Experienced naval facilities manager to lead Physical Plant

Jay Bieszke, who has 20 years of experience managing complex engineering, construction and facilities maintenance programs, has been selected as the new executive director of the Physical Plant in UW–Madison Facilities Planning and Management.

Bieszke worked most recently as chief of staff for the assistant secretary of the Navy for energy, installations and environment. He previously served as regional facilities director for the six Navy bases in the Washington, D.C., area, and Facilities Maintenance and Repair Program manager on the Navy’s Pentagon staff, as well as in a number of other facilities management positions over the course of his naval career.

He holds bachelor’s degrees in architecture and environmental design from Ball State University, a master’s in urban and regional planning from the University of Illinois at Urbana–Champaign, and is a registered architect in the state of Florida. He is also a certified Navy acquisition (contracting) professional.

“Jay will be a great addition to both the Physical Plant and the Facilities Leadership Team,” said David Darling, associate vice chancellor for facilities planning and management. “I look forward to working with him to apply his experience from managing thousands of acres and numerous buildings at naval installations around the world to the challenges and opportunities we face at UW–Madison.”

The executive director of the Physical Plant is responsible for developing, supporting and promoting programs necessary to maintain safe and efficient facilities to meet the needs of students, faculty, staff and the visiting public. The executive director oversees policies, procedures and programs to ensure coordination and collaboration between the Physical Plant and other departments and administrative units at the university.

“I am impressed by the commitment and quality of the Physical Plant team and look forward to working with them,” Bieszke said. “I am eager to begin partnering with my colleagues across campus, to ensure facilities operations and services empower the university’s world-class education and research, and bring value to Wisconsin.”

Bieszke will start on April 2. He succeeds Kris Ackerbauer, who has served as interim director of the Physical Plant since Robert Lamppa’s departure in September 2017. Ackerbauer will continue to serve as the director of services for the Physical Plant.