Zemichael Gebrekristose
Montgomery County,United States
Summary
Senior project manager and architect with proven expertise in leading capital projects. Managed five concurrent renovation projects totaling $40 million, enhancing over 30 schools. Skilled in coordinating multidisciplinary teams and overseeing procurement processes to ensure compliance and timely project delivery.
Overview
19
19
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Senior Project Manager / Project Architect
McKissack & McKissack
Washington, United States
05.2007 - Current
- Led cross-functional teams to execute large-scale construction projects efficiently.
- Developed project plans and timelines to ensure on-time delivery of objectives.
- Facilitated client meetings to gather requirements and address project concerns.
- Coordinated procurement for major capital infrastructure projects to align with project goals.
- Prepared solicitation documentation, including RFQs and RFPs, to ensure thorough vendor selection.
- Facilitated proposal evaluation processes and contract awards to optimize resource allocation.
- Coordinated with technical teams and procurement staff to ensure compliance with public procurement requirements.
Senior Project Manager / Project Architect
McKissack & McKissack
Washington, United States
05.2007 - Current
- Lead project management and procurement support for DC Water capital infrastructure projects, currently managing five concurrent renovation projects with a combined estimated value of approximately $40M, including historic restoration, structural rehabilitation, demolition, and new construction.
- Develop and manage RFQ/RFP solicitation packages, including scope narratives, procurement exhibits, and proposal evaluation criteria for progressive design-build and best-value procurements.
- Coordinated with procurement, legal, facilities leadership, and technical advisors during pre-award and post-award phases, ensuring compliance and timely procurements.
- Align scope, schedule, budget, and risk with program objectives during planning and procurement, tracking key milestones and constraints.
- Led coordination with multidisciplinary consultant teams and external stakeholders to clarify requirements and establish procurement strategies.
- Support proposal evaluations, negotiations, and contract administration, facilitating effective transition from procurement to execution.
- Supported development of evaluation frameworks and contract language that facilitated phased delivery under progressive design-build.
- Oversee design and construction administration activities, including RFIs, submittals, change orders, payment applications, and project closeout.
Sr. Project Manager
Baltimore City Public School System
Baltimore, United States
11.2020 - 05.2025
- Led project planning and execution for educational initiatives across multiple schools.
- Managed delivery of multiple schools across construction, renovation, and closeout phases.
- Managed project timelines and budgets, aligning outcomes with district goals and ensuring resource optimization.
- Monitored progress of projects against established timelines and budgets.
- Facilitated communication between departments to streamline project workflows.
- Liaised among senior management, project team members, and clients, facilitating effective communication to resolve issues and maintain project momentum.
- Spearheaded key projects, resulting in high customer satisfaction and increased business revenues.
- Oversaw design, selection, and procurement of furniture, fixtures, and equipment (FF&E).
- Managed changes to project scope, project schedule, and project costs using appropriate verification techniques.
- Implemented change management processes when issues arose to keep project moving forward and adjust to shifted priorities.
- Ensured compliance with relevant regulations during all stages of a project's lifecycle.
- Conducted post-project evaluations in order to assess effectiveness of strategies employed.
- Evaluated performance metrics for ongoing projects in order to assess progress towards goals.
- Mentored junior project managers in best practices and professional development.
- Coordinated with stakeholders to define project scope, objectives and deliverables.
- Established and maintained relationships with third parties and vendors.
- Secured contracts with third-party vendors.
- Monitored compliance with internal policies, contracts, and regulatory obligations.
- Conferred with project personnel to identify and resolve problems.
- Submitted project deliverables to clients, consistently adhering to quality standards.
- Maintained up-to-date records for all current and past projects.
- Monitored design processes from conceptual phase through construction.
- Managed submittals and processing of Requests for Information between general contractor, owner, and owner's consultants.
- Participated in professional development opportunities to stay current with industry trends and technologies.
- Conferred with project personnel to identify and resolve problems.
- Submitted project deliverables to clients, consistently adhering to quality standards.
Education
Bachelor of Architecture -
The City College of New York
New York01-1996
Bachelor of Science - Architecture
The City College of New York
New York01-1995
Skills
- Project management
- Construction oversight
- Facilities management
- Contract administration
- Procurement strategy
- RFQ/RFP development
- Scope management
- Quality control
- Client management
- Documentation management
- Specification review
- Schedule coordination
- Technical monitoring
- Stakeholder engagement
- Stakeholder management
- Team leadership
- Multi-project management
- Meeting facilitation
- Communication
- Client relations
- Time management
- Task prioritization
- Analytical problem-solving
- AutoCAD
- Revit
- BIM360
- Bluebeam
- Microsoft Project
- Project management software
- Microsoft Office Suite
- AI research tools
- AI review tools
- AI drafting tools
- AI document tools
- Gantt charts
- Technical presentations
- Training and mentoring
- Interpersonal communication
- Cross-functional communication
- Teamwork and collaboration
- Analytical thinking
- Problem-solving
- Attention to detail
- Organizational skills
- Relationship building
- Kickoff meetings
- Teamwork
- Communication etiquette
- Problem solving
- Problem-solving
Certification
LEED Accredited Professional, BD+C
Selected Projects And Achievements
- DC Water – Capital Infrastructure Program, 2025–Present, Led procurement coordination for five concurrent renovation projects (~$40M total), producing RFQ/RFP documentation, defining scopes, establishing evaluation criteria, and supporting contract award and administration.
- Baltimore City Public Schools, 2021–2025, Managed K–12 capital projects through all architectural phases; led FF&E design, procurement, and installation to support program delivery.
- PEPCO Power Station Facilities, 2018–2021, Managed design projects across Washington, DC and Prince George’s County, coordinating utility stakeholders and regulatory agencies.
- DC Convention Center, 2017–2019, Led interior redesign and FF&E upgrades for executive offices, loft offices, and conference facilities.
- Presidential Inauguration Reviewing Stands, 2013, 2017, 2021, Managed design and execution of Presidential, Media, and Mayoral reviewing stands for three U.S. Presidential Inaugurations.
Core Expertise
- Capital Program & Project Management
- Public-Sector Procurement (RFQ/RFP, Best-Value, Progressive Design-Build)
- Contract Administration & Proposal Evaluation
- Owner’s Representation
- Risk, Schedule & Budget Management
- Stakeholder & Executive Coordination
- Design & Construction Oversight
Personal Information
Citizenship: United States Citizen
Timeline
Sr. Project Manager
Baltimore City Public School System
11.2020 - 05.2025
Senior Project Manager / Project Architect
McKissack & McKissack
05.2007 - Current
Senior Project Manager / Project Architect
McKissack & McKissack
05.2007 - Current
Bachelor of Architecture -
The City College of New York
Bachelor of Science - Architecture
The City College of New York