Leadership
Jason Lambert, PE, SE, CEFP | Associate Vice President of Facility Services
Lambert has spent over 17 years working in college facilities, including as the senior director of facilities operations and infrastructure at the University of Georgia from 2017-22. He oversaw all aspects of campus maintenance, construction and utility production as part of his duties, and he managed, among other projects, an infrastructure and energy efficiency and recapitalization program in Athens. Previously, he led the skilled trades shop and construction project management office for the University of Texas Health Science Center in San Antonio. A structural engineer, he also worked with PCS Structural Solutions in Washington, helping rejuvenate a historical warehouse district at UW Tacoma, construct nearly two dozen K-12 schools, and functioned as the campus engineer for two regional health care systems. Lambert earned his bachelor's in Architectural Engineering at the University of Wyoming, his master's in Project Management at Colorado State University and his graduate certificate of Public Administration at Valdosta State University. A native of Wyoming, he is married to Bethany, who is an attorney and music composer, and has two children, three dogs and a flock of eight birds.
Zach Schiff, PE | Director of Facilities Engineering Support
Schiff is a licensed engineer with extensive experience in facility engineering and maintenance who has successfully led large-scale construction projects and multi-skilled teams in both the public and private sectors. His career includes roles at the University of Georgia, Caterpillar, Michelin and University of South Carolina Housing. A proud Air Force veteran, he holds a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering from the Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology and master’s degrees in business administration from USC and engineering management from the Air Force Institute of Technology. Outside of work, Schiff, his wife Caroline (alumna) and their three children enjoy soccer, wakeboarding and cheering on the Gamecocks.
Justin Shinta, MBA, FMP, PMP | Director of Special Projects and Initiatives
Shinta has worked on a wide range of construction management related projects and facility maintenance initiatives throughout his career, including eight years total at Santee Cooper, Dominion Energy and Lowes Foods. Prior to that, he spent eight years in the U.S. Army before attending the military veterans program at The Citadel, where he received his bachelor’s in Civil and Environmental Engineering. He earned his master's in Business Administration at Clemson in 2019 and is a certified Facilities Maintenance Professional. A native of Charleston, he is married Ashley and has two kids. He spends his free time watching sports, playing in the yard, tinkering on house projects and coaching his son’s baseball team.
Steve Vedral, NCARB, LEED AP | Director of Facilities Renovations and Infrastructure Construction
Vedral brings over 30 years of experience in architecture and construction to the University of South Carolina. His previous role came at the Northern Arizona University, where he was the associate vice president for facility services. There, his department handled planning, design and construction, custodial services, grounds, trade shops, fire life safety, utility services and the Office of Sustainability. Previously, he directed the capital projects teams at both Arizona State University and the University of Nebraska. Vedral holds a bachelor's degree of Architecture from New Jersey Institute of Technology and a master's in Construction Management from Arizona State University.
The various Facility Services teams maintain the following:
- 400 acres of physical space
- 65 acres of turf
- Nearly 7,000 trees from more than 80 varieties
- 189 miles in sidewalk
- 57 acres of roofing
- 28,400 miles of wires in buildings
- 14,500 miles of pipes in buildings
- 21 miles combined of underground electric wiring and steam, condensate and chilled water piping
- 720,000 square feet of window glass.
And it delivers 1.2 million gallons of water daily and 600 million pounds of steam yearly, part of approximately $28 million of cost to power, heat, cool and provide water across the Columbia campus.
Directory
| Name | Title |
|---|---|
| Jason Lambert | Associate Vice President, Facility Services |
| Zach Schiff | Director, Facilities Engineering Support |
| Justin Shinta | Director, Special Projects and Initiatives |
| Steve Vedral | Director, Facilities Renovation and Infrastructure Construction |
| Quinton Bolin | Assistant Director, Energy Plants |
| Dale Branham | Assistant Director, Maintenance Services |
| Leroy Sims | Assistant Director, Custodial Services |
| Thatcher Hurt | Assistant Director, Building Services |
| TBD | Assistant Director, Facilities Work Management |
| Troy Nelson | Assistant Director, Energy Management |
| Norman Stewart | Assistant Director, Landscape and Waste & Recycling Services |
For all issues that involve our group (maintenance, custodial, landscaping, emergency issue), please use the Submit a Request form or call our customer service center at 803-777-4217.