Chad St. Onge
Wilhelm Mechanical LLC dba Vern's Plumbing
Culpeper,VA
Summary
Results-driven MEP leader with extensive experience in project management and operational oversight. Skilled in maximizing project profitability through budget control and effective negotiation, while fostering strong client connections. Proven success in driving teams to achieve high-quality project outcomes in competitive environments.
1
Certification
31
Years of experience
Work History
Director of Operations
3 Years 8 Months- Manage P&L to meet company goals
- Set company financial and performance goals
- Manage project bidding in order to meet company financial goals
- Review project scope and budget for profitability
- Negotiate projects with clients
- Oversee day to day operations of the company
- Managed office and field supervision staff to ensure operational alignment and performance.
- Established client connections to enhance service delivery effectiveness.
Senior Project Manager
4 Years- Oversaw projects from inception through closeout, managing budgets to control costs and enhance profitability
- Delivered high-quality results by providing project management for a diverse portfolio of projects
- Increased project profitability by negotiating projects with clients
- Developed client relationships through active participation in client, project, and construction meetings
- Ensured project compliance by supervising construction and performing construction administration on all projects
- Reviewed and responded to change orders and RFIs to minimize project delays and maintain timelines
- Mitigated field issues by providing expert construction support for plumbing trade activities by providing construction support for plumbing trade
- Resolved technical issues by performing in-field troubleshooting
- Improved consistency by developing and maintaining construction standards and company procedures
Director of Field Operations
1 Year- Oversee all of field operations for Plumbing and Mechanical
- Manage field crews for Plumbing and Mechanical scope
- Oversaw project budgets to ensure financial accountability and resource allocation
- Coordinated project activities to optimize scheduling and meet deadlines
- Cultivated strong client relationships to enhance project collaboration
- Review plans and specifications for constructability
- Review plans and specifications for design flaws
- Issue change orders for additional work to be performed
- Coordinate project close out
Sr. Project Manager
2 Years- Increased project profitability by negotiating Design-Build and third-party Engineering projects with clients
- Ensured on-time project delivery by managing Engineering for Design/Build projects to meet deadlines
- Optimized installation timelines by managing Pre-Construction and coordinating projects with field staff
- Controlled costs by overseeing all Design Build projects from inception through closeout, managing budgets for both design and construction
- Delivered high-quality results by providing project management for high-rise residential and mixed-use projects
- Minimized delays by reviewing and responding to change orders and RFIs
- Ensured project compliance by supervising construction and performing construction administration on all projects
- Improved project quality by developing comprehensive design specifications for all projects
- Improved consistency by developing and maintaining design standards and company procedures
- Secured new business by engaging with prospective clients during marketing meetings
Sr. Project Manager
2 Years- Increased project profitability by negotiating Design-Build and third-party Engineering projects with clients
- Ensured on-time project delivery by managing Engineering for Design/Build projects to meet deadlines
- Optimized installation timelines by managing Pre-Construction and coordinating projects with field staff
- Controlled costs by overseeing all Design Build projects from inception through closeout, managing budgets for both design and construction
- Delivered high-quality results by providing project management for high-rise residential and mixed-use projects
- Enhanced project quality by preparing design specifications for all projects
- Ensured project compliance by supervising construction and performing construction administration on all projects
- Minimized delays by reviewing and responding to change orders and RFIs
- Increased team competency by mentoring and training Project Engineers and Project Managers
- Improved consistency by developing and maintaining design standards and company procedures
- Secured new business by engaging with prospective clients during marketing meetings
Executive Director of Design Build Projects
3 Years- Maximized project value through successful negotiation of Design-Build and third-party engineering projects with clients
- Controlled budgets by overseeing all Design Build projects from inception through closeout for both design and construction
- Ensured timely completion by managing MEP Engineering projects to meet deadlines
- Delivered complex projects by providing project management for high-rise residential, tenant fit-out, and mixed-use projects
- Strengthened client relationships by actively participating in client, project, and construction meetings
- Increased win rate by preparing proposals in response to requests for proposals
- Secured new business by engaging in marketing meetings, resulting in increased prospective client opportunities
- Enhanced team skills by mentoring and training project engineers, designers, and project managers.
- Standardized processes by developing and maintaining design standards and procedures
- Improved documentation by preparing design specifications for all projects
- Ensured quality by overseeing all design and project document review
- Identified project needs by conducting existing condition surveys and providing recommendation reports
- Reduced costs by performing in-house cost estimates
- Ensured compliance by supervising construction and performing construction administration on all projects
- Minimized project delays by reviewing and responding to change orders and RFIs
Senior Associate-Plumbing and Fire Protection
9 Months- Delivered complex projects by providing project management for high-rise residential, tenant fit-out, and mixed-use projects
- Ensured on-time delivery by managing department projects to meet deadlines
- Expanded project pipeline through active participation in project interviews and public presentations
- Secured new projects by preparing proposals for prospective clients
- Cultivated strong client relationships through regular engagement in client, project, and construction meetings
- Standardized quality by developing and maintaining design standards and procedures
- Enhanced project documentation by preparing design specifications for all projects
- Ensured accuracy by overseeing all design and project document review
- Ensured compliance by supervising construction and performing construction administration on all projects
- Reduced project delays by efficiently reviewing and addressing change orders and RFIs
- Improved coordination by collaborating with Mechanical and Electrical Departments
- Increased team capability by mentoring and training Project Engineers and Designers
Plumbing/Fire Protection Department Head
9 Years- Ensured on-time delivery by managing department projects to meet deadlines
- Secured new projects by preparing proposals for prospective clients
- Expanded client base through project interviews and public presentations, resulting in increased business opportunities
- Built strong client relationships by attending client, project, and construction meetings
- Delivered complex projects by providing project management for academic, institutional, and municipal projects
- Standardized quality by developing and maintaining design standards and procedures
- Enhanced project documentation by preparing detailed design specifications for all projects, ensuring clarity and consistency
- Identified improvements by conducting existing condition surveys and providing recommendation reports
- Ensured compliance by supervising construction and performing construction administration on all projects
- Improved coordination by collaborating with Mechanical and Electrical Departments, facilitating smoother project execution
- Increased team capability by mentoring and training Project Engineers and Designers
Owner/President
4 Years- Generated accurate estimates for prospective clients to facilitate informed project budgeting
- Created detailed material lists for local lumber yards, enhancing efficiency of the bidding process
- Produced residential house plans for permitting and construction, ensuring compliance with building codes and regulations
Sr. Plumbing and Fire Protection Engineer
2 Years- Delivered large healthcare projects by providing comprehensive project management
- Enhanced project documentation by preparing design specifications for all projects
- Standardized processes through development and maintenance of design standards and procedures, enhancing workflow efficiency
- Strengthened client relationships by actively participating in client, project, and construction meetings, fostering collaboration
- Ensured accuracy by overseeing all design and project document review
- Ensured compliance by supervising construction and performing construction administration on all projects
- Minimized project delays by reviewing and responding to change orders and RFIs
- Enhanced coordination by collaborating with Mechanical and Electrical Departments, ensuring seamless project integration
- Increased team capability by mentoring and training Project Engineers and Designers
Plumbing and Fire Protection Engineer
4 Years- Engineered and designed a variety of projects, enhancing overall project diversity
- Managed light commercial and office projects to ensure on-time delivery
- Coordinated in-house with Mechanical & Electrical Departments to optimize project outcomes
- Enhanced team skills by mentoring and training Project Engineers and Designers
Plumbing/Fire Protection Designer
2 Years- Developed fire protection system designs for commercial and industrial buildings.
- Collaborated with architects to integrate fire safety features into building plans.
- Analyzed project specifications to ensure compliance with local fire codes.
- Executed design and drafting tasks to ensure project accuracy and compliance with industry standards.
Education
Bachelor of Science - Architectural Engineering
Associate of Science - Architectural Engineering Technology
Skills
Project Management
Project Planning Management
Construction Administration
Construction
Project Coordination
MEP Coordination
Cost Estimation
Construction Estimating
Budgeting
Procurement
Quality Assurance
AutoCAD
Proposal Writing
Business Development
Construction
Project Engineering
Personal Information
- Work Permit: Authorized to work in the US for any employer
- Visa Status: Authorized to work in the US for any employer
Certification
- Master Plumber and Gas Fitter State of Virginia, Master Plumber and Gas Fitter State of Maryland, Master Plumber and Gas Fitter WSSC, Certified Plumbing Designer, 2023-04 to 2025-04, OSHA 30
Timeline
Director of Operations
Wilhelm Mechanical LLC dba Vern's Plumbing
01.2023 - Current
Senior Project Manager
Wilhelm Mechanical LLC dba Vern's Plumbing
01.2019 - 01.2023
Director of Field Operations
TR Mechanical
01.2018 - 01.2019
Sr. Project Manager
Stubbs Plumbing
01.2016 - 01.2018
Sr. Project Manager
Breeden Mechanical Inc.
01.2014 - 01.2016
Executive Director of Design Build Projects
The Williams Companies
01.2011 - 01.2014
Senior Associate-Plumbing and Fire Protection
WSP Flack and Kurtz
01.2011 - 10.2011
Owner/President
Self Employed
01.2006 - 01.2010
Plumbing/Fire Protection Department Head
Garcia, Galuska & DeSousa
01.2002 - 01.2011
Sr. Plumbing and Fire Protection Engineer
The Ritchie Organization
01.2000 - 01.2002
Plumbing and Fire Protection Engineer
Shooshanian Engineering
01.1998 - 01.2002
Plumbing/Fire Protection Designer
Thompson Consultants Inc
01.1996 - 01.1998
Wentworth Institute of Technology
Bachelor of Science from Architectural Engineering
Wentworth Institute of Technology
Associate of Science from Architectural Engineering Technology