Girardot to lead UNCP's facilities management

By Scott Bigelow

David C. Girardot has supervised construction projects around the globe. His next challenge is to supervise the biggest construction boom in the history of The University of North Carolina at Pembroke.

Girardot has accepted the job of assistant vice chancellor for facilities management at UNCP. In this newly created post, he will supervise the offices of Facilities, Planning and Construction and the Physical Plant.

Girardot worked as a consultant on construction projects with UNCP for the past 18 months. He reports to Neil Hawk, vice chancellor for the Office of Business Affairs.

"I believe UNCP is very fortunate to attract a person with David's background," Hawk said. "He is very knowledgeable in each of the areas that he will direct and has the experience to move our physical plant operations up another notch.

"I see him developing more and better policies to help guide our operations, enhancing the beauty of our grounds and the cleanliness of our buildings, and providing a plan for physical plant operations that will lead us to even a higher level of service," he said. "I am excited about our selection and look forward to working with David to bring about positive changes in our physical plant operations."

Girardot served in the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers for 23 years, including assignments in Vietnam, South Korea, Libya, Ecuador and the United States. Among other posts, he served as senior Army advisor to the Mississippi National Guard, deputy commander and commander of Facilities Engineering in South Korea and deputy commander and commander of the Waterways Experiment Station in Vicksburg, Miss.

After leaving the Army, Girardot supervised construction and maintenance for a 16 years at four universities, Ohio Northern University, Old Dominion University and UNC Wilmington. At UNCW, he was assistant vice chancellor for business affairs - facilities and was responsible for the planning, design and construction of $200 million in projects.

UNC Pembroke has more than $60 million in construction projects going on today, Girardot said.

"When you consider that our available staff at Facilities Planning and Construction is only five people, that is a lot of construction," he said. "The enrollment growth at UNCP has been so rapid that construction is just now catching up."

Girardot said new construction and renovation work at UNCP is both challenging and rewarding.

"My job is all about seeing this huge construction boom stay on track, within budget and on time," he said. "The University received $57 million in North Carolina Higher Education Bond money, and the purpose of this program is to bring the University up to the level where we can effectively serve the needs of the people of North Carolina.

"I see UNCP growing into a beautiful and efficient mid-sized university," Girardot said.

The Physical Plant Department at UNCP has about 80 employees and is also growing to meet the needs of a growing University.

"Our maintenance staff is evolving from serving a small to serving a medium size university," Girardot said. "This presents many challenges for us as we play catch up."

A San Francisco, Cal., native, Girardot received a Bachelor of Science degree in mechanical engineering from the University of Missouri at Rolla and a Master of Business Administration degree in financial administration and organizational behavior from Mississippi College.

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