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Mediator Resume
Michael J. Cawlina
Current Employer-Title
The Walt Disney Company – Vice President of Construction Management
Profession
Mediator, Arbitrator, Owner, General Contractor and Construction Manager
Work History
Vice President of Construction Management, The Walt Disney Company, 2013 – Present; President, Bernards Construction Management, 2002 – 2013; Executive Director of Construction, Walt Disney Imagineering, 1998 – 2002; Senior Project Manager/Construction Manager, Lehrer McGovern Bovis, 1989 – 1992 & 1997 – 1998; Senior Project Manager/Contract Administrator/Assistant Project Manager, Perini Corporation, 1980 – 1989 & 1992 – 1997.
Experience
Over 43 years of construction experience as an owner, general contractor, construction manager, mediator and arbitrator. Experience includes large complex construction projects (building, residential, commercial, mixed - use, sports, entertainment and heavy), with specific expertise in day-to-day construction operations, dispute resolution and claim negotiations, the bid and award process, scheduling, construction defects, inefficiencies, acceleration, pricing claims, contract administration and Building Information Modeling (BIM) and Integrated Project Delivery (IPD). Experience includes overseeing construction of the Theme Park portion of The Shanghai Disneyland Resort, a $5 billion Resort and Theme Park located in Shanghai, China. The project is on approximately four square miles of property and includes over 100 facilities/attractions, over 20 kitchen/dining facilities, five theaters, two hotels, 15 rides and numerous retail and dining facilities. The project also includes major infrastructure to support the Resort including roads, metro stations and all supporting utilities. Responsible for overseeing Disney's California Adventure, a $1.4 billion project covering an area of over 60 acres, including approximately 75 buildings/facilities; completing/closing out $200 million Grand Californian Hotel and completing $100 million Downtown Disney's Retail, Dining, and Entertainment Center. Senior project manager on the $750 million Venetian Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas. The project consisted of 3000 hotel suites, casino, retail, and dining facilities. Senior project manager on $700 million, 3.1 million square feet, Ronald Reagan Office and International Cultural Trade Center Building in Washington, DC. Senior construction manager on $100 million portion of the $1.1 billion Euro-Disneyland in France. Oversaw construction and contract administration of new construction and improvements on American Embassies in 12 African countries. Thumrait, Sultanate of Oman, contract administrator and scheduler on new airbase construction for the U.S. Government and the Sultanate of Oman. Lead construction Manager on the $200 million renovation and new construction of the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, Ca. Construction Manager on over 20 education facilities including University of California, High Schools and Primary as well as a $225 million mixed-use project.
Mediator Experience
Served as a mediator in approximately 160 cases of which 60 were construction cases: 35 between owners and contractors and 25 between contractors and subcontractors. The amount of disputes mediated range from $10,000.00 to $10,000,000.00.
Representative Issues Handled as a Mediator
Types of disputes mediated include: breach of contract; scope of work disputes between owners and contractors/subcontractors; defective or non compliant work; failure to perform in accordance with approved schedules; over inspection; failure to timely grant time extensions; inefficiency claims; failure to provide timely information; wrongful termination; constructive change; and quantitative evaluations. Disputes range from $10,000.00 to $10,000,000.00.
Mediator Style & Process Preferences
I initially adopt a facilitative approach to define the issues, guide the process from opening positions to mutual interests. I explore all creative problem solving options. I offer evaluative approaches when the parties wish to draw upon my expertise or when appropriate for overcoming an impasse.
Education
American International College (BS, Business Administration-1978); Stanford University (Virtual Design & Construction Certificate Program)
Professional Associations
Locations Where Parties Will Not be Charged for Travel Expenses
Los Angeles, California
Compensation
Hourly Rate: $475.00
Daily Rate: Not provided
Study Rate: $475.00/hr
Cancellation: $3,800.00/Day
Cancellation Period: 5 Days
Comment: Cancellation fee: if less than five (5) business days’ notice, charges full amount.
Study time requested on all cases, with amount of time dependent on complexity.
Expenses at cost.
Languages
English
Citizenship
United States of America
Locale
Anaheim, California
