I have 15 years of experience, including work as a Realtor Associate and Design Consultant for Re/Max Legend and Century 21 Gemini Realty, also work experience as a Project Architect for a Frank Lloyd Wright Apprentice designed residential property, in addition work experience as a Planning Consultant for urban and suburban projects as well as work experience in the Project Management capacity for the non-profit organization New Community Corporation.
Most recently, I have been working as an interior designer for a private client in the capacity of remodeling.
My various skill sets and experiences include a Design Skill Set that integrates site to building design with new technologies and client program design, town planning presentation proficiency including use of audio-visual programs such as Power Point and Keynotes with graphic production through mastered computer programs namely; Photoshop, Illustrator, Auto CAD, 3D Studio Max, Corel and others; a Management Skill Set including supervision, scheduling and interpersonal communication; a Planning Skill Set that includes research, development as well as proposal management; a Sales Skill Set including proficiency in research, ethics, law, mortgage pre-qualification, housing typology, multiple county-wide area touring, English, Spanish and comprehension of French; and finally a Presentation Skill Set with audio-visual design, public speaking and audience specific directed marketing.
Re/Max Legend, Wayne, NJ, US, Realtor Associate
As a Real Estate Agent I provided real estate expertise through the representation of clients in the rental, purchase, and sale of residences and commercial properties. Labors included the determination of property characteristics, accompaniment of clients to prospective property sites, advise to clients on the suitability and value of prospective properties, preparation of real estate contracts namely leases and purchase agreements, determination of property competitive market price and action as an intermediary between purchasers and owners. Additionally I educate and advise clients on price, mortgages, legal requirements, market conditions and architectural services while collaborating with escrow companies, lawyers, lenders and home inspectors. Knowledge sets include Comparable Market Analysis preparation and mastery of software tools including the Garden State Multiple Listing Service and various Microsoft programs namely; Word, Excel, Access, Power Point and Publisher.
Century 21 Gemini Realty, Wayne, NJ, US, Realtor Associate
Same as above with an emphasis on Architectural Design Consultation.
Joan Groom, Tucson, AZ, US, Project Architect
As Project Architect I designed, prepared construction drawings and presentation drawings for various residential additions to a Frank Lloyd Wright Apprentice designed home. Additionally I designed a Chapel to be situated on the same seventeen acre lot. The residential projects included a residential wing featuring a kitchen, living room, master bedroom suite with master bath and patio. Another addition connected an existing living space via a hallway to two bedrooms with a shared full bath. A third addition called for two distinct spaces serving as computer room and laundry room. All residential projects were completed in 2006. The Chapel is yet to be completed although a great majority of funds have been raised through various community presentations. Labors included construction site visits in Arizona before, during and after completion, analysis of engineering plans, formal advise to clients during design and building processes, as-built drawings, schematic drawings, construction drawings, adherence to state procedures and building codes such as UBC and IBC, response to requests for proposed projects and preparation of presentation drawings for client, town and community. Program proficiency in PowerPoint, AutoCAD, Photoshop, 3D Studio Max, Excel, and Word enabled me to maintain my clients requests.
New Jersey Institute of Technology (NJIT), Newark, NJ, US, Planning Consultant
As Project Manager for the publication of Jersey City’s Master Plan, I recommended approval of publication proposals, made denial of proposals and identified necessary changes to proposals. Editorial work included revision and editing of compiled work and completion of publication with use of the software tool Microsoft Publisher. Knowledge sets used include 3D urban plan simulation modeling software such as Autodesk AutoCAD and 3D Studio Max for design visualization, Microsoft Desktop publishing software, Corel graphics and Adobe photo imaging software, and Microsoft PowerPoint presentation software . I also edited and completed a second work, the documentation of a suburban development, Lincoln Park’s Master Prevention and Redevelopment Plan.
Anton Nelessen Associates Inc., Princeton, NJ, US, Urban Planning Teaching Assistant
Awarded Housing Scholar of the Year 2001 of New Jersey by the state department of Community Affairs in conjunction with First Union Bank and by my university, NJIT, I was invited to be a teaching assistant for the incoming class of state housing scholars for the year 2002. I worked with the prestigious Anton Nelessen, Architect and Planner of A. Nelessen Associates Inc. out of Princeton, also a graduate of Harvard University, teacher at Rutgers University, and notably the inventor of the Visual Preference Survey. As a teaching assistant for Mr. Nelessen, I accompanied housing scholar students on city surveying walks to compile zoning information for the City of Newark that later served as both Existing Plan documentation and Proposal Plan development. I also had the opportunity of overseeing the compilation of land use, zoning, housing and transportation plans that served as a singular document evidencing the modern day conditions of a city in revival
New Community Corporation, Newark, NJ, US, Construction Project Manager
Directed the two million dollar renovation of Lady Liberty Academy including supervision and management of the three story building and facilities formerly known as St. Columba School into a technology and science school from demolition to opening day. I conducted project scheduling, organization and work activities while budgeting time in order to meet project deadlines. I scheduled projects in logical steps and acted to resolve construction problems and complaints. I took action to work around project delays such as accidents and equipment failure. I inspected projects and monitored compliance to OSHA building standards, safety, and other regulations. I directed worker supervision, oversaw specific aspects of the project such as installation of plumbing, sprinkler systems, intercom, computer wiring, telephone rewiring, drop ceilings, hardware, door refinishing, windows, blackboards, cabinetry, flooring, drywall and painting. I ensured timely completion of projects successfully. Labors included daily management providing supervision to over fifteen contractors and subcontractors, scheduling of construction simplified through the use of a company laptop and spreadsheet software, and a documentary PowerPoint presentation of the three month project given to the company and community at Lady Liberty Academy.
New Jersey Institute of Technology (NJIT), Newark, NJ, US, Masters, Infrastructure Planning
In order to adapt old socio-economic communities to the new demands of a diversified and technologically oriented population, comprehensive civil planning that addresses essential sustainable infrastructure suitable for all communities is absolutely necessary for the survival and continued economic growth of present and future global communities. The interdisciplinary post-professional program in infrastructure planning and design at the New Jersey Institute of Technology’s School of Architecture addressed the traditional civil planning sectors of public spaces, institutions, facilities and services as well as the new unexplored and unrealized benefits of holistic strategies for edification of sustainable environments that could be considered liveable and efficient urban centers. Study, research and real world practice through the planning department during my enrollment included economic and transportation redevelopment planning for the City of Newark’s Ironbound business district, flood prevention and trans-economic redevelopment planning for the Borough of Lincoln Park and the Master Plan publication of Jersey City.
New Jersey Institute of Technology (NJIT), Newark, NJ, US, BArch, Architecture
This five year professional program is requisite to licensure towards the professional designation of Architect. This program develops professional skills in design, architectural technology, business practice and architectural precedent as well as the integration of various specialization technologies creating competencies in problem solving, organization of complex processes and systems, judgement, creativity and risk taking. The curriculum emphasizes four main areas; architectural technology including structural design and construction, architectural professional practice with attention to client needs and the practice of ethics, the theories of architecture in history and criticism, and finally the direct design studio experience where assigned architecture problems are solved ranging from a single room to an entire city block or subdivision. This last is the focal point of the program as the school’s location is found within the New York and New Jersey metropolitan area, a veritable design laboratory itself, students and professors find real life problems in surrounding communities such as industrial redevelopment, social resolution, economic development and cultural development. These communities and their sponsors organize competitions, award finalists for their project resolutions, and on contract accept designs for edification.
City of Newark, Community Achievement Award: Lady Liberty Academy, 1st Place
Award for work in the Newark community renovating a dilapidated school into a technological charter shcool. Awarded during the celebration of El Club del Barrio Heroes del Barrio Dinner Celebration. The Governing Body of Newark, the Newark Municipal Council, extended its congratulations for this achievement.
Neighborhood Heroes Award, 1st Place
Awarded at the Newark Club for the much anticipated renovation of St. Columba School into Lady Liberty Academy.
Housing Scholar of the Year Award, 1st Place
New Jersey Institute of Technology & Department of Career Development Services, Housing Scholar of the Year Award, 2001. Given for outstanding scholarly work.
Scholar of the Year Award, 1st Place
New Jersey Department of Community Affairs, First Union Bank / Wachovia Bank, Housing Scholar of the Year Award, 2001. Given in recognition of outstanding community development work.
Entrepreneur of the Year Award, 1st Place
New Jersey Institute of Technology, Entrepreneur of the Year Award, 2001.
