The following message is being provided on behalf of Timothy Downs, Vice President for Finance and Administration
Please join me in extending best wishes to Tim Carey, who is retiring as the Associate Vice-President for Facilities on June 30th. Tim has devoted his career to supporting and improving institutions of higher education. Having worked in the academic, student affairs, and administrative areas at Montclair State University earlier in his career, Tim developed a passion for improving the various work processes and organizations he served. It was the work on his doctoral dissertation (Continuous Quality Improvement in Higher Education) that led Tim to Facilities and his rapid advancement to Associate Vice-President for Facilities Operations before taking the helm here at Ithaca College.
Joining the Ithaca College family in March 2014, Tim’s leadership has elevated the performance and experience of both his department and the institution. He quickly forged strong alliances with the Academic community, led multiple efforts to enhance environmental sustainability, and introduced Service Level Agreements to enhance services across campus. Always in pursuit of stellar customer service, Tim’s motto (referred to as Carey’s Credo) is “We never want a student – or a member of the faculty or staff – to not choose (or to leave) Ithaca College because of a Facilities issue.”
Tim has led many initiatives at the college, with the most significant being the 2015 and 2021 Master Plan exercises which will chart the course for our institution for years to come. Interim President Cornish said, “His incredible success in addressing the deferred maintenance needs of the college cannot be overstated. And, as we continue to actualize the Campus Master Plan, his influence will still be felt.” Most recently, Tim led the critically important Facilities transitions necessitated by COVID, helping to keep the campus and its community members safe.
Perhaps most importantly, Tim has been a tireless advocate for his staff and the important work they perform. When complimented on a particular performance of the Facilities team, Tim is always quick to say, “Thank you on behalf of the incredible team we have in the Facilities department”. Ernie McClatchie, Executive Director for Maintenance, Grounds, and Transportation noted, "Tim has been a professional, humble, and engaged leader since setting foot on our campus. Even more impressive than his numerous accomplishments have been the genuine care and appreciation he has shown for Facilities' employees, always championing for them with fairness and equity in mind."
While Tim acknowledges that the decision to retire is not an easy one, he is ready for his next role – devoting more time to his wonderful family. Tim looks forward to moving south to his lakefront home in Pennsylvania to spend more time with his wife Mary Jean. Together, they plan frequent travel to be with their two sons, Timmy and Matt, and their families – including their one-year-old grandson Jack.
Tim has done me – and the Ithaca College community – a great service by providing six-months advanced notice of his retirement. This extended time frame will enable him to continue to be engaged in the important work inherent in the position of Associate Vice President until mid-summer, and he will also be assisting me in planning a smooth and seamless succession plan.
I know the campus community will join me in congratulating Tim on what has been an outstanding professional career and will also join me in wishing him well in the next steps of his journey.