UpDate - Vol. 13, No. 35, Page 1
June 23, 1994
Thomas F. Vacha appointed assistant v.p. for facilities

     Thomas F. Vacha, director of plant operations since 1988, has
been promoted to the position of assistant vice president for
facilities, effective July 1, senior vice president David E. Hollowell
announced today.
     As assistant vice president, Vacha will be responsible for the
departments of Facilities Planning and Construction and of Facilities
Management-the new name for Plant Operations.
     "We are pleased to recognize Tom's contributions and abilities
with this expanded responsibility," Hollowell said.
     "He will provide the oversight necessary to ensure that new and
renovated campus facilities are built in a manner compatible with the
operation and maintenance standards of Facilities Management. Tom also
will evaluate systems and procedures for maximizing communication and
operational efficiency of the various facilities support departments,"
Hollowell said.
     Vacha brings more than 40 years of experience in a variety of
related positions in education, government and private industry to his
new assignment. As Plant Operations director, he has been responsible
for the University's multi-campus facilities involving more than 400
buildings on approximately 2,500 acres, with an annual operating
budget in excess of $30 million.
     Before coming to Delaware, Vacha was responsible for all the
mechanical and electrical facilities operations at the Massachusetts
Institute of Technology, including the central steam and chilled water
plants, along with utility distribution systems. Previously, Vacha
supervised similar groupings within the Department of Buildings and
Grounds at Harvard University, and he held positions as a project
administrator, mechanical engineer, mechanical designer and
draftsperson.
     A graduate of Northeastern University, Vacha holds an associate
degree in mechanical engineering and a bachelors of science degree in
industrial technology.
     He retired after 34 years from the U.S. Army Reserve at the rank
of lt. colonel. His last assignment was chief of the Maintenance
Division, Office of the Deputy Chief of Staff for Logistics in the
94th Army Reserve Command.
     Vacha has presented papers on physical plant topics at
educational conferences of the Association of Higher Education
Facilities Officers, of which he has been a member since 1972 and
currently serves as the international vice president for professional
affairs.
     He is on the faculty of the Higher Education Facilities Officers
Institute and teaches the training, staff development and organization
sections of that organization's week-long training program.