Executive Leader
Resume:
Rick J. Volk
Charleston
SC *****
*********@*****.***
Accomplished senior executive with 25+ years of progressive leadership experience managing complex, multimillion-dollar projects and programs in Heavy Civil Construction, Design-Build, Public-Private Partnership (P3), Civil Engineering, Toll, and Transportation Project Development industries.
Strategic visionary with an excellent history of project awards, profit maximization, and client satisfaction. Documented record of strong, decisive executive leadership in organizations ranging from Globally Focused Fortune 500, Turnaround, and Start-Up Organizations, including Jacobs Engineering Group (CH2M) and Koch Performance Roads, Inc. (Subsidiary of Koch Industries, Inc.).
Deep understanding of critical business drivers in multiple industries, seizing control of critical problem areas and delivering on customer commitments. Considerable expertise with a clear focus on governance, people and team development and driving business reputation, revenue growth, and EBITDA.
Bachelor’s degree in civil engineering from Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, and Juris Doctor degree in law from Widener University in Wilmington, Delaware.
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
LuMar, LLC
Business advisory services providing: (1) strategic management and leadership for the successful origination and implementation of major programs and projects; (2) transactional analysis and advice for mergers and acquisitions; (3) identification and development of strategic partnerships; and (4) the development and implementation of strategic business plans.
Chief Executive Officer 01/2021 – Current
Scope: Research and identify target companies for acquisition and/or partnership, including solicitation, negotiation, and integration activities. Provide business development services by evaluating new program and project opportunities that align with client business strategies. Develop strategic approach to originate and capture new opportunities, including sales, strategy planning, and training services. Develop and implement strategic plans enabling companies to build new or grow existing business lines.
Jones, Carter Inc.
Corporate leader in the professional services sector with over $100M in fiscal 2019 revenue. Company provides professional, technical, scientific, and construction & program management services for business, industrial, commercial, government & infrastructure sectors.
Director of Construction Engineering & Inspection and Ports & Maritime 07/2019 – 09/2020
Scope: Strategic development and delivery of services to start a new business practice. Lead development of major transportation programs and projects. Generating new multimillion-dollar revenue stream. Starting another new business practice in ports and tasked with expanding geographic footprint of company.
Revenue: $2.5M, Team: 4 direct reports, 4 geographic regions and 2 divisions.
Focus: Establishing and growing new business by acquiring key projects with customer-focus, strategic partnering, establishing differentiators, and increasing success rate.
Projects:
$173M US-175 (Design-Bid-Build), Anderson and Cherokee Counties, Texas. Providing executive oversight to deliver construction management & engineering services to Texas Department of Transportation, Tyler District. Developing project team, establishing key partnerships, developing strategies for success, and assuring client satisfaction.
$500M Lake Ralph Hall Program (Design-Build and Design-Bid-Build), Lewisville, Texas. Providing executive leadership to a team of 5 firms. Leading pursuit and delivery strategy of program to design and build dam, spillways, reservoir, lift & pumping stations and 30-mile conveyance system to supply water to 3 counties.
$235M IH-45 (Design-Bid-Build), Walker County, Texas. Providing executive oversight to deliver construction management & engineering services to Texas Department of Transportation, Houston District. Developing project team, establishing key partnerships, developing strategies for success, and assuring client satisfaction.
Strategic Development of Plans for Port & Maritime Business and Geographic Growth. Creating organization, developing strategies, and implementing processes for growth into new business line and geographically beyond the State of Texas.
Jacobs Engineering Group Inc. (Acquired CH2M, Inc.)
Global leader in the professional services sector with $15B in fiscal 2017 revenue when combined with full-year CH2M revenues. Company provides scientific, technical, professional, construction, program management services for business, industrial, commercial, government and infrastructure sectors.
Global Director of Major Programs and Projects (CH2M, Inc.) 06/2013 – 02/2018
Scope: Lead development of major transportation programs and projects and generating new multimillion-dollar revenue stream with margins exceeding traditional delivery. Oversight of global operations for business and strategic development and delivery of services.
P&L: $330M, Budget: $4.5M, Team: 5 reports, 7 geographic regions and 7 divisions, including highways & bridges, transit & rail, ports & marine, aviation, tunneling, construction, and P3 advisory.
Focus: Growing transportation business by acquiring key programs and projects with customer-focus, strategic partnering, establishing differentiators, and increasing success rate.
Generated $330M in revenue, doubling EBIT to $86M in under 4 years, and improved success rate from 0% in 2013 to 50% in 2017.
Projects:
$5.25B Panama Canal Expansion Program (Program Management) and $3.3B Third Set of Locks Project (Design-Build), Panama. Providing executive oversight of program management services to Panama Canal Authority. Developing Contingency Management Transition Plan, avoiding contract default after design-builder quit project.
$1.2B Westside Subway Extension Project (Design-Build), Los Angeles, California. Lead pursuit and delivery strategy of 4-mile extension of subway underneath Wilshire Boulevard including three stations, resulting in successful selection of design-build team and high-profit margins from partnering and contract negotiations.
$136.7M Mopac Improvement Project (Design-Build), Austin, Texas. Turning around late and over budget project by reducing costs, operational improvements and meeting all remaining schedule milestones. Project included 11+ miles of new managed lanes, two under-crossings, bridge widenings, new sound walls, and a shared-use path.
United Infrastructure Group, Inc.
One of Southeast’s leading firms in infrastructure industry and leader in diversified markets, including engineering, construction, design-build, public-private partnerships, safety, infrastructure, and transportation.
Chief Operating Officer 02/2011 – 05/2013
Scope: Responsible for three key areas: originating, developing, and managing major projects; executive oversight of construction, engineering, and international operations; and identifying, evaluating, and negotiating acquisition and strategic alliance opportunities.
P&L: $100M, Budget: $15M, Team: 7 direct and 200 indirect reports plus 4 divisions, including construction, estimating, administration, and M&A.
Focus: Increasing success rate and profitability, leading all aspects of organization, and expanding operations through acquisitions and strategic alliances.
Increased revenues and EBITDA by 30%, improving delivery of construction services to increase margins, successfully acquired company.
Projects:
$365M Monroe Bypass (Design-Build) Project, Monroe, North Carolina. Lead strategic development and negotiation resulting in successful award of 21 miles of new 4-lane divided highway with 28 bridges.
$405M Statewide Bridge Program (Design-Build), Missouri. Directing efficient delivery of design and construction services resulting in completion ahead of schedule with margins higher than expected. Project consisted of replacing 400+ bridges.
VP3 LLC
Chief Executive Officer 08/2008 – 01/2011
Scope: Providing business management services to companies in pursuit of major transportation projects. Developing strategies for project success in originating, developing, and managing projects. Developing internal teams and implementing efficient processes.
Focus: Acquiring and delivering mid-size and mega transportation projects by applying market knowledge, transportation experience, and relationships with key firms in public-private partnership and design-build industries.
Projects:
$1.9B Downtown Tunnel, Midtown Tunnel, Martin Luther King Freeway Extension PPTA (Finance-Design-Build-Operate-Maintain) Project, Norfolk, Virginia. Commercial Manager, providing business strategy and project expertise resulting in successful win of General Engineering Services Contract and providing oversight expertise to VDOT for design and construction of new 2-lane tunnel under Elizabeth River, operational improvements to existing Midtown and Downtown Tunnels, and extension of MLK from London Boulevard to I-264.
$12.8B Pennsylvania Turnpike Privatization Project, Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. Risk Analyst, providing risk analysis services to team pursuing potential privatization of Pennsylvania Turnpike. At the invitation of the Governor, investment and advisory groups expressed interest in privatizing turnpike, 537-mile highway system connecting Ohio and New Jersey.
Hubbard Construction Company (Acquired Roadway Management, Inc.)
In 2011, Hubbard Construction Company acquired Roadway Management, Inc., a pavement preservation company based in Central Florida, and operating throughout Eastern U.S.
Executive Vice President, Roadway Management, Inc. 04/2009 – 09/2010
Scope: Developing innovative pavement management systems, assembling and managing teams, creating processes for successful origination of projects, development of proposals, and delivery of services.
Revenue: $75M, Team: 4 direct and 50 indirect reports.
Awarded major design-build project and creation of business unit to continue project pursuits.
Project:
$21.5M Monroe Pavement Management Design-Build Project, Monroe, CT. Project Principal, leading development and implementation of design-build pavement management project, awarded project consisting of evaluating roadway network, optimizing pavement rehabilitation and maintenance plan, and implementing construction and preservation applications.
SemMaterials, LP
Company supplies asphalt products and specializes in origination, development, and management of design-build and P3 projects within U.S. transportation industry and acquired New Century Transportation, LLC.
Director of Infrastructure Services 09/2007 – 07/2008
Scope: Providing business management services during transition of New Century acquisition. Creating business unit to develop and manage major transportation projects.
Awarded development agreement for $350M highway project after assembling and training team, developing processes, leveraging market knowledge in public-private partnership and design-build industries.
Project:
$350M Veterans Parkway Public-Private Partnership (Finance-Design-Build-Operate-Maintain) Project, Decatur, Alabama. Project Principal, leading development and negotiation of Public-Private Partnership project, awarded development agreement to finance, design, build, operate and maintain 21-mile divided highway creating bypass around City of Decatur.
New Century Transportation, LLC
Management services company providing business and development expertise to companies interested in developing major transportation projects and was acquired by SemMaterials, LP in 2007.
Chief Executive Officer 04/2005 – 08/2007
Scope: Leading development of major transportation projects, developing strategy to acquire and deliver mid-size and mega transportation projects by leveraging market knowledge, expertise in transportation sector and strategic alliances with key firms.
Acquired rights to Veterans Parkway project in Alabama and sold company to SemMaterials, leading development of business strategy and project pursuits.
Koch Performance Roads, Inc. Subsidiary of Koch Industries, Inc.
Private company in oil and gas industry and works to provide clients with full asphalt and paving services.
Vice President 02/1998 – 03/2005
Scope: In charge of strategies for startup sale of new polymer-modified asphalt (PMA) in U.S. leading to development of new highway construction projects with innovative long-term pavement warranties and management systems. Responsible for assembling and managing teams, developing proposals for public-private partnership and design-build projects, customer relationships, negotiation of contracts and implementation of projects.
Supporting Revenues: $236M, Project P&L, $30M, Team: 5 direct and 25 indirect reports.
Focus: Leading strategies and developing team to market and sell PMA to state DOTs.
Awarded major transportation projects with win rate of 50%, leading business development and marketing strategies to state DOTs.
Projects:
$7.9B I-81 Widening PPTA (Finance-Design-Build) Project, Virginia. Project Principal and Co-Leader, leading development and negotiation of 325 miles of 4 to 8-lane divided highway, including 4-lane truck-only facility. Awarded contract including planning, finance, public relations, permitting, right-of-way, utility coordination, design, construction, maintenance, and toll operations. Led team of 42 firms consisting of constructors, engineering firms and financial institutions.
$236M Route 288 PPTA (Design-Build) Project, Richmond, Virginia. Project Principal, leading development, negotiation, and implementation of 17.5-mile, 4-lane divided highway with 25 bridges. Awarded contract including planning, public hearings, public relations, permitting, right-of-way coordination, utility coordination, design, construction, and long-term warranties.
$83M Route 58 PPTA (Design-Build) Project, Hillsville to Stuart, Virginia. Project Specialist, providing pavement expertise to Branch Highways, Inc. Awarded widening 36 miles of Route 58 Corridor in Virginia, including planning, public hearings, public relations, permitting, utility coordination, design, and construction.
Delaware River and Bay Authority
Charged with providing vital transportation links between two states as well as economic development in Delaware and four southern counties of New Jersey.
General Manager and Director of Engineering, 04/1987 – 01/1998
Scope: Leading operations of bi-state toll agency, including toll operations, maintenance, engineering, and capital improvement projects for highway, bridge, airport, and marine facilities. Implementing policies and decisions of Board of Commissioners with six commissioners from New Jersey and six from Delaware.
Spend Accountability: $250M Capital Improvement Program, Supporting Revenues: $70M, Budget: $10M, Team: 7 direct and 500+ indirect reports plus 5 divisions, including tolls, maintenance, engineering, customer service, and HR.
Focus: Overseeing operations and increasing revenues.
Projects:
$250M Capital Improvement Program. Project Executive, developing project needs for advancement of economic development and improvements to existing infrastructure facilities. Successfully implemented new bond issues to fund program.
Fiber-Reinforced Composite Bridge Structure. Project Executive, providing oversight for all-composite bridge structure, pioneering use of composites in civil infrastructure.
Composite Marine Fendering System. Project Executive, leading innovative use of fiber-reinforced composites in marine fendering systems by replacing steel and timber systems at Cape May, New Jersey and Lewes, Delaware Ferry terminals.
SKILLS AND PROFESSIONAL DEVLOPMENT
Strategic Leadership, Driving Excellence, P&L Management, Performance & Quality Standards, Acquisitions & Integrations, Improving Effectiveness & Efficiency Metrics, Growth Strategies, Operational Infrastructure of Systems, Processes & Projects, Delivery of Major Projects, Negotiations & Deal Structuring, Building Relationships & Strategic Alliances.
EDUCATION
Widener University School of Law, Wilmington, Delaware - JD, Law
Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Virginia - BS, Civil Engineering, Graduated Magna Cum Laude
PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS
Registered Professional Engineer
Membership in the Delaware State Bar Association, Attorney
International Bridge, Tunnel and Turnpike Association; Director, 1996-1998
Superior Court of the State of Delaware, Mediator
Construction Industry Round Table, Member
American Society of Civil Engineers, Member
Civil Engineering Research Foundation, Member
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