Project Manager
Resume:
Ralph L. Cochran
Professional Resume
Experience Summary and Detail: 1974 to Present
Over 30 years progressive work experience in program and project management. Results
oriented individual experienced on all phases of large multi-billion dollar heavy industrial
programs including R&D, design engineering, procurement, fabrication, installation and
checkout of large complex facilities and systems. Expert level knowledge and work
experience in Cost Engineering, Planning and Scheduling, Contract Administration,
Delay Claims and Dispute Analysis. Recently completed continuing education certified
training courses on Primavera (P6) Release 8 and PRISM Project Manager G2 Version
3.0. Industries supported include: Aerospace, Utilities/Electric, Power/Energy,
Petrochemical and Refining, and Environmental Control and Waste Management.
Project Controls Advisor (Agrium Chemicals) Pathfinder Consultants, LLC
3/13- Present
Project Controls Manager on the Lightning Project which is a new $3 Billion nitrogen
fertilizer production facility to be designed and constructed outside St. Louis, Missouri.
Project work scope broken down via project work breakdown structure (WBS) to include
EPC Contract for Inside Battery Limits (ISBL) work and Agrium Inc. self- performed
work for off-sites and utilities (OSBL). Created standardized WBS template for the
project which allowed integrated project controls approach through the common WBS
structure and code of accounts (COA). Overall Project EPC Schedules once integrated
were resource loaded (man-hours and costs) in order to produce earned value reports for
the project. Project currently in suspension mode due to Owners need to find joint
venture partner for the project. Currently working part-time as Executive Consultant with
Pathfinder, LLC.
Project Controls Advisor (Nova Chemicals) Pathfinder Consultants, LLC
7/12-2/13
Developed Owners Integrated Project Control System and Procedures built around
Primavera CPM Scheduling Software and Prism Cost Manager Software programs for
new Polyethylene Plant Expansion. Project Control System currently being implemented
on several projects including a $1 Billion Dollar chemical plant expansion program.
Developed project schedules for a portfolio of nine different smaller capital expenditure
projects. Resource loaded project schedules for manpower loading and cash flow.
Developed plant outage schedule which required pre-fabrication of several modules prior
to plant outage. Resource loaded schedule with man-hours from the cost estimate which
included over 215 different plant tie-in points across seven different plant areas and over
35 different systems. Schedule based upon hourly durations during outage and will be
used during 2 upcoming plant outages.
Project Management Consultant R. L. Cochran & Associates
1/11-3/12
Senior Advisor to Anadarko Petroleum Company responsible for providing hands-on
development and implementation of project control cost and schedule control systems
utilized on $160M Chapita Train 3 Cryogenic Gas Processing Plant (NGL) located
outside Vernal, Utah. Utilized latest version of Primavera CPM Scheduling Software
(7.0), Prism Cost Manager Program (G2) and SAP accounting system to produce earned
value reports.
Project Management Consultant ExcoResources Corp
1/10-1/11
Senior Advisor to ExcoResources responsible for developing earned value reporting
system for $220M pipeline expansion and gas treatment facility projects utilizing latest
version Primavera CPM Scheduling Software (version 6.2) and Excalibur financial
reporting system. Successfully implemented earned value reporting system on major
pipeline projects, compressor and gas treatment facilities.
Field Project Control Manager Bechtel Power Corp.
7/09-1/10
Field Project Manager for the $1.2B Al Khalij oil fired Power Project located outside
Tripoli, Libya. Developed Integrated Project Schedule for overall management and
reporting of five different furnish and erect contracts. Assignment terminated early due
security risks.
Project Management Consultant R. L. Cochran & Associates
1/08-7/09
Senior Advisor to Anadarko Petroleum Company responsible for providing hands-on
development and execution of all project control cost and schedule management
processes and systems used on the $165M Chapita Train 2 Cryogenic Gas Processing
Plant (NGL) located outside Vernal, Utah. Project completed ahead of schedule and
under budget.
Manager- Project Controls Department CH2M Hill Denver
3/07-1/08
Responsible for the development, implementation, training and execution of all project
control processes and systems in the power generation division. Ensured that all project
control activities such as project administration, change management, project estimating,
cost management, and schedule management were executed in a timely fashion and in
accordance with all company standards and contractual requirements using latest
company standards for earned value reporting.
Principle Cost and Schedule Engineer Bechtel National Inc.
12/04 – 2/07
Lead Planning and Scheduling Engineer (December 2004-October 2005) for the Ground-
Based Midcourse Defense project located at Ft. Greely, Alaska. Responsible for
preparation and maintenance of the Ballistic Missile Defense Operational Schedule. Lead
Project Schedule Engineer (November 2005-January 2006) for the Defense Threat
Reduction Agency (DTRA) program in the Bechtel Moscow office developing schedules
and budgets for security system installations at missile sites. Later assigned (February-
2006-June 2006) as a member of the Los Alamos Management Transition Team
(January-June 2006). Produced weekly cost and schedule earned value reports during site
transition to new company called Los Alamos National Security (LANL). From July
2006 until February 2007, worked overseas in Vietnam as Bechtel Advisor to Shanghai
Electric Company.
Project Control Manager Stone & Webster Engineering
5/02 – 11/04
Project Controls Manager on the $650M Harrison County 550MW Combined Cycle
Power Plant located outside Marshall, TX. Performed construction management services
and oversight of twelve different sub-contractors who provided construction and start-up
aspects of the project. Supervised a staff of four Project Control Engineers providing
weekly cost and schedule management reports for the project. This project was evaluated
by the company as the number one project for project management implementation using
Shaw Trac earned value reporting. This project was completed ahead of schedule and
under budget.
Project Control Manager Stone & Webster Engineering
11/00 – 4/02
Responsible for the cost and scheduling effort at the $750M 550MW Cordova Combined
Cycle EPC Power Project located in Cordova, Illinois. Responsible for developing a
bottoms-up reforecast of the project, which 9 months later resulted in the project meeting
committed cost and schedule projections.
Planning & Scheduling Supervisor Raytheon Engineering & Construction
9/98 - 10/00
Responsible for all front-end planning and construction aspects of power plant and
industrial facility projects within the fossil power division. Duties include developing,
monitoring, updating, and reporting on EPC projects valued at over $3 billion.
Program Management Analyst R.L. Cochran & Associates, LLC
10/93 - 9/98
Performed technical support services at five U.S. Department of Energy sites in support
of environmental restoration and waste cleanup. Instrumental in developing resource
loaded scheduling concepts at each site using parametric schedule logic and cost model
techniques to produce time-phased estimates and the project performance measurement
baseline plans for technical, cost, and schedule control. Additional experience during this
timeframe included developing front-end loaded schedules and budgets for the Bechtel/
Phillips 66 PAC-RIM LNG project located in Canada.
Program Planning Manager University Research Association
4/91 - 10/93
Employed by the U.S. Department of Energy Superconducting Super Collider high energy
physics research laboratory located outside Dallas, Texas. Responsible for the $6.2B engineering
and construction program control functions (technical, cost, schedule) required to support DOE
order 4700.5 (Project Management System). Duties included hands-on operation and
maintenance of a performance measurement based tracking system (Open Plan/Cobra) for earned
value measurement and reporting. Supervised department of twelve personnel providing project
management oversight of major subcontracts and reporting requirements to the DOE.
Project Control Manager Spear Consultants Corporation
10/90 - 4/91
Employed at TVA Watts Bar Nuclear Plant. Contracted for six months to lead a team of
ten project control engineers responsible for developing plant restart schedules/budgets
for design engineering, procurement, construction and plant start-up operations.
Successfully developed an integrated project control system, which electronically
interfaced departmental functions into a central database for project administration and
reporting of cost and schedule performance.
Principle Engineer Westinghouse Savannah River Company
3/89 - 10/90
Task force leader on the conceptual and detail design of the integrated project control
system development (Open Plan/Microframe Program Manager) utilized by the
Department of Energy for compliance with DOE order 4700.1 (Project Management
System). Led bid review team responsible for acquisition of above management system
hardware and software. Coordinated sub-system program design and development.
Participated in system procedure writing, and establishment of a comprehensive project
management-training program for Project Managers, Cost Account Managers, and
Project Control Engineers. Performed subcontract administration duties for both the
technical and training consultants engaged.
Senior Project Engineer Spear Consultant Corporation
4/88 - 3/89
Developed project completion budgets for the Plant Vogtle Nuclear Plant located outside
Waynesboro, Georgia. Utilized Project-2 scheduling software and the master tracking
system (MTS) and statistical analysis system (SAS) for monitoring project schedule and
budget performance during construction completion and plant startup operations.
Supervised department of 16 cost and schedule engineers producing weekly labor cost
reports and monthly project performance/forecast reports.
Senior Associate The Nielson-Wurster Group
1/87 - 4/88
Sponsored pre filed cost and schedule testimony with the Texas State Public
Service Commission on behalf of Central Power and Light Company (co owners of
the South Texas Nuclear Project). Led team of ten professional engineers
responsible for documenting excusable/compensable delays of the project and
reasonableness of costs incurred during construction and plant startup operations.
Prepared successful rebuttal testimony against auditor’s report which
recommended major cost disallowances for the project and provided litigation
support as required during rate case hearings.
Project Scheduling Supervisor Spear Consultants Corporation
6/84 to 1/87
Performed expert witness testimony and litigation support to Georgia Power Company
during the rate case hearings for Plant Vogtle Nuclear Units located outside Waynesboro,
Ga. Supervised staff of 25 technical cost and schedule engineers responsible for
preparing pre-filed cost and schedule reconciliation reports on behalf of Georgia Power
Company, which documented excusable/compensable delays of the project during
engineering, procurement, construction, and plant startup operations. Prepared successful
rebuttal testimony against auditor’s report, which recommended major cost disallowances
against the project and provided litigation support as required during the hearings.
Project Controls Specialist Bechtel Power Corporation
11/79 - 6/84
On loan from Bechtel to several different utility company organizations supporting client cost and
schedule controls development and implementation. Worked in several positions within Bechtel
including Manager of Technology Transfer for Asian Operations and Outage Supervisor at the
Rancho Seco Nuclear Plant located outside Sacramento, California.
Chief Planning Engineer Stone and Webster Engineering
1/78 - 11/79
Supervised department of thirty Project Control Engineers at the Shippingport Nuclear
Power Plants (units 2/3) during construction and startup operations. Implemented the
companies first fully integrated cost and schedule control system which produced weekly
labor man-hour reports illustrating both engineering and construction performance using
earned-value measurement and reporting techniques.
Project Control Manager Westinghouse Electric Company
1/76 - 1/78
Developed and implemented computerized estimating, cost/schedule, material control,
and financial control management systems on two international nuclear power plant
projects. Upon returning to the Unites States, developed corporate project control
procedures and training programs. Later promoted to Division Manager- Project Controls
Senior Cost Engineer Bechtel Power Corporation
6/74 - 1/76
Assigned to the Vogtle Nuclear Power Plant located in Waynesboro, Ga.
Developed project budgets for both engineering and construction including direct,
indirect and overhead accounts. Upon temporary cancellation of the project,
assigned to the Coronado Generating Station located in St. Johns, AZ. Produced
weekly field labor reports for subcontracts and monitoring of overhead and indirect
accounts.
Chief Planning Engineer Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Pasadena California
6/68 - 6/74
Project scheduler for Mariner and Pioneer unmanned spaceflight probes to Mars and
Jupiter. Advanced to Long Range Planning Engineer at JPL responsible for developing
laboratory 5-15 year space flight program budgets and schedules, which were used by
NASA for congressional budget appropriations.
Education and Professional Affiliations
California Institute of Technology, Pasadena Ca. Aerospace Technology
(1974)
Glendale College, Glendale, Ca. A.S. degree (with honors) in Aerospace Technology
(1971)
Active member of American Association of Cost Engineers and the Project Management
Institute.
Recipient of the Quality Achievement Award (1990) at the Savannah River Site in support of
project management system’s development and implementation.
FAA certified: Commercial Pilot, Instrument Rating, Flight Instructor’s License, and Control
Tower Operation License.
Recently completed certified training courses in Primavera (P6) Release 8, PRISM Project
Manager G2 and SAP accounting system.
Personal Information
Employer: R.L. Cochran & Associates, LLC established in Houston 1993
Home Address: 714 Crooked Y Point, Castle Rock, Colorado
Cell Phone: 303-***-****
Availability: Currently available for short or long term (domestic or international)
assignments. Passport current.
E-Mail Address: *************@*******.***
Contact this candidate