GENERAL OVERVIEW

Walter Drew is a man for whom conflict resolution is a way of life. Whether mediating or arbitrating construction-related disputes, training others in the process, or helping to resolve conflicting points of view among various board members, within community and professional groups, and among his own family members, he eagerly approaches the challenge.

He strongly believes that people have the ability within them to resolve their own conflicts to various degrees and is excited about the opportunity to help empower them as a mediator in this process. He understands that sometimes the parties need the decision-making abilities of a skillful arbitrator, but in either case, his goal is to assist others in achieving fair and unbiased resolution of their disputes.

Walter is a well-respected member of the building and remodeling community and has served as a guest speaker and panelist on many occasions over the years.  He has also served as a judge for various awards programs for the Santa Fe Area Home Builders Association including the Excellence in Remodeling Awards program and the Parade of Homes.

DISPUTE RESOLUTION EXPERIENCE

Walter has performed over a hundred mediations and arbitrations, both for the American Arbitration Association and in his private practice. Having been a general contractor since 1970, he has focused his efforts on construction, land-use planning, large-group workplace mediation, and facilitation of partnering agreements. His experience includes helping resolve conflicts between owners and contractors; designers/architects and owners; contractors and subcontractors; employers and employees; and owners as partners. Some individual cases have exceeded over $1 million in their claims.

Walter has taught mediation in Albuquerque, New Mexico, for the Department of Defense, the Department of the Interior, and EEO counselors in the public sector. His clients have also included the State of New Mexico, the cities of Albuquerque and Santa Fe, and the Public Service Company of New Mexico. In addition, Walter has served as a facilitator for several neighborhood association/developer meetings.

SUMMARY OF CONSTRUCTION EXPERIENCE

Walter was the founder of Adobe Corp, a general contracting firm specializing in high-end custom residential construction with 40 employees and an annual gross of $3 million when sold in 1989. He served as president and CEO for 19 years.

Since 1989, he has performed thousands of bank draw inspections and residential and commercial inspections. He has served as an owner’s representative for many clients, overseeing construction projects totaling over $20 million. Walter has also acted as an expert witness and offered litigation support in construction-related cases for the past 30 years.

CONSTRUCTION CONSULTANT
Consulting 1974 - Present
Building Inspector 1974 - Present
Bank Inspector 1990 - Present
Owner's Representative 1990 - Present
Expert Witness 1974 - Present

MEDIATOR/ARBITRATOR
Construction Mediations 1987 - Present
American Arbitration Association 1993 - Present
Association for Conflict Resolution 1994 - Present

FOUNDER, PRESIDENT & CEO
Adobe Corp*, Santa Fe, N.M. 1972 - 1989

*Adobe Corp was a general contractor specializing in
high-end custom residential construction; 40 employees;
annual gross of $3 million in 1989.

GENERAL CONTRACTOR 1970 - Present
New Mexico License #33325
 

AREAS OF EXPERTISE

CONSULTING As construction consultant, work in various capacities as an adviser
in construction-related lawsuits; a mediator between contractors and clients; and an "owner's representative," overseeing construction projects. Assist owner-builders in design development, materials selection, estimating, crew selection, and quality control.

BUILDING Have done more than 3,000 inspections of residential and commercial
INSPECTIONS buildings in northern New Mexico. Certified Construction Inspector, #3015, Association of Construction Inspectors.

BANK Do construction loan draw inspections for Wells Fargo Bank,
INSPECTIONS Century Bank, Los Alamos National Bank, First State Bank, First National Bank of Santa Fe,Valley National Bank, People's Bank and private contracting firms. Out of state institutions include: Lenders Choice (CA) Cocamar (AZ) and Granite Loan Management (CO.)
Over 4,000 inspections done since 1990.

OWNER'S Manage and oversee construction projects in northern New Mexico.
REPRESENTATIVE This involves plan development and compliance; giving aesthetic advice and checking for quality; selection of contractors and subcontractors and payment of same; development of punch lists and conflict resolution.

LITIGATION Have worked with numerous attorneys as a construction professional.
SUPPORT Have assisted attorneys in developing construction-related cases to include preparation of cost estimates, job reviews, questions for depositions, diagrams, and code compliance.

MEDIATION Have acted as a mediator for contractors, subcontractors, architects, municipalities, neighborhood associations and owners in conflicts over quality, costs, punch lists, and general communication issues.

ARBITRATION Arbitration panel member for the American Arbitration Association.
Have conducted arbitrations in Albuquerque, Santa Fe, northern
New Mexico and Phoenix, AZ.
 

PUBLIC SERVICE ACTIVITIES

(construction related)

Board Member, The Mediation Alliance 1991 - 1997
Historic Design Review Board, City of Santa Fe 1990 - 1994
Board Member, Old Santa Fe Association 1990 - 1998
Archaeological Subcommittee, City of Santa Fe 1986 - 1987
Larragoite Site Affordable Housing Subcommittee, City of Santa Fe 1983
Planning & Development Committee, City of Santa Fe 1982 - 1983
Zoning Committee, Urban Policy Board, City of Santa Fe 1981 - 1982
Alternate, Urban Policy Board, City of Santa Fe 1980 - 1982
Chairman, Citizen's Bond Issue Steering Committee, Santa Fe 1978

EDUCATION

AMERICAN ARBITRATION ASSOCIATION, 1993

MEDIATION TRAINING PROGRAM, 1990
Albuquerque Mediation Center, Albuquerque, NM

MASTER OF ARTS IN TEACHING, 1968
Wesleyan University, Middletown, CT
**Awarded Title V Fellowship for study of educationally disadvantaged

BACHELOR OF ARTS IN ENGLISH, 1966
University of Rhode Island, Kingston, RI

Officer Candidate School, U.S. Army, 1963
Fort Benning, G
 

PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS

American Arbitration Association (AAA)

Association for Conflict Resolution (ACR)

Dispute Avoidance and Resolution Task Force (DART)

New Mexico Mediation Association (NMMA)

LITIGATION SUPPORT