UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — Following a career spanning more than three decades with the Penn State Facilities Engineering Institute (FEI), Jim Myers has announced his retirement, effective Feb. 28.
“Under Jim’s leadership, FEI has grown to become an important asset to not only the College of Engineering but to the University as a whole,” said Anthony Atchley, senior associate dean in the College of Engineering. “State agencies hold FEI in high regard and rely upon it for the first-class services they provide. Jim has expanded the FEI’s reach beyond Pennsylvania’s borders and it now extends nationwide. He has been a highly effective leader, an unparalleled advocate, and an exceptional colleague who has set the course for FEI for many years to come.”
Prior to joining FEI in 1985, Myers worked as an engineer at Greeley and Hansen, a consulting engineering firm in Chicago, Illinois, and as a project manager at United Conveyor Corporation, a global leader in helping to improve plant performance.
Myers began his career at FEI as a mechanical engineer specializing in central plants. For almost 10 years, he was responsible for assisting with operations and maintenance of central boiler plants at prisons, hospitals and universities across Pennsylvania.
In January 1995, Myers was named director of FEI and helped to develop a new strategic plan that focused on improving customer service and enhancing the institute’s education and advisory services.
Under Myers’ leadership, the institute added multiple Pennsylvania state customers to its portfolio, including the Historical Museum Commission, Department of General Services, Liquor Control Board, Department of Transportation, and Turnpike Commission, and partnered with the United States General Service Administration to offer facilities infrastructure and high-performance building training.
In addition to doubling FEI’s client base, Myers helped increase the organization’s staff from six employees to more than 30, and its annual revenue from $480,000 to more than $5 million.
“I never imagined that FEI would grow this much, but we did it one step at a time,” said Myers. “There have been some ups and downs along the way, but the strength of my colleagues helped bring it all together.”
Throughout Myers’ tenure, FEI received multiple awards and honors for its services. The National Association of State Facilities Administrators and the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania recognized FEI for its energy procurement efforts. In 2010, the institute was named a TechQuest Pennsylvania (now Technology Council of Pennsylvania) Technology Company of the Year finalist. The Pennsylvania Facilities Managers Association selected FEI and Myers for its Outstanding Achievement Award in 1997 and 1990, respectively.
John Hajduk, associate director of FEI, was selected as Myers’ successor, following a competitive national search. He will assume his new role March 1.
“This is an exciting time for the Penn State Facilities Engineering Institute,” said Myers. “We are developing some new initiatives and forging additional partnerships, and John has been instrumental throughout the process. I think the future is very bright.”
Penn State’s Facilities Engineering Institute provides facility engineering services to 11 Pennsylvania state agencies and the federal government. The organization aims to advance its customers’ facilities engineering aspirations through applied research, education and innovation.