Meet Paul Vlaming, our Director of Construction Operations

As an organization that preaches the importance of scalable growth practices for our franchise clients, you can bet we are doing the same internally! With a plethora of new interest accumulating in conjunction with our current client’s growth we are happy to report that we have developed, and (spoiler alert) filled, a new role: Director of Construction Operations. This step forward not only will increase our Construction Management capacity, but will be heavily focused on the continuous improvement of our processes and procedures –improving our efficiencies as a team!

Spark, meet Paul!

Not only are we excited for this role of Director of Construction Operations, we’re thrilled to bring Paul Vlaming aboard the Spark team! Paul jumped right into the work and has already recommended some efficiency practices less than 8 hours into the role.  

Background + Experience

Paul is a Southern Illinois University Graduate BS Interior Design and Associates in Applied Science in Architectural Technology. He went on to become a Certified Project Manager Professional (PMP). He kicked off his career as a Draftsman, escalating to CAD Manager before he launched his Project Management Career at W.W. Grainger, Inc in 1992. Since then he has gathered 30+ years in Project Management!

Outside the office

Paul and his wife Laura have two beautiful daughters and three grandchildren just south of our Wisconsin border in Illinois. Paul is a self-proclaimed dog lover and die-hard Chicago sports fan - loves 'Da Bears, Cubs & Blackhawks! Outside of work Paul enjoys travel and RV camping. He likes to fish and take walks on the beach with his wife. He also loves HO Scale Model Trains.

“My goal someday is to have a scaled model layout that will include buildings that I have built throughout my career: Sterling Gas Station, Grainger Branch, Robert Half office, CBRE, Spectrum retail/warehouse and now I will be able to include a Spark office space, Aroma Joe’s, Lash Lounge, Barre Code, and with more [concepts] to come!”  

What can I bring to Spark?

• 32 years as an owner’s representative and experience in the construction industry. Ability to manage construction projects from cradle-to-grave, gathering of project programming data, coordination of trades, developing positive partnerships and successful collaboration with architects, MEP’s, project stakeholders, vendors, and consultants, while maintaining costs. Also, well versed in contract negotiation, current design trends, estimating, budgeting, scheduling, managing risks, solving critical issues, building codes, ADA requirements, workplace ergonomics, systems furniture SME, and move management.
• Development of tools, process, and procedures to better streamline how Spark can deliver projects more efficiently, on time and below budget. Goal is to create a proactive project solution approach that will give the Spark Team ability to better meet or even exceed all stakeholders’ expectations.
• Ability to effectively interact with individuals in many different capacities and levels of authority while providing excellent customer service to all stakeholders.

Summary

As a team, we are not only thrilled to have filled this position, but also for the excitement and experience that Paul has already brought to the team.  Chances are, you'll meet him very soon!

*In the mean time, Connect with Paul (and follow Spark FS) on LinkedIn!