Project Management Leader - PM/Operations Excellence

Rebecca Ramos-Franceschini, Esq.

787-***-**** ****.******@*****.*** LinkedIn Profile

PROJECT MANAGEMENT AND ADMINISTRATION

Strategic Development • Organizational Development • Budget Control • HR / Corporate Compliance Technology Integration • Program Development • SOPs / Policy Making • Contract Management • Team Training Snapshot: Experience managing multimillion-dollar projects in Puerto Rico and the US Mainland achieving ambitious targets. Thrust innovation plans to strengthen financial ratios, employee engagement and compliance.

- Foster continuous improvement mindset.

- Drive cross-collaboration initiatives.

- Collaborate in bills and public affairs initiatives.

- Provide HR insight for effective decision making.

- Instill empowerment and an open-door culture.

- Align multidisciplinary teams with corporate goals. PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

IEM International, Inc

Project Manager (October 2024 – March 2026)

Manage a $1.2B vegetation clearing project funded by FEMA’s Disaster Recovery Mitigation Program for Hurricane María, ensuring compliance with budget, timelines, and regulatory requirements.

Developed and implemented Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) to enhance project efficiency and compliance.

Provide direct support to vendors, overseeing daily operations, tracking project tasks, and auditing work progress to maintain efficiency and accuracy.

Monitor and validate invoices, expenses, and worked hours to ensure financial accountability and budget adherence.

Prepare task orders, evaluate change orders, and coordinate planned outages to facilitate project execution with minimal service disruption.

Support disaster recovery efforts for Hurricane Fiona by formulating new projects, analyzing damages data, and preventing duplication of recovery funds

Custom Group, LLC

Procurement and Contract Management Officer (April 2023 – Present) Managed and coordinated procurement and contract management operations for VCA/504 funds as the Program Manager of Puerto Rico Public Housing Administration: 71 Bid Processes

Prepared and reviewed procurement documents for bidding processes, encompassing public notices, registers, bid packages, memoranda, resolutions, notifications, and other relevant documents.

Managed claims in collaboration with stakeholders.

Promoted ongoing enhancements in competitive bidding practices by reviewing and refining Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs).

Managed contract management responsibilities, including enforcing contract terms, reviewed invoices, aiding upper management in drafting letters and memoranda, ensured compliance with necessary documentation, conducting meetings with stakeholders for decision-making purposes, and maintained record of contacts durations, insurances, invoices and associated due dates. Autonomous Municipality of Ponce

Executive Director, Department of Housing and Community Development (January 2021 – March 2023) Member of staff outlining strategies and key decision making for the Municipality managing HUD funds, CDBG- DR, and ARPA funds. Lead 70 direct reports. Budget: $110M.

Served as the Primary Point of Contact for the CDBG-DR Programs with PR Department of Housing as Program Manager and leader for all initiatives. Programs included City Revitalization, R3, and Non-Federal Match. Ensured Municipality compliance with scope of work, budget, and regulations, overseeing regular monitoring and staff supervision. Implemented diverse strategies, evaluated team performance, managed logistics, coordinated with local departments and state agencies, and instituted controls to enhance the success of the programs.

Managed HUD funds: CDBG, ESG, HOME, Section 8 (voucher), and Continuum of Care funds. Executed diverse strategies in adherence to fund regulations for housing repairs, constructions, and services. Oversaw monitoring and established controls for all funds to address findings from various evaluation.

Engaged as board member for ARPA funds, involving the formulation of strategies, controls, programs, and monitoring periods for funds disbursements. Led various projects aimed at reducing unused opened spaces and addressing abandoned houses.

Supervised and actively participated in procurement processes for various funds, both local and federal. Managed actions, purchases, RFPs, RFQs, RFIs, and other related tasks. Additionally, contributed to the development of strategies to optimize the efficient and timely utilization of funds aligning with the specific procurement processes mandated for each fund.

Ideanovations, LLC

Operations Project Manager (July 2020 – December 2020) Assumed the leadership of a technology project for a major insurance company with the need to expand service offerings with a cutting-edge telemedicine platform. Lead 12 direct reports. Budget: $3.5M.

Evaluated operational requirements to ensure module compliance with internal policies, procedures, and regulations of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS).

Participated in new vendor negotiations.

Developed budget, timeline, milestones, workplans and compliance components.

Defined and delivered solutions to establish standard processes and quality experiences.

Identified and analyzed data to isolate issues, develop solutions and prioritize opportunities.

Maximized resource utilization enhancing organizational results.

Created, maintained, and disseminated project information to stakeholders and senior management. Caduceus Healthcare, Inc

Associate VP of Programs / Regional Program Director (July 2017 – July 2020) Member of the leadership team outlining strategies and key decision making for a company that manages public health programs through project implementation, research, educational campaigns, and professional outsourcing for government and military clients including the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Department of Defense, Indian Reservations and Veterans Affairs. Regional office administration, real estate oversight and staff supervision of 150 associates (25 direct reports). Budget: $30M (programs and operating expenses).

Created the structure and logistics for the Airport Site Coordinator Program for the Chicago O’Hare International Airport and Miami International Airport for the COVID-19 response jointly with the CDC. o Comprised of 50+ resources (MDs, RNs, infectious disease specialists, and others). o Passenger screening services.

o Project cost: $109M, divided among multiple airports nationwide.

Devised strategy and direction, prepared invoicing, participated in meetings, and communicated with clients to satisfy needs and expectations both in Puerto Rico and the US Mainland.

Conducted strategic planning and financial analysis; collaborated in budgeting process.

Managed the Indian Reserve project ($4M) offering primary medical care services.

U.S. Department of Defense: outsourcing of healthcare providers (dietitians, nurses, anesthesiologists, and anesthesiologist assistants, among others) for programs in New Mexico and California.

Revamped the organizational structure including HR administration: recruitment and selection, employee relations, payroll, legal and regulatory compliance, disciplinary actions, terminations and corrective actions, patient records (including credentials), training, job descriptions, background checks, onboarding processes, performance evaluations, benefits orientation, compensation, and audits. o Coordinated three team building events to strengthen interdepartmental synergy. o Aligned internal policies with federal government standards. o Interpreted policies to advise corporate and clients on labor issues. o Collaborated in the development of the Employee Handbook.

Developed the COVID-19 protocols.

Advised the Management Team on expense forecasts for client contracts.

Outlined project strategy and direction, prepared invoicing, participated in meetings and communicated with clients to satisfy needs and expectations both in Puerto Rico and the US Mainland.

Conducted strategic planning and financial analysis; assisted in budgeting process.

Worked with scientists to develop implementation procedures and coordinate the required changes.

Offered consulting on local laws and regulations in human resources, taxes, and notarial matters.

Supported business development initiatives by collaborating in office space leasing and purchasing and identifying entities that are a good fit for the organization and potential individual investors.

Administered real estate owned by the president, key contact for FEMA leasing contract. Caduceus Healthcare, Inc

Program Manager (April 2016 – July 2017)

Managed and coordinated HR functions and contracts for public health programs, through project implementation, research, educational campaigns, and professional outsourcing. Supervision of 100 associates.

Participated in several Zika projects in Hawaii, California, Florida, Texas, Georgia, and Puerto Rico: o Conducted an initiative serving as base for future research with $12M budget, jointly with the CDC. o Accountabilities: questionnaires, passenger interviews, field research, patient monitoring, lab sampling technicians, and others; obtained pandemic data and vector control to avoid propagation.

Assisted in creation of Statements of Work for all open positions; contacted MTFs; prepared a recruiting file and master copy for each new project and submitted program management reports.

Interfaced with federal government staff, and other cognizant government officials.

Provide programmatic and scientific support to subject matter experts and other stakeholders. Puerto Rico Emergency Management Agency, San Juan, PR Executive Director Advisor (Dec. 2013 – Mar. 2016) Managed planning and logistics for multiple programs and projects divided in two primary areas: Mitigation and Public Assistance. Liaison between the Executive Director and the Governor's Authorized Representative (GAR) before FEMA, for an agency with 400+ employees and $126MM budget. Tracked, analyzed, and provided advice on all operational and policy issues including investigations for HR disciplinary actions.

Led office restructuring, strengthening recruitment and training processes for mitigation and public assistance programs; supported planning prior to federal monitoring.

Reviewed and evaluated operational documents for the Executive Director's clearance or approval: reported and recommended on technical assistance reports, emergency management operations business plans, and change in scope memoranda.

Reviewed the effectiveness and consistency of local municipalities' emergency programs with the PREMA partnership strategy and policies.

Addressed input and guidance to senior staff on management views covering the full range of operations, documents, and issues.

Led efforts in completing technical tasks, supervised staff performance and provided clear direction and regular monitoring and feedback on performance. Liaison between operational staff and municipalities on numerous emergency and disaster recovery issues.

Wrote papers and presentations for the director for use during legislative hearings.

Coordinated with local and federal agencies to avoid the loss of $12MM in funding from FEMA.

Achieved funding commitment closings: project volume was reduced from 5198 to 710 in the areas of construction and administration and overall budget reduced to $124MM from $195MM.

Established SOPs in accounting and purchasing to significantly improve results during FEMA audits.

Contributed to operational cost saving opportunities: established KPI system for completed and in-process projects and funding assigned per municipality and agency resulting in robust monitoring.

Participated in office move and relocation: coordinated with contractor, suppliers and employees ensuring operational continuity and optimum service levels.

Media spokesperson and director's representative; liaison with external counsel. Berríos, Montero & Asociados San Juan, PR

Consultant (Project Manager) (June 2009 – Nov. 2013) Provided consulting for construction projects valued up to $15MM; collaborated with engineers to establish full-scale project management: documentation, planning, resource allocation, execution and closing with 100% budget and time adherence; monitored budget, expenses, and progress.

Designed strategy to recover past dues and avoid losses; recovered 75% of pending communication systems leases payments.

Identified up to 50% in cost saving opportunities including a three-office construction project which resulted in additional office space, main building, and parking improvements.

Assessed several government agencies to update 12 projects under non-compliance: identified and worked on process improvements maintaining future funding allocations.

Closed systematic processes for several pending grants ensuring funding for future initiatives.

Monitored procurement process for different projects. This includes federal funded projects, local funded projects, and private funded projects.

Autonomous Municipality of Ponce, Puerto Rico

Secretary of the Municipal Assembly (March 2007 – Jan. 2009) Directed the operation and administration of the municipal assembly with $7MM budget supervising 28 employees. Arranged sessions, commissions, and other meetings; monitored daily operations, certified resolutions, presented and approved ordinance projects.

Coordinated the Mayor’s Budget and Achievements presentation; attended and channeled citizens’ requests, handled confidential matters, analyzed laws and regulations. Represented the president in official events, activities, meetings, agencies, and the community.

Evaluated the functions and performance of each employee, identifying transferable skills: transcribing, certifications, project management and others reducing time cycles by up to 50%.

Created the continuity of operation plan for emergency situations.

Supervised and participated in the procurement process. In addition, participated in legislation projects regarding procurement processes: amendments to the process, lifting action processes in absence of participation, among others.

Professional Services Ponce, PR

Attorney at Law (Aug. 2005 – Jan. 2007)

Managed Civil Law, Litigation, and Public Notary cases: family, contracts and foreclosures applying a strong understanding of applicable state and local rules and regulations.

Attended client meetings and prepared memoranda; conducted legal research, processed documents and performed clerical work. Reviewed, drafted, and negotiated contracts.

Advised, identified legal risks, and provided full representation in civil cases. EDUCATIONAL BACKGROUND

Pontifical Catholic University, Ponce, PR, School of Law Juris Doctor P.R. Notary Association Award Highest Academic Index, Notary Course University of Puerto Rico, Mayaguez, PR BBA, Organizational Studies (Honor Roll, Cum Laude) PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

- Certified Project Manager, Project Management Leadership Group, Inc., Atlanta, GA

- Puerto Rico Bar Association, Lic. # 16824

- Public Notary, Lic. # 15553

- Transportation Worker Id Credential (TWIC)

- Mu Alpha Phi Sorority – Active Member

- Training: FEMA's Incident Command System, National Incident Management System, Recovery from Disaster

- The FAR Bootcamp (FAR-Federal Acquisition Regulation/GSA); Washington, DC - June 2017

- Advance Training Course, McNamara-O’Hara, Service Contract Act of 1965 (SCA); San Antonio, TX - August 2017 OTHER INFORMATION

Technology: MS Windows, and other reporting systems as SharePoint and SmartSheet Communications: Fully Bilingual (English and Spanish)

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