Edna Cruz

Construction Professional

Summary
Pro-actively and creatively, combining my passion for design with my knack for managing projects and
bringing them to life. Being part of the whole design-build process, always wanting more and giving more.
Thinking Big!
Reliable and dedicated construction professional offering more than 7 years of success in managing residential,
commercial, education, and manufacturing/industrial construction projects. Results-oriented leader determined
to maximizing profitability through skillful contract negotiation, project estimation, and material purchasing.
Dedicated to ensuring the highest levels of construction quality, maintaining full adherence to all deadlines and
specifications. Proven ability to create, develop, and motivate highly efficient construction projects teams.
Crew Leadership - Building Codes & Permits - Planning & Scheduling - Vendor Relations - RFQ - Quality
Control - Material Management - Proposals - Submittals - Project Budgeting - Meeting Notes - Site Visiting Client Relations -

Experience
Maintenance Planner/CAD Designer at Cambridge Brands Inc - Tootsie Roll Industries
April 2014 - Present (2 years 4 months)
Meticulously managing and assisting managing various capital projects in different phases. Providing and
generating detailed floor plans, design and layouts for plant project and operations considering industry
trends, plants needs, safety, quality control, aesthetics, and automation. Preparing and managing projects
bid packages, highly organized and stellar budgets and change orders. Ensuring solid CBI- Contractor
communication and coordination along with providing detailed scopes of work and diplomatic negotiations.
Project Management
# Incorporating 3 kitchens in one renovated kitchen to achieve equipped spaces to increase production, room
design longevity and space gain for facilities growth, operator competence, and up-to date automation.
# Processing & Bulk Storage New Systems & Room Adequacy - Design & optimal space planning and
project management.
# Consistently proposing projects, equipment, and ideas that will be an infrastructural upgrade will generate
cost savings and assuring a short term project payback.
Freelance Architectural Designer at Aesthetic Objectives
May 2008 - January 2014 (5 years 9 months)

Page1

Pro-actively design, develop, and build creative and innovative architectural projects with a knack to pooled
visual movement and/or joining and a contemporary grace.
# Designed and managed residential construction such as remodeling, additions, interiors and landscapes
projects.
# Developed set of construction documents, 3D modeling, renderings, and presentations for builders and
clients.
# Subcontracted as interim project manager for commercial and residential construction projects.
Temporary Project Associate at Management Sciences for Health
September 2013 - October 2013 (2 months)
Reviewed budgets and work plans for ongoing projects while developing tracking sheets for project
deliverables. Coordinated meetings with project directors, country staff, technical officers and
subcontractors for presentations and management. Processed procurement for the projects, including
developing and processing purchase requests and purchase orders.
# Key administrative contact for 37 project consultants in Latin America translating communications in
Spanish.
# Collaborated contract to ensure that all contractual agreements are in place for activities for specific
countries and/or projects, including preparation of consultant agreements.
# Coordinated travel, hotel, visas and country logistics for consultants in project countries.
CAD Project Contractor at Cambridge Brands Inc - Tootsie Roll Industries
June 2013 - September 2013 (4 months)
Proposed equipment and packaging areas layouts for optimal space usage, evacuation and traffic, practical
requirement and project limitations. Improved and updated 145,048 sq ft master floor plans with new
offices, equipment relocation, and remodeling.
# 2013 Robotics Project # Developed robots layouts based on production, obstructions and building
assessments.
# Planned and supervised demolishing and proposed new and remodeled offices and facilities design.
# Created and assembled final production floor plans including production lines, equipment, manufactured
robots and conveyors
Project Manager and Architectural Designer at Lemar Design and Construction
March 2009 - January 2012 (2 years 11 months)
Directed and organized residential and commercial building construction projects. Lead construction
crew of 25. Analyzed shop drawings, hired subcontractors, and scheduled project milestones. Provided
cost evaluations, developed bids, negotiated contracts, purchase materials and design project budgets.
Optimized construction processes by providing continuous planning. Inspected construction to guarantee
Page2

that workmanship conforms to plans, specifications, and contract requirements. Oversaw the testing of
plumbing, electrical, and mechanical installations.
# Proficiently estimated and managed budgets ranging from $100,000 up to $1.5 million U. S. dollars.
# Successfully lead multiple projects simultaneously, completing all projects on time and within budget.
# Trained financial manager in developing project estimates, managed budgets, negotiate contracts and
payment.
Assistant Project Manager and Architectural Designer at Lemar Design and Construction
June 2008 - February 2009 (9 months)
Estimated cost of manpower, materials, and equipment, prepared bid packages and proposals. Supervised
residential construction projects guaranteeing top levels of profitability, productivity, and quality. Ensured
full compliance to construction documents and specifications. Attended all city inspections throughout
the projects. Prepared of the monthly application for payment for submission to the owner. Developed
schematic furniture layouts to determine practical requirements and project limitations. Developed and
formulated the total design concept for projects followed by the elaboration of Construction documents,
schedules, specifications, and REScheck or COMchecks.
# Managed communications with PM and kept up-to-date with issues and budget/cost control information.
# Improved contract standards and productivity by reinforcing time frames and specification for all
contractors.
# Maintained a stellar reputation for quality and efficiency in customer satisfaction, communication, and
problem solving.
Assistant Prjoect Manager & Architectural Designer at PBK
May 2007 - April 2008 (1 year)
Provided meticulous assistance preparing submittals, bid proposals, RFI, meeting notes, and change orders.
Produced detailed architectural construction documents, ensuring full ADA compliance and communicating/
coordinating with MEP. Conducted in-depth studies and analyses of areas to be designed to establish
requirements that insure the user's needs are met. Inspected existing conditions of facilities to determine
possible architectural problems. Performed assessments for historic buildings, athletic fields, remodeling
initiatives as well as final building inspection/verification.
# Created presentations for firms marketing # South Texas College Communication Arts Building.
# Implemented detailed tracking system for Close-Out document saving time and met submittal deadlines.
# Assisted Project Manager for the first phase of 117, 630 gross square feet middle school a $12M dollar
project.

Page3

McAllen ISD - Michael E. Fossum Middle School 120,000 gross sq ft (Project Phase 1)
- Pablo Perez & Blanca E. Sanchez Elementary Schools
Brownsville ISD - Pace and Porter High School New Field Houses
PSJA ISD - Elementary and Junior High Schools Facilities
South Texas College - Communication Arts Building Proposal
Civil Engineering Department Administrative Assistant at The University of Texas at San Antonio
September 2002 - May 2005 (2 years 9 months)
Managed financial accounts such as traveling, software, and office operating cost and balanced 3 consecutive
years resulting passing auditing. In charged of reimbursements for fellowships, organizations, students,
faculty & staff. Provided faculty assistance with research, course material order, editorial aid & traveling
arrangements/reimbursements.
# Performed presentation logistics - Researches, background briefings/materials, reserves rooms & catering

Volunteer Experience
Various at Various
Organized and hosted Christmas events for the needed children in McAllen, Texas
Planned and coordinated Christmas party for the French club at Valley View High School Hidalgo, Texas
Visited and took donated items for an all girls orphanage in Reynosa, Tamaulipas, Mexico
Solicited and received winter clothing donation from a wholesale consignment store and sent it to the Sierra
Taraumara Indigenous community in Chihuahua, Mexico
Participated in Grocery Sac donation event for needed families in Reynosa, Tamaulipas, Mexico
Performed face painting in several charity events McAllen & Donna, Texas
Fund raised for Teleton Mexico at First Friday McAllen, Texas

Courses
Bachelor of Science in Architecture, Architecture
The University of Texas at San Antonio
Costruction Management

Certifications
Gestalt group psychotherapy seminar
Gestalt Fritz Perls Training Center
July 2011
Managing Risk in Construction
Bentley Institute
October 2013
Project Management Fundamentals

Page4

October 2013
Green Roofing
August 2007
Leading with Emotional Intelligence
Insight from a Project Manager
Accelerating Teaming with Construction Collaboration
Bentley Instittute
November 2013

Languages
English
Spanish

(Full professional proficiency)

(Native or bilingual proficiency)

Skills & Expertise

Submittals
AutoCAD
Architectural Design
Rendering
Revit
Business Development
Interior Design
Photoshop
Construction Management
Construction
Renovation
Architectural Drawings
Project Planning
Construction Drawings
Process Scheduler
Drawing
Outlook
Space planning
Design Research
Interior Architecture
Sustainable Design
Residential Design
Freelance Architectural Design
Sketching
Building Materials
Design Build
SketchUp
BIM
Site Planning
Page5

Take-offs
Project Estimates
Construction Budgets
MS Project
Tabware
Space Planning

Education
The University of Texas at San Antonio
Bachelor of Science in Architecture, Architecture, 2002 - 2006
South Texas College
3D Modeling and Digital Media - Fall 2011, 2002 - 2002
Universidad de Salamanca
2002 - 2002
The University of Texas-Pan American
2000 - 2002

Interests
Sketching & Drawing - Dcor - Furniture - Lighting - Venue Design - Architectural Photography

Page6

Edna Cruz
Construction Professional

Contact Edna on LinkedIn

Page7