Jennifer Ridgeway, an Alabama native with a distinguished career in facilities management, was named the director of the Lab’s Facilities Division yesterday afternoon at an all-hands Facilities Division meeting in the cafeteria. Her tenure begins Sept. 4.

"We are very excited to have her at the Lab," says Berkeley Lab Director Steve Chu. "Her extensive background in both construction and operations of facilities, and her passion for the work, will ensure that the Lab will be able to meet the challenges of building new facilities for Helios, CRT, and the ALS Guest House, to handle the new infrastructure modernization projects for existing buildings, and to maintain the Lab's physical assets. As a result, the Lab will have the facilities support it needs to match our world-class science."

During Ridgway’s 25-year career in facilities management, she has overseen the construction or renovation of more than 50 commercial, health care, technology, and light industrial properties, with one project totaling $120 million. Her enthusiasm for facilities management and results-oriented approach to the job was clearly evident as she introduced herself to the Facilities Division staff.

“I really feel that it is a great honor to be offered this position,” said Ridgeway. “I look forward to contributing a great deal to the Lab, and helping the entire Facilities Division do the same.”

She comes to Berkeley Lab from Siemens Medical Solutions USA, Inc., based in Mountain View, CA, where she led the real estate management component of the company since 2000. She was also the facilities planning manager for the company from 1996 to 2000. Before that, she worked at Cupertino-based Behring Diagnostics from 1983 to 1996, where she served as the facility manager and senior construction project manager, among other roles.

Her extensive experience and penchant for asking tough and insightful questions during the lengthy interview process made her an easy choice for the job. “She was the unanimous and enthusiastic choice of the search committee,” said Sandy Merola, who headed the search committee.

Ridgway has a degree in interior design from Auburn University’s School of Architecture and has conducted graduate work in Sao Paulo, Brazil in civil engineering. She is a licensed general contractor in California and holds a certification in facility management from the International Facilities Management Association.