José A. Morel, MPA, LEED AP

José A. Morel is the Executive Director of Project Controls for Columbia University's Manhattanville Development Group with over 20 years of professional experience across the real estate development and construction management industries. His broad areas of expertise include project controls, risk management, project management, compliance, strategy, and client relations. He is specialized in the program and construction management of major sustainable commercial, healthcare, educational and institutional projects, with significant project lifecycle experience from initiation to closeout.

As part of the leadership team, José oversees the development of The nation's first university campus designated LEED Platinum Neighborhood Development, a 17-acres campus designed to be pedestrian-friendly, environmentally sustainable, and welcoming to the community-at-large in the City of New York. Completed and ongoing projects include:  J.L. Green Science Center, Phase 1 Below Grade, Lenfest Center for the Arts, The Forum, Central Energy Plant, Columbia Business School, and the Residential Tower.

José is fluent in all aspects of project phased management including project organization and initiation planning, project procedures and information systems, funding assessment and budget development, design phase management, value engineering,  pre-construction and procurement, contract negotiations, construction administration, change management, cost and schedule controls, risk analysis, and post-construction closeout, documentation, and turnover. 

Prior to joining Columbia, José was with the Turner Construction Company in various roles within the NJ and NY region project management offices. Key past projects include: NYU-Langone Medical Center, BASF HQ, Princeton University Chemistry Lab, American Dream Mall, UMDNJ Cancer Center, TSA Newark Airport Security Projects.

José holds a Bachelor of Science in Architecture from New Jersey Institute of Technology and a Master of Public Administration from Columbia University in the City of New York. He is also a volunteer member of his town's Zoning Board of Adjustment. 

Research and Teaching Interests

• Alternative project delivery methods
• Augmented Reality & Smart Sensors Devices
• Project intelligence platforms
• Blockchain technology