KU names new director of Facilities Services

LAWRENCE – Jay Phillips, a resident of Lawrence, has been named director of Facilities Services at the University of Kansas. Phillips will serve as the first director of the new organization, which was created in July as part of the ongoing Changing for Excellence initiative. He will oversee approximately 420 employees and will be responsible for the management of the buildings and grounds at KU's main campus in Lawrence, the Edwards Campus in Overland Park and several additional remote locations.

Phillips comes to KU from the U.S. Coast Guard where he served as a commissioned officer for 27 years, during which time he managed design, construction and facilities services at a variety of installations across the United States. Since 2008, Phillips served as the chief executive of the Coast Guard Pay and Personnel Center in Topeka, a $4 billion human resources and payroll management operation, where he led four major departments and managed more than 300 people. Prior to moving to Kansas, Phillips was the director of Facilities Engineering at the U.S. Coast Guard Academy in New London, Conn., where he led the Academy's maintenance, design and construction, capital planning, fire prevention, and environmental health and safety programs. As the director, Phillips revamped service delivery while saving staff positions and increasing operational efficiency.

Earlier assignments included managing the Coast Guard's $140 million annual maintenance and repair program and $800 million capital projects program for Coast Guard facilities in 40 U.S. States, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Phillips also led various operational and engineering units at Coast Guard stations across the country.

"We were committed to a nationwide search for our first Facilities Services director and were lucky to find a top quality candidate right here in Lawrence," said Diane Goddard, vice provost for Administration and Finance at KU. "Jay's career in the Coast Guard has provided him tremendous experience not only managing facilities but managing people. He is an outstanding addition to the KU community."

Phillips holds a Master of Science in Civil Engineering from the University of Illinois, a Master of Public Administration from Old Dominion University and a Bachelor of Science in civil engineering from the U.S. Coast Guard Academy. He is a licensed professional engineer, a certified facilities manager and an active member of both the Society of American Military Engineers and the Association of College Physical Plant Administrators.

"My career has taken me to many locations, but none as wonderful as Lawrence," said Phillips. "I'm thrilled to be joining the KU community, and look forward to this challenging and rewarding position."

Phillips will begin his new role at KU on Thursday, Oct. 11.