John Hannum Selected as New Executive Director for Engineering and Campus Energy

Following a national search, John Hannum has been selected as the new Executive Director for Engineering and Campus Energy in Facilities Operations, effective September 3, 2024.  John will be promoted from his current role as Program Manager for Commissioning and Turnover in the Office of Capital Projects.  He succeeds Tom Nyquist, who retired in July after nearly 40 years of service to Princeton. 

As Executive Director of Engineering and Campus Energy, John will lead a team of more than 50 who safely provide continuous reliable electrical power and other utilities to our campus. He will lead the planning and implementation of our Infrastructure Master Plan and provide critical contributions to our Sustainability Action Plan.  As John assumes this new role, he will also lead the integration of all Facilities Engineering disciplines in a combined group, with Civil and Environmental Engineering joining Electrical and Mechanical Engineering.   

“John is a proven leader and engineering expert,” said Associate Vice President for Facilities Operations Keith Barton.  “He has already made significant contributions to our capital plan and projects, and he will now play an even greater leadership role in our stewardship of this incredible campus.”   

“I am both thrilled and honored to have been given the opportunity to take on this position at the University,” said Hannum.  “I am looking forward to joining my colleagues in Operations and Engineering and Campus Energy.  Together, I am certain we will build on the leadership Tom provided to increase our contribution to Facilities in support of the University’s mission.”

When he joined Princeton in 2017, John brought more than 15 years of experience in project engineering and program management for multiple firms with leadership positions of progressive scope and complexity.  He also continues to share his knowledge and experience with others as a Lecturer-Assistant Adjunct Professor at the New York University-Schack Institute of Real Estate and Fordham University.   

John holds a Bachelor’s degree in Architectural Engineering from Penn State University and a Master’s degree in Business Administration from Rutgers University.  He is a Professional Engineer, Registered Architect, Certified Energy Manager, and LEED AP.