MICHAEL BIANCO
Cape Coral,FL
Summary
Seasoned Engineering Manager seamlessly integrates project technical aspects and makes information relatable to non-technical personnel. Experienced leader and program manager with a 30-year history in field. Clear communicator, decision maker and problem solver.
Overview
35
35
years of professional experience
3
3
Languages
Work History
DIRECTOR OF ENGINEERING & TECHNOLOGY
Green Life Farms Inc.
1 2023 - Current
- Leading the design and construction of a new 5-acre greenhouse, developing the specifications for the selection of the HVAC system, the greenhouse automation equipment, the harvesting and packaging, the germination, propagation and cold storage rooms and all related equipment
- Initiating and implementing continuous improvement projects in the existing greenhouse facilities
- Integrated architectural and engineering drawings to create cohesive packages.
- Represented company within client industry organizations and at industry events.
- Increased production capacity by upgrading equipment and optimizing process workflows.
- Evaluated emerging technologies to identify opportunities for integration into existing systems or develop innovative solutions.
SR ENGINEER & ENVIRONMENTAL SYSTEMS MANAGER
AEROFARMS
02.2018 - 01.2023
- Initiated and implemented airflow and harvesting solutions that stabilized temperatures, improved product quality, increased yields, and extended product shelf life from 6 to 20 days
- Designed, built, and tested equipment that would reduce energy consumption and provide constant and consistent conditioned airflow across all 12 growing levels
- Lead the development of cooling, heating and humidification systems that will be used in future farm designs
- Filed two (2) Provisional Patent Applications
- Assessed scope and requirements to assist with project design determinations.
- Identified needed parts to keep equipment in top operating condition.
- Mentored and coached entry-level and junior engineers to improve talent and boost skill levels.
- Conducted research to identify and evaluate new technologies and concepts.
- Developed high-quality engineering designs and plans to meet industry standards.
- Delivered public presentations to provide plans and updates on projects.
- Championed energy-efficient designs that not only met regulatory requirements but also contributed positively towards environmental sustainability efforts.
PROJECT MANAGER – TURNKEY
TRANE
11.2016 - 02.2018
- Manage all aspects of turnkey projects, from beginning to end, with direct responsibility for project execution while leading a team, or teams, to accomplish specific objectives in a given time frame and with available resources
- Responsible for the administration, implementation, and management of construction projects
- Accountable for assigned projects’ scope of work, schedule, and budget.
- Participated in team projects, demonstrating an ability to work collaboratively and effectively.
- Identified issues, analyzed information and provided solutions to problems.
- Worked flexible hours across night, weekend, and holiday shifts.
- Worked well in a team setting, providing support and guidance.
- Acted as a team leader in group projects, delegating tasks and providing feedback.
- Demonstrated strong organizational and time management skills while managing multiple projects.
President
Millennium Cooling, Inc.
03.2001 - 11.2016
- Provided management and direction for design, construction, and consulting services to produce industry producers as well as on-going logistics consulting services to clients in Turkey, Romania, Georgia, and other Eastern European countries
- Previously completed international assignments that improved agriculture production and educated and trained farmers on effective handling and storage methods.
- Hired and managed employees to maximize productivity while training staff on best practices and protocols.
- Shaped solutions and approaches by leveraging trends in customer marketplaces and industries.
- Established a culture of accountability by setting clear expectations and holding individuals responsible for results.
- Oversaw business-wide changes to modernize procedures and organization.
- Cultivated company-wide culture of innovation and collaboration.
- Maintained P&L and shouldered corporate fiscal responsibility.
PROJECT DIRECTOR
ACDI/VOCA (USAID)
01.2012 - 08.2012
- Oversee the implementation of the FALLAH (Farmer) Program, including but not limited to, logistics and administration, development of annual work plans, sub-recipient allocations, financial record keeping, staff/consultant recruitment, staff training and supervision, monitoring and evaluation, and periodic reporting
- Provide administrative oversight to the agricultural training, pack house, collection center components of the program
- Ensure effective finance, progress, and donor reports, compliance with donor and ACDI/VOCA regulations, and efficient utilization of program staff and resources for this component.
- Cultivated a positive work environment, fostering open communication channels and encouraging team members to share ideas for continuous improvement.
- Enhanced team productivity through regular progress tracking and performance evaluations.
- Delivered high-quality results by adhering to industry best practices and maintaining a detail-oriented approach throughout each project phase.
- Led preparation of bid packages and associated scopes of work, appendices and exhibits.
- Traveled to other company locations for temporary assignments, meetings or training.
- Reported regularly to managers on project budget, progress, and technical problems.
President
Cool Care, Inc.
09.1986 - 02.2001
- Established the consulting company to provide state of the art cooling facilities to companies in the produce industry
- Managed up to 50 full-time employees with offices in Florida, California, and France with full Profit and Loss (P&L) responsibility
- Successfully negotiated the sale of the company in 1992, to the Dole Food company, the world’s largest producer of fruits and vegetables
- Established and staffed the European division of Cool Care in 1993 in France and personally managed it until 1996
- Oversaw and directed construction projects and large equipment sales throughout the U.S., Canada, France, England, Italy, Russia, Georgia, Romania, Moldova, Turkey, Japan, Korea, Guam, Hong Kong, Philippines, Mexico, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, Honduras, Bermuda and Costa Rica
- Successfully introduced and commercialized innovative designs for which five patents have been awarded and the original design has become an industry standard
- Introduced a modified, refrigerated, shipping container that allowed the parent company, Dole Food Co., to capture a majority market share in the southern Mediterranean region and increase their sales in the area by over $20 million per year.
- Hired and managed employees to maximize productivity while training staff on best practices and protocols.
- Shaped solutions and approaches by leveraging trends in customer marketplaces and industries.
- Founded performance- and merit-based evaluation system to assess staff performance.
- Established a culture of accountability by setting clear expectations and holding individuals responsible for results.
- Established and maintained strong relationships with customers, vendors and strategic partners.
- Represented organization at industry conferences and events.
- Developed innovative sales and marketing strategies to facilitate business expansion.
- Launched new products successfully into the market after meticulous research and planning.
Education
Certificate - Post Harvest Technology
University of California-Davis
Davis, CaliforniaM.B.A. - Business
University of Miami
Coral Gables, FloridaDiploma - Mechanical Engineering Technology
Dawson College
Montreal, QuebecSkills
Product Development
Energy management
Hardware development
Environmental management
Project Oversight
Stakeholder Management
Team Collaboration
Goal Setting
Active Listening
Problem-solving abilities
Vendor Sourcing
Customer Satisfaction
Patents Awarded
- 4824685
- 5373780
- 5789007
- 5965185
- 6227002
- 6715539
Key Qualifications
Mr. Michael Bianco is an experienced controlled environment specialist and operations manager with over 30 years of experience leading the implementation of effective agriculture storage and handling systems domestically and internationally. He has extensive experience managing large-scale operations and providing technical assistance to established and emerging producers of fruits and vegetables. Mr. Bianco has served as President of a private consulting company for 15 years, environmental control solutions to clients in the U.S., Turkey, Romania, Georgia, and other countries worldwide. During a three-year assignment in the Ukraine, he managed the engineering department and trained field personnel in proper post-harvest techniques for an emerging and expanding produce company. Also as President of Cool Care, Inc., Mr. Bianco managed over 50 employees and assumed full Profit and Loss (P&L) responsibility for the company. In this role, he led operations that provided state of the art cooling systems for producers worldwide and commercialized innovative designs for which six patents have been awarded. He also has experience working with international development organizations such as the IFC division of the World Bank and national NGOs. Mr. Michael Bianco holds an M.B.A. and a Certificate in Post-Harvest Technology. He is a native English speaker, also fluent in French and Italian
Hobbies
Enjoys the occasional game of golf, cycling, skiing and baking sourdough bread.
Timeline
SR ENGINEER & ENVIRONMENTAL SYSTEMS MANAGER
AEROFARMS
02.2018 - 01.2023
PROJECT MANAGER – TURNKEY
TRANE
11.2016 - 02.2018
PROJECT DIRECTOR
ACDI/VOCA (USAID)
01.2012 - 08.2012
President
Millennium Cooling, Inc.
03.2001 - 11.2016
President
Cool Care, Inc.
09.1986 - 02.2001
DIRECTOR OF ENGINEERING & TECHNOLOGY
Green Life Farms Inc.
1 2023 - Current
Certificate - Post Harvest Technology
University of California-Davis
M.B.A. - Business
University of Miami
Diploma - Mechanical Engineering Technology
Dawson College