Vice President for Operations Dick Reynolds (A '67) on Oct. 9 will hand over the position to Linda Snyder, former vice president for campus planning and facilities at Dartmouth College.
Reynolds has held the position since January 2010, when he assumed the role ad interim while the university looked to replace former Vice President for Operations John Roberto.
With over 20 years of service on the Board of Trustees Committee on Buildings and Grounds, Reynolds said he officially became Vice President of Operations soon thereafter.
"I've had a great time," Reynolds said. "It was a great way to come full circle and back to where I started."
Reynolds' work in the past few years has been crucial to Tufts' Operations division, Executive Vice President Patricia Campbell said.
"During his tenure, [Reynolds] has been a highly valued member of our community, illustrating the best qualities of senior leadership: integrity, commitment, imagination, professionalism and humor," Campbell told the Daily in an email.
Reynolds' responsibilities included maintaining and improving the Tufts campus through large-scale construction projects.
Under his supervision, the university began spending $30 million a year to finish necessary maintenance projects on campus, such as work in Barnum Hall, according to Reynolds.
"We've doubled the amount of money being spent per year on deferred maintenance," he said. "The place was falling apart."
Reynolds said he is also pleased with his department's efforts to beautify the campus in ways that are more visible and less expensive than maintenance work, such as planting more trees or the recent redesign of crosswalks at Powder House Boulevard and Professors Row.
"It's perception," Reynolds said. "It's not spending a lot of dollars, it's focusing on detail."
Reynolds credited the Operations staff with much of the progress made during his time at Tufts, particularly Director of Facilities Bob Burns, whom Reynolds hired in 2010.
"I don't actually do anything," Reynolds said. "I encourage people to do what seems like good ideas. I'm a cheerleader."
When she assumes the position next month, Snyder said she plans to focus on a capital plan to increase revenue and to work on sustainability issues.
"I'm really looking forward to getting on campus [and] meeting everyone there," Snyder said.
Reynolds said he plans to stay at Tufts in some support or advisory position, but he is still examining his options.
"While he is leaving Operations, [Reynolds] has agreed to continue his association with Tufts, working across the three campuses on strategic initiatives with my office," Campbell said.
Although he will miss the position, Reynolds said that it is time for Snyder to take over.
"It's the right thing to do," he said. "The operations department needs someone with a more managerial skill set."
He added that, after failing to semi-retire three years ago, he wants to try again.
"It's time for me to not be working 50 hours a week," Reynolds said.
Campbell said she expects Snyder will bring her own skills and ideas but also continue Reynolds' work and approach to the role.
"Tufts is fortunate to have recruited someone with the same level of energy, expertise and commitment as [Reynolds]," she said. "I expect [Snyder] to be an equally wonderful asset for Tufts."
