Dr. Bradford L. Sims

Dr. Bradford L. Sims

President

301.369.2541
bsims@captechu.edu

Dr. Sims has always been involved with technology starting with receiving a Commodore 64 for his birthday and teaching himself basic programming to do more with the Commodore 64.  He went on to obtain a BS in Building Construction Management from Purdue University and worked coast to coast in the United States and briefly in Europe in the project management area of industrial construction and by default of his experience with technology being involved with the computer systems as well at each company.  Later, he went back to Higher Education to obtain an MS in Building Construction from the University of Florida and a Ph.D. in Curriculum & Instruction from Purdue University that lead him to his first position as an Assistant Professor at the University of Florida.  As he moved to different universities, he advanced in the administrative positions becoming a Department Head, Dean, Chief Academic Officer, and President.  Now at Capitol Technology University, he is bringing together his background in construction and technology along with Capitol Tech’s strong cybersecurity to build the first degree programs in Critical Infrastructure design to help protect the nation.  This is an area of special interest to Dr. Sims as he sees the needs of those protecting are critical infrastructure from cyber attacks to also understand how these facilities operate to better defend against such attacks.

Prior to transitioning to academia, Dr. Sims built a successful career in the industrial construction industry. He was a project controls supervisor for Cherne Contracting in California; a cost engineer for Badger Engineers, a subsidiary of Raytheon Engineering, in Massachusetts; and started his career as a project controls engineer with the Westinghouse Savannah River Corporation in South Carolina.

Dr. Sims has lived and worked in eight different states from the pacific coast to the east coast in the United States and in The Netherlands.  He has traveled extensively visiting countries in every continent except Antarctica.

Dr. Sims earned a Ph.D. in Curriculum and Instruction in 1999 from Purdue University, which is also his undergraduate alma mater; he received his B.S. in Building Construction Management there in 1990. He also holds a Master's of Science in Building Construction from the University of Florida. He is a member of the Sigma Lambda Chi International Construction Honor Society, among many other honors and professional affiliations.

Areas of Expertise:

  • Project management
  • Construction management
  • Building degree programs that are needed by the industry

Biography:

Education

  • Doctor of Philosophy, Curriculum and Instruction, 1999 - Purdue University (West Lafayette, IN)
  • Bachelor of Science, Building Construction Management, 1990 - Purdue University (West Lafayette, IN)
  • Master of Science, Building Construction, 1996 - University of Florida (Gainesville, FL)
  • Institute for Educational Management at Harvard University, Summer 2013
  • ACE Institute for Chief Academic Officers, Spring 2015

Professional Achievements

  • CAPITOL TECHNOLOGY UNIVERSITY, Laurel, MD 2017
    • President
  • EMBRY-RIDDLE AERONAUTICAL UNIVERSITY, Daytona Beach, FL 2013
    • Chief Academic Officer for Worldwide Campus
    • Interim Chancellor
  • INDIANA STATE UNIVERSITY, Terre Haute, IN 2009
    • Dean, College of Technology
  • WESTERN CAROLINA UNIVERSITY, Cullowhee, NC 2002
    • Department Head and Program Founder, Construction Management
  • INTERNATIONAL COUNCIL FOR RESEARCH AND INNOVATION IN BUILDING AND CONSTRUCTION (CIB) Rotterdam, The Netherlands 2001
    • Assistant Secretary General
  • UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA, M.E. Rinker, Sr, School of Building Construction, Gainesville, FL 1999
    • Assistant Professor
    • Consultant, Graycor Construction Corporation, Chicago, Il
  • PURDUE UNIVERSITY, West Lafayette, IN 1997
    • Graduate Instructor – Building Construction Management  
    • Visiting Assistant Professor – Building Construction Management 
  • UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA, M.E. Rinker, Sr, School of Building Construction, Gainesville, FL 1996
    • Surveying Instructor & Graduate Research Assistant
  • CHERNE CONTRACTING CORPORATION, Eden Prairie, MN and Carson, CA 1993
    • Project Controls Supervisor | Computer & Network Administrator
  • BADGER ENGINEERS, INC (Raytheon Engineers and Constructors) Cambridge, MA 1992
    • Cost Engineer
  • WESTINGHOUSE SAVANNAH RIVER COMPANY, Aiken, SC 1990
    • Project Control Engineer and Network Administrator

Certifications & Licenses

  • OSHA 500 Trainer Course for the Construction Industry
  • Certified on Cost and Schedule Control Systems Criteria for Contract Performance measurement to support DOE orders 4700.1/2250.1C.

Honors & Awards 

  • 2019 Distinguished Technology Alumni for Purdue University’s School of Construction Management Technology

Research & Publications

Refereed Publications

  • Ford, G., Kinard, D., and Sims, B.L., (2012).  Measuring educational program effectiveness using the associate constructor’s exam, Journal of Industrial Technology. Vol 28, No. 1.
  • Ford, G., Patterson, J., and Sims, B.L., (2010).  Recruiting and retention strategies for construction employers in the United States, Proceedings of the American Society for Engineering Education Southeast Section Conference 2010. Blacksburg, VA
  • Ford, G., Patterson, J. and Sims, B.L. (2009). How to determine construction project rain delay times using local rainfall databases in Asheville, North Carolina, American Society of Civil Engineering: Proceedings of the 2009 Construction Research Congress (pp. 380-385).
  • Jensen, D. & Sims, B.L. (2008). Restitution: applying quantum meruit to the construction contracting process. The American Professional Constructor, Journal of the American Institute of Constructors. Vol. 32, No. 2, pp. 41-47.
  • Jensen, D., Sims, B.L., and Mau, R. (2007). The General Indemnity Agreement: Can it also function as a secured transaction? Yes, The American Professional Constructor, Journal of the American Institute of Constructors. Vol. 32, No 1, pp. 16-22.
  • Sims, B.L., Ferguson, C.W., and Birnberg, H. (2006). Computer graphics history and effects on a current construction management curriculum, The American Professional Constructor, Journal of the American Institute of Constructors. Vol. 30, No 1, pp 7-10.
  • Orth, D. L., Sims, B.L., & Alter, K.D. (2003). Improving professionalism in the construction industry, The American Professional Constructor, Journal of the American Institute of Constructors, Vol. 27, No. 2, pp. 41-44.
  • Jenkins, J.L., Sims, B.L., & Fuller, S. (2003). Survey results of recent construction management graduates and company recruiters regarding perceived incentives for remaining with a construction firm, The American Professional Constructor, Journal of the American Institute of Constructors, Vol. 27, No. 2, pp. 31-40.
  •  Sims, B.L. & Anderson, W.A. (2003). Meeting customer expectations in the construction industry, The American Professional Constructor, Journal of the American Institute of Constructors, October, 2003, Vol. 27, No. 2, pp. 14-17.
  • Sims, B. L. & Ferguson, C.W. (2003). Creating a computer graphics course for the construction management program, Paper presented at the ASEE 2003 National Conference & Exposition, Nashville, TN June 2003
  • Sims, B.L., & Bakens W.P. (2002). CIB performance based building (pebbu) thematic network, 9th International Conference of Durability of Building Materials and Components (Paper 14).  CSIRO Division of Building Construction & Engineering publisher.
  • Sims, B.L. (2001). The effectiveness of the mcaa’s project management course. Journal of Professional Issues in Engineering Education and Practice, 127(4), 166-174.
  • Sims, B.L. (2000). A study of the effectiveness and value of the institute for project management two-week project management course. Journal of Construction Education, Vol. 5, No. 2 pp 142-161.
  • Sims, B.L. (1999). Program assessment of the mechanical contractors association of america's construction continuing education project management course. Unpublished doctoral dissertation, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana. 
  • Alter, K.D., & Sims, B.L. (1997). Professionalizing the construction industry: the role of licensing, continuing education, and certification, Associated Schools of Construction: 33rd Annual Conference Proceedings (pp. 267-274).
  • Sims, B.L. (1996). Workers’ compensation fraud review and analysis in the construction industry. Unpublished master’s thesis, University of Florida, Gainesville.
  • Coble, R., Sims, B., & Elliott, B. (1996). Workers’ compensation short falls in the construction industry. In R.J. Coble & L.M. Alves Dias (Eds.), Implementation of safety and health on construction sites (pp. 337-345). Rotterdam, Netherlands: A.A. Balkema.
  • Coble, R.J., & Sims, B.L. (1996). Workers’ compensation fraud in construction, Proceedings of the 40th Annual Meeting of ACCE International, (pp.C&C.6.1-C&C.6.6).

Non-referred Publications

  • Sims, B.L. and Birnberg, H. (2011). Introduction to planning and scheduling for project managers. The Project Manager, 18 (6), 5-17.
  • Chisholm, K. (2007). Fit your education to your life (an interview with Bradford Sims), FMI Quarterly Issue 2 2007, p 74-82.
  • Sims, B.L. et al (2006). Western Carolina University Report on Proposed College Restructuring 2006. Cullowhee, NC: Western Carolina University.
  • Sims, B.L. (2006, May/June). Construction management as a college major and its effect on the economy, Builder/Architect, p. 50-51.
  • Sims, B.L. and Cruz, L. (2005). Report on Proposed Restructuring of The College of Applied Sciences. Cullowhee, NC: Western Carolina University.
  • Sims, B.L. (2005). Construction management as a college major. The Project Manager, 11 (4), 21-26.
  • Sims, B.L. (2005, February). Construction management as a college major, Estimating Today, p 13.
  • Sims, B.L. (2002). CIB – international council for research and innovation in building construction. The Project Manager, 8 (3), 21-25.
  • Sims, B.L. (2001). Continuing employment satisfaction survey. The Project Manager, 7(4), 37-39.
  • Sims, B.L. (1998). Setting up a basic construction website. The Project Manager, 5(4), 39-43.
  • Sims, B.L. (1998). Continuing education & the construction industry. The Project Manager, 5(4), 21-24.
  • Sims, B.L. (1996, Spring). Workers’ compensation fraud in the construction industry. American Society of Safety Engineers, 4-6.

Journal Publications

  • Former Reviewer for the Journal of Construction Education, Southeast Journal of Construction Education Curriculum, Law and Industry, International Journal of Building Research and Information, and Contributing Editor to The Project Manager (1999 to 2009)
  • Former Co-Editor of The American Professional Constructor, the American Institute of Contractors refereed journal. Responded to a proposal to move editorship from Clemson University, successfully obtaining editorship for the ensuing five years at Western Carolina University (Fall 2007).

Grants & Donations

  • Worked with the faculty, purchasing, and the University Foundation to finalize a $9.7million Siemens Corporation software donation in the Summer of 2013.
  • Obtained $3million to create the first Indiana State University owned Flight Academy at the Terre Haute Regional Airport that included building renovations and new airplane purchases.  The flight academy started Fall 2013 and includes both student flight training and unmanned systems training.
  • Obtained a joint British Council / Indiana State University $100,000 grant to initiate collaboration between Indiana State University and the University of Salford in Fall 2011/Spring 2012.
  • Helped to create the first “center of excellence” in Unmanned Systems Outreach and Human Capital Development for ISU and in the State.  Awarded $900,000 funding by the university’s unbounded possibilities initiative over five years that started in the Spring of 2012.
  • Obtained $2million for renovations of one of the two College of Technology current buildings to house the new Department of the Built Environment in Spring 2011.
  • Asphalt Pavement Association of Indiana agreed to start the fall 2010 awarding scholarships to Indiana State University students.  Worked with them to develop award criteria that includes free attendance at their yearly association meeting.  Award was $6,000 in fall 2010 and $10,000 in fall 2011 and continues each year.
  • Associated Builders and Contractors Construction Management Department donation of $5,000 for hosting a summer seminar series on construction management for the third time (Summer 2010)
  • NSF Advanced Technological Education (ATE) $600K Proposal creating a built environment curriculum (not funded) but has helped the department create additional new program proposals for 2011 (spring 2010)
  • Associated Builders and Contractors Construction Management Department donation of $10,000 for hosting a summer seminar series on construction management for the third time (Summer 2009)
  • Associated Builders and Contractors Construction Management Department donation of $13,000 for hosting a summer seminar series on construction management for the second time (Summer 2008)
  • Pizzagalli Construction Company donation to the Construction Management Department for $2000 (Fall 2007)
  • Associated Builders and Contractors Construction Management Department donation of $17,000 for hosting a summer seminar series on construction management (Summer 2007)
  • Collaborated with the WCU Art Department on creating a new logo for the Building Future Builders non-profit organization. WCU won the contest and the Art Department received $2000 and the Construction Management Department received a national magazine ad valued at $3500 (Spring 2007)
  • Carrier Corporation Equipment donation for $15,000, Centex Homes Corporation donation for $4500, Mechanical Contractors Association donation for $3000 and Gilbert Southern Corporation donation of $2000 (Spring 2006)
  • Helped the WCU Foundation to attract $1 million scholarship endowment for construction management majors on football team, donated by Teddy Phillips (Construction Industry Advisory Board) on behalf of his parents (Spring 2008)
  • Initiated the Joe Kimmel Donation and then worked with the WCU Foundation to finalize an endowment for $10.4M, including $1M endowment for scholarships, $2M endowment for program support and 5 endowed professorships (1 $2M endowment and 4 $1M endowments) for the Kimmel School of Construction Management and Technology (Fall 2005)
  • Obtained the Mechanical Contractors of America $4000 grant for an Emerging Student Chapter, (August 2004)
  • $1000 donation of professional construction video footage from Gilbert Southern Corporation for use in a future CM marketing video (Spring 2004)
  • Construction Management Program donation of $2000 from Gilbert Southern Corporation (Spring 2004)
  • $20,000 donation and installation of Structural Steel Teaching Statue from Carolina Steel (Spring 2004)
  • 1st Construction Management scholarship letter of commitment from Woolpert Corporation for annual award of $1000 divided between Construction Management students and Interior Design students (Fall 2003)
  • Completed donations of construction industry specific software in excess of $100,000 for the 24 computers in Belk 271(Spring 2003)
  • Program Manager for the Performance Based Building (PeBBu) Thematic Network funding by the European Commission that included 58 European and 15 Non-European organizations funded at € 2.5 million (2001)

Organizations & Affiliations

  • Advisor, World Research Centre (2018 to Present)
  • Member, Royal Aeronautical Society as a Fellow (2016 to Present)
  • Member, Sons of the American Revolution (2017 to Present)
  • Member, Construction Management Association of America (CMAA) (2018 to Present)
  • Member, Society of American Military Engineers (SAME) (2018 to Present)
  • Member, Sigma Lambda Chi International Construction Honor Society (2004 to Present)
  • Member, Phi Beta Delta Honor Society for International Scholar (2003 to 2009)
  • Member, Omicron Delta Kappa National Leadership Honor Society (2000 to 2009)
  • Contributing Editor, The Project Manager journal (1999 to 2008)
  • Member, American Institute of Constructors (1999 to Present)
  • Member, PAS (Construction Industry HR Specialist) Human Resource Online Team (1999 to 2007)
  • Member, American Association of Cost Engineers (1989 to 2000)

Volunteer/Service Experience

  • ACE Mentor for the Annapolis Chapter 2018
  • Member, National Construction Education Committee, Associated General Contractors of America (2008 to 2010)
  • National Director, American Institute of Constructors (2007 to Present)
  • Board Member, Carolinas Construction Education and Research Foundation (2004 to 2009)
  • Board Member, Association for Project Managers (1999 to Present)
  • State Meeting Coordinator, North Carolina Construction Career Academies for High School (2005 to 2007)
  • Board Member, Jackson County Habitat for Humanity of North Carolina (2002 to 2005)
  • Educator-at-Large Member, Certified Professional Constructor (CPC) National Commission (2000 to 2001)
  • Member and Treasurer, Tippecanoe County Humane Society Board of Directors (1999 to 2001)

Portfolio/Personal Website