Facilities Departments

The Chief of Campus Operations and his staff of directors in the Facilities Department oversee the care and maintenance of the buildings and grounds on the Amherst College campus.  

Ralph Johnson - Executive Director of Campus Operations

Scott Cole - Director of Campus Operations Finance

Guy Cote - Director of Facilities Operations

Tom Davies - Executive Director of Planning, Design and Construction

Rebecca Hurlburt - Administrative Coordinator of Campus Operations

Kenneth Lauzier - Director of Auxiliary Services/Facilities

Facilities Organization Chart (pdf)

Contact Information

Phone: (413) 542-2202
Fax: (413) 542-5789

Mailing Address:
P.O. Box 5000
Amherst, MA 01002

Physical Address:
6 East Dr.
Amherst, MA 01002

Auxiliary Services/Facilities

The Director of Auxiliary Services/Facilities oversees the Custodial Department, the Special Services Department, the Grounds Department and the Post Office on the Amherst College campus.  

Kenneth Lauzier - Director of Auxiliary Services/Facilities:  klauzier@amherst.edu

Custodial

Liz Pereira - Custodial Supervisor: epereira@amherst.edu

Jeremy Gonzalez - Custodial Supervisor: jegonzalez@amherst.edu

Danielle Mercier - Warehouse Coordinator: dmercier@amherst.edu

• A team of 47 Custodial Staff are responsible for the upkeep of 70 buildings which include; Academic, Administrative and Residence Halls.
• Assist Special Services with office moves, trucking, and event setups.
• Snow and ice removal of walkways leading to buildings
• Supporting the College’s effort in sustainability through environmentally safe products and oversight of the recycling and repurpose program. 

Fun Fact: A custodian at Amherst College is responsible for the upkeep of  43,000 square feet each day.  That’s equivalent to cleaning 35 average size homes.

CONTACT INFORMATION

Phone: (413) 542-2367
Fax: (413) 542-5789

Physical Address:
85 College St.
Amherst, MA 01002

Special Services

Heidi Kellogg - Special Services Supervisor: hkellogg@amherst.edu

• The Special Service shop provides staff to prepare areas that are scheduled for special events.
• The team provides the delivery and moving of furniture ranging from a single file cabinet to a complete office move.
• General trucking for delivery of computers, paper products, supplies and equipment.
• Providing support for meetings and conferences including outside functions that require a special set up.
• Manage Seymour Warehouse, the college’s stockroom and central receiving center. 

Fun Fact: Special Services handles more than 5000 work orders each year ranging from a chair delivery, office move, or special event set up such as Commencement.

CONTACT INFORMATION

Phone: (413) 542-2367
Fax: (413) 542-5789

Physical Address:
85 College St.
Amherst, MA 01002

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Landscape and Grounds

Mark Uchneat - Landscape and Grounds Supervisor: muchneat@amherst.edu 

• A staff of 17 are responsible for maintaining 150 acres including grass and synthetic athletic fields
• Upkeep of 7 miles of sidewalks and roadways along with snow and ice removal. 
• Manage the college’s recycling program.  
• Maintain and operate the College’s ice rink
• Repair and maintain the College’s fleet of vehicles in addition to performing general repairs to equipment.

Fun Fact: In the height of summer, the Landscape and Grounds staff mow an average of 126 acres each week.

CONTACT INFORMATION

Phone: (413) 542-8369
Fax: (413) 542-5789

Physical Address:
10 Dickinson St.
Amherst, MA 01002

Post Office

- Post Office Supervisor: 

• Amherst has a full Service Post Office that ships domestically
• The Post Office is the drop off point for both UPS and FedEx
• Provides notification of parcels to students, faculty, staff and students via text messaging or email.  
• More information about the Post Office 

Fun Fact: The Amhest College Post Office distributes over 60,000 packages to students faculty and staff during the academic year. 

CONTACT INFORMATION

Phone: (413) 542-5776
Fax: (413) 542-5789

Physical Address:
16 Barrett Hill Dr.
Amherst, MA 01002

Planning, Design and Construction

The Executive Director of Planning, Design & Construction oversees the Planning, Design and Construction Department on the Amherst College campus.  

Tom Davies - Executive Director of Planning, Design and Construction:  tdavies@amherst.edu

Seth Wilschutz - Assistant Director: swilschutz@amherst.edu

Mark Andrews - Senior Capital Projects Manager: mandrews@amherst.edu

John Cooke - Senior Capital Projects Manager: jcooke@amherst.edu

Nicole Barron - Furnishings and Interiors Project Manager: nbarron@amherst.edu

Aaron Hayden - Campus Utilities Engineer: aahayden@amherst.edu

Chris Tait - Capital Project Manager: ctait@amherst.edu

Daren Gray - Capital Projects Manager: dgray@amherst.edu

Rachel Belanger - Capital Projects Manager: rbelanger@amherst.edu

• Planning, Design & Construction is a team of 9 staff that are responsible for the preservation of 80 buildings across the campus, utilities infrastructure and the design and construction of all renovations and new structures on the Amherst College campus.
• Supporting the college’s effort in sustainability by using building materials that are environmentally friendly as well as including the newest environmentally friendly building features.    

Fun Fact: The Planning, Design and Construction department has overseen the renovation or new construction of 63% of the buildings on the Amherst College campus since 2000. 

CONTACT INFORMATION

Phone: (413) 542-2202
Fax: (413) 542-5789

Physical Address:
6 East Dr.
Amherst, MA 01002

Facilities/Operations

The Director of Operations/Facilities oversees the Building Trades Shops, the Central Energy Plant, the Electrical Shop, the Mechanical Shop and the Service Center.

Guy Cote - Director of Operations/Facilities: gcote@amherst.edu
 

Contact Information

Phone: (413) 542-2202
Fax: (413) 542-5789

Building Trades

David White - Building Trades Supervisor: dwhite@amherst.edu

• There are five carpenters whose primary responsibility is to provide maintenance and upkeep for all existing interior and exterior building elements and fixtures. 
• For discretionary (non-maintenance or program improvement) work, the office will provide estimates for a wide range of building projects from small remodels to custom shelving and cabinets.
• The three painters execute or oversee all interior and exterior painting, glazing repairs and floor repairs.
• Other building trade duties include support of Special Events such as hanging of banners, assembly and set up of new or purchased office fixtures and Capital Projects support.

Fun Fact: During Commencement the Building Trades staff set up about 7500 folding chairs at the Quad, Lefrak and the Cage.

Lock Shop

Jim Looney - Locksmith: jlooney@amherst.edu

• The locksmith is responsible for the maintenance and management of the campus wide key system.
• Also supports electronic access equipment in coordination with IT.

Fun Fact: The locksmith oversees about 10,000 locks and there are about 20,000 keys in circulation and on-hand on the Amherst College campus.

Central Energy Plant

Manager of Central Utilities:

- Lead Operator:

• The 5 engineers of the Power Plant are responsible for the safe generation of steam and chilled water for distribution around campus for heating and cooling.
• They operate our Co-Generation equipment which generates and contributes to the steam supply as well as generating approximately one third to one half of the electricity consumed by the campus.

Fun Fact: A jet engine powers the cogeneration in the Central Energy Plant to create steam and electricity for the campus.

CONTACT INFORMATION

Phone: (413) 542-2261
Fax: (413) 542-5789

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Electrical Shop

Jon Chiarizio - Lead Electrician: jfchiarizio@amherst.edu

• The four electricians are responsible for the installation, maintenance and repair of the campus electrical distribution network, electrical equipment, transformers, fire alarms, controls, switches, lighting and power systems.
• Administers and oversees numerous specialty service contracts including the elevators on campus 

Fun Fact: The Electrical Shop oversees and maintains approximately 17,200 fire alarms on the Amherst College campus. 

CONTACT INFORMATION

Phone: (413) 542-8363
Fax: (413) 542-5789

Physical Address:
6 East Dr.
Amherst, MA 01002

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Mechanical Shop

Brad Stafford - Lead Mechanical Shop Technician: bstafford@amherst.edu

• The 10 mechanics, plumbers and controls technicians are responsible for the installation, maintenance and repair of heating, cooling and ventilation systems, as well as for building plumbing systems and building automation/management systems in all campus buildings.
• They also manage the campus utility systems including steam and condensate, chilled water, domestic and wastewater systems.

Fun Fact:  There are approximately 45 miles of plumbing pipe and HVAC in the new Science Center.

CONTACT INFORMATION

Phone: (413) 542-2085
Fax: (413) 542-5789

Physical Address:
4 East Dr.
Amherst, MA 01002

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Service Center

Jennifer Fite - Service Center Supervisor: jfite@amherst.edu

• The Service Center’s two staff members take requests from staff, faculty and students for services fulfilled by Facilities department staff and outside contractors.
• They provide prompt attention to emergency maintenance requirements such as leaks, power failures, heating problems and physical damage that could be a danger to health and safety.
• Beyond the work of Operations maintenance, they coordinate closely with many departments across campus including EH&S, Police, Dining, Residential Life and Emergency Management.
• Responsible for coordinating pest control 

Fun Fact: The Service Building, where the Service Center resides, was designed by an architecture firm in 1932 who also designed Penn Station, the mansions in Newport, RI and who were asked to renovate the White House.

CONTACT INFORMATION

Phone: (413) 542-2254
Fax: (413) 542-5789

Physical Address:
6 East Dr.
Amherst, MA 01002