George Elder
Tempe,AZ
Summary
Senior Chief Engineer & Facilities Director with over 20 years of hands-on physical plant, commercial MEP infrastructure, and multi-facility operational leadership. Proven track record directing comprehensive preventive maintenance programs, central plant chiller/boiler systems, and building automation across full-service hospitality and commercial portfolios. Combines deep mechanical expertise with entrepreneurial business acumen to optimize operating budgets (OPEX), execute capital improvement projects (CAPEX), ensure 100% life-safety compliance, and lead high-performing engineering teams.
Overview
22
22
years of professional experience
Work History
Chief Engineer
Aimbridge - Embassy Suites Tempe
Tempe, AZ
11.2025 - Current
- Direct all physical plant, mechanical, electrical, plumbing, and building infrastructure operations across the property.
- Led, mentored, and trained engineering team members in technical troubleshooting, safety protocols, and daily work order execution, fostering a skilled and safety-conscious workforce.
- Oversaw comprehensive preventive maintenance (PM) schedules across guest rooms, central mechanical rooms, and public spaces, enhancing asset longevity and minimizing emergency service calls.
- Administer life-safety compliance, supervising routine inspections of fire panels, suppression systems, emergency generators, and alarm networks to ensure full NFPA/OSHA adherence.
- Managed facility vendor partnerships, negotiated service agreements, and vetted third-party contractors for capital projects and specialized repairs, ensuring quality and compliance.
Chief Building Engineer
Cambria Hotel
Scottsdale, AZ
11.2023 - 11.2025
- Managed facility operations, HVAC/R climate control, structural systems for upscale boutique hotel, ensuring optimal guest experience and system reliability.
- Executed proactive maintenance plans for central heating/cooling systems, domestic water heaters, electrical distribution, minimizing system failures and service interruptions.
- Coordinated building repair, renovation, capital improvement projects, ensuring facility security, guest safety, maintaining emergency response readiness.
Spearheaded failure analysis for mechanical and electrical systems, executing fast corrective actions to eliminate downtime.
Owner
Arizona tub and counter resurfacing
Coolidge, AZ
01.2015 - 11.2023
- Founded and operated a successful commercial and residential surface restoration business, managing all P&L, project estimating, and operational logistics for over 8 years.
- Built and maintained relationships with commercial property managers and real estate owners, achieving high-ROI property turnarounds.
- Oversaw project execution, supply chain procurement, inventory control, and surface chemical safety, ensuring compliance with regulatory standards.
Maintenance Manager
Wet N Wild Waterpark
Glendale, AZ
01.2013 - 01.2015
- Directed facility and ride maintenance operations for high-capacity commercial recreational property, ensuring optimal functionality and safety.
- Managed water filtration, chemical balance, and commercial pumping systems, maintaining compliance with state health and OSHA safety standards.
- Delegated work schedules, prioritized repairs, and coordinated emergency service calls for maintenance crews, minimizing operational interruptions.
Maintenance Supervisor
California Capital Real estate advisors
Phoenix, AZ
01.2010 - 01.2013
- Supervised property maintenance and tenant improvement projects, ensuring physical asset preservation across commercial real estate portfolios.
- Conducted property condition assessments, identified mechanical and structural deficiencies, and scheduled timely corrective repairs.
- Maintained CMMS work order records, labor logs, and parts inventory control for efficient operations.
Chief Building Engineer
Twin Springs LLC
Los Angeles, CA
01.2005 - 12.2010
- Coordinated building repair and construction projects, ensuring security and emergency response while delivering preventive and corrective maintenance.
- Operated facility cooling, electrical systems and emergency systems including regular testing and annual REG 4 testing of all emergency systems.
- Assessed HVAC, electrical units, and mechanical equipment to ensure optimal functionality and reliability.
- Documented work completed through work orders, repair logs, and maintenance plans to maintain accurate records.
Education
Professional Development
Amplify Leadership Training
Tempe, AZ 01.2026 - 01.2026
PM Tech 71C59766FAD4F5641 - Preventative maintenance
Mainstream Engineering
HVAC R410A 62773A232999F5641 - Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Installation and Repair
HVAC R410A
Mainsteam EngineeringUniversal 608: P48C2257B5E8F5641 - Heating, Air Conditioning, And Refrigeration Installation And Repair
HVAC 608
Mainstream EngineeringCPO - Certified Pool Operator
Leslie Pools
Glendale, AZ03-2010
Some College (No Degree) - Web design and information technology
University of Phoenix
Tempe, AZSkills
- Plant & Facility Operations: Central Chillers, Boilers, Cooling Towers, Commercial HVAC/R, Hydronic Systems, MEP, BMS/EMS, Emergency Generators
- Life Safety & Code Compliance: NFPA Standards, Fire Panels/Alarms, Life Safety Systems, OSHA Regulations, REG 4 Compliance, ADA
- Operations & Leadership: Preventive Maintenance (CMMS / Work Orders), Team Mentorship, Contractor Oversight, Project Estimating, Emergency Response Planning
- Financial & Asset Management: Budget Forecasting (P&L), OPEX/CAPEX Planning, Energy Management, Contractor RFP/Bid Negotiation, Asset Lifecycle
Timeline
Professional Development
Amplify Leadership Training
01.2026 - 01.2026
Chief Engineer
Aimbridge - Embassy Suites Tempe
11.2025 - Current
Chief Building Engineer
Cambria Hotel
11.2023 - 11.2025
Owner
Arizona tub and counter resurfacing
01.2015 - 11.2023
Maintenance Manager
Wet N Wild Waterpark
01.2013 - 01.2015
Maintenance Supervisor
California Capital Real estate advisors
01.2010 - 01.2013
Chief Building Engineer
Twin Springs LLC
01.2005 - 12.2010
Some College (No Degree) - Web design and information technology
University of Phoenix
CPO - Certified Pool Operator
Leslie Pools
Universal 608: P48C2257B5E8F5641 - Heating, Air Conditioning, And Refrigeration Installation And Repair
HVAC 608
HVAC R410A 62773A232999F5641 - Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Installation and Repair
HVAC R410A
PM Tech 71C59766FAD4F5641 - Preventative maintenance
Mainstream Engineering