Gilbert Saah
Houston,Texas
Summary
Construction and facilities manager with broad experience leading county road, bridge, drainage, and building projects from planning through closeout. Directs budgets, schedules, contract documents, safety compliance, and maintenance operations while coordinating contractors, consultants, and public stakeholders to keep projects on track and within standards.
Overview
1
1
Certification
22
22
years of professional experience
Work History
Construction Manager CPI/CPD
Harris County Engineering Department
Houston, TX
2023.01 - Current
- Provide administration, oversight, and management of all aspects of Harris County Road and bridge construction projects.
- Managed multiple capital improvement and maintenance projects, ensuring adherence to plans, specifications, and applicable standards while overseeing contract-related documents including requests for information, change orders, purchase orders, and court approval.
- Manage new construction, work orders, scope of work, contract budgets, contract timelines.
- Developed project scope, goals, and deliverables to capture client needs and project limitations in contract documents and design efforts, achieving alignment with project objectives.
- Executed quality assurance, risk management, regulatory compliance, utility coordination, ROW acquisition, and permitting throughout all project phases, following the Project Management Institute (PMI) business model.
- Schedule, coordinate and conduct all project meetings including pre-construction, progress meetings, coordination, conflict resolution.
- Facilitated the procurement process for consultants and contractors to ensure project needs were met.
- Coordinate with various Harris County department representatives, contractors, consulting firms, materials labs, and interested parties both public and private to identify and resolve issues on the job site.
- Identifies and addresses critical schedule, budget, or performance issues with team members and engages management as necessary to resolve issues and mitigate risks before they negatively impact the project.
- Communicates effectively with senior management, elected officials and their staff, stakeholders, and other public agencies.
- Monitors and reports on project budgets, schedules, and project status with e-Builder.
- Work effectively with the Construction Team including the inspection team during the construction phase of the project.
- Balances details and technical aspects with functional requirements such that project expectations are met within budgetary and schedule constraints.
- Represents Harris County to public and private individuals and agencies as applicable who may be affected by construction activities.
- Evaluate, make appropriate engineering decisions and provide written responses/documentation regarding the interpretation of contracts, costs, changes to plans, specifications, field conditions, construction methods, safety, materials, project schedules.
- Manages and supervises consultants, contractors, and other subject matter experts in the preparation of planning and construction documents, and in the implementation of construction.
- Coordinates with the Purchasing Department to ensure that projects are advertised on a timely basis.
Manager of Facilities Maintenance and Construction
Harris County Precinct 2
Houston, TX
2022.01 - 2023.01
- Managed operations, maintenance, coordination, and supervision of Precinct 2 Facilities Maintenance, overseeing annual budget planning and resource allocation to support efficient facility management.
- Manage renovations and construction projects in coordination with the appropriate Precinct Departments, Divisions, Harris County Engineering, and/or outside consultants, including developing project scope, cost estimates, and project budgets
- Led a team of construction professionals to ensure project completion and adherence to safety standards. Approximately 25 dedicated employees over five construction departments
- Oversees the safe and timely daily operation and maintenance of equipment and facilities and setting and tracking performance indicators; utilize in-house and contracted workforce
- Manage a general repair program that includes preventive measures to protect against electrical, HVAC, plumbing, and mechanical malfunctions or facility structural and equipment failures
- Inspects completed work for conformance to blueprints, specifications, and standards and maintains work records of construction work, repair and maintenance performed
- Supervised and directed staff, performing administrative functions including interviewing, hiring, training, scheduling, assigning work, and reviewing performance; guided staff in preventive and corrective maintenance activities to ensure optimal facility operation.
- Maintains files of warranties, records, licenses, inspections, permits, occupancy and compliance certificates, and applicable contract service agreements
- Develops a short term and multi-year plan for operation and maintenance of buildings, facilities, and equipment
- Maintain records of material and labor costs for renovation and construction projects; provide information to support applications for disaster recovery reimbursement programs
- Develops and manages department budget. Reviews and approves departmental expenses and performs monthly reconciliations to ensure financial goals are met. Exercises budgetary control of personnel, maintenance, and operations expense within acceptable tolerances.
- Engaged, motivated, and trained employees while providing a safe work environment.
- Enforced compliance with established safety policies and regulations among employees.
Road & Bridge Contract Maintenance & Construction Management Division/ Manager
Harris County Precinct 2
Houston, TX
2019.01 - 2022.01
- Develop and Manage contracts, Permitting and Inspection for the Precinct 2 Road and Bridge – Manage constructions
- With the assistance of the Engineering department and the Pct2 leadership, writes contract specifications and full scope and coordinate with Purchasing to review and select the best bid for the projects.
- Coordinated with precinct constituents, engineers, contractors, and consultants to facilitate effective collaboration and communication throughout construction projects.
- Oversee the roads construction, the installation of reinforced concrete structures such as box culverts, low flow sections, channel lining, inlets, manholes and regrading and reshaping of open ditches in the Harris County Precinct
- Supported complex repair and construction projects, including site clearing, regrading, reshaping, excavation, and backfilling.
- Ensure quality assurance/quality control of the documentation provided with contractors' pay estimates.
- Review material testing reports and recommend appropriate action according to the findings
- Review projects and conduct punch list prior to completion of plans and specifications to provide constructability evaluation.
- Coordinated with contractor's PM on scheduling, plan interpretation, and material acceptability to ensure compliance with specifications and project timelines.
- Coordinate the inspection of materials on construction sites to ensure compliance with specifications and drawings
- Prepare detailed written material, including reports and analyses of construction inspection enforcement, proposed changes to construction plans, and negotiating change orders. Stay on project timeline, and process partial and final payments
- Coordinate with other departments such as Engineering permit, Public Health, Pollution Control, Flood Control facility Maintenance group to mitigate flooding, environmental concerns and permitting within the Harris Precinct 2
Engineer Assistant/ Construction Engineer
Texas Department of Transportation
Houston, TX
2018.01 - 2019.01
- Analyses, designs, and oversees the construction of bridges girders, security and streetlight signalization, flexible concrete road pavement, drainage system
- Oversees construction activities for structural materials such as steel, concrete, and constituent components
- Ensured construction of roadways, bridges, and culverts met specifications and standards, contributing to project quality and safety.
- Monitors project phasing and traffic control plans and ensures compliance with approved safety standards.
- Processed and approved contractor pay estimates, ensuring timely payments aligned with project milestones.
- Attends pre-construction and progress meetings and answers questions from Engineers, contractors, and other attendees.
- Consults with Professional Engineers, consultants, residents, project representatives and contractors' Project Managers on work progress and designs or construction problems.
- Analyzes procedures to identify deficiencies and recommends improvements to management.
- Advises on necessary adjustments to enhance project scope and execution, extra work orders/supplemental agreements or force account.
- Review proposed change orders submitted by consultants and prepares reports.
- Trained and mentored project managers and inspectors on effective work methods, enhancing team capabilities and project execution.
Facilities Maintenance – Manager Harris County Central Plants
HARRIS COUNTY Facilities and Properties Maintenance (NOW - BOS)
Houston, TX
2017.01 - 2018.01
- Assisted operational management of Harris County central plants, enhancing quality and efficiency while reducing maintenance costs for high pressure steam boilers, heat exchangers, heating water boilers, cooling towers, and centrifugal chillers.
- Directed the team performing building automation and HVAC for daily operations, maintenance, and repairs of all Harris County downtown and outlined buildings.
- Manages all central plants projects, major repairs and preventive maintenance performed by contractors on boilers, cooling towers, chillers and any auxiliary plant equipment or components.
- Oversees Harris County Central Plants work order tracking system and develops scope of work for any major construction
- Developed and implemented energy reduction procedures, improving efficiency of energy usage.
- Operated and maintained mechanical equipment, conducting regular inspections to detect malfunctions and initiating repairs promptly to ensure operation of over 50 Harris County downtown and outline buildings.
- Supervises chemistry testing and addition of chemicals to water to prevent deterioration of equipment
- Assisted less experienced team members to improve their skills and knowledge.
Facilities Maintenance & Construction Manager
HARRIS COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE
Houston, TX
2009.01 - 2017.01
- Manages about 90 construction maintenance teams including the inspection group
- Developed and managed contracts and projects that enhanced quality, improved security, and reduced maintenance costs for Harris County Jail, the largest jail in Texas with approximately 10,000 inmates.
- Manages constructions, schedules and maintenance of the Sheriff Office facilities within the Harris County
- Manages projects such as interior/exterior building and parking, security, fire panel and pumps, generators, HVAC upgrade
- Coordinate project progress and meet with contractors and other key players to discuss phases and progress
- Developed scope and managed construction projects within the scope of work and the timeline.
- Coordinated building maintenance and automated control systems by reviewing corrective work orders, conducting field inspections, assessing contractor performance, and developing performance metrics and budgets.
- Implemented strategic inspections for Jail's Facilities by the Texas Commission of Jail Standards, resulting in annual passes with outstanding evaluations, achieving a record previously unmatched.
- Special Achievements: Implements new sanitation system in the jail facilities – saving about $100,000 per year from inmate's vandalism costs. Implements new shower coating in all the jails – saving thousands of dollars in yearly maintenance cost and environmental concerns.
- Evaluated options and made decisions that aligned with County objectives and goals. with the support of the upper management that supports County objectives and goals.
- Prepares and maintains records, files, and reports for future reference
Disaster Assessment Team Member
Harris County Hurricane Harvey Recovery
2017.08 - 2017.09
- Assessed flood damage by evaluating affected properties and gathering data for upload in "Crisis Track" to support Harris County and FEMA response efforts.
- Conducted in-home assessments of residential damage and debris removal to facilitate recovery planning.
- Distributed food and water to residents in need during relief efforts, providing critical support and comfort for those affected by the storm.
Geotech laboratory Engineering Assistant
FUGRO CONSULTANT INC.
Houston, TX
2008.01 - 2009.01
- Conducted laboratory testing on soil samples, ensuring accurate results through equipment calibrations and laboratory maintenance.
- Prepared testing reports and summarized observation results, collaborating with project managers to enhance project execution and timely reporting.
- Led equipment checks and calibrations, supporting complex and non-routine testing to maintain testing integrity.
- Performs soil testing such as Unconfined and Confined Consolidation test (UU, UC), Miniature van test, Specific Gravity test, Sieve Analysis, Moisture Content test, organic content test, calcium carbonate test, -200 test, Atterberg limit test and Erosion test. Calculations and reports are submitted for verification in accordance with AASHTO and ASTM.
Construction Management / Part time Design & Construction Consultant Manager
BILL AND CO.
Houston, TX
2005.01 - Current
- Streamlines projects to stay on budget and complete within schedules by assisting with project design, planning, cost estimation, field construction and engineering issues.
- Analyzes construction drawings & plan-sets, approves and stamps as a PE licensed in Texas.
- Inspected construction methods and workmanship, ensuring compliance with plans and specifications.
- Inspects construction sites for safety features and guides workers and staff in utilizing proper safety measures.
- Expertly identifies potential issues and environmental threats while taking precautions for the safety of projects.
- Developed contracts, solicited bids, selected optimal bidder, and supported PM during construction phase.
- Facilitated pre-construction and progress meetings, while providing clarifications to participants.
- Coordinated project timelines and activities, facilitating progress meetings with contractors, engineers, consultants, and stakeholders.
- Reads and interprets plans, schematics, blueprints, and performs calculations using algebra, trigonometry, and geometry
- Oversees and coordinates concrete slump test, compression strength test, temperature, and air test
- As a Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA), administer networks and manage security systems in projects.
- Proficiently uses personal computers and applicable programs, applications, and systems (Window, Word, Excel, Power point, Share point, Auto-Cad, Auto-Desk and more)
Education
PhD - Environmental
Texas Southern University
Houston, TX2016-01
MS - Civil Engineering/ emphasis Structure and Project Management
Prairie View A& A University
Prairie View, TX2011-01
Bachelor of Science - Civil and Environmental Engineering
Texas Southern University
Houston, TX2009-01
Bachelor of Science - Mathematics
University of Douala
Cameroon2001-01
Skills
- Construction management
- Contract administration
- Project scheduling
- Cost estimation
- E-Builder tracking
- Roadway construction
- Budget control
- Quality assurance
- Problem solving
- Team leadership
- Stakeholder communication
- Operations oversight
- Change order management
- Schedule management
- Contract monitoring
Personal Information
Title: Senior Construction Manager
Certification
Cisco Network Certified Associate (CCNA), License Number CSC0106327392, First Grade Stationary Engineering License, City of Houston, Envision Sustainability Professional (Env. SP), Professional Engineering Licensure (PE, CIVIL # 140964)
Custom
- Capital Improvement
- HVAC& Plumbing
- Strategic Planning &Analysis
- Auto CAD, AISC M, & ACI
- Security Systems
- Policy & Program Development
- Quantitative Analysis
- Code Compliance
- Space Planning
- P & L Management
- Labor Cost Controls
- Budget Forecast & Management
Timeline
Construction Manager CPI/CPD
Harris County Engineering Department
2023.01 - Current
Manager of Facilities Maintenance and Construction
Harris County Precinct 2
2022.01 - 2023.01
Road & Bridge Contract Maintenance & Construction Management Division/ Manager
Harris County Precinct 2
2019.01 - 2022.01
Engineer Assistant/ Construction Engineer
Texas Department of Transportation
2018.01 - 2019.01
Disaster Assessment Team Member
Harris County Hurricane Harvey Recovery
2017.08 - 2017.09
Facilities Maintenance – Manager Harris County Central Plants
HARRIS COUNTY Facilities and Properties Maintenance (NOW - BOS)
2017.01 - 2018.01
Facilities Maintenance & Construction Manager
HARRIS COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE
2009.01 - 2017.01
Geotech laboratory Engineering Assistant
FUGRO CONSULTANT INC.
2008.01 - 2009.01
Construction Management / Part time Design & Construction Consultant Manager
BILL AND CO.
2005.01 - Current
Bachelor of Science - Mathematics
University of Douala
Bachelor of Science - Civil and Environmental Engineering
Texas Southern University
MS - Civil Engineering/ emphasis Structure and Project Management
Prairie View A& A University
PhD - Environmental
Texas Southern University