OU gets new VP for facilities
May 8, 2008
Harry Wyatt, Ohio University’s executive director of facilities management, will succeed John Kotowski as associate vice president for facilities, effective May 12.
As part of his new duties, Wyatt will oversee all aspects of facilities at the university. This includes oversight of planning and implementation, maintenance and operations, work center, and campus services. It also includes the university’s newest areas that focus on making the campus more green — sustainability and energy management.
“Harry is a natural successor given his excellent qualifications as an architect, MBA and the fact that he has led facilities organizations at other large universities,” Vice President for Finance and Administration Bill Decatur said in a news release.
Kotowski recently announced his retirement, effective Sept. 30, after nearly 32 years at the university. Kotowski will remain at OU to head up several special projects.
In the release, Decatur said the overlap will facilitate a smooth transfer of leadership, knowledge transfer and fiscal year 2009 budget preparation.
“The early notice of John’s retirement has allowed us the time to work toward a seamless transition within facilities,” Decatur added.
In the release, Wyatt said he’s pleased to be building on strengths.
“I am very happy to further serve the university and continue our department’s efforts toward integrating facilities functions, incorporating sustainability into our buildings and operations, and general process improvement,” Wyatt said. “John has made great strides in these areas, and I look forward to building on his fine work.”
Wyatt said he hopes to continue his area’s efforts to become more efficient, while not sacrificing the quality of its provided services.
He added that his major initiatives will be implementing energy management and sustainability principles across all of his department’s functions and integrating facilities functions with the planning and implementation functions.
He’s also looking in new directions, according to the release.
“One of my first orders of business will be getting up to speed with the planning, design and construction operation, because those are the only new areas under my supervision,” he said.
Wyatt began at OU in November 2006. Prior to that, he served five years at the University of Toledo as associate vice president for facilities management. His Toledo stint was preceded by 20 years in progressively responsible facilities roles at other large universities, including Georgia State University and the Louisiana State University Medical Center. He spent another 11 years in various facilities planning and design roles, with the latest being the Duke University Medical Center.
A national search for a director of plant operations to succeed Wyatt will begin immediately, the release said.
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