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Meet the Design & Construction Management Team
Jose Cortes, MSCM. LEED AP, Director
jcortes@hollywoodfl.org
Jose is a graduate of Florida International University with a Masters Degree in Construction Management. He has over 32 years of leadership experience in Fortune 500 companies; serving in various market sectors.
He is very passionate about education and, since 2013, has been an Adjunct Professor at the Florida International University College of Engineering, Moss School of Construction Management where he also serves as an executive member of the Construction Industry Advisory Council. In addition, he serves as a member of Keiser University's Board of Trustees, the largest non-for-profit university in the state of Florida.
He is actively involved in various local organizations that promote economic growth, environmental awareness and community involvement. Jose is a LEED accredited professional with a passion contributing to the community.
In his free time, he enjoys DYI projects and spending time with his wife Janet and three daughters.
Nicole joined the City with over 15 years of experience in design and construction across various market sectors.
A graduate of Colorado Technical University (B.S. in Business Administration), Nicole was a South Florida Business Journal 40 Under 40 honoree and a frequent contributor to local industry publications.
Some of her more notable projects include the Miami Science Museum, Broward Health’s Salah Children's Hospital NICU, Florida Atlantic University Student Union Expansion and Renovation, and the City of Miami Gardens Municipal Complex NICU and Florida Atlantic University, Student Union Expansion and Renovation.
She is recognized for her humble, confident and collaborative leadership style which serves to motivate and inspire all around her. When she's not working, she enjoys outdoors activities such as running, paddle-boarding, taking care of her orchid collection and of course spending time with her husband and two children.
Dana Nelson, LEED AP, Construction Support Services Manager dnelson@hollywoodfl.org
Dana graduated from Metropolitan State University in Denver with a degree in Aerospace Science. He spent 16 years in construction management working with owners, architects, engineers, community members, and subcontractors.
Over the years, his focus has been in building for municipalities, healthcare, education and the pharmaceuticals industry. Certified as a LEED professional, he has a passion for transforming projects into energy efficient and healthy places for end users to enjoy.
He is a 27-year Air Force Veteran and currently serves as a Lieutenant Colonel in the Air Force Reserves.
Heather Guenot, PE, Senior Project Manager hguenot@hollywoodfl.org
Heather is a graduate of Purdue University with a degree in Civil Engineering. She is a licensed Professional Engineer with over 14 years of experience in roadway design, construction, and project management.
Her career has been dedicated to bringing public infrastructure projects from concept through construction, with a focus on cost-effective, sustainable infrastructure.
Ms. Guenot is an active member of the Society of Women Engineers. In her free time, she enjoys volunteering as a Girl Scout Troop leader, soccer coach, and in various roles at her children’s schools.
Elisa "Alex" Iglesias, Senior Project Manager eiglesias@hollywoodfl.org
Alex is a graduate of the University of Florida with a Bachelor’s Degree in Architectural Design. She has over 20 years of experience in pre-development, design, construction administration and project management specializing in luxury high-rise condominiums and mixed- use projects such as 50 Biscayne, Trump Towers I, II, & III by The Related Group, and 5252 Paseo and 5300 Paseo in Downtown Doral by Codina Partners.
Alex is a 11-year resident of the City of Hollywood. She has always yearned to serve in her own community, so she feels privileged to be managing her current projects.
In her free time, Alex enjoys weight training, traveling, and getting together with family & friends.
Rudy Damas, MSCM, Project Manager rdamas@hollywoodfl.org
Rudy has a Bachelors Degree in Civil Engineering and a Masters degree in Construction Management from Florida International University. With over ten years of experience in both the private and public sectors, he has extensive experience in management consultations and team management.
As a project manager with the City of Hollywood, he analyzes and reviews the design studies prepared by either in-house staff or professional consultant firms managing project resources and budgets.
Rudy has a passion for photography and videography and, on the weekends, serves as a volunteer minister in the camera department at his church.
Karyn Sashi, RA, Project Manager ksashi@hollywoodfl.org
Karyn is a licensed architect and interior designer. She graduated from Florida Atlantic University with a Bachelors degree in Architecture and has been working in the architecture field since 2012; specializing in design, preparation of construction documents, and project management.
Her experience includes the design of mixed-use projects, commercial facilities, residential apartments, and cruise terminals projects.
Karyn is an advanced certified scuba diver who loves exploring the South Florida reefs and wrecks along the coast. When she is not diving, she loves spending her time outdoors with her family; walking, biking, and enjoying the Florida sun.
Environmental Sustainability Coordinator efranklin@hollywoodfl.org
Elaine has a master’s degree in conservation biology from the University of Hawaii at Manoa. She brings years of diverse experience to the role of Environmental Sustainability Coordinator. From providing educational workshops for residents to drafting and implementing policies aimed at sustainable resource use, Elaine engages all City departments to improve Hollywood’s environment for current and future generations by reducing carbon emissions city-wide, conserving water, increasing our tree canopy, and much more.
Prior to her life in Florida, Elaine developed and delivered an environmental sustainability curriculum to youths in Eswatini/Swaziland, Southern Africa, through her own company. She earned her Permaculture Design Certification in South Africa and guided low-income residents in establishing abundant, diverse and sustainable food gardens in their own yards. She has studied the impacts of human activities on birds throughout the world, most recently coauthoring a paper on the effects of a new transportation project on bird communities in Equatorial Guinea. Elaine is a CLEO Climate Speaker, a facilitator of the En-ROADS climate simulator, a Florida Master Gardener, and an avid cyclist.
Kendra Parker, Administrative Assistant II kparker@hollywoodfl.org
Kendra is a graduate of Florida International University and has over 21 years of experience in office management, marketing, PR, and communications across the hospitality and education industries.
She currently supports the leadership and project management team with administrative duties, and acts as the department's liaison for the City's General Obligation Bond Advisory Committee.
Kendra is a certified fitness and nutrition coach and, inspired by the role exercise played in her healing and recovery after cancer treatment, runs a fitness boot camp for breast cancer survivors. She also co-founded Cushy Healing Pillows, along with her mother; hand-sewing and donating mastectomy pillows to breast cancer patients.
Tiffany Phillip, Administrative Assistant I tphillip@hollywoodfl.org
Tiffany graduated from St. John's University in Queens, New York with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Accounting. She has been working in the construction field since 2013; specializing in auditing, bookkeeping and office management for both the commercial and residential sectors.
She supports the department with its administrative and accounts payable functions.
Tiffany enjoys event planning and decorating, creating hand-made invitations, dancing, and traveling.
William Varandas, Purchasing Agent wvarandas@hollywoodfl.org
William graduated from Florida International University in 2015 and has been working in the construction procurement field for over six years. During this time, he assisted Broward County Schools with procuring architects, engineers, and subcontractors for their $800 million dollar bond program.
William currently focuses on Design & Construction Management (DCM) process improvements and procurement needs for all GOB, Surtax, CIP and LAP projects.
On the weekends, you will find him eating lots of Ben & Jerry’s ice cream and watching sports with his family and friends. He is a very down-to- earth person and always likes to bring a smile to everybody’s face.