Project Manager

RICHARD J. DESTEFANO *** Longmeadow Road Orange, CT 06477

203-***-**** **************@*****.***

SENIOR PROJECT MANAGER / GENERAL MANAGER

Estimating / New Business Development / Contract Negotiations / Marketing / Sales / Safety Proposals and Bids / Cost Control / Crisis Management / Quality Control / P&L

Construction professional with experience winning major projects (industrial, office buildings, strip malls, universities) and managing them to successful conclusion. Large company and entrepreneurial experience. Proven ability to simultaneously maximize profitability and customer satisfaction in both expanding and contracting economies. Strengths include…

• Finding and seizing new business opportunities

• Developing repeat and referral business

• Building winning construction and support teams

• Maximizing productivity and quality

• Overcoming complex scheduling, regulatory, financial and other challenges

I have been described as a good communicator who is calm and effective in high pressure situations. Detail oriented, I can also see the big picture. I am able to manage multiple projects simultaneously. MBA – Iona College. BS in Civil Engineering – Manhattan College. 30-hour OSHA certified training.

Selected Accomplishments

Found and seized opportunities for profit. Took over the troubled Jesuit Residence, Fairfield University project. Inherited many outstanding change orders which were delaying closure. Developed and implemented a strategy to get them all accomplished. Generated extra revenue and avoided costly penalties for Tomlinson, Hawley, et al.

Overcame scheduling challenges. Air Rights Garage- New Haven required concrete restoration but could not be closed. Directed intense communication and scheduling activities to ensure that correct numbers of unoccupied stalls to perform operations were available. Completed this $1M Desco project on time.

Minimized disruption and maximized customer satisfaction. Converted a gas station/deli in a four-store strip mall with no disruption to the deli business. Planned and scheduled work to minimize interference. As a result, won a contract for DeStefano from the same owner to renovate another of his existing strip shopping centers.

Overcame a crisis. Took over a Desco project to renovate a parking garage after the Project Manager fell ill. Despite having only two months with the company, organized the work force. Apprised the owner of the situation. Completed project on time. Won commendations from the owner and Desco’s President for excellent performance.

Won follow on business. Managed the renovation of a country club club house in a very tight time frame (3-month winter shutdown). Procured all materials before construction began. Attained maximum productivity and avoided overtime. Completed the project on time. Won follow on DeStefano contract for new tennis building.

Developed new business. Learned that a masonry restoration of a historical mill being converted to condos contract was up for bid. Convinced Project Manager to let Hollfelder perform some sample brick cleaning at no cost. Ultimately won a $1.1M contract, one of the firm’s largest.

Employment History

Senior Project Manager – Hollfelder Co – 2001 to 2009. Managed estimating, project management and client development in this 25-employee concrete and masonry restoration company.

Project Manager and Chief Estimator – Desco Products of Connecticut – 1991 to 2000. Recruited as chief estimator and product manager. Lead contract negotiator for this 30-employee coating and restoration company.

President – DeStefano Construction Services – 1983 to 1990. Founded and grew this construction management firm. Projects included office buildings, shopping centers, high end residences and recreational facilities.

Earlier: Project Manager – Tomlinson Hawley Patterson. Managed projects, handled estimating and administered change orders in this 50-employee commercial construction company.

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