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Drama Free Management is a collection of practices that lead from high drama and low performance to low drama and exciting results.
About the author
Marla Noel started her management career in public accounting after earning a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) certificate. Public accounting led to retail, residential and commercial property management, and eventually to her career home in the cemetery/mortuary business. She obtained an MBA degree from Chapman University, while managing a business, where she later taught as an adjunct professor. She participated in Management Action Program (MAP) in Newport Beach, California and joined Vistage, a CEO peer advisory group. She participated in the Women Presidents Organization (WPO).
While running the mid-sized death care company, Marla developed strategies around growing the business and leveling up the employees. She provided regular mandatory managerial training to help managers improve working with people and processes. Because of these efforts and focus, the company tripled revenue and brought 30 percent EBITDA to the more than fifty-five owners. They eventually sold the business for fifteen times EBITDA. After the sale of the business, Marla created OC Growth Advisors to work with business owners to improve profitability and manage business growth.
Pete Fowler is a product-focused CEO and Chief Quality Officer. He is a construction consultant, professional cost estimator, and a general building contractor in several states. Pete received a B.S. in Construction Management from California State University, Chico, and a minor in Management Information Systems. He has held certifications from AAMA, ASPE, ICBO, and others. Mr. Fowler has published articles in national magazines, has been invited to speak by the most important groups in the building industry (AAMA, APRA, ASPE, ASQ, ASTM, BETEC, CAI, CLM, DBIA, ICC, NIBS, PLRB, RCI, etc.), and has composed and delivered hundreds of educational programs on building inspection and testing, estimating, quality and construction management, project management, and claims and litigation. Pete has experience with successful expert witness testimony, including federal court.
Pete Fowler Construction is a team of building experts and project management professionals who help clients make smart, informed decisions about buildings and property. Clients include property owners and managers, governmental organizations, developers and contractors, product manufacturers and suppliers, insurers, and lawyers. Services include building inspection and testing, estimating, quality and construction management, and building claims and litigation consulting, including expert witness testimony. Every year we work on hundreds of projects as widely varying as single-family residences, multi-family projects, mixed-use developments, and commercial, institutional, industrial, low-rise, mid-rise, and high-rise construction. We operate both in the private and public sectors and with for-profit as well as nonprofit organizations. We have been hired by the lawyer or insurance company for every major party in the building industry, including every major sub-trade.
