Tag: construction management

HPM Expands Preconstruction Department Hiring Chance Mitchell

Posted on February 6, 2024

HPM’s in-house preconstruction department continues to grow, most recently bringing Senior Preconstruction Manager, Chance Mitchell on board. Chance will work in the firm’s Huntsville office, serving clients in the North Alabama area and beyond. Chance joins HPM having worked in the industry for fifteen years, but his construction experience goes much deeper than what can be shown on a resume. Born into a family-owned construction business, Chance has been well-versed in the industry for as long as he can remember. He enjoys the fast-paced, people-oriented nature of the industry.

Career Path

Chance previously served as Preconstruction Manager at Doster Construction, providing detailed budget estimates while developing relationships with clients, architects, engineers, and subcontractors. Earlier in his career, he worked on the operations side, managing large-scale federal government projects from start to finish. No matter his role, Chance excels in delivering best-in-class client-centered service.

“As a creative problem-solver, the preconstruction phase is well-suited for my skillset”, said Chance. “I enjoy building relationships with owners in the early stages of a project to catch their vision and carve a path for bringing it to life.”

Using his vast experience, Chance will manage the entire preconstruction process from the initial concept to the final design and contractor selection. He will guide projects from early design until ground-breaking– maintaining the owner’s established budget while implementing phasing and contracting requirements to keep the design team on schedule.

Chance was drawn to the family-oriented culture at HPM, along with the extensive potential for growth. He looks forward to fostering relationships with clients and trade partners while laying strong foundations for projects to be built upon.

Preconstruction at HPM

For almost 30 years, HPM has delivered successful, measurable preconstruction services to projects across the United States. The HPM preconstruction team formulates construction cost data for budget development and verification based on the programmatic requirements. Information from historical cost databases, market surveys, cost verifications, comparative data on the project type and recent experience are utilized to develop a total program budget.

HPM to Manage Construction of Mississippi State University’s Luckyday Tower

Posted on November 8, 2023

A $4 million gift from the Luckyday Foundation of Jackson, Miss. was announced on November 1, to aid in funding the construction of Mississippi State University’s new residence hall complex, the Luckyday Tower. The facility will serve as a living and learning community for MSU’s Luckyday freshman Scholars, housing 412 residents in the 159,000-square-foot Azalea Hall.

MSU has tasked HPM with managing the full scope of construction and ensuring project details are implemented accurately in a timely manner. HPM is also slated to oversee the budget throughout the lifecycle of the project, safeguarding every dollar contributed and maximizing funding capability for the facility.

The $96 million campus project, positioned at the corner of Barr Avenue and George Perry Street in Starkville, is projected to open in August 2025. Students participating in the Luckyday Scholars Program will enjoy a lobby and study area, modern classrooms with adaptable seating and tables and a kitchenette. In conjunction with program growth, the scholars will have reservation priority for a large meeting space in the residence hall complex to foster collaboration.

Freshmen Luckyday Scholars will be granted first priority to live in the new hall, along with student mentors helping lead the program. On top of educational and housing space, the facility will include a new campus dining option. All facets of the building will be created with students in mind—fostering engagement, teamwork and group learning.

“As the proud father of a current Mississippi State student and a tenured member of the HPM team, I couldn’t be prouder to partner with the university in achieving their vision for this transformative facility”, said Greg Ellis, Senior Vice President of Program Development. “With two decades of experience managing student housing projects on campuses across the nation, our team is well positioned to ensure excellence in every detail as this project comes to life.”

Learn more about HPM’s experience managing higher education projects.

HPM Promotes Stewart Nobles to Senior Project Manager

Posted on April 26, 2022

A driving force behind the success of our business has always been the connections we have formed with partners and clients across the country. Occasionally, these outside relationships develop into new team members within HPM, proving that hard work and determination never go unnoticed and are the key markers of top talent. Stewart Nobles is a prime example of this story. Before joining HPM, Stewart had already long established himself as a trusted partner of the firm through his contributions to the Airbus Engineering Center build team. Because of his thorough creative problem-solving skills, adaptability, and versatility within his profession, HPM welcomed him in 2019 as a project manager, and we are pleased to announce his recent promotion to senior project manager.

After his service on the Airbus assignment beginning in 2006, Stewart remained connected with HPM over the years as he furthered his professional experience to include facilities management initiatives. This became particularly beneficial to our team in 2019 when we had the opportunity to expand our Airbus site team in partnership with JCI Building Maintenance and hired Stewart to help manage the program.

Leveraging his experience in project and facilities management, Stewart led HPM’s warranty management and project development activities while contributing to overall team success in other areas. Most notable were his efforts in concert with JCI to develop plans for response to hazardous weather conditions, the development of over 100 projects spanning a wide range of technical scopes, and his day-to-day support for subcontractors and the entire site team.

Stewart’s integrity and knowledge were invaluable in working through the details of project development and management. His ‘make sense’ approach often helps the client understand the depth and implication of the problems faced weekly, and he has played a huge part in maintaining a pattern of success in our facility management and program management initiatives.

Since January, Stewart has made a seamless transition from his service in facilities management to his new role in program management. As senior project manager, Stewart will oversee the administration of all business plans, help build strategy for new business development and lead a team of assistant project managers and project managers in projects from planning to closeout.

Congratulations on this well-deserved promotion, Stewart!

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Careers at HPM

HPM Promotes Jessica Morris to Senior Project Controls Manager

Posted on March 10, 2022

Great leaders don’t set out to be leaders, they set out to make a difference. This is exactly what Jessica Morris has accomplished over the past two years and why she is being promoted from Project Controls Manager to Senior Project Controls Manager.

Jessica joined HPM in the winter of 2018 and relocated to Round Rock, Texas, with her family to lead the new project controls team for Round Rock Independent School District (RRISD). Prior to joining HPM, Jessica worked with the University of Alabama in contract administration where she worked closely with our UA program management team. She holds a master’s of accountancy and a CPA license. Jessica’s husband, Brian Morris, is an HPM Senior Project Manager and also serves on the RRISD team.

Jessica’s ability to build and effectively lead a team was quickly noticed by our client, and she was asked to serve as the Assistant Director of Construction for RRISD. She became the leader for the HPM team and a valuable resource for the RRISD staff. Jessica’s leadership approach focuses on the engagement of all team members to ensure the project exceeds expectations for the client. Her door is always open, and she is always ready to help solve problems or put out the next fire.

Jessica is detail-oriented and industry experienced across many areas. She delivers audit-level financial reviews, presents financial reports to the district CFO and Board of Education, meets with local construction executives on GMPs, reconciles a $500 million budget back to the district’s accounting system every month and implements processes to create transparency and accountability within the construction department. In addition to her financial abilities, Jessica also oversees the maintenance and implementation of the Master Program Schedule. These skillsets along with her welcoming personality have made her an invaluable asset to our client and to HPM.

“The RRISD team has complete faith and trust in Jessica, all due to her incredible leadership, knowledge and problem-solving skills,” said Melanie Camarena, Director of Construction for Round Rock ISD. “Those skills have helped RRISD accomplish a successful 2018 bond and set the framework for future bond successes. Jessica is invaluable to the district.”

Careers at HPM

HPM’s Olivia Early Promoted to Project Manager

Posted on March 2, 2022

When it comes to successful programs at HPM, earning the trust of our clients is paramount. Olivia Howard Early has not only quickly earned that trust but has become a highly respected, go-to resource for the client. It is for these reasons as well as her continued commitment to excellence that we are pleased to announce her promotion from Assistant Project Manager to Project Manager.

Olivia started with HPM as a co-op, working on several K-12 programs in Birmingham while earning her bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering at Auburn University. After graduation, she joined the Airbus A220 program in Mobile and quickly became a trusted member of the team in the eyes of both the client and her HPM colleagues. She supported several key projects while managing the global distribution of project reports on behalf of Airbus.

After completing the A220 Program, Olivia headed west with her husband, Jason, and dog, Luna, to take on a new opportunity in Austin, Texas, working on HPM’s Round Rock ISD account. On this $500+ million Bond Program, she has quickly grown to become the project manager of multiple simultaneous projects, coordinates several million dollars of furniture procurements and installs, and is responsible for closing out a $44 million new elementary school project.

She continues to raise her hand to take on new challenges and consistently shows success in a project management role for this very important client. According to Melanie Camarena, Director of Construction for Round Rock ISD, “Olivia has been amazing. She is the only reason we have been successful with our furniture process on both the CD Fulkes Middle School Rebuild and the new Redbud Elementary School.”

Careers at HPM

HPM Bolsters Presence in Key Markets with Round of Strategic Hires

Posted on January 14, 2022

Following a year of growth, Antonio Fratangelo, Jake Ortego and Jalal Slade to significantly broaden the firm’s offerings across several service lines.

We are pleased to announce the hiring of industry veterans Antonio Fratangelo and Jake Ortego as principals in the audit and contract services division and Jalal Slade as director of program development. Working alongside HPM Vice President of Audit and Contract Services Vinson Chapman, Fratangelo and Ortego aim to expand the division’s capabilities and service offerings for clients while expanding the firm’s geographic reach. Slade works to broaden the firm’s presence in the Metro Atlanta market, providing strategic leadership while cultivating new client engagements and strengthening existing partnerships.

Natives of Pittsburgh, Fratangelo and Ortego join the firm with a combined 45 years of experience in audit, engineering and construction project management. Throughout their careers, they have led both design and audit teams on real estate and construction projects totaling more than $2 billion. In 2014, they co-founded JA Cost Engineers and Advisors, an advisory agency providing construction auditing, management consulting, risk management and additional services for construction, development and capital improvement projects.

Antonio Fratangelo, Principal, HPM Audit and Contract Services

“Our combined passions for construction and backgrounds in engineering have equipped Antonio and me with the unique skill sets needed to assist clients along every step of a project timeline,” said Ortego. “Antonio and I have worked together for the majority of our professional careers, establishing a proven process that became the core of our firm. We look forward to bringing this shared expertise to HPM and expanding our abilities to offer a wider range of services on a larger scale.”

Fratangelo and Ortego will join the team led by Chapman, who began HPM’s audit and contract services division six years ago. Chapman previously worked with Fratangelo and Ortego on a high-profile project totaling $4B for a large tech company.

“When I knew the client needed our assistance with this massive project, Jake and Antonio are the experts I immediately turned to in order to help get the job done,” said Chapman. “They are well respected within the construction audit and cost control industry and possess a range of knowledge highly beneficial for program management. Their capabilities are exactly what HPM needs to round out our continuum of services from program development to project management and beyond.”

Jalal Slade, HPM Director of Program Development

The firm also hired Slade as director of program development in HPM’s Atlanta office, set to lead program and business development initiatives in the market. Slade has an extensive background in municipal and aviation projects within Atlanta, having previously served as assistant general manager of the Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport, where he oversaw the construction and delivery of an $8 billion capital improvement plan. He also worked as senior policy advisor for the Office of the Mayor, providing oversight and management for the city’s real estate asset holdings. He works to align HPM’s internal goals with its clients’ goals, offering leadership and expertise for project teams across all of the firm’s industry verticals. He also aims to build on HPM’s existing client relationships while forging new connections within the market.

“Heading into 2022, we look back on a year of immense growth for our firm,” said Ryan Austin, president of HPM. “With the additions of Jake, Antonio and Jalal, I am confident we are continuing this positive trajectory with the best possible team leading the way. This is an impressive group of people with a number of diverse, large-scale projects under their belts, and our firm is in good hands as we look to even more success in the new year.”

Careers at HPM

HPM’s Brooks Ballentine Promoted to Vice President of the East Region

Posted on January 6, 2022

Brooks Ballentine has been known to say he values HPM’s family atmosphere and size—it is small enough to know everyone, yet large enough to provide opportunities for growth. He has spent nearly 14 years of his career growing with the company and has proven himself a dependable leader in every position he has served. For his immense dedication to our team and our clients, Brooks is being promoted from Director of the East Region to Vice President of the East Region.

“As a director, Brooks has worked tirelessly to improve his group’s organization, promote inclusion, and support his team in their programs and pursuits,” said Frank Marsac, HPM Vice President of Operations.

Brooks does an excellent job of partnering both internally and externally. His team feels like he is fully supportive of them and their careers and that he works hard to not only ensure their success and HPM’s success but the client’s success, as well.

“Brooks exemplifies the golden rule, whether that is with a client or his team, and they truly see him as a trusted advisor who is always seeking the best solution in every situation,” Marsac said. “He is always willing to step in and help whenever there is a need or challenge and is a true servant leader. He is optimistic and encouraging to his teams, which pushes them to higher levels of success in their roles.”

Brooks began his career at HPM in 2007 as a Project Manager. He worked on the Regions Bank account in Birmingham before representing HPM as an indispensable leader for the University of Alabama (UA) account in Tuscaloosa. Brooks helped manage the UA program’s many projects and teams from 2008 to 2017.

In 2018, Brooks took on the position of Program Executive for HPM. In this role, he managed multiple senior program managers who supervised numerous programs—such as UA, Regions, Homewood and Vestavia Hills City School districts, and the Birmingham-Jefferson Civic Center (BJCC) arena. Brooks displayed clear communication skills, strong leadership, and a determined work ethic. Because of these qualities, he was promoted to Director of the East Region, a position in which he has managed multiple program executives who are working on projects in HPM’s geographical East Region.

Careers at HPM

HPM’s Anna Sullivan Promoted to Director of Planning & Program Development

Posted on December 7, 2021

One of the most valuable traits our team members can have is the ability to wear different hats and fully immerse themselves in any role and assignment they are given. This versatility is crucial to our business, and we are lucky to have people like Anna Sullivan who boast strong expertise and experience in multiple sectors and markets. Anna’s deep knowledge of not only our business, but of the Texas K-12, higher education and municipal markets, and her natural ability to form meaningful connections with everyone she meets is what has driven her recent promotion to Director of Planning & Program Development.

In her new position, Anna will focus on growing our Planning Services team, primarily in the Texas K-12 market, leveraging her impressive network in the education and municipal sectors across the state as we continue to grow our footprint in the region. She will also oversee the day-to-day internal operations of the Planning Services group, offering her leadership and guidance to everyone on the team.

“Anna has played an instrumental part in growing HPM’s Planning Services division within its first year, and has expanded our network immensely across Texas,” said Tracy Richter, HPM’s vice president of planning services. “She seemingly knows everyone in Texas architecture, engineering and construction, and is one of the most knowledgeable people within the market. She is a vital part of the success we had in our inaugural year, and I look forward to the incredible heights we can reach working alongside Anna for years to come!”

Anna has been at HPM’s Dallas office for five years, having previously served as senior program development manager. Over the past few years, she has worked on a number of projects including Belton Independent School District, Hyatt Place TCU, Round Rock ISD and the U.S. Air Force Academy’s Falcon Stadium. Her work at HPM spans markets across the country, including California, Colorado and Illinois.

Careers at HPM

HPM’s Brian Morris Promoted to Senior Project Manager

Posted on December 1, 2021

When it comes to our industry, being a people person is a critical component of forging connections that will last long after a project is completed. Brian Morris is the perfect embodiment of this skill and exemplifies this quality in every facet of his career. His natural talent at building strong client relationships led him and his family from Tuscaloosa to Central Texas, where he is now helping to oversee HPM’s growing presence in the region. Brian’s ability to earn and maintain the trust and respect of clients is what led to his promotion to Senior Project Manager.

Before heading to Texas, Brian worked on our University of Alabama account, where he managed numerous renovations and quickly became an admired colleague among the entire UA team and campus partners. He relocated to Austin, where he now works on one of HPM’s major K-12 program in the Texas market. Since being in the Lone Star State, Brian has established himself as the project management leader in the Round Rock ISD facilities and construction department. He is a go-to resource for the district, providing consultation on a wide range of topics and offering his problem-solving skills when challenges arise. Brian’s current projects at Round Rock ISD (RRISD) include a $51 million program for McNeil High School, an $8.1 million Support Services building and a $2.4 million addition to the Chisholm Trail Athletic Facility.

“Brian has the natural ability to become close, like family, to anyone he meets out on the field,” said Ben Henson, HPM Program Executive. “He’s exactly the kind of person you want on your team. He works hard, but always finds a way to keep people laughing and engaged every step of the way during a project.”

In addition to his work in Round Rock, Brian has built a wide network of relationships throughout Central Texas with contractors, designers, representatives from various school districts in the region and other valuable partners. On top of the success he maintains for his ongoing projects, he is also constantly looking for opportunities to improve HPM’s brand recognition in the community and to spread the firm’s name across the state.

Terry Worcester, Chief Operating Officer at RRISD, recently said the following about Brian: “In the span of my many years of architectural practice and education administration, I have not had the extraordinary honor of working and collaborating with such a talented and capable colleague as Brian Morris. He is my go-to HPM ‘associate’ of client and project management within my many departments in the school district.”

Careers at HPM

HPM’s Gaila Barnett Promoted to Senior Project Manager

Posted on October 20, 2021

Gaila Barnett is a passionate and strategic leader whose ability to tackle new projects with enthusiasm, thoughtfulness and urgency has led to great success for her clients and her team at HPM. Having established strong relationships in Texas, she has played an essential role in growing HPM’s business throughout the state. We are proud to promote Gaila to Senior Project Manager and appreciate her many contributions to the firm over the past two years.

Gaila joined HPM in October of 2019 with over 25 years of experience in design and program management under her belt after leading projects totaling $2 billion across 26 states. Her ability to tailor her approach to meet the needs of individual markets is what sets her apart, along with her impressive experience within the healthcare industry.

Her first project with HPM was the Hyatt Place Hotel at Texas Christian University in Fort Worth, a very challenging assignment that Gaila jumped into headfirst. She spent countless hours working to gain an understanding of the project’s history, the team dynamics and the client’s vision. Due to her expertise and commitment to providing the best possible service for the client, this project overcame challenges throughout the COVID-19 pandemic and was a tremendous success for both the owner and HPM.

Since then, Gaila has taken on 41 facility assessments around the state of Texas for one of HPM’s longtime clients in the healthcare sphere, and is working with a partner firm on municipal projects throughout Metro Dallas. Her previous portfolio of healthcare experience and numerous relationships within the sector has also led her to confidently take on the challenge of crafting a plan for HPM to pursue additional healthcare work in markets across the country.

“Gaila has far proven her ability to show extreme ownership of her projects and responsibilities and does what it takes to provide the best possible outcomes for our clients,” said HPM Program Executive Ben Henson. “She consistently showcases all of the qualities that typify strong, effective leaders and is committed to helping HPM remain the best of the best in our industry.”

Careers at HPM

Tag: construction management

Career Path

Preconstruction at HPM

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