State of Capital Projects: A Discussion with University System Leaders

Join us for an engaging panel discussion with three higher education leaders, Stephen Harris, Assistant Vice Chancellor, Office of Capital Projects for The University of Texas System, J. Brett Cumpton, Director, Facilities, Planning and Construction for the Texas A&M University System and Peter Maass, RA, NCARB, CTCM, CNU-A, Director of Capital Projects Administration for the Texas State University System as they share their philosophies and processes about working with their Campus’ locations across Texas. Discussion topics will include the funding process, insight on how decisions are made at the campus level, how the A/E/C industry fits into the conversation, future planning and projects as well as designated time for questions from our guests!  

Speakers:

Stephen Harris, Assistant Vice Chancellor with The University of Texas System

Stephen Harris is an assistant vice chancellor with the University of Texas System in the Office of Capital Projects. He is an architect with more than 30 years of experience in the public and private design and construction market, and he has two degrees from the University of Texas at Austin. Mr. Harris has been with UT System since 2002 and has served in a variety of roles.  Currently, his group at UT System supports the multi-billion-dollar Capital Improvement Program (CIP) with a focus on scope, cost, and schedule accountability; design and construction standards; best practices; code and regulatory compliance; whole building commissioning; and building performance. With primary accountability to the UT System Executive Vice Chancellor for Business Affairs and the UT System Board of Regents, his role across this broad range of responsibilities requires close collaboration with the institutional representatives at each of the 13 UT institutions and at multiple campuses with a variety of stakeholders, customers, and interested parties including other governing agencies. 

J. Brett Cumpton, Director - Facilities, Planning and Construction, The Texas A&M University System

J. Brett Cumpton, ’89 (Bachelor of Environmental Design from TAMU) as a Director for Facilities, Planning and Construction on behalf of the Texas A&M University System, currently Directs 10 Project Managers. Brett covers the capital projects across the East half of the state of Texas. His management team covers projects from Texarkana to Galveston and 11 Universities and campuses in between. Brett has been with the A&M System since February of 2008 after closing his local Architectural firm. Brett directs 55 projects valued at 2.822 Billion in varying levels of completion with $1.279 Billion still available for proposals. In his 15 plus years with the System, he spent 3 years with the Health Science Center as Director of Facilities, Operations and Construction for the CIADM. Brett has 40 years of architectural and construction project management experience, in both the public and private sectors. He is a licensed Texas architect and has been a member of the American Institute of Architects since 1999.

Peter Maass, Director of Capital Projects Administration, The Texas State University System

Peter Maass serves as the Director of Capital Projects Administration under the Office of Finance at The Texas State University System, the oldest and third largest university system in Texas.  The Texas State University System includes seven component institutions on thirteen campuses extending from the Big Ben region to the Gulf coast. The Division of Capital Projects Administration supports the educational missions of the component institutions by overseeing the development and implementation of campus facility construction and renovation projects.  As a Director, Mr. Maass is responsible for coordinating the approval of capital projects by the Board of Regents and/or Chancellor; procuring design and construction services; drafting and negotiating contracts with design professionals, construction contractors, and other construction industry service providers; administering design and construction agreements; and drafting policies and procedures for the planning and construction of capital projects. Prior to joining The Texas State University System, Mr. Maass was the Deputy Director of Planning and Real Estate Management at the Texas Facilities Commission and oversaw the master planning of the Texas Capitol Complex and North Austin Complex.  He was directly involved in the successful legislative funding request for the first phase of these master plans. Mr. Maass is a graduate of the University of Illinois - School of Architecture, with a Master of Architecture in Design. He is certified by the National Council of Architectural Registration Boards; is a member of the American Institute of Architects and Congress of New Urbanism; and, is registered as an architect in four states including Texas.

Moderator: 

Jeff Casinger, Director of Business Development, Ensight Haynes Whaley, LLC

Mr. Casinger has over 30 years of experience in business development /client relationship management, systems consulting, organizational change management, and process design/implementation.

Thank you to our Diamond Sponsors:

Thank You To Our Sapphire Sponsors: