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Gregg Bouchard
Estimator/Assistant Project Manager, Facilities Management

Basic responsibilities:
I am one of three estimators in Facilities Management. We work independently with departments on the UMaine campus on projects that include classroom and lab renovations, offices, building envelope repair and dorm painting. Each project is unique and requires a design and drawings before it can be estimated. I am also one of three assistant project managers. We work with project managers in Facilities Management on major capital construction renovations and new construction. We normally start a project at the conception stage and work through procurement of a design firm and construction manager or general contractor. We attend all construction planning meetings to develop a complete design to meet the program requirements. After the design and procurement of a construction firm are complete, the project can begin. I work on the construction project every day to document progress and quality of work. The contractor and I work together to solve problems and reach a common goal. Once construction is done, we review the work for quality control and sufficient completion of the project.

Years at UMaine: 12 this month

What should people know about project management at UMaine?
Project management is a collaborative effort between Facilities Management project managers and engineers, design firms, construction management firms, general contractors, subcontractors, UMaine Facilities Management shops and UMaine departments. The University of Maine System implements strict guidelines. This is a very rewarding job. We meet with departments across campus to develop a project scope to meet the program intent and budget. There are a lot of great people at UMaine. This is a good way to meet new people and help them improve their programs.

What’s the biggest or most complex building project you’ve undertaken?
There are two: the renovations of the Collins Center for the Arts and Aubert Hall

In a facility such as the Collins Center for the Arts, what are some of the challenges?
The Collins Center for the Arts building is very complex. It consists of a 1,436-seat performing arts center and the Hudson Museum. For this renovation, I collaborated closely with Bill Charland, associate executive director of Facilities Management for construction administration. The first challenge was to develop a design that would meet the budget. Early estimates for the work far exceeded the project budget. Bill and I spent many days in the design firm’s office with all the project engineers and staff from the construction management firm to “value engineer” the project to meet the project budget. A $5 million gift from Richard R. and Anne A. Collins made the design complete so construction could begin. They were key in making the CCA as beautiful a building as it is today. One other challenge was the project construction schedule. Because of the complexity of the project, construction literally was completed in the last hours available.

Conversely, what are some of the rewards?
Just being connected to the Collins Center for the Arts building project is the biggest reward. Bill and I worked on the project every day for more than three years, from project conception to completing construction. The project really did consume a great deal of time, not only during the workday — the project is on your mind every hour of every day. To see the project complete is the biggest reward and to attend the gala with my wife was the icing on the cake. In working with the Collins Center for the Arts program users, we created a functional building to meet their needs. The CCA staff are a great bunch of people. They are very grateful and complimentary of the newly completed facility.

Though CCA and Aubert Hall are some of the more high-profile projects you’ve been involved with lately, tell us about some of the other work you do on campus.
I have managed multiple office and lab projects across campus, including renovations of Class of 1944 Hall, South Stevens Hall, the Small Animal Facility, Camden Hall on the University College at Bangor campus, and Jenness façade. I contract out painting of the residence halls during the summer. I also manage projects on the president’s house, from full renovation when President Kennedy and his family moved in to yearly maintenance to maintain the integrity of the 1873 home. A home that is 136 years old always needs work. President Kennedy and family have been great to work with.

How important is it that a building project be low-maintenance?
It’s all about our shops and being able to maintain the campus. We’re the owner, and we have to have a product that’s going to last. I don’t want to come back and redo a building. We don’t want to add to the maintenance load. We want to make things maintenance-free.

Do you approach every project the same way?
No. We don’t go in and say, “This is what you’re going to get.” We ask, “What do you need?” The departments on campus are the customers. It’s customer service. That’s what we do.

Favorite building or renovation project on campus:
It’s hard to choose between projects, but the Collins Center for the Arts was great. Not every day you get to work on a performing arts center and a museum. I will remember my experience on this one for a long long time. Also, the Aubert Hall renovation, which is still in progress, is one of my favorites. Phase I construction consisted of two new teaching labs and a prep room for the School of Marine Sciences. Phase II construction consisted of four new energy-efficient teaching labs with attached breakout classrooms. The new teaching labs are beautiful and have complex mechanical systems and controls to maximize energy savings. Also, new exterior windows were installed throughout the west wing.

Who are your heroes/sources of inspiration?
My biggest hero is my wife; she supports me and inspires me to perform to my fullest potential every day. Second, my biggest supporters on campus are Bill Charland, Elaine Clark and Stewart Harvey. Each allows me to perform to my fullest and each gives guidance and support along the way. They have all given me the opportunity to work on large projects and have trusted me to do my job. For that I am very grateful.

I am most proud of:
My two sons. Daniel is a second-year civil engineering student at UMaine. He is also working on a minor in construction management. Matt is only in the fourth grade, but someday he would like to be an architect. It makes me very proud for my sons to follow my career in the construction industry.

I feel fortunate to…
Be able to work on such a beautiful campus. When you step back at the end of the day and put all your troubles aside, we all work in a really beautiful place. It takes a lot of people to keep this campus running, I am very proud to be a part of it all.

What is your favorite UMaine activity?
My favorite UMaine activity is taking my sons to a game — hockey, football or baseball. It doesn’t get any better than that. Also Maine Day is a lot of fun. It’s the one day a year we all get together to make the campus a more beautiful place.

The place on campus I spend most of my time when not in my office is:
On the construction sites. Every day, there are problem-solving and organizing tasks. It’s our job to keep the projects moving smoothly.

Describe your perfect day:
There is a lot going on in multiple projects each day. The perfect day is when everything flows like clockwork and the maximum amount of quality work is accomplished safely

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