Ric Taylor, associate vice president for campus planning and operations, has worked at Fairfield for 20 years, although he never anticipated a lengthy stay.
Taylor recently decided to step down. His resignation will be effective at the end of the academic year.
“With the University now embarking on a long-term facilities plan to support the strategic vision, the time is appropriate for new leadership to take the helm, bringing new ideas and creativity to the campus’s development,” said Taylor.
Taylor mananges all aspects of Fairfield’s physical plant form the day to day activities to major projects.
“I was hired to supervise construction of the Quick Center and Chapel and I assumed I would move on once they were completed. But one project blended into the next,” said Taylor.
In addition to the Egan Chapel of St. Ignatius Loyola and the Regina A. Quick Center for the Arts, Taylor has a long list of accomplishments.
“Seeing Fairfield develop into the institution it is today has been extremely exciting,” said Taylor. “The people with whom I have worked over the years will be what I miss most.”
Taylor has aided in the construction and the renovations of the Apartment Village, the DiMenna-Nyselius Library, the Rudolph F. Bannow Science Center, the John A. Barone Campus Center, the Aloysius P. Kelley, S.J. Center, the Dolan Campus complex and the combined heat and power facility that is currently under construction.
Taylor said that, during his two decades of work, some of his personal and professional goals were put on hold.
“The timing will enable me to take advantage of opportunities that have presented themselves and, hopefully, realize my desire to flee the long New England winters,” he said.
Bill Lucas, vice president for Finance and Administration has worked closely with Taylor and said Taylor’s efforts have been vital to campus planning.
“Ric Taylor has tirelessly devoted two decades of his life to the institution and the critically important areas of facilities development and operation, as well as the less visible physical plant infrastructure,” he said.
Lucas said Taylor’s talent and enthusiasm have not only made the campus beautiful but have also given it a more effective infrastructure.
“He is respected by the many members of the external community with whom he has interacted in the course of his work, and he has built an outstanding campus planning and operations team,” said Lucas. “Ric will be greatly missed.”
Lucas also said the University is beginning the search for Taylor’s replacement.
“It’s no secret that Fairfield has accomplished a great deal in its young history,” said Mark Reed, vice president for Student Affairs. “Mr. Taylor’s tenure is part of that proud history.”
“Not only did he bring technical competence and expertise to his work, he also brought a great deal of creativity and had an excellent way of dealing with diverse, and even at times, conflicting constituencies,” Reed said.
Taylor expressed his enthasium for his time off.
“First, I’m looking forward to taking a little time off to travel,” said Taylor.
“Then, I plan to target my job search to an area where the climate is warming and the cost of living is less.”
Before coming to Fairfield, Taylor served as City Properties Supervisor for New Bedford, Mass., and Director of Facilities and Operations for the Swain School of Design, also in New Bedford. He received a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering at Southeastern Massachusetts University, now UMass Dartmouth.
During his time at Fairfield, Taylor has been involved with more than 25 major construction and renovation projects, totaling over 1.6 million square feet and $150 million.
Taylor was appointed assistant vice president for administration in 1995 and was promoted to his current position in 2002.
“I know Fairfield will continue to thrive,” said Taylor. “From his first day, Fr. von Arx, by setting the strategic goals, demonstrated his deep understanding of Fairfield and how it could evolve as an institution.
“The new senior administrators bring impeccable credentials, new ideas, and an energy that, coupled with the experience of veteran administrators, will see those goals through and make Fairfield an even better experience for its students,” he said.
Lucas said that the process of looking for Taylor’s replacement is underway.
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