|
FACILITIES MANAGEMENT PROJECT MANAGERS WORK BEHIND THE SCENES TO MAINTAIN TIER ONE UNIVERSITY
As the University of Houston continues
its Tier One journey, it is essential to have a campus and
facilities that reflect our success and provide a solid base as
we pursue our mission. Behind the scenes, we have a strong team
of project managers in Facilities Management (FM) that lead the
effort in maintaining, renovating and renewing our facilities to
ensure our university withstands the test of time while also
preserving its rich history.
Our team of FM project managers are responsible for all minor
and planned projects throughout the University of Houston
system, overseeing renewal construction, renovation projects as
well as compliance and safety-related issues during the
projects. The project managers also serve as liaisons to the
building occupants and customers as well as manage the project
schedules and budgets. The team of project managers are all
highly trained with diverse backgrounds, and many came to the
university with over 20 years of experience in the industry. All
share one common goal of providing a solid foundation in order
to continue the university�s mission of student success.
Meet our Facilities Management Project Managers:
Jerry Bogna
How long have you been with UH? Since March 2012
UH Projects: Involved in the University Center Transformation,
new West Dining building, ongoing small projects at Campus
Recreation & Wellness Center
Years of experience in the industry? 20 years as a licensed
General B Contractor in California; 7 years in Facilities
Management
Other companies you have worked for? The City of Palmdale, Ca.,
Vision Builders Group, MD Structures, Village Christian Schools,
as well as over 20 years of my own construction company
Why did you decide to work for UH? UH presented an opportunity
to move into more of a management role, and to move away from
California with its poor current and predicted economy.
What do you like most about your job? The challenges of being
part of a major reorganization, and adding my skills and
experiences into the program for positive changes here at UH.
Megan Connell
How long have you been with UH? 1 year, 2 months
UH Projects: MSM Administration Wing Slab Repair, Agnes Arnold
Classroom Refresh, SR1 4th floor Lab and Office projects, CRWC
Wood Floor Refurbishing and various other minor projects
Years of experience in the industry? 10 years
Other companies you have worked for? Baker Concrete Construction
and Fort Bend ISD
Why did you decide to work for UH? I previously worked on the
contractor side of the business and switched to the owner�s side
with the opportunity of working at FBISD. After working on the
owner representation side for K-12 construction, I wanted to
expand and gain new experiences in higher education.
What do you like most about your job? I like the new challenges
that present themselves daily and being able to meet people not
only in Plant Operations but across the campus. It is rewarding
to help contribute to improving the University.
Warren S. Espey
How long have you been with UH? About two weeks
UH Projects: Classroom Clean-up Project
Years of experience in the industry? I have 30+ years experience
providing project and construction management services.
Other companies you have worked for? Caudill Rowlett Scott, Heery International (HISD School Bond Program), Memorial Hermann
Healthcare System, Jacobs Facilities (HISD School Bond Program),
MD Anderson Cancer Center, Project Cost Resources, Inc.
Why did you decide to work for UH? I enjoy working in a campus
setting, watching the campus grow and being part of that growth.
My history of working with big organizations has prepared me for
working with a large institution like UH. I have a daughter that
is away at college now so it is nice seeing all the energy of
the students at UH.
What do you like most about your job? Where else can you get
paid to drive a golf cart at work?
Braulio Galvan (Bobby)
How long have you been with UH? Approximately 6 months
UH Projects: Renovations to the Law Center, SR1, Farish Hall, MD
Anderson Library, CRWC, etc; Make ready provisions to Robertson
Stadium and decommissioning of Cougar Place; Various upgrade
projects at the Athletic facilities
Years of experience in the industry? Over 17 years
Other companies you have worked for? Benchmark Architects and PBK Architecture
Why did you decide to work for UH? Great opportunity
What do you like most about your job? The people I get to work
with.
Jagjeet Gill (Jack)
How long have you been with UH? Almost 13 years
UH Projects: All capital projects � engineering and technical
services especially geared toward utilities infrastructure
projects throughout central campus & Sugar Land campus.
Years of experience in the industry? Over 25 years
Other companies you have worked for? Worked in plumbing field in
residential and industrial plants related to renovations and new
construction.
Why did you decide to work for UH? To experience the atmosphere
of a large higher educational institution.
What do you like most about your job? My job is very exciting
because it is full of challenges and I use my expertise to meet
each and every one of them successfully.
David Laws
How long have you been with UH? 1 month
UH Projects: Recently been assigned to the structural repairs to
J. Armistead Bldg., FY12 Summer Parking Lot Maintenance and more
are on the way
Years of experience in the industry? 26 years
Other companies you have worked for? MD Anderson, Sempra Energy
Solutions, Way Engineering and Anderson Air Conditioning
Why did you decide to work for UH? I have been on both sides of
the business. I worked for a contractor for years and as an
owner�s rep for years. I prefer working for an owner because it
is not all about making money at any cost. My work here is more
about making a difference.
What do you like most about your job? Right now my job is
challenging because the process is still new to me. Ask me this
question again in about a year! I suspect it will be the
diversity of projects assigned to me, and meeting new and
diverse people I will get to work with.
James G. Norcom, III (Jim)
How long have you been with UH? 8 � years
UH Projects: Minor renovations, renewal of building system
upgrades
Years of experience in the industry? 30 years
Other companies you have worked for? 10 years as an Officer with
Army Corps of Engineers; 2 years with City of Houston; 4 years
with Linbeck Construction Company; 4 years with PGAL Architects
Why did you decide to work for UH? Opportunity to serve the
University after Tropical storm Allison.
What do you like most about your job? There are several things I
enjoy about my job/career. The responsibility of managing small
to mid - range capital renewal and renovation projects for the
University of Houston System is a welcomed challenge. I enjoy
facilitating and coordinating innovative and problem-solving
solutions for complicated construction situations. I have a
proven record of seeking responsibility and enjoy managing teams
to reach set goals.
Ken Oliver
How long have you been with UH? 11 years
UH Projects: Laboratory, Animal Care, Division of Research,
Infrastructure (MEP) compliancy upgrades
Years of experience in the industry? Over 30 years
Other companies you have worked for? MDA Cancer Center Research
& Education, Animal Care
Why did you decide to work for UH? Opportunity to program and
develop the new Science and Teaching labs as a state-of-the-art
facility for new programs at the University of Houston.
What do you like most about your job? Unilateral development of
programming along with integrated (participation) to develop
process�s to provide �cost effect� projects and programming for
the �in-users� at the University of Houston.
James Prochaska
How long have you been with UH? 4 months
UH Projects: Various Residence Life and Housing Projects
Years of experience in the industry? 7 years
Other companies you have worked for? Fort Bend I.S.D., Bartlett
Cocke, Fluor
Why did you decide to work for UH? I wanted to be a part in
making something that will benefit its users by providing a
higher education.
What do you like most about your job? My co-workers.
Barry Simmons
How long have you been with UH? 1 year
UH Projects: Currently I am working with the Fire Marshal�s
office on a number of NFPA compliance issues. I have worked on a
robotics lab build-out for the Electrical Engineering project
and the installation of a rack washer for Animal Care
Operations.
Years of experience in the industry? Over 20 years as a Project
Manager
Other companies you have worked for? PIKA International, Inc.;
Michael Baker Jr.,Inc.; Environmental Chemical Corporation;
Tetra Tech, Inc.
Why did you decide to work for UH? Give back to the University
where I obtained my degree
What do you like most about your job? Students
Kenneth Tolbert
How long have you been with UH? 1 year
UH Projects: To name a few- Moody Commons/Moody Dining - Roof
Replacement; ERP (Energy Research Park) Bldg. #19 - 1st & 2nd
Floor Offices Build-out; EHS Safety Shower & Eyewash -
Installations (Campus Wide); Technology Annex Bldg. - Wet Lab.
Conversion @ Rm. #129; ERP Bldg. #8 - Storage Building
Improvements (110,000 Sq. Ft.); SR1 - First Floor Labs.
Renovations; Fleming Hall - Conversion of Research Labs into
Teaching Labs; ERP Bldg. #14B � Superconducting Wire Pilot
Manufacturing Facility; ERP Bldg. #7 � Dry Lab Build-out
Requirements and Wortham Theater - New Doors Replacement.
Years of experience in the industry? 25+ years of architectural
design, construction administration and project management
experience.
Other companies you have worked for? In project and construction
management roles with the University of Texas Medical Branch,
Galveston, Texas and O�BRIEN KREITZBERG (URS, Corp.)
Construction Managers, New York, NY. Also numerous positions in
project/property management and architectural projects
development with the NYS Urban Development Corp.- NY; Merck &
Company, - NY (NJ); Lockwood Greene Architects, Engineers &
Managers,- NY; and Fluor Engineers, - TX; Kenneth Wise,
Architects, TX and Army Corps of Engineers, TX.
Why did you decide to work for UH? It is a professionally
diverse and rewarding place to work. UH provides for on-going
professional growth and challenging developmental opportunities
for successful project delivery fulfillment and career
advancement achievements.
What do you like most about your job? The never-ending and
on-going complex project delivery challenges and requirements
for minor to major initiatives per various and demanding
developmental timeline and coordination needs.
Susan Vail
How long have you been with UH? 8 months
UH Projects: I have been working on the George Building and
Brazos Hall build-outs on the Sugar Land campus; Accreditation
Refresh for the Health Center; Social Work CHEER space; Glass
and window treatment replacement for the Department of Research;
The Law Library Basement Refresh; McKoy Courtroom Refresh; The
Phase I relocation for the University Center Transformation
Project; Moody Commons Realignment; Refresh project for the
exterior of the Fine Arts Building; Prototypical designs and
pricing for the Mothers Room Project; Facility Condition
Assessment for the Sugar Land and Cinco Ranch sites; and several
project close outs of work for the Minor and Planned Project
Department.
Years of experience in the industry? 30+
Other companies you have worked for? 3DInternational � Houston;
Designers Fore � NYC; Shearson Lehman American Express � NYC; WCI Communities - Bonita Springs, FL; The School District of Lee
County, FL; Chris-Tel Construction - Fort Myers, FL
Why did you decide to work for UH? My passion for, talents and
strengths are in being the owner�s representative for
Construction Project Management. The University of Houston
provides the perfect arena for me to serve.
What do you like most about your job? The diversity of people I
work with, problem solving, and the variety of projects. It is
never a dull moment for me at UH.
Roger Warner
How long have you been with UH? 18 months
UH Projects: Pretty much every new construction project and
every project that happens outside of a building. The most
significant project was the Landscape Restoration Project due to
Hurricane Ike.
Years of experience in the industry? 19 years
Other companies you have worked for? I have worked for an
architecture firm, an engineering firm, as a golf course
architect for a well known golf course designer and for the SWA
Group here in Houston.
Why did you decide to work for UH? I had worked in the private
sector for most of my career and was looking for an opportunity
to work in the public sector. Having an opportunity to work on a
major college campus was a great fit for what I was looking for.
What do you like most about your job? I really enjoy the
diversity of the people I have contact with through my position.
Additionally, as a landscape architect, it�s rare that we get
the chance to implement a design then oversee and evaluate its
success like I do here.
Steve Wright
How long have you been with UH? 25 years and six months
UH Projects: Wow, I have done so many different projects through
my career here. I would say you name a department here on campus
and I have more than likely worked for that department or
college.
Years of experience in the industry? 40+
Other companies you have worked for? Pisian Construction,
Northdale, Bar II Construction, Drilling Construction, Self
Employed Housing Contractor, Self Employed Roofing & Siding
Contractor
Why did you decide to work for UH? I was working construction
building schools as a supervisor, but the job I had did not have
any benefits, then a friend informed that UH was hiring and the
rest is history.
What do you like most about your job? I truly like what I do.
It�s a pleasure working for the University of Houston. I like
challenging projects, and it�s a pleasure working with the
clients to meet their demands for the students, faculty, staff,
and even coworkers. I presently manage the new M.I.C shop (Minor
In-House Construction). I see the need and demand for MIC
growing by the day. Please remember: You Get More With MIC.
For a complete list of Facilities Management�s Minor and Planned
Projects,
click here.
|
|