New VP for Facilities Management named
By Patrick Wascovich
Juan M. Guerra Jr. has been selected as the new Vice President for Facilities Management at UT Southwestern Medical Center. Mr. Guerra, who began his duties on Feb. 1, succeeds Kirby Vahle, who has retired after 28 years of service.
Mr. Guerra has extensive knowledge and more than 30 years of experience in facilities management, both over operations and capital programs. Since 2009, he was Associate Vice President for Facilities at Texas State University, where he was responsible for a large portfolio of 8 million square feet of campus facilities, 250 buildings, and more than $1.3 billion in capital improvements.
“Juan has tremendous strength in using data and performance benchmarks to successfully manage operations and capital projects,” said Arnim Dontes, Executive Vice President for Business Affairs. “In addition, he has consistently demonstrated outstanding leadership skills and has successfully applied a deliberate and disciplined approach to strategic facilities planning. He also has deep understanding of the rules and regulations in the State of Texas and in public higher education.”
Mr. Guerra, who spent 20 years in the Civil Engineer Corps, served in the U.S. Navy between 1983 and 2003. He is a Registered Professional Engineer in Texas and California, and is a member of a number of state and national professional associations.
He graduated with a degree in civil engineering from Stanford University before earning two master’s degrees – in civil engineering from the University of California, Berkeley, and in business from Webster University.
“I’m excited to be here and looking forward to meeting the UT Southwestern family so as I get to know each area of the institution, I’ll understand their goals and priorities and ultimately ensure the Facilities organization is aligned to support the Medical Center’s three-part mission,” Mr. Guerra said.
Upon his retirement, Mr. Vahle had overseen the exponential growth of UT Southwestern over the past three decades, starting with the development of the North Campus research facilities and culminating with the watershed opening of the $800 million William P. Clements Jr. University Hospital in December 2014.
“These facilities have supported the efforts of our faculty, students, and staff as we have grown in all our missions during his tenure,” Mr. Dontes said. “Our campus is the impressive and beautiful destination it is in no small part due to Kirby’s leadership.”
