EXPERIENCE
Mr. Rickards is a professional manager with more than 30 years of experience in the project management of major projects in a variety of industries. His projects have ranged from website development through large-scale oil and gas plants and nuclear power plants to the Olympic Winter Games in Calgery. He has a unique blend of Project Management skills, mentoring and teaching experience, with an outstanding record in both domestic and international settings.
His professional experience includes work with a variety of clients on the following projects:
Planning Specialists, Inc., Atlanta, GA - Project Management Consultant
As a Senior Project Management Consultant for Planning Specialists, Inc., Mr. Rickards was assigned to several projects, including planning the design and construction planning for a $100 million grassroots gas plant overseas and the evaluation of claims for compensation on major construction projects for a local client.
The Weather Channel, Atlanta, GA - Senior Project Manager
As a Senior Project Manager for The Weather Channel, Mr. Rickards provided guidance and support during the introduction of Project Management to the Weather Channel and weather.com. He was responsible for managing the development of new websites for the international expansion of this dynamic information company. In addition, he oversaw the following projects:
- Developed detailed plans for creating new international websites
- Coordinated the efforts of technical specialists, quality control and operations
- Monitored progress of projects and modified plans to maintain schedules
- Reduced time to launch by applying PM techniques and lessons learned
- Initiated a mentoring program to improve skills of project managers in weather.com
Alliance Pipeline LTD, Calgery, AB-Senior Planner/Project Manager
As a Senior Planner for Alliance Pipeline LTD, Mr. Rickards managed all aspects of the $5.5 billion project, to move natural gas from northern British Columbia to the distribution hub near Chicago, IL, as well as a $500 million gas processing plant at Morris, IL, to be used to extract liquids. The project employed more than 700 people during construction as was completed in just over 15 months by utilizing state of the art Project Management Techniques. Mr. Rickards additional responsibilities included:
- Guiding engineering contractors in planning initial stages of the project
- Conducting risk assessments on proposed manufacturing and construction plans
- Developing detailed construction schedules for pipeline and plants
- Establishing a "war room" to monitor daily progress reports
- Preparing a summary and detailed reports for executives and Board of Directors
- Hired, trained and supervised additional staff during the construction phase
Atomic Energy of Canada, Saskatoon, SK - Senior Planner
As a Senior Planner for Atomic Energy of Canada, Mr. Rickards developed detailed construction schedules for a new generation of nuclear reactors being designed for emerging markets. Working from preliminary and concept drawings, created optimum schedules to minimize time to "in-service" including making recommendations on design configuration to promote ease of contructability. In this position, he was responsible for:
- Reviewing conceptual plans for construction ability
- Recommending design changes to reduce construction time
- Developing detailed construction schedules and manpower estimates
SNC-Lavalin, Inc. Calgery, AB - Senior Planner
As a Senior Manager for SNC-Lavalin Inc., Mr. Rickards developed and managed project controls on a number of major projects, including new plants in Russia and Africa. He provided assistance to overall project managers as to project timing and durations, based upon external constraints.
Novacorp International Consulting Inc., Calgery, AB - Group Leader
As the Group Leader overseeing project controls for Novacorp International, Mr. Rickards directed project services activities for all of Novacorp's projects around the world, including scheduling, cost control and document control. Projects ranged in size from $100 thousand to $50 million with an average of 30 to 40 projects active at one time.
Colt Engineering Corporation, Calgery, AB - Senior Planner
As a Senior Manager for Colt Engineering, Mr. Rickards developed and managed project controls during the engineering phase on two plants within a $1.5 billion heavy oil upgrading facility in northern Alberta. He also supervised junior staff and made recommendations as to construction methods to be employed.
1988 Calgery Olympic Winter Games, Calgery, AB - Supervisor
As a Supervisor overseeing scheduling, Mr. Rickards prepared detailed schedules for all aspects of the XV Olympic Winter Games, including construction of sport and support facilities and event planning. He also prepared reports for senior management and the Board of Directors and supervised four senior schedulers.
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