Guide and manage a team that is responsible for the new school development efforts for new franchisee and corporate locations. Real estate site selection, demographics coordination and management for new locations, new school construction, supply chain management, new school design, facilities maintenance for existing schools.

I facilitate and manage the Real Estate, Design & Construction support team for franchisor Goldfish Swim Schools, LLC. Goldfish is a leader in the Swim School space with 122 locations in the US and Canada. Goldfish is a high growth, technology forward company whose sole focus is on helping young children be safe around the water.

Leader of the new school design, construction and maintenance effort for this growing franchisor of children's learn to swim schools. Goldfish is a high growth company and is opening many new units per year in 38+ states across the US and Canada. Active member of the company leadership team that directs and manages this nearly $200,000,000 per year company.

Corporate leader of the design, construction and facilities maintenance effort for Fiesta Restaurant Group. Fiesta owns the Pollo Tropical and the Taco Cabana brands and has 350+ locations across the country. The company largely operates it's own restaurants but has a franchisee component in several Caribbean nations and on some US college campuses. Responsible for several different prototypical free standing building designs for 2 different brands as well as interior design, construction related purchasing, ground up new store development and a significant annual remodel and capital expenditure effort as well as all facilities maintenance for both brands. Also a member of the corporate senior leadership team and responsible for departmental budgets, annual strategic planning, staffing, and overall management of a high functioning 11 member development department team and 30+ member facilities management team. Reports to CEO and has significant cross-functional involvement with Real Estate, Legal, Finance, Human Resources, Marketing and Operations departments.

Retail Construction Consultants, Inc. was a full service consulting company that provided outsourced planning, design and construction coordination for new brands, emerging brands and franchisees who cannot or do not want to have an in house new store construction and remodel project management team.Services provided include: Master project planning, architectural and interior design vender selection and coordination, master project scheduling, procurement of entitlements (permitting), builder bidding and selection, monitoring of construction, value engineering, purchasing cost reduction, and all other design, purchasing, construction and development related facets of the retail construction process.Customers include brand new concepts, emerging young brands, and franchisors/franchisees undergoing new unit growth and remodeling. Retail Construction Consultants has completed projects in Indiana, Ohio, Illinois, Missouri, Kentucky, Michigan and is capable of providing consulting services in all 50 states and Canada.

Corporate leader responsible for all corporate and franchisee design and construction including new stores and remodels. This position reported directly to the Steak n Shake CEO and included frequent traveling to work with and influence franchisees and senior operations team members. Contributing team member in the design and construction of the company's first new inline "Signature" prototype as well as the design evolution of the free standing Steak n Shake prototype building, signage, interiors and all other aspects of store design.

Responsible for leading a team of project managers and support staff to build, remodel and maintain corporate and franchise restaurants in Central and West Regions (approximately 2/3 of the U.S.).Consistently led company in highest productivity, best budget adherence and successful completion of projects ahead of schedule. Influenced and mentored franchise owners to make better business decisions regarding new store development and remodel initiatives.Led team efforts in site design, real estate due diligence, site selection and analysis.Regularly completed up to 47% of project load with just 25% of overall construction staff, consistently outperforming other company development groups.Achieved a 29% construction cost reduction overall, working with the design team to value engineer prototype building.Served as one of 3 leaders of the organization and implementation of the largest remodel initiative in company history.Worked with Strategic Sourcing Group to review corporate suppliers and sub-contractors; negotiated pricing with vendors to obtain best products at lowest prices as part of overall cost containment strategy.Effectively completed building projects in an average of 70 days, cutting the standard time of 120 days without sacrificing quality.Hired top talent and demonstrated total commitment to developing people, providing on site mentoring and constructive feedback that resulted in building top performers and cohesive teams.Served as functional leader of the design and implementation of the Expesite web-based project management and bidding program, including ongoing management.Designed and created a company operations training manual and led training sessions across the country to help reduce the company expenditures for R&M/CAPEX and maintenance issues.

Responsible for managing new construction and remodel projects across the Midwest and Western United States.Granted a company partnership for superior performance - was the only construction person to receive this honor.Awarded corporate "Support Person of the Year" out of 13,000 employees.Consistently led company in highest productivity, best budget adherence and successful completion of projects ahead of schedule. Earned multiple awards for performance and leadership, with recognition for significant cross-functional participation and influence.Hired as a director and promoted to Vice President in 2 years.

Responsible for managing sales and marketing efforts and helping to formulate all aspects of a Design and Build/Construction Management Division for this regional retail construction company.Earned recognition as a Top Manager and contributor to the growth of the division to over 75% of the company volume.Established and maintained highly successful client relationships with regional and national retailers including Walgreens, McDonalds, IHOP, Discount Tire, Burger King, Lowe's Home Centers, Taco Bell, Red Lobster, Bob Evans and many, many more.