Brooklyn, NY
Armand Corporation is the Prime Construction Manager at Risk for
multiple modernization projects at Brooklyn Army Terminal, aiming to
create jobs and support artists and manufacturing businesses in New York City by
providing modern facilities for light industrial and manufacturing tenants.
In the Annex Building, Armand coordinated Space Allocation and Gas
Service Activation for NYCEDC’s leasing. Phase 1 included general
construction, electrical, lighting, and fire alarm systems. Phase 2 involved
interior gas plumbing, gas service equipment, and sprinklers on all floors,
completing the gas service activation.
Armand is also managing the Façade Inspection Safety Program (FISP) at
BAT, identifying necessary repairs and ongoing maintenance. Visual and
digital surveys have been conducted, and drawings are being prepared
for remedial work. The on-site daycare center’s existing playground area
required complete demolition in order to install new code-compliant
equipment, including playground surfacing and padded buffers on the
building’s sides. Emphasis on the project was to increase the overall play
area to accommodate more children, as well as the general safety.
In order to modernize and upgrade lobby restrooms at Building B,
Armand procured and managed the demolition of mens’ and womens’
restrooms and the existing janitor’s closet. New larger, ADA-compliant
restrooms are being constructed to improve electrical, plumbing, and
HVAC systems and include automatic facility accessories.
Through preconstruction, Armand works with the project owner to
develop the scope of work, preparing preliminary and construction
schedules and cost estimates, and providing value engineering services.
In addition, Armand oversees the design teams and reviews progress of
design development, acting as liaison between the Agency and design
team.
Armand manages the bid process for all trades and services required,
including A/E design, plumbing, mechanical, electrical, demolition, and
general construction. Additionally, Armand assumes responsibility for
the work performed by holding contracts with each subcontractor.
Procurement services also include conducting pre-proposal meetings
and site walk-throughs, RFI responses, bid opening and evaluation of
proposals, conducting interviews, and awarding contracts.
During the construction phase, Armand provides daily coordination with
contractors and subcontractors, managing field staff and scheduling,
and overseeing daily progress and plans of action with the field team.
Additional duties include weekly progress meetings, response to
construction RFIs, and managing submittals and documentation.
Armand has provided oversight of the following projects to date:
New York City Economic
Development Corporation
$15 million
Shamsell Abdill brings over 20 years of experience in the construction industry to her role as Vice President at Armand Corporation. She oversees the company’s building and infrastructure programs, serving as Project Executive, and is renowned for her expertise in contract administration, project management, problem resolution, and M/WBE compliance. Her career highlights include contributing to the rebuilding of the World Trade Center as part of the Procurement and Change Order Management Team, where she gained extensive experience in procurement and negotiation. Shamsell leverages her comprehensive industry knowledge to build strong professional relationships with agencies and utility companies, minimizing impacts on construction schedules. Her diverse project portfolio spans corporate, correctional, healthcare, educational, and landmark building restorations, as well as masonry renovations. She is adept in various project delivery methods, including construction manager as agent, construction manager at risk, design-bid-build, and design-build, making her an invaluable leader in delivering successful projects for Armand Corporation.
Robert “Bob” Mello is a seasoned construction professional with over 35 years of experience managing both new construction and renovation projects. As Associate Vice President of Pre-Construction at Armand Corporation, Bob specializes in overseeing planning and construction-related services for public and private clients.
A licensed Professional Engineer in New York State, Bob’s extensive expertise includes managing projects across urban environments and on-call contracts. His skill set encompasses facility planning, property condition assessments, constructability reviews, quality control and compliance, energy efficiency initiatives, and scope and schedule reviews.
Bob’s comprehensive approach ensures effective construction management from initial phases through project close-out, making him an invaluable leader in delivering successful outcomes for Armand’s clients.
CariAnn Palmese is a senior program manager with nearly 20 years of experience delivering program management and administrative support for large, complex, multi-million-dollar projects. Her expertise includes developing and implementing policies and procedures to ensure the successful execution of challenging initiatives.
A highlight of CariAnn’s career was guiding the Nassau County Department of Public Works in managing community reconstruction projects under a $36 million CDBG-DR capital program. Currently, she works alongside Armand’s team to provide construction management services for disaster recovery capital programs, showcasing her dedication to driving successful outcomes in high-stakes environments.
Jerome Wright is a seasoned financial analyst with nearly 20 years of accounting experience across diverse industries. As Associate Vice President of Operations at Armand Corporation, Jerome excels in managing and tracking vendor invoices, ensuring timely processing using project-specific templates, and providing hands-on assistance to vendors with invoice submissions.
Jerome’s expertise includes preparing detailed invoice summary reports for Program Manager approvals and collaborating with Program Managers to resolve billing discrepancies. He has a proven ability to reconcile financial data, comparing and correcting invoice details while working closely with project management and accounting teams to address invoicing issues.His commitment to precision and collaboration makes him an integral part of the operations team.
At Armand Corporation, We are committed to maintaining a secure and transparent hiring process. Please be aware of potential job scams that misuse our name to solicit sensitive or personal information. We do not request Social Security numbers, bank account details, or payment of any kind during the initial stages of the hiring process. Additionally, we never offer employment without a formal interview process. All applicants are required to participate in one or more interviews before any job offer is extended. While we may request verification of education, certifications, or licenses during the later stages of the hiring process.
If you receive suspicious communication claiming to be from Armand Corporation or are uncertain about the legitimacy of a job offer, please contact us directly at careers@armandcorp.com for confirmation. Protecting your privacy and ensuring a fair and professional hiring experience is our top priority.
Executive Vice President & Chief Operating Officer Phillip Grant is responsible for overseeing the company’s daily operations and driving the execution of strategic initiatives. He manages key relationships with stakeholders, including boards, owners, consultants, and contractors. Phillip is also responsible for negotiating contracts, resolving budget and schedule challenges, and integrating innovative technologies. He has over 20 years of extensive expertise in economic development, engineering, and public infrastructure. Phillip has successfully managed multi-billion dollar capital construction programs, focusing on sustainability, compliance, and efficiency. He is a licensed Professional Engineer in New York, a Certified Construction Manager and holds a BS in engineering from Fairleigh Dickinson University and an MBA from Mercy University. He is also a member of the Construction Management Association of America, National Society of Professional Engineers, and the American Society of Civil Engineers.
