Maricarmen Acuna I, PMP

MAI Arquitectos (owner), Houston, TX                                                                                                     July 2014 – present

Project Architect & Construction Project Manager

MAIN PROJECTS -Architectural project design and coordinated all facets of “Solaz Casino” (Chihuahua, Mexico), a 10MM project. Interior design and project management of a 30,000 sqft facility, which included 2 restaurants and one sportsbook. The success of the initial project led to the design and project management of two expansion sites in Mexico, at Ciudad Juarez and Delicias City.

Interior design and project management for the following projects: “Mariachelas” restaurant (Houston, TX), Casa Ibarra, (Monterrey, Mexico), Casa Blacio (Monterrey, Mexico), “Tacotote” restaurant (Brownsville, TX), and Casa Ochoa. (Houston, TX).

Manage a portfolio of 8 properties for Delunvic, S.A. investment group (~70,000 Sq.Ft total) and responsible for the overall maintenance. Supervision of facility managers and p

• Coordinate Construction and Operation Managers regarding issues related to maintaining the property to the highest standards.
• Prioritize expenses and budgets for optimal management.
• Execute presentations to company upper management and investment groups.
• Renegotiate agreements with Landlords where necessary to facilitate required site remedies and/or development
  initiatives.
• Represent the owners by participating in professional organizations.
• Monitor critical dates and milestones to make sure the project is delivered on time.

F Gourmet (Investment group), Houston, TX                                                                                    May 2006 – July 2014                                                                       Project Manager & Senior Architect

MAIN PROJECTS - Architectural design and project management of Crown Casino (Chihuahua, Mexico), that includes the casino area, 4 restaurants and one sportsbook. 7MM project / 23,550 sqft facility. This initial project led to the design and construction of 3 expansion sites in Mexico at Ciudad Juarez, Torreon and Delicias City.

Developed concept, interior design and worked closely with the general contractor for nightclub “Venue Living by Night” in Houston,TX. 2MM project / 11,000 sqft facility / 2006 completion.

Lead and manage 4 major projects up to 30,000 sqft and 10MM. Project knowledge of all stages from conceptualization to completion. Houston, TX: “Bambou” living by night nightclub, “Tacotote” Mexican Grill Restaurant. Mexico: La Divina Restaurant (San Pedro), Casino Salamanca (Salamanca).

• Make the right tradeoff between schedule, resources and scope to ensure timely and successful delivery of the projects.
• Provided regular detailed reporting on project status, calling out critical milestones, risks with impact and mitigations, bottlenecks and blockers.
• Project kick-off and status meetings, with internal staff and key stakeholders.
•  Manage successful handoff to Business-As-Usual (BAU) teams and internal stakeholders. 
•  Manage the end-to-end project lifecycle and take ownership of delivering across all project stages.

SoFa Entertainment, Monterrey, Mexico                                                                                             July 1999 - May 2006
Head Architect & Real Estate Management

Responsible for designing and oversaw the construction of new projects and maintenance of existing properties.

• Developed the first “Cabana Don Quintin” restaurant interior design with a new concept and oversaw the construction and subsequent expansion of a successful live music bar-restaurant chain, started in 2001. The success of the initial project led to 8 expansions sites in Mexico in different cities.
• Interior design of 6 restaurants and bars in Mexico: Elepe bar, Uma Live Music, La Mulata restaurant, Barroco Nightclub, Bambuka Sushi & Bar and La Orden Discotheque.
• Performed property maintenance for 14 locations.

1997-1998 Paris, France

La Sorbonne - Université Paris France

Art History

1992-1996 Monterrey, Mexico

Universidad de Monterrey (UDEM)

Bachelor of Architecture degree

2020 Project Planning and Management, University of Virginia (Online)

2020 Creative Thinking, Imperial college, London  (Online)

2014 University of Nevada Las Vegas, G2E Seminar Program

2012 AIA Washington Convention

2011 NRA Chicago Restaurant Convention

2010 University of Nevada Las Vegas, G2E Seminar Program

2010 Rice University, Houston, History told through it's Architecture

2009 University of Nevada Las Vegas, G2E Seminar Program

2009 NRA Chicago Restaurant Convention

2008 AIA Boston Convention

• NCL Post Oak Chapter member since 2014
• Court Appointed Advocate Volunteer since 2019
• PMI Member

• Project Management Professional, PMP # 3344691