Project Manager Engineering

Laura L. Johnson

Glen Ellyn, IL ***** / acvpbg@r.postjobfree.com / 630- 908- 0959

WORK SUMMARY

Project manager with over twenty five years of experience within the communication, power generation, water treatment and oil & gas industries. Experienced managing client contracts and support staff for source inspection services. Extensive knowledge of wireless networks, including four years managing cell tower build-outs and integration of new technologies and three years of radio frequency design. Worked directly for commercial utilities in their design engineering organization and for engineering firms supporting various programs and design basis issues for operating nuclear units.

Accomplished leader able to coordinate large projects involving multiple departments, outside vendors and contractors. Skilled at supervising system performance activities, design modifications and construction projects. Proficient in evaluating technical requirements, recommending network plans and conveying engineering direction to upper management. Proven self-starter with the ability to develop engineering efficiencies and implement proactive solutions.

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

Project Manager - Bureau Veritas North America, Inc., Lisle, IL - (2009-2016) Managed concurrent projects for key clients, monitoring project performance in accordance with contract requirements.

• Negotiated and set project rates, prepared and issued proposals, assisted on preparation and presentation of Master Service Agreements.

• Responsible for profit/loss of all assigned contracts. Exceeded $3 million annually in gross earnings for labor. Managed budgets, reviewed and approved invoices and time- sheets, facilitated in the collection of payment.

• Engaged in sales meetings for potential clients. Hired and managed inspection personnel, project coordinators and support staff.

• Managed inspection services (material verification, visual inspection, witness tests, etc.) of mechanical and electrical equipment (transformers, control panels, piping, structural steel, rotating equipment and pressure vessels) both domestically and internationally.

• Selected qualified personal based on scope of service, location, cost and schedule, issued work orders (test plans, technical reference documents, report templates, etc.), reviewed and issued inspection reports.

• Provided network operations feedback to development team for customizing the customer resource management (CRM) software, Siebel. Key user/tester, identifying issues, recommending process improvements, validating final product prior to system roll-out, training users, and providing on-site support.

• Lead expediting activities for procurement of materials for the natural gas pipeline project in Peru.

• Actively participated in office relocation, and as renter representative and department lead to on-site personnel.

Associate Engineer - Alion Science and Technology, Warrenville, IL - (2006-2009) Supported numerous engineering activities for operating and proposed nuclear power generation plants throughout the U.S.

• Engineering contractor to Smart Signal Corporation, optimized software performance models to initiate preventative maintenance prior to equipment failure, utilizing inputs from key temperature, pressure & vibration sensors.

• Assisted with the preparation of various technical documents supporting siting and licensing of new commercial nuclear plant design for submittal to the NRC.

• Provided technical assistance for system and component inspection and testing program development projects at existing nuclear stations.

• Supported various programs and design basis issues for operating nuclear units, including inspection and testing programs as well as modeling and analysis projects for ECCS system suction/supply evaluation.

• Supported projects resolving current generic safety issues related to PWR sump screen blockage modeling, analysis, and mitigation.

• Prepared purchase requests and change orders for procurement of equipment and services for Alion’s Energy Services Division.

Senior Project Manager - Wireless Concepts L.P., Schaumburg, IL - (2002-2003) Lead construction activities of 56 communication towers along the East Coast and North Central Illinois for Alltel and US Cellular.

• Principal customer contact for all deliverables and issues regarding timelines, budgets, zoning, regulatory and facility concerns. Lead bimonthly project status meetings comprised of numerous regions and departments. •

Radio Frequency Engineer - Alltel Communications, Inc., Richmond, VA - (1999-2002) Created wireless network plans, managed capacity requirements, and optimized system performance for the greater Richmond & Petersburg, VA markets.

• Performed growth forecasting and analyzed statistics for the management of 175 analog and digital cell sites.

• Developed and presented capital plan based on engineering, marketing, operations and system performance objectives.

• Designed the configuration and determined optimal locations for new communication towers by performing signal propagation analysis, implementing test transmitters, and evaluating drive-test data.

• Integrated new cell sites and modifications into existing network and monitored statistics for system impact.

• Approved co-location applications based on tower space and isolation requirements. Negotiated extension agreements, coordinated frequencies and resolved inference issues with adjacent carriers. Evaluated co-location opportunities for network suitability.

• Increased network capacity 50% through the design and implementation of a second carrier.

• Saved several million dollars through the installation of smart antennas at strategic cell sites throughout the network, thus delaying the deployment of a third carrier.

• Reduced dropped call rate 18% through the coordination and design of a system-wide analog retune.

• Authored test plan for the deployment of EVRC, evaluating and publishing results on company intranet.

Project Engineer - 360 Communications (now Verizon), Chicago, IL - (1996-1999) Implemented network build-outs for major market area throughout the Midwest, leading project teams for the installation of wireless network upgrades and overseeing multiple construction projects in varying stages of development.

• Developed and managed multimillion dollar budgets for capital projects, presenting budget plans to corporate executives & partnerships. Established critical paths and determined lead times to ensure schedules would meet market objectives.

• Prepared work scope and negotiated and awarded contracts for the constriction of cell sites. Coordinated the installation of switch upgrades, tower upgrades, digital overlays and microwave upgrades.

• Procured equipment and services and coordinated shipment and installation of equipment. Worked with the purchasing department to ensure invoices were paid on time.

• Saved company warehouse fees by reducing inventories, implementing just-in-time deliveries & utilizing existing materials. Created savings by re-deploying existing equipment to fund 3 additional projects.

• Coordinated with engineering and implemented the installation of a repeater system inside a municipal airport terminal.

BWR Engineer - Exelon / ComEd – Quad Cities Station, Cordova, IL - (1990-1995) Supervised design modification projects to mechanical, electrical, and instrumentation & control systems for Quad Cities Nuclear Generating Station.

• Prepared work scopes, created design packages, and performed design calculations. Reviewed design packages for station impact, safety standards, and technical compliance.

• Developed and performed tests on modified systems. Implemented procedure changes and updated affected technical documentation and administrative controls.

• Negotiated and awarded engineering contracts for design applications in combination with using internal resources to reduce costs.

• Provided technical guidance and financial justification for capital projects and station modifications.

• Represented engineering department during external regulatory audits and station management meetings.

• Prepared and presented technical white papers and contingency plans to station management.

Engineering Consultant - G.D.S Associates, Downers Grove, IL - (1990) Provided engineering consulting to Commonwealth Edison Company.

• Revised and managed controlled reference manuals and technical documents related to Environmental Qualification.

• Prepared monthly status reports for the Environmental Qualification Group.

Research Analyst - Marshall and Stevens,, Inc. DesPlaines, IL - (1987-1989) Conducted independent evaluations of customer assets to ascertain value integral to purchase/lease agreements.

• Interpreted market conditions in construction, manufacturing, and transportation industries.

• Performed extensive research to determine expected useful life, residual values, and future market values of industrial, electronic, and automated equipment.

EDUCATION & TRAINING

B.S.: Mechanical Engineering, University of Illinois - Chicago (1987) Illinois Professional E.I.T. (1988)

Project Management - Bureau Veritas North American Engineering Economics - 360 Applied Technology Center Project Management Overview - Commonwealth Edison Production Training Center Managing Conflict Constructively - Commonwealth Edison Production Training Center Interpersonal Managing Skills - Commonwealth Edison Production Training Center

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