Meet Bill Olen, FM’s new Interim Associate Vice President. From his early days as a student worker to leading major construction efforts, Bill reflects on his career, what’s ahead for FM, and what keeps him energized outside of work.
You’ve been part of UMD and Facilities Management for many years, including early in your career. Could you share a quick rundown of your path here?
I’ve had a long run at UMD—starting all the way back when I was a student worker in the Dining Services maintenance shop, which operated as a micro-version of FM and gave me exposure to multiple trades.
From there, I moved into FM with the grounds staff. As a student supporting our in-house construction team, I was trained to operate most of the department’s equipment, learned how to apply herbicides and pesticides, and even hand-dug trees out of the FM tree nursery—now the site of the Wye Oak compound.
After graduation, I was offered a full-time position as a landscape technician. I worked primarily in the office as a designer but also served on the snow crew during storms. I still maintain my CDL.
In the mid-1990s, our unit was disbanded, and I transitioned to the Department of Architecture, Engineering, and Construction. Over the years, I had numerous opportunities to grow and took on increasing responsibility—moving from project manager to assistant director, director, and eventually to executive director of Planning & Construction. In that role, I oversaw a portfolio of projects across seven University System of Maryland institutions, representing a combined workload of $3.5 billion.
As you step into the Interim AVP role, what are you most looking forward to in the months ahead?
I’m looking forward to getting out and meeting folks in all the FM units — hearing about their work and how I can support them. I also appreciate the opportunity to work closely with our senior leadership team on FM’s shared priorities. Everyone has a lot on their plates right now, and my goal is to help make things a little easier and keep us moving forward in the same direction.
What do you see as the biggest challenges FM is facing right now, and how are you thinking about approaching them?
One of our biggest challenges is the constrained state operating budget. It means we’ll need to take a close look at our priorities and stay focused on FM’s core mission of maintaining the physical environment and supporting the campus’s assets. We’ll need to be intentional about how we use our resources and make sure we’re putting our efforts where they have the most impact.
What priorities or goals are you hoping to move forward with while you’re in this role?
A few priorities stand out. One is the completion of the first phase of construction under the NextGen project. I’m also focused on making the best use of available funds to reduce our facilities renewal backlog. And, as always, continuing to strengthen collaboration and communication within FM remains important to me.
Are there any projects or initiatives you think the FM community should be keeping an eye on?
There are a few major projects to keep an eye on — the Central Energy Plant is scheduled for completion in 2026, and Zupnik Hall is expected to be completed in the summer of 2026. Also, watch out for Purple Line trains to be running on campus during the testing phase in 2026.
And outside of work, what do you enjoy doing when you have the time?
Outside of work, I enjoy scuba diving. In the last few years, both of my sons became certified divers, and we recently went on a family dive trip together. I also love working in my small yard when the weather is nice.