Meet Bob Winkels, Project Manager for the construction of St. Katharine Drexel Parish’s Worship and Education Centers.
If you ask Bob what a Project Manager does, he’ll tell you that he is the “owner’s representative”. He and his son Ross help us, the owners, become knowledgeable about design and construction issues. They help us know what questions to ask and have guided us through thousands of decisions for our project so far. Bob also says he “deals on our behalf” with the contractors and designers. It would be almost impossible for a committee to be available 24/7 like he is. He’s our “go-to guy” that RDG/Architecture Inc. and Fiegen Construction go to with any kind of question or request for us, the owners.
But not only is Bob the owner’s representative with regard to design and construction issues, he’s also our “big brother” when it comes to making sure we stay within our budget and are getting the best deal for the money we’re spending. It seems that Bob is everywhere at once, keeping an eye on every detail and penny that is spent; and with the tight budget we’re operating on, every penny is important!
If you ask members of the Steering Committee to describe Bob, the responses are colorfully positive. Without a second of hesitation, Darwin Wolf, Worship Committee Chair, responds, “The guy can keep a hundred plates spinning at one time and not tick anyone off!” How true. Bob possesses amazing interpersonal skills. Not only can he keep hundreds of details of our project and building codes and past projects neatly organized and on the tip of his tongue, he also has a wonderful sense of maturity and fairness and authenticity that inspires confidence and security in those he deals with. Mike Runge, Site Committee Chair adds, “Bob understands how a committee functions and he knows when to let a committee make a decision and how to lead a group to the correct conclusion without stepping on any toes.” It is evident that Bob is very wise and capable when dealing with people.
Dudley Deffenbaugh, Construction Committee Chair, adds, “With Bob’s experience in the process of hiring the architect and general contractor, and his experience with the actual construction process, a great sense of trust and comfort has developed in our relationship with him.” Mike Runge agrees, “Bob Winkels has a great grasp of not only his profession, but of the construction industry in its entirety. It is very rare in my business to come across an architect who not only knows how a building looks and feels and how it goes together but also understands all of the other trades as well. That is what makes Bob such a great Project Manager.”
It’s been a real pleasure working with Bob Winkels and his son Ross for the past two years. We thank God for his incredible gifts and talents and look forward to working with him through the duration of this grand project.
