JOHN R. EDWARDS
December 1, 2008
Re: Senior Executive Development, Design & Construction Positions
Dear Sir and/or Madam
I am writing to introduce myself and to discuss senior executive opportunities you may represent in the development, design and construction industry. Over the last thirty years I have been involved in a broad variety of large scale complex projects both nationally and internationally. Over the last almost nine years I have served as the Executive Director of Architecture and Planning in the Development, Design and Construction department for Gaylord Entertainment in Nashville, Tennessee. During this time I have been responsible for a broad range of large scale complex mixed use hotel and convention center projects that include multiple restaurants, sports bars, spas entertainment venues, fitness centers, outdoor recreational amenities, convention and meeting facilities, etc.
During this period the built projects that I have been responsible for have included 7.55 million gross square feet of new construction valued in excess of $1.35 billon. Additional projects were carried through various stages of planning and design that includes over 600 million GSF valued at over $2.45 billon. There are a broad range of secondary new and renovation projects built and planned in addition to this work.
Throughout my career and particularly during my tenure with Gaylord Entertainment I was responsible for a broad range of roles and responsibilities as follows:
THIRD PARTY AND JOINT VENTURE LIAISON: managed the interface with third party master developers and joint venture partners to facilitate the communication of the goals and objectives of all parties to assure the interest of all parties are addressed and realized through a collaborative and a mutually beneficial working relationship. This included the integration of the companys projects within surrounding large scale mixed use developments and new ground up open land developments.
JURISDICTIONAL AGENCIES MANAGEMENT: met with the local, state and federal jurisdictional agencies to review and determine the rules, regulations and laws affecting the development of the proposed projects to confirm impacts on the project programs and viability.
SITE DUE DILIGENCE: managed site due diligence efforts to determine the viability of the site that included boundary and topographic surveys, geotechnical and environmental investigations, utilities, data & telecom services, zoning and building codes reviews and analyses, Geotechnical explorations, etc. Prepared and evaluated contracts for related services for the companys execution.
PROGRAMMING: worked with the corporate development and operations teams to program all facilities for the companys new development projects including working to prepare initial conceptual budgets for the projects to assure that the companys strategic goals and objectives were defined and met.
CONCEPTUAL PLANNING: performed initial site and building planning studies to confirm sites were capable of accommodating the companys large scale, 2,300,000 SF to 2,700,000 million SF, projects. Project sites ranged in size from 38 to 100 acres.
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DESIGN CONSULTANCY MANAGEMENT: prepared, issued and evaluated responses for Requests for Proposal for Architectural, Interior Design, Engineering and all other professional design services required to plan, design and implement the companys projects. Prepared and evaluated contracts for services for the companys execution. Further served as the liaison between the company and the outside consulting teams to manage the consulting groups actives to assure that they met the companys Brand Standards, project goals, objectives, program, budget and schedule.
CONSTRUCTION MANAGEMENT: Assisted with the preparation and review of Request for Proposals for general contacting services for the projects. Assisted with contract negotiations and participate in and managing the consultants activities during the project construction phase.
PROJECT COMPLETION AND TURN OVER: worked closely with the design, construction and jurisdictional entities to assure the projects were completed per the project contract requirements and worked with the companys operational teams ramp up during construction to assure a smooth and successful start up of the project venues and turn over to operations.
MANAGEMENT STYLE: I am a highly motivated, proactive and positive person who believes in the value of people and their abilities to rise to meet and solve challenges. I believe in a collaborative environment that helps foster a better team environment, which is more conducive to producing outstanding results in all areas of business. I am able to build a strong team comprised of diverse people and organizations to allow them to function well towards achieving a common goal. I treat everyone with the same respect and consideration, yet I am a strong manager that is willing to make difficult decisions on project, consultant and personnel matters. I am able to relate to, work with and manage virtually anyone. This is based on my work and professional experiences which runs the spectrum from working as a construction laborer to working in the boardroom with the senior management groups of various companies including the Chairman of the Board and CEO of Gaylord Entertainment. I am attaching a copy of my CV. I will be glad to provide letter of reference and a list of references for your review as well. I look forward to the opportunity to speak someone in your organization in the near future to discuss opportunities you may have.
Best Regards:
John R. Edwards
Attachment: CV for John R. Edwards
CURRICULUM VITAE JOHN R. EDWARDS
PROFILE:
With both undergraduate and graduate degrees in architecture, four years of employment in the construction industry, and over thirty years of employment in the development, design and construction industry I have developed a broad range of professional and business skills associated with these industries. These skills have been acquired and honed through an aggressive pursuit of knowledge and responsibilities within the organizations in which I have practiced. This has led me through the traditional progression of roles and responsibilities up to and including that of Director of Architecture, Principal and President of my own company, Lodging & Hospitality Systems Group.
My professional skills are augmented and strengthened by a number of years of actual construction experience while employed in the field in a variety of job descriptions. Further, I have been responsible for design, production, project management, bidding and the review of qualifications of bids for projects of varying sizes and complexities up to and including our latest $780,000,000 resort and convention center.
My experience includes a broad spectrum of project types and complexities at both a national and international level. This work has included development management, master planning and rezoning; programming; corporate, medical, and speculative office buildings; institutional and industrial buildings; research facilities; sports and fitness centers; and hotel properties.
During my career I have been involved in a broad range of hospitality design and construction projects. Those projects have included large urban and suburban hotels; convention and conference center hotels; high-end destination resort hotels with spa, tennis, golf, and sailing facilities; small resort properties including free standing restaurants; and moderate priced hotels. These project have included working with numerous nationally and internationally known hotel groups including Gaylord Hotels, Mandarin Oriental Hotels, Inter-Continental, Westin Hotels, Hilton International, Occidental Hotels, Camino Real, Wyndham Hotels, Holiday Inn, Hyatt, Marriott, Sheraton, Ramada, and numerous independent hotel developers and operations groups.
Through this experience I have developed both a professional and business philosophy that allows me to bring a clear vision to bear on the challenges, opportunities, and responsibilities we face as professionals and business people in today's marketplace. The following will provide an overview of my experience and philosophy:
BUSINESS EXPERIENCE:
In addition to the traditional design and construction rolls, I have had a full range of business and management experience gained through the roles of Associate, Director of Architecture, Principal-in-charge, and President. Those experiences include the following:
Marketing and sales including contract negotiations and execution. Client liaison and account maintenance.
Corporate financial operations and procedures.
Developing firm wide operational policies including management plans for all activities including budgeting, man power projections and allocations, and full project implementation.
Vendor negotiations and contracting including consultant and subcontractor services.
BUSINESS PERSPECTIVE:
I am a goal and results oriented professional that strives at all times to accomplish tasks in a timely and effective manner. This approach is guided by certain fundamental philosophies that form the foundation for both an individual and professional approach to business. Those basic philosophies are as follows:
Service Philosophy: to provide high quality and responsive professional services to clients through meaningful communication, this facilitates clear definition of client goals and objectives which will be realized in a cooperative working environment.
Business Philosophy: to provide clients with quality and cost effective services and products to maximize their investment through effective asset and time management, simultaneously balancing this service to the client with the company's allocable resources to maintain the company's financial viability in both the near and long term.
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE:
Gaylord Hotels, 2000 to present; Executive Director of Architecture and Planning, responsible for managing all aspects of the design process for the Gaylord Brand expansion program.
RTKL Associates (large international architectural firm) 1997 to 2000; Associate Vice President and Hospitality sector coordinator. (Recruited to assist RTKL Associates with expanding their hospitality group and to develop a design-build group as an alternate line of business.)
Lodging & Hospitality Systems Group, 1990 to 1997; responsibilities - President, company founded to offer comprehensive project management, design and construction services to the real estate industry with an emphasis in hospitality projects.
The Hauseman Group, Inc., Atlanta, GA 1988-1990; responsibilities - Director of Architecture with all associated tasks. (RPA Group merged with The Hauseman Group)
RPA Group, Architects, Atlanta, GA 1986-1988; responsibilities - Executive V.P., Principal with all associated tasks from both an architectural and business standpoint. (RPA Group merged with The Hauseman Group)
Rabun Hatch Architects, Atlanta, GA 1983-1986; responsibilities - project architect, project manager, Associate. Firm specializes in hospitality design.
Thompson, Ventulett, Stainback & Associates, Atlanta, GA 1979-1983 responsibilities - project architect various hotel projects, master planning, corporate headquarters facilities
Wilkins Wood and Associates, Architects, Florence, SC 1977-1979; responsibilities - project designer, job captain, and project architect.
REPRESENTATIVE PROJECT EXPERIENCE GAYLORD HOTELS
Gaylord Mesa Resort and Convention Center, Mesa, Arizona2.35 million SF 2,000 guestroom resort and convention center located on a 100 acre site within a 3,200 acre master planned urban development. Project in concept design.
Gaylord Resort and Convention Center, Chula Vista, CA 2.67 million SF 2,000 guestroom resort and convention center located on the San Diego Bay in Chula Vista, CA just south of San Diego.
Gaylord Texan Resort and Convention Center expansion, Grapevine, Texas 500 guestrooms and 280,000 SF convention center expansion to the Gaylord Texan (see below). Project currently in Design Development. Gaylord Opryland Resort and Convention Center Expansion, Nashville, TN Expansion of the existing Nashville property to include a 420 all suite hotel and 420,000 SF of convention center expansion. Schematic Design just completed.
Gaylord National Resort and Convention Center, Oxon Hill, Maryland 2.42 million SF - 2,000 guestroom resort and convention center hotel located on the Potomac River just south of Washington, DC. Project opens March of this year, 2008.
Glass Cactus: a live performance venue and night club, Grapevine, Texas39,000 SF night club and live performance venue added on the site of the Gaylord Texan Resort and Convention Center. Project opened fall of 2006.
Gaylord Texan Resort and Convention Center, Grapevine, Texas 2.19 million SF 1,500 room resort and convention center hotel located on Lake Grapevine, Texas between Dallas and Fort Worth, Texas. Project opened in May of 2004.
Gaylord Palms Resort and Convention Center, Kissimmee, FL 2.1 million SF 1,400 room resort and convention center hotel Project opened in February of 2002.
Nashville F&B and Entertainment zoneComplete repositioning of all Food & Beverage venues in the existing hotel along with the addition of a new high end night club venue.
REPRESENTATIVE PROJECT EXPERIENCE - L&H SYSTEMS GROUP:
Russwood Properties Hotels Re-positioning various locations5 property renovation and repositioning package: budgeting, programming, design, implementation through CM as agent including FF &E
Occidental Bavaro Resort Hotel Bavaro, Dominican Republic600 room beach front destination resort hotel
Occidental Resort Hotel Costa Rica350 room destination resort hotel Pacific coast of Costa Rica
Wesley Ghandi Suites Hotel Montevideo, Uruguay 48 luxury suites, extended stay hotel, architectural redesign, FF&E selection, procurement & installation The Atria - a multi-marketfor Occidental Hotels Prototype Hotels System 150 - 500 room prototype hotel for European and Caribbean development Villanueva de Canada Villanueva, Spain 50 unit multifamily development: program budget design, materials procurement and shipping Font Remu Villas Font Remu, France 400 unit ski resort development, constructability review and budgeting Powers Ferry Holiday Inn Atlanta, GA Interior renovation and remodeling Occidental Executive Housing Isla Bonita, Venezuela60 unit housing development for Occidental Hotels
REPRESENTATIVE PROJECTS FROM ARCHITECTURAL PRACTICE:
Mandarin Oriental Hotel Miami, FL Five star 330 room hotel on Brickell Key, downtown Miami Lucayan Beach Resort Lucayan Beach, Grand Bahamas 1,800 room resort hotel and casino San Antonio Hyatt Hotel San Antonio, Texas 644 room convention center hotel, built Peachtree Sheraton Peachtree City, GA 250 room hotel and executive conference center Conference Center, built Hilton Head Hyatt Hotel Hilton Head Island, SC 200 room expansion with new ballroom and kitchen facilities, built Westshore Hyatt Casitas & Tampa, Florida 48 unit resort conference enclave with restaurant Oyster Catcher Restaurant, built Pinnacle Peak Resort & Spa, Scottsdale, Arizona 500 room high-end destination resort hotel to be operated by Hilton International. Project included golf, tennis, and spa facilities stopped at completion of Construction Documents.
Hartford Life Insurance Facility Simsbury, Connecticut 500,000 SF headquarters facility, programming & design, built
Carillon Office Park St. Petersburg, Florida 180 acre mixed use master plan with development of site features and amenities, site features and amenities, built. Raymond James Financial Center St. Petersburg, Florida 182,000 SF headquarters facility the first building built in Carillon Office Park Myrtle Beach Holiday Inn Myrtle Beach, SC damage from Hurricane Hugo, including new kitchen & laundry, housekeeping, service corridor, new Porte Cochere, Total renovation and addition to property which sustained severe hurricane damage, reconstructed. Warren Place Tulsa, Oklahoma 52 acre, 3,000,000 SF mixed use development master plan competition, managed and won, subsequently developed with hotels and office buildings.
OTHER REPRESENTATIVE PROJECTS PLANNED AND DESIGNED:
Tampa Triangle Business Park Tampa, Florida Image development and site features for a 110 acre mixed use development
Powers Ferry Landing West Atlanta, Georgia50 acre, 3,300,000 SF mixed use master plan & rezoning
Tampasphere Westin Hotel Tampa, Florida 450 room convention center hotel, designed Duke University Conference Durham, NC 200 room hotel and conference center with golf facilities, designed through CDs. Florida Center Hotel Orlando, Florida 650 room hotel with exhibition hall and convention facilities, designed through DD's Marriott Suites Hotel Marriott Suites Midtown Hotel Various site evaluations for Atlanta based real estate group Embassy Suites Hoteldevelopment of a lenders package Various site evaluations and Atlanta based real estate development group
Innsbruck Conference and Wellness Center Richmond, Virginia 180 room conference center hotel with sports & wellness center, through DD Punta de Aves Camino Real, Northern coast of Venezuela 600 unit resort hotel and villas with marinas, golf tennis, master planning,, preliminary budgets, through Design Development
Double Tree Hotel Warren Place Tulsa, Oklahoma400 room suburban hotel and convention center
The above is a partial listing of projects for which I have served as either project architect, project manager, principal-in-charge or as Executive Director of Architecture and Planning with Gaylord Hotels. These projects are indicative of the variety and complexity of my experience.
PERSONAL
Education:Bachelor of Science, Architecture, Clemson University, 1975 Overseas Center for Building Design and Urban Research, Genova, Italy, 1976 Masters of Architecture, Clemson University, 1977 Member of Tau Sigma Delta - National Honor Society for Architecture and the Allied Arts
Professional Affiliations: NCARB - National Council of Architectural Registration Boards
Professional Registrations: Georgia - 1980, Arizona - 1982, Delaware - 1984, North Carolina -1994
Recreational Interest: Tennis, golf, sailing, scuba diving, snow skiing, shooting, hunting and travel.
Travels: United States, Europe and Caribbean
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