Thomas McNicholas , MBA

Sr. Project Manager

Greater Chicago Area

About

Dynamic engineer with a successful background in project management and design. Experienced in running large-scale projects in both manufacturing and field environments. Creative problem solver focused on efficiency, cost savings and revenue management. Offers the ability to convey complex operations to non-technical personnel. A hands on engineer with the ability to quickly and efficiently address issues within mechanical systems.

Experience

  • Sr. Project Manager at Valdes Architecture & Engineering
    Sep 2025 - Present · 10 mos

  • Orbital Engineering, Inc. (Hammond, Indiana, United States · Hybrid)
    • Engineering Department Manager - Utility Infrastructure Improvements
      Jan 2025 - Nov 2025 · 11 mos

    • Program Manager - Electric Construction Coordination
      Dec 2023 - Feb 2025 · 1 yr 3 mos

      -Responsible for building, training, sustaining, and overseeing an existing team of 63 Electric Construction Services employees which directly support the construction phase of projects within Orbital’s local Utility Client’s service territories. -Team members primarily consist of on-site construction coordination personnel who work alongside construction contractors to ensure projects are completed safely, efficiently, and economically. -Team members also support project scoping, clearance planning, constructability assessment, and record keeping. -Project types include new and brownfield substation rebuilds, substation equipment replacements, circuit rebuilds, underground cable replacements, and other programmatic work.

    • Supervisor - Utility Infrastructure Improvement/Sr. Project Manager
      Apr 2022 - Feb 2025 · 2 yrs 11 mos

      - Provides engineering design support to team and manages projects to ensure client deliverable expectations are met. - Develops project packages that meet budgetary and design requirements for clients - Development of processes to support engineering functions - Manages current client relations and drives to form new customer relationships - Develops cost and manhour estimates for proposed engineering projects.

  • General Engineer/ FAC-COR II – Planning and Construction at JESSE BROWN VA MEDICAL CENTER
    Apr 2021 - Dec 2023 · 2 yrs 9 mos

    - Developed and defined project SOW and project requirements to be met by contractors - Responsible for review and approval of construction deliverables including A/E drawings, schedules, materials, infection control plans, lift plans and invoicing - Coordinated project activities with hospital staff to ensure minimal impact to patient care and hospital operations. - Oversite of multiple design and construction projects in excess of $10M - Developed independent estimates and performed market research to determine project costs

  • NIPSCO (6 yrs 8 mos)
    • Gas Control Engineer - CRM
      Oct 2019 - Dec 2023 · 4 yrs 3 mos

      - Develops, implements, and evaluates all compliance activities for NIPSCO Gas Control in order to ensure compliance with Federal and State regulatory requirements governed by PHMSA, DOT, IURC, and others as required. - Responsible for training and evaluating Gas Control personnel according to the requirements of (CRM) and Operator Qualification (OQ) regulation - Organizes, maintains, and controls all evidence and compliance documentation required by PHMSA, DOT, IURC, and SOX. Recommends possible courses of action regarding future compliance policy, and develops action plans for those affected. Reviews incidents and incorporates lessons-learned and RCA studies into training programs when applicable. - Represents NIPSCO in CRM and pipeline safety related audits, and supports the maintenance and improvement of SCADA systems and software programs used by Gas Control

    • Execution Project Manager
      May 2017 - Oct 2019 · 2 yrs 6 mos

      - Responsible for engineering overview and electric project management - Leader of project team and construction meetings - Prepare and present project materials for PHA and RCA studies for executive review - Develop project budgets and set 0-12 forecasts that drive scope, cost and schedule adherence - Project Manager of the pole replacement program, spanning the entire northern region of Indiana. Roughly 1400 wood pole replacements constructed per year with an annual budget of approximately $20 million - Project management of both internal union crews and externally contracted crews - Prepares purchase orders agreements for contractor services and procures equipment, construction services and materials - Actively participates in continuing education and workplace compliance trainings - Ensure safe workplace practices, and environmental compliance

  • Mechanical Design Engineer/Team Lead at Morrison Container Handling Solutions
    Aug 2015 - Apr 2017 · 1 yr 9 mos

    Manufacturing system component design using Inventor and CAD Team lead and designer for largest OEM customer totaling over $2 million per year Project manages an average of 10 jobs a week from engineering through manufacturing. Responsible for quality inspection prior to shipping