New director named for Facilities Engineering Institute

10/3/2019

By Danica Laub

STATE COLLEGE, Pa. — Mark Bodenschatz has been selected to head the Penn State Facilities Engineering Institute (PSFEI), effective Oct. 1. Interim director since Nov. 2018, Bodenschatz was selected as the new director for the institute following a national search.

Reporting to Anthony Atchley, senior associate dean of the College of Engineering, Bodenschatz is tasked with building sustainable growth in the pillar areas of energy, education, engineering services and facility condition assessments.

“After an extensive and thorough search, both within the University and externally, it was very clear to our search committee that Mark was the strongest candidate,” Atchley said. “PSFEI is unique in that it blends industry, public service and education. Taken as a whole, Mark’s experience and reputation in facilities design and operation, coupled with his vision for the future, led to his selection.”

As director, Bodenschatz will continue the institute’s mission, dating from 1947, to serve the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, but he also has his eyes on the future. Bodenschatz’s vision for PSFEI includes assisting clients in all ways that improve planning and meeting client demands for services with measured, responsive and sustainable growth.

“Opportunities exist in the common areas between two or more of our four core service areas,” Bodenschatz said. “I look forward to working with fellow staff members to begin to move our focus beyond facilities engineering into facilities management.”

Prior to joining PSFEI in 2017, Bodenschatz held multiple roles within the University. As associate athletic director for facilities and event operations with Penn State Intercollegiate Athletics for more than 10 years, he coordinated all athletic facilities, managed major and minor maintenance projects, conducted capital planning and managed a staff of building coordinators, event staff and information technology personnel. In addition, Bodenschatz served as director of game day operations at Beaver Stadium. He also served more than 16 years in a variety of roles at the Office of Physical Plant, including director of design and construction, director of commonwealth services and manager of design services. Before joining Penn State in 1990, Bodenschatz held positions with two architectural engineering companies.

“Mark has a deep understanding of Penn State and the commonwealth,” Atchley said. “With more than 30 years of experience, he has overseen facilities throughout the Penn State system including University Park and the Commonwealth Campuses. During his time as associate and interim director, Mark developed a deep understanding of PSFEI’s mission and value proposition and advanced strong relationships with a network of sponsors. I look forward to watching PSFEI grow under his direction.”

Bodenschatz earned bachelor and master's degrees in architectural engineering, both from Penn State. He is a licensed mechanical engineer in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, holds a Professional Facilities Manager credential and is a certified sports security professional.

The Penn State Facilities Engineering Institute provides facilities engineering services, education programs and energy management to Pennsylvania state agencies, the federal government and nonprofit organizations. The organization aims to advance its customers’ facilities engineering objectives through applied research, education and innovation.

 

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MEDIA CONTACT:

Megan Lakatos

mkl5024@psu.edu

“Opportunities exist in the common areas between two or more of our four core service areas. I look forward to working with fellow staff members to begin to move our focus beyond facilities engineering into facilities management.”
—Mark Bodenschatz