Dirk Theisen

Physical plant director André Hutchinson (pictured)  has announced some recent staff changes:

Rachel Partin was recently hired as the new office manager for the physical plant. Prior to joining the physical plant team, Rachel worked as a writer, editor, and manager of correspondence in the Office of the President at Harvard. In addition to managing a busy office supporting the largest non- faculty department on campus, Rachel will also provide administrative support to the physical plant director.

Sandy Galati has been appointed to the newly created position of operations administrator. Sandy’s attention will be focused almost exclusively on maintenance work-order performance management as the physical plant continues to strive to make good on its promise to deliver quality and service. In conjunction with Sandy’s new role, Physical Plant will soon begin implementing and monitoring performance metrics with the goal of making sure that maintenance work-orders are completed in a timely manner while at the same time upholding high standards in terms of the quality of the work performed. Sandy is an almost 8-year member of the UP community and was the recipient of the 2012 Margaret Henzi Outstanding Office/Clerical Employee Award.

Dirk Theisen has been appointed foreman of the newly formed Boiler/Steam/HVAC shop. As part of the physical plant’s efforts toward continual performance improvement, this new trade-specific shop was formed to provide better service and support for the management and maintenance of all heating and air- conditioning systems across campus. An almost 10-year member of the Physical Plant staff, Dirk was the 2008 recipient of the Ted Deiss Outstanding Physical Plant Employee Award and received his bachelor of business administration degree in operations and technology management from UP in 2013. Dirk also honorably served in the United States Navy from 2002-2010, including a tour in Iraq during Operation Enduring Freedom in 2006-2007.

Danielle Marcial has recently been appointed lead of night shift custodians. Danielle came to UP with extensive custodial/floor care experience, having previously worked in a supervisory role for the custodial department of a large public-school system in New York. In her new role, she leads a team of dedicated staff who work Sunday through Thursday, from 10 p.m. to 6:30 a.m., providing general custodial services to all non-residential buildings across campus. As someone who displays committment to self-improvement in her work, Danielle is also a voluntary participant in Oregon Tradeswomen, Inc.’s Pathways to Success Program, a 7-week, pre-apprenticeship training program that helps women prepare for a high-skill, high-wage career in the construction industry.

For more information contact Hutchinson at 7306 or hutchina@up.edu.