New Leader for Facilities and Operations

Smith College today announced the appointment of James W. Gray as associate vice president for facilities and operations.

Gray—who is currently vice president for campus operations at Brandeis University—will begin work at Smith on April 22, 2019.

At Smith, Gray will provide strategic leadership and management in the areas of facilities, dining services and campus police management. He will oversee the college’s physical plant, manage construction projects—including the ongoing renovation and reimagining of Neilson Library—and direct the college’s real estate portfolio. He also will be a key collaborator and leader on strategic initiatives in areas including environmental sustainability, carbon reduction and landscape master planning.

Gray has extensive experience in real estate, facilities, planning, and the development and operation of college and university campuses, as well as medical and private-sector facilities. As vice president at Brandeis for the past five years, he has had responsibility for all aspects of campus operations, including facilities and grounds, public safety and police, environmental health and safety, and sustainability, among other things.

Mike Howard, Smith’s executive vice president for finance and administration, said, “Jim Gray has a long and successful record of leadership in higher education and in the medical and for-profit sectors. His ability to manage and motivate teams, and his commitment to integrating sustainability into all aspects of business operations, will be especially valuable to Smith in the years ahead.”

Prior to joining Brandeis, Gray served for eight years as associate vice president in charge of Harvard Real Estate Services for Harvard University, and held leadership positions in commercial real estate development, management and construction as a senior vice president for Duke Realty Corporation. Gray has also had senior level experience in the healthcare facilities and student housing arenas.

Gray earned undergraduate and law degrees at Indiana University.