Chad Severance
Winter Garden,Florida
Summary
Highly experienced executive with over 25 years in the resort development industry. Diligent senior vice president with a proven track record in strategic leadership and organizational growth. Successfully managed large-scale programs and projects, driving significant improvements in operational efficiency. Demonstrated excellence in team leadership and financial oversight. Skilled in strategic planning, operational management, and team leadership. Utilizes comprehensive business acumen to drive organizational success and foster growth. Consistently implements effective strategies that enhance productivity and profitability.
Overview
23
23
years of professional experience
Work History
Sr. Vice President
CFI / Westgate Resorts
01.2019 - Current
- Hired and managed employees to maximize productivity while training staff on best practices and protocols.
- Delivered exceptional customer service by implementing best practices and fostering a culture of accountability within the organization.
- Oversee all Master Planning and Development/Construction for 24 major resorts throughout the United States including all Design, FF&E, Engineering, Brand Standards and Construction.
- These teams are responsible for 200 million in annual projects
- Championed innovation by encouraging cross-functional teams to pursue creative solutions to complex challenges.
- Collaborated with executive leadership team members on long-term strategic planning that ensured sustainable success for the company.
- Established a culture of continuous improvement, leading by example to drive operational excellence across the organization.
- Identified opportunities to improve business process flows and productivity.
- Restructured departments for increased efficiency, optimizing resource allocation and improving communication between teams.
Principal Owner
Elite International Solutions
01.2017 - Current
- As the current principal owner of Elite International Solutions (EIS), we work with the best customers, design organizations and engineering/technical teams to provide world class management, and custom engineering services
- Elite International Solutions prides itself in organizing, and developing the best practices, and personnel to ensure success for the clients challenging projects
- Leveraged data analytics tools for informed decision-making on resource allocation and future growth opportunities within the business landscape.
PMO Sr. Manager Beijing Project
Universal Studios Creative
01.2014 - 01.2017
- As the Project Management Office (PMO) Director for the Universal Beijing Project; developed processes/procedures and oversaw all management controls including Change/Scope Management, Schedule Management, Cost Management, Risk Management, Work Breakdown Structure and overall project reporting to the project executive.
- Provided vendor project management models for seamless project collaboration
- Maintained strict confidentiality to protect Universal, vendors, and customers.
- Provided Project Management training to Jr. Team Members
- Managed and developed 'Master Specifications' for the overall Design Standards and Construction.
- Cross-trained existing employees to maximize team agility and performance.
- Developed and maintained relationships with customers and suppliers through account development.
Executive Manager
S & S Worldwide
01.2009 - 01.2014
- As an Executive Manager for S&S Worldwide; implemented proven business strategies/policies and directed proven business/technical management processes on multiple large scale amusement attraction projects (ranging in cost from 3 million-250 million dollars) often managing 5-6 projects concurrently, while exceeding customers’ expectations and meeting contract specifications.
- Directed portfolio management to ensure projects/products meet company objectives and goals.
- Effectively communicated company objectives, team processes and individual tasks.
- Increased overall team productivity by implementing innovative management strategies and streamlining communication channels.
- Built extensive relationships with customers and vendors to elevate company and project success.
- Worked with project sponsors to ensure each new business project was in alliance with the overall corporate objectives.
- Utilized computer software to prioritize and track budgets, timelines, contracts and change orders, also running progress and performance reports to address gaps in policies and procedures.
- Experienced in percent complete accounting.
- Coordinated project management team, engineers, clients, accountants and legal representatives to bring projects to successful completion.
- Reviewed contracts to ensure that the formal agreements meet the legal requirements for all parties involved.
- Worked to troubleshoot problems quickly and efficiently, often working outside the box.
- Analyzed potential risk factors taking the proper actions to mitigate them.
General Contractor
Monster Construction
01.2006 - 01.2009
- As an Independent General Contractor, oversaw project coordination of employees, subcontractors, and budgets.
- Engineered blueprints and specs, introduced creative solutions to construction setbacks, worked hands on to complete projects on time and on budget.
- Ensured customer satisfaction with proactive planning and excellent written and verbal communication skills.
- Hired and oversaw subcontractors to meet project needs.
- Established a reputation for delivering high-quality work consistently meeting or exceeding client expectations.
Estimator/Contractor Consultant
Home Depot
01.2002 - 01.2007
Education
PMP -
Project Management Institute
Masters Certification - Applied Project Management
Villanova University
Business Administration -
Utah State University
Electrical Programs -
Salt Lake Community College
Skills
- Global portfolio leadership
- Strategic leadership
- Organizational development
- Brand Standardization
- Master Planning
- Development
- Construction
- Design Development
- FF&E Design and Development
- Project Integration
- Technical Oversight
- Unified Practices
- Contractual Measures
- Change Management
- Scope Management
- Schedule Management
- Cost Management
- Risk Management
- Work Breakdown Structure
- Project Reporting
- Vendor Management
- Communication
- Relationship Building
- Budget Tracking
- Timeline Management
- Contract Management
- Performance Reporting
- Problem Solving
- Analytical Skills
- Training and Development
References
- Edward (Ed) Fritz, PE, Vice President, Portfolio Executive, Walt Disney Imagineering, Edward.b.fritz@disney.com, (818) 257-0197, Ed and I have been friends and colleagues in the resort development for years, and he is an avid outdoorsman/skier.
- Scott Jensen, CRO, Indigo Innovations, scottbradyjensen@gmail.com, (801) 580-4115, Scott is a longtime friend and ski companion, who I can go to, for not only personal advice but for leadership and business counsel.
- Scot Elder, Chief Legal and Compliance Officer, Indigo Innovations, (904) 210-0159, Scot is also longtime friend and ski companion, who I can go to, for not only personal advice but for leadership and legal counsel.
- James (Lane) Johnson, Director of IT, Tanklogix, lanerj@gmeil.com, (435) 760-9922, Lane and I have lived and worked together for years, and had many outdoor adventures.
- Mike Teske, Senior Technical Representative, Cimolai Technology, Gt40guy@hotmail.com, (865) 323-6643, Mike and I have been business colleagues on many challenging adventures in the resort world, and he is one of most renowned 'technical' leaders in the industry.
Educationandprofessionallicenses
- PMP, Project Management Professional Certification, Project Management Institute
- Masters Certification, Applied Project Management, Villanova University
- Business Administration, Utah State University
- Certificate, Electrical Programs, Salt Lake Community College
Timeline
Sr. Vice President
CFI / Westgate Resorts
01.2019 - Current
Principal Owner
Elite International Solutions
01.2017 - Current
PMO Sr. Manager Beijing Project
Universal Studios Creative
01.2014 - 01.2017
Executive Manager
S & S Worldwide
01.2009 - 01.2014
General Contractor
Monster Construction
01.2006 - 01.2009
Estimator/Contractor Consultant
Home Depot
01.2002 - 01.2007
Masters Certification - Applied Project Management
Villanova University
Business Administration -
Utah State University
Electrical Programs -
Salt Lake Community College
PMP -
Project Management Institute
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