James M. La Cugna
Sneads Ferry
Summary
Accomplished employee with a proven track record, adept in strategic project development and client relationship management. Excelled in quality control and financial administration, achieving significant milestones and securing contracts in untapped markets. Results-driven professional in project management, known for high productivity and efficient task completion. Skilled in strategic planning, risk management, and stakeholder communication. Excel at leadership, time management, and adaptability, ensuring projects meet objectives seamlessly.
Overview
17
17
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Senior Project Manager /Project Director
Smartlink, LLC
Annapolis
05.2018 - 02.2025
- Remote worker (NC)
- Managed over $10 million in purchase orders.
- Managed a team exceeding 20 personnel in site development, program management, construction oversight, and coordination.
- Oversaw budgets for project, tracked expenses, and timelines and communicated with key stakeholders on milestones.
- Maximized profitability by securing full contract value for revenue-focused outcomes.
- Negotiated pricing agreements with clients, subcontractors, vendors, and strategic partners.
- Defined project plans, evaluated available resources and established timelines.
- Assisted in negotiating and finalizing new and ongoing contractual agreements.
- Directed various initiatives across multiple states within the continental U.S., emphasizing broad regional execution.
- Defined project plans, evaluated available resources and established timelines.
- Ensured team alignment with organizational guidelines and objectives.
- Managed customer interface and team support on all site development and construction projects.
- Ensured compliance with quality protocols to achieve and surpass expected outcomes.
- Fostered opportunities for future projects through superior service delivery.
- Ensured task completion through careful oversight of schedules, financial resources and project deliverables.
- Evaluated resource needs and assigned staff accordingly.
- Resolved complex problems to maintain seamless project progress.
Sr. Project Manager
AMP Communications, LLC
Oakland
01.2016 - 05.2018
- Based out of the Oakland, NJ office.
- Worked to ensure pipeline establishment for customer build plans.
- Recognized as the vendor with the highest number of modified project sites.
- Expanded company footprint by securing contracts in two previously untapped markets.
- Collaborated with staff to exceed external customer goals and internal targets.
- Facilitated successful completion of tasks by coordinating efforts among internal and external resources.
- Partnered with architecture and engineering teams to enhance efficiency in deliverables.
- Established connections with key contacts within customers and vendors.
- Successfully launched over 800 site modifications, including putting several new site builds on air.
- I mentored a couple of our site acquisitions on how to expedite the process and ensure customer satisfaction.
- Delivered team updates and information to customers during status meetings and conference calls.
- Directed budget management for both capital and expenses in accordance with company goals.
- Maintain labor efficiency and cost-effectiveness to boost revenue.
Program Manager
Smartlink, LLC
Annapolis
05.2013 - 01.2016
- Based out of the Parsippany, NJ office.
- Elevated to Program Manager position at Smartlink following two years as Project Manager.
- Expanded market to encompass 7 diverse AT&T projects, managing over 400 sites.
- Reduced labor costs while boosting budget allocations across multiple projects.
- Expanded team from three to over 25 employees across two markets.
- Earned high-profile assignments from AT&T by achieving quick market victories.
- Directed operations across multiple AT&T markets.
- Managed multiple efficient budgets, ensuring fiscal spread.
- Collaborated with leadership to identify and implement process optimizations for enhanced efficiency.
- Partnered with A&E firms to accelerate project turnaround times.
- Successfully launched over 150 sites, including several NSB sites, while at Smartlink.
- Secured favorable A&E pricing for LTE initiative.
- Educated Project Manager on cost management for effective T-Mobile project execution.
Project Manager
Smartlink, LLC
Annapolis
05.2013 - 05.2015
- Based out of the Parsippany, NJ office.
- Promoted from Real Estate Manager to Project Manager within three months of service.
- Formed a team and initiated the NYC/NNJ market for Smartlink.
- Selected for AT&T's top-priority project, Cablevision.
- Facilitated effective collaboration among team members to drive outcomes.
- Support in achieving client-set forecast objectives.
- Thrived under challenging and rapid conditions.
- Showcased ability to solve complex issues.
Site Acquisition Manager
Contractor for Alcatel-Lucent
Murray Hill
06.2012 - 05.2013
- Contributed to the execution of Sprint Network Vision and AAV initiatives.
- Offered consistent mentorship and skill enhancement to staff.
- Ensured defined deliverables were met through effective supervision of consultants and subcontractors.
- Reviewed and approved a range of reports, correspondence, and email communications.
- Facilitates communication of tasks with various teams and departments as necessary.
- Monitors contractor operations to ensure consistency in surpassing established periodic objectives.
- Streamlined communication with tower companies to accelerate site modification processes.
- Delivered successful project outcomes by adhering to timelines and targets.
- Consistently achieved project deadlines under tight schedules.
Site Development
Nexlink f/k/a BCI Communications, Inc
Fair Lawn
01.2011 - 06.2012
- Based out of the Fair Lawn, NJ office.
- Delivered outstanding client support while maintaining strict integrity.
- Led, mentored, and developed teams on assigned projects and programs.
- Examined and processed approvals on contractor invoice submissions.
- Reviewed and approved reports, forms, and financial documents.
- Review zoning drawings for compliance before submission.
- Participated in zoning hearings to review and discuss development proposals.
- Negotiates lease entitlements aligned with project requirements for streamlined execution.
- Managed processes to complete and gain acceptance of land use entitlement submissions.
- Executed various initiatives involving different carriers and tower proprietors.
- Secured numerous leasing agreements across NY/NJ regions.
- Secured necessary approvals for hundreds of sites in New York City.
- Completed decommissioning of over 100 sites across New England to Baltimore/Washington DC in 6 months.
- Collaborated on the PSE&G Emergency project to identify solutions for aging site decommissioning.
- Oversaw decommissioning of existing Sprint PSE&G sites.
Site Acquisition Specialist
BCI Communications, Inc
Saddle Brook
10.2007 - 01.2011
- Based out of the Saddle Brook, NJ office.
- Successfully managed acquisition efforts for modification sites.
- Secured favorable terms in lease discussions.
- Assessed leasing possibilities and zoning compliance.
- Updated daily tracker with achieved milestones promptly and accurately.
- Handled the application process for zoning and building permits.
- Secured multiple zoning site authorizations.
- Identified promising wireless site locations aligned with search rings from T-Mobile and Sprint RF Engineering.
Skills
- Client liaison
- Quality control
- Project plan development
- Project goals and milestones
- Client relations
- Cross-functional coordination
- Strategic Project Development
- Financial administration
- Multi-project management
- Client relationship management
Certification
- OSHA 30 certified
References
References available upon request.
Timeline
Senior Project Manager /Project Director
Smartlink, LLC
05.2018 - 02.2025
Sr. Project Manager
AMP Communications, LLC
01.2016 - 05.2018
Program Manager
Smartlink, LLC
05.2013 - 01.2016
Project Manager
Smartlink, LLC
05.2013 - 05.2015
Site Acquisition Manager
Contractor for Alcatel-Lucent
06.2012 - 05.2013
Site Development
Nexlink f/k/a BCI Communications, Inc
01.2011 - 06.2012
Site Acquisition Specialist
BCI Communications, Inc
10.2007 - 01.2011
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