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Mel's Resume
The following is an abbreviated list of key corporate initiatives led or facilitated by Mel Lester of The Business Edge, either as an in-house manager or as a consultant:

Strategic Planning

  • Comprehensive strategic planning (values, vision, mission, strategy, action plans) for a 600-person regional A/E firm based in VA; core business profits have doubled

  • Strategic planning for a 130-person international engineering firm based in VA; one of the top 30 "Hot Firms" according to Zweig White

  • Strategic planning for an 800-person E/A firm based in MN

  • Strategic planning for a 200-person engineering firm based in NY

  • Strategic planning for a 150-person E/A firm based in VA

  • Strategic plans for two specialty engineering firms in the Rocky Mountain region

Operations

  • Eight-month leadership development program for a national environmental services firm (responsible for development and implementation)

  • Leadership training for the executive management team of an international engineering/construction firm based in CO

  • Operations assessment and improvement plans involving 10 offices of a national environmental services firm

  • Operations assessment and improvement plans for a 150-person regional engineering firm based in CO

  • Served as operations manager for the Colorado offices of a national environmental services firm; the operating unit was the top performer in the company during that time

  • Profit improvement assessment and recommendations for regional A/E firm based in VA; profits improved from 2% to 10% in two-year period

Project Delivery

  • Overhaul of project delivery practices and systems for a national environmental services firm; served as leader of this 18-month initiative

  • Optimization of the project delivery process for a 130-person international engineering firm based in VA

  • Optimization of the project delivery process for an international engineering/construction firm based in CO; also drafted the corporate quality assurance manual

  • Implementation of unique client service process developed by Mel for four different companies

  • Administered the corporate quality and service improvement program for a national environmental services firm

  • Development and implementation of corporate quality management program for a 150-person regional engineering firm based in CO

  • Project management training for a 180-person engineering firm based in VA, leading a 12-month training program

Business Development

  • Contract BD manager for the 90-person civil/environmental division of a VA-based A/E firm; guide all aspects of business development in a dedicated, part-time role; annual sales increased by $3.5 million; proposal win rate improved from 26% to 45%

  • Director of marketing and corporate communications for a new merged, 1000-person national environmental services firm; guided development of marketing and branding strategies and related marketing resources

  • Corporate business development director for 100-person regional environmental services firm based in CO; as first person in this role, developed corporate strategy and resources

  • Business development consulting for an 800-person MN-based E/A firm; conducted review of current practices, helped develop new strategies, provided sales training to over 150 people

  • Business development manager for Rocky Mountain region for a national environmental services firm; responsible for helping newly acquired A/E firm break into environmental markets

  • Corporate proposal manager for a national environmental services firm; compiled a win rate of 75% over a four-year period on proposals totaling over $300 million in contract value

  • Assessment of business development process for a 500-person A/E firm based in VA; recommendations led to reorganization of marketing department and implementation of key account management program

  • "Service-Centered Selling" training for a national A/E firm based in VA; this is a distinct sales process developed by Mel

Human Resources

  • Director of human resources for a national environmental services firm; led the following new initiatives: employee survey, revamped performance appraisal system, recruiting database, new employee orientation process, supervisors training program

  • Behavioral safety process for a national environmental services firm; responsible for development and training; contributing to dramatic performance improvement over three-year period; incident rate now well below industry averages

  • Professional development support through training and coaching in a wide variety of areas: business development, communications, leadership, supervisory skills, project delivery practices, team building, client service

Personal Productivity

  • Personal and team productivity workshop (three sessions in each of four offices) for a 180-person regional engineering firm based in VA, leading to specific action plans in all offices

  • Personal and team productivity workshops for the executive management team, and later the project managers, for an international engineering/construction firm based in CO

 

Client Hall of Fame

“Mel has consulted with HSMM for several years in various areas of our operations, from facilitating strategic planning sessions to marketing consultation to project management training. The results have been excellent. Mel is very effective in his presentations and meetings with our staff and works hard to address HSMM ’s specific needs.  We truly feel we have received an excellent return on the investment in Mel’s time.”

Cecil Doyle, President / CEO
Hayes Seay Mattern & Mattern

“Mel’s facilitation of our strategic planning session helped us cut through the fluff and focus on the heart of what we needed to do to improve and grow our business. He also has brought a whole new perspective to our firm on what client service is and how to provide it to our clients.”

Mike Matthews, President 
Hankins and Anderson

"Mel's diverse skill base is very useful for anyone looking for one-stop shopping in the area of management consulting, professional development, market strategy, marketing support, human resources, and training. I highly recommend him for any program development or strategic needs you might have."

Mike Knupp, President
The RETEC Group Inc.

Mel Lester is a former colleague, with a ton of hands-on expertise in strategy, marketing, and organizational issues, both as a manager and as a consultant. He can help you! 

Bob Dunlap, Former CEO
ThermoRetec Corporation

 

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