Thomas E. O'Connell
Summary
Results-driven operations executive with a diverse background in contract management, service, and sales. Skilled in implementing modern management techniques for focused leadership and cost-effective outcomes. Demonstrated expertise in leveraging operations and project management best practices to deliver organizational structure and profitability. Deep understanding of the life safety and fire protection industry, excelling under pressure through strategic negotiations and creative problem-solving. Track record of surpassing goals, objectives, and budgets through tactical leadership.
Overview
40
40
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Florida Regional Manager
Grunau Fire Protection
05.2019 - 02.2024
- Multi-discipline full-service fire protection business with a focus on Service, Inspections, Installation of Fire sprinklers, Fire alarms, Security and Monitoring.
- Lead a Team of 95-130 Personnel.
- Responsible for identifying and pursuing 'bolt on' acquisitions to expand our footprint in the Florida market.
- Increased Orlando branch service revenue from 5.7M to 10+M from 2020 to 2023.
- Achieved record 2023 branch EBITA results of 2M. This was an 80+ % increase in results from FY-2022.
- Results primarily driven by a planned increase in our service/ install ratio from 40% Service 60% Install to a 70% Service 30% Install.
- Implemented a formalized approval process for new contract work with focus on end user and relationship driven work in lieu of the competitive bid market.
- Projects: Disney Star Wars 6.5M, Harry Potter World Universal Studios 4M, Harry Potter- New Epic Park Universal Studios 4.5M, Gaylord Palms- 1.8M, Disney Springs, Multiple projects, Guardian of the Galaxy-2.5M, Moffit Cancer Center 3.5M, Nasa- Multiple projects.
- Managed the challenging transition from an ESOP organization to a publicly traded company while ensuring compliance as well as transitioning to two new ERP systems in two years.
- Achieved corporate strategy of Service revenue covering all branch overhead in 2022.
- Successfully managed the negotiation of multiyear, multi million dollar inspection contract with Universal Studios.
President
Veteran Fire Protection
11.2014 - 01.2019
- Company Overview: Small Fire protection firm.
- Provided consulting and project management and mentoring for small Fire protection firm.
- Assisted owner in ground up start up.
- Assembled a team of Designers and Installers to cater to niche fire protection market.
- Provided mentorship to team and set up financials including Job costing, accounting and payroll functions.
- Managed day to day operations.
- Responsible for all sales activities and training of staff.
- Small Fire protection firm.
Vice President of Fire protection
TP Mechanical
11.2011 - 11.2014
- P & L responsibilities to include budgeting of department expense, monthly/yearly forecasting, and ensuring profitability goals are met for four regions.
- Started ground up operations in three new cities that include both service and contracting business.
- Increased gross revenues from 3 million to 11 million in less than 24 months.
- Exceeded budgeted operating income by greater than 100% in 1st full year of service.
- Reduced bad debt by 50% in 2013.
- Reduced DSO by 13 days from 2012 to 2014.
- Improved cash flow through billings, significantly reducing LOC use through invoicing best practices.
- Increased service revenue by $750,000. Service margins increase by 9% during same time frame.
Sprinkler Operations Manager lll
Tyco Fire and Security
09.2004 - 10.2011
- P & L responsibilities to include budgeting of Department expense, Monthly/Yearly forecasting, and ensuring profitability goals were met.
- Responsible for managing a sales team to meet customer requirements, sales quotas and district bookings, revenue and margin goals.
- Responsible for managing a Design team to meet goals of both external and internal customers, developed initiatives to maintain quality control and timely delivery of engineering services.
- Responsible for managing a revenue/margin targets for service, contracting and fixed price service, exceeding FY 2007 goals by nearly 100%.
- Promoted to Operations Manager over four offices that included Cincinnati, OH., Lexington, KY., Louisville, Ky., and Charleston, W.V.
- Continuous coaching and monitoring of key performance measures, ensuring all department employees are focused on continued improvement in the areas of productivity, customer service, contract obligations, revenue and cost efficiency.
- Managed sales department estimating, proposal development and presentation activity.
- Responsible for approval of all projects over 50K, and presentation to Operations V.P. for all projects over 1M.
- Implemented district 'Best Practices' consistently delivering increase in executed versus booked margins.
- Developed margin improvement initiative that successfully transitioned the Cincinnati district to profitability in 2007.
- Maintained top 10 status throughout FY 2007 in Pinnacle award for gross margin better than budget.
- Managed cash flow, to meet district cash collection objectives.
Director of Operations/President
Casco Mechanical Services, Inc.
01.1992 - 01.2003
- Grew from 2-man operation to a multimillion-dollar operation with over 50 Employees.
- Oversee all daily operations of a 4 divisional company, specializing in fire protection, refrigeration, HVAC and general contracting.
- Responsible for tracking profitability, accountability and development of each department.
- Responsible for overseeing daily administration, accounting, purchasing, payroll, budget preparation and problem solving.
Field Superintendent
Excel Mechanical & Protection
01.1990 - 01.1992
- Responsible for overseeing all daily productions issues.
- Directly responsible for all manpower issues, including hiring and termination.
- Assisted in sales, design and project management.
- Reported directly to president.
Foreman
Preferred Fire Protection
01.1988 - 01.1990
- Journeyman pipe fitter responsible for man power, parts procurement, design issues and successful installation of projects ranging from $50,000 to $1,000,000.
Apprentice/ Journeyman Pipe Fitter
Culligan Fire Protection
01.1984 - 01.1988
- State of Ohio Journeyman achieved 1988.
- Involved in all aspects of pipefitting and site utility installations.
Education
Certificate - HVAC, electrical, piping and general construction knowledge
Scarlet Oaks
Sharonville, Ohio01-1984
Associate Degree - fire protection
Penn State University
State College, Pennsylvania01.1988
High School Diploma - undefined
Milford High School
01.1984
Skills
- Operations
- Staff training and development
- Strategic planning
- Staff management
- Territory management
- Business development and planning
- Project management
- Sales management
- Operations management
- Strategic development
Certification
- Leadership
- Six Sigma green belt trained
- Project Management training and continuing education, multiple certificates
- Acclivus sales training
- Multiple Leadership training certificates, including Carnegie
- Pathways to Leadership training certified, Executive training 1 year course
- Diversity/inclusion certificate, intensive 40 hour training course
- Journeyman Sprinkler Fitter
- Certified State of Ohio Apprentice instructor
- Multiple fire protection license
- Certified Brazing Instructor
Timeline
Florida Regional Manager
Grunau Fire Protection
05.2019 - 02.2024
President
Veteran Fire Protection
11.2014 - 01.2019
Vice President of Fire protection
TP Mechanical
11.2011 - 11.2014
Sprinkler Operations Manager lll
Tyco Fire and Security
09.2004 - 10.2011
Director of Operations/President
Casco Mechanical Services, Inc.
01.1992 - 01.2003
Field Superintendent
Excel Mechanical & Protection
01.1990 - 01.1992
Foreman
Preferred Fire Protection
01.1988 - 01.1990
Apprentice/ Journeyman Pipe Fitter
Culligan Fire Protection
01.1984 - 01.1988
High School Diploma - undefined
Milford High School
Certificate - HVAC, electrical, piping and general construction knowledge
Scarlet Oaks
Associate Degree - fire protection
Penn State University
Similar Profiles
Nicholas LaConteNicholas LaConte
Alarm& Detection Leader at Grunau Fire ProtectionAlarm& Detection Leader at Grunau Fire Protection
Christopher WilkesChristopher Wilkes
FIRE PROTECTION SYSTEMS INSPECTOR at Grunau Fire ProtectionFIRE PROTECTION SYSTEMS INSPECTOR at Grunau Fire Protection
Roland RogersRoland Rogers
General Manager at MLN Fire Protection CompanyGeneral Manager at MLN Fire Protection Company
Misty WhiteMisty White
North Florida Regional Manager at FloralogixNorth Florida Regional Manager at Floralogix
Todd Allen WhitmoreTodd Allen Whitmore
Service Manager M3/Multi-function Leader/ Virtual Service Regional Manager for North Florida at Tesla MotorsService Manager M3/Multi-function Leader/ Virtual Service Regional Manager for North Florida at Tesla Motors