Kenton Lloyd Girard
773-***-**** or ******@*****.***
EXPERIENCE
CR Realty Advisors, LLC - Chicago, IL - Director of Operations 2014 -
Present
Reorganized organization to provide clear direction, reporting
relationships and responsibilities for each employee. Designed bonus
program to encourage a more collaborative atmosphere, set up clear
processes and organized our physical and digital data storage. Configured
and implemented Sage 300 Construction and Real Estate (Timberline) software
system. Including property management, budgeting, accounting, reports,
document scanning and routing/approval of documents. Developed pro-formas
to evaluate new property purchases, a standard LOI and contracts.
Bridgestone Retail Operations, LLC - Bloomingdale, IL - Director, Assets &
New Store Develop 2012-2014
Bridgestone Retail Operations, LLC operates over 2,200 stores nationwide
under the Firestone Complete Auto Care, Tires Plus, Expert Tire, Hibdon and
Wheel Works brands. Responsible for the entire real estate portfolio for
Bridgestone Retail Operations, LLC with over 2,660 properties as well as
the site selection and entitlement of all new stores. Also responsible for
acquisitions, store closings, rent reductions, subtenants and various other
portfolio matters with a staff of six and another six indirect reports.
Real Estate Asset Management
. Coached and managed six direct reports including the creation of their
KPI's.
. Created repeatable forms, procedures and criteria for package
approvals. Reviewed and signed all leases along with exercising
existing options, fixed rent reductions and lease extensions
. Negotiated, reviewed and approved re-plats, store closings, surplus
sales, subleases, acquisitions, property management disputes, bargain
purchases, right of first refusal (lease and purchases), estoppels,
SNDA, purchases of existing stores as well as a large portfolio
purchase of 22 JCP stores for $55M.
New Store Development
. Started with Build to Suits, moved to fee service development and are
currently managing a self-development model. From site selection,
preliminary package approval, through final package approval,
permitting, construction and turnover
. Developed the tasks and responsibilities of the Real Estate team
members as well as spending limits
. Worked on developing market plans, budgets, approvals, delivery dates
and tracking.
. Managed new store pipeline in line with management expectations of
over 60 stores in 2013 & 2014
Bridgestone Retail Operations, LLC - Bloomingdale, IL - Director,
Construction - 2007 - 2012
New Store Construction
. Oversaw the successful delivery of over 200 new stores since 2008
. Defined the roles and responsibilities of all construction teammates
. Researched and implemented online collaborative software for better
information sharing between corporate, field, developers, designers,
environmental and our various other consultants
. Reduced costs by negotiating national contracts with national signage
vendors, lighting supplier, door and hardware supplier and a toilet
accessories/locker supplier.
. Led and managed monthly meetings with the new store opening teams,
marketing, purchasing and other departments to improve collaboration
and communication while reducing project issues and risks
. Managed through contractor bankruptcies, liens, unions and various
other unforeseen challenges
Re-Image Program
. Developed and implemented the Re-Image program from scratch, completed
the first store in spring 2008
. Researched, got approval and implemented Projectmates, a new online
project management program
. Developed the structure, bid, hired and scheduled everyone involved in
the program, including having to replace poorly performing contractors
during the program and between years to improve the program
Other
. Oversaw all racking, new signage (all new and re-imaged stores), and
ADA compliance
. Delivered the company's first Gold LEED certified store and another
store with solar panels
. Hired, managed and developed four direct and six indirect reports,
required to layoff two people
. Drove process, quality and cost improvements throughout all
construction programs which resulted in significant improvements while
our workload increased
. Managed national contracts with our FFE suppliers
. Managed through the ImagePoint bankruptcy and establishing new sign
vendors and processes
. Heavily involved in all RE software and most RE process improvement
discussions
. Worked on many new ideas - some of which are succeeding (lock program
and cell antennas) and some that didn't (gift card program, solar
trees, re-use bins, energy rebates, construction waste recycling)
PLS FINANCIAL SERVICES, INC. - Chicago, IL - Real Estate Developer/Manager
- 2005-2007
PLS is a ten year old privately held financial services firm. The Real
Estate department focused on developing and maintaining properties for the
other PLS businesses, but also managed outside tenants.
Real Estate Development and New Store Rollout
. Developed six multi-unit retail strip centers and seven ground up
freestanding retail stores
. Managed 22 tenant improvement spaces in CA, AZ, TX, WI, IL, IN
. Responsible for continual modification and design of the company's
prototype store drawings
Property Management
. Shared management of ten plus strip centers and over 200 stores (30%
owned, 70% leased)
. Hired brokers to market our properties as well as negotiated and signed
leases with new tenants
. Verified rent collection, late fees, CAM/Tax/Insurance reconciliation
and eviction when required
. Created a Property Management manual for all store managers to address
common issues and provided monthly tips for the company newsletter and
through email.
W.E. O'NEIL CONSTRUCTION COMPANY - Chicago, IL - Manager/Engineer - 1998-
2005
Lead Engineer
. Coordinated the work of over 50 contractors in the construction of a
$40 million, 25 story building
. Projects included the Bernadin, Millennium Fountain and various other
commercial projects.
Project Systems Manager
. Led change management effort focused on implementing new project
software and processes
. Led process design discussions with the Executives of six subsidiaries
to create new standards
. Reported directly to the CEO and CIO with regular presentations to the
Board of Directors
. Developed a customized training program and trained over 500 employees.
EDUCATION
THE UNIVERSITY OF CHICAGO, BOOTH SCHOOL OF BUSINESS
Master of Business Administration - 2002-2005
. Concentration in Finance and Managerial & Organizational Behavior
. Co-Chair of Real Estate Group
UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS at Urbana-Champaign
Bachelor of Science - Civil Engineering - 1995-1998
. Study Abroad - Semester at Sea - 1997
UNIVERSITY OF HOUSTON - Houston, TX
Transferred after two years - 1993-1995
. Academic scholarship
. Honors College and Dean's list
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Eagle Scout, Licensed Real Estate Broker since 2002