540-449-2289

Sherwood G. Wilson has more than 40 years of experience in operations management. He’s an influencer in higher education, working with contractors and partners in a university environment for much of his career. He has led facilities, construction, business, human resources, safety and security, and financial operations in private and higher education sectors.

sherwood g. wilsonEducation

OHIO UNIVERSITY, Athens, Ohio (2003)

Ph.D., Higher Education Administration

VIRGINIA POLYTECHNIC INSTITUTE & STATE UNIVERSITY, Blacksburg, Virginia (1993)

Master of Science, Architecture/Building Construction

FAIRMONT STATE COLLEGE, Fairmont, West Virginia (1988)

Bachelor of Science, Civil Engineering Technology

FAIRMONT STATE COLLEGE, Fairmont, West Virginia (1987)

Associate of Science, Civil Engineering Technology

 

Professional Experience

THE SHERWOOD G. WILSON GROUP, LLC, Christiansburg, VA (9/18-present)

President (9/18 – present)

  • Primary consultant for public sector engagements and public private partnership activities ranging from operational reviews and management assessments to strategic planning. Areas of specialization are mission critical operations including: facilities and other higher education and public-sector infrastructure operations and master planning; leadership, management and organizational solutions; public safety and emergency management, real estate and construction administration; transportation, including general aviation; and labor relations.

VIRGINIA TECH, Blacksburg, VA (7/07-11/20)

Vice President for Operations (8/17-11/20)

  • Title change due to restructuring of president’s senior leadership team. New Senior Vice President for Operations and Administration created. Reporting to the Interim Senior Vice President for Operations and Administration the duties and responsibilities of the position are unchanged from below with the exception of a newly launched comprehensive shared services department with-in the operations division, and Human Resources now reports to a newly created Vice President for Human Resources.
  • About retirement from Virginia Tech.

Vice President for Administration (7/07-8/17)

  • Reporting directly to the President, the Vice President for Administration is responsible for the oversight and management of major operational departments including Human Resources, Equity and Accessibility, Title IV, Professional Development, Police, Emergency Management, Environmental Health and Safety, Parking and Transportation, Mail, Printing, Air Transportation, Facilities Services, University Architect, Space Management, Real Estate, Capital Planning and Construction, and Virginia Tech Electric Service with annual combined operating, capital, and maintenance reserve budgets exceeding $318M. The vice president provides leadership and oversight to strategic and operational planning, ensuring that goals and objectives are accomplished consistent with the university mission. The vice president also provides direction to the allocation of human, financial, and capital resources within business units and ensures that business units have sufficient resources to meet their operational requirements.  In addition, the vice president represents the university with peer institutions, the local community, federal and state agencies, and corporate representatives to assist the university in meeting long range objectives and to meet emerging demands. The vice president also represents the university by participating as a member of related community and organization committees and boards and is charged with local government relations.

THE UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN-MILWAUKEE, Milwaukee, Wisconsin (7/05-7/07)

Vice Chancellor for Finance and Administrative Affairs and Chief Operating Officer

  • Reporting directly to the chancellor, and serving as the chief business and finance officer for the University, the vice chancellor is responsible for all fiscal, administrative and budgetary functions of the institution.  The university’s annual operating budget approaches $500 million.  The Division of Finance and Administrative Affairs is comprised of highly professional employees who provide support services to the university in the following operating units: Business and Financial Services, Budget, Controller, Facilities Planning, University Architect, Physical Plant, Parking and Transportation, Environmental Health and Safety, Risk Management, Internal Audit, Legal Affairs, University Police, and Institutional Review Board (IRB). Left position after only two years as I was recruited back to Virginia Tech in the spring of 2007.

THE OHIO UNIVERSITY, Athens, Ohio (7/95-7/05)

Associate Vice President for Finance and Administration (9/99-9/05)

  • Promoted to oversee the university’s Auxiliary enterprise as well as administrative and support functions on Ohio University’s main campus in Athens. Manage an operating budget of $100 million and 900 staff and administrators. Charged to restructure the administrative and auxiliary support functions to create synergy and maximize efficiency. Achieved $1.4 million in verified real-dollar savings during first year. General Fund and Auxiliary functions include: Facilities Management (8.5 million square feet), Student Computing, University Engineer, Parking, Transportation, Power Plant, Mail Services, Printing Services, Labor Relations, Finance & Budget Management (at the time responsibility for auxiliary budgeting and rate setting was under the purview of the Associate VP), Student Housing (8,000 beds), Food Services (five dining facilities), Capital Planning & Construction, Environmental Services, Conferences & Workshops, Graduate Apartments, Surplus Property, Retail Operations, and Human Resources.

Director of Facilities Management (9/95–9/99)

  • Served as senior facilities officer under direction of the Vice President for Finance and Administration with responsibility for combined $40 million budget and managing and maintaining 1,500-acre physical campus and 8.5 million square feet of facilities on the main campus in Athens. Functional areas of responsibility within Facilities Management included Maintenance & Operations, Utilities Production & Distribution, Custodial, Landscape & Grounds, Motor Pool, Construction & Renovation, and Surplus Property.

VIRGINIA TECH, Blacksburg, Virginia (6/89–8/95)

Assistant Director of Physical Plant (10/91-8/95)

  • Promoted to manage all Physical Plant Operations comprising over 300 employees with an annual operating budget of $9 million in the following areas:  Customer Services, Construction/Renovations, Electro/Mechanical, Architectural Services, Contract Administration, Accounting, Custodial Services and Grounds. Position required frequent interaction with university administrators, faculty and academic administrators, as well as city and state officials.

Director of Construction and Renovation (6/89–10/91)

  • Managed 200 construction projects annually involving all types of building systems. Reviewed plans, developed specifications and determined project requirements. Scheduled all activities and monitored projects for compliance with plans, specifications and budgets.

THOR INC., Roanoke, Virginia (1988–1989)

Project Manager

  • Directed and managed all aspects of commercial construction, including interpretation of specifications and drawings, subcontract coordination, budgeting, scheduling and material/ equipment procurement. Interacted with owners and their representatives, city and state officials, architects and engineers daily. Representative projects included a new gymnasium at Hollins University, renovation of two elementary schools, construction of two Wal-Mart stores and a bottling plant addition for Coca-Cola.

TYGART VALLEY CONSTRUCTION & SUPPLY, INC., Belington, West Virginia (1982–1988)

President and CEO

  • Served as President and CEO of this commercial construction and building supply company directing all aspects of retail, wholesale and financial management as well as all phases of construction from inception to completion.

ALDERSON BROADDUS COLLEGE, Philippi, West Virginia (1977–1982)

Director of Facilities

  • Functioned as senior facilities officer for this private, liberal arts institution with a campus consisting of over 100 acres and 1.2 million square feet including a 100-bed teaching hospital. Managed an annual budget exceeding $7 million with administrative responsibility for Facilities Planning & Construction, Grounds, Housekeeping, Maintenance, Police, Environmental Health & Safety, Motor Pool and Purchasing.

 

Military Background

  • Recalled to Active Duty – Honorable Discharge – U.S.N.R.  SEABEES (1990–1991)
  • Active Duty – Honorable Discharge – U.S. NAVY SEABEES (1973–1977)

 

Teaching Experience

  • Affiliated Assistant Professor, Myers Lawson School of Construction, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA, (2015-Present)
  • Affiliated Assistant Professor, Higher Education, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA, (2010-Present)
  • Adjunct, College of Engineering, Ohio University, Athens, Ohio (1996–2005)
  • Adjunct, Adult Education, Hocking College, Nelsonville, Ohio (1996–2005)
  • Adjunct, College of Architecture, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Virginia (1989–1995)
  • Adjunct, College of Engineering, University of Guam, Agana, Guam (1990-1991)

 

Grants

  • Principal Investigator, $700,000 Department of Education grant for Emergency Management planning and execution, VT (2008)
  • Received approval for $12.4 million federal and state research grant for coal gasification, Ohio (2003)
  • Co-principal Investigator, $13.2 million two-part research grant for clean coal technology, Ohio (1999)

 

Other Professional Achievements

  • Developed and launched the first comprehensive shared services function for a division at Virginia Tech (2018)
  • Completed all actions necessary to close a federal Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrative Order on Consent, which was executed in September 2010, as a result of reviews that began in 2006; remediation included a total of 21 solid waste management units (SWMUs) and 9 areas of concern (AOCs), VT (2017)
  • Initiated formal restructuring of Human Resources function to report through an independent vice president, VT (2016)
  • Negotiated uninterruptable natural gas supply to university steam plant; executed planning for central power plant replacement by 2025; and provided oversight for development and implementation of 5-year Energy Action Plan to significantly reduce utility costs and carbon footprint, VT (2014 – present)
  • While serving as chair of the New River Valley Emergency Communications Regional Authority, successfully led the transition of four locality dispatch offices into a new Consolidated 9-1-1 Dispatch Center, VT (2015-present)
  • Implemented long-range planning initiatives to support campus growth and updated the 10-year Campus Master Plan in support of the institution’s priorities, VT (2015-present)
  • Significantly enhanced local transportation infrastructure through partnerships with federal, state and regional leaders, including:
    • Initiating, planning, funding, coordinating and constructing a major new interchange and entry sequence to campus,
    • creation of a multi-modal transit facility on campus funded entirely through grants,
    • expansion of affiliated executive airport to a include 5,500 foot runway funded entirely through federal and state grants, and
    • development of campus Transportation and Parking Master Plan, VT (2011 – present)
  • Worked with Vice President for Student Affairs to develop and implement a cross-divisional wellness department to provide health education and programming for both students and employees at the university, VT (2015-2016)
  • Facilitated earning the first higher education accreditation from the Emergency Management Accreditation Program (EMAP) in the United States, VT (2014)
  • Effectively established University Building Official with transfer of building code authority formally delegated to Virginia Tech (2011)
  • Chaired Executive Committee that worked with local, state, and federal agencies to form Authority for regional/joint 911 dispatch center to serve Montgomery County, VT (2010)
  • Developed and staffed Office of Emergency Management to coordinate university preparedness planning, VT (2009-2010)
  • Established formal coordination of all university health, safety, security, and emergency response policies under the purview of newly established Safety and Security Policy Committee, VT (2009)
  • Guided future expansion of Airport and Corporate Research Center while ensuring continued operation of agricultural programs through relocation of the Virginia Tech Dairy operation, VT (2009)
  • Initiated planning and development of public/private research campus West of Milwaukee (2007)
  • Created a public/private partnership between the UWM Foundation, private developers and the university to construct up to 2,500 beds in university managed, foundation owned residence halls, UWM (2006)
  • Developed and implemented a new university-wide budget process designed to establish transparency and accountability, UWM (2006)
  • Consolidated and reorganized all capital planning, facilities management, and construction functions, UWM (2005)
  • Established Ohio University Parking Auxiliary eliminating the liability of parking expense from the university general fund, (2004)
  • Realigned auxiliary debt and investment strategy, Ohio (2004)
  • Formed public/private partnership as PI for $100 million submission to DOE’s CCPI program including $15 million corporate pledges, Ohio (2003)
  • Planned and initiated $285 million capital renovation and replacement program for all residence and dining facilities to be completed within 10 years, Ohio (2002)
  • Developed, funded and implemented university CATS (Campus Area Transit Service) meeting demands due to physical growth of campus, Ohio (2001)
  • Initiated the Career Enrichment Institute, a comprehensive workforce education program for employees, enrolling 150 students per quarter, Ohio (2000)
  • Implemented innovative IT initiative providing each residence hall room with computer, printer and support, Ohio (1999)
  • Integrated the university administrative and support units resulting in $1.4 million savings in first year, Ohio (1999)
  • Negotiated purchase of 12 targeted real estate properties in excess of $10 million, Ohio (1997 – 1999)
  • Initiated $25 million performance contract upgrading campus infrastructure utilizing energy savings, Ohio (1998)
  • Replaced university central stores function with J.I.T. and term contracts resulting in $4 million savings in capital renovations and $300,000 in annual operating costs, Ohio (1997)
  • Created surplus property disposal and auction program, Ohio (1996)
  • Implemented the first distributed IT and desktop support unit at Ohio University (1995)
  • Planned and implemented stand alone construction and renovation department within Physical Plant, Virginia Tech (1989)
  • Conceived and implemented a $1 million strategy to mechanize quarry operation, increasing building stone production by a factor of 10 with no additional staff, Virginia Tech (1994)

 

Papers Presented

  • Industrial/Institutional Boilers: a Crisis or Panacea? Paper presented at the U.S. Department of Energy Clean Coal Power Conference, Washington, DC (2003)
  • Coal Gasification for Industrial & Large Commercial Applications. Paper presented at the U.S. Department of Energy Clean Coal Power Conference, Washington, DC (2003)
  • Coal Gasification for Combined Heat Power Applications. Paper presented at the CIBO-Industrial Emissions Technology Conference, Charlotte, NC (2003)
  • The Effects of Workforce Education on Employees’ LMX and Self-Esteem. Paper submitted to the 20th annual conference of the Society for Industrial and Organizational Psychology, Los Angeles, CA (2003)
  • Exploring Factors Related to Energy Conservation Behaviors in Organizations. Paper presented at the 17th annual conference of the Society for Industrial and Organizational Psychology, Toronto, Canada (2002)
  • Assessing attitudes and behaviors toward energy conservation on the job. Paper presented at the 17th annual conference of the Society for Industrial and Organizational Psychology, Toronto, Canada (2002)
  • Organizational energy conservation: assessing knowledge, attitudes, social norms, and Behaviors.Paper presented at the 14th annual conference of the American Psychological Association, Chicago, Illinois (2002)
  • Coal as a Clean Fuel. Testimony before Energy Sub-committee, House of Representatives,Columbus, Ohio (2002)
  • Win Win Bargaining, A Case Study. Paper presented at the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service Buckeye Labor Conference, Cambridge, Ohio (2002)
  • Career Enrichment: Catalyst for Career and Cultural Change. Paper presented at the APPA annual meeting and international conference, Montreal, Canada (2001)
  • Coal Gasification: Application to Small Scale Industrial Boilers. Paper presented at the Society of Industrial Engineers regional meeting, Dayton, Ohio (2001)
  • A Catalyst for Career and Cultural Change. Paper presented at the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service Buckeye Labor Conference, Cleveland, Ohio (2001)
  • Performance Contracting: A Concept, not a Template. Paper presented at the APPA annual meeting and international conference, Fort Worth, Texas (2000)

 

Professional Involvement

  • National Association of College and University Business Officers (NACUBO)
  • National Association of College and University Food Services (NACUFS)
    Association of College Housing Officers International (NACUHO)
  • National Association of College Auxiliary Services (NACAS)
  • Association of Facilities Officers (APPA)
  • College Planning and Management Magazine Editorial Board
  • Technical Advisory Committee for the Ohio Coal Development Office
  • Ohio Fuel Cell Coalition
  • Founding Board Member of the Institute for a Sustained Environment and Clean Coal Research
  • Chair and Board Member, NRV Regional Water Authority
  • Board Member, Virginia Tech/Montgomery Regional Airport Authority
  • Chair and Board Member, New River Valley Emergency Communications Regional Authority Board of Directors
  • Board Member, Virginia Tech Corporate Research Center
  • Board Member, Inn at Virginia Tech and Skelton Conference Center Leadership Board
  • Board Member, Virginia Tech Myers-Lawson School of Construction, Industry Board