Lindsey Wanderscheid Title: Plant Engineer Hired: 2007 Education: University of Minnesota Duluth There s always something going on around the campus, and ways to interact and get involved in the community. After seven years working for a local company, I was asked to transfer out of state. I wanted to continue in my current field, but a transfer was not part of my plans. A job at Iowa State was the answer. With great professional development opportunities, a team environment and caring employees, it was an easy decision to continue my career with Iowa State University. My job at Iowa State offered me better vacation and retirement. ISU matches two to one. My previous job was also very stressful, had long hours and was shift work. At Iowa State, it s more laid-back. I have a nice balance with my family life. There are lots of opportunities to get involved. I m able to sit on committees, establish relationships with peers across the University with the Professional & Scientific Council, and be a part of different interdepartmental teams. Plus, the University is very open to letting you take professional development courses to reach your goals.
Randy Larabee Title: Assistant Director for Utilities Hired: 1984 Education: University of Nebraska-Lincoln What s most rewarding for me is I know the job is being done well. Living in Utah and designing a large coal fired power plant, I was ready for a new challenge, a new environment, and to get closer to family. I came to Facilities Planning and Management anticipating I would work here for five to seven years, and have now been here for 29 years. My wife and both daughters have since received degrees from Iowa State University, and Ames is a great community in which to live. Work-life balance is great. Being able to take time off from work is not an issue. You have the freedom to schedule your vacations when they work for you and your family, which is great. It s a varied job. You re not doing the same thing day in and day out. It s very broad. You do it all, and there s a support structure to help you find things so you don t have to find it by yourself. The product in the end is a high-quality product. You re not leaving a problem for someone else to solve in 10-12+ years. It also makes me feel good I m taking care of my employees and giving them the opportunities to do lots of different things, but also challenging them - all while making sure they re having fun at their job, too.
Brian Dangelser Title: Chief Engineer Hired: 2003 In the private sector, everything is really confidential. The academic setting is a much more sharing environment. From working as a mechanical contractor and consultant, to starting my own engineering firm, I wanted something that was more stable with a better balance once I got married. I am a graduate of Iowa State University, and this job has been the perfect fit for what I was looking for without sacrificing everything I ve accomplished up to this point. My day is so varied. I get to work on so many different things that every day seems different. I work on things that seem simple all the way up to leading edge projects. The people here are extremely loyal to their institution, even if they didn t graduate from Iowa State. They care a lot about their buildings, the people that use them, and the students. Everyone wants to make sure the students have a good experience. I love that FP&M lets me be a part of something that s bigger than myself. In the private sector, everything is really confidential. Since we re a public university, we have peer groups at other universities. I can talk openly with my counterparts at our peer universities. We share best practices and learn from each other.
Mike Murray Title: Chief Mechanical Engineer, Utility Engineering Hired: 1997 Everybody cares about the results of the work and overall operation. We can take ownership of anything that happens. It s up to us. After three years of working at a consulting firm, I wanted a place where I could have ownership of my projects, and could see the results of my hard work. Iowa State University s Facilities Planning and Management has given me just that, and more. The management structure is very good. I like working in facilities for the strong sense of ownership. If the project goes well, then I get to reap the benefit. If it goes poorly, then I learn from it, and get a chance to fix it to make sure it doesn t happen again. The position is very flexible and allows me to take time off when I need to be with my kids. The level of vacation is enough that I always have it when I need it. In fact, management encourages us to take vacation. I am lucky to have a boss that understands life is short and there are only so many dance recitals and baseball games. If you re willing to be part of a team that works together to solve problems and to have a good stable job, then this is a great place for you.
Mark Huss Title: Assistant Director for Project Management & Agricultural Project Services Hired: 1996 You re not punching the clock if you need to coach soccer, you go. Agricultural Engineering has been a passion of mine since graduating from Iowa State in 1977. I spent 14 years in the industry as a design engineer in the agricultural area. When a position came open at Facilities Planning and Management, it was a no-brainer. I get to do what I love, and have the opportunity to work on projects you wouldn t find anywhere else. As a project manager, you get close to the client s business, which is the fun part of this job. The diversity in projects is also nice. The diversity of what you do, the people you work with, the different projects especially in a university setting. We work with lab techs, faculty, staff, deans, administrators, vice presidents the whole gambit of people and opinions. There s always something going on. You don t get bored; you re not sitting at a computer designing for eight hours a day. Here, you re always doing something different. It can be challenging to keep up professionally, so I am thankful for all of the opportunities FP&M has provided for me. We re encouraged to go to as much training and development as we need.
Dean McCormick Title: Director for Design & Construction Services Hired: 1994 We re an engineering culture. After years of travel and thousands of miles built up on my frequent flyer card, I made the decision to take a job with Iowa State University, Facilities Planning and Management. I wanted the quality of life I had when I grew up. I wanted to be involved in my kids lives, in the community, and in my career. Iowa State University has given me that opportunity, and more. Time goes by quickly, and you need to take advantage of being a part of your family s life. At my previous job, when I had kids, I started missing their activities. I don t think I ve missed anything since I ve moved here. If I wanted to go, I could rearrange my schedule, and that s something I ve continued to support for all of my team members. I used to travel thousands of miles to work on three to four buildings. Today, I am involved in 50 projects on campus within walking distance of me. The variety is challenging. What I enjoy most is staying relevant. Either here at FP&M, at the University, or within Ames; I am relevant. I make a difference.