George Istre
Sealy,USA
Summary
Results-driven facilities operations professional with extensive experience in HVACR systems. Demonstrates strong leadership in managing teams and driving performance improvements, ensuring operational efficiency and client satisfaction. Expertise in executing preventative maintenance strategies and overseeing successful service delivery across diverse environments.
Overview
1
1
Certification
37
37
years of professional experience
Work History
Lead Operating Engineer
JLL - Jones Lang-Laselle
Brookshire, USA
07.2023 - Current
- The Lead Facility Operations Engineer (LOE) supervises, leads, and supports operation, inspection, and maintenance processes to mechanical, electrical and plumbing equipment and systems in assigned facilities.
- Supervised and implemented preventative maintenance program, enhancing operational reliability and extending equipment lifespan.
- Minimized disruption and inconvenience during work by coordinating schedules and optimizing resource allocation.
- Inspected and repaired property interior and exterior areas, including walls, flooring, fixtures, roofing systems, and lighting, to maintain facility standards.
Facilities Supervisor
TDIndustries
Houston, USA
11.2021 - 07.2023
- Manages, coaches, and develops direct reports to achieve performance goals and company objectives.
- Plans and oversees the delivery of service to customers, both with actual hands-on work, and as a trainer for direct reports, client's staff and other contractors to assure delivery of defined services.
- Monitored performance of assigned area staff and permanent subcontractors to ensure alignment with company standards.
- Conducted performance management conversations to provide constructive feedback and foster employee development.
- Serves as a leader and primary technical resource in area of expertise.
- Acts as the point of contact for customers on site.
- Responds to facility service work orders from building occupants.
- Monitors, checks and evaluates the completion of major repairs and in-depth planned maintenance.
- Ensures all shifts are covered and performs operational duties as required to assure contract compliance.
- Responds to emergency calls, working with police, fire and emergency service crews to protect company property and employees.
- Keeps records of safety, health and environmental issues each working day.
- Ensures the work crew follows all company and customer safety practices and fully utilizes assigned Personal Protective Equipment each work day.
- Reports and investigates near misses and incident/accidents on the project site.
- Conducted a monthly quality and safety walk-through of the entire site with a customer direct report.
- Works with the designated Site Safety Technician to initiate safety topics and ensure bi-weekly safety meetings are conducted and that the required attendance sheets are completed and on file.
- Identified and implemented improvements in customer systems to enhance operational efficiency. for improving customer systems.
Lead Operating Engineer
Jll/Amazon
Brookshire, USA
02.2018 - 11.2021
- Oversaw budget planning and allocation for projects, tracked and maintained inventory to ensure resource availability.
- Complied with PM management program, addressing electrical, plumbing, and HVACR concerns promptly.
- Assisted contractors during project execution, ensuring adherence to safety program standards.
Maintenance Manager
Venterra Realty
Katy, USA
11.2015 - 03.2018
- Managed 25 to 40 turnovers each month and ensured timely completion.
- Ensured resident satisfaction by completing work requests within 24 to 48 hours.
- Managed budget compliance, ordered inventory, and ensured standards were upheld.
- Hired and coordinated with outside contractors to achieve timely project completion.
- Manage employees and make sure they have the tools to work effectively.
Service support lead
Pappas Restaurants
Houston, USA
01.2013 - 01.2015
- Maintained and repaired restaurant equipment, ensuring optimal functionality of walk-in coolers, reach-in coolers, ice machines, air conditioning, and freezers to support daily operations.
- Maintained and repaired ovens, steamers, and hot side equipment to ensure consistent food preparation quality and safety.
- Supervised daily operations to ensure service excellence and customer satisfaction.
- Trained staff on restaurant procedures and service standards for consistency.
- Coordinated schedules to maintain adequate staffing levels during peak hours.
HVAC Contractor
Mitsubishi Caterpillar Forklift Of America
Houston, USA
06.2011 - 06.2013
- Maintained HVACR equipment, ensuring operational efficiency within budget constraints.
- Managed inventory levels for electrical and air conditioning departments to support timely project execution.
- Installed HVAC systems in commercial and industrial settings.
- Conducted routine maintenance on HVAC units to ensure optimal performance.
- Diagnosed issues in heating and cooling systems using specialized tools.
Building facilities engineer
Erickson Living
Houston, USA
01.2008 - 01.2011
- Central plant operator of more than 500 units and a two-story community building.
- Inspected and documented chiller unit readings to optimize energy efficiency.
- Maintained and repaired kitchen equipment to support facility operations.
- Monitored inventory levels and ordered supplies to ensure optimal stock availability.
Maintenance Supervisor/ HVACR Specialist
SixFlags-Astro World/ Splashtown
Houston, USA
01.2005 - 01.2008
- Oversaw electrical, plumbing, and air conditioning refrigeration systems to ensure operational functionality.
- Serviced and repaired water pumps and chilled water units to ensure reliable performance and minimize downtime.
- Managed inventory levels across departments to maintain adequate supplies and support operations.
Service manager
Wilbanks Air Conditioning
Richmond, USA
01.1998 - 01.2005
- Provided customer service and support, resolving issues to enhance customer satisfaction.
- Restored and strengthened client relationships through timely equipment servicing and maintenance.
- Managed daily operations for air conditioning service teams.
- Coordinated scheduling and dispatching of technicians for efficient service delivery.
- Oversaw inventory management and procurement of HVAC parts and supplies.
Pump Mechanic/ test lab technician
Paco pumps/ Flow products
Brookshire, USA
01.1990 - 01.1998
- Acquired 8 years of experience as a pump mechanic, gaining extensive knowledge of pump systems and maintenance.
- Built vertical turbines, experienced in various pumps: submersible, Dyna line, horizontal centrifugal, split case, end suction, and geothermal equipment.
- Developed familiarity with 3-phase electrical systems, pneumatic equipment, and electrical tools through hands-on training.
- Pursued education in HVACR starting in 1997 to enhance technical skills and expertise in the field.
Education
Air Conditioning and Refrigeration - Occupational Studies
Universal Technical Institute
Houston, TX12-1998
High School Diploma -
Fairview High School
Fairview, MT06-1990
Skills
- Boiler
- Communication skills
- Power tools
- Typing
- Equipment Repair
- Attention to detail
- Supervisor experience
- Soldering
- Supervising experience
- Industrial equipment
- Machine learning
- Distributed control systems
- Hydraulics
- Kitchen experience
- Equipment maintenance
- Assembly
- OSHA
- HVAC system repair
- Refrigeration
- Troubleshooting
- ATS
- Driving
- Ohmmeter
- High voltage
- Heavy lifting
- Appliance Repair
- HVAC/R
- Electrical systems
- Computer skills
- Standard operating procedures (SOPs)
- Maintenance
- Service Technician Experience
- Restaurant experience
- Mobile devices
- Microsoft Word
- Analysis skills
- Root cause analysis
- EPA
- Mechanical Knowledge
- HVAC Schematics
- Project management
- Welding
- Control systems
- Fair Housing regulations
- Stick welding
- Quick service & fast food restaurant
- Contracts
- Blueprint Reading
- Brazing
- Management
- Manufacturing
- CMMS
- Electrical maintenance
- Electrical troubleshooting
- Organizational skills
- LOTO
- Profit & loss
- Yardi
- Facilities maintenance
- Hand tools
- Crossfunctional collaboration
- Negotiation
- Writing skills
- Low Voltage
- Grammar
- Experience
- Quality control
- Construction
- Project scheduling
- Electrical experience
- Team management - Team management (6-15 team members)
- Leadership
- Property management
- Plumbing
Certification
- OSHA 10
- EPA Universal
- TACLB 22017
- Air conditioning contractors license.
- EPA 608 universal
- Facilities Management, 03/01/24
- Driver's License, 04/01/19 to 04/01/25
- Class B contractors license, 12/01/21 to 12/01/22
- EPA Universal Certification
- HVAC Contractor License
- OSHA 10-Hour Construction
- EPA 608 Technician Certification
- Electrician Apprentice
- Air Conditioning Certification
- EPA Type I
- Journeyman License
- HVAC Certification
- Journeyman HVAC
- EPA Type II
- EPA Type III
- EPA Certification
Additional Information
Authorized to work in the US for any employer, Texas class B contractors license for HVAC TDLRB22017B, EPA Universal, OSHA 10, Reliability solutions certification
Awards
- Maintenance manager, 02/01/17, Maintenance manager of year for Houston/ Beaumont region. Venterra Realty
- Student of the class in trouble shooting, electronics and energy management.
Timeline
Lead Operating Engineer
JLL - Jones Lang-Laselle
07.2023 - Current
Facilities Supervisor
TDIndustries
11.2021 - 07.2023
Lead Operating Engineer
Jll/Amazon
02.2018 - 11.2021
Maintenance Manager
Venterra Realty
11.2015 - 03.2018
Service support lead
Pappas Restaurants
01.2013 - 01.2015
HVAC Contractor
Mitsubishi Caterpillar Forklift Of America
06.2011 - 06.2013
Building facilities engineer
Erickson Living
01.2008 - 01.2011
Maintenance Supervisor/ HVACR Specialist
SixFlags-Astro World/ Splashtown
01.2005 - 01.2008
Service manager
Wilbanks Air Conditioning
01.1998 - 01.2005
Pump Mechanic/ test lab technician
Paco pumps/ Flow products
01.1990 - 01.1998
Air Conditioning and Refrigeration - Occupational Studies
Universal Technical Institute
High School Diploma -
Fairview High School