Chester Freegard
Baton Rouge,LA
Summary
My career in Construction/Facilities Maintenance Management, has included work in the field as a Block Mason and Journeyman HVAC technician. In the family owned masonry contracting business, I promoted through to Jobsite Supervisor, eventually managing the daily business operation. During this time I completed the HVAC/Electrical program with Refrigeration Schools International (RSI).
In 1998, I accepted an opportunity to work for the City of Phoenix, Aviation Department as a HVAC technician, at Sky Harbor International Airport. In 22 years with the Aviation Department, I gained extensive expertise in operating/repairing many different pieces of equipment/systems and the operation of multiple, large, central plants. As I promoted within the Mechanical Maintenance Department, I achieved the position of Mechanical Maintenance Manager. My responsibilities included the management the maintenance staff, equipment repair/maintenance, creating/management of contracts, and budget, of the Mechanical Maintenance Division, within a Government entity.
Upon my notice of intent to retire from the City of Phoenix Aviation Department, I was offered the opportunity to join McCarthy Builders in the construction of a new concourse for Southwest Airlines, at Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport. My duties included the management/oversight of the installation and commissioning of the HVAC, plumbing, fire suppression, passenger boarding bridges, and jet fuel systems.
Throughout my career, I continually expanded my knowledge and skills in all construction disciplines, with an emphasis in large commercial HVAC systems maintenance and operation, building automation systems, fire alarm/suppression, and systems commissioning.
Overview
24
24
years of professional experience
Work History
Maintenance Operations Manager
Maricopa Community College District/ Scottsdale
06.2022 - 12.2022
- Inspect and evaluate 28 campus buildings for all systems operations and document findings.
- Meet with staff to understand their roles and responsibilities and document all areas of concern. Continue daily meetings with staff individually and weekly as a group.
- Inspect cafeteria and teaching kitchens equipment and systems. Confirm compliance with fire codes. Coordinate with fire system contractors to correct all deficiencies from previous failed inspections/tests.
- Inspect all fire systems and alarm panels. Coordinate with District monitors for replacement of failed or inoperable fire alarm panels. Ensure proper communication/monitoring.
- Coordinate with Departments to close classrooms for environmental contractors to test and remediate any biological growth issues.
- Coordinate with Department Directors on classroom vacancies for completion of LED lighting upgrade, ceiling tile replacement, electrical fixture replacement, and drywall repairs/paint.
- Respond to calls after hours and weekends from campus staff/security. Respond to the Campus as needed after hours.
- Coordinate contractors and maintenance staff for emergency chiller and cooling tower repairs.
- Review most recent preventive maintenance inspections (PM's) and schedule repairs and document completion. Create spreadsheet scheduling PM's.
- Daily monitoring of the CMMS for labor accuracy.
Assistant Project Superintendent
McCarthy Builders
03.2020 - 06.2022
- Construction of the new Southwest Airlines Concourse at Sky Harbor International Airport.
- Ensure compliance by all subcontractors with security protocol required to work and operate a motor vehicle within the restricted areas of an operational airport.
- Coordinate the scheduling of subcontractors and staff to complete projects within required timeframes.
- Compile daily field reports, detailing all key activities and outlining project progress for stakeholders.
- Continuously inspect job sites for compliance with safety protocols by staff and subcontractors.
- Work with inspectors, workers, and unions, to conduct weekly status updates.
- Lead weekly production and operations contractor meetings, facilitating stronger communication and resolve critical issues.
- Avoid construction delays by efficiently following through with all site inspections.
- Assist in organizing and overseeing assignments, planning and coordinating in-house as well as outsourced resources.
- Performed regular job site observations to provide direction for general contractor/subcontractor staff personnel.
- Conduct bi-weekly meetings with subcontractors and the owner representative to identify any issues or concerns and coordinate resolutions. Document date the issues/concerns were identified as well as the resolutions.
- Coordinate commissioning of HVAC systems and components. Conduct point-to point commissioning of building automation system.
- Assist in the inspection, testing, and certification, of jet fuel piping and delivery systems.
- Coordinate inspections and testing of fire/life systems components and systems, to be witnessed by owner representative and City of Phoenix Fire Inspector.
- Coordinate with City of Phoenix Maintenance when connecting new systems to existing systems.
- Completed construction and opening of concourse on schedule.
Aviation Supervisor III/Mechanical Maintenance Manager
City Of Phoenix, Sky Harbor International Airport
07.1998 - 03.2020
- Manage maintenance, repair, testing, and daily operation of all fire/life safety and mechanical equipment/systems throughout City of Phoenix Aviation Department owned/maintained facilities, including Goodyear and Deer Valley Airports. Includes HVACR equipment and systems, fire/life safety systems, building automation systems (Metasys and Alerton), overhead doors, automatic sliding doors, domestic water booster systems, storm pumps, sewage ejection systems, automatic gates/vehicle barrier systems, and jetbridges. Maintained facilities in excess of 6.1mm square feet.
- Operate, maintain, and control, 7 water cooled central plants with a combined capacity of 21,000 tons of cooling.
- Served on the Airport Emergency Preparedness Committee.
- Participate in the tenant improvement process to ensure the HVAC and fire/life safety systems meet the needs of the retail, food service, or urgent care provider. Coordinate maintenance with tenants to ensure a proper environment, minimize operational impacts, and remain compliant with all codes/regulations.
- Prepare 5yr and 10yr maintenance plans. Prepare and justify supplemental budget requests for future planned equipment maintenance/replacement in excess of $250,000.00. For fiscal years 2017 through 2020, the planned maintenance inspection labor hours had significantly exceeded the reactive maintenance labor hours.
- Prepare briefing sheets for Aviation Department Director, City Manager, Mayor, and City Council, detailing Aviation Department agenda items requiring City Council approvals. Serve as Subject Matter Expert (SME) at City of Phoenix, City Council meetings, as needed or requested.
- Develop and implement program to schedule and monitor the inspections and testing of all fire/life safety equipment/systems to ensure code compliance. This program was utilized as the model for a similar program implemented throughout City of Phoenix owned/maintained facilities.
- Successfully drafted, solicited, and managed, 17 service and commodities contracts with an aggregate value of $26,500,000.00. All service contracts contain a 24/7 emergency response requirement. All commodities contracts require a 24/7 contact and ability to procure parts, supplies, or equipment, in the event of an emergency.
- Manage the contracted maintenance for 257 pieces of vertical transportation equipment. These include elevators, escalators, and moving walkways.
- Project Manager to replace security vehicle barriers at 27 airfield access points. Scheduled 24 months with budget of $2.8mm. Completed in 17 months with final costs of $2.1mm. Annual maintenance costs reduced $220,000/yr
- Project Manager to implement/design/install/start-up soft water/MIOX systems on the Terminal Four cooling system. In 2018, this system saved 22mm gallons of water ($132,000.00) and eliminated 13,000 pounds of hazardous water treatment chemicals ($91,000). 2019 savings increased to 30.5mm gallons of water saved ($183,000.00) and elimination of 16,000 pounds of hazardous water treatment chemicals ($112,000.00). Anticipated ROI 3 yrs, actual ROI 1.4 yrs.
- Received National Recognition Award for Sustainability from Airports Going Green, November 2019.
- Successfully managed $12.8 mm budget and 50+ staff members in a 24/7 operational transportation facility. Staff includes Journeyman HVAC and Controls Technicians and Certified Welders.
- Ensure all staff receive ongoing equipment and systems training as well as continuous safety training. Training includes Lift Equipment Operation, NFPA 70E, and equipment operations/maintenance training.
- Work closely and coordinate with Airlines, City of Phoenix Fire/Police/Water, TSA, Federal Customs and Border Patrol, FAA, and US Secret Service.
- Review/comment on blueprints for new planned construction, remodel, and tenant improvement projects.
Education
Certificate - Aviation Management Development Program
Embry Riddle University
Phoenix,AZ05.2003
Certificate - Government Contract Management
AGTS Contracting Academy
Tempe, AZ04.2002
Electro-Mechanical Technologies Certificate -
Refrigeration School International
Phoenix, AZ03.1995
Skills
- Budget Management
- Project Management
- SAP Plant Maintenance (CMMS)
- Time Management
- NFPA and Building Codes
- Microsoft Office Programs
- Blueprint Reviews
- Facilities Equipment Maintenance Planning
- Fire Suppression Systems Maintenance
- Building Automation Systems
- Contract Management
- Crisis and Emergency Management
- Universal EPA Certification
- Safety Training Program
- Journeyman HVAC
- OSHA 30
- CPR/AED
Timeline
Maintenance Operations Manager
Maricopa Community College District/ Scottsdale
06.2022 - 12.2022
Assistant Project Superintendent
McCarthy Builders
03.2020 - 06.2022
Aviation Supervisor III/Mechanical Maintenance Manager
City Of Phoenix, Sky Harbor International Airport
07.1998 - 03.2020
Certificate - Aviation Management Development Program
Embry Riddle University
Certificate - Government Contract Management
AGTS Contracting Academy
Electro-Mechanical Technologies Certificate -
Refrigeration School International
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