Stephen was born in Long Beach, California, but moved to Arizona as a child and attended Ironwood High School. Stephen joined the Marine Corps right out of high school and served our country in Somalia as a Combat Engineer defusing land mines, proofing roads, and patrolling Mogaddishu.  Once out of the service, he went to work in the construction industry framing houses. He worked his way up from a Grade Checker to Superintendent before joining Silver Fern in September, 1999.

He is OSHA Certified, Dust Control Certified and has also received a Certificate of Commendation for LT. Col. for service in Somalia.

Fun Q & A with Stephen:

If you were the lead singer in a band, what band would it be?
Van Halen – Pre Sammy Hagar!

Where would you go on your dream vacation?
Tahiti

What is your number one pet peeve?
Too many to name one!

What cartoon character best describes you?
Handy Manny

If you had to go WITHOUT one of the five senses, which would it be?
Hearing

What actor/celebrity would you choose to play you in a movie?
Dolph Lundgren or Brad Pitt

Favorites:

Silver Fern’s Project Manager will plan, execute and finalize projects according to strict construction timelines while staying within budget.  All project objectives will be defined, implemented and managed by the Project Manager in order to achieve success.  At all times, the Project Manager will keep open lines of communication with senior management and project stakeholders.

Responsibilities:

• Manage project development from preconstruction to city acceptance.
• Define proper scope, goals, and deliverables that support business goals with senior management and stakeholders.
• Work closely with senior management to implement and manage project’s critical path and identify construction timelines.
• Comprehensive review and interpretation of project material including but not limited to civil plans, landscape drawings, environmental reports and soils reports.
• Review civil and landscape designs and provide analytical process from ground breaking to jurisdictional acceptance.
• Develop proper scopes for individual tasks as needed for bid packets.
• Review proposals; indentify inclusions and exclusions in order to prepare comprehensive bid comparison sheets for senior management and stakeholder review.
• Prepare construction budgets.
• Review and approve contractor invoicing for legitimacy and accuracy prior to approval.
• Review and approve monthly draws.
• Review all change orders and make recommendations to senior management.
• Organize and administer preconstruction meetings with subcontractors, subconsultants, and inspectors.
• Liaison between subcontractors, subconsultants, municipal and private inspectors.
• Prepare weekly project status reports for stakeholder and senior management.
• Work with Development Coordinator to compile project documentation and prepare final close out packages for both municipality and stakeholders.

Position Requirements and Expectations

• Four year college degree and/or recent (five year minimum) work experience in land development.
• Experienced in Microsoft Products (Word, Excel, Outlook, and Project) and Adobe Acrobat.  Experience with Primavera Suretrak is a plus.
• Individual is needed onsite each morning beginning at sunrise with afternoons devoted to in office forward planning and communicating project status to senior management.
• Personal vehicle capable of traveling off-road.
• Proper dress attire required for field and client meetings.
• Self-motivated with a proactive approach to problem solving.
• Proficient with multi-tasking and decision making.
• Must be analytical and creative in order to maneuver through the many obstacles that arise.
• Strong sense of leadership amongst subcontractors and subconsultants.
• Flexible during times of change.
• Ability to defuse tension between subcontractors and subconsultants.
• Strong written and oral communication skills.

Compensation Package range is $75K to $95K (based on experience).

Please submit resumes to:

Steve Ochoa – sochoa@silverfern-mgmt.com

Melissa Ferris – mferris@silverfern-mgmt.com

She is a native Arizonan, growing up in Tucson. She moved to the Valley of the Sun in 2001. In her spare time she enjoys sewing and baking.

Fun Q&A with Andrea:

What is your favorite quote?
“If it don’t make a dollar, it don’t make sense” – DJ Quick

If you could have one superhero power, what would it be and why?
Instantly understand other languages so I can communicate with the world.

If you were the lead singer in a band, what band would it be?
Gwen Stefani – No Doubt

Where would you go on your dream vacation?
Greece

What is your number one pet peeve?
Forgetting something at the store and remembering it when I get home.

What cartoon character best describes you?
Elmira (Looney Tunes)

If you had to go WITHOUT one of the five senses, which would it be?
Smell

Favorites

To be successful in this role, you’ll need to thrive on variety, work independently, communicate well and possess a high level of organizational skills. We are looking for a motivated individual with a proven track record in business management and administration and the ability to work under pressure and prioritize. The right candidate will play an integral part in the future expansion of our company.

Key responsibilities:
• Review financial statements and data and utilize financial data to improve profitability.
• Prepare and control operational budgets and plan effective strategies for the financial well being of the company.
• Assist in the development of strategic plans for operational activity. Implement and manage operational plans.
• Improve processes and policies in support of organizational goals.
• Formulate and implement departmental and organizational policies and procedures to maximize output and monitor adherence to rules, regulations and procedures.
• Implement procedural and policy changes to improve operational efficiency
• Prepare operational reports and schedules to ensure efficiency
• Perform accounts payable and receivable functions
• Participate in marketing strategies and tasks as needed
• Maintain a safe and secure working environment
• Recruit and select office staff as needed
• Organize orientation and training of new staff members
• Manage internal staff relations
• Perform clerical and administrative responsibilities
• Handle customer inquiries and complaints

Requirements for Position:
• Business degree or equivalent experience
• Experience in and/or knowledge of land development, construction management, or real estate
• Knowledge of and proven experience in business and management principles
• Knowledge of accounting, data, and administrative management practices and procedures
• Knowledge of human resources management practices and procedures
• Computer skills with a high level of proficiency in Microsoft Office software and Accounting software

Key Competencies:
• Attention to detail and high level of accuracy
• Communication skills
• Proactive nature
• Problem analysis and assessment and high level decision making skills
• Planning and organizing
• Work and time management
• Information gathering and monitoring
• Initiative and integrity
• Adaptability in a variety of roles
• Teamwork and collaboration

The diversity of this role means you will be involved in many aspects of the company and will be a key part of a small team and our future growth and success. If you are the right person for us, please apply, including a one page cover letter telling us why you’d be perfect for the job to: resumes@silverfern-mgmt.com

Client: Paradiso Development Corporation

Completion Date: July, 2011

Role of Firm: Entitlement & Engineering, Preconstruction Administration, Utility Coordination, Budget Preparation, Contract Administration, Construction Management, Closeout/Post-Construction Administration

“I am very pleased with the work that Silver Fern Management, LLC has performed for us at Paradise Reserve.  Silver Fern did a great job and as a whole everyone was very professional and responsive.  We are also very happy with the quality of work that has been performed.  I want to thank Silver Fern and all their staff again for a great job.”

Bob Sahd, Paradiso Development Corporation

Drew started his career working for Poma of America in 1993 building ski lifts at several ski resorts in CO and NM.  In 1998, he went to work for an asphalt paving company as an estimator in 1998 and ended up becoming an area manager in their Northern Colorado division. Drew then came to Silver Fern in 2005.

His is certified by Maricopa County Air Quality as a Comprehensive Dust Control Coordinator.

Fun Q&A with Drew:

What is your favorite quote?
“I know that you believe you understood what you think I said, but I’m not sure you realize that what you heard is not what I meant.”

If you were the lead singer in a band, what band would it be?
Beatles

What is your number one pet peeve?
Celebrities with a political agenda.

What cartoon character best describes you?
Homer Simpson

Favorites

Client: Ashton Woods Homes www.ashtonwoodshomes.com

Completion Date: March, 2011

Role of Firm: Entitlement Coordination, Preconstruction Administration, Utility Coordination, Contract Administration, Guaranteed Budget, Construction Management, Closeout/Post-Construction Administration

“It has been a pleasure working with Silver Fern.  We are very happy with their expertise, recommendations and execution, whether it is with regards to land acquisition due diligence or land development.  Our latest community, Stonefield in Chandler, will be under budget and early, a great combination.  Ashton Woods looks forward to working with Silver Fern in the future to mitigate risk, control costs and keep projects on schedule.”

Scott Moore, Division President, Ashton Woods Homes

Mari started her career at Desert Mountain Properties as Administrator to the Manager of Architectural Design.  She then spent 8 years at Richmond American Homes where she was the Director of Forward Planning.  She has also worked for DR Horton and Dietz Crane Homes before coming to us in February 2009.

Mari was born at Clark AFB, Philippines, but since she graduated from Chandler High School, we consider her a native.

Fun Q & A with Mari:
If you could have one superhero power, what would it be and why?
Read minds – you would always get the best deal!

What is your number one pet peeve?
People that say “I can’t”.

If you had to go WITHOUT one of the five senses, which would it be?
Smell

What actor/celebrity would you choose to play you in a movie?
Sandra Bullock

Favorites:

Andrea Sepulveda
Land Development Manager