Testimonials from Construction Industry Leaders
Read what industry leaders are saying about the Construction Management program....
| J. Robin Barrick, PE, CEO & President | Smith Seckman Reid, Inc. |
| Thomas C. Gormley, Vice President | Healthcare Services, URS Corporation |
| John Gromos, Vice President | Turner Construction Company |
| Stan H. Hardaway, President | Hardaway Construction Corp. |
| James (Jim) A. Johnson, PhD, PE, Director | Kellogg, Brown & Root Services, Inc. |
| Paul Moffat, Project Executive | Bovis Lend Lease, Inc. Healthcare |
J. Robin Barrick, PE, LEED AP, CEM, GBE Chief Executive Officer/President, Smith Seckman Reid, Inc.
"From a building systems standpoint, acute care hospitals are among the most complicated 
facilities built today. The mechanical, electrical, plumbing, and low voltage communications systems make up more than 40% of the total construction cost for these types of facilities. These systems are required to operate 24 hours a day and because of the critical nature of patient care and surgical procedures, these building systems must provide precise environmental control, and a high level of redundancy to allow for ongoing maintenance and operation in the event of a loss of outside utilities. To further complicate the design of these systems, a high degree of flexibility is required to accommodate the fast changing technology used in healthcare delivery. Hospitals also present special issues when it comes to sustainable design and energy conservation. The CE 298 Ð Building Systems & LEEDTM course taught in the Construction Management program is designed to give students a broad understanding of the design and construction issues for building systems in hospitals, as well as an understanding of how sustainable design principles can be applied to healthcare facilities.”
Thomas C. Gormley, Vice President, Healthcare Services URS Corporation
“For several years, I have had the opportunity to work with the students and faculty in the Vanderbilt University Construction Management Program. My involvement started with guest lecturing and then employing students. I was so impressed with the program that I chose to enroll myself. This program is unique for several reasons: 1) The program facilitates an in depth knowledge of the healthcare industry through guest lectures from leaders in the healthcare design and construction industry. This is made easier as Nashville is a healthcare center with several of the largest healthcare companies in the country based there. 2) The faculty has developed strong relationships with many of the local and national design and construction companies that service the hospital industry so there are many unique internship opportunities available. 3) With the active faculty and support of the industry, many special opportunities are available to the students.”
John Gromos, Vice President, Turner Construction Company
“Over the years Turner has enjoyed a very positive relationship with the Vanderbilt School of Engineering, hiring many graduates that have made meaningful contributions to the success of our firm. Through the Graduate CM Program, we have seen an increase in the impact that our Vanderbilt hires contribute. We see graduates that not only have a solid base of practical knowledge and understanding of healthcare related facilities, but a strong business acumen. Vanderbilt's CM Program provides an opportunity for students to take executive-level classes in the Owen School of Management - we feel this experience arms graduates with a great balance of CM skills and management skills that are very unique.”
Stan H. Hardaway, President, Hardaway Construction Corp.
“We strongly believe in the program and curriculum that Vanderbilt has created for this graduate degree in construction management. Our industry is in great need of programs such as one offered at Vanderbilt, that will encourage younger professionals to enter our industry because it is an industry of diversity where every day can provide different challenges and rewards than the day before. We believe this graduate program will accomplish the creation of that interest and the proper training needed to jump into our industry immediately upon graduation.”
James (Jim) A. Johnson, PhD, PE, Director-Transport Market Infrastructure & Minerals Americas,
Kellogg Brown & Root, Inc.
“The curriculum of the graduate program was designed to meet the emerging needs of the design and construction industry. The collaboration of this program with Vanderbilt's Owen Graduate School of Management on Project Finance & Accounting and Law School on Construction Law is particularly valuable to the students. With the increased emphasis on sustainability and energy conservation, the new course offerings in building systems and LEED certification are especially important. The focus in the program on healthcare facilities aligns it with a critical national need and takes advantage of the talent in design and construction in this particular field that resides in the Mid South. The summer interns who have been at KBR have been exceptionally well prepared and were able to assume increased project responsibility within a relatively short period of time. Their project performance has been excellent.”
Paul Moffat, Project Executive, Bovis Lend Lease, Inc. Healthcare
“Bovis Lend Lease has found that the typical student exiting Vanderbilt University's Healthcare Construction Management program to bring a wider and deeper knowledge base to their first work assignment when compared to the typical undergraduate degree candidate. The fact that VU's program has several current healthcare industry professionals returning to the classroom further enhances the experience for the non-professional student who has not yet had an opportunity to be in the healthcare workplace. Bovis Lend Lease has been fortunate to have several interns and new, full-time hires from the VU program.”