• Experience as a Contract Manager with two of the country’s largest utilities. Most recently I have been responsible for negotiating, managing, and finalizing two distinctly different EPC and equipment purchase agreements (approximately $2.8B in capital expenditure) for two coal/biomass power plants for Alliant Energy. My success in the pursuit of finalizing the contracts for these projects (recently withdrawn for permitting and financial reasons) was lauded by upper management. Earlier held primary responsibility for the management of $1.5B in contracts for the largest project in AEP history. I was also solicited to aid in the development of EPC capabilities of Alliant Energy’s wholly owned subsidiary, RMT, Inc., and worked with Business Development, Engineering, and Construction Services on developing RFP responses for Wind and Solar Farms and negotiating contracts valued at $10M – $1.2B.
• An additional 10 years of related contract management experience that has included work as a Permit and Design Manager for a major developer; Senior Buyer/Buyer positions at Bechtel Jacobs, Bechtel National, Corning, etc.
• A Juris Doctor with emphasis on subject matter related to the construction industry plus additional experience as a Certified Mediator. I also earned a B.S. in Business Administration magna cum laude.
• A keen understanding of contract and subcontract management and the elements needed to manage risk and improve project performance. My experience has encompassed working with those at all stages and levels of assigned projects. I am familiar with UCC, MRP, FAR, AIA, and other industry standards and am known and appreciated for the quality of my work and my knowledge of contracts and project management.
• Experience managing and developing staff and departments.
I am certain that I can make a productive and meaningful impact to your organization, if offered the opportunity. Thank you in advance for your time and your consideration. I look forward to hearing from you.
OBJECTIVE AND QUALIFICATIONS
Seek a Contract Management position that can utilize a manager with exceptional experience with major contract formation and administration, a J.D. degree focused on contracts and standard corporate methodology, and advanced Alternative Dispute Resolution and Mediation Certification. Extensive experience in managing major construction contracts. J.D., B.S. Business Administration magna cum laude.
CONTRACT/PROJECT ADMINISTRATION
Field experience handling all phases of contractual process on projects valued as high as $2.8B.
Persuasive negotiator, mindful of and compliant with, FAR, UCC, MRP, AIA and other corporate standards
Interface effectively with engineers, vendors, contractors, management teams, and permitting agencies
Highly organized with a strong orientation to detail and quality work
Analyze and interpret related business periodicals, journals, technical procedures, and data
Experience in creating and explaining financial models and forecasts
Expert at solving complex problems, even where only limited standardization exists
PURCHASING/ACCOUNTING EXPERIENCE
Over 5 years of Buying / Purchasing experience including the sourcing and qualification of vendors
Facilitation and expediting of purchasing and inventory management process while adhering to project specifications and fiscal details
Creation of standardized contractual and invoicing terms, forms, and procedures
Payable/receivable cost accounting functions, including tracking, reconciliation, and journal entries
CAREER PROGRESSION
RMT, Inc., Madison, WI 6/09 – present
[RMT is a wholly owned subsidiary of Alliant Energy which provides engineering, construction, and procurement services.]
Manager, Contracts & Risk Management
Requested by my former VP Construction to aid in the development of growing the Construction Services business unit in the areas of contracts, standardization, departmental guidelines, and field support expectations. Responsible for contract negotiations between RMT, Inc. and various international clients for Balance of Plant and Balance of System projects, related to wind and solar farms from the Request for Proposal stage through until contract execution. At the conclusion of negotiations, prepare a presentation, including contractual, financial and project risk mitigation, for internal functional reviewers for approval. Once approvals are obtained, then presentation is made to RMT’s parent company’s Executive Risk Review Committee for approval of the project. It was clearly communicated that I would accept this position to provide structure, training, and standardization temporarily while I searched for an opportunity that would provide the necessary challenges for continued career growth.
Alliant Energy, Madison, WI 9/08 – 4/09
[Alliant owns/operates 6,000MW of generating capacity and markets/distributes power to 1.4M electric & gas customers.]
Manager—Contracts, IPL & WPL Baseload. Facilitated by Alliant’s recently created Construction Business Unit, negotiated, managed, and finalized the EPC and equipment purchase agreements (forecast at approximately $2.8B in capital expenditure) for two coal/biomass power plants. Implemented a full range of procurement and contract administration duties associated with subcontracts and corporate contracts. Also developed Contract Administration guidelines, Training, and Job Descriptions/Expectations. Worked closely with internal and external legal counsel to standardize contracts and tailor existing contracts to manage the risks involved with construction. Proposed, developed, and negotiated two distinctly different purchase agreements for each power plant. Supervised 6 buyers and trained all to become Contract Administrators. Recognized for growth and development optimization for efforts and productivity in the Construction Business Unit. Due to past successful construction contract experience, was in line to replace the current Director of Contracts until the permit for one plant was denied and the decision was made not to go forward with the construction of the other plant. The position was subsequently eliminated.
CHRISTY CUNNINGHAM PAGE 2
American Electric Power, Columbus, OH 4/07 – 9/08
[AEP, with more than 5 million customers, is one of the largest utilities in the U.S.]
Field Contract Manager. Managed about $1.5B in contracts for the largest project (EPC) in AEP history. Major contracts managed included Shaw, Stone & Webster, our Engineering, Procurement, and Construction contractor; B&W/BWCC, our boiler designer and erector; and Alstom, our turbine, boiler feed pump turbine, and generator contractor. Managed and tracked costs and invoicing; reviewed and processed change requests and amendments; corresponded and coordinated with all parties involved. Created, monitored, submitted, and tracked a multitude of reports to various departments and upper management. Because our EPC contract was a fixed-firm-price and the largest in AEP's history, it required massive reporting to various departments and upper management. Primary support for the Project Manager, Construction Manager, and Engineering Manager. Supervised 2 Contract Administrators.
Dispute Resolution Center of Central Michigan (DRCCM), Lansing, MI 9/06 - 4/07
DRCCM, a non-profit organization administered by the State Court, provides an alternative to litigation, training,
and a forum for community and attorney mediators involved with general civil, small claims, and divorce disputes.
Mediator. Sought conciliation between adversaries by facilitating discussions and mutual resolution options through telephone communication. Prepared and submitted to the Court legally binding Conciliation Agreements. Alternatively, through mediation, facilitated productive group discussions, and identified key issues in the dispute between parties and their legal counsel. Subsequently, prepared and submitted to the Court a Confidentiality Agreement, Mediation Agreement for Adjournment, or a Consent Judgment.
Port Blakely Communities (PBC), Port Blakely Tree Farms, LLC, Seattle, WA 8/01 – 6/02
Issaquah Highlands, a PBC project, is a 2100-acre urban village development that includes a 40-acre Microsoft campus.
Permit and Design Manager. Provided design engineering and permit support for engineering and construction, residential development, and landscaping and parks totaling $7.5M - $10M annually. Reviewed conceptual designs and design changes for city, county, and state permitting requirements and prepared applicable documentation. Submitted and tracked designs and design changes through various city, county, and state agencies' approval processes. Coordinated and facilitated information transfers and requests. Managed dedicated administrative support and 35-40 design consultants to ensure on-time deliverables. Additionally:
ï‚Ÿ Received design proposals and performed cost analysis, cost coding, and task order requests
ï‚Ÿ Finalized and issued Master Consultant Agreement terms and forms
ï‚Ÿ Developed design tracking and archiving system
ï‚Ÿ Developed internal and external distribution and document control hub
ï‚Ÿ Developed, maintained, and issued Construction and Engineering schedules inclusive of work from conception through sale
ï‚Ÿ Coordinated and expedited sales exhibits and information requests
ï‚Ÿ Collaborated with Construction Manager in managing the Buyer's and Seller's Responsibility Agreements
ï‚Ÿ Designed system for tracking and administering maintenance contracts, design and installation projects, and contract issuance
ï‚Ÿ Provided support to the Landscape Architect during the implementation of processes
Bechtel Jacobs Company LLC, Bechtel Systems & Infrastructure, Inc., Oak Ridge, TN 3/00 - 7/01
Contractor for U.S. DOE's Oak Ridge Operations Office responsible for environmental cleanup, waste disposal, and management of depleted uranium hexafluoride cylinders in Oak Ridge, TN; Paducah, KY; and Portsmouth, OH.
Senior Buyer. Performed all tasks in the formation and administration of assigned PO's, service contracts, construction subcontracts, and technical service agreements. Communicated with suppliers, subcontractors, and internal personnel to define requirements clearly and assure performance met subcontract agreement terms. Also pre-qualified bidders, formatted and issued bid packages, coordinated and hosted clarification meetings, handled bid receivables, and evaluated commercial bids. In addition:
ï‚Ÿ Initiated supplier and engineering follow-up; monitored performance criteria for proposal conformance
ï‚Ÿ Maintained continual review to ensure all terms and conditions were in accordance with legal requirements, customer specifications, and government regulations
ï‚Ÿ Prepared correspondence and special reports, and disseminated to management information regarding contract status, compliance, modification, payment, and closeout
ï‚Ÿ Evaluated backcharges and assisted in resolution of claims and disputes
CHRISTY CUNNINGHAM PAGE 3
Bechtel National, Inc., Portland, OR
$25M Portland Light Rail Extension Project.
Senior Buyer. As the sole procurement representative for this project, determined necessary materials and services required by engineering and other project personnel. Researched qualified vendors, requirements, and relevant costs prior to commitment; petitioned, hosted, and documented clarification requests. Also solicited, evaluated, and negotiated proposals. Additionally:
ï‚Ÿ Issued purchase orders, rental agreements, and field subcontracts
ï‚Ÿ Monitored delivery, budgetary, and supplier performance, and tracked purchasing cost variances
ï‚Ÿ Supervised union-operated warehouse, including inventory, receiving, and shipping
ï‚Ÿ Resolved invoicing discrepancies; organized and maintained procurement files through closeout
Philips Consumer Electronics, Knoxville, TN 4/99 - 3/00
Associate Buyer. Negotiated and issued PO’s for tools, samplers, and PQA parts in support of R&D and production. Expedited to ensure on-time delivery of parts and required documents. Prepared and sent RFQ's, cost comparisons, required environmental certificates, and measurement reports for metal and plastic tool bound parts.
Reported status of samples per project to relevant buyer and engineering project leader. Resolved invoicing discrepancies; performed market trend analysis. Led time-reduction project. Maintained parts files.
Corning Incorporated, Corning Asahi Video, State College, PA 6/97 - 1/98
Corning Asahi Video multi-million dollar manufacturing plant expansion.
Buyer. Developed RFQ/RFP documents for design build capital equipment purchases. Managed information flow of quotation process; evaluated and negotiated quotations. Wrote contracts and purchase orders. Expedited and managed project purchase installations and budget.
Morrison Knudsen Corporation, Charleston, SC 6/94 - 8/95
$300M Environmental Response Action Contract (ERAC)
with U.S. Navy Southern Division Naval Facilities Engineering Command (NAVFAC).
Project Administrator. Procured and dismantled modular office sites and equipment to meet project and OSHA regulations. Responsibilities included vendor relations; preparing orders, subcontracts, and requisitions. Created and maintained database files; tracked purchase orders and subcontract change orders.
CERTIFICATIONS AND AFFILIATIONS
Certified Mediator: Michigan Supreme Court, Ohio Supreme Court
ACES Certification: Certified in ACES subcontract formation and administration
Habitat for Humanity: Lansing, MI (2003-2006); Seattle, WA (2002); Portland, OR (2000); Knoxville, TN (1996-1997, 1999)
Volunteer Income Tax Assistant [VITA]: (2001-2007, 1999-1998): Tax preparation program sponsored by IRS.
Iota Phi Lambda Honor Society: (1996-Present)
American Bar Association: Administrative Law Forum, Construction Law Forum, Business Law Forum, Dispute Resolution Forum
EDUCATION
JURIS DOCTOR, Dean's List, Thomas M. Cooley Law School, Lansing, MI, 1/07
Specialized Coursework: Contracts Law, Property Law, Construction Law, Zoning & Land Use, Labor Law, Federal Administrative Law, Secure Transactions, Taxation, Sales, Business Organizations and Structures, Alternative Dispute Resolution, Advanced Practice Mediation, Research and Writing,
and Advanced Writing
B.S. IN BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION, magna cum laude, Knoxville College, Knoxville, TN, 5/99
References Furnished Upon
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