New facilities director hired

A new Executive Director of Facilities Operations arrived in Oberlin this summer, replacing Donna Raynsford. Raynsford served the College for ten years and retired effective the end of June.

Mike Will, who comes from the Pensecola, Fla. public school system, started on July 1.

Will is unique among Oberlin staff because he is employed not by the College but by a consultant firm called Facilities Resource Management (FRM).

Although Will is employed by FRM, President Nancy Dye stressed that he is just like any other employee of the College. "It doesn't change any day to day interactions," she said.

Will's position will be different from that of Raynsford: he will be supervised by Vice President for Finance Andy Evans and will be a more senior employee of the College than Raynsford was.

The College strengthened its ties with FRM at the end of last year. Dye said Oberlin needs the firm's expert advice and consultation. "This is an area many people turn to for help," she said. "There is no one person who has all the knowledge and experience to run a major operation like ours."

One other employee, Kevin Jacobs, Associate Director of Facilities, is also employed through FRM. Dye said she forsees a total of three positions filled in this manner. All would be upper-level management positions.

Dye has worked with FRM in the past. She said the College has used the firm for several years and that she has always been satisfied with the advice they provide.

"I have always been impressed with how sensible and intelligent their management style is," Dye said.