Planning, Design and Construction

The Facilities Planning, Design and Construction team is comprised of architects, engineers, a landscape architect, a planner and administrative staff, all possessing expertise in design standards, processes and policies necessary to provide stewardship for thoughtful preservation and growth of the campus. The team provides master planning, programming and manages capital construction and renovation projects for our buildings and campus grounds. The team is also responsible for managing campus-wide space allocation, reporting data related to physical assets, regulatory approvals and leasing space.

Leadership

Derek S. Gruner, RA, LEED AP | University Architect, Associate Vice President of Facilities Planning, Design and Construction

The Planning, Design and Construction team creates new projects within the state procurement system, guides projects through approvals, works closely with private architectural and engineering firms, documents space management and other property matters. Derek has over 30 years of experience in master planning, programming, architectural design and construction administration. A former principal at a Columbia architectural and engineering firm, his projects have included university, corporate, institutional, athletic, historic preservation and adaptive reuse. Derek holds a Bachelor of Architecture degree from the College of Architecture and Urban Studies at the Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University.

Tom Opal | Director of Facilities Planning, Design and Construction

Suzanne Dunn | Assistant Director of Facilities Planning, Design and Construction

Directory

Name	Title	Email	Phone
Tom Opal	Director of Facilities Planning, Design and Construction	tnopal@fmc.sc.edu	7-7076
Suzanne Dunn	Assistant Director of Facilities Planning, Design and Construction	sd26@mailbox.sc.edu	7-4022
Cheryl A. Mitchell	Real Property/Lease Management	camaker@mailbox.sc.edu	7-9155
Rick Jerald	Space Manager	rjjerald@email.sc.edu	7-5686
Stuart McCloy	Space Information Coordinator	smccloy@mailbox.sc.edu	7-6837
Scott Benson	Project Manager	sb142@mailbox.sc.edu	7-9019
Ann Derrick	Project Manager	aderrick@fmc.sc.edu	7-5811
Pete Fisher	Project Manager	pfisher@fmc.sc.edu	7-9396
Emily Jones	Project Manager/Landscape Architect	efjones@fmc.sc.edu	7-7592
Al Lindsay	Project Manager	lindsaaa@mailbox.sc.edu	7-1140
Jess Long	Project Manager	jl112@mailbox.sc.edu	7-3620
Christian Mergner	Project Manager	cmergner@fmc.sc.edu	7-4569
Dan Reider	Project Manager	dreider@mailbox.sc.edu	7-2834
John Thomas	Project Manager	jpt6@mailbox.sc.edu	7-5999
Jessica Koumas	Senior Interior Designer	koumasj@mailbox.sc.edu	7-0298
Claire Gibson	Architecture/Interior Design Support	gibsonm9@mailbox.sc.edu	7-5814
Loren McCaslin	Interior Design		7-4964

Facilities Department