Positioning the EVPT organization for the future

Dear MIT faculty and staff,

I am delighted to share the news that Director of Campus Operations Joe Higgins will become MIT’s vice president for campus services and stewardship, effective November 1. In this new role, Joe will oversee the Office of Sustainability; Environment, Health and Safety; the Office of Campus Planning; and Facilities, including Campus Construction.

This appointment is part of a reorganization to reassign the many responsibilities previously handled by Deputy Executive Vice President Tony Sharon, who is retiring at the end of the calendar year. In streamlining our organizational structure, we are positioning the areas under the executive vice president and treasurer (EVPT) umbrella to continue to provide quality services for the MIT community now and in the future.

Joe joined MIT in 2016, and has since assumed increased responsibilities for a diverse portfolio of infrastructure functions and facilities operations. During this time, he has developed an understanding of MIT’s organization and culture. Joe takes a highly collaborative approach to problem-solving, is a strategic thinker, and combines exceptional leadership skills with an amiable management style.

Prior to joining MIT, Joe served as vice president of engineering at Fidelity Investments for 10 years, and was their first chief sustainability officer. He earlier served for 14 years as executive director of strategic and technical services at Facility Resource Management Company, where he provided strategic and engineering services to over 100 leading institutions on their building projects. Joe holds a BS in engineering and a BA in economics from Swarthmore College, as well as an MSc in education research from the University of Oxford; he also holds a PE as a licensed professional engineer.

I am confident that Joe will continue to make strong contributions to the Institute, and am thrilled to have him as part of the senior leadership team. Joe and all of the members of our management team are dedicated to providing the highest standard of service to the MIT community, and I hope you will reach out to us with your comments, questions, and ideas.

Please join me in congratulating Joe on this new appointment.

Sincerely,

Israel Ruiz
Executive Vice President and Treasurer

View the organizational chart along with a listing of key contacts.