Aaron Choate
Evansville
Summary
Engineering/Project Manager with approximately 10 years of progressive project leadership experience managing complex, cross-functional initiatives from planning through execution. Proven ability to lead large capital programs, develop strategic roadmaps, manage multimillion-dollar budgets, mitigate project risks, and deliver projects on time and within budget. Experienced collaborating with executive leadership, operations, maintenance, supply chain, quality, research and development, and external contractors to achieve business objectives. Certified Scrum Master with strong expertise in stakeholder communication, process improvement, Agile principles, project governance, and organizational leadership. Seeking to leverage extensive project management and leadership experience in a Senior Project Manager role.
Overview
1
1
Certification
12
12
years of professional experience
Work History
Engineering Manager IV
GAF
01.2024 - Current
- Lead the site's project engineering organization, overseeing strategic capital initiatives from concept through implementation.
- Coordinate annual and five-year capital planning aligned with organizational strategic objectives.
- Manage multiple high-value projects while maintaining schedule, budget, quality, and safety expectations.
- Present business cases and capital investment proposals to senior leadership.
- Maintain capital spending forecasts and provide executive reporting on project performance.
- Establish engineering documentation, project governance, and cost tracking standards.
- Mentor and develop project engineers while managing engineering talent development programs.
- Serve as the primary liaison between plant leadership and corporate engineering teams.
- Lead rapid-response engineering efforts supporting critical business priorities.
- Ensure site EHS compliance.
Corporate Engineer III & IV
GAF
06.2021 - 12.2023
- Managed complex capital improvement projects across multiple manufacturing operations.
- Direct multidisciplinary project teams consisting of operations, maintenance, engineering, contractors, and vendors.
- Developed project scopes, schedules, budgets, and capital expenditure requests.
- Led equipment installation, commissioning, and startup activities.
- Improved operational performance through process optimization and continuous improvement initiatives.
- Delivered engineering solutions while minimizing operational disruptions.
- Supported enterprise engineering initiatives and corporate project execution
Project Engineer II & III
GAF
01.2017 - 05.2021
- Managed capital projects involving equipment upgrades, facility improvements, and production enhancements.
- Prepared engineering designs, cost estimates, and project documentation.
- Coordinated contractors and internal stakeholders throughout project execution.
- Supported production and maintenance teams with technical troubleshooting and root cause investigations.
- Ensured compliance with engineering standards, safety requirements, and project objectives.
Engineering Co-Op (Early Identification Program)
SABIC Innovative Plastics, GE Plastics
05.2014 - 12.2016
- Assisted engineers and project managers with projects supporting chemical and compounding operations.
- Participated in engineering analysis, project planning, equipment improvements, and process optimization.
- Collaborated with cross-functional teams to support manufacturing operations and continuous improvement initiatives
Education
Associate of Science -
Rend Lake College
Ina, IL2013
Bachelor of Science - Engineering
University of Southern Indiana
Evansville, IN2016
Associate of Arts -
Rend Lake College
Ina, IL2013
Skills
- Enterprise Project Management
- Strategic Planning & Roadmaps
- Portfolio & Capital Planning
- Agile & Scrum Methodologies
- Risk Assessment & Mitigation
- Change Management
- Continuous Improvement & Process Optimization
- Executive Stakeholder Management
- Cross-Functional Leadership
- Budget & Financial Management
- Vendor & Contractor Management
- Business Case Development
- Team Leadership & Coaching
- Microsoft Project and Planner
- Smartsheet & Trello
- Maximo, ArcPlan, & Coupa
- AO Docs & Gensuite
- Google Workspace (Docs, Sheets, Slides, Drive, Keep)
- Microsoft Productivity Suite (Excel, PowerPoint, Word, Outlook, Teams)
- AI Tools: Gemini
Certification
- GAF Certified Scrum Master
- Agility Ambassador
- Kepner-Tregoe Analytical Trouble Shooting Workshop
- Boiler University Training Center (301, 302, 303)
- Astec/Heatec Combustion Training School
- CPR/AED Certification
Timeline
Engineering Manager IV
GAF
01.2024 - Current
Corporate Engineer III & IV
GAF
06.2021 - 12.2023
Project Engineer II & III
GAF
01.2017 - 05.2021
Engineering Co-Op (Early Identification Program)
SABIC Innovative Plastics, GE Plastics
05.2014 - 12.2016
Bachelor of Science - Engineering
University of Southern Indiana
Associate of Science -
Rend Lake College
Associate of Arts -
Rend Lake College