energy).  This advanced range of experience enables me to quickly assess people, process and systems needs in a variety of environments, and lead advanced strategic initiatives to a profitable conclusion.  I have never missed a schedule or budget on a project that I lead start to finish.  My current organization has been recognized by the International organization InterSolar for operational excellence, and my organization and efforts have been publically sited for its’ importance to the overall Colorado economy by Senator Udall, Congressman Perlmutter and City of Aurora Mayor Hogan.

 

Professional Experience

MRIGlobal (MRIG) – Aurora, CO: Executive Director/DPM                                                                                 April 2009 – Present

My primary responsibility at MRIG is to lead the ground-up development, construction and operation of a World-Class Solar Research Facility with a one-of-a-kind operations model.  In addition, I have the responsibility to provide MRIGlobal with the ability to deliver highly complex, capital intensive projects that are outside the normal culture and/or expertise of the organization.

Executive Director – Solar Technology Acceleration Center:  As the Executive Director, I serve the function of Chief Executive Officer (CEO) for the organization, solely responsible for all aspects of the business.  My organization, the Solar Technology Acceleration Center (SolarTAC), is a World-Class, private, member based research and demonstration organization and facility made up of a consortium of industry leading solar companies (9 total), including large utilities, research associations, a Federal research Lab, the City of Aurora, Colorado and MRIGlobal.  I am responsible for all aspects of business operations (including financial performance for the organization), site construction, operations management, government relations as well as business development, marketing and our Public Relations including social media program.  I manage all day-to-day operations and report to a Board of Directors (made up of representatives from our founding members), on a quarterly basis. 

Accomplishments:  When I took over early in its development, SolarTAC was almost $3.5M in negative cash position while operating at a $2M per year operations deficit; had initial construction activities halted by the City and; had a debilitating stalemate with City staff as the members tried to permit non-compliant, utility scale research systems.  In the last five years I have been able to double SolarTAC’ s membership (generating over $9M in to date Revenues), put into place a $1M, sustainable operations budget and completed phase 1, 2 and 3 construction activities under a Board approved $3.5M construction budget.  At the completion of 2013, SolarTAC will have had over $50M in site investment by the members, over $1M in annual operational revenues and will finish this budget year with over a quarter of a million dollars in positive cash flow, over a half a million dollars in budget savings and over $5M in equipment donations.  Key changes that I implemented include, a complete modification to the operational business model, a restructuring of the capital delivery methodology, modified operations processes, as well as co-writing a City Ordinance that allows SolarTAC’s members to quickly and legally design,  permit, install and operate one-of-a-kind, utility scale solar research and demonstration systems.  Today, SolarTAC is adding 200 more acres to the original 74 acres, has a $2M positive cash balance, no debt, and 80% of the original 75 acres is built-out or will have construction actives initiated with the next 12-18 months.  SolarTAC has already started to produce and move award winning and world record setting technologies into the marketplace.   

Construction Program Manager – Department of Defense HCF:  In addition to my responsibilities for SolarTAC, I am also the Program Manager for a turn-key, scientific analysis, design and construction project for the delivery of a $50M High Containment Chemical testing facility for the DOD.  I manage a project team comprised of an A/E design firm, General Contractor and Agency CM firm. 

Accomplishments:  This facility has never been attempted before and is of utmost importance to National security.  Most of the specific details relating to this facility and my involvement can only be discussed in person and in general terms.  When complete, this will be the first High Containment Facility ever delivered to DOD under a turn-key science, design and construction integrated approach that I developed and implemented.  I created and implemented two special delivery mechanisms unique and never before used for DOD projects.  The first is an Allowance system that provides a mechanism for field changes to improve project efficiency and speed.  The second mechanism is an escrow system that provides funding for a large, complex, specialized construction project with a mismatched funding curve.  I completed the construction portion of the project on time and within budget.   

Other Industry Roles:  In addition, I am an appointed member of the Douglas County Colorado Planning Commission, an appointed member of Congressman Perlmutter’s Energy Leader Committee and an appointed member of the Accelerate Colorado Energy and bio-Science Committees.

MWH Global, Inc. – Denver, CO: BSG - Director of PM/CM                                                                            Jan. 2004 – April 2009

I served many functions in developing, enhancing and delivering construction services for multimillion dollar capital programs.  As second in command for the National CM Program, I supervised the development and delivery of MWH’s Construction services on projects valued over $3.5B in constructed value. 

Accomplishments:  Over my 5-year tenure I supervised the financial performance of the billion dollar CM program, the resource loading of our 500+ CM professionals across the US and personally sold services with CM fees exceeding $50M for MWH.   In addition, I developed and implemented construction management approaches for several large organizations/Programs.  Examples of this experience include:

• Las Vegas Convention Center Program ($1.3B):DPM for Risk Management


• Kansas City CIMO Program ($1.3B):DPM Project Controls


• Durham CIP Program ($600M):DPM for Construction


• CleanWater Atlanta Construction Management Program ($800M):DPM for Construction
  
  Sure Power Corporation - Denver, CO: Project Development Manager                                                          June 2001 – Sept. 2003
  
  Sure Power was a venture capital funded, distributed generation Development Company designed for implementation in mission critical facilities.  My primary responsibility was to develop the corporate construction project management/development methodology and provide comprehensive project development services, project management, and construction management activities for projects in the Western part of the country.  I was also a key member of the product development team responsible for supporting ongoing technical marketing, industry research/evaluation, lead in complex proposal/pricing development efforts as well as providing market feedback such as new product line ideas and industry opportunities.
  
  Accomplishments:  Developed a world-class development and delivery program for distributed generation systems.
  
  
  
   
  
  Carter & Burgess, Inc. - Denver, CO/Oakland, CA: Sr. Project Manager                                                    Mar. 2000 – June 2001
  
  As the senior member of the Denver Project Management Team, I was responsible for the project management of several challenging on-going design and construction projects as well as business development activities.  I was a senior member of the management staff for a new Oakland Facilities office reporting directly to the Unit Manager.  As the Senior Project Manager I was responsible for developing the team and processes for the timely and profitable delivery of all Oakland Office Facilities design and construction projects as well as all local business development activities.  In addition, I supported operations for the new office including P&L and identifying, recruiting, training and hiring a new high profile architectural and engineering design team.  Projects developed include a multitude of green-field, redevelopment and infrastructure projects. 
  
  Accomplishments:  Developed a highly profitable, multi-discipline design and construction team still operating in Oakland, CA today.  I set the standard for staff management and financial performance and evaluation for the group.
  
  Enron Energy Serv. - San Ramon, CA: Engineering Prin. through Sr. PM/Dev.                                           Aug. 1994 - Mar. 2000
  
  As a Lead Project Developer I had ultimate design and P&L responsibility for developing energy projects from point of sale to construction implementation.  Projects developed include a multitude of green-field, redevelopment and infrastructure projects.  
  
  As a Senior Project Manager I had the unique opportunity to manage large, multimillion-dollar, multidiscipline (electrical, mechanical, heavy civil, structural, architectural, fire protection, CCTV, telecommunications and security) green-field, redevelopment, and energy & infrastructure projects.  I had full responsibility for timely and accurate delivery of my projects including project profitability.  I became a leader in developing and implementing internal project management procedures used in large multidiscipline projects as well as recruiting and developing key personnel for the design group and other office staff.
  
  Accomplishments:  I successfully managed the design and construction of the two largest capital infrastructure projects ever completed for California Maritime Academy and Humboldt State University.  In addition, I developed a one-of-a-kind packaged engineering, construction, financing and energy commodity (Gas & Electric Power) project for Suiza Dairy’s.
  
  Impell Corporation - San Ramon, CA: Engineer I, II and Principal                                                                  Feb. 1991 - Aug. 1994
  
  As a young engineer, I had the unique opportunity to gain extensive multidiscipline (electrical, mechanical, civil, structural, architectural, fire protection and security) project design and engineering experience including one on one client interface, determining/managing scope, schedule and budgets for a variety of power, manufacturing and commercial industries. 
  
  Accomplishments:  Designed fire suppression and detection systems for a nuclear turbine generator (one of the first in the Country), chemical plant for Dow Chemical and a commercial high rise in San Francisco, CA.  In addition I designed an emissions monitoring system for a gas fired power plant in Pittsburg, CA.  In addition, I was set up a financial reporting system for the entire division.
  
  Education
  
  Oklahoma State University – Bachelors of FP Science, Engineering and LS Technology                                                      Dec. 1990
  
  Specialized Certifications & Awards
  
  Selected Who’s Who in Energy List (Denver Business Journal) for 2012 & 2013
  
  2013 Intersolar North America Award – Operational excellence, innovation and impact to the industry
  
  2010 MRIG Leadership Council Enterprise Award – For outstanding contributions to the betterment of the Institute
  
  State of California EIT – License:  XE102526
  
  References
  
  Burnie Zercher, President, Industrial Constructors/Managers, Inc. – M: 719.240.1293
  
  Honorable Ed Tauer, former Mayor, City of Aurora – H: 303.369.8980
  
  Dennis Whitney, Principal, Burns & McDonnell Engineers – M: 720.934.6280
  
  Christopher Votoupal, CCIA and former Deputy Press Secretary US Congressman Ed Perlmutter – M: 720.254.4592
  
  David Hiller, Executive Director Colorado Renewable Energy Collaboratory and Former Staff Advisor to US Senator Ken Salazar – C:  303.808.4222