Hello! I'm Chris
I have made numerous contributions to the construction industry that have benefited my employers' gross profitability. These accomplishments are derived from my expertise in technology development, process optimization, project controls, cost control, construction planning and scheduling, and project management. A key talent that I can bring to your organization includes: an innovative approach to construction with a strong reputation for controlling costs and finishing the project within budget, and without diminishing quality. A Harvard University case study, recently published, has documented better overall results achieved in construction through the use of technologies that I have developed and integrated.
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“SIMPLICITY IS THE EASIEST TO PERFECT” - Chris Chapel
Chris Chapel
CHIEF TECHNOLOGY OFFICER
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EXPERIENCE
2021
Project Controls
DSR GROUP
Design and develop web application for tracking Long Lead items and additional controls for Chicago Public Schools PMO.
2018-2021
Chief Technology Officer
DIGIBILT, INC.
Digibilt takes digital control of the building process to:
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Increase labor productivity
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Reduce material waste
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Simplify the building process
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Increase profit
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Attract trade talent
It is a hybrid of a Software as a Service (SaaS) company plus a service provider to builders to create a piece level Building Information Model (BIM) which is required to access Digibilt's SaaS technology.
Version 1.0 of Digibilt's technology is released. Functionality includes: Digital model to a piece level, Digibilt technology that automatically extracts a Bill of Materials, automatically produces a Critical Path Method (CPM) schedule and Cost Estimate. Interactive messaging that automatically tracks labor productivity and causes of schedule impact on a daily basis. CPM schedule is automatically updated via text message.
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Validate the technical feasibility of the business idea and recommended technical solutions for the product.
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Develop and test the minimum viable product (MVP) in the shortest time possible.
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Select the technology stack.
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Build the technology team.
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Design the application architecture.
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Select and deploy the scalable, cloud-based infrastructure (AWS).
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Adopt an agile software development approach.
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Select best-in-class UI controls for our application.
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Continuously improve the architecture and algorithms for our software.
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Create the roadmap for feature development and deployment
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Implement a web-based version control repository for source code and development projects.
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Establish a coding culture and standards for our developers to follow.
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Lead a team of developers and external workforces.
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Strategic planning and vision for our software.
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Keep track of the latest technology trends in the industry.
2016-2022
Co-Founder, Vice President
MAGINOX, LLC
http://www.maginox.com
Maginox is designed to be an affordable, intuitive, cloud-based project management software solution for the architectural, engineering and construction (A/E/C) industry. Maginox provides a comprehensive consolidation of all projects, contracts and changes in one central location with accurate, real-time and secure access for Executives and Managers. Additionally, it delivers crucial cost reporting for accountability and increased communication. This solution provides stakeholders the necessary business information to make better informed decisions.
Maginox, LLC provides contract administration, information technology consulting and advisory services to firms who need assistance managing their data and who need additional reporting functionality for clients and/or agencies.
2017-2018
Sr. Project Manager/Project Controls Lead
McKISSACK & McKISSACK
Custom integration with Procore, budget and cash flow reporting for the PGL/NSG Master Development Services program.
Custom reporting and integration with e-Builder for the Obama Presidential Center.
2017
Project Controls Specialist
MIDDOUGH, INC.
Automated Primavera P6 schedule creation, work hour forcasting and resource planning.
2004-2017
Project Controls Specialist
d'ESCOTO, INC.
CTA, Chicago, Illinois. Budgets Manager for the Chicago Transit Authority Capital Improvement Program Management department.
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Ensured proper funding levels, monitored and reported on program/project expenditures.
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Coordinated project funding, ensured the project cash flow was adequately funded.
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Monitored commitments and expenditures gathered from ERP system, produced budget section of Program Status Report.
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Developed secure, user friendly reporting system integrated with information from Oracle ERP, Primavera scheduling software, and custom contract/change order application.
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Developed and automated a Slow Zone Tracking system. The Slow Zone Tracking system is integrated with a AutoCAD to programmatically insert slow zones into the drawing.
University Station, Chicago, Illinois. Senior Project Manager for the d’Escoto/GC joint venture on a $36,000,000 condo conversion. The project is a renovation of a cold storage building into 231 loft condominiums. Involved with the pre-construction activities, including, preparation of the cost estimate, bidding, scope review, subcontractor walk-throughs, and scheduling.
CHA – 916-1000 Wabash Renovation, Chicago, Illinois. Project Manager. Assisted with master schedule development and budget information cost and document control, quality and change control, billing and payment deliverables, ongoing site inspections, and project closeout.
2002-2004
Vice President Information Services
FREDRICKSON KRJ, INC.
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Reduced cycle time, controlled projects with less risk, and increased productivity for all business and construction processes through development and implementation of an integrated project controls system.
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Better profitability management by creation of forecasting tool integrated with financial management system.
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Controlled budget and staffing for technology initiatives.
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Sales and marketing for construction services.
2000-2002
Vice President Technology
B2BILT, INC.
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Designed, developed, and directed the technology team in the building of the proprietary and patented technologies presented at the Harvard Real Estate, Construction and the Internet Conference 2001.
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Proved a 43% time savings and 19% cost savings, on a project completed for Sabre, that is documented in a Harvard University case study showing how better planning and execution, enabled by technology, can lead to better overall results.
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Won the prestigious Chicago Sun-Times Business Innovation Award.
1999-2000
Manager of Application Services
LOGIC a VOA COMPANY
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Design, development, sales and marketing of a suite of data-driven web applications for the AEC Industry called Falcon™.
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Streamlined the document routing and approval process
1998-1999
Software Engineer/Programmer
A. EPSTEIN AND SONS INTERNATIONAL, INC.
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Developed procedures for reporting, distribution, and filing of General Ledger, Accounts Payable, Accounts Receivable, and Job Costing and a third party integrated Accounts Receivable system for Eastern Illinois University.
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Developed a capacity planning and optimization model for strategic planning and scheduling of production for Favorite Brands International’s many plants.
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Developed a project controls system, integrated with Microsoft Outlook and Deltek Advantage accounting software, used to manage construction. The system is used to manage projects in Chicago and for the Warsaw Financial Center in Warsaw, Poland.
1994-1998
Systems Control Manager/Cost Control Manager
d'ESCOTO, INC.
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Created “a state of the art project control system, developed in house specifically for this project (Northwestern Memorial Hospital Redevelopment Project) – to manage the monumental volume of paperwork generated by this project” as stated in Construction Digest Vol. 10 October 14, 1996.
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Designed and implemented systems to manage and control the construction contracts, changes, and additional commitments for the $580 million Northwestern Memorial Hospital project.
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Project expediting, cost control, requests for information, field engineering, submittals, payment applications, handling correspondence, and other project management duties.
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Managed the $17.5 million General Conditions contract, $2.5 million Security and CCTV contract, and $450,000 Site Security contract.
1992-1994
Schedule Project Manager/Estimator
A. EPSTEIN AND SONS INTERNATIONAL, INC.
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Established, closely monitored, and controlled the design schedule, budget, and staffing levels for the highly publicized $675 million McCormick Place Expansion project.
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Analyzed and coordinated design changes with project directors, department managers, sub-consultants, and project developer.
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Created procedures and database management systems for managing contractor Requests for Information, shop drawings, invoicing and accounting.
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Automated systems to track progress for staffing and scheduling.
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Developed automated system and models for conceptual quantity and cost estimates.
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Reviewed and analyzed current construction trends to provide cost information for our estimates.
1991-1992
Projects Scheduler
MUSEUM OF SCIENCE AND INDUSTRY
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Established procedures and models for estimating, planning and scheduling projects.
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Developed methods used for calculating budget and cost share proposals used for the U.S. Navy Project.
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Educated staff about scheduling and project management techniques.
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Coordinated schedules for the division’s many projects.
1989-1990
Planner/Scheduler
BMW CONSTRUCTORS, INC.
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Researched, developed, and implemented improvements in project schedules, tracking systems, and control systems.
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Created flow charts and performed a workload analysis of reporting systems.
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Developed forecast techniques utilized on various projects.
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Established and tracked schedules for a partnering contract with Amoco.
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Analyzed actual accomplishments against the plans and schedule and made recommendations for corrective or appropriate action.
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EDUCATION
1984-1989
Bachelor of Science Degree
PURDUE UNIVERSITY
Building Construction Technology
PROJECTS
SKILLS
Microsoft SQL Server
Amazon Web Services
Microsoft Project - Advanced
Primavera P6
e-Builder
Procore
EXPERTISE
VISIONARY EXECUTIVE
Proven history of cycle time reduction, increased profitability and faster construction delivery. Background includes technology development, process optimization, project controls, cost control, construction planning and scheduling and project management for a wide variety of construction projects.
STRATEGY & DATA ARCHITECTURE
Expert in designing simplified and optimized data architecture in Microsoft SQL Server.
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Software Development: Agile, ASP.NET Core, DevExtreme
Framework: SCRUM
PATENTS
Method and System for Automatically Creating a Bill of Materials
Patent date May 4, 2021. Patent issuer and number US 10,997,553 B2
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Method and System for Automatically Creating and Assigning Assembly Labor Activities (ALAs) to a Bill of Materials (BOM)
Patent date June 8, 2021. Patent issuer and number US 11,030,709
CISCA Interior Construction (July/August 2003)
Chicago Sun Times (July 15, 2002)
Center for Design Informatics @ HARVARD DESIGN SCHOOL (April 2002)
CRSS Constructor Report (February 1996)