Tag: Program Management

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.”

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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.”

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Reflecting On HPM’s History in Alabama’s (New) Largest City

Posted on February 16, 2022

In 2021, U.S. News & World Report announced that Huntsville surpassed Birmingham as Alabama’s most populous city after results from the 2020 Census indicated that its population now exceeds 215,000 people. Huntsville has seen significant economic growth over the past decade, spurred by a surge of projects coming to the area, as large players within key industries turn to the city to establish new headquarters and major manufacturing plants.

Since HPM’s beginning, Huntsville has remained an important market within our portfolio, and we have built lasting relationships in the city that have spanned decades. Over the past few years, HPM has worked on a number of dynamic projects in a range of sectors throughout the region, which capture in part the impressive growth Huntsville has experienced recently. This includes the following:

HPM served as the owner’s representative for the construction of a new 136,000-square-foot manufacturing facility and the renovation of a 30-year-old office building for Aerojet Rocketdyne, a rocket and missile manufacturer that sought to move its headquarters from California to Huntsville. HPM’s support led the projects to completion under budget and within the tight timeline allotted, and the entire project brought roughly 800 jobs to the city.
HPM recently completed program management work for Calhoun Community College. The college renovated the 180,000-square-foot Sparkman Building, the most commonly used building on campus, as it remained occupied with students taking classes. HPM oversaw the project through the construction phase, including a new exterior façade, new TPO roofing, new pedestrian entrance plazas and updated landscaping.
When Pepsi-Cola bottler Buffalo Rock looked to build a new distribution center to replace its current facility in the area, the prominent Alabama-based company called on HPM to provide program management services for the 200,000-square-foot tilt-up construction project. This is part of an ongoing relationship between HPM and Buffalo Rock, as we have also assisted in managing a one-million-square-foot expansion for the company’s Birmingham distribution hub and headquarters.

“HPM is honored to have served a role in the incredible growth story that the state of Alabama has written over the past decade,” said Ryan Austin, HPM president. “Huntsville has established itself as one of the main hubs in the Southeast for some of the fastest-growing industries in our nation, including aerospace, manufacturing and technology. As the city continues to grow, we look forward to forging new partnerships in the community and finding more opportunities to share our firm’s expertise with these key players who are looking to call Huntsville home.”

We are proud to see Huntsville prosper as Alabama’s largest city, as it continues to attract top-tier companies looking to open new offices and hubs in the area. 2022 already looks promising and our firm is excited for a new year of possibilities and success, as we strengthen our team and pursue new opportunities to serve The Rocket City.

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Saving Time and Money, Despite a Pandemic

Posted on January 27, 2022

It is no secret or surprise that construction projects around the world have been impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. For many, it has caused delays and budget increases, setbacks that public-school districts typically cannot afford. At Round Rock ISD, however, we delivered over $75 million of work in a period of eight months.

“One of the great successes is that we have been able to accomplish an incredible amount of work in an amount of time that really would not have been possible if we didn’t have the assistance of HPM,” said Melanie Camarena, Round Rock ISD (RRISD) director of construction.

Despite any delays caused by the pandemic, all summer 2020 projects were completed successfully on time. The projects included miscellaneous HVAC, roofing, bleachers, kitchen, and flooring renovations. In addition, there were renovations completed on the PA system, fire alarm system, cafeteria stage, main distribution frame room, a track replacement, and a field turf replacement. Electrical renovations were also completed, including the replacement of panels and main switchgears.

In order to provide a successful completion on these projects, the team helped to redefine and implement schedules, document management, and control protocols. In addition to keeping projects on track, HPM saved the district approximately $1 million in the first year through Guaranteed Maximum Price (GMP) reviews and pre-audit work.

“From a K-12 district point of view, it’s very difficult to hire a project manager who has the experience to be working in 30 to $50 million dollar or larger projects,” said Terry Worcester, Round Rock ISD chief operating officer. “You really need someone with experience and the knowledge base to be able to work with designers and builders who are in that league, so we procured and were very delighted to have HPM join our team here as a partner, not necessarily just as a consultant, but as a partner to augment our staff and work with us directly.”

HPM is currently serving as the program manager for Round Rock Independent School District’s $500+ million capital bond program, which spans 199 individually approved bond projects. Our role includes the three-year management of the planning, design, and construction of several large projects, including a new elementary school, a new aquatics practice center, expansion of existing schools, modernization of two high schools, and more. This also includes technology, security, and ongoing maintenance. We provide program controls with a dedicated interface with the accounting and financial systems of the district and the development of the master schedule, including all procurement, design, construction, occupancy, and startup milestones.

HPM K-12 Services

Built to Lead: Ivy Mitchell

Posted on January 19, 2022

At HPM, we recognize that our employees are our strength and that their commitment to the relentless pursuit of improvement is the reason we have grown to be a leader in the industry. Over the last eight years, HPM Manager of Program Services Ivy Mitchell has led our clients to success in several industries, from aviation to higher education. She exemplifies HPM’s servant leadership mentality. Keep reading to learn more about Ivy’s role at HPM, the leaders she looks up to most, and more.

HPM: What does a typical day at HPM look like for you?

I love my position because I never really have a “typical” day. I am usually working on multiple projects at a time and they are all very different. The tasks can also be very different for each project. Some will need a master program budget and schedule while some will be in the middle of procurement and will require development and managing the procurement process.

HPM: What is the best part of your job?

The best part of my job is that every day is different, which keeps it very exciting and never boring. I am also lucky to be working with the best people.

HPM: What has been your most memorable HPM project so far?

I would have to say Airbus. When I started at HPM I knew nothing about aircraft manufacturing and oh my how that has changed. This project included meeting the client with whom I have spent a lot of time over the past 8 years. They are an adventure in themselves. It included a trip to their plant in Germany, which was a wonderful experience. Both Airbus projects have been great projects full of new experiences and learning.

HPM: Tell us about someone who inspires you. Why do you consider them to be a great leader?

My parents inspire me. They possess all the qualities a great leader needs to possess. They are respected, kind, loyal, and have always pushed me to be the best I can be.

HPM: What does leadership mean to you?

Leadership to me means someone who is respected and who respects others equally. Leadership is pushing people to work together towards a common goal with quality results.

Are you built to lead and interested in joining the HPM team? Check out our current job openings and apply today!

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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.”

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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

Built to Lead: Foster Veazey

Posted on December 13, 2021

At HPM, we are dedicated to being an advocate for our clients from start to finish. We pride ourselves on excellent customer service while providing unparalleled expertise in construction management. For the past three years, HPM Project Manager Foster Veazey has soared to new heights by leading successful aviation projects for HPM clients like Airbus and the Mobile Airport Authority. Keep reading to learn more about Foster’s role at HPM, his proudest accomplishment, and more.

HPM: What does a typical day at HPM look like for you?

One of the things that I enjoy the most about my job is that aside from my standard weekly meetings, most of my days are different and not a “standard” or “typical” day. Depending on the phase of the project, the overall schedule, risks, etc., the priorities for how my day is spent change constantly. This allows for constant engagement and excitement while preventing a sense of monotony while at work.

HPM: What is the best part of your job?

Without a doubt, the best part of my job is being able to work in close proximity with and collaborate with our HPM team. We have an extremely unique culture that fosters a collaborative spirit and team atmosphere in everything we do, which I have found to be very atypical compared to other organizations. Working with others who I consider friends and not just co-workers is a unique feature that sets HPM apart.

HPM: What is your proudest accomplishment?

My proudest accomplishment was completing a full renovation of a 100+-year-old house amidst the COVID pandemic. I completely gutted the house down to the studs, moved walls, re-wired the entire house, laid new flooring, transformed the third bedroom into a master bathroom, and re-plumbed the house amidst 1,000+ other projects that I completed. I’d never done a project of this size by myself and was able to learn more than I ever thought was possible while restoring a beautiful home that my wife and I were able to sell. Lots of literal blood, sweat, and tears went into the renovation which took right around 13 months for me to complete by myself.

HPM: What are the characteristics of a great leader?

To me, a great leader is one who is able to inspire others to do things that they don’t want to or are unwilling to do on their own. Too often clichés that “everyone is a leader” are thrown around today, but this simply isn’t true. There are leaders and there are followers, but to truly be a leader you must inspire others to follow you. Personally, I feel that this is most easily accomplished by the leader having the humility to only ask of others what they are willing to do themselves.

Are you built to lead and interested in joining the HPM team? Check out our current job openings and apply today!

HPM Careers

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.”

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What is Program Management?

Posted on November 30, 2021

Simply put, program management is the most efficient, most effective way to manage a capital building program from beginning to end.

HPM sits on the owner’s side of the table to provide flexible and professional staffing, precise management, best practices and innovation for savings to our clients which typically results in covering more than our fees.

How much does program management add to a capital building program?

Nothing. Program management isn’t an addition to a capital building program, but rather it’s a different approach to delivering its projects — planning and coordinating work to eliminate wasted time and resources. Typically, HPM’s implementation of our processes reduces total costs by 5-10 percent. And the earlier you engage a program manager, the more you’ll save.

What does HPM provide that we aren’t already receiving?

During a typical building program, the architect, engineer, general contractor/construction manager and other project team members are focusing on specific services for a duration of time in the lifecycle of a facility. HPM serves as an advisor and representative for the owner from the beginning to the end — yet, with planning, design and construction experience and expertise. We work collaboratively with all of those key players, making the process better for all stakeholders and ensuring the best and most cost-effective outcome for the owner.

Do architectural, engineering or general construction firms provide program management services, too?

They sometimes offer program management in addition to the primary services they deliver, but it’s difficult for them to “flip a switch” and go from thinking only of the specific portion of the process they’re used to delivering to strategically planning the entire process from start to finish. In addition, this can create a conflict of interest as the firm balances representing the best interests of the owner with generating revenue by selling additional services. This isn’t a problem for HPM — we don’t offer design or construction services. We simply use our expertise in those areas to serve as advisors for the client.

Why should we pay for HPM to oversee building projects when we can hire employees?

The benefits our clients receive outweigh the costs. Plus, HPM team members are cross-trained and backed by our full complement of experts in planning, procurement, pre-construction, design, construction, accounting, communications and operations. Hassles are avoided, and problems are averted. Moreover, money is saved, and you don’t have to worry about hiring and firing staff when capital building programs wax and wane.

Interested in learning more about our services? Explore our program management page and our portfolio for more information or reach out to us at info@hpmleadership.com. We would love to hear from you!

Tag: Program Management

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