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UH�S FPC PROJECT MANAGERS TAKE CAMPUS TO NEW HEIGHTS
We build excellence here at the University of
Houston, not just academically but also structurally. Our
university is growing fast and new construction is popping up
all across the campus. Leading this construction effort is a
dynamic team of Project Managers in Facilities Planning and
Construction who work behind the scenes to transform the campus
landscape and continue our tier-one environment.
As a Project Manager (PM) at UH, you are responsible for
overseeing and managing renewal construction and renovation
projects for the main campus as well as system campuses. PMs
also manage and review the project schedule and budget as well
as oversee compliance during construction to make sure the
building is safe and sound. Throughout the projects, PMs also
serve as the liaison to customers and building occupants and
handle problem solving and overall communications. UH�s PMs all
have impressive backgrounds and experience individually to
create a superior team that works together to make the campus
vision a reality.
Meet our FPC Project Managers:
Morris L. Bennett, Jr.
How long have you been with UH? Over 8 years all as a Senior
Project Manager in the University of Houston Facilities Planning
and Construction department.
UH Projects: Various renovation projects throughout the UH
campus such as Science and Research school, Creative Writing
Center, Moores School of Music, and School of Engineering as
well as major capital projects such as the East Parking Garage
the Stadium Parking Garage and the upcoming 1A Parking Garage.
Years of experience in the industry? I have over 30 years of
experience in the Architectural and Engineering Industry.
Other companies you have worked for? Various Architectural Firms
� 6 years; Dow Chemical USA, Engineering and Construction
Services � 25 years; Houston � HISD � 3 years; University of
Houston � 8 years to present
Why did you decide to work for UH? I have always wanted to work
for a major University providing my talent, experience and
knowledge for managing and building higher educational
facilities for our students. It gives me great pleasure in
seeing the students enjoying the campus and the facilities we
provide for them.
What do you like most about your job? I love my job. I love
working with the faculty, the students, my co-workers, the
design teams, architects, engineers and contractors to develop
new major facilities and renovating the existing facilities on
campus. As I said before it gives me great pleasure in seeing
the students, the faculty and the staff, enjoying the campus and
the facilities we provide for them.
Kelly Buehler
How long have you worked for UH? Almost 4 years
UH Projects: The interior build-outs of SERC, the new Science
Teaching Lab Bldg., Central Plant Addition
Years of Experience in the industry? 12 years as an architect
Other companies you have worked for? Gensler, Jackson & Ryan
Architects, Remington Hotels
Why did you decide to work for UH? My architecture degree is
from UH, and it�s so much fun to be here now as staff and to see
the campus grow.
What do you like most about your job? I love being involved in
the entire process, from selecting the design and construction
team, through the design, and finally the construction of the
project. It�s a very exciting process and there are new
challenges every day that keep me on my toes.
Mei Chang
How long have you been with UH? It will soon be 6 years.
UH Projects: 8 minor projects, some work for ERP, 3 major
projects: Calhoun Lofts, Cougar Village, and University Center
Transformation on-going.
Years of experience in the industry? I have been a licensed
architect for 30 years, in the industry 20+ years.
Other companies you have worked for? I have been a small
business owner (design & construction) for many years. Prior to
that I worked for architectural firms 3D/I and Caudill Rowlett
Scott.
Why did you decide to work for UH? I was looking for an
opportunity to contribute to larger, common good.
What do you like most about your job? Two-fold: contributing to
the community, and sharing the experience with like-minded
colleagues.
Emily Eldridge
How long have you been with UH? 8 months
UH Projects: Science and Research 1 � Life Safety Renovations,
Lamar Fleming � Life Safety Renovations, Health and Biomedical
5th Floor Vivarium
Years of experience in the industry? Approximately 13 years
Other companies you have worked for? Roy Anderson Construction, Gilbane Building Company, W. G. Yates and Sons Construction and J.E. Dunn Construction
Why did you decide to work for UH? I have previously worked as a
general contractor on campus and when I was presented with the
opportunity of working at the University of Houston, I jumped on
it. Even though the job is a different side of construction I
saw the position as a growth opportunity which would help me to
learn new aspects of construction from a different perspective.
What do you like most about your job? I really have enjoyed
meeting and getting to know various people that I have had the
pleasure of working with at the University.
Bernie K. Harless
How long have you been with UH? 11 years
UH Projects: UH Classroom and Business Building, UHD Shea Street
COB Building/Parking Structure, UHD Urban Education/Criminal
Justice Building, UH Health and Biomedical Research Center
(program/conceptual), UHD Administration Renovation, UHD Campus
Development Plan, UHD Willow Street Pump Station Renovation, UH
Women�s Softball Complex, UH Auditoriums/Classrooms Renovations,
UH Biomed Renovation, UH Michael J. Cemo Hall, UH AGL Computing
Center, UH Bayou Oaks Housing, UH Cullen Oaks Housing, UH
Burdette Keeland Design Exploration Center
Years of experience in the industry? 31 years
Other companies you have worked for? Calhoun, Tungate Jackson &
Dill Architects; STOA International Architects; Morris &
Associates Engineers; Construction Strategies Incorporated
Why did you decide to work for UH? Represent and develop a
project from the owner�s/user�s perspective.
What do you like most about your job? Developing a project
comprehensively and interactively from conception to completion
and insuring the user is satisfied with the end results.
Luiza C. Maal
How long have you been with UH? 4 � years
UH Projects: Hilton Hotel Renovation, Weather Study tower at
Moody Towers Residence Hall, West Dining Hall, Blaffer Gallery,
Jaguar Hall @ UH-Victoria.
Years of experience in the industry? 20 plus years
Other companies you have worked for? Texas Southern University,
Rice University, Baylor College of Medicine
Why did you decide to work for UH? The opportunity to work in a
growing campus.
What do you like most about your job? Participating in various
projects and meeting different members of the UH community.
Frederick W. Maddox
How long have you been with UH? Almost 2 � years
UH Projects: Senior Project Manager for Health and Biomedical
Sciences Center and New Stadium Project
Years of experience in the industry? 35 years
Other companies you have worked for? I was a partner and
director of design in an architectural firm in private practice.
Also worked as a director within Cushman & Wakefield Advisor
Services Group, a commercial real estate firm.
Why did you decide to work for UH? It is my way of giving back.
What do you like most about your job? Assisting the University
build for the future generation of students.
Margaret Manley
How long have you been with UH? 9 months. It will be one year on
July 1st. However, it feels like I am back home in many ways
because I attended college here from 1976 through 1982 and
obtained my degree in architecture.
UH Projects: My first project is Cougar Place Replacement/SophomoreHousing
Project.
Years of experience have in the industry? Almost 30 years and 20
years as an owner�s representative for construction projects.
Other companies you have worked for? I worked as a draftsman for
several engineering firms through architectural school including
geo-technical, civil, and planning projects. I was partner in a
small architectural firm for 8 years. I worked for a contractor
on a design-build radiation containment laboratory and for Fort
Bend ISD for nineteen years.
Why did you decide to work for UH? This position expands upon my
experience in K-12 construction for a public school district
(Kindergarten through 12th grade buildings) and provides new
experience in higher education projects.
What do you like most about your job? I love working with the
university stakeholders, project architects and engineers and
contractors, all of whom I have great respect. It is a pleasure
to be involved with design & programming as well as with the
actual construction of a project and to know that I am looking
out for the best interests of UH. I enjoy being part of a
well-working team of individuals dedicated to creating a
successful project. I believe that the more successful the team
the more successful the project will be. This is a constant
learning process and one that makes me a well-rounded
professional.
William A. Rieck, Jr.
How long have you been with UH? 9 months
UH Projects: UH ERP Buildings and a new project currently in
planning at UH Victoria.
Years of experience in the industry? 12 years in the
architecture and project management community. Licensed
Architect in Texas.
Other companies you have worked for? Kirksey Architecture,
Philip Ewald Architecture. Other pre grad experience with urban
planning at The University of Louisiana at Lafayette Community
Design Workshop.
Why did you decide to work for UH? To further expand my
knowledge of architecture by transitioning to the owner
representation side within the public sector.
What do you like most about your job? To hear that an end user
is satisfied and pleased with their completed project.
Dean Ruck
How long have you been with UH? 22 years
UH Projects: Many, many minor projects; TS Allison recovery,
particularly University Center Underground; major capital
projects include Calhoun Lofts, UHCL Student Service / Classroom
Building, UHCL Arbor Expansion and Renovation, Cougar Village II
(current).
Years of experience in the industry? 20+ years
Other companies you have worked for? Self-employed as an
independent artist, and also in collaboration with Havel Ruck
Projects, LP.
Why did you decide to work for UH? Bob Bourdon, head of
Sculpture department, recruited me in 1990 to help re-establish
the sculpture area after the closing of Lawndale. I did some
affiliate teaching as well as ran the wood and metal shops at
South Park Annex. In the course of projects at SPA, I met Tom
Wray and Virgil Gay at Facilities Planning and Construction, who
hired me as a Project Manager at FPC in 2000
What do you like most about your job? Contributing to the
significant expansion and improvements to UH campuses in the
past decade.
Anna Wiesman
How long have you been with UH? 2 years
UH Projects: While working in Minor and Planned Projects I
accomplished a myriad of projects throughout campus. Most
notable have been the Moody Towers & Quadrangle Renovations,
Moody Towers & Quadrangle Security Upgrades and Law Center
Breezeway Renovation. Currently, I am working with the
Facilities Planning & Construction department as one of the
managers assigned to the New Football Stadium project.
Years of experience in the industry? 3 years
Other companies you have worked for? Texas A&M Facilities
Management
Why did you decide to work for UH? My interest in Facilities
Management was piqued by the time I spent at Texas A&M. While
there I had the opportunity to estimate, execute and manage
projects under the close guidance of seasoned Project Managers.
After graduating from Texas A&M, I sought out a position where I
could continue to learn and grow. I found that opportunity at U
of H where I have garnered the skills which have led to many
successful projects.
What do you like most about your job? I enjoy that every day
presents a different challenge. It requires quick, decisive
action while encouraging creativity in order to further the
University�s mission. This outside thinking is what helps us
keep budgets low, set �green� initiatives and, most importantly,
further student growth. As a junior member of our team, it is
exciting to give back to the student population knowing that I
was in their shoes less than 2 years ago.
For information on current and future projects in Facilities
Planning and Construction, visit
https://www.uh.edu/plantops/departments/fpc/index.php.
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