STEPHEN JODY BURTON
Newberry
Summary
Accomplished Project & Operations Manager with a diverse background centered on service, leadership, and high-stakes problem-solving. A versatile construction professional, I combine technical expertise in ground-up residential building with a unique foundation in public safety, law enforcement, and disaster relief. This background provides a rare blend of logistical precision and deep empathy, allowing me to manage complex projects and diverse teams seamlessly-even in high-pressure or grief-stricken environments. I am driven by the challenge of bringing complex plans to fruition while maintaining an unwavering commitment to quality and the human element of project delivery.
Overview
26
26
years of professional experience
Work History
Owner
Burton Contracting LLC
Gainesville, FL, USA
01.2017 - Current
- Business Operations & Strategy: Founded and scaled a boutique construction firm specializing in residential remodeling, painting, and specialty contracting.
- Pre-Construction Planning: Developed comprehensive project roadmaps, including detailed labor/material forecasts and competitive bid estimates that ensured project profitability.
- End-to-End Project Management: Orchestrated the full project lifecycle for diverse residential renovations, consistently delivering high-quality craftsmanship on time and within budget.
- Financial Management: Oversaw all business finances, including cash flow analysis, P&L reporting, and vendor price negotiations to maintain lean operational costs.
- Client Relationship Management: Built a strong referral-based business by managing homeowner expectations, providing transparent progress updates, and ensuring 100% satisfaction upon project completion.
- Regulatory Compliance: Managed all licensing, insurance requirements, and local building permit processes to ensure every project met municipal codes and safety standards.
- Gainesville, FL
Project Manager / Warranty Manager / Quality Assurance
Maronda Homes of Florida
06.2022 - 05.2026
- Ground-Up Construction: Overseeing all phases of new residential builds, ensuring structural integrity and adherence to architectural blueprints.
- Quality Assurance (QA): Implementing comprehensive pre-settlement inspection (PSI) frameworks to identify and resolve defects prior to delivery.
- Warranty Management: Managing the post-close 'settling' period, evaluating claims, and coordinating rapid-response repairs.
- Subcontractor Orchestration: Directing trade partners to ensure corrective work is performed to standard and within budget.
Territory Operations Manager
SunPro Solar/ BuildPro Roofing Specialists
Destin, FL, USA
12.2020 - 06.2022
- Multi-State Regional Oversight: Direct end-to-end operations for metal and shingle roofing projects across four Southern states, consistently delivering an average of 30-40 completed projects per month.
- Solar Integration Strategy: Manage the critical synchronization of roofing and solar installations, ensuring all new solar packages meet strict warranty requirements through high-quality roof replacements.
- Financial & Budgetary Management: Analyze financial data, including expenditures and ROI, to maintain project profitability; expertly negotiate costs and manage expenses to ensure zero budget overruns.
- Data-Driven Performance: Quantify project results and performance metrics using Microsoft Office Suite (Excel, Outlook, Word) and specialized project management software to drive operational efficiency.
- Full Lifecycle Execution: Oversee daily plan implementation and end-to-end project delivery, ensuring all field activities align with corporate strategic goals and timelines.
- Adaptive Problem Solving: Demonstrate high levels of adaptability by identifying emerging risks and applying real-time course corrections to address site-specific challenges without disrupting production.
- Stakeholder Communication: Translate complex project data and financial information into clear, actionable insights for diverse teams, ensuring alignment between field crews and executive leadership.
- Destin, FL
General Manager
Barfield Contracting & Roofing
Panama City, FL, USA
01.2019 - 12.2020
- Disaster Relief Leadership: Orchestrated the end-to-end delivery of 150-200 general contracting and roofing projects, initiated by large-scale recovery efforts following Hurricane Michael.
- Strategic Project Planning: Developed comprehensive project roadmaps, including detailed forecasting, cost estimation, and strategic resource allocation to meet aggressive recovery timelines.
- Financial & Budgetary Oversight: Managed multi-million dollar project budgets, consistently evaluating construction options to implement the most cost-effective plans without compromising structural integrity.
- Talent Acquisition & Development: Directed the recruitment, selection, and technical training of high-performing crews, ensuring all personnel adhered to safety protocols and quality standards.
- Dynamic Issue Resolution: Identified and mitigated site-specific challenges in real-time, applying rapid course corrections to maintain alignment with initial project schedules in high-pressure environments.
- Daily Operational Management: Oversaw daily field implementations and logistics, ensuring seamless coordination between labor, materials, and equipment.
- Stakeholder Communication: Managed owner expectations through proactive reporting, providing prompt documentation of estimated changes and project milestones to ensure full transparency.
- Panama City, FL
Maintenance Service Manager / Field Trainer
The Collier Companies
Gainesville, FL, USA
12.2015 - 12.2016
- Personnel Mentorship & Training: Directed the onboarding and technical training of new maintenance technicians, accelerating their adaptation to company protocols, safety requirements, and performance expectations.
- Preventative Maintenance Oversight: Executed rigorous routine and scheduled service checks to ensure peak equipment performance and prolong asset lifespans.
- Rapid Response Troubleshooting: Diagnosed and resolved complex mechanical and structural issues with high efficiency, utilizing a broad toolkit and technical expertise to minimize downtime.
- Quality & Service Standards: Upheld a reputation for top-tier workmanship and professional customer service, consistently meeting high standards for resident and client satisfaction.
- Collaborative Team Leadership: Worked alongside diverse teams to coordinate large-scale repairs and facility improvements, fostering a culture of clear communication and collective accountability.
- Operational Efficiency: Streamlined maintenance request workflows to ensure all service tickets were addressed quickly and correctly on the first visit.
- Gainesville, FL
Maintenance Technician
Wyndham Hotels
Gainesville, FL, USA
01.2013 - 07.2014
- Responsive Technical Support: Provided professional, high-priority response to maintenance requests, utilizing advanced mechanical knowledge and process guidelines to diagnose root causes and implement permanent solutions.
- Preventative Maintenance Systems: Developed and managed a comprehensive monthly inspection schedule, ensuring all machinery and facilities underwent routine service checks to prevent equipment failure.
- Quality Control & Compliance: Verified optimal equipment operating conditions post-repair, upholding a commitment to superior workmanship and strict adherence to safety and operational standards.
- Property & Grounds Management: Oversaw diverse grounds upkeep and facility beautification projects to maintain property value and a high-quality environment for residents and stakeholders.
- Client Relations & Service: Delivered exceptional customer service by communicating technical issues clearly to non-technical users and ensuring all repairs were completed with minimal disruption.
- Operational Reliability: Systematically tracked equipment performance and service history to optimize repair workflows and reduce recurring maintenance costs.
- Gainesville, FL
Assistant Store Manager/ Store Manager
CVS Pharmacy Gainesville
Gainesville, FL, USA
07.2007 - 07.2009
- Strategic Team Leadership: Recruited, interviewed, and onboarded all sales personnel, building a high-performing team through continuous coaching and professional development.
- Performance Management: Motivated staff to consistently meet and exceed service and sales targets by aligning individual duties with store-wide operational needs.
- Financial Oversight & Compliance: Managed all payroll and bookkeeping functions, including daily cash reconciliation, bank deposits, and rigorous audit of financial records.
- Revenue Growth & Marketing: Devised and executed targeted marketing strategies to drive foot traffic, boost sales volume, and capture local market share.
- Conflict Resolution: Served as the primary escalation point for employee and customer grievances, resolving issues with a focus on speed, fairness, and brand reputation.
- Inventory & Quality Control: Conducted systematic merchandise examinations to verify pricing accuracy and ensure product integrity, minimizing shrinkage and loss.
- Client Relationship Management: Built and maintained a loyal clientele base by delivering a high level of customer satisfaction and personalized service.
- Workflow Optimization: Supervised daily operations and delegated specific tasks to maximize staff efficiency and maintain a seamless shopping experience.
- Gainesville, FL
Assistant Store Manager
Sam's Club
Gainesville, FL, USA
10.2000 - 06.2007
- Large-Scale Team Leadership: Spearheaded the recruitment, hiring, and supervision of a robust workforce exceeding 150 associates, fostering a high-performance culture through strategic team building.
- Performance Coaching: Motivated and mentored staff to consistently achieve aggressive service and sales KPIs, utilizing personalized coaching to align individual performance with corporate objectives.
- Crisis & Conflict Resolution: Acted as the senior escalation point for complex employee and customer concerns, implementing swift, effective solutions to maintain operational harmony.
- Strategic Revenue Generation: Developed and executed innovative marketing initiatives to drive sales growth and increase market penetration.
- Brand Advocacy & Loyalty: Cultivated a loyal customer base by delivering elite-level service and ensuring all staff maintained expert knowledge of current promotions and store policies.
- Quality Assurance & Merchandising: Directed rigorous inventory audits to verify pricing accuracy and product quality, ensuring a premium presentation and minimizing loss.
- Personnel Development: Owned the full talent lifecycle-from interviewing and selection to onboarding-ensuring the store was staffed with high-potential sales and service professionals.
- Gainesville, FL
Education
Law Enforcement Training Program -
Florida Gateway College
Lake City, FL12-2014
Firefighter 1 - undefined
Clay County Fire Rescue
Orange Park, FL01-2006
Skills
- Project Management
- Operations Management
- Service Leadership
- Problem-Solving
- Construction
- Technical Expertise
- Logistical Precision
- Team Management
- Quality Commitment
- Empathy
Timeline
Project Manager / Warranty Manager / Quality Assurance
Maronda Homes of Florida
06.2022 - 05.2026
Territory Operations Manager
SunPro Solar/ BuildPro Roofing Specialists
12.2020 - 06.2022
General Manager
Barfield Contracting & Roofing
01.2019 - 12.2020
Owner
Burton Contracting LLC
01.2017 - Current
Maintenance Service Manager / Field Trainer
The Collier Companies
12.2015 - 12.2016
Maintenance Technician
Wyndham Hotels
01.2013 - 07.2014
Assistant Store Manager/ Store Manager
CVS Pharmacy Gainesville
07.2007 - 07.2009
Assistant Store Manager
Sam's Club
10.2000 - 06.2007
Firefighter 1 - undefined
Clay County Fire Rescue
Law Enforcement Training Program -
Florida Gateway College