Construction Management

Dr. Mitterer completed his Ph.D. in Leadership and Organizational Change from Walden University focusing on the effects of a leader’s behavior on employee job satisfaction, productivity, engagement and turnover. Mitterer draws on social science theories to develop future leaders in the Fire and Emergency Services Program at Rinker School. Dr. Mitterer has extensive practical experience in leadership in the private sector, health care, emergency services, and in higher education.  

Dr. Mitterer has published numerous articles on diverse subjects related to safety in emergency services, risk management, the use of technology in the delivery of patient care, and leadership’s effect on trust and psychological safety. He has also published books on Personal Wellness, Finance, and Risk Management.  

Prior to joining UF, full time, Mitterer taught at Lebanon Valley College, Immaculata College, and the Pennsylvania College of Health. He earned his master’s degree in Management from Penn State University, Smeal Business College, bachelor’s degree from Penn State University, in nursing, and a bachelor’s degree in business from Elizabethtown College.  

Lecturer Adam A. Smith holds a BS and MS in Fire and Emergency Service Management from the University of Florida.  He began his educational journey obtaining a Fire Science Diploma at TiftArea Technical College before moving on to obtain his AAS in Fire Science Technology from Chattahoochee Technical College.  Adam holds national certifications as a Firefighter, Fire Officer, Paramedic, Hazardous Materials Technician, Public Safety Diver, and Instructor.  He holds State of Florida certification as a Paramedic, State of Georgia First Class Firefighter certification, State of Georgia certification as a Paramedic, and is a State of Georgia Smoke Diver.  Adam’s goal is to start working on his PhD in 2021.

Adam has worked in Fire and Emergency Service since 1986 until retiring in July of 2020 as a Lieutenant with Lumpkin County (GA) Emergency Services.  He began his career at the University of Florida as a Fire and Emergency Service (FES) Management Adjunct Lecturer, January of 2020.  He accepted a FES Management Lecturer position with UF, August of 2020.  Adam’s experience as a firefighter, paramedic, and Fire Officer allows him to pair his extensive real-life experience with the desire to instruct and inspire others in the FES career field as well as FES students at the University of Florida.

Lecturer Smith teaches the following FES Management courses at the Rinker School of Construction Management: Principles of FES Management, Community Risk Reduction, FES Administration, Personnel Management for Emergency Services, Public Information and Community Relations, Current Issues in FES, and Analytical Approaches to Fire Protection.  Adam guides the Emergency Management Internship program.  Adam is also tasked with helping guide students with submitting FES Undergraduate Honors Papers.

As director, Robert leads the day-to-day operations of the Rinker School.  He spends much of his time engaged with industry partners while supporting faculty, staff, and students in keeping the School as one of the most reputable construction management programs in the country while maintaining its global recognition.

Prior to his return to UF in July 2020, he served as a Senior Associate Dean for Globalization and Global Fellow at Purdue University.  As senior associate dean, he was responsible for the overall strategic planning and execution of all international activities on behalf of the Purdue Polytechnic.  He provided leadership for more than a dozen global collaborative partnerships across four continents. Robert was recognized with the Purdue’s 2019 Global Vision Award for his accomplishments in globalization.

He led the development of the European Alliance Strategic Partnership bringing together six university partners from Europe and the United States (four European and two US institutions) to foster increased collaboration in faculty mobility, student exchange, and research.

Prior to this role, he served as the Department Head of Building Construction Management from 2006 – 2012. From 1993-2006 Robert was the Associate Director / Director of Undergraduate Programs for the Rinker School of Building Construction at the University of Florida. He completed his Ph.D. in Civil Engineering – Construction Engineering and Management at Virginia Tech in 1994.  His research interests include the application of technology, trust models, performance measurement, continuous improvement strategies, development of global strategic collaborative partnerships, and the development of increased intercultural capacity and global awareness among faculty and students.

Robert currently serves the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research (MOHESR) in the United Arab Emirates as an accrediting visitor for construction management and civil engineering programs.

He has been active in designing, implementing, and monitoring employee development, strategic quality management and continuous improvement programs within construction firms. He has given lectures on numerous construction management topics, such as;  internet-based collaborative project management systems, continuous improvement, high performance management techniques, trust building, and globalization strategies throughout the world.

His current areas of research interest include the international construction project management, technology applications to construction management, internet based collaborative project management systems, employee training and development, Key Behavioral Indicators, Key Performance Indicators, and modeling the Return on Investment of Employee Training.

A three-time national award-winning teacher, Robert was selected the University of Florida’s Teacher of the Year for 1999-2000. He also received the College of Architecture Teacher of the Year Award in 1999-2000.  In 2004, Robert was selected as one of five inaugural members of the University of Florida’s Academy of Distinguished Teaching Scholars.

Robert has taught construction management courses in planning and scheduling, estimating, and productivity improvement, cost analyses, construction project simulation, and global construction.  Prior to academics and consulting, Robert served in many management roles within the construction industry.  Robert continues to serve the construction industry as an active consultant, global strategic advisor, construction expert witness, as well as a provider of professional / executive coaching.  Most recently his corporate training programs have focused on developing high performance teams through a learning cultural environment. He has worked with more than 160 master students and 25 doctoral candidates.  Robert has authored more than 60 publications and reports.