J. Austin Bell
Marietta,Georgia
Summary
Results-oriented Senior Managing Director with extensive experience in overseeing complex projects and ensuring quality control. Proven skills in contract negotiation and development budgeting, contributing to successful outcomes for both public and private clients.
Overview
36
36
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Senior Managing Director and Development Manager
Drew Company
Atlanta
08.2019 - Current
- Senior Managing Director Responsible for the day-to-day operations and profitability of the Atlanta office, reporting directly to the Chief Operating Officer and Chief Legal Counsel in Boston
- Primary focus on the expansion of development services for both private and public clients across the region with a targeted focus on new development
- A member of the senior management team assisting in the evaluation of new acquisitions and development opportunities.
- Lead in establishing the project pro-forma, cost pro-forma and development program.
- Responsible for staffing, team assignments, overseeing quality control and office procedures
- Development Manager Responsible for securing the various city, state and local government entitlements including but not limited to zoning approval, building permits, easements and other administrative city, county and/or state approvals
- Responsible for handling contract negotiations with various stakeholders
- Responsible for oversight of both design and construction for all new developments
- Responsible for selecting and managing the design and construction team
- Responsible for establishing and managing the development pro-forma, cost control and forecasting
- Responsible for contract administration including project oversight, bidding and negotiation, project buyout, field observation, conflict resolution, pay application review & approval, and project closeout
Senior Director, Design and Construction
Propst Development
Nashville
08.2018 - 08.2019
- Senior Director, Design and Construction for the Nashville Office, Primary focus on development management services for the Broadwest Project
- Responsible for the day-to-day operations of the Nashville Office, reporting directly to the President of Development Services
- Responsible for staffing, team assignments, overseeing quality control and office procedures
- Responsible for selecting and managing the design and construction team
- Responsible for establishing and managing the pro-forma and development budget, including cost control and forecast reports
- Responsible for handling contract negotiations with various design and construction team members
- Responsible for securing the various city, state and local government entitlements including but not limited to zoning approvals, building permits, easements and other administrative city, county and/or state approvals
- Responsible for Contract Administration project oversight, bidding and negotiation, project buyout, field observation, and conflict resolution.
Senior Director, Design and Construction
Tishman Speyer
08.2007 - 01.2018
- Senior Director, Design and Construction for the southeast region, primary focus on development management services
- Provide advisory planning, development, and construction management related services to private and public clients across the region with targeted focus on new development and value add real estate opportunities
- Responsible for the day-to-day operations of the southeast regional Design & Construction Group, reporting directly to the global head of Tishman Speyer's Design and Construction department in New York
- Member of the senior management team with a seat on the regional advisory board charting the course for the Atlanta portfolio
- Responsible for design and construction of all Tishman Speyer projects in Atlanta and Miami, including new ground up construction, renovations, value add reposition of existing properties and tenant improvement projects
- Responsible for the department budget, cost control, staffing, team assignments, overseeing quality control and office procedures
- Responsible for selecting and managing the design and construction team, including Architects, Interior Designers, Engineers, Contractors, Purchasing Agent, Owner’s subcontractors and other specialty consultants throughout the development/construction process
- Responsible for establishing and managing the development budget including forecast, cost control, monthly & quarterly updates, and assist the regional accounting team with capital calls and financing
- Responsible for handling contract negotiations with various design and construction team members including Architects, Contractors, Engineers, Consultants and vendors for all Tishman Speyer construction projects within the region
- Managing both property and field personnel assigned to the Design and Construction Group including building engineers and assistant property managers
- Responsible for securing the various city, state and local government entitlements necessary for ground up developments and capital improvements including but not limited to zoning approval, building permits, easements and other administrative city, county and/or state approvals
- Responsible for construction services including project oversight, bidding and negotiation, project buyout, construction field observation, conflict resolution, pay application review & approval, and project closeout
- Assist in the evaluation of new portfolio acquisitions through the review of various due diligence documents including environmental reports, zoning, entitlements, easements, site conditions and cost models
- Work diligently with the marketing and leasing team to build the brand within the development community
- Responsible for leasing support including conceptual pricing, space planning, value engineering, and lease negotiation
- Responsible for Tenant design and construction services assisting Tishman Speyer's tenants in programming, planning and building out their new lease space
Senior Project Manager
Regent Partners, LLC
09.2003 - 08.2007
- Senior Project Manager responsible for managing and developing a variety of mixed-use projects including high-rise office/residential, hotels/residential, residential, and institutional buildings
- Responsible for managing the design/construction team including Architect, Interior Designer, Engineers, Contractor, Purchasing Agent, Owner’s subcontractors and other specialty consultants throughout the development of the project
- Other responsibilities include:
- Managing the marketing and sales team
- Developing and managing the development budget
- Hiring and managing on-site office and field staff
- Writing and negotiating the contracts with the various consultants and contractors
- Securing the entitlements for the development including zoning, building permits, easements and other administrative city, county and state approvals
- Maintaining public relations with the community in and around the development
- Plan development, review, and special systems analysis
Contract Administrator
Smallwood, Reynolds, Stewart, Stewart & Associates, Inc
02.1997 - 09.2003
- Contract Administrator responsible for construction phase services for a variety of project types including mid-rise and high-rise office buildings, hotels, institutional facilities, and high-rise residential
- Principal contact for the Owner and Contractor throughout the construction phase
- Responsible for managing the design team including Architects, Interior Designers, Engineers and other consultants throughout the construction phase
- Responsible for monitoring the construction progress, while providing quality assurance through the attendance of OAC meetings and on-site observations
- Responsible for reviewing the Contractor’s proposals, claims, change orders, pay applications, shop drawings, field test reports and other requests for information
- Responsible for maintaining a good working relationship with the Owner and Contractor, while resolving conflicts and disputes
- Worked extensively with AIA and state contracts
- Proficient in the utilization of computers and construction management software
Construction Manager/Construction Administrator
Construction & Property Consultants, Inc / Wakefield Beasley & Associates Architects, Inc
09.1995 - 02.1997
- Construction Manager responsible for representing the Owner throughout the design/bid/build process while overseeing the selection of the Design/ Construction team
- Responsible for construction cost management, team coordination and project completion from design through construction
- Other responsibilities include developing and maintaining the construction scheduling (Microsoft Project), and establishing preliminary construction cost estimates
- Construction Administrator responsible for monitoring the construction activities for a variety of projects including light industrial, office warehouse, institutional facilities, and business occupancies
- Responsible for architectural construction phase services including bidding, construction contract negotiations, drawing revisions, conflict resolution, field changes, shop drawing review, change order review, field inspections, pay application review, punch lists and project close out
- Responsible for providing quality assurance through the attendance of construction progress meetings, on-site observation, and reviewing engineering and field test reports
- Other responsibilities include plan review, existing property inspections, bank loan inspections, code compliance inspections, client relations, and marketing
- Worked extensively with AIA documents
Team Leader/Project Manager
P.M. Architects, Inc
11.1992 - 09.1995
- Team leader responsible for coordinating and managing staff and staff assignments
- Responsible for establishing and maintaining the project production schedule and ensuring project delivery
- Worked closely with clients to maintain and build good client relations
- Project Manager responsible for preparing contract documents including drawings, schedules and specifications
- Responsible for reviewing and coordinating the work of staff architects, and engineering consultants
- Responsible for obtaining building permits, code variances, and inspection approvals
- Responsible for construction phase contract administration
- Proficient in the production of cad generated drawings using AutoCAD
Project Architect
Thompson, Hancock, Witte & Associates Architects & Planners, Inc
10.1989 - 11.1992
- Project Architect responsible for the timely completion of the contract documents including drawings, notes, and consultant coordination
- Responsible for all aspects of contract services from schematic design through contract administration
- Worked with both state and local authorities to obtain construction permits
- Responsible for producing working drawings using a variety of tools including Cadvance, Lotus and WordPerfect
Education
Bachelor of Science Degree - Architectural Engineering Technology
Southern College of Technology
Marietta, Georgia01.1989
Skills
- Project management
- Development budgeting development
- Contract negotiation
- Quality control
- Entitlement procurement
- Client relationship management
- Team leadership
- Staff development
- Negotiation
- Mentoring and training
- Contract management
- Risk assessment
- Strategic planning
- Effective communication
- Decision making
- Corporate governance
- Strategic leadership
Certification
- Member - The American Institute of Architects
- Registered Architect - Georgia Board of Architects and Interior Designers
- LEED Green Associate
- 10-Hour OSHA Hazard Recognition Training
Hobbies and Interests
- Mountain Biking
- Duathlons
- Photography and Cinematography
- President Lassiter Touchdown Club 2012
- Vice-President Lassiter Touchdown Club 2011
- Head Coach Lassiter Jr. Trojan Football 5th, 6th, 7th & 8th grades 2007 through 2010
Accomplishments
- Hilton Developer of the Year by Category - Full Service US: Georgia World Congress Center Authority/The Drew Company
References
References available upon request.
Timeline
Senior Managing Director and Development Manager
Drew Company
08.2019 - Current
Senior Director, Design and Construction
Propst Development
08.2018 - 08.2019
Senior Director, Design and Construction
Tishman Speyer
08.2007 - 01.2018
Senior Project Manager
Regent Partners, LLC
09.2003 - 08.2007
Contract Administrator
Smallwood, Reynolds, Stewart, Stewart & Associates, Inc
02.1997 - 09.2003
Construction Manager/Construction Administrator
Construction & Property Consultants, Inc / Wakefield Beasley & Associates Architects, Inc
09.1995 - 02.1997
Team Leader/Project Manager
P.M. Architects, Inc
11.1992 - 09.1995
Project Architect
Thompson, Hancock, Witte & Associates Architects & Planners, Inc
10.1989 - 11.1992
Bachelor of Science Degree - Architectural Engineering Technology
Southern College of Technology
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