MEET OUR TEAM
James Dorman
Instructor
Meet James Dorman, a Project Manager, estimator, and CEI instructor who teaches how to read blueprints classes.
Instructor for the Following Courses:
Bio
James Dorman leads students in CEI’s how to read blueprints classes as an instructor. Currently, he teaches the 103 Construction Blueprint Reading and 114 Estimating Civil and Site Work courses. As a licensed general contractor, Dorman has a Masters degree in Construction Management and has excelled in the construction industry as a framer, heavy equipment operator and civil project manager in civil, structural, flatwork, commercial, residential and public works.
He was a company owner at E&D Excavation and served as an instructor for the Associated General Contractors of America and guest speaker for the National Association of Women in Construction (NAWIC). Over the course of his construction career, James has become an expert in the areas of concrete, materials and methods, estimating and bidding, managing projects and schedules. He is currently on active duty as a member of the National Guard. James Dorman brings a combination of construction industry experience to all students who enroll in the how to read blueprints classes.
Education
- Masters Degree Construction Management
- Bachelor of Art International Studies
Registrations and Certifications
- Licensed General Contractor (ID)
Affiliations
- Reserve Officers Association
Military Service
- Active member Idaho National Guard
- Operation Iraqi Freedom III and Operation New Dawn I
- Armor Branch
- Army Instructor
Construction Project Experience
- Civil, Structural and Flatwork
- Concrete materials and methods
- Commercial, Residential Construction, Public works management
- Estimating/ Bidding
- Managing and scheduling subcontractors
- RFIs, RFQs and RFPs
- Change Orders
- WSDOT and ITD specifications
- Scheduling
- Cost Control
- Landscaping and grounds crew
Positions Held
- Associated General Contractors of America Instructor
- Partner E & D Excavation
- Civil Project Manager
- Heavy Equipment Operator
- Framer
Experience
- Senior Estimator Construction Management Resource
- Senior Estimator/Preconstruction Manager JE Dunn Construction
- Senior Estimator for Dicarlo Construction
Estimator for Butler Construction - Estimator/ Network Administrator for Oakview Construction
- Surveyor
Sign Up for Classes to Earn Your Certificate Program in Construction Estimating Today!
STUDENT REVIEWS
“I think the course was structured very well for people who are working full time plus jobs. You were able to go at your own pace as long as the work was done by end of week. I really appreciated that because this time of year, work is somewhat overwhelming and not having homework assignments due everyday made it manageable. I really enjoyed this class and feel like I learned a lot of information that I wouldn’t have learned at work.” “This course actually teaches more than blueprint reading. It introduced me to a lot of construction terminology and methodology that I hadn’t formally been presented with.”
“The course is perfect the way it is. The assignments are the greatest strength as they make the course practical with real field scenarios.” “One useful skill is just learning the formulas for different types of trenches and excavation requirements. The homework was challenging and very thought provoking. Some assignments took way too much time for my liking, but that is to be expected for a class like this.”
"The most useful things I’ve learned this semester have been having to rehone my excel spreadsheet skills. Also, using the specific units of measurement for each line item. This is critical to achieving a competitive estimate. I have applied these skills of looking for particular details in structural drawings to identify where the footings would be found."
"Having come into this program with zero construction experience, I have learned a lot. The most beneficial, I think, is the language. Also, I have a great start to a solid foundation in reading blueprints."
