Management

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 President & CEO

Ernesto Pagulayan III is the President and CEO of Moderno Inc., with over a decade of experience in government contracting and project management. He holds a Master's Degree in Management from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University and a Bachelor's Degree in Business Administration from Emilio Aguinaldo College in the Philippines.

Ernesto is a proud graduate of Purdue University's Entrepreneurship Bootcamp for Veterans with Disabilities, where he honed his skills in starting, maintaining, and growing a business under the guidance of esteemed entrepreneurs and business leaders. His military background spans 10 years of active duty as an enlisted member of the U.S. Navy, 8 years as a Logistics Officer with the California Army National Guard, and a current role as an Army Officer with the Selective Service System.

With a diverse range of supervisory positions in administration, operations, technology, and finance, Ernesto possesses the expertise and leadership qualities necessary to steer Moderno Inc. to success.

Vice President & Senior Project Manager

Michael Palma is the Vice President and Senior Project Manager at Moderno Inc. He holds a B.S. degree in Landscape Design from San Diego State University and boasts over 28 years of experience in residential and commercial landscape design, maintenance, and construction.

As a holder of an active Qualified Applicators License (QAL), Michael is highly skilled in designing, maintaining, and installing irrigation systems, as well as the accurate application of fertilizers, pesticides, and herbicides. His responsibilities at Moderno include planning and controlling inventory levels, conducting staff meetings to address problem areas, providing solutions, preparing estimates, and creating contract documents in line with job specifications.

Michael's diverse skillset as a project manager, estimator, negotiator, administrator, and coordinator ensures the successful award, quality-oriented, and safe completion of projects. With his recent departure from a Logistics Officer role in the California Army National Guard, Michael's expertise as a Landscape Designer elevates Moderno above its competitors in cemetery grounds maintenance and services.