PSU assembles team to keep projects on track

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January 30, 2012

Anonymous Press-Republican The Press Republican Mon Jan 30, 2012, 02:28 AM EST

PLATTSBURGH — The Facilities, Maintenance and Operations at Plattsburgh State has recently undergone a number of structural changes, including some new hires and promotions.

"This reorganization was necessitated by an increase in volume of capital projects," Plattsburgh State's Vice President for Administration John Homburger said in an account of recent developments prepared by Director of Public Relations and Publications Michelle Ouellette.

"The new departmental structure will allow facilities to operate at optimal effectiveness."

These capital projects include the construction of the new building to house the Department of Computer Science and the School of Business and Education and the renovation of buildings that include Hudson Hall, Feinberg Library and Hood Hall, in addition to a large number of projects put forth by the college's Facilities Master Plan. This plan runs through 2023 and provides for changes to every building on campus.

"Facilities Director Kevin Roberts has assembled a strong team of professionals to move us forward with our Facilities Master Plan and critical maintenance needs," Homburger said.

Roberts agreed.

"With these changes to our team, I believe we are well positioned to move the Facilities Master Plan forward with its emphasis on the enhancement of the learning and teaching experience at SUNY Plattsburgh," he said.

MEETING STANDARDS

While Richard Larche remains the capital-project manager, he has taken on additional supervisory responsibilities. He and Roberts will oversee all of the construction-related needs of the campus, working with consultants, contractors, construction-fund personnel and others. Larche will take part in design and construction meetings; review drawings, plans and design materials; and work with construction representatives and campus stakeholders to make sure codes are enforced and workmanship is up to par.

Crystal Price now serves under Larche as a construction-project-development and field-oversight professional. She will assist him in his duties, especially projects with mechanical and plumbing components.

Jules Lapoint, who was hired in 2010, has been serving in the same role as Price but focuses his efforts on the residence halls. He will be overseeing the renovation of one residence hall per year for the next nine years.

Meanwhile, William Circelli, who was a plant utilities engineer 3, has now become the assistant director of facilities. He will oversee the Central Heating Plant and direct daily maintenance and operations for the rest of the college's physical plant. He will supervise, coordinate and provide technical direction to maintenance staff, in addition to determining facilities' needs; consult and advise administrators on the feasibility of projects and alternatives; and inspect the quality of work performed by maintenance staff and outside contractors to ensure it is done on time and meets quality standards.

IN-HOUSE PROJECTS

The college is also working to place someone in the role of maintenance-and-operations coordinator. This individual will be responsible for directly supervising staff in maintenance and report to Circelli. The coordinator's duties will include overseeing the scheduling and completion of in-house projects; providing estimates for needed resources; acquiring needed resources; and coordinating the maintenance staff who will complete the work.

Karen McKinney has also taken on a new role, becoming the campus-capital-planning coordinator. Furthermore, Schon Brewer and David Ball have both been promoted to plant utilities engineers 2 at the Central Heating Plant. The maintenance-and-operations coordinator will work closely with Brewer and Ball on any joint in-house projects.

Chris Jackson will continue as facilities finance manager, overseeing the warehouse and purchasing, and Dan Mariano will continue to oversee janitorial and moving crew staff as the chief janitor.

Lastly, Dennis Wright and Pat Farrell have been promoted to the position of maintenance supervisor I, with Wright overseeing maintenance on academic buildings and Farrell on residence halls.