James Breckenridge Smiley V
Frankfort,IL
Summary
Results-driven executive with extensive experience in strategic leadership and operational excellence. Proven track record in driving growth, optimizing processes, and fostering team collaboration. Exceptional skills in strategic planning, financial management, and stakeholder engagement. Adaptable and reliable, consistently achieving high-impact results in dynamic environments.
Overview
32
32
years of professional experience
Work History
Senior Vice President
PREMIER Design + Build Group
02.2026 - Current
- Defined and executed a detailed construction strategy, focusing on growth initiatives, seamless technology integration, and robust team development.
- Project Oversight: Manage multiple large-scale projects and portfolios, ensuring alignment with budget, schedule, and quality standards.
- Implemented strategies to enhance internal processes while ensuring continuous improvements in safety and quality standards.
- Developed and implemented proactive planning measures and contract negotiations to effectively identify and mitigate project risks.
- Client Relations: Build and maintain strong client partnerships to support repeat business and long-term growth.
- Team Leadership: Mentor and develop high-performing teams, fostering collaboration and accountability across all project phases.
- Directed cross-functional teams to deliver complex design-build projects on time and within budget constraints.
- Implemented risk management strategies, mitigating potential project delays and enhancing stakeholder communication.
- Mentored junior leaders, cultivating a collaborative environment that promotes professional growth and innovation.
- Implemented hiring strategies and managed staff to boost productivity, focusing on training initiatives that reinforced best practices and protocols.
- Restructured departments for increased efficiency, optimizing resource allocation and improving communication between teams.
- Hired and trained commercial team to drive new business for company, recruiting, training and implementing internal sales team to identify and close opportunities.
Project Executive
Redmond Construction
01.2025 - 02.2026
- Managed strategic planning efforts, providing oversight for project implementation to drive success.
- Executed comprehensive project management for large-scale initiatives, guaranteeing quality control and financial accountability.
- Analyzed processes to drive operational efficiencies while cultivating lasting client connections.
- Performance Evaluation: Assessing team performance and project outcomes to improve future project execution.
- Established key partnerships that enhanced business growth through effective networking. Drove successful engagement with stakeholders to expand market presence. Facilitated high-impact networking events that generated valuable connections.
- Streamlined documentation workflows, ensuring precision in record-keeping to support compliance and quality assurance initiatives.
- Directed resource allocation to enhance team efficiency throughout multiple project phases.
- Facilitated comprehensive risk assessments to proactively identify issues and develop strategic mitigation plans.
- Developed training materials for new team members, promoting knowledge transfer and skill development.
Project Executive
Skyline Construction
10.2019 - 01.2025
- Oversaw project initiatives, promoting open communication and teamwork to achieve shared objectives.
- Optimized resource allocation, including labor, materials, and equipment, to fulfill project requirements.
- Analyzed potential risks and developed comprehensive mitigation plans to safeguard operations and reduce exposure.
- Quality Control: Ensuring that all work meets the required standards and specifications while adhering to industry standards.
- Engaged with clients, subcontractors, and regulatory agencies to establish strong alliances and uphold project compliance standards.
- Developed and maintained project schedules, ensuring adherence to critical construction milestones.
- Facilitated communication between stakeholders, enhancing collaboration and project clarity.
- Implemented process improvements that streamlined workflows and increased overall productivity.
- Led risk assessment initiatives, identifying potential issues and implementing mitigation strategies.
Senior Project Manager
Skender Construction
01.2015 - 10.2019
- Lead and Mentor teams in conjunction with Individuals.
- Provide overall management for pre-construction activities.
- Risk assessment of each project.
- Develop and reinforce client interactions.
- Ensure client satisfaction is maintained.
- Precisely estimate projects from conception to completion.
- Accountable for all bidding activities throughout the project and overall profitability.
- Provide a bidding schedule for estimating and bidding in conjunction with assisting the Superintendent with the development of a construction schedule.
- Work with Project Superintendent to ensure successful project completion.
- Negotiate contracts.
- Analyze project cost with the Superintendent to assure project budget is intact.
- Maintain client relations in conjunction with assisting in project conflict resolution.
- Led cross-functional teams to deliver complex construction projects on time and within budget.
- Developed project plans and schedules, ensuring alignment with client objectives and regulatory requirements.
Vice President
Cannavino Construction, Inc.- Oswego IL
Oswego, IL
03.2010 - 12.2014
- Provide overall management for pre-construction and construction activities.
- Risk assessment of each project.
- Develop and reinforce client interactions.
- Ensure client satisfaction is maintained.
- Precisely estimate projects from conception to completion.
- Accountable for all bidding activities throughout the project and overall profitability.
- Development of preconstruction and construction schedules.
- Work with Project Teams to ensure successful project completion.
- Contract negotiations
- Maintain client relations in conjunction with assisting in project conflict resolution.
- Led strategic initiatives to enhance operational efficiency and project delivery timelines.
- Oversaw budget management, ensuring alignment with financial objectives and resource allocation.
Project Manager/Project Superintendent
J.G. Rock (Fry Group of Companies)-Naperville, IL
Naperville, IL
02.2004 - 03.2010
General Foreman
Barridge Construction-Naperville, IL
Naperville, IL
06.1994 - 02.2004
Education
Bachelor of Science - Business Administration
AIU
Chandler, AZ01-2016
Skills
- Strategic leadership
- Policies and procedures
- Operational excellence
- Budget preparation
- Strategic plans
- Business development
- Financial management
Timeline
Senior Vice President
PREMIER Design + Build Group
02.2026 - Current
Project Executive
Redmond Construction
01.2025 - 02.2026
Project Executive
Skyline Construction
10.2019 - 01.2025
Senior Project Manager
Skender Construction
01.2015 - 10.2019
Vice President
Cannavino Construction, Inc.- Oswego IL
03.2010 - 12.2014
Project Manager/Project Superintendent
J.G. Rock (Fry Group of Companies)-Naperville, IL
02.2004 - 03.2010
General Foreman
Barridge Construction-Naperville, IL
06.1994 - 02.2004
Bachelor of Science - Business Administration
AIU