KEN ERICKSON
15036 West County A Evansville, Wisconsin 53536
H: 608 882-0175 C: 847 528-0149 Kerickson[at]hughes.net
PROFILE
Project Management Professional
Project Manager/Director of Projects/Owners Representative
A performance-driven manager with more than 14 years as a project manager, planner and leader. Proficient in developing strategies, maximizing opportunities, and creating desired results through strong planning and process improvement. Strong focus on relationship management, open communications and teamwork. Skilled in leading teams by establishing responsibility, the taking of ownership and focusing on the objective. Willing to travel extensively. Energetic and resourceful professional who has assumed increasing responsibilities throughout career.
Site Acquisition Due Diligence Project Design New and Remodel Construction
Feasibility Analysis Cost Estimating Schedule Review Space Planning
Energy Audits Sustainable Practice Implementation Communication Management
Environmental Background Team Supervision Community Collaboration Public Speaking
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
GREAT WOLF RESORTS, INC. (NASDAQ: WOLF) MADISON, WISCONSIN 2005- 2009
Great Wolf is the largest chain of indoor water park resorts that features attractions such indoor and outdoor water parks, amusement activities, numerous restaurants, retail stores, and conference centers.
Senior Project Manager
Managed real estate development aspects of resort portfolio including real estate selection and acquisition, deal development and contract negotiations, team supervision, site planning and building design, feasibility and cost analysis, municipal approval presentations, entitlement and permit procurement, architect selections, general contractor bidding, commissioning and close-out. Collaborated with operation departments of retail, F&B, sales, marketing, and purchasing to integrate into the development process. Managed construction managers and owner-supplied vendor contracts. Performed in-field project management.
Project Manager for the construction of a $133 Million, 480,000 sq. ft. resort with attached 90,000 sq. ft. indoor water park in NC that was finished three weeks ahead of schedule and under budget.
Reduced corporate-wide energy costs by 10% by initiating an energy audit program that resulted in the formation of an energy consumption consciousness.
Initiated utility cost control program by formulating a usage documentation and analysis process resulting in change in resort operations dependant on both current and forecasted occupancy.
Founding member of the companys green initiative steering committee, which led the company to become the first hospitality chain to receive the Green Seal-Silver certification from the USGBC.
Project Manager of 20,000 sq. ft. conference center addition finished ahead of schedule and on-budget.
Negotiated 17-acre conservation easement and 10-acre land donation in Northern Michigan to integrate development into naturalistic setting as part of corporate responsibility initiative.
NAI HIFFMAN OAKBROOK TERRACE, ILLINOIS 2002 2005
This firm is the largest full-service, privately owned real estate services firm in the Midwest.
Retail Development & Brokerage Manager
Retained to manage the simultaneous development of retail properties with a combined floor area of more than 600,000 sq. ft. and a combined hard contract cost of more than $70 million. Plan and design to meet pre-required ROI. Created and implemented due diligence and development process initiatives. Implemented cost-benefit analysis and cost control. Worked closely with brokers and tenants to deliver tenant improvements (TI) as planned and as scheduled.
Initiated asset re-allocation program to capitalize on time to market opportunities and secure immediately available funding and capital infusion options.
Participated in raising $7.5 million in capital and $18 million loan through presentations, meetings and business plan preparation to several lending institutions and private equity firms.
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NAI HIFFMAN (continued)
Secured zoning and entitlements thru negotiation and presentation, including public stakeholder interest, public and private utilities, D.O.T. intersection improvements, and wetland mitigation.
Oversaw procurement process of architects, consultants, vendors and general contractors thru RFP creation, bidding processes and selection and contract preparations.
Negotiated over $15 Million in real estate and lease transactions as sales agent.
INSITE REAL ESTATE DEVELOPMENT OAK BROOK, ILLINOIS19972002
InSite is a developer that specializes in freestanding stores and large industrial buildings.
Senior Development Manager
Direct Manager for a national retail roll-out consisting of 21 free-standing retail stores located in 13 different states with a development portfolio value in excess of $24 million. Supervised in-field due diligence and construction management teams. Performed site identification, due diligence, budget creation, securing entitlements, and construction management. Responsible for review and comment on LOIs, land contracts and tenant leases. Served the company as the key contact for architects, engineers, governmental officials, environmental consultants, attorneys, and contractors.
Created checklists and financial performance measurement metrics to allow fast, accurate and efficient decision making process.
Traveled 80% to roll out new concept across the United States.
Saved company tens of thousands of dollars in excessive environmental consulting fees as companys reviewer and lead negotiator on all company received environmental reports.
LAW ENGINEERING, INC. ITASCA, ILLINOIS19911997
This firm performs environmental assessments and remediation for environmentally impacted sites.
Project Manager/Professional Geologist
Conducted field assessments, prepared reports, and oversaw remedial activities at RCRA and CERCLA sites throughout the United States. Represented company as the contact point for environmental assessment, soil and ground-water remediation, report preparation and presentation for 362 national retail locations across United States. Participated in growing office staff as one of 3 original employees to 50 employees within three years.
Performed dozens of Phase I and II Environmental Surveys and Property Condition Surveys.
Recipient of Corporate Performance Award. The first employee to receive award within one year of hire.
EDUCATION
VILLANOVA UNIVERSITYMASTERS CERTIFICATE, PROJECT MANAGEMENT
SOUTHERN ILLINOIS UNIVERSITYBACHELOR OF SCIENCE

*Anticipate PMP Examination and Certification in February 2010
DISTINCTIONS
Keynote Speaker, Center of Sustainable Tourism International Symposium, East Carolina University, 2008