D. MICHAEL MILLER. PE
Updated December 18, 2020
D. Michael Miller, PE is a professional engineer, project management consultant, real estate broker, writer, and web publisher.
He graduated from the University of Florida with a B.S. in Civil Engineering With Honors and has been a Registered Professional Engineer in Florida since 1971 and a Licensed Real Estate Broker in Florida since 1978.
He draws on a professional background as owner and officer of several engineering, surveying, real estate development and brokerage firms over a career of more than 40 years. He has had key management roles on projects totaling several billion dollars in value.
He focuses on the needs of engineering firms and sole practitioners in the field of general civil engineering, environmental engineering, testing, inspection and construction management.
Miller also has provided expert civil engineering analysis and reports on numerous construction and environmental claims on a wide variety of projects. He has also been a key member on several value analysis projects involving civil engineering and architectural design issues.
His project design and management experience ranges from small commercial sites and neighborhood developments to major projects including Walt Disney World, Epcot Center and Universal Studios Florida.
You might enjoy this brief video of Walt Disney World under construction.
Miller is a life member of the Florida Engineering Society, The National Society of Professional Engineers, The Florida Engineering Society and the American Society of Civil Engineers. He is also a member of the value analysis society, SAVE. He is a member of the engineering honor society, Tau Beta Pi.
CONSULTING ENGINEERING SERVICES
His specialties begin with the business development process, including identification of potential clients, helping identify a proper marketing and business development plan, preparing engineering proposals and providing presentation coaching.
During the life of a design project, Miller gets involved in project team building, helping identify project management objectives for specific projects, and helping to create and monitor the quality assurance process during the life of the project.
He also has extensive experience in claim management, analysis and dispute resolution and helps his clients with claims avoidance techniques.
Miller's expertise includes due diligence investigations of real estate, especially raw land.
D MICHAEL MILLER PE - SHORT RESUME'
Mike Miller has extensive experience with a diverse background in large civil engineering and development projects. He has served as a Project Manager, Vice President and President for consulting and real estate development firms in Florida during his career. His service includes projects throughout Florida and the United States. He has been responsible for design, coordination and construction management of major civil engineering projects that include highways, runways, parks, utilities, residential and/commercial projects and theme parks.
Mr. Miller was Project Manager for quality control during the construction of Walt Disney World. He was a construction quality control consultant during the construction of Epcot. He was Resident Engineer during the design and construction of Universal Studios. He also served earlier as County Engineer and Assistant Public Works Director in Brevard County, Florida.
He is completely familiar with local, State and Federal regulations regarding land development and major infrastructure projects including storm water management and design. Mr. Miller owned his own civil engineering and surveying firm for many years and designed hundreds of residential and commercial sites in Florida. After selling his firm he became Vice President and South Florida Regional Manager for Florida’s largest engineering and architecture firm.
EDUCATION AND CERTIFICATIONS
B.S.C.E., University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida
Florida Registered Professional Engineer No. 11828
Florida Licensed Real Estate Broker No. BK-175686
Associate Value Specialist (AVS) - SAVE International
CAPABILITIES
General civil engineering design management of stormwater, water and sewer systems. Training and mentoring of project and program teams. Design management for roads, bridges, infrastructure, residential and commercial sites. Basic level experience in geotechnical and materials engineering and testing. Program and project management for major commercial, industrial and infrastructure, including major pump station projects. Management of design and construction of major storm water treatment areas and brown field remediation projects. Proposal writing. Quality assurance and quality control programs. Value engineering studies, analysis, workshops and reports. Community outreach, presentations and seminar development. Creation and editing of company newsletters. Project, program and company team building and training. Problem project turnaround. Construction and environmental claims consulting, analysis and resolution. Dispute and conflict resolution. Due diligence studies and reporting.
PROFESSIONAL ORGANIZATIONS
American Society of Civil Engineers
Florida Engineering Society
National Society of Professional Engineers
SAVE International
REPRESENTATIVE PROJECTS
Claims Consultant for several environmental and construction claims in the United States and Caribbean, including a landfill failure in northern California; a shopping center roofing claim in the British Virgin Islands; a delay claim involving the contractor of I-275 in Tampa; a geotextile failure in a federal project in Phoenix, Arizona.
Program Manager for pump station improvement program of Miami-Dade Water and Sewer Department. Supervised consultants and contractors designing and constructing improvements to 450 sewage pumping stations and 75 miles of force mains. Project was major part of a $ 1 billion infrastructure improvement program mandated by EPA/FDEP.
Senior Project Manager for North Concourse Utility Corridor infrastructure project at Miami International Airport. Supervised efforts of design professionals and provide construction administration services.
Senior Project Manager for design-build of 54” PCCP 9,100 linear foot sanitary force main project for Miami-Dade Water and Sewer Department at Opa-Locka Airport.
Resident Engineer for Universal Studios Florida. Managed team of 30 engineers, architects and technicians responsible for design and construction of Universal Studios in Orlando, Florida. Supervised staff of engineers and architects. Coordinated design efforts of 12 engineering and architectural firms, and led team managing 4 major site and building contractors.
Project Manager for quality control during the construction of Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida. Managed professional staff of 60 engineers, technicians and support team for quality control of all construction materials and methods for entire project.
MIKE MILLER HAS WORKED FOR THESE COMPANIES:
Law Engineering (now MacTec) – Project Manager; Branch Manager
Brevard County – County Engineer; Asst. Public Works Director
D. M. Miller & Associates – Owner and President
Universal Studios Florida – Resident Engineer
PBSJ – Vice President and Division Manager
Bermello Ajamil Partners – Program Manager
Strategy LLC – Vice President, Claims Consultant
Professional Service Industries – Vice President
Nova Consulting – Senior Project Manager
Saundry Associates – Director of Project Development
Vanasse Daylor – Senior Project Manager
Omega Consulting Group - Principal
Testlab, Inc. - Advisory Board Member
D MICHAEL MILLER PE - LONG RESUME
EDUCATION
B. S. in Civil Engineering, With Honors, University of Florida, Gainesville. Member Tau Beta Pi and Phi Kappa Phi
PROFESSIONAL REGISTRATION
Registered Professional Engineer, Florida.
Licensed Real Estate Broker, Florida
Associate Value Specialist, SAVE International
SUMMARY RECORD OF EXPERIENCE
D. Michael Miller, P.E. (2009-Present)
D. Michael Miller, P.E. (2009-Present) Consulting engineer providing project management and business development consulting services to private and public clients. Also creator, writer, and publisher of three websites and author of 25 books available at Amazon.com
Omega Consulting Group, LLC. (2008-2009). Bonita Springs, Florida. Principal. Founder of consulting firm that allows its three principals to practice in their specialties: civil engineering, project and program management; land entitlement programs; value engineering; traffic engineering and environmental and construction claims consulting.
Vanasse Daylor, LLP. (2007-2008). Fort Myers, Florida. Senior Project Manager. Responsible for managing and coordinating a team of planners, engineers, land use attorneys, architects, environmental consultants and other professionals involved in the entitlement and permitting process for a lifestyle center with 1,300,000 square feet of office and commercial space; 500 residential units; and a 200 room hotel. This project was known as the Great Loop, and was a Development of Regional Impact.
Saundry Associates, Inc. (2004-2007). Naples, Florida. Director of Engineering and Project Development. Responsible for new project development, including oversight of engineering, environmental, surveying and planning consultants.
Nova Consulting, Inc. (2002-2004). Coral Gables, Florida. Senior Principal Engineer. Program management services on public sector design and construction projects. Resident Engineer for North Concourse Utility Corridor construction project at Miami International Airport. Project Director for sanitary force main design build project for Miami Dade Water and Sewer Department. Project Manager for storm water design and environmental remediation projects.
Professional Service Industries, Inc. (2000–2002). Winter Park and Miami, Florida. Vice President. Consultant to corporate managers on major projects in the Southeastern United States. Also Regional Engineer for south Florida offices providing geotechnical and materials engineering services.
Strategy, Inc. (1997-2000). Clearwater, Florida. Vice President. Construction and environmental claims consulting. Provided claims consulting and resolution services on civil engineering and construction projects in various locations throughout the United States and Caribbean. Specialized in claims involving liability on part of architects, engineers, and other design professionals. Major claims included the failure of a sanitary land fill closure in Eureka, California; a roofing failure on a major shopping mall in the U. S. Virgin Islands; a geotextile failure on a roadway embankment project in Arizona; a delay claim on the construction of I-275 in Tampa; a major pipeline failure in Puerto Rico; and other miscellaneous claims involving scheduling issues, design errors or omissions, delays and quality concerns.
Brevard County Board of Commissioners. (1996-1997). Melbourne, Florida. Assistant Public Works Director, Facilities Construction Manager. In charge of all road and bridge activities. Also in charge of the construction of all new county facilities such as libraries, stadiums, buildings, parking lots and other miscellaneous construction. Prior to this position, Miller had been County Engineer for two years (1975- 1977).
Bermello, Ajamil & Partners, Inc. (1994-1996) Miami, Florida. Program Manager for the Pump Station Improvement Program of the Miami-Dade Water and Sewer Department. The program was a
consortium of Bermello, Ajamil & Partners, Inc., Montgomery Watson and PBS&J. Supervised staff of 65 professionals managing design and construction of 450 new and rebuilt sewage pump stations and 70 miles of force main. Managed design efforts of 8 major consulting firms and construction activities of several contractors. The project was part of a $ 1 billion program mandated by a consent decree and settlement agreement between Metro-Dade County and the U. S. Environmental Protection Agency and the State of Florida DEP with strict penalty and monitoring provisions. Continued on program as consultant to PBSJ for two additional years through D. M. Miller and Associates, Inc.
Post, Buckley, Schuh & Jernigan, Inc. (1990-1994) Melbourne and Miami, Florida. Vice President and Division Manager. Responsible for all civil engineering, surveying and marketing activities in Melbourne from 1990 to 1992, and in South Florida from 1992 to 1994. Supervised and designed dozens of land development projects in Central and South Florida and the Caribbean. Managed staff of 50 in Miami, including architectural division. Also Vice President of Post Buckley International, Inc. Managed design of 3000 unit Inskoy, a new town project in Siberia, Russia. Managed construction of first phase of Inskoy, including logistic support of American and Russian staff.
Universal Studios Florida. (1988-1990) Orlando, Florida. Resident Engineer for Universal Studios during planning, design and construction of new $700 million studio and entertainment complex in Orlando. The resident engineering staff was responsible for uniformity of construction among the major bid packages, and was the central coordinating group for all owner initiated changes and contractor change orders. The staff was also responsible for all document control. Supervised an in-house staff of 25 professional engineers and architects involved in all aspects of design and construction. Coordinated efforts of more than 20 A&E firms performing design services on all horizontal and vertical construction. He also supervised quality and inspection staff overseeing the work of all site and building contractors. Miller was the single Universal Studios contact point with all local, state and federal regulatory and permitting agencies.
D. M. Miller and Associates, Inc., Orlando, Indialantic and Naples, Florida. (1973-2008) The firm began in Orlando as a geotechnical and materials engineering firm. Its first major project was supervising a large nondestructive testing and grouting project on the structural frame of RCA Space Mountain. The firm also provided engineering services to Walt Disney World Company during the development of Lake Buena Vista Village, and to Gulf Oil Real Estate Development Company during the development of Florida Center at Kirkman Road and Interstate 4 in Orlando. The company evolved into a full service civil engineering and surveying firm providing design and construction management services for private land developers, commercial clients and public agencies. Miller also acted as a consultant to Law Engineering during the design and construction of Epcot Center from 1979-1982, providing quality assurance oversight services and liaison between Disney and Law management teams. Miller sold the assets of the firm in 1988, and retained the corporate shell of the firm for individual development and consulting ventures.
Law Engineering Testing Company, (1968-1973) Lake Buena Vista, Florida. Started at Walt Disney World early in the project as project engineer in charge of metals inspection and non-destructive inspection. Was the Radiation Safety Officer and was certified as a welder, an ultrasonic testing technician, and a radiographic technician. He became Project Manager in charge of Law’s full range of concrete, metals, piping and quality control services through the completion of Walt Disney World. He supervised up to 60 engineers and technicians during this period, all of whom were committed along with the Disney staff to the “cast in stone” opening date of October 1971.
PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS
American Society of Civil Engineers
National Society of Professional Engineers
Florida Engineering Society
SAVE International
PUBLICATIONS
Developing Single Family Subdivisions, Privately Published, 1988. A course manual for attendees of seminars conducted by D. Michael Miller, P.E.
Program Management for the Pump Station Improvement Program, Miami-Dade Water and Sewer Department, AWWA Conference, November 1995.
Leadership and Organizational Vision in Managing a Multiethnic and Multicultural Project Team, Journal of Management in Engineering, ASCE, November/December 2000.
What Would Walt Do? An insider’s story about the design and construction of Walt Disney World, Writers Club Press, 2001. Available at Amazon.com.
D. MICHAEL MILLER PE
PARTIAL SUMMARY OF PROJECTS THRU APRIL 4, 2018
AMERICANA RV PARK, Melbourne, Florida. Complete civil engineering redesign of recreational vehicle park. Obtain all permits from local, state, and federal agencies.
APOLLO INDUSTRIAL PARK, Palm Bay, Florida. Planning, civil engineering, and platting of industrial subdivision developed by Sutton Properties. Obtained all local, state, and federal permits.
AQUARINA, Brevard County, Florida. Served on development advisory board for orignal German owners of this ocean to river resort and residential project in the beaches area of south Brevard. Consulted with designers and owners on issues related to Coastal Construction setback line.
AURORA ROAD REDESIGN, Brevard County, Florida. Design of super-elevated curve and other safety features for dangerous section of road in Eau Gallie area of Melbourne.
BAHAMAS OIL REFINERY, Freeport, Grand Bahama Island. Evaluated concrete mix designs and foundation design for stack foundations for Florida Mining and Materials Company, owner of refinery. Obtained cores and made visual inspection of failed foundation. Designed repair procedures and supervised repairs in field.
BLOCKBUSTER PARK, Miramar, Florida. Project manager for Bermello, Amamil & Partners on 1000 acre sports themed park developed by Wayne Huizenga and companies. Managed project team efforts leading to Development of Regional Impact submittal.
BRANDYWINE ESTATES, Melbourne, Florida. An equestrian community west of I-95 and South of US-192.
BREVARD COUNTY BOARD OF ADJUSTMENT, appointed by County Commission as alternate member on zoning board of variance.
BREVARD COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS Served as County Engineer, reviewing and approving development plans authoring County's first subdivision ordinance. Later served as Assistant Public Works Director supervising engineering staff and building construction management staff.
BREVARD ZOO, Viera, Florida. Served as volunteer Vice President of Construction Assisted in design and construction of new zoo for Brevard County.
COAST TO COAST PROPERTIES, INC., Cocoa, Florida. Owner and real estate broker involved in analysis and sales of several properties in Brevard County, Florida.
COUNTRY CLUB GARDENS, South Daytona Beach, Florida. Prepared successful claim for Support Construction, Inc. of Titusville, Florida. Evaluated geological, geotechnical, and topographic data related to groundwater flow. Prepared claim for productivity losses on sewer project due to differing site conditions.
CREALDE ART CENTER, Winter Park, Florida. Site investigation and foundation recommendations for artists center created by Jenkins Properties, Inc.
DARTMOUTH ESTATES, Melbourne, Florida. Planning civil engineering, surveying, and platting of single family residential subdivision west of the Florida Institute of Technology campus.
DEER RUN, Brevard County, Florida. Planning, civil engineering, and platting of 1600 acre subdivision for Cavalier Groves. Obtain all permits from local, state, and federal agencies. Supervised construction of 12 miles of roads and canals.
DENNY'S RESTAURANTS, Orlando, Florida. Inspected and tested failed parking lot and designed repair procedures. Supervised repair and reconstruction of parking lot.
DUE DILIGENCE INVESTIGATIONS, Performed investigations of raw land and developed properties in various Florida locations. Established status of entitlements, location and capacity of utilities, potential environmental and wetland problems and other areas of concerns. Clients included banks, developers and investors.
ELLIS ROAD OFFICE AND INDUSTRIAL PARK, West Melbourne, Florida. Planning and civil engineering design of 100,000 sf office and industrial park for Bloom Properties. Obtain all permits from local, state, and federal agencies.
EPCOT CENTER, Lake Buena Vista, Florida. Provided quality assurance oversight for Law Engineering Testing Company during construction of Epcot Center. Was liason between Walt Disney World Company executives and Law Executives. Provided staffing and project management consultation assistance during project.
FAS/CAP, Inc., Miami, Florida. Co-founder of firm established to evaluate technical competency of minority construction firms, and to assist them in obtaining working capital loans and surety bonds.
FLORA FAUNA ESTATES. Melbourne, Florida. An equestrian oriented community of homes north of Lake Washington Road and west of I-95.
FLORIDA BACKROADS TRAVEL. Creation of major Florida travel website focusing on history, heritage and culture. Traffic increased to top 1% in world in first 12 months. https://www.florida-backroads-travel.com
FLORIDA CENTER, Orlando, Florida. This was a proposed major development joint venture by Gulf Oil Real Estate Development Corporation and Major Realty. Performed complete geotechnical investigation of 150 acre property at I-4 and Kirkman Road. Assisted with development of master land use plan. This property was incorporated years later into Universal Studios Florida.
HENDRIX PROPERTY, Orlando, Property. Provided expert testimony for Just Valuation, Inc. on subject property on Sand Lake Road. The testimony was in a condemnation case involving “cost to cure” of property taking by Orange County for widening of road.
HOLIDAY TRAVEL RESORT, Leesburg, Florida. Worked with client, Saundry Associates, and Lake County Planning Department to create an updated master plan for this 935 unit RV resort. Completed work in 2018.
IMAGINATION LIGHTING, Merritt Island, Florida. Complete civil engineering and site planning services for lighting store on State Road 520. Obtained all local, state, and federal permits. My first project as a self employed consulting engineer in Brevard County in 1977.
INDIALANTIC CITY HALL, Indialantic, Florida. Performed feasibility study for adding second floor to existing City Hall.
INSKOY NEW TOWN, Siberia, Russia. As Vice President of Post Buckley International, managed design and construction of Inskoy, a new 3000 unit planned development in Russia shortly after the collapse of the Soviet Union.
INTERCHANGE SQUARE, Palm Bay, Florida. Planning and civil engineering of first major shopping center in Palm Bay, developed by Sutton Properties. Obtained all local, state, and federal permits.
ISLAND GROVE SUBDIVISION, Merritt Island, Florida. Owner and developer of 8 acre subdivision with 16 lots. Due diligence, feasibility evaluation and real estate brokerage services for residential subdivision. Managed construction of project.
LAGUNA BEACH TOWNHOMES, Melbourne Beach, Florida. Planning, civil engineering and site design of townhome development by Saundry Associates, Inc. Obtained all local, state and federal permits.
LAKE BUENA VISTA VILLAGE, Lake Buena Vista, Florida. Later called Main Street Disney and now (2020) Disney Springs. Performed geotechnical investigation and provided foundation recommendations for new Disney shopping and residential development. Reviewed and modified California design standards to meet Florida conditions. Provided value engineering savings with alternate foundation recommendation.
LAKES OF MELBOURNE, Melbourne, Florida. Design of paving, grading, and drainage systems for 500 lot mobile home park developed by Flor-Ohio Investments, Ltd.
LINDGREN REAL ESTATE, Indialantic, Florida. Owner of real estate brokerage firm involved in commercial and residential real estate analysis and sales. Partner was Harold "Pete" Lindgren.
LONGWOOD SINKHOLE CLAIM, Longwood, Florida. Conducted geotechnical investigation for Farm Bureau Insurance related to sinkhole activity. Inspected houses damaged by settlement. Provided expert testimony regarding probable cause of sinkhole formation.
MARINER SQUARE OFFICE AND MARINA, Cocoa, Florida. Performed feasibility analysis for office condominium and marina project. Designed 24,000 square foot office building and 50 slip marina on Intracoastal Waterway including major wave attenuation structure. Obtained financing and all required permits. Supervised construction of office building, marina, and restaurant site. Supervised real estate sales activity. Managing partner of real estate partnership, Mariner Square Partners, Ltd.
MARINER SQUARE YACHT SALES, Cocoa, Florida. Formed and operated a yacht brokerage firm at Marine Square Office and Marina.
MCWILLIAMS PROPERTIES, INC. Satellite Beach, Florida. Planning and civil engineering services for several oceanfront condominium projects Obtained all local, state, and federal permits.
MELBOURNE BEACH PIER, Melbourne Beach, Florida. Performed inspection of wooden town pier in Indian River for the Town of Melbourne Beach. The pier was more than 100 years old. Prepared engineering plans and specifications to be used to restore the pier. Completed paperwork to have pier included on National Register of Historic Places. Helped Mayor Bud Conroy prepare paperwork to obtain grant to restore pier.
MELBOURNE BEACH TOWNHOMES, Melbourne Beach, Florida. Feasibility and due diligence study for Melbourne Beach ocean to river development for Centrust Savings and Loan. Planning and civil engineering design for town home project. Obtained all permits from local, state, and federal agencies.
MELBOURNE SHOPPING CENTER, Melbourne, Florida. Design tie down system and obtain permits for textile donation bins for shopping center.
MIAMI-DADE WATER AND SEWER DEPARTMENT. Project manager for Bermello, Ajamil & Partners on Pump Station Improvement Program. Hired, trained and directed design and construction management staff.
MIAMI-DADE WATER AND SEWER DEPARTMENT, Miami, Florida. Civil and structural value analysis for Nova Consulting on Preston Water treatment plant expansion in Hialeah.
MIAMI-DADE WATER AND SEWER DEPARTMENT, Miami, Florida. Project Director for Nova Consulting, Inc., on $ 5.8 million design-build 54” pipeline near Opa-Locka Airport.
MIAMI-DADE WATER AND SEWER DEPARTMENT, Miami, Florida. Consultant for Post Buckley Construction Services, Inc., during construction phase of Pump Station Improvement Program.
MIAMI INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT, Miami, Florida. Civil and structural value analysis for Nova Consulting on Concourse J and related aprons. Civil and structural value analysis on Parking Garage Collection Plaza. Part of formal value engineering team on several other projects at the airport.
MIAMI INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT, Miami, Florida. Resident engineer for Nova Consulting during design and construction of Northside Utility Corridor Link.
MICCO ROAD PROPERTIES, Brevard County, Florida. Prepared exhibits, made presentation, obtained zoning for 500 acre mixed use project at Micco Road and I-95.
MICCO ROAD INTERCHANGE, Brevard County, Florida. Prepared preliminary justification report for Fischer Associates for proposed new interchange at Micco Road and I-95. Provided justification report to State and Federal agencies.
MICHIGAN TESTING ENGINEERS, Orlando, Florida. Established central Florida branch and managed operation including business development program. Provided full services in geotechnical and materials testing and engineering.
MOSSWOOD SUBDIVISION, Brevard County, Florida. Planning, platting, and civil engineering services for residential subdivision developed by Joel Moss on Riverside Drive in the Indialantic area.
OFFICE AND INDUSTRIAL PLAZA, Melbourne, Florida. Planning, civil engineering, and platting of office and industrial park developed by Saundry Associates, Inc. Obtained all local, state, and federal permits.
ON THE BEACH, Brevard County, Florida. Planning, architectural, and civil engineering services for oceanfront townhome project developed by Richard S. Lewis in the south beaches area near Aquarina. Design and permitting of package wastewater treatment plant. Obtained all local, state, and federal permits including coastal construction permits from Florida DNR.
OPUS 21, Melbourne Beach, Florida. Planning and civil engineering for oceanfront condominium developed by Saundry Associates, Inc. Obtained all local and state permits including coastal construction permits from Florida DNR.
OUTDOOR RESORTS OF AMERICA, Melbourne Beach, Florida. Complete civil redesign and permitting of existing recreational vehicle park.
PALM BAY WAREHOUSES, Palm Bay, Florida. Planning and civil engineering design of 120,000 sf warehouse project for Bloom Properties. Obtained all permits from local, state, and federal agencies.
PALM BAY CITY HALL, Palm Bay, Florida. Performed geotechnical investigation and foundation design for new City Hall.
POMELLO RANCH, Valkaria, Florida. Planning and civil engineering design for rural residential community adjacent to Valkaria Airport. Obtained all permits from local, state and federal agencies.
PORT CANAVERAL, Port Canaveral, Florida. Designed and permitted Cocoa Beach Yacht Club in the port. This was a 70 slip marina with concrete pilings and docks.
POST BUCKLEY SCHUH & JERNIGAN, INC., Miami, Florida. Vice President and division manager for civil engineering, surveying, and architectural services in South Florida. Transferred to Miami to assume these services two weeks after Hurricane Andrew.
POST BUCKLEY SCHUH & JERNIGAN, INC., Melbourne, Florida. Vice President and regional manager for civil engineering and surveying services.
PROFESSIONAL SERVICE INDUSTRIES, INC., Orlando and Miami, Florida. Vice President, Major Projects. Assisted branch offices in identifying and pursuing major construction projects in the Southeastern United States. Business development consulting and client contact.
RCA SPACE MOUNTAIN, Walt Disney World, Florida. Performed major non-destructive inspection of entire structural concrete frame after failed concrete pour. Prepared detailed plans showing voids in concrete created during mass pour. Supervised grouting operation which filled voids and saved structural frame.
RIVER PLACE. Melbourne, Florida. Due diligence and feasibility study for First Federal Savings and Loan of Brevard for proposed new development on Eau Gallie Boulevard.
RIVERWALK SUBDIVISION, Melbourne Beach, Florida. Planning, platting, and civil engineering services for residential subdivision developed by Milton Bevis on ocean to river project in South Brevard County.
SANDHILL CRANE PARK, Port St. Lucie, Florida. Evaluated claim of City against design engineer for topographical survey error. Helped resolve dispute amicably and assisted engineer and City complete project.
SAUNDRY ASSOCIATES, INC., Naples, Florida. Director of Planning and Project Development. Obtained entitlements for Burnt Store Road properties, Charlotte County, 999 units. Obtained entitlements for Brandywine properties, Hendry County, 243 units. Obtained entitlements for Covington Hill, Brooksville, Florida, 580 units.
SHERWOOD GOLF AND COUNTRY CLUB, Titusville, Florida. Prepared documentation and obtained zoning for planned unit development. Conceptual site and engineering plans for use in obtaining financing. Inspection of rental units and preparation of report for conversion to condominiums by owner, Sherwood Properties, Inc. Project principals for client were Bill Peterson and Ron Julseth.
SLEEPY HOLLOW SUBDIVSION, Palm Bay, Florida. Planning, civil engineering, and platting of residential subdivision developed by Pruitt Real Estate. Obtained all local, state, and federal permits.
SOUTH FLORIDA WATER MANAGEMENT DISTRICT, West Palm Beach, Florida. Project Manager for Nova Consulting on general consulting contract with District. Acted as project manager for individual work assignments including pump station hardening program and storm water treatment area design (STA).
SUPPORT INVESTMENTS, Port St. John, Florida. Feasibility analysis of 50 acre development. Coordinate consultants involved in mitigating scrub jay habitat. Coordinate program to rezone property and amend comprehensive plan if needed. Made presentation to Port St. John Advisory Planning Board.
ST LUCIE NUCLEAR POWER PLANT, St. Lucie County, Florida. Conducted geotechnical investigation for Law Engineering Testing Company of new nuclear power plant on Hutchinson Island between Fort Pierce inlet and Stuart inlet. Constructed tubular steel frame to be towed offshore and used as drilling platform for ocean cooling water intake structure.
STRATEGY, INC., Miami, Florida. Provided claims evaluation services and settlement recommendations on several projects:
- Norcal vs SHN Engineers, Inc. A landfill closure failure in Eureka, California.
- Ajax Construction vs FDOT. A delay claim re I-275 in Tampa, Florida.
- Shopping Mall in British Virgin Islands. Claim re roof failure on major mall.
- Hazardous waste landfill in Arizona. Proprietary specification claim.
- Flooding claim in Mobile, Alabama.
- Shopping center mortgage default claim in Melbourne, Florida.
- Wal-Mart stormwater management design error claim in North Carolina.
- CVS building layout error in Broward County, Florida.
THE GREAT LOOP LIFESTYLE CENTER, Punta Gorda, Florida. Project manager for Vanasse Daylor in entitlement and DRI program for 1,200,000 square foot mixed use lifestyle center in Punta Gorda, Florida, by The Wilder Companies of Boston.
THE OAKS AT HIBISCUS, Melbourne, Florida. Evaluation of occupancy history of shopping center for use in claim by lender. Inspection of real estate assets and preliminary determination of value.
TIMBER CREEK, Micco, Florida. Due diligence and feasibility study for Fischer Associates. Planning, civil engineering, surveying, and platting for 1000 acre subdivision. Prepared documents, made presentation, and obtained zoning for project.
TOWN OF MALABAR, Malabar, Florida. General consulting services, reviewed site and subdivision plans and specifications for private projects.
TOWNHOMES OF PARADISE BEACH, Indialantic, Florida. Design of 200 one and two story residences, including structural engineering and building plans for this development by Saundry Associates, Inc. Planning, civil engineering, and platting for complete project. Obtained all local, state, and federal permits.
TROUTMAN ROAD DEVELOPMENT, Palm Bay, Florida. Payment application inspections for Marine Midland Bank on industrial project in Palm Bay, Florida, developed by Bloom Properties.
TURKEY LAKE ROAD, Orlando, Florida. Prepared “cost to cure” reports for various right-of-way takings for road widening project. Client was Just Valuation, Inc., an Orlando appraisal company.
U.S. POSTAL SERVICE, Tampa, Florida. Conducted ACI load tests of structural concrete slabs at the Tampa International Airport Service Center.
UNIVERSAL STUDIOS FLORIDA, Orlando, Florida. Resident Engineer during design and construction of new theme park. Conducted numerous evaluations of material and structural systems. Organized and managed project teams for all aspects of design/construction, including quality control and quality assurance.
UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH FLORIDA, Tampa, Florida. Conducted ACI load tests of concrete slabs in library building. Conducted geotechnical sinkhole investigations for major classroom buildings on Tampa campus.
WALT DISNEY WORLD, Lake Buena Vista, Florida. Managed quality control team for Law Engineering Testing Company during construction of Walt Disney World. Conducted numerous engineering evaluations and testing programs of construction materials and structures, including steel, aluminum, concrete, soils, soil cement and asphalt. Was Radiation Safety Officer, certified welder, and nondestructive testing specialist.
WEST MELBOURNE, FLORIDA. General site planning and engineering consulting for City of West Melbourne. Reviewed site plans and specifications for various private projects within City.
WILLOW RUN, Brevard County, Florida. Planning, civil engineering and platting services for Willow Run Subdivision for Evans Butler Realty. Obtained all local, state, and federal permits.
WINTER HAVEN CONDOMINIUM, Winter Haven, Florida. Inspected and evaluated failure of concrete wall adjacent to telephone cable vault. Did inspection and testing of soils in the field. Provided expert testimony as to probable cause of wall failure. Client was Southern Bell Telephone Company.
WOODLANDS SUBDIVISION, Brevard County, Florida. Complete planning, engineering and platting services for The Woodlands Subdivision by Gamerl Properties. Complete design of concrete bridge over Melbourne-Tillman Drainage canal Obtain all local, state and federal permits.
ZONING PRESENTATIONS, Various Florida Locations. Prepared strategy, conducted meetings and neighborhood campaigns, and made presentations to planning and zoning boards and city/county commissions throughout Florida. Zoning changes included some with no public support, some with much public opposition, and a very few where nobody cared. I was successful in 42 of 44 cases.
PUBLICATIONS AVAILABLE AT AMAZON
Managing Multi-Cultural Project Teams
What Would Walt Do?
Florida Backroads Travel
Northwest Florida Backroads Travel
North Central Florida Backroads Travel
Northeast Florida Backroads Travel
Central East Florida Backroads Travel
Central Florida Backroads Travel
Central West Florida Backroads Travel
Southwest Florida Backroads Travel
Southeast Florida Backroads Travel
Florida Carpenter Gothic Churches
Florida One Tank Trips, Volume 1
Florida One Tank Trips, Volume 2
Florida One Tank Trips, Volumes 1 and 2
Florida Wineries
Florida Authors
Florida Festivals
Florida Heritage Travel, Volume I
Florida Heritage Travel, Volume II
Florida Heritage Travel, Volume III
Florida Everglades
Florida Day Trips by Theme
WEB PUBLISHING
Miller is also the developer and owner of several websites including FloridaBackroadsTravel.com, Living-Aboard.com, and YooperSecrets.com.
WHAT IS BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT?
"Marketing" and "Business Development" are terms that are often used interchangeably in the consulting engineering community.
There seems to be no precise definitions that everyone agrees on, but here is how D Michael Miller PE defines these closely related terms:
- Marketing involves developing systems, procedures and materials that tell a prospective client what the firm is all about. This includes brochures, websites, meeting displays, advertising and company newsletters.
- Business Development uses the brand recognition provided by the firm's marketing efforts to develop relationships with clients and potential clients directly, face to face.
One of the most difficult principles for consulting engineering firms to understand is that the time to go after new business is when you are already busy with existing business.
This is because by the time you have finished your existing projects, it is usually too late for beating the bushes for new work. The object is to keep a steady work flow and have a backlog of new work.
A common complaint around engineering firms when someone is given a business development assignment is "I'm too busy; I don't have time."
Another principle of the consulting business is that the smartest business development technique is to keep your existing clients satisfied.
This is why it's important for each of the firm's project participants to realize he or she has a key role in this principle of business development.
One purpose of a business development plan is to help reconcile the conflict between keeping existing clients happy and developing new clients and projects.
D Michael Miller PE has years of experience in not only managing design and construction work, but in providing marketing insight and business development process management related to maintaining existing clients and obtaining new projects and clients.
He is able to research and find the best markets for a firm's marketing and business development efforts. He is also skilled at helping each member of a firm become a business developer.
Business development is not a job that should be turned over to one person and forgotten.
In the good old days of unbridled Florida growth, many engineering firms grew without much business development effort.
Today Florida isn't growing like it has in the past, and more engineering competetion is popping up all over the place. This is true all over America, not just in Florida.
This means increased competetion and shrinking market means that your firm has to shine above the others.
The private and public clients of today expect high levels of performance. They expect top value for every dollar they spend on engineering services.
You can have all of the technical expertise in the world, but you still have to be able to get the message out to your potential market. And when you get the project, you have to deliver.
If an engineering service doesn't deliver more than just plans, specifications and reports it will become just another commodity and fees will be driven to the lowest possible number.
D Michael Miller PE enjoys helping consulting firms succeed. He works closely with the firm's leaders to help them define their business development goals and objectives.
Miller helps firms develop strategic marketing and business development plans, and monitors the success of those plans on a continuing basis.
Part of this monitoring includes frequent calls on a firm's existing and proposed clients to get feedback on the client's perceptions of the firm.
D Michael Miller PE brings years of experience in business development, marketing consultation and project management skills to his clients.
WHAT IS PROJFECT MANAGEMENT?
Project management is what any consulting engineering firm does to produce its services on the client's schedule and budget.
It is also what an engineering firm does when it produces and delivers plans, specifications and reports.
Project management is also required when the firm provides support services in the field during construction. These services might include inspection, construction administration and testing.
Project management is any system for planning, organizing and managing human and technical resources to bring about the successful completion of a project.
Success of a project for an engineering firm is measured by achieving the client's goals for schedule, budget and quality, and making a profit for itself.
One problem with managing engineering projects or construction projects is that they have a temporary and limited life span. They usually have a defined beginning and end.
This is a big contrast to businesses that provide products rather than services. Some project employees get nervous about what happens to them when the project is completed.
On top of that, the engineering firm is always starting a new project before the old one is finished. These projects then compete for the same limited manpower resources.
The firm's profitability depends on its ability to price the work correctly in the first place, and to put the work out within the project's manpower budget.
Firms whose projects go over their internal budget find themselves in serious trouble. They still have to finish the job whether or not the money has run out.
The client is usually not interested in paying the engineer more money unless the scope of the project has been signficantly changed.
These "problem projects" or "busted projects" are like the ugliest puppy in the litter: nobody wants to own them, and if the firm owner is not careful nothing will get done and you will have an angry client.
The internal project management system must be able to monitor project progress (percentage of completion) and to compare it to the project manpower budget. It is important to spot a project early that is heading for trouble.
This means that a project management system should have a project schedule. Software suitable for this kind of schedule include Primavera Project Management and Microsoft Project.
These scheduling tools allow a project manager to identify the critical path of the project. These are the project management steps that must be completed in sequence for the project to advance.
The Quality Control Plan needs to be followed carefully so that the project is done right the first time.
D Michael Miller PE is able to help engineering firms meet deadlines and complete design projects within budget and on time.
He does this by helping the firm plan projects and manage its resources effectively. He also helps the firm's staff develop the personal skills critical to effective project management.
Miller also likes to get involved in the project team building process to organize and improve performance.
He has organized many project teams and established many project management systems.
A productive and competent team is usually a happy team, and is more likely to make the client happy as well.
Many times the engineering firm finishes its design and hands off the plans, specifications and permit packages to the owner.
Sometimes the firm helps the owner prepare bid packages and evaluates contractor bids.
In other cases, the engineer ends up managing a construction project as a "construction manager".
Many construction professionals have the opinion that engineers make the worst construction managers.
They complain that an engineer is always looking for the "best solution" or even sometimes "a perfect solution" to every construction problem.
The professional construction manager, however, is looking for the solution that does the job of delivering the project on time and on budget with the owner's required level of quality.
He is well aware that every problem on a project has dozens of potential solutions, and he is not interested in examining all of them. He just wants one that works.
The trick is to help the engineer overcome his natural tendency to "over analyze" and confidently settle on the first practical solution that presents itself.
D Michael Miller PE has years of experience working with both engineers and architects in project management and construction management roles.
WHAT IS CLAIM MANAGEMENT?
Claim management is a necessary program for most consulting firms. It seems like everybody threatens to sue everybody else in today's litigious society.
A typical claim against an engineer involves an alleged error or omission in the design documents.
Maybe an error in elevation or a confusing specification is involved. The finger clearly points at the design engineer or architect.
Sometimes the Contractor or Owner believe that the designer took way too long to resolve the problem and give timely direction to the Contractor.
Whatever the reason, the project gets slowed down, the contractor charges the Owner extra money for being delayed, and the Owner demands that the consulting firm pay for the delay.
To make things worse, the Owner refuses to pay the consulting firm any more money until the matter is resolved.
If the situation doesn't get resolved, the Contractor might sue the Owner and designer; the Owner sues the designer; the designer is usually the one left holding the bag.
As the claim drags on and turns into litigation, the damages add up like the trip meter on a taxi cab. The designer has to spend tremendous amounts of time to straighten out the mess.
It can be enough to put a small firm out of business.
It is best to have a system of claims avoidance that keeps you out of trouble. If that fails, it is important to resolve a claim long before it turns into litigation. As the common wisdom asserts, when the claim turns into litigation only the lawyers come out ahead.
D Michael Miller, PE responds to these challenges by providing high quality claim management services. He is also experienced at claim and dispute resolution, and negotiating claim settlements.
The National Society of Professional Engineers, of which Miller is a member, has excellent resources about claims avoidance and claim management.
Other excellent resources include the American Institute of Architects (AIA) and the American Council of Engineering Companies (ACEC).
Many consulting engineering firms have errors and omissions insurance provided by professional liability insurance companies. These are typically deductible policies.
In other words, if the engineer is found to be at fault he is on the hook for a certain amount, maybe $25,000, and the insurance company pays the rest.
Quite often, even though an apparent mistake has been made by the designer, the Owner or contractor exaggerates the damages caused by the mistake.
Furthermore, a problem for the designer can be unrealistic client expectations of perfection.
It is important to have an advocate like D. Michael Miller, P.E. who can realistically and unemotionally determine damages and also provide a designer "standard of care" determination and liability assessment.
Some of the projects for which Miller provided claim evaluation service and settlement recommendations include:
The services above were provided while Miller was an officer of Strategy, Inc.
WHAT IS QUALITY ASSURANCE?
WHAT IS QUALITY CONTROL?
What is Quality Assurance (QA)and what is Quality Control(QC)?
There is typically some confusion over these two closely related terms.
A quality control plan and a quality assurance plan are needed for asuccessful project. D. Michael Miller, P.E. has extensive experience with both types of plans.
Quality is always determined by the Owner of a project or itsrepresentatives. It is not determined by the engineer, and it does not necessarily mean "expensive" or "high quality".
If it meets the Owner's requirements then it is a quality project.
QUALITY CONTROL (QC) is involved with the operational activities put in place to control the quality of a product or service.
In the case of engineering firms, these activities include providing clear decisions and directions, constant supervision by experienced individuals, immediate review of completed activities for accuracy and completeness, and accurate documentation of all decisions, assumptions, and recommendations.
QC procedures are designed to ensure that the work is done correctly the first time. In the case of engineering firms, the product or deliverable is usually plans,specifications and reports.
QUALITY ASSURANCE (QA) is what is done to confirm that a QC program is effective and provides feedback upon which further development of the QC program can be made.
A QA plan provides the certainty that products and services meet the requirements for quality.
The objective of quality assurance plans is the continual improvement of the total delivery process to enhance quality, productivity, and client satisfaction.
The answer to the question "what is quality assurance" is that QA is the process of enforcing QC standards.
When a quality assurance plan is well thought out and implemented, there will be continual improvement both in reducing errors and omissions and increasing product usability and performance.
A QUALITY CONTROL PLAN is a comprehensive, well-defined, written set of procedures and activities aimed at delivering products that meet or exceed a client's expectations.
These expectations are typically described in detail in the contractdocuments and other publications.
A Quality Control Plan will identify the organization or individualsresponsible for quality control and the specific procedures used toensure delivery of a quality product.
A quality control plan will also detail quality assurance measures and the method of accountability and required documentation.
DUE DILIGENCE: FOR YOUR PROTECTION
A due diligence checklist is essential for an investor making an investment of any kind, whether it be in a business, a mutual fund or a parcel of land.
Due diligence means the investigation or audit of a potential investment. The purpose of due diligence is to confirm all material facts in regards to a sale.
It refers to the care a reasonable person should take before entering into an agreement or a transaction with another party.
Due diligence in any business venture varies depending on the nature of the transactions. A due diligence study might include the financial, legal, labor, tax, environmental and market situation of a business or property.
D. Michael Miller, P.E.,specializes in due diligence investigations of raw land. He draws on the experience gained in designing and/or developing hundreds of projects that each began with a parcel of raw land.
Although the value of raw land has been increasing over the years, buying raw land for the purpose of developing it is a very risky investment.
There are hundreds of things that you need to know and check off your list before you are able to pull that first building permit.
Some of these things include:
It is impossible to think of everything that could be a source of risk and affect an investor's willingness to buy a piece of raw land.
A due diligence checklist is typically prepared in advance and used during the investigation to make sure everything important is covered. An example is "A Narrative Real Estate Acquisition Due Diligence Checklist" authored by Andrew N. Jacobson, J.D.
It is also impossible to accurately predict how long it will take to do all of the necessary studies, engineering, permit applications, public hearings and other milestones along the way to a successful development.
A good due diligence study can, however, minimize the risks inherent in buying raw land.
The due diligence study will quite often involve several specialists: engineers, biologists, archeologists, surveyors, lawyers and planners.
For example, a Phase One Environmental Assessment is usually required to determine if there are any hazardous waste issues on a property.
In many areas of Florida, a sinkhole investigation and/or study is also a prudent thing to do.
It is important for the developer or investor to tie up the land prior to purchasing for a sufficient length of time to complete the due diligence study.
D. Michael Miller, P.E., is experienced in directing the efforts of theexperts needed for due diligence on large parcels. See his Project Summary for examples.
WHAT IS VALUE ENGINEERING?
Value Engineering is also known as Value Analysis or Value Methodology.
It is used in the civil engineering, architectural and construction fields to analyze projects and make recommendations regarding balancing all of the basic functions of a project to come up with the highest value for the project.
Value can be defined by the equation:
Value=Function/Cost
- If the functionality of a project can be increased without additional cost, the value of the project will rise.
- If the cost of a project can be lowered without lowering the functionality, the value of the project will also rise.
The first step in a Value Analysis is to create a Value Methodology Job Plan. The model used by SAVE International has six phases:
1. The Information Phase involves assembling all available information about the project to develop a better understanding of what is involved.
2. The Function Analysis phase involves describing in detail the function of every component of a project to develop a detailed understanding of what the project is supposed to accomplish.
3. The Creative Phase is a brainstorming effort that examines as many alternate ways as possible to achieve the function of the project.
4. The Evaluation Phase examines all of the ideas generated during the creative phase and narrows them down into feasible alternatives.
5. The Development Phase takes the most feasible alternatives and prepares information such as sketches, narratives and specifications to improve the value of the project.
6. The Presentation Phase involves presenting the value recommendations to the stakeholders of the project.
D. Michael Miller, P.E. has been involved in numerous value engineering projects. He has been part of a multi-disciplined team on these projects that quite often included architects, structural engineers, geotechnical engineers, process or instrumentation specialists and other disciplines related to the particular project.
The composition of the team is always related to the nature of the project being analyzed. The teams are usually headed by a Certified Value Specialist certified by SAVE International.
Every Value Analysis project participated in by Miller and his teams have resulted in an increase of value to the project.
Among the Value Analysis projects he has participated in are:
- Civil and structural value analysis for Concourse J and related apron at Miami International Airport in Miami, Florida.
- Civil and structural value analysis on Parking Garage Collection Plaza at Miami International Airport in Miami, Florida.
- Civil and structural value analysis on Preston Water Treatment plant expansion in Hialeah, Florida for Miami-Dade Water and Sewer Department.
- Team leader on value analysis of Runway 12-30 Rehabilitation project at Miami International airport in Miami, Florida.
D. Michael Miller, P.E. is an Associate Value Specialist registered with SAVE International.
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