In position and gearing up to begin campus project requests, Facilities Services’ project management team is off to a positive start. If your organization has submitted a request for a new faculty project, interior remodel, or other space adjustment requiring multiple skilled-trades work, you can anticipate hearing from the team in the near future.

Following the announcement of the process change in September 2022, FS has spent months working to improve request procedures and hire team members for a spring launch. The goal is to enhance the customer experience and enrich communication.

The shift is part of an arranged initiative with Planning, Design and Construction to identify a distribution of projects. Jacqueline Norman, campus architect and assistant vice chancellor for PD&C commented, “PD&C is glad to be partnering with Facilities Services in new ways to ensure that more of this critical work can be accomplished for the campus.”

A novel feature that customers can expect to see is a tailored, interactive dashboard displaying the progress of their project. FS explored and invested in Smartsheet, a dynamic project management software tool to strengthen efficiencies. Adam Schnirel, associate vice chancellor of Facilities Services, explained, “It is a clear delivery project model. Our team is trained in it, and it will help projects run more effectively.”

Leading the team is Project Manager Dan Lerman. His focus will be on directing projects and following standard operating procedures, UC policies, and permitting laws. Currently, there are approximately 80 projects lined up for review.

The initial process for a project takes about two to three weeks to determine the details, followed by a site visit. Once it becomes an active project, it is assigned to a project manager specialist and a project scope is created. From there, some of the steps involved related to project management are engineering, plans, permits, going out to bid, awarding the contract, executing the work, and final closeout. Each project has a unique timeline based on the scope of work and complexity.

Lerman’s team includes Chad Chambers and Brenda Vejar, who joined to complete the team as project management specialists on March 6, and Enrico Baez, Linda Bejenaru, and Gunther Lind.

“At the end of the day, it is about streamlining the project process and providing great customer service,” said Lerman. 

The project management team will assist FS in separating its attention between projects and maintenance, which will support productivity for its skilled trades employees. The team will also set its sights on carrying out plans for some of the larger campus initiatives, such as upgrading buildings to LED and adding key card access.

About the team members

Dan Lerman began his UC career in 1994 as a maintenance technician at UCLA and worked his way up to maintenance manager. He transferred to UCR in 2017 and quickly moved into a project manager role for Facilities Services. Through his managerial and project management experience, he has overseen the conception and implementation of a variety of projects. His client-centric approach toward his work enables him to successfully collaborate with customers. 

Brenda Vejar comes to UCR as project management specialist after running Vejar Construction, Inc., where she directly managed project managers, project engineers, and a project team in addition to overseeing the day-to-day operations of the business. She worked with architects, consultants, clients, suppliers, and subcontractors, and prepared and monitored project budgets, job cost reports, contracts, and purchase orders. Riverside Main Library, Cal State Long Beach Horn Center & Kleefeld Contemporary Art Museum, and the Robert B. Diemer Water Treatment Plant are a few distinguished projects in her company’s portfolio.

Chad Chambers, who has been with UCR for 19 years, accepted the project management specialist promotion after supervising the daily activities of FS’s carpentry shop. He planned and scheduled work with staff, vendors, and contractors during various stages of projects under $50,000. In his new role, Chambers will be fully dedicated to working on campus projects and assisting customers.

Enrico Baez, who has been serving as building zone manager since 2017, has 36 years of experience at UCR. Assisting with the intake process, his diverse technical background with skilled trades and knowledge of the university is of significant value to the team.

Linda Bejenaru has been with Facilities Services since 2018, serving as project reporting analyst. She started at UCR by working in the VC-RED office in 2014 and then transitioning to PD&C in 2017. Bejenaru has worked in many industries in her career, including banking, heavy equipment, construction, healthcare, and immediately preceding her employment with UCR, managed the American Suzuki Automotive Dealership brand image and signage program. Excited to join the new project management team, she has successfully managed the development and implementation of the new Smartsheet project management system.

Gunther Lind is supporting the team as architectural associate. He creates CAD, or computer-aided design, drafts indicating framing, electrical, plumbing, and building mechanical specifications for review by the fire marshal and building official for building permits. Lind has over 42 years of architectural experience and has been with UCR for 10 years.