Michael Reis
Los Angeles,CA
Summary
Results-driven Managing Director with expertise in financial management and strategic planning. Drives growth and profitability through effective project management and team leadership. Streamlines operations to enhance service delivery and compliance while fostering strong client relationships. Excels in risk assessment and conflict resolution to support organizational success.
Overview
26
26
years of professional experience
Work History
Managing Director
Works Architecture
Los Angeles, USA
01.2018 - Current
- Provide firmwide operational leadership across finance, human resources, marketing, technology, administration, and business development functions in partnership with the CEO and senior leadership.
- Oversee budgeting, cash flow, audits, tax, accounting, purchasing, real estate, benefits, and insurance programs, ensuring fiscal integrity, internal controls, and long-term financial sustainability.
- Establish firmwide design and operational standards; set strategic goals and implementation plans to drive growth, profitability, and market expansion.
- Led business development, branding, marketing, communications, and public relations strategy; oversaw proposal development, pursuit planning, presentations, and client relationship management to enhance firm visibility and client engagement.
- Managed and mentored multidisciplinary teams; set performance expectations, conducted evaluations, and fostered a collaborative environment to elevate team effectiveness and project outcomes.
- Direct recruitment, compensation, performance management, employee relations, and policy compliance, aligning workforce strategy with organizational goals and firm culture.
- Lead architectural projects from inception through closeout, aligning scope, schedule, budget, quality, and regulatory compliance with client and firm objectives.
- Develop and execute project plans, schedules, and financial forecasts; manage multiple concurrent projects while ensuring constructability, risk mitigation, and on-time, on-budget delivery.
- Guide digital design and BIM strategy, including standards development, workflow integration, model management, vendor coordination, staff training, and technology quality control.
- Oversee contract administration, legal coordination, and negotiation; ensure compliance with building codes, zoning, and regulatory requirements.
- Serve as senior public representative of the firm, supporting community engagement, client relations, and professional industry involvement.
- Led strategic initiatives that streamlined architectural design processes and improved project delivery.
- Negotiated contracts with vendors and suppliers to maximize cost savings for the organization.
- Performed regular reviews of operational processes, identifying opportunities to maintain quality standards while optimizing costs.
- Ensured compliance with applicable laws, regulations, policies, and procedures related to business operations.
- Identified potential risks associated with operations and developed mitigation strategies.
- Used strong issue resolution and communication skills to cultivate and strengthen lasting client relationships.
- Evaluated staffing needs based on organizational goals and objectives; recruited personnel accordingly.
- Developed budgeting models for forecasting future revenues and expenditures, enabling informed financial planning and resource allocation.
Director – Maintenance, Construction & Operations
Portland Bureau of Transportation (PBOT)
Portland, USA
01.2016 - 01.2018
- Directed citywide maintenance, construction, and capital improvement programs, overseeing budgets, schedules, contractor performance, regulatory compliance, and risk management for complex public infrastructure projects.
- Managed multi-source funding programs including federal, state, and local revenues; prepared, justified, implemented, and monitored operating and capital budgets; developed short- and long-term financial plans and funding strategies.
- Developed financial models and forecasts to evaluate impacts of legislative changes and capital program delivery on long-range asset management.
- Oversaw construction management consultants and contractors; administered contracts, negotiated change orders, reviewed cost estimates, and ensured delivery within approved scope, schedule, and budget.
- Reviewed construction documents, technical memoranda, submittals, RFIs, schedules, and quality control plans to ensure constructability, bidability, and compliance with codes, standards, and agency policies.
- Directed quality assurance and quality control processes, implementing inspection programs and safety compliance measures to enhance contractor performance evaluations.
- Delivered executive-level reporting and analysis to bureau leadership, City management, elected officials, and advisory boards, preparing briefings, staff reports, and performance metrics to inform decision-making.
- Coordinated cross-functional professional, technical, and field teams, addressing workforce planning, performance management, labor relations, and organizational change to enhance operational effectiveness.
- Ensured compliance with federal, state, and local laws, procurement rules, environmental regulations, and workplace safety standards.
- Developed and implemented operational strategies to improve service delivery, cost efficiency, schedule performance, and public accountability.
- Represented the City in regional and statewide inter-agency forums, professional associations, and stakeholder working groups.
- Directed transportation planning initiatives for urban mobility improvements.
- Collaborated with city officials to develop transportation policy frameworks.
- Oversaw project management for major infrastructure upgrades.
- Involved stakeholders in decision-making processes to ensure project alignment to gather input on transportation projects and services.
- Managed departmental budget and resource allocation effectively.
- Facilitated public outreach efforts to educate residents on transportation options.
- Streamlined operations through implementation of process improvements and best practices, enhancing service delivery and ensuring accountability.
- Recruited, trained, supervised, evaluated and mentored staff members.
- Directed the organization's daily operations, ensuring compliance with applicable laws and regulations.
- Conducted regular meetings with department heads to review progress on strategic initiatives.
- Facilitated collaboration between teams by encouraging open communication channels.
- Created detailed plans outlining timelines, goals, budgets, staffing needs and other requirements for projects.
- Identified opportunities for improvement in operational performance metrics.
- Prepared presentations for board meetings summarizing key developments within the company.
- Negotiated high-value contracts with vendors and partners to optimize resource allocation.
- Delegated tasks to staff, defining clear priorities and goals.
- Remained calm and professional in stressful circumstances and effectively diffused tense situations.
- Reviewed completed work to verify consistency, quality, and conformance.
- Held regular one-on-one meetings with employees to review performance and priorities and provide feedback.
- Interviewed prospective employees and provided input to HR on hiring decisions.
- Produced thorough, accurate and timely reports of project activities.
- Mediated conflicts between employees and facilitated effective resolutions to disputes.
- Proposed or approved modifications to project plans.
Division Manager & Supervisor
St. Louis County Department of Transportation
St. Louis, USA
01.2000 - 01.2016
- Managed seven-figure operating and capital budgets; developed work plans, bid packages, procurement strategies, and cost controls to optimize resource allocation.
- Supervised and developed large union and non-union workforces, conducting hiring, training, evaluations, and workforce scheduling to ensure team effectiveness and operational readiness.
- Led projects from planning through closeout, coordinating utility management, traffic control design, inspections, and contractor oversight to achieve project objectives and quality standards.
- Directed roadway maintenance, construction, traffic control, and striping programs across thousands of lane-miles and intersections, ensuring compliance with MUTCD, ADA, and occupational safety standards.
- Planned and executed multi-year capital and maintenance programs, including pavement rehabilitation, striping, signage, drainage, bridge repairs, and right-of-way improvements.
- Allocated budget resources for infrastructure development and maintenance projects. for infrastructure development and maintenance projects.
- Oversaw contract negotiations with vendors and service providers, securing favorable terms to enhance service delivery for transportation projects.
- Facilitated transportation planning initiatives, coordinating across multiple projects and departments to align objectives and streamline operations.
- Set and monitored division-wide policies, procedures and cultural standards.
- Prepared technical reports, schedules, and performance metrics; utilized AutoCAD, database systems, and field data to support planning, design review, and operational decision-making.
- Ensured compliance with labor agreements, safety regulations, environmental requirements, and public works standards.
- Acted as primary liaison with residents, contractors, utilities, and public officials, resolving conflicts and effectively communicating project impacts and schedules to enhance community relations.
- Led team meetings to ensure alignment on project goals and timelines.
- Developed training programs for staff on new transportation technologies and regulations.
- Analyzed traffic patterns to improve road safety and efficiency measures.
- Evaluated and approved modifications to project plans to ensure alignment with objectives.
- Resolved conflicts between employees to promote teamwork and collaboration.
- Interviewed prospective employees and provided input to HR on hiring decisions.
- Delegated tasks to staff and established priorities.
- Handled stressful situations with professionalism to diffuse tension and foster collaboration.
- Managed team of 40 employees, ensuring high productivity and quality standards were met.
- Oversaw fleet, heavy equipment, and asset management programs; maintained accountability for vehicles, machinery, materials, and inventory.
Skills
- Financial management
- Financial analysis
- Strategic planning
- Risk assessment
- Regulatory compliance
- Project management
- Business development
- Process improvement
- Team leadership
- Effective communication
- Conflict resolution
Locations
- Los Angeles, CA
- Portland, OR
- St. Louis, MO
Timeline
Managing Director
Works Architecture
01.2018 - Current
Director – Maintenance, Construction & Operations
Portland Bureau of Transportation (PBOT)
01.2016 - 01.2018
Division Manager & Supervisor
St. Louis County Department of Transportation
01.2000 - 01.2016