Meet the Team

“In 1996, when I formed The Russell Gage Corporation, a conscious decision was made to remain personally involved in all projects undertaken and to hire professional, seasoned employees committed to providing exceptional work, delivered on time and within budget.”

—Russell Gage, President

RUSSELL GAGE

The Russell Gage Corporation
President — Project Executive

EDUCATION

Texas A&M University, 1985 – BS Construction Management

BACKGROUND

Mr. Gage has over 25 years of experience in the construction industry. Prior to founding The Russell Gage Corporation in 1996, Mr. Gage worked both for a large national interior renovation contractor and a local contractor, specializing in renovation projects. Since founding The Russell Gage Corporation, Mr. Gage has successfully overseen numerous renovation projects, fostering excellent relationships with both private and institutional owners, demonstrated by the amount of repeat clients contained within Gage Corporation’s portfolio. Notably, The Russell Gage Corporation has built and maintained outstanding relationships performing numerous perimeter security installations.

Mr. Gage’s ability to work closely with owners, design professionals and the subcontracting community encourages a team atmosphere. Through this approach, the Project Team is able to more easily identify potential problems, react more quickly, and resolve issues in an effective and mutually beneficial way.

Mr. Gage remains personally involved in each project, maintaining regular contact with both project management and field personnel and assisting with any particular issues, if needed.

Mr. Gage’s responsibilities will include:

  • Executing contracts/subcontracts
  • Oversight of all personnel, including office management staff
  • Attend Owner Progress Meetings as necessary
  • Monitor job progress
  • Maintain regular contact with Project Team to ensure that project milestones are met
  • Client contact

Donna Harrison, Office Manager/Account Manager

Background:

Ms. Harrison has been the office/accounting manager for The Russell Gage Corporation for 20 years and has over 30 years of experience in the areas of office administration, accounting, customer relations and project planning.  She handles all accounting and administrative duties including A/R, A/P, project estimating, job costing, payroll, and personnel.

Ms. Harrison reports to Russell Gage and is responsible for managing the day-to-day office operations.  She interacts with customers and outside contractors/vendors in order to understand and resolve problems.

In addition, Ms. Harrison tracks the progress and job costs of multiple projects using QuickBooks, RedTeam and/or Procore for billing all jobs, posting payments and receipts and processing payroll on a weekly basis.  She works closely with the company’s CPA in preparing quarterly and year-end state and federal reports.

Ms. Harrison organizes details of meetings, agendas, travel arrangements, itineraries and expense reports.  She maintains attendance records and handles the inventory and requisition of office supplies, equipment, etc.  Ms. Harrison is responsible for handling Human Resource issues and employee problem resolutions.  She developed and maintains departmental policies and procedures manual.

Lance Ohlsson, Senior Project Manager

Education

University of Wisconsin – Madison BS Business Management

Background

Mr. Ohlsson has worked within the construction industry for over 35 years. With a foundation of working in multiple trades his experiences offer a unique quality in project management to understanding the intricacies needed to design and implement a plan for the construction of a project. Focusing on communication, a detailed scope of work, accurate pricing and scheduling have been the cornerstone of Mr. Ohlsson’s success.

Since 2017, Mr. Ohlsson has been responsible for projects requiring high levels of planning due to challenging timelines, design build requirements or unique finishes. By understanding the goals of the project and including the subcontractors in the design of the construction planning, Mr. Ohlsson creates an environment for success that allows all parties to feel a level of ownership in the projects.

Mr. Ohlsson prior work experience includes:

  • All project management responsibilities for the construction of over 30 new Sports Authority Stores nationally.
  • Managed a division of over 70 to redevelop 1000’s of multi-family units in over 20 states.
  • Conceived, developed and constructed numerous high-end multi-family projects in the Colorado Rockies.

Mr. Ohlsson responsibilities will include:

  • Collaborate with Principal on strategic planning
  • Coordinating all field superintendents, subcontractors and field work
  • Manage 3rd party contractors, including safety oversight
  • Interface and communicate with client
  • Development of project schedule
  • Managing the project team and correspondence to ensure quality control
  • Critical path project management, estimating and job costing
  • Team building and leadership

Jeffrey Okazaki, Project Superintendent/Safety Officer

Background:

Mr. Okazaki has over 30 years of experience in the construction industry and has worked extensively on interior renovation projects and breweries. He has been with The Russell Gage Corporation for 23 years. His expertise and level of knowledge allow him to properly manage all site activities, monitor compliance with the contract documents, and adapt rapidly, if necessary, to changing conditions. Mr. Okazaki is responsible for all field activities, including scheduling, coordination and management of the subcontractors’ site forces.

Mr. Okazaki also acts as a field liaison for the Owner’s representative and the AE team, working closely with all parties to keep the entire Project Team continually updated on progress.  In addition, Mr. Okazaki’s excellent relationships with clients, architects and subcontractors; communication skills and attention to detail help to ensure a successful completion.

As noted above and demonstrated in the partial project listing, Mr. Okazaki’s previous project experience includes extensive renovation work, including perimeter security projects, numerous offices and schools.  Much of this work has been constructed in or adjacent to occupied areas.  Mr. Okazaki’s proven abilities to work closely with the owner, coordinate the work efficiently, and plan accordingly aid in minimizing disruptions to ongoing activities.

Mr. Okazaki’s responsibilities will include:

  • Full time on-site supervision of subcontractors and construction
  • Schedule and coordinate all field activities and work
  • Maintain Project Schedule
  • Schedule and coordinate all testing, inspections, etc.
  • Maintain communication with Owner’s field representatives
  • Monitor and report on production
  • Oversee quality control
  • Maintain site safety; Enforce Safety Plan and all applicable rules and regulations
  • Maintain and enforce daily site cleanup
  • Track deliverables, equipment and long lead items

Kenneth Russell, Project Superintendent

Background: 

Mr. Russell has over 25 years of experience in the construction industry and has worked extensively on interior renovation projects.  He has been with The Russell Gage Corporation for 18 years.  His expertise and level of knowledge allow him to properly manage all site activities, monitor compliance with the contract documents, and adapt rapidly, if necessary, to changing conditions. Mr. Russell is responsible for all field activities, including scheduling, coordination and management of the subcontractors’ site forces.

Mr. Russell also acts as a field liaison for the Owner’s representative and the AE team, working closely with all parties to keep the entire Project Team continually updated on progress.  In addition, Mr. Russell’s excellent relationships with clients, architects and subcontractors; communication skills and attention to detail help to ensure a successful completion.

As noted above and demonstrated in the partial project listing, Mr. Russell’s previous project experience  includes extensive renovation work, including perimeter security projects, numerous offices and schools.  Much of this work has been constructed in or adjacent to occupied areas.  Mr. Russell’s proven abilities to work closely with the owner, coordinate the work efficiently, and plan accordingly aid in minimizing disruptions to ongoing activities.

Mr. Russell’s responsibilities will include:

  • Full time on-site supervision of subcontractors and construction
  • Schedule and coordinate all field activities and work
  • Maintain Project Schedule
  • Schedule and coordinate all testing, inspections, etc.
  • Maintain communication with Owner’s field representatives
  • Monitor and report on production
  • Oversee quality control
  • Maintain site safety; Enforce Safety Plan and all applicable rules and regulations
  • Maintain and enforce daily site cleanup
  • Track deliverables, equipment and long lead items

Frederick Santo, Project Superintendent

Background:

Mr. Santo has over 30 years of experience in commercial construction and construction management. He has demonstrated a high proficiency in a wide variety of types of projects ranging from TI, museums, high rise mixed use, restaurant and hospitality include hotel lobbies, ball rooms, corridor and room remodels. Mr. Santo is responsible for all field activities. Scheduling, site logistics, subcontractor coordination and support, code and safety compliance are to name a few. Mr. Santo understands that to be successful on any project he must be ready to adapt to changing conditions and be proficient in written and oral communication skills.

Mr. Santo acts as a field liaison to Owner’s representative, the AE team working closely with all stake holders. Included but not limited to architects, base building representatives and contractors and building engineers, subcontractors, city inspectors and compliance officers to ensure all projects meet a successful schedule, on budget and the highest standard of quality.

As briefly described above, the variety, scope and scale of projects Mr. Santo has performed has given him insight to creative problem solving, understanding all stake holders needs and being part of a team environment for all to succeed. His goals are to be helpful, inform the team of issues with solutions, support the field and leading by example, always sensitive too occupied spaces in the vicinity and keeping safety in the forefront above all others.

Mr. Santo’s responsibilities will include:

  • Full time on-site supervision of subcontractors and construction
  • Hold high standards for site safety
  • Schedule and coordinate all field activities and work and deliveries and lead items
  • Maintain Project Schedule
  • Schedule and coordinate all testing, inspections, etc.
  • Maintain communication with Owner’s field representatives
  • Oversee and document quality control to punch list sign off
  • Maintain an organized and orderly site including environmental properties

Miguel Benitez, Project Superintendent

Background:

Mr. Benitez has over 20 years of experience in the construction industry and has worked extensively on perimeter security projects. He has been with The Russell Gage Corporation for 14 years. His expertise and level of knowledge allow him to properly manage all site activities, monitor compliance with the contract documents and adapt rapidly, if necessary, to changing conditions.

Mr. Benitez is responsible for field activities, scheduling, coordination and management of subcontractors’ site forces.  Mr. Benitez acts as a field liaison working closely with all parties to keep the Project Team continually updated on progress.  In addition, Mr. Benitez’s excellent attention to detail helps to ensure a successful completion.

As noted above and demonstrated in the partial project listing, Mr. Benitez’s previous project experience includes extensive renovation work, including numerous government and commercial sites.  Much of this work has been constructed in or adjacent to occupied areas.  Mr. Benitez’s proven abilities aid in minimizing disruptions to ongoing activities.

Mr. Benitez’s responsibilities will include:

  • Proper scoping/coordination of subcontractors
  • Full time on-site supervision of subcontractors and construction
  • Schedule and coordinate all field activities and work
  • Schedule and coordinate testing, inspections, etc.
  • Maintain communication with Field Representatives
  • Monitor and report on production
  • Oversee quality control
  • Maintain site safety, enforce safety plan and all applicable rules and regulations

Victor Silva, Assistant Project Manager

Education

The Pennsylvania State University – BA International Relations

Background

Mr. Silva has 4 years of work experience in the field and over a year of experience in the Superintendent position. Prior to his current position, Mr. Silva has assisted in administrating a family owned and operated trucking company based out of Washington D.C while also working as a carpenter and assisting in building precast panels for warehouse style buildings. Since joining the Gage team, Victor has been managing the day to day operations at the National Museum of the United State Army project in Fort Belvoir V.A.

Mr. Silva’s ability to communicate fluently in both English and Spanish, combined with his years of field and educational experience has allowed him to effectively communicate between the management team and sub-contractors, conduct layouts, manage the Quality Control process, interact with the Client ensuring that their intent is met in the construction of various exhibits, as well as maintaining effective coordination between trades in order to meet the schedule.

Mr. Silva’s responsibilities will include:

  • Oversight of all trades working onsite
  • Attends all coordination meetings
  • Monitor job progress
  • Maintain regular contact with Project Team to ensure that project milestones are met
  • Interface and communicate with client
  • Assists in the development of project schedule
  • Working closely with Project Manager to maintain project schedule.
  • Full time on-site supervision of subcontractors and construction
  • Schedule and coordinate all field activities and work
  • Maintain Project Schedule
  • Schedule and coordinate all testing, inspections, etc.
  • Maintain communication with Owner’s field representatives
  • Monitor and report on production
  • Oversee quality control
  • Maintain site safety; Enforce Safety Plan and all applicable rules and regulations (Including AHA’s)

Milton Fuentes-Benites, Assistant Project Manager/Superintendent

Education/Military

NOVA Undergraduate Liberal Arts Degree

United States Marine Corps for 4 years as a legal clerk. I oversaw the Permanent Change of Station Department. I ended my service in 2010 as a Corporal.

Background

Mr. Fuentes-Benites has 7 years of experience in civil/commercial/residential construction, service and project management and has been with The Russell Gage Corporation for 4 years.

Mr. Fuentes-Benites plans and manages renovations, upgrades and additional construction.  He utilizes state-of-the-art knowledge of construction technologies, methodologies and installation,  oversees performance, on-site management and scheduling, quality control, material purchasing and deliver and safety inspections.  He has successfully completed projects through coordinating trades, developing partnerships, and building positive rapport with architects, engineers, local officials, vendors and clients while maintaining costs.  Mr. Fuentes-Benites’s knowledgeable in contract negotiations, project estimating, impending design problems, document preparation, building code and regulations, material purchasing, and site management.

Mr. Fuentes-Benites’s responsibilities will include:

  • Collaborate with Principal on strategic planning
  • Coordinating all subcontractors and field work
  • Manage 3rd party contractors, including safety oversight
  • Interface and communicate with client
  • Development of project schedule
  • Managing the Project team
  • Critical path project management
  • Team building and leadership
  • Estimating and job costing
  • Work closely with field superintendents to assure quality control
  • Administration of all project correspondence

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