April 8, 2014 New Director of Design Services Has Close Ties with UT
Although Powers began his position at Facilities Services last month, he has a longstanding history with UT.
A 1982 UT graduate, Powers has worked for a number of local Knoxville design firms, and much of his career as an architect has been focused on UT projects.
In all, Powers has worked on about thirty projects at UT—the first being the renovation of Hodges Library. He was also one of the architects on Ayres Hall, the James A. Haslam II Business Building, Lindsey Nelson Stadium, and the RecSports intramural fields on Sutherland Avenue.
“I grew up in Knoxville, went to school here and worked on a lot of projects here. Being on campus really gets in your blood,” he said.
UT’s goal of becoming a Top 25 public research institution also struck Powers’ interest.
“Buildings on campus were high on the list of things that needed to be improved,” he said, which was a natural fit for his professional skills in architecture and design.
Powers said the Design Services office will support the Top 25 goal by providing professional design advice in campus aesthetics, technical details, and master plans.
In addition to his interest in all things orange, Powers has a professional interest in all things green, with a Lead AP sustainability certification and three LEED-certified buildings under his belt.
Powers is taking the position previously held by Terry Ledford, who now is director of zone maintenance for Facilities Services.
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CONTACT:
Brooke Stevenson (bsteve14@utk.edu)