Michael Tremper – Clarkson University

With over a decade of experience at Clarkson University, Michael Tremper has been instrumental in managing and maintaining the campus facilities in Potsdam, New York. His dedication and expertise led to his promotion to the director of facilities and services. In this role, Tremper oversees maintenance, custodial services, grounds, and project management departments. His primary responsibility is ensuring that the traditional facilities are well-maintained and meet the university community’s needs.

“We’re known for our focus on providing technical skills education, especially with our engineering, business, and physical therapy programs,” Tremper says.

His role is vital in supporting this mission by ensuring that the campus facilities are in optimal condition. Under his leadership, the facilities and services department maintains and enhances the university’s physical environment, creating a conducive atmosphere for learning and innovation. Tremper’s commitment to excellence and proactive approach to facility management are crucial in supporting Clarkson University’s mission and vision.

Innovative facility management

One significant initiative Tremper and his team led is the asset identification project. About eight years ago, they started identifying and gathering comprehensive information on all the assets under their responsibility. This included cataloging anything that could be physically touched or required repairs. They implemented a Geographic Information System (GIS) as a centralized hub for housing asset information to streamline this process. This system has allowed for efficient asset management and helped shorten repair times.

The project has evolved over the past eight years, progressing from the identification phase to the assessment phase. Risk/asset assessment is crucial to the company’s asset management system. The process involves evaluating each asset, assigning values, and processing these values through an algorithm to generate a priority number. This systematic approach allows the team to sort and prioritize tasks strategically, ensuring that high-priority issues are addressed first. Tremper’s team can work more effectively and strategically through their maintenance priorities by removing inefficiencies and streamlining operations.

Building on the risk/asset assessment, Tremper is developing a comprehensive asset management plan. This plan aims to enable forecasting and strategic planning for future maintenance needs. The facilities and services department can plan year-to-year operations with greater precision by having a front-end system that allows for predictions.

This proactive approach results in cost reductions and minimizes maintenance needs. The asset management plan provides valuable insights into future requirements, allowing the team to forecast workload peaks and valleys. This foresight enables outsourcing during peak times and optimized staffing during less busy periods. The goal is to create a more reliable physical environment, reducing unexpected issues and enhancing the overall campus experience.

Empowering students and leading facilities

Tremper’s leadership and innovative projects are crucial to Clarkson University’s mission of providing top-tier technical education. Clarkson University benefits greatly from Tremper’s expertise and dedication.

Clarkson University is known for educating global economy leaders, with many alumni serving as CEOs, VPs, or senior executives. The university is a nationally recognized research institution. It focuses on academic excellence and research directed toward solving the world’s pressing issues.

Tremper’s leadership is defined by his ability to foster teamwork and collaboration within the facilities and services department. He recognizes that maintaining and improving the university’s infrastructure is a collective effort and relies on each team member’s unique talents and skills.

Tremper’s leadership style emphasizes open communication, continuous learning, and strategic problem-solving. He encourages his team to contribute ideas and take ownership of their projects, fostering a culture of innovation and accountability. This collaborative approach has been crucial in successfully implementing the asset management system and other key projects.

“At Clarkson University, our success in maintaining and improving facilities is a team effort. By leveraging each team member’s unique skills and fostering open communication, we create an environment where innovation and accountability thrive, supporting our mission to provide top-tier technical education,” Tremper says.

From student to director

Tremper’s journey is marked by a blend of education and extensive engineering experience. His academic foundation was laid at Clarkson University, where he earned his degree in electrical and electronics engineering. This technical expertise was further complemented by an MBA from the Clarkson University Graduate School, which equipped him with a strategic business perspective essential for leadership roles.

With a solid educational background, Tremper embarked on a career as an engineer, amassing over 17 years of experience across various companies. This period allowed him to hone his technical skills, problem-solving abilities, and project management expertise. His roles involved designing, implementing, and maintaining complex systems, which prepared him for higher levels of responsibility.

In March 2013, Tremper’s career came full circle when he joined Clarkson University as a university engineer. This role was pivotal, marking his transition from the corporate world to academia. As the university engineer, Tremper oversaw the campus’s infrastructure, ensuring all facilities operated efficiently and effectively. His work in this position demonstrated his capability to manage large-scale projects and maintain high standards of operational excellence.

Tremper’s dedication and performance as a university engineer did not go unnoticed. In November 2020, he was promoted to director of facilities and services at Clarkson University. In this capacity, Tremper oversees all aspects of the university’s physical environment, from maintenance and utilities to construction and renovation projects. His leadership ensures that the campus remains a safe, functional, and inviting space for students, faculty, and staff.Michael Tremper, Director of Facilities at Clarkson University, enhances campus operations with innovative asset management and strategic planning.