Mahdi Beheshti

More than 20 years of experience in various areas of construction and project management, engineering, and operations. Managed and led various capital and strategic projects that involved various stakeholders, unions, and organizations both public and private. Expert in project planning & controls, cost estimating, and cost control. Well versed in contract management, claims preparation, analysis & negotiation, and change management.

Project Controls Manager/Consultant at Woodfibre – Fortis Eagle Mountain Pipeline Project (2023-01 – Present)

Woodfibre – Eagle Mountain Pipeline Project ($1.5B)

Project Controls Manager at Argonaut Gold (2021-01 – 2023-12)

Magino Gold Mine (~$1B)

Senior Consultant at McLean & Armstrong LLP (2021-01 – 2023-12)

Provided consultation on a major construction claim worth ~$50M related to T&D capital projects. Assessed and evaluated claims & contracts and provided consultations on their merits and accuracy. Reviewed and assessed contracts and associated documentation.

Project Director at VOLTAGE POWER (2019-01 – 2021-12)

Managed capital projects including Manitoba to Minnesota Transmission Line Project (~$130M) and Peace Region Electrification System Project ($40M).

Senior Project Manager at Valard Group of Companies (2017-01 – 2019-12)

Implementation of JD Edwards Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system for Valard Group of Companies, reporting directly to the CEO and steering committee.

Senior Project Manager at BC Hydro (2015-01 – 2017-12)

Northwest Transmission Line Additional Scope & Claims, Legal Survey and Closeout, 287 kV (~$40M)

Project Manager at BC Hydro (2014-01 – 2016-12)

Dawson Creek/Chetwynd Area Transmission Line, 230 kV, Transmission (~$55M)

Assistant Project Director & Project Controls Manager at BC Hydro (2011-01 – 2014-12)

Northwest Transmission Line, 287 kV, Transmission (~$340M)

Assistant Project Manager & Project Controls Manager at BC Hydro (2011-01 – 2013-12)

Valard & Tahltan Nation (TNDC) JV Right-of-Way Contract ($35M)

Project Controls Manager at Shell Canada (2013-01 – 2015-12)

Ground Birch Electrification, 230 kV, Transmission & Substation (~$30M)

Project Controls Manager at AltaGas (2012-01 – 2014-12)

Forrest Kerr 287 kV Transmission Line, 287 kV, Transmission (~$15M)

Project Controls Consultant at Terrane Metals Corp. (2011-01 – 2012-12)

Mt. Milligan 230 kV Transmission & Distribution Line Construction (~$30M)

PROJECT CONTROLS MANAGER at VALARD CONSTRUCTION (2011-01 – 2019-12)

• Establish and manage the project budget, aligning it with the project scope and schedule
• Monitor actual costs against budget, forecasting potential overruns or savings
• Evaluate change orders and ensure they align with the project budget and goals, including managing contingency funds and ensuring proper documentation for cost changes
• Work with the project team to develop a detailed and realistic schedule, including defining work breakdown structures (WBS), milestones, and critical path
• Track progress against the schedule, flag delays, and update forecasts
• Identify potential risks (cost, schedule, quality, and safety), assess their potential impacts, and quantify them where possible
• Develop risk mitigation strategies and monitor the effectiveness of these plans, updating them as necessary
• Provide regular risk reports and ensure risk information is integrated into cost and schedule forecasts
• Set up and oversee an EVM system that allows tracking of planned vs. actual progress
• Monitor Schedule Performance Index (SPI) and Cost Performance Index (CPI), analyzing variances and proposing corrective actions where needed
• Work with contractors to ensure accurate reporting of physical progress
• Generate regular reports for stakeholders, including financial performance, schedule adherence, and risk status
• Develop and manage project dashboards to provide an overview of key metrics
• Maintain thorough documentation of all project controls processes and decisions, ensuring transparency and accountability
• Provide project status updates and facilitate communication between project team members, contractors, and other stakeholders
• Provide data-driven insights to support decision-making, ensuring decisions are aligned with project objectives

PROJECT CONTROLS MANAGER at VALARD CONSTRUCTION (2011-01 – 2019-12)

• Implement strategies, project systems, tools, processes, and events to build the integrated team, then measure performance with KPIs across all departments
• Direct the development of the project controls framework to support the project team
• Collaborate with project teams to identify potential risks and assess risks related to scope, schedule, budget, and external factors
• Develop and implement the project controls plan and strategies, and monitor and analyze project schedules, budgets, and resources
• Ensure compliance with project scope, specifications, and regulations, and track and report project progress and performance
• Collaborate with project stakeholders to establish clear communication channels
• Provide accurate cost forecasting and financial analysis, and manage change requests and assess their impact on the project
• Oversee the document control team and maintain project records
• Coordinate with subcontractors and suppliers to maintain project efficiency

MASc. in Construction & Project Management – University of British Columbia (2004-01 – 2006-12)

Bachelor of Applied Science in Civil Engineering – Iran University of Science & Technology (1998-01 – 2003-12)

Certificate in Project Management – University of British Columbia, Sauder School of Business & Faculty of Applied Science (2008-01 – 2008-12)