Craig is responsible for planning, design, construction, operation, maintenance, repair, capital renewal, and demolition of campus facilities and infrastructure. Duties include campus and facility planning; capital project program management; architect-engineer consultation and contracting; design and oversight of construction contracts; custodial services; grounds maintenance; operation, maintenance, repair, renewal and demolition of buildings, roads, walks, utilities and other infrastructure; and University transportation.
Prior to becoming the Director of FM at SIUE, Craig served as the Construction and Facility Management Officer (CFMO) for the Illinois Army National Guard at 50 locations with over 4,000,000 square feet under roof and over 5,000 acres spread across the state of Illinois. In total, he has served over 36 years in the United States Military (Active, Reserve and National Guard) in various positions of great responsibility including Company, Battalion and Brigade commands, CFMO, and Deputy Commander of the 766th Explosive Hazards Coordination Cell in Afghanistan. Prior to that, he was an A/E consultant for over 20 years in transportation and federal services.
Mark brings over 15 years of diverse experience to his role as Director of Facilities and Energy Management at Southern Illinois University, where he assumed the position in 2021 after serving as the Director of Facilities for Greenville University for over a decade. With a background spanning facility management, environmental compliance, property management, and construction, Mark excels in overseeing capital projects, managing facilities, and navigating budgets. He holds an M.B.A. from Greenville University and a Bachelor of Science in Construction Management from Illinois State University, along with various industry certifications. Mark’s strategic leadership and commitment to efficiency drive his efforts to optimize facility operations and promote sustainability
Tracey has been involved in Facilities Management for more than 12 years. Her higher education career started at the College of Lake County, where she was the Events/Facilities Coordinator before being promoted to the Facilities Business Analyst. From there she worked at The Morton Arboretum where she led a team that maintained more than 300,000 square feet of buildings and 1700 acres of land. Lake Forest College used her years of experience with technology and communication to manage projects, budgets and implement new tools to enhance the department.
Her most recent career move to Facilities Manager at the Lake County Health Department shows that she is dedicated to FM and has found the ideal environment to share her experience. As a life-long learner with more than 25 years of experience in technology, marketing & graphic design as well as commercial printing/publishing and trade show management; her diverse skill set brings expertise, creativity and innovative thinking to her role at Lake County Health Department and Community Health Center.
Tom Viel is the Director of Physical Plant at Northern Illinois University. In this role Tom is responsible for utilities procurement and reporting, building maintenance & repairs, small project implementation, as well as heating and chilled water plants. Tom has previously held administrative positions at Beloit College, Village of Lake in the Hills, Rock Valley College, UW-Milwaukee, SIU-Edwardsville and The Habitat Company.
Tom holds a bachelor’s degree from Western Illinois University, an MPH from Benedictine University and an MBA from UW-Milwaukee.
John is a Senior Principal and serves as the National Director for Education at IMEG Corp. focusing on the market development for the entire Education sector. He has worked his entire career at IMEG, with over 28 years’ experience in the management and design of projects that are in a wide range of building types, delivery methods, and mechanical engineering design for higher education, K-12 school facilities, healthcare, sports & recreation, commercial, and industrial facilities. John focuses on expanding relationships and delivering engineering solutions to education clients and strategic teaming partners.
John holds a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Missouri – Columbia.