Published: Sept. 17, 1997

A search committee has been formed to seek a new director of facilities management at the University of Colorado at Boulder, replacing Paul Tabolt, newly appointed vice chancellor for administration.

Chaired by Jeff Lipton, director of business services, the committee has placed position announcements in local, state and national publications. The deadline for application is Oct. 24.

John Bruning, assistant director for maintenance operations since 1993, has been tapped to serve as interim director of facilities management until a permanent director is named.

Bruning is a fourth-generation employee of CU-Boulder. “My great-grandfather rang the bell between classes and performed maintenance at Old Main, my grandmother worked for the residence halls, and my father worked in facilities management for 33 years,” he said.

Bruning attended CU in 1968-69 with a major in fine arts. He has worked in property management and maintenance in Breckenridge and Winter Park. In addition, he has been a contractor in Boulder and Fort Collins, specializing in historic residential renovation.

In his interim role during the search, Bruning said he intends “to continue the momentum initiated by Paul Tabolt on improving our customer service, participating in the campus master plan revision, improving the capital development process and improving facilities management information systems.”

The position of facilities management director is responsible for overall administration of facilities master planning, capital planning, design and construction, utilities and energy conservation, custodial and recycling services, grounds care and maintenance.

The department supports about 9.6 million gross square feet of academic, administrative and research facilities, including 220 buildings on 748 acres. The organization employs 335 staff members, has an operating budget of $18.2 million and oversees a $150 million capital improvement program.

Members of the search committee for the permanent director include:

Jeff Lipton (chair), business services

Steve Carr, molecular, cellular and development biology

Gary Chadwick, Recreation Center

Carlos Garcia, University Memorial Center

Bill Herbstreit, financial services

Norma Sorenson, facilities management

Jackie Sullivan, College of Engineering and Applied Science

John Satory, student administrator

Garnett Tatum (ex officio), Affirmative Action and Services

Paul Tabolt’s appointment as vice chancellor for administration was approved by the CU Board of Regents on Sept. 11, effective immediately.