John Backman, Architect
Sr. On-Site Architect, Embassy of the United States, New Delhi at WEISS/MANFREDI Architecture/Landscape/Urbanism- Claim this Profile
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Spanish Native or bilingual proficiency
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English Native or bilingual proficiency
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German Limited working proficiency
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Bio
Craig Steele, AIA PMP Assoc. DBIA LEED WELL AP
It is with much enthusiasm that I offer my unreserved recommendation of John Backman. I had the pleasure of working with John for four years on the Owner’s Team managing the design and construction of The New Norton, a celebrated $110 million museum expansion renovation in West Palm Beach, Florida designed by Foster + Partners. As Project Director, John was responsible for the successful delivery of multiple phases of the project through leading the entire project team and managing a diverse group of stakeholders. John is thoughtful, versatile, and articulate professional whose leadership, strategic thinking, and focus earned him respect across the spectrum of project stakeholders. The diversity of stakeholders required superior communication skills to overcome many project challenges. John’s value in leading the project team was one of the primary factors in the success of the complex project. I would welcome the opportunity to work with John again and strongly recommend him for design and construction-related management and leadership positions. John would be an asset to any organization in need of an extraordinarily effective leader.
Scott Benarde
As the Director of Communications at the Norton Museum of Art, I worked closely with John, often asking him to speak to the media -- print, radio, and TV -- to explain various aspects of the Norton's $100 million, Foster + Partners-designed expansion project. Always articulate, always clear, not to mention he looks dashing on TV and sounds great on radio, John was one of my not-so-secret weapons when promoting the project and its progress. He was/is the same way when dealing with contractors and trustees -- always prepared, cool, calm, collected, and diplomatic while making sure tasks were accomplished on time and on budget. He's a problem solver, not one to panic or cast blame. And he loves what he does! I am proud to be working with him on this project.
Craig Steele, AIA PMP Assoc. DBIA LEED WELL AP
It is with much enthusiasm that I offer my unreserved recommendation of John Backman. I had the pleasure of working with John for four years on the Owner’s Team managing the design and construction of The New Norton, a celebrated $110 million museum expansion renovation in West Palm Beach, Florida designed by Foster + Partners. As Project Director, John was responsible for the successful delivery of multiple phases of the project through leading the entire project team and managing a diverse group of stakeholders. John is thoughtful, versatile, and articulate professional whose leadership, strategic thinking, and focus earned him respect across the spectrum of project stakeholders. The diversity of stakeholders required superior communication skills to overcome many project challenges. John’s value in leading the project team was one of the primary factors in the success of the complex project. I would welcome the opportunity to work with John again and strongly recommend him for design and construction-related management and leadership positions. John would be an asset to any organization in need of an extraordinarily effective leader.
Scott Benarde
As the Director of Communications at the Norton Museum of Art, I worked closely with John, often asking him to speak to the media -- print, radio, and TV -- to explain various aspects of the Norton's $100 million, Foster + Partners-designed expansion project. Always articulate, always clear, not to mention he looks dashing on TV and sounds great on radio, John was one of my not-so-secret weapons when promoting the project and its progress. He was/is the same way when dealing with contractors and trustees -- always prepared, cool, calm, collected, and diplomatic while making sure tasks were accomplished on time and on budget. He's a problem solver, not one to panic or cast blame. And he loves what he does! I am proud to be working with him on this project.
Craig Steele, AIA PMP Assoc. DBIA LEED WELL AP
It is with much enthusiasm that I offer my unreserved recommendation of John Backman. I had the pleasure of working with John for four years on the Owner’s Team managing the design and construction of The New Norton, a celebrated $110 million museum expansion renovation in West Palm Beach, Florida designed by Foster + Partners. As Project Director, John was responsible for the successful delivery of multiple phases of the project through leading the entire project team and managing a diverse group of stakeholders. John is thoughtful, versatile, and articulate professional whose leadership, strategic thinking, and focus earned him respect across the spectrum of project stakeholders. The diversity of stakeholders required superior communication skills to overcome many project challenges. John’s value in leading the project team was one of the primary factors in the success of the complex project. I would welcome the opportunity to work with John again and strongly recommend him for design and construction-related management and leadership positions. John would be an asset to any organization in need of an extraordinarily effective leader.
Scott Benarde
As the Director of Communications at the Norton Museum of Art, I worked closely with John, often asking him to speak to the media -- print, radio, and TV -- to explain various aspects of the Norton's $100 million, Foster + Partners-designed expansion project. Always articulate, always clear, not to mention he looks dashing on TV and sounds great on radio, John was one of my not-so-secret weapons when promoting the project and its progress. He was/is the same way when dealing with contractors and trustees -- always prepared, cool, calm, collected, and diplomatic while making sure tasks were accomplished on time and on budget. He's a problem solver, not one to panic or cast blame. And he loves what he does! I am proud to be working with him on this project.
Craig Steele, AIA PMP Assoc. DBIA LEED WELL AP
It is with much enthusiasm that I offer my unreserved recommendation of John Backman. I had the pleasure of working with John for four years on the Owner’s Team managing the design and construction of The New Norton, a celebrated $110 million museum expansion renovation in West Palm Beach, Florida designed by Foster + Partners. As Project Director, John was responsible for the successful delivery of multiple phases of the project through leading the entire project team and managing a diverse group of stakeholders. John is thoughtful, versatile, and articulate professional whose leadership, strategic thinking, and focus earned him respect across the spectrum of project stakeholders. The diversity of stakeholders required superior communication skills to overcome many project challenges. John’s value in leading the project team was one of the primary factors in the success of the complex project. I would welcome the opportunity to work with John again and strongly recommend him for design and construction-related management and leadership positions. John would be an asset to any organization in need of an extraordinarily effective leader.
Scott Benarde
As the Director of Communications at the Norton Museum of Art, I worked closely with John, often asking him to speak to the media -- print, radio, and TV -- to explain various aspects of the Norton's $100 million, Foster + Partners-designed expansion project. Always articulate, always clear, not to mention he looks dashing on TV and sounds great on radio, John was one of my not-so-secret weapons when promoting the project and its progress. He was/is the same way when dealing with contractors and trustees -- always prepared, cool, calm, collected, and diplomatic while making sure tasks were accomplished on time and on budget. He's a problem solver, not one to panic or cast blame. And he loves what he does! I am proud to be working with him on this project.
Credentials
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Construction Management: Project Delivery Methods
LinkedInApr, 2018- Nov, 2024
Experience
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WEISS/MANFREDI Architecture/Landscape/Urbanism
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United States
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Architecture and Planning
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1 - 100 Employee
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Sr. On-Site Architect, Embassy of the United States, New Delhi
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Dec 2019 - Present
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Norton Museum of Art
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United States
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Museums, Historical Sites, and Zoos
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1 - 100 Employee
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Project Director / Owner's Representative - The New Norton
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May 2015 - May 2019
As Project Director for the Norton Museum of Art, I delivered the $110 million expansion and renovation project designed by Norman Foster on schedule and on budget. I was instrumental in the selection of the construction manager, design consultants and vendors; I negotiated construction contracts and authored protocols and procedures governing the management of the job.My responsibilities to the Norton include:• Reporting directly to Museum Director, Building Committee and Board of Trustees• Assembling and managing four-person in-house Project Management Team• Selection and contract negotiation of consultants and vendors, including CM.• Representing the Institution at construction meetings and governmental hearings• Management of the land use approval process• Management of cost and value engineering process• Management of quality assurance procedures• Consultant and vendor contract administration• Estimating and controlling approximately $24MM in “soft” costs• Internal and external stakeholder management
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CBT Architects
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United States
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Architecture and Planning
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100 - 200 Employee
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Sr Project Manager / Sr Project Architect
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Dec 2011 - May 2015
Senior Project Architect – Peabody Essex Museum Expansion, Salem, MA (Rick Mather Architects, London, UK, Design Architect)The Peabody Essex Museum Expansion is a 170,000 square foot addition consisting of new construction and renovations to existing structures built between 1880 and 2002. My responsibilities included: • Management of a team of 12 architects • Internal and External Communications Management• Development and control of delivery schedules • Quality control over the architectural deliverabless. • Management of change and value engineering process• Setting agenda, leading and recording weekly meetings with design architect, owner and contractor• Details and proposed a fabrication and installation methodology for unique custom assemblies and installations.
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mHS CITY LAB
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India
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Non-profit Organizations
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1 - 100 Employee
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Senior Team Lead
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Feb 2011 - Nov 2011
I lead a mission-driven, multidisciplinary team commissioned by a local NGO to study and offer a design solution aimed at providing quality housing and tenure for 8,000 households clustered in Sundernagri, an informal settlement in northeast Delhi. I lead a mission-driven, multidisciplinary team commissioned by a local NGO to study and offer a design solution aimed at providing quality housing and tenure for 8,000 households clustered in Sundernagri, an informal settlement in northeast Delhi.
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Peter Rose + Partners
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United States
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Architecture and Planning
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1 - 100 Employee
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Project Manager in Charge of Systems Integration
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Apr 2010 - Feb 2011
Project Manager with focus on Building Systems and Delivery Process for Bishop's University Health and Sports Center and Campus Master Plan. Working in collaboration with the landscape architecture firm of Michael van Valkenburgh (Cambridge) and building climate engineering firm Tanssolar (Stuttgart,) the Health and Sports Center is designed to be the first of several buildings contributing to a carbon-neutral campus master plan. Project Manager with focus on Building Systems and Delivery Process for Bishop's University Health and Sports Center and Campus Master Plan. Working in collaboration with the landscape architecture firm of Michael van Valkenburgh (Cambridge) and building climate engineering firm Tanssolar (Stuttgart,) the Health and Sports Center is designed to be the first of several buildings contributing to a carbon-neutral campus master plan.
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RIZVI Architects
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United States
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Architecture and Planning
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1 - 100 Employee
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Project Architect - Facade Systems
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Sep 2009 - Apr 2010
Completed detailing and bid documents for facade systems and interior assemblies for therenovation and expansion of Logan Airport Terminal C (a Massachusetts Filed Sub-Bid procurement process.) Completed detailing and bid documents for facade systems and interior assemblies for therenovation and expansion of Logan Airport Terminal C (a Massachusetts Filed Sub-Bid procurement process.)
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CBT Architects
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United States
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Architecture and Planning
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100 - 200 Employee
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Sr Project Manager / Sr Project Architect
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Jul 2005 - Apr 2009
Sr. Project Architect -Art of The Americas Wing, MFA-BostonFoster+Partners, London UK -Design ArchitectsThe Art of the Americas Wing is a 250,000 square foot addition consisting of new construction and renovations to existing 1914-era Beaux Arts structure. My responsibilities included: • Management of a team of over 20 architects • Internal and External Communications Management• Development and control of delivery schedules • Quality control over the 280-sheet set of architectural drawings. • Management of change and value engineering process• Participation in weekly meetings with design architect, owner and contractor• Details and proposed a fabrication and installation methodology for unique custom assemblies and installations. * * * *Senior Project Manager on TransNational Place, Boston(Jamie Carpenter Design Associates, associate architect)TransNational Place is a 2.2m square foot 80-story sustainable, landmark office tower located within the heart of Boston's Central business District.
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Education
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1983 - 1986
Rhode Island School of Design
B Arch, BFA, Architecture -
2017 - 2017
Florida Atlantic University - College of Business
Executive Certificate in Project Management, Business, Project Management
Community
