Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Leadership Experience
Affiliations
Work Preference
Interests
Software
Awards
Timeline
00
JAY PECOTTE

JAY PECOTTE

Architectural Design
Orlando,FL

Summary

Forward-thinking design professional with a proven track record of creating, developing, and building authentic, imaginative, and immersive guest environments aligned with companies' operational, financial, and schedule goals. Experienced in managing hospitality and theme park projects, demonstrated leadership in overseeing all aspects of design and A&E teams, from initial project concept to project completion and ongoing asset management. Possesses extensive knowledge of industry trends, technology, construction materials, building methods, and building codes. Skilled in building strong relationships and effectively communicating complex concepts, takes charge of design team strategy to achieve team goals. Consistently demonstrates exceptional organization and communication skills in fast-paced dynamic environments. Proactively drives initiatives and collaborates with cross-functional stakeholders to maximize potential impact.

Overview

32
32
years of professional experience

Work History

Founder / Director of Design

GREEN IGUANA DESIGN GROUP
01.2004 - Current
  • Assemble, lead and provide supervision of design teams to create aesthetically pleasing and functional products that met client specifications and increased sales.
  • Provides creative design solutions for hospitality and theme park projects.
  • Pre Development services on major hospitality projects initiating site inspections, project concepts and RFP development for external services.
  • Have successively completed projects for multiple brands including Fun Spot, Hard Rock International, Busch Gardens, Wet N Wild, NASA and San Antonio Zoo
  • Projects ranging in size from $80K to $1.5B
  • Developed strong partnerships with other businesses to allow for collaboration and more significant opportunities for growth.
  • Championed continuous improvement efforts within the organization, streamlining operations for increased efficiency.

Senior Vice President of Design and Development

KATMANDU GROUP
01.2018 - 01.2021
  • Led and supervised the design and development process for all Sol Katmandu branded hotels, resorts, retail centers and Katmandu theme parks globally
  • Managed project team activities to achieve established goals for approved budgets, brand approved product, and scheduled property opening
  • Developed strategic initiatives, creative VE and design solutions when needed for budget reduction.
  • Coordinate with internal departments to obtain inputs for development plans and to furnish information required by departments
  • Manage internal stakeholders and external consultants to prepare and review the design materials, design presentations, construction plans and FFE specifications that are based on the approved scope and standards
  • Working with internal ownership and external consultants for the IP advancement and development of custom Katmandu attractions and Katmandu films
  • Oversaw the RFP processes for new attractions, interior design, architecture, landscape & water park design, scenic design, traffic studies, technology services, branded environments, and immersive experiences
  • Responsible for identifying, negotiating contracts and hiring of sub-consultants and design A&E teams
  • Played an instrumental role in key decision-making processes, providing valuable insights garnered from extensive industry experience and expertise.
  • Hired and managed employees to maximize productivity while training staff on best practices and protocols.

Senior Director of Development

HARD ROCK INTERNATIONAL
01.2012 - 01.2018
  • Proven track record of effectively managing all aspects of planning, design, construction and completion of Hard Rock hotels, resorts, theme parks, retail centers and casinos globally
  • Integral in the design and development of new branded concepts; Rock Spa, Rock Shop and Hard Rock Golf
  • Demonstrated ability to lead the design process and implementation for new branded concepts for F&B, disco clubs, art programs, pool concepts, kids clubs, entertainment venue concepts, integrated technology, branded environments and experiences
  • Managed brand approval and provided design review and oversight of Hard Rock Park, aiding with all branded elements, memorabilia integration, signage design, FFE submissions and all creative branded theatrical elements
  • Optimized project timelines by effectively delegating tasks and prioritizing workload among team members
  • Successfully worked on the development and updates of the Hotel brand style guides, hotel programming templates and hotel development standards
  • Developed strong relationships with key industry partners, fostering collaboration and partnerships with FFE, plumbing and other hospitality manufacturers
  • Assist owners with pre-development, zoning, negotiating and contract sub-consultant services
  • Monitor and review construction contract documents for completeness and accuracy and full compliance with the brand standards, codes and the contract documents
  • Management of city process, permitting and submissions
  • Review of project milestone costs and value engineering ideas when needed
  • Develop expected cash flow schedule for all major project cost activities

Project Architect

UNIVERSAL STUDIOS Florida (USF)
01.2000 - 01.2004
  • Member of Planning & Development, USF park's core design team, overseeing 5 employees for all internal architecture, interior design, renovations, construction, maintenance, signage and graphic installations at Universal Studios, Florida
  • Was a core member on several ‘blue-sky' design teams for many new initial expansion attraction concepts
  • Provided parkwide design and integration oversight of all new retail and food carts and kiosks, new graphic and signage installs, new attractions, parkwide ff&e purchasing and retail and restaurant renovations
  • Design & Construction management for award winning attractions Terminator T23D, Twister – ride it out, Men in Black- Alien Attack, KidsZone Curious George Playland & Woody Woodpecker Roller Coaster, Revenge of the Mummy - The Ride, Shrek, Jimmy Neutron
  • Proven track record of effectively managing all aspects of the Universal Express project, including all design, budgeting, permitting submissions, kiosk and signage procurement, fabrication and installation for the 32 express locations at UIOA and USF
  • Conduct park site visits to monitor progress, identify potential issues, and recommend corrective actions when necessary
  • Developed innovative design concepts that enhanced the visual appeal of completed buildings

Project Designer | International Studio

VOA ASSOCIATES
01.1993 - 01.1995
  • Designed and managed team activities for award winning hospitality projects throughout the Caribbean and South America.
  • Travel to locations for on-site design charrettes, research and milestone presentations to ownership.
  • Projects types included resorts, condominiums, hospitals, theme parks, eco-lodges, theaters and commercial mixed use city centers.
  • Lead internal design team and external sub consultants for project documentation and submissions.
  • Provided status updates for projects, delivering information to all stakeholders.
  • Developed detailed design drawings and specifications using computer-aided drafting software.
  • Enhanced project designs by incorporating innovative techniques and materials.

Education

Bachelor of Professional Studies - Architecture – Design

UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS @ CHICAGO
Chicago, IL

Associates - Architecture

LANSING COMMUNITY COLLEGE

Skills

  • Criteria programming
  • Pre-development services
  • Project Management
  • Design Management
  • FFE specification review
  • Architectural Design
  • Property Improvement Plans (PIP)
  • Owners Representative
  • Team Leadership
  • Team Management
  • Strategic Thinking
  • Client Engagement
  • Contract Negotiation
  • AutoCAD, Sketch-up, Slack, Adobe, Microsoft Suite, Google Docs, ZOOM, Blue beam, Teams, Project 360, ai Software

Leadership Experience

Experience facilitating large project team meetings and giving creative direction to both internal and external design and development teams.

Successfully led short term rebranding projects with aggressive budgets and schedules. Giving the onsite leadership for local design teams, FFE procurement, logo design, signage installation, construction and delivery. 

Creative problem solver with on-the-spot solutions and the ability to convey those solutions to the local team on fast paced projects. 

As a business owner, has needed to learn and fill many other roles in business from accounting, marketing and personnel.

Affiliations

  • NEWH
  • TEA

Work Preference

Work Type

Full TimeContract WorkGig Work

Work Location

RemoteHybrid

Interests

Drone pilot

Ice Hockey

Arts & Culture Events

Software

AutoCAD

Blue Beam

Sketch-Up

Adobe Suite

Microsoft Suite

Google Docs

Project 360

Ai: Co-Pilot, Nightcafe, Mindspring

Awards

I have been lucky enough to work on talented project teams to receive such awards.

Thea Awards: Revenge of the Mummy attraction, Men in Black, Alien Attack attraction, KidZone attraction.

2015 Magellan Awards: Hard Rock Hotel Riviera Maya, HRH Panama, HRH Punta Cana, HRH San Diego.

2015 HOSPY Awards: Winner, Best Suite Design - Bret Michaels Rock Star Suite HRH Riviera Maya.

2014 Magellan Awards: Winner, Hard Rock Hotel Palm Springs, HRH Panama.

2014 Conde Nast Readers Choice Award: Hard Rock Hotel Palm Springs.

Boutique Design Awards: Winner, Hard Rock Hotel Punta Cana Lobby, Runner up, HRH Vallarta, HRH Riviera Maya.

1996 AIA Awards: Chipichape Hotel and Convention Center, Cali Colombia

1996 AIA Awards: Divesa 127 Mixed use and theater center, Bogota, Colombia

Timeline

Senior Vice President of Design and Development

KATMANDU GROUP
01.2018 - 01.2021

Senior Director of Development

HARD ROCK INTERNATIONAL
01.2012 - 01.2018

Founder / Director of Design

GREEN IGUANA DESIGN GROUP
01.2004 - Current

Project Architect

UNIVERSAL STUDIOS Florida (USF)
01.2000 - 01.2004

Project Designer | International Studio

VOA ASSOCIATES
01.1993 - 01.1995

Bachelor of Professional Studies - Architecture – Design

UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS @ CHICAGO

Associates - Architecture

LANSING COMMUNITY COLLEGE

Similar Profiles

CREATE PROFILE
JAY PECOTTEArchitectural Design