Chicago (IL), Denver (CO), Seattle (WA), Portland (OR), San Francisco (CA)
Director of Construction
Senior Project Manager
Michael Finder, LEED AP
michaelfinder[at]yahoo.com
Executive Summary
Michael Finder focuses on project management of urban projects throughout all phases of design and construction. His professional expertise includes project management, construction management, entitlements, contract bidding/negotiations, cost estimating, capital maintenance, building assessments, environmental management/compliance and architectural design for a diverse group of clients and multiple portfolios. Acting as Owner’s Representative, Mr. Finder has provided project leadership on complex projects, serving as the key liaison with institutional and private clients, general contractors, construction teams, professional consultants and municipal authorities. In this role, he draws on his expertise in project planning and execution to ensure that projects are successfully completed within established schedules and budgets while meeting client goals.
Employment History:
Mid-America Asset Management, inc., Oak Brook Terrace, IL
Project Manager, Development and Construction Services (5/2006-10/2009)
• Acted as Owner’s Representative for large-scale commercial construction projects.
• Led conceptual project design including site planning and urban design.
• Produced and managed project proforma analysis, budgets, and scheduling.
• Managed, coordinated and evaluated various environmental remediation projects.
• Procured and coordinated professional and general contracting services.
• Obtained zoning, planning, and permit approvals; attended municipal review hearings.
• Coordinated site meetings and provided direction to contractors, architects, engineers, and consultants; reviewed all design documents, bids, and payment applications.
Representative Projects:
• Wilson Yard Redevelopment, Chicago, IL
Mixed use redevelopment of a former CTA rail yard including environmental
remediation, a two story, 180,000 s.f. Target, 178 apartments, 700 parking spaces, and 30,000 s.f. of retail/office.
• Provided staging and logistics site plan review, utility and environmental remediation coordination; developed project schedule and budget;
• Procured professional services and general contracting services and conducted weekly status site meetings to review project schedule and ensure compliance;
• Acted as key liaison with public utilities and the Chicago Transit Authority for demolition and site preparation;
• Identified a solution and built consensus among project stakeholders regarding a complex staging and logistics conflict under an elevated CTA track that resulted in budget savings for the client.
• Renaissance Place Infrastructure Renovation, Highland Park, IL
Renovation of site infrastructure at a 200,000 s.f. mixed-use development.
• Managed an extensive infrastructure renovation in a high density context while minimizing disruption to tenants, meeting client objectives, working within a tight budget, and maintaining an aggressive construction schedule;
• Facilitated project approvals by tailoring communication to each project stakeholder;
• Provided leadership at meetings with the City of Highland Park to communicate project scope; proposed construction logistics, vehicular circulation, tenant operations, construction details, and impact on City infrastructure;
• Worked out a resolution with the General Contractor and Architect regarding a technical conflict that required the re-installation of a costly expansion joint; resolved multiple ADA violations with new infrastructure.
• Bannockburn Green Redevelopment, Bannockburn, IL;
Site redevelopment of 150,000 s.f. mixed-use office and retail building.
• Negotiated and planned parking infrastructure, site lighting, landscape, site utilities and public utility upgrades; led construction of new restaurant building shell;
• Provided alternate construction solution to a trade sequencing conflict on a monument sign installation to offset schedule delays and a costly change order.
• Brownfield Redevelopment, Munster, IN;
Environmental remediation and the construction of a new bank building.
• Provided leadership at meetings with the Indiana Department of Environmental Management for the development of a brownfield site;
• Negotiated reimbursement from Tenant to replace multiple environmental monitoring wells destroyed by the tenant contractor.
Charles Vincent George Design Group, Naperville, IL
Architect (2004-2006)
• Schematic design through construction administration phases for residential and commercial projects; coordinated consultants and performed code research.
Representative Projects:
• Hinsdale Golf Club Master Plan, Hinsdale, IL
• Multiple Residential Additions and New Construction, Hinsdale, IL
Solomon Cordwell Buenz & Associates, Chicago, IL
Architect (2003-2004)
• Schematic design through construction document phases for projects including a seven-story university residence hall and a 50-story apartment building.
Representative Projects:
• Loyola University Residence Hall (Regis Residence Hall), Chicago, IL
• The Streeter Apartment Development, Chicago, IL
Skidmore, Owings & Merrill LLP, Chicago, IL
Architect (2000-2003)
• Conceptual design through construction administration phases.
Representative Projects:
• JC Decaux Street Furniture, Chicago Streetscape Competition
• Heron Quays Infrastructure, Canary Wharf, London, UK
• Dubai Masterplan Competition, Dubai, United Arab Emirates
• Chemsunny Plaza Office Tower, Beijing, China
• Suzhou Convention Center Competition, Suzhou, China
Hellmuth, Obata + Kassabaum, Inc., St. Louis, Missouri
Central Marketing Assistant and Trainer (1996-1997)
• Supported international and domestic offices with technical training and support.
• Designed firm’s standard library of project information and qualifications sheets.
Information Resources, Inc., London, UK and Chicago, Illinois
Senior Production Coordinator (1993-1996)
• Planned and executed the production of client market research reports.
• Assisted in set-up operations of a new office in the United Kingdom.
Professional Licenses and Affiliations
Licensed Architect, IL #001.019601
LEED Accredited Professional #10459314
NCARB Certification #64044
Licensed Real Estate Broker, IL #475.116104
Education
University of Kansas-Lawrence
Master of Architecture, May 2000
Academic Awards:
• AIA School Medal (1st of 26 students)
• National AIA Scholarship Award
Design/Build Thesis Project:
216 Alabama Single Family Residence. Awards:
• Finalist, World Architecture Awards, Hong Kong
• Judges’ Award, Residential Architect Design Awards, Professional Competition
• 1st Place, ACSA Steel Tube Competition.
University of Missouri-Columbia
School of Business and Public Administration
Bachelor of Science in Business, May 1992
Computer Skills
Microsoft: Project, Excel, Word, Outlook
Autodesk: AutoCAD
Adobe: Photoshop, Adobe InDesign
Google: SketchUp
Community Activities
Member, Chicago Backpackers Club
Camping Chairman, Pack 39 Cub Scouts
Den Leader, Pack 39 Cub Scouts
Referee, AYSO Soccer League
Volunteer, La Grange Little League
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