Derek L. Brown
Gallatin,TN
Summary
Seasoned preconstruction professional with experience in projects across the United States ranging in size up to $4B. Project delivery methods include P3, Progressive Design/Build, CMAR and Design/Bid/Build. Project experience includes retail, aviation, health care, higher education, commercial, mass timber, parking garages, Federal government, and industrial/municipal. Well-versed in cost estimating at all levels of design, from preliminary concept through final design.
Overview
26
26
years of professional experience
Work History
Associate Director
Cumming Group
05.2022 - Current
- Develop construction cost estimates for projects ranging in value from $25M to over $4B. Highly-detailed cost estimates developed from various stages of design, from initial concept through final construction documents.
- Project locations range from coast to coast and involve market sectors such as retail, healthcare, higher education, multi-family, federal government, and high-end office.
- Provide executive-level presentations of construction costs to design teams and project ownership.
- Lead teams of up to 5 preconstruction personnel, supervising daily performance as well as training and improvement plans.
- Foster a culture of continuous improvement by encouraging staff to share innovative ideas and by providing resources for professional development.
- Prioritized tasks and allocated resources appropriately to keep teams focused and productive.
Preconstruction Manager
Bell & Associates
06.2020 - 05.2022
- Manage multiple individual projects from concept through bidding.
- Prepare conceptual estimates from limited information.
- Review bid documents and perform quantity takeoff.
- Develop project estimates using estimating software at various stages of design, including SD, DD, and CD.
- Analyze and measure risks between subcontractors by developing big tab forms.
- Prepare qualifications and clarifications to support all deliverables.
- Developed diversity and inclusion plans to provide bidding and award opportunities to disadvantaged subcontractor businesses.
Director, Cost Planning
Lendlease (US) Construction
06.2019 - 06.2020
- Ensured and guided the quality of the work provided by the Preconstruction and Cost Planning team.
- Mentored and developed skills of staff.
- Played an active role in the performance management and coaching process to develop and mentor subordinates towards a successful career in the company.
- Collaborated with business development and executive leadership to determine projects to pursue and strategies to win them.
- Prepared and participated in presentations to clients. As a member of the regional management system, responsible for closing the “sale”.
- Left company due to COVID-related workload decrease.
Preconstruction Manager - Aviation Division
Austin Commercial, LP
09.2015 - 06.2019
- Directed design-phase preconstruction and estimating services on large (+$200M) projects across the United States.
- Coordinated the development of comprehensive project quantities for all aspects of the project scope, including civil, structural, architectural, mechanical, plumbing, fire protection, electrical/IT, and special electrical systems.
- Assembled comprehensive, thorough cost estimates, including detailed breakdown of project costs per client and design team needs.
- Developed General Conditions and General Requirements estimates.
- Monitored and evaluated cost trends during design to detect potential cost over-runs and problem areas.
- Partnered with Business Development department in pursuits and client presentations.
Vice-President, Estimating
Connico Inc.
04.2012 - 09.2015
- Provided cost consulting services for construction projects from Conceptual Design through Issued for Bid final construction documents.
- Maintained a personal billable utilization rate in excess of 85%.
- Led the expansion of company operations to the Los Angeles (LAX), San Diego (SAN), Baltimore (BWI), and Houston (IAH, HOU) markets, performing cost consulting and estimating services on construction programs totaling over $4B in those markets alone.
- Developed and presented formal construction economic studies, including local studies for selected programs across the United States to gauge potential development and construction cost impacts to the project. This included gauging subcontractor competitiveness, labor availability, and local costs for select construction materials.
- Facilitated strategic planning and new business development across multiple market sectors, including development of teaming arrangements / agreements.
- Developed fee proposals and consultant services agreements.
Preconstruction Manager
Hoar Program Management
04.2011 - 04.2012
- Led Preconstruction Program Management services for all capital development projects at the University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa, AL. Capital program value exceeded $400M.
- Spearheaded the process of General Contractor and Subcontractor pre-qualification, including the solicitation, review and recommendation of qualified subcontractors to the University.
- Developed and monitored project budgets for all capital construction projects, ranging in size from $1M to +$75M.
- Guided design teams to ensure adherence to contractual deliverables and to ensure adherence to project budgets and design schedules.
Education
Master Of Business Administration - Project Management
Mississippi State University
Starkville, MS12.2010
Bachelor Of Science - Construction Engineering
East Tennessee State University
Johnson City, TN12.1998
Skills
- Early Conceptual Cost Estimating
- Budget Development and Monitoring
- Scope of Work Development
- Constructability Review
- Project Management
- Strategic Leadership
- Coaching and Mentoring
- Change Order Review and Validation
- On-Screen Takeoff
- Autodesk Revit
- Bluebeam
- Microsoft Office suite
Affiliations
- American Society of Professional Estimators
Timeline
Associate Director
Cumming Group
05.2022 - Current
Preconstruction Manager
Bell & Associates
06.2020 - 05.2022
Director, Cost Planning
Lendlease (US) Construction
06.2019 - 06.2020
Preconstruction Manager - Aviation Division
Austin Commercial, LP
09.2015 - 06.2019
Vice-President, Estimating
Connico Inc.
04.2012 - 09.2015
Preconstruction Manager
Hoar Program Management
04.2011 - 04.2012
Master Of Business Administration - Project Management
Mississippi State University
Bachelor Of Science - Construction Engineering
East Tennessee State University
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