Peter G. Furst, MBA, Registered Architect, CSP, ARM, REA, CRIS, CSI

Consultant, Author, Motivational speaker, University lecturer

www.thefurstgroup.com

Peter G. Furst, who frequently lectures at universities, contributes articles on construction safety for IRMI.com.

Mr. Furst has more than 15 years of experience consulting to a variety of firms, including architects, engineers, construction, service, retail, and manufacturing organizations. He has provided guidance in the design and implementation of innovative integrated organizational strategic and tactical solutions resulting in efficiencies along the value stream, utilizing Six Sigma lean and balanced scorecard metrics optimizing human and business performance. He has also provided motivational presentations at various organizations to all levels of management and employees. Some of the consulting was with Liberty Mutual Group customers helping them manage their safety program more effectively and efficiently, thereby improving business outcomes as well as substantially reducing their cost of risk.

Mr. Furst has more than 20 years of construction experience with a multinational general contractor, Turner Construction Company, serving as estimator, superintendent, and project manager on numerous projects varying in size with some more than $500 million, involving hundreds of craftsmen and subcontractors. He also had overall safety oversight for projects amounting to more than $450 million annually with resultant experience modification rates of under 0.35.

Mr. Furst teaches at both the University of California, Berkeley as well as the California State University East Bay in courses related to architecture, engineering, management, and construction, providing students with innovative and challenging perspectives on a wide variety of subjects. He has lectured at Harvard University as well.

He has practiced architecture at various firms in Southern California for approximately 10 years, involved in design and project administration on both commercial and institutional projects. He has worked with consultants, contractors, and owners to devise design and project delivery solutions with an enhanced sustainability value focus.

Mr. Furst received a bachelor of science degree in construction engineering with honors, a bachelor of architecture (professional degree) with honors, as well as a master’s degree in business administration with emphasis in management from the California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo.

He is a registered Architect, State of California, Certified Safety Professional, Registered Environmental Assessor, and an Associate in Risk Management. He has published numerous articles in professional magazines and various websites covering such subjects as organizational culture, climate, leadership, management, strategic and tactical planning, process and systems improvement, lean thinking, Six Sigma, organizational scorecards, metrics to drive organizational behavior, sustainability, supervision, performance management, enterprise risk management, human error, and safety.

His affiliations and awards include: Honored Instructor, University of California, Berkeley School of Engineering extension; member, advisory board, University of California, Berkeley Construction Management Program; member, advisory board , California State University East Bay Construction Management Program; and California AGC Safety Professional of the Year. He is a member of various ANSI and ASTM committees, Construction Specification Institute, ASSE, National Safety Council, and the AGC Safety Council. He serves as a commissioner for the State of California, Board of Architectural Examiners. He is a past member of the AIA, San Francisco and Los Angeles chapters, Southern California Industrial Safety Society, and the Western Council of Construction Consumers.

Previously, he has taught at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) Extension, and the School of Safety and System Management, University of Southern California (USC). He worked in the undergraduate programs at the School of Engineering, California State Polytechnic University, Pomona, and the School of Industrial Technology, California State University, Long Beach, teaching courses in construction organization and management, fundamentals of estimating bidding and pricing, planning and scheduling, project management, cost control, construction materials and methods, principles of management and supervision, safety management systems, facility management, construction safety management, performance metrics and management, human performance, and advanced accident investigation.

Mr. Furst is a recognized motivational speaker, having spoken at conferences in both North and South America, some of which include the American Society of Safety Engineers (ASSE), National Safety Council (NSC), Institute of Industrial Engineers (IIE), Instituto de Seguridad Minera (ISEM) Peru, Industrial Accident Prevention Association (IAPA) Canada, International Risk Management Institute, Inc. (IRMI), Risk and Insurance Management Society (RIMS), World of Concrete (W of C), Construction Specification Institute Conference (CSI), Behavior Safety Now (BSN), Chicago Safety Conference, World Congress on Safety and Health, American Industrial Hygiene Conference, Utility Safety Conference & Expo, AGC National Conference, American Concrete Institute (ACI), Construct Conference, Associated Builders & Contractors (ABC), Construction Employees Association (CEA), and the NeoCon World Trade Show, as well as various state safety conferences including, Oregon, Hawaii, Alaska, and Alabama, Saskatchewan, and the Canada Safety Council. He has also presented at various symposiums, seminars, and private and public organizations.