Errol Kalayci
Boca Raton,FL
Summary
Business focused General Counsel that has effectively advised C-Suite decision-makers on important legal matters. Innovative in creatively solving problems while adhering to company values, policies and procedures. Dedicated legal professional offering expertise in Construction, Engineering and Corporate law. Proven success in building trusting rapport with clients and offering sound legal advice in clear and universal terms. Hardworking and dedicated to client advocacy. Persuasive expert analyzes complex legal issues, formulates legal arguments and provides sound advice on wide range of topics. Adept at navigating legal systems, leveraging resources and communicating with clients. Thorough understanding of precedents and regulations. Handles multiple tasks, prioritizes efficiently and meets tight deadlines. Organized and dependable candidate successful at managing multiple priorities with a positive attitude. Willingness to take on added responsibilities to meet team goals. Strategic thinker and ability to guide corporate structure for explosive growth, stronger leaderships skills and effective management of outside counsel by envisioning litigation plan focused on rapid and relatively inexpensive exit of litigation.
Overview
34
34
years of professional experience
Work History
General Counsel, VP Admin and Finance
Blue Tide Marine, LLC
Current - Current
- Provided strategic thought for corporate structure design resulting in holding group with almost ten subsidiaries for vertical integration and risk minimization inclusive of complex insurance requirements necessary for global corporate operations conducted on ground, sea, sub-surface, and air.
- Performed wide range of legal work for company with explosive growth, current annual revenues of over $30 million.
- Translated complex legal issues into understandable terms.
- Led merger and acquisition due diligence investigations and handled integration legal aspects.
- Handled complex legal issues using sound judgment, integrity, business acumen and decisiveness.
- Met tight deadlines and effectively managed multiple priorities using strong organizational skills.
- Responsible for day to day business administration, by providing leadership for administrative, HR, Risk Management & Finance personnel.
- Assisted clients in formation, governance and dissolution of businesses.
- Minimized risk exposure through careful advice on business operations and strategic plans with operations taking place on land, sea, sub-sea, and air in geographical areas spanning the globe. In addition to issues inherent given these complex environments and locations, care required to be given to issues effecting national security and military applications.
- Led complex and pivotal work in fast-paced environment.
- Created all corporate policies and procedures.
- Analyzed risk and developed effective risk management inclusive of comprehensive, diverse risk insurance policies with global reach.
Corporate Counsel
KCI Technologies, Inc.
01.2019 - 05.2020
- Led all legal matters of ENR Top 50 ranked, nationwide engineering firm.
- Advised senior executives through major decisions and follow-up litigations.
- Created, negotiated and finalized contracts and other legal documents of every type with annual volume greater than 1,000 documents.
- Counseled clients on potential outcomes of legal matters.
- Developed strategies for all litigation and negotiations, negotiated settlements, provided oversight and direction for outside counsel.
- Minimized risk exposure through careful advice on business operations and strategic plans.
- Performed legal work for acquisition of firms and of innovative technology inclusive of IP rights.
- Drafted and negotiated all contractual matters ranging from Design Build, JV, DOT, contractor and private clients to those including leases, employment agreements and all corporate documents.
President/Chief Executive Officer
Keith & Schnars
04.2016 - 01.2019
- Led firm into period of rapid growth by focusing on its core values and ambitious goals.
- Provided corporate vision and strategy.
- Restored company to industry standard profitability and via implementation of appropriate new policy and procedures coupled with incentives for targeted performance.
- Leadership culminated in successful sale of company to nation-wide engineering consulting firm, KCI Technologies.
Chief Operating Officer/General Counsel
Keith & SChnars
01.2004 - 01.2016
- Oversaw day-to-day operations to keep organization running smoothly while meeting business goals of ENR Top 250 ranked full-service engineering firm.
- Identified and pursued business development opportunities to grow organization and increase revenue.
- Monitored and analyzed industry trends to identify opportunities for organizational growth and competitiveness.
- Negotiated contracts and agreements to secure favorable terms and maximize profits.
- Refined organizational structure to consolidate, streamline, and delineate necessary functions.
- Made large-scale financial decisions and supervised company spending to reduce material losses and maximize profits.
- Identified and mitigated operational risks to minimize potential negative impacts on organization. Overall responsibility for Risk Management and insurance programs.
- As COO, oversaw all administrative areas, including marketing, finance, fleet, property, human resources and information technology departments.
- As General Counsel reduced litigation by ninety five percent (95%) through effective contract negotiations, aggressive risk management, effective litigation management and leadership of outside attorneys coupled with strategy designed to minimize cost and exit litigation via summary judgment.
Attorney
Broad And Cassel (now Named Nelson Mullins Riley)
01.2002 - 01.2004
- Practiced law focused on commercial real estate, construction and engineering law at one of Florida’s Top 3 rated law firms.
- Researched, drafted, reviewed and negotiated contracts and other legal documents to support client needs.
- Researched and interpreted laws, rulings and regulations to advise clients on business and legal transactions.
- Analyzed legal documents and identified pertinent issues for clients.
- Researched and wrote contracts, agreements and proposals.
Assistant County Attorney
Broward County
01.1994 - 05.1994
- Certified Legal Intern: Drafted, reviewed and negotiated contracts and other legal documents focused on Eminent Domain and Construction.
- Researched and interpreted laws, rulings and regulations to advise Broward County.
- Represented Broward County and its employees in civil litigation, focus on Eminent Domain and Construction but included wide range of issues including Bus drivers speeding.
- Attended calendar call, drafted and argued motions.
- Drafted and responded to various pleadings and legal documents
Summer Legal Intern
W.R. Grace
05.1993 - 09.1993
- Within Forbes rated 50 largest corporations in the world, WR Grace was involved in class action litigation regarding asbestos, as legal intern Kalayci organized and reviewed tens of thousands of internal and external communications to support and defend company.
- Provided strategic thought which completely reorganized review process and procedures thereby reducing review time to twenty five percent (25%) of original estimated time needed.
Assistant Project Manager- Anchor Tenants
Western Development
05.1990 - 09.1990
- Developed and maintained project documentation for reliable records.
- Generated weekly and monthly status reports for helpful progress tracking.
- Negotiated contract modifications with all subcontractors.
- Creative solutions saved company immense time and money.
- Partnered with project team members to identify and quickly address problems.
- Supported senior managers and department leaders by completing projects and problem resolution under tight budgets and schedule demands.
- Updated customers and senior leaders on progress and roadblocks.
- Planned, monitored and analyzed project costs to meet financial goals for Sawgrass Mills Mall, world's largest at that time. Anchor Tenant's comprised one million square feet of retail space.
Education
J.D. - Law
Nova Southeastern University, Shepard Broad College of Law
Fort Lauderdale, FL01.1994
Bachelor of Science - Construction Management
University of Florida
Gainesville, FL05.1991
Skills
- Technical understanding of Construction & Engineering
- Corporate Transactions
- Dispute Arbitration & Mediation
- Corporate and Business Legal Issues
- Commercial Real Estate
- Efficient Litigation Management
- Reviewing Documents, Contract Negotiation
- Document Preparation, Evaluating Contracts
- Settlement Negotiation
- Construction & Engineering Business Experience
- Subject Matter Expert & Experience working with DOD
- Corporate Structuring
- Risk Management & Insurance Programs
Activities
Since his teen years, Mr. Kalayci has worked his way up through the ranks in engineering and construction businesses from serving as a Field Surveyor, Geotechnical Lab Technician and Driller, to Draftsman, CEI Inspector, Construction Project Manager, General Counsel, Chief Operating Officer and finally Chief Executive Officer.
Professional Experience
- Corporate Counsel, KCI Technologies (ENR Top 50)
- President/CEO, Keith & Schnars (Former ENR Top 250), acquired by KCI Technologies
- Attorney, Broad and Cassel, 2002 to 2004
- Executive Director of Operations/General Counsel
- Certified Legal Intern, Broward County Attorney’s Office, Fort Lauderdale, 1994
- Legal Intern, WR Grace and Company, Boca Raton, FL 1993
- Assistant Project Manager – Anchor Tenants - Sawgrass Mills Mall – Western Development Corporation
Relevant Experience
- CURRENT, General Counsel, VP Admin and Finance, Blue Tide Marine, LLC
- 01/2019, 05/2020, Corporate Counsel, KCI Technologies, Inc.
- 04/2016, 01/2019, President/Chief Executive Officer, Keith & Schnars
- 2004, 2016, Chief Operating Officer/General Counsel, Keith & Schnars
- 2002, 2004, Attorney, Broad and Cassel
- 1994, 2004, Executive Director of Operations/House Counsel, Scheduling System Analyst, and Project Management, Keith & Schnars
Hobbies and Interests
Mr. Kalayci is a world-renowned underwater explorer and scuba instructor with decades of experience including instructing various governmental agencies and military teams. He is a member of the Explorer’s Club and is/was an active instructor/instructor trainer for all levels for PADI, NAUI, GUE, SSI, TDI & IANTD, having contributed to the creation of numerous training programs and books, and is a published author of a plethora of articles. Finally, Errol was one of the world’s leading age group ironman triathletes for many years and continues to give back to the community via coaching, presenting, and publishing articles.
Licenses
- Florida Bar
- Florida Circuit Court Certified Mediator & Arbitrator
- Building Contractor
- Real Estate Broker
- Scuba: Instructor for Multiple Agencies & Every Level
Timeline
General Counsel, VP Admin and Finance
Blue Tide Marine, LLC
Current - Current
Corporate Counsel
KCI Technologies, Inc.
01.2019 - 05.2020
President/Chief Executive Officer
Keith & Schnars
04.2016 - 01.2019
Chief Operating Officer/General Counsel
Keith & SChnars
01.2004 - 01.2016
Attorney
Broad And Cassel (now Named Nelson Mullins Riley)
01.2002 - 01.2004
Assistant County Attorney
Broward County
01.1994 - 05.1994
Summer Legal Intern
W.R. Grace
05.1993 - 09.1993
Assistant Project Manager- Anchor Tenants
Western Development
05.1990 - 09.1990
J.D. - Law
Nova Southeastern University, Shepard Broad College of Law
Bachelor of Science - Construction Management
University of Florida
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