Derek Graham

Statement of Qualifications

Overview

I have been practicing in the construction industry since 1982, when I began as a site-work laborer. I continued, in 1985, as a laborer for a commercial and residential contractor. In 1987, I graduated to framing carpenter. About that time, I took on carpentry sub-contract work. In 1989, I progressed to finish carpenter, and millworker.

In 1992, I started my own general contracting firm, National Woodworks Inc., which was contracted to renovate residential and commercial spaces, until 1994. When I began independent consulting in 2006, I created RepOne a d/b/a of National Woodworks Inc.

In 1993, I began as a Project Superintendent for a commercial builder. At this time, I began self-training as a Project Scheduler. In 1995, I began training as a Project Estimator of luxury residential projects. Estimates were for carpentry, rough framing, drywall, all Division 9 trades, architectural millwork, and manufactured casework.

In 1996, I continued as a Project Estimator, and graduated to a Project Manager, and subsequently Project Director; which involved estimating, and project and account management. From 2001-2008, I continued as a Project Estimator and Project Manager/Superintendent (combination title) for custom luxury high-end residential general contractors. Estimates were for carpentry, rough framing, drywall, all Division 9 trades, architectural millwork, and manufactured casework. In 2001, I began estimating mechanical trades.

My text Managing Residential Construction Projects: Strategies and Solutions, was published by McGraw Hill Technical Book Group, NY, NY (2006).  The book was part of the construction class curriculum at Columbia University, School of Continuing Education, NY, NY. I also prepared seminars on project estimation and scheduling for classes taught at Columbia. I publish regularly on a blog at my website RepOne.net, on various topics of interest in the construction industry.

In 2009, I continued as a Senior Estimator and Senior Scheduler for a consulting firm specializing in large scale transit, infrastructure, and development projects. In that same year, I began serving as an Expert Witness for construction defects, damages, and subsequently, delay and disruption cases.

Estimates from 2009 were for all CSI Divisions 0-26

Project Management (Superintendent)

I began my training as a Superintendent in 1993, for a commercial contractor.

My responsibilities included

·         Supervision of daily site operations: staging, safety, material handling, and field coordination

·         In-house employee management

·         Site material ordering and staging

·         Coordination of trades

·         Surveying, stake-out, and benchmarking

·         Assurance of compliance to design

·         Daily progress and condition reporting

Project Estimation

I began my training as a project estimator in 1995, for a luxury residential contractor.

My responsibilities included

·         Conceptual estimating and square foot budgeting

·         Schematic estimating

·         Quantity take-offs

·         Detailed project estimation and budgeting

·         Custom project estimation for luxury residential

I have continued as a project estimator on a regular basis, since that time.

Project Management (Estimator/Project Manager)

I acted in the capacity of Estimator/Project Manager, beginning in 1995, for a residential contractor.

My responsibilities included

·         Sub-contract negotiation and procurement

·         Project kick-off and site set-up

·         Mechanical, electrical, and plumbing estimates

·         Shop drawing and submittal management

·         Change order negotiation and management

·         Coordination with client and design team

·         Weekly progress meetings and minutes

·         Project development oversight

I continued as a project manager from 1995 – 2008. Although I was promoted to Project Manager, I also acted as a Project Manager/Superintendent, a hybrid-role requiring responsibilities in both capacities. I also continued to function as a Project Estimator.

Contract values as much as $20M, and $1,500/SF

Project Management (Project Director)

I graduated to the role of Project Director, beginning in 1996, for a residential contractor

My responsibilities included all those of a Project Manager (see above) as well as

·         Sales and presentation

·         Project estimation

·         Project deliverable management

·         Account management

·         Billing and payable management

·         Budget preparation

·         Bid leveling

·         Procurement

·         Contract negotiation

·         Weekly progress meetings and minutes

·         Change order management

·         Implementation of construction management contracts

Director of Operations

I acted in the capacity of Director of Operations for a general contractor specializing in high-end residential and commercial work.

My responsibilities included

·         Oversight of estimating department

·         Project manager for select projects

·         Oversight of field operations, superintendents, and man-power for all projects

·         Billing accounts payable and receivable interface with bookkeeping

Contract values as much as $5M, and $750/SF

Chief Estimator

I acted in the capacity of a Chief Estimator, in 2005, for a luxury general contractor contracting negotiated bids

My responsibilities included

·         Project conceptual budgeting and estimation

·         Bid leveling

·         Sub-contractor negotiation

·         Program development interface with design team

·         Project manager for select projects

Contract values as much as $20M, and $1,250/SF

Senior Estimator, Senior Scheduler, and Oversight Specialist

I acted in the capacity of a Senior Estimator and Scheduler Oversight specialist, beginning in 2009, for a small consulting firm, working on large scale transit projects

My responsibilities included

·         Estimation of large scale transit structures and tunneling, court houses, private developer works, utilities, storm water remediation, institutional, and educational projects.

·         Estimation oversight of large scale transit projects

·         Change order management and oversight

·         Scheduling of institutional, storm water remediation, and educational projects

·         Scheduling oversight of large scale transit, and educational projects

·         Expert witness for delay and defect arbitration cases

·         Bid management and RFP processing

·         LEED credit management and submittals

·         Cost escalation studies and market analysis for major public transit agencies

·         Development of scheduling, estimating, and small business seminars and Powerpoint presentations for Columbia University, and public agency outreach

·         Public relations and content developer

Contract values as much as $4B, and $1,500/SF

Summary of Project Specialties

·         Core and Shell

·         Utility & Infrastructure

·         Transit Hub and Subway Tunnels

·         Transit Stations and Concourses

·         Luxury Residential Renovations

·         Art Galleries

·         Medical Offices

·         Tenant fit-Out

·         Hospitality

·         Storm Water Mitigation

·         Retail

·         Restaurants

·         Institutional

·         Educational

·         Court Houses

·         Water Purification Facilities