It’s difficult to imagine stepping into the middle of all of the physical transformation currently taking place on campus, and taking responsibility for its direction and success. Yet, that’s the task for Tom Satterly, associate vice president for Facilities Management, who says that was part of the draw to Colorado State University.
When you learn more about Satterly, you’ll start to understand that taking on an adventure is not new to him. A U.S. Navy veteran, Satterly’s former career included 11 moves and exotic destinations like Guam, Hong Kong, Japan, Korea and Bali. He has a love for experiencing new challenges, cultures and places.
“Colorado State University is the next chapter and I am thrilled to be joining CSU’s impressive facilities team,” said Satterly, who entered a second career in higher education facilities management after the Navy. A civil engineer by training and degree, Satterly brings with him a passion for ensuring that facilities best serve its mission and the people who carry it out.
“A guiding principle for me is something I learned from a former boss: It’s important to focus on ‘Mission First, People Always,’” Satterly adds.
Satterly was selected as the final candidate following a national search, with more than 90 well-qualified applicants. Satterly has more than 30 years of administrative and operational experience in facilities management in the Navy and eight years at the University of Georgia.
“I am excited to have Tom as a part of our CSU team. His previous experience in a similar role at the University of Georgia, a land-grant as well as a university with very high research activity, will serve him well in the years to come at CSU,” said Lynn Johnson, vice president for Operations.
Satterly is also a life-long learner, having earned his master of engineering degree and his master of business administration degree during his career. In fact, he and his daughter both graduated from the University of Georgia on the same day, when he earned his MBA. His career spans experience in or overseeing a wide variety of facilities disciplines, including planning, design and construction, operations and maintenance, utilities, custodial and grounds, sustainability, safety and fiscal management.
Among his proudest achievements was work in Monterey, Calif., at the naval postgraduate school creating a master plan to preserve the historic charm of the campus, which was built in the 1880s as a hotel, while modernizing the facilities and expanding the campus mission. The project was recognized at the federal level by the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation for excellence.
“Tom has a lot of energy and enthusiasm,” said Scott Baily, director of Academic Computing and Networking Services, and chair of the search committee. “I really look forward to working with him.”
Satterly comes to Colorado with his wife, Lauren. They have two children: a daughter who lives in Brooklyn and a son who is attending Purdue. A Texas native, Satterly is also an avid outdoorsman, which has been the impetus for many domestic adventures including family camping trips to Yosemite and Yellowstone, and backpacking in Washington state with his son. He’s looking forward to fly fishing in Colorado and spending time exploring the West.
