February News from VP Curtis Reynolds

Message from Vice President, Curtis A. Reynolds

As we welcome the new year, these past couple of months have felt similar to 2020 (regarding COVID-19); however, I am confident in our ability to continually keep our students, faculty, and staff safe and healthy amid the COVID-19 pandemic. I feel fortunate to be able to welcome back those on-campus as well as those utilizing remote office spaces, and Zoom meetings in 2021. I will continue to keep you informed by sharing key information from around Business Affairs through these newsletters.

We also have a prize to giveaway in this newsletter! Thank you for your hard work and for reading my bi-monthly newsletter.

Go Gators,

Curtis A. Reynolds

On February 13th, 2021 Phil who was a Postal Associate at Mail and Document Services passed away. Phil had worked for the University of Florida for 14 years. With great sadness, we would like to offer our deepest sympathy and condolences.

Dwan Courtney, Director of Small Business and Supplier Diversity (SBSD), provides services and support designed to facilitate utilization of small diverse businesses by UF departments and academic units.

Prior to being named the Director of SBSD, Courtney was the Small, Minority & Veteran Business Procurement Program Coordinator at the City of Gainesville. Prior to her role with the city, Courtney was formerly the Marketing & Communications Specialist with UF’s Small Business Vendor Diversity Relations.

Tara Hollow is the Operations Manager of Events and Permitting for University of Florida owned properties across the state of Florida. She reviews and manages requests from University colleges and departments, non-registered student organizations and non-UF organizations. Tara worked with UF Student Affairs IT team to utilize their self-developed permitting system, GatorConnect, to set-up and implement the first online event permitting system for Business Affairs. She has been an employee with the University of Florida since 2014.

January Winners:

Major Brad Barber of UFPD &

Allen Masters of Facilities Services

coordinated a holiday parade for the Baby Gator daycare children during a time where the pandemic canceled most holiday festivities. The parade concluded with a socially distant visit from Santa on his sleigh. Click the image below for a video of the parade and the surprise award ceremony.

February Winners:

Ravish Paul of Facilities Services &

John Lawson of Facilities Services

were the Elite Gator Award winners in February due to reducing operating costs by $10,000 monthly (sustainable energy savings). They both review building floorplans and mechanical drawings of facilities in effort to ensure systems are providing proper ventilation to create a safe environment for our students, faculty, and staff, even during the pandemic.

UF is now recognized as a gold-level bicycle friendly university by the League of American Bicyclists!

UF joins an elite group of 212 colleges and universities in 47 states and the District of Columbia that are taking action to address the health and environmental challenges facing America by creating campuses more welcoming to people who bike.

“It is so energizing to have UF among our cohort of 212 Bicycle Friendly Universities across the country,” said Bill Nesper, executive director of the League of American Bicyclists. “The 2020 class of 38 Bicycle Friendly Universities has addressed a crisis unlike any we’ve seen in our lifetimes. Amidst the pandemic, we are grateful each of these institutions has acknowledged the benefits to the well-being and health of its students, staff, and faculty in being a Bicycle Friendly University. These colleges and universities are leading by building healthy environments where people can safely get around while improving the well-being of their community by enabling access to sustainable transportation options.”

Learn more about the League and its Bicycle Friendly University program at bikeleague.org/university.

The Florida Emergency Preparedness Association (FEPA) serves as the professional organization for emergency managers within the state. UF Department of Emergency Management Assistant Director, Francine Vincent recently received her certification as a Florida Professional Emergency Manager (FPEM) from FEPA. This designation requires approval from peers around the state and recognizes experienced emergency managers who possess advanced and diverse knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform effectively within a comprehensive Emergency Management program. “Receiving the certification provided me a sense of accomplishment and pride for the work I did while active duty in the Air Force and the work I did here for the University of Florida” said Vincent. Additionally, she also was one of 28 chosen out of hundreds of nationwide applicants for this year’s cohort of the National Emergency Management Advanced Academy (NEMAA) hosted by FEMA’s Emergency Management Institute. “I am honored to have been awarded my certification and selected to attend the Advanced Academy, and I know I am representing the University of Florida proudly,” said Vincent. Congratulations on pursuing continual training efforts and representing UF in the Emergency Management profession!

Vice President Reynolds and UFPD team unveil 2021 Hybrid Vehicle. (Major Brad Barber, Officer Chad Holway, VP Reynolds, and Lt. Jake Pruitt)

This is a timelapse video from PDC showing the construction of the new baseball stadium from start to finish.

Business Services and Gator Dining Open Firehouse Subs at the Hub next to a renovated Jamba Juice!

VP Curtis Reynolds Surprises Facilities Services Employee

Vice President, Curtis Reynolds surprised Beth Farmer of Facilities Services with a SodaStream donated by Pepsi Co. and Business Services. A few newsletters ago we asked readers to email in an answer to a Pepsi question that was hidden in the newsletter for a chance to win a SodaStream. We thank Beth and all of our readers! Due to you reading this newsletter you will automatically be entered into a drawing for two box seats at the new baseball stadium for an upcoming game!

The first-ever Platinum level certification was awarded to the Honey Bee Research and Extension Lab (HBREL) at UF last November. Platinum is the highest level certificate that the Florida Green Building Coalition (FGBC) offers. This accomplishment was a team effort at Planning Design and Construction. The HBREL is located directly east of Steinmetz Hall on UF’s campus. If you wish to visit the building virtually, you can by clicking here.

Thank you for Reading!

Business Affairs | 352-392-1336