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Position: Director, physical plant
Length of Service: Since 1998
Hometown: Morristown
What she does: Davey supervises the project managers who, in turn, supervise the major physical plant projects on the Newark campus, such as constructing new buildings and upgrading, expanding or renovating existing facilities. She ensures the jobs stay on schedule and within budget.
What prepared her for her job: Davey earned a bachelor of science in civil engineering from Lehigh University and her M.B.A. from Montclair State University. In her first job, she worked at a consulting company doing design and engineering work for major clients, such as the former Bell Atlantic. She planned and executed projects and worked with construction crews, including some male workers who were not happy to work for a female supervisor and let her know it.
Biggest challenges: Tight budgets, which are always a problem, says Davey, whether at Rutgers or at her previous job. The key is to figure out the best uses for limited funds in terms of the “people impact” that a project makes. “Sometimes relatively small projects, like a bathroom renovation, can make a big improvement in quality of work life,” she says. Rutgers-Newark also poses logistical challenges: How do you juggle all of the steps involved in construction or renovations, such as excavating chunks of the campus grounds and moving in materials or work crews, on a campus that is fully occupied all the time? “You have to get the job done with a minimum of noise and odors and as few detours, closed roads and blocked sidewalks as possible,” Davey says. “At the same time you have to keep everyone safe, both workers and members of the campus community.”
Greatest joys of the job: “It’s gratifying to see things come together,” Davey says, whether it’s a new building, such as the Life Sciences Center set for completion this spring, or a much improved facility that provides an enhanced and more productive work environment.
On being a woman in a male-dominated field: “I don’t have trouble with the more experienced crews here at Rutgers, who have been around enough to either have worked with me or to have worked with a woman elsewhere,” she says. “But sometimes outside contractors see me on a worksite and assume I’m a lawyer – especially if I question something they’re doing.”
What she does for fun: Davey’s hobbies reflect her work. She bought and restored an older home, gutting the kitchen and replacing sinks, cabinets and floors. She retiled other rooms, replaced steps, painted walls, and did some plumbing and electrical work. As a vice president of the Morris County chapter of Habitat for Humanity, Davey helps build homes and supervise other volunteers. She also serves on the Morris chapter’s board of directors. Davey loves to travel: One of her favorite travel activities is studying the varied architectural styles in different parts of the world. She has a special fondness for old buildings that reflect styles, building techniques and craftsmanship of bygone eras.
Special thanks: “My project managers are all so skilled and experienced that they make my job easier. They’re a hard-working, mature group.”
Know someone who deserves to be in the spotlight? Contact Focus editor Carla Cantor at ccantor@ur.rutgers.edu.
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