John Malcolm, a Facilities Management construction representative who graduated from this university, says he feels gratified after a day’s work, which includes overseeing construction projects, documenting work and making sure contracts are honored.
The racket, dirt, dust and smells would deter a lot of people from a job in construction — but John Malcolm finds meaning in exactly that work on the campus.
“To most people, my job seems extremely unappealing,” said Malcolm, an on-site construction representative. “But it’s also extremely gratifying. You’re making something out of nothing, or taking something old and making it new again, and that creates such a great satisfaction for me.”
After working under the university’s Capital Projects section of Facilities Management for 11 years, Malcolm said he still finds great fulfillment in his job: overseeing various construction projects, observing and documenting the work and ensuring all contracts are honored. He is on his appointed construction site practically daily, guaranteeing projects are going as planned.
“John is the eyes and the ears of the field,” said Project Manager Darwin Feuerstein. “He is constantly monitoring the projects and is extremely dedicated to his work.”
Malcolm’s passion and dedication to construction began at a young age. His father was a general contractor and would take him to projects in the summer, embedding the excitement for building early on in his life.
After attending this university, where he first majored in architecture, eventually switching over to business, Malcolm decided to explore the carpenter trade. He then moved up as a superintendent for a construction business and worked there for 15 years — eventually, he was “burned out” from the stress.
“I didn’t want to start all over, but I wanted an occupation where I could use that knowledge I had gained from my old job without the headaches of actually coordinating projects.”
He found that career at his alma mater after hearing from a former co-worker who had been hired recently at the university. Malcolm applied as soon as he was advised of an opening — and he got the job.
Malcolm has since worked on several projects, most recently on water lines and the renovation of the Pocomoke Building. He also contributed to the renovation of two sorority houses near Campus Drive and Mowatt Lane Garage, the largest concrete project ever at the university.
“[Malcolm] has extreme attention to detail,” said Capital Projects Director Bill Olen. “He has a lot of general construction knowledge and uses that to his advantage on the field.”
Along with supervising construction, Malcolm’s job involves a great deal of communication with superiors, contractors and workers. He can’t change a project’s direction or physically fix problems himself but he must be aware of and report difficulties.
“It is very easy to call John up and know that he will paint me a very accurate picture of the site and its deficiencies,” interim Assistant Director Brian Still said.
Malcolm also spends a large portion of his time dissecting the contracts associated with the building projects, from ensuring the department receives supply shipments to poring over every project requirement.
“Reviewing these documents can be pretty tedious,” he said, but it’s essential work.
Though he loves the atmosphere of the campus, Malcolm has found ways to fill the hours when he’s not working. For example, he’s been casually playing guitar at home off and on for 40 years. He also owns two vintage cars he hopes to fix up in his retirement — a BMW Isetta, which dates back to the 1960s, and a Messerschmitt.
But Malcolm doesn’t plan to leave the campus any time soon.
“There is a real sense of cooperation here, and everyone has an interest in helping you succeed,” he said. “What we’re doing is truly for the greater good, and that makes me feel great.”
