Garaga profile photo

Garaga

Lead Project Manager at Swinerton

PreconstructionValue EngineeringJira & Primavera P6SQL Data RetrievalContract Risk MitigationAgile Methodologies
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About

I'm Garaga, currently serving as the Lead Project Manager at Swinerton. My career has been a journey through the complexities of infrastructure and high-tech manufacturing, including a significant tenure at Tesla where I managed technical programs and large-scale permitting. I hold a Master’s in Civil Engineering from NYU, which grounded my technical expertise in construction and value engineering. I am deeply passionate about process optimization—specifically how we can use data and refined workflows to build the 'machine that builds the machine.' Whether it's scaling a $10M general contractor group or leveraging SQL to streamline project tracking, I focus on driving efficiency and maintaining the strong relationships that make job profitability possible. I’m always looking to connect with skilled talent, trade partners, and anyone enthusiastic about the competitive construction landscape in California.

Networking

What I can offer

  • ›Expertise in high-tech manufacturing infrastructure
  • ›Guidance on navigating AHJ permits and public owner negotiations
  • ›Strategic pricing and market entry advice

Looking for

  • ›Skilled workers looking to join top-tier contractors
  • ›Trade partners and public owners for project execution
  • ›Professional mentorship and strategic partnerships

Best fit for

Construction professionalsTrade partnersPublic ownersTech-focused project managers

Current Interests

ENR rankings and California contractor landscapeTesla production and EV growthProcess optimizationData analytics in project management

Background

Career

Began as a Co-Founder in the food industry and a graduate assistant at NYU before moving into technical project management at Tesla, eventually transitioning to a leadership role in construction at Swinerton.

Education

Master of Science in Civil Engineering from New York University (2020 – 2022); Bachelor of Engineering in Civil Engineering from Dayananda Sagar Institutions (2015 – 2019).

Achievements

  • ›Built and scaled a prime General Contractor group at Swinerton managing $10M in work.
  • ›Closed 200+ city/AHJ permits with zero punch list items at Tesla.
  • ›Achieved 40% customer base expansion for Padmaja Foods.
  • ›Developed a SaaS product for online orders resulting in a 50% increase in orders.

Opinions

  • Maintaining strong internal and external relationships is key to balancing cost recovery and job profitability.
  • Continuous improvement and adapting workflows are necessary to navigate large-scale project challenges.