Hi, I’m Tobe Aguocha
a Project Manager. Project Manager.

Pioneering Excellence in Construction Leadership: The Most Influential Business Leader to Watch in 2024.

As quoted by John Quincy Adams, a leader should inspire others to dream more, learn more, do more, and become more.

In today’s business landscape, such leadership qualities are indispensable, guiding companies through periods of change and uncertainty. Leaders like Dr. Tobe Aguocha, the Construction Project Manager at Valero, exemplify this philosophy, shaping the future of the organizations through his visionary leadership and unwavering dedication to excellence. With 15+ years in construction, overseeing projects from $150M to $850M, Dr. Tobe emerges as a leader in inspiring innovation, driving growth, and empowering teams for success. Join us as we learn more about how he does that.

Professional Evolution

Dr. Tobe Aguocha’s career journey began in his late father’s furniture workshop in Nigeria, where he developed a passion for design and construction. This early exposure led him to pursue and complete a degree in Architecture, followed by a Master’s degree specializing in hospitality design and architecture. After practicing as an architect and delivering high-level commercial projects in Europe and Africa, Dr. Tobe found the design scope alone to be limiting, as it did not encompass the construction aspects that brought his designs to life.

This realization propelled him to expand his expertise in the construction industry. He achieved this by earning an MBA in production, process, and cost management. Dr. Tobe Aguocha”s career subsequently transitioned into project management within the residential, commercial, and industrial sectors. His projects span multiple continents, including West Africa, Europe, the United States, and particularly London, where he collaborated with renowned international companies in various industries such as hospitality, retail, mission critical, and oil & gas. 

As he progressed, Dr. Tobe managed projects of considerable size and budget, including those exceeding 3 million square feet and valued at over $300 million. His cumulative project budget surpassed one billion dollars. Throughout his career, Dr. Tobe has been driven to deliver projects that meet client time, budget, and quality expectations and enhance the construction processes.

Motivated by continuous improvement and client concerns primarily about costs, Dr. Tobe Aguocha embarked on a doctoral research program focused on cost management in construction projects. This academic pursuit further deepened his commitment to refining construction methodologies.

For Dr. Tobe Aguocha, success in any project—whether commercial or industrial—is not merely about meeting the basic requirements but also about advancing the efficiency and quality of the delivery process. This approach has established him as a leader in the field, dedicated to leveraging his expertise to foster knowledge sharing and process improvements within the construction industry.

Building Dreams: The Remarkable Journey of Dr. Tobe Aguocha in Construction and Project Management.

The dusty roar of a construction site wasn’t just background noise for a young Tobe Aguocha growing up in Africa and Europe. It was a symphony of progress, a tangible melody of human ambition taking shape. Amidst the towering cranes and bustling workers, a spark ignited in his heart. This spark would propel him to become a leader who built not just structures, but dreams.

Fast forward, and Dr. Tobe Aguocha stands tall in the bustling landscape of the construction industry. Armed with over 15 years of experience and a relentless pursuit of excellence, his journey from Texas is a testament to dedication, innovation, and pushing boundaries. 

Success wasn’t instantaneous. The intricacies of construction management demanded tireless dedication. Countless hours were spent deciphering blueprints, navigating permits, and ensuring every brick was laid with precision. This relentless pursuit honed his skills, transforming him from a curious observer into a maestro of the building process.

Over the years, Tobe has spearheaded pivotal projects for industry giants like Valero Energy and Amazon, leaving an indelible mark on each endeavor. His portfolio reflects his versatility, encompassing everything from elegant luxury residences to the technological marvel of data centers. Each project was tackled with the same unwavering commitment.

At Valero, Dr. Aguocha’s meticulous attention to detail streamlined several projects, saving millions through strategic negotiation and efficient procurement. This wasn’t just about numbers; it was about building a legacy of excellence, one project at a time. His leadership resonated throughout the team, inspiring others to achieve similar success. He negotiated billion-dollar contracts and achieved a remarkable 25% increase in project efficiency through optimized design and development strategies. Dr. Aguocha’s ability to develop strategic partnerships and implement standardized processes created a ripple effect, empowering his team and others to consistently deliver projects across international teams.

When Amazon came calling, Tobe embraced the challenge of constructing robotic fulfillment and data centers across North America. He wasn’t just a leader; he was a visionary. He championed the integration of cutting-edge technologies, not just to meet deadlines, but to revolutionize the construction process itself. Under his guidance, operational efficiency soared by 30%, and construction costs plummeted by 25%. These weren’t just statistics; they were testaments to the power of embracing the future.

Dr. Aguocha’s thirst for knowledge extends beyond the corporate world. Armed with a Doctor of Business Administration in Project Management, he seamlessly bridges the gap between theory and practice. His doctoral dissertation on “Best Practices for Cost Monitoring and Control in Construction Projects” underscores his commitment to advancing industry standards and fostering continuous improvement.

Certifications further brighten Dr. Aguocha’s illustrious career, including the coveted Project Management Professional (PMP), Design-Build Institute of America (DBIA), Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), and Certified Scrum Master (CSM) credentials. Each certification reflects his dedication to mastering the intricacies of project management and embracing agile methodologies to drive transformative change.

But Dr. Aguocha’s impact extends far beyond the boardroom. Inspired by his father’s legacy, he remains deeply committed to uplifting others through philanthropic endeavors. He’s a beacon of hope, actively involved in community empowerment efforts. Dr. Aguocha actively supports humanitarian causes, including Rotary International, the United Way of San Antonio, Habitat for Humanity, and the San Antonio Food Bank, all dedicated to improving lives in the community.

In academia, Dr. Aguocha’s contributions extend far beyond the confines of his professional endeavors. As an esteemed member of various organizations, including the Construction Management Association of America (CMAA), he actively engages in knowledge-sharing initiatives and collaborative efforts aimed at advancing industry best practices. He also holds the esteemed position of Adjunct Professor in the School of Civil & Environmental Engineering and Construction Management at The University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA).

Awards and accolades adorn Dr. Aguocha’s illustrious career. He received an Award for Process Improvement and Delivery for his Solar Generation initiative, demonstrating his commitment to innovation in clean energy.  His work was further recognized by Amazon with the Most Successful Project Award. Dr. Aguocha’s dedication to excellence is also reflected in his recent win of the President’s Honors Award from the Phi Theta Kappa National Honor Society, a prestigious recognition of academic achievement.  In addition, he was inducted into the esteemed Who’s Who in America, a testament to his standing among leading figures in the nation.

As Dr. Tobe Aguocha continues to break new ground and redefine industry standards, his legacy as a visionary leader in construction and project management remains indelible. Armed with a potent blend of expertise, innovation, and compassion, he stands poised to shape the future of the construction industry and inspire generations to come. 

Leveraging Scrum and Incremental Delivery in Construction Projects.

The value of Scrum Alliance’s certifications reaches beyond software developement and IT. The skills taught in the courses are readily applied to other industries and roles. In the example below, we see how scrum can be applied to construction projects that are made up of incremental parts.

Dr. Tobe Aguocha, CSM, PMP, MBA, is a construction project manager for Valero Energy in San Antonio. He pursued the Certified ScrumMaster® because he saw that it would provide him with the skills necessary to succeed in his role. In particular, he felt motivated to take the course as he witnessed the transition in popularity from waterfall to agile project management in his industry.

“Large-scale construction projects have many sections that are broken into little segments, and that’s where learning the scrum framework was very helpful. With process-driven projects, sprints are very applicable,” Aguocha says.

Aguocha has over 15 years of experience in the construction industry, managing teams and projects ranging from $150 million to $850 million. His certification and scrum skills have helped him succeed with project coordination, problem-solving, and project planning.

Aguocha really embraces a common scrum master method of using a whiteboard and sticky notes as facilitation tools for his meetings. His training also empowers him to bring together a cross-functional team to complete a project, such as mechanical engineers and project managers who synchronize their work and pivot based on feedback when necessary.

On other occasions, Aguocha uses sprints because, in construction, tasks repeat themselves and the goal is to always improve these processes. The way this work is delivered and the value of the outcomes can be improved with each sprint. He explains that no building is the same, but the technology going into each structure is similar, and sprints help with those iterations.

One of Aguocha’s proudest accomplishments was overseeing the construction of a $300 million Amazon fulfillment center in Texas that occupies over 1 million square feet. He used his experience and what he learned from his Scrum Alliance certification course to help him with most parts of the project, from the building’s IT hub to its security requirements.

He especially appreciates how Scrum Alliance continues to provide learning resources, clear paths to advanced certifications, and educational content so he can continuously grow his agile skills and expertise.

Aguocha’s colleague, an IT manager, convinced him to pursue certification. When he took the course, everyone else there was in the IT field. However, over the two-day CSM experience, he could see how scrum can be applied to construction projects. Since then, he’s let his colleagues know that there is value in considering a certification course to learn more about agile principles. As an adjunct professor at the University of Texas San Antonio, he tells his students about scrum and encourages them to think about how adaptability, incremental delivery, and responsiveness to change can be applied to many contexts. 

“Certified ScrumMaster is a very effective approach, and it’s also a way to expand one’s professional network, which is tremendously important in today’s competitive environment.”