Ed Lurz, CCM, LEED® AP

Title: Project Manager

As a graduate of Baltimore Polytechnic Institute, it should have been obvious that Ed would pursue a career in engineering or construction. However, as a senior, Ed was still uncertain about what he wanted to do in life. He met with his guidance counselor to discuss his options and get some needed advice. As Ed explains it, his counselor flipped through a Rolodex on his desk to see what companies were hiring. After reviewing a few, Ed pursued an interview with Henry A. Knott Inc. for a position as assistant purchasing agent.

As fate would have it, Ed landed the job as assistant purchasing agent and quickly went to work learning the different types of construction materials that he needed to order for his new employer. Ed admits that he didn't know much at the time about what he was ordering, but Henry Knott recognized his potential. The company put Ed in the field for some onsite training. He was tasked with “observing” a construction project and making note of the materials used. Being the hands-on and actively involved Project Manager that Ed is today, he opted to do more than just “observe.” He quickly became involved with some of the day-to-day activities and pitched in as an extra laborer and even swept slabs.

As Ed's knowledge base grew, so did his career. He eventually came back into the office and held positions in estimating and purchasing before becoming a Project Manager in the firm's industrial and commercial division. Some of his most memorable projects during his 36-year career include Phillips Restaurant at Baltimore Harborplace, the White Marsh IKEA, and the Amtrak passenger bridge at the BWI station. Phillips signed a lease late in the game with the Rouse Company but still needed to be part of the grand opening for Harborplace. Ed and his team were able to fast track the project under a times and materials contract that was over $1 million over thirty years ago.

The IKEA project was memorable for Ed since he completed approximately 75% of the project as a PM with Edgar Knauff, Inc. before being recruited to work with Calvert General Contractors. Since Calvert was performing the 6A carpentry work on the project, he found himself back at the progress meetings less than two weeks later…just on the other side of the table. The Amtrak project was unique in that the bridge was built on heavy timber bents alongside the tracks, then erected into position in the early morning hours to allow the corridor to be shut down for about four hours. Ed recalls breathing a sigh of relief when the anchor bolts on the support towers and the base plates on the bridge aligned perfectly.

Ed continued to further his career and expertise with other construction firms before coming to Oak Contracting in 1994. And last year, Ed became one of only 73 certified construction managers (CCM) in Maryland. According to the CMAA registry, there are only 884 CCMs registered nationwide. The many clients and professional service firms whose employees are becoming certified has increased over the past few years. Its growth has been driven by the recognition of value that CCMs are adding to capital projects where solid up-front input is delivered and solid measurable outcomes are achieved.

Construction is but one phase of a five phase process. Owners and buyers for construction projects realize that many of the complexities involved in developing programs and projects extend across phases. These phases are Pre-Design, Design, Procurement, Construction, and Post-Construction. With Ed's progressive experience in the construction industry, he possesses the ability to see the “big picture” and provide value informed decisions throughout the entire project process.

Outside of work, Ed enjoys spending time with his family. Ed and his wife, Chris, of 36 years have two children. Angie is 30 and a national park service ranger for Gettysburg National Military Park. Matthew is 27 and a sales associate for Tweeter in York. Ed also enjoys riding his Harley and camping. And, while he's held many titles in construction during his career, he's most proud of his recent title “Grand Dad.”

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