2024 marks the 20th anniversary of the opening of the Institute for Advanced Learning and Research main building. To celebrate, we will feature several guests who have been integral to the operation of this iconic facility over the last twenty years.
This second special anniversary episode features two maintenance professionals who have kept the building operational all these years: Jeff Forlines (retired Facilities Maintenance) and Stewart East (Senior Facilities Manager).
From opening locked office doors to changing 4,000 light bulbs in 2,800 light fixtures, Jeff shares how he did some of everything as a one-man maintenance team for almost nine years before Stewart was hired. They share stories about moving large research equipment through a standard-size door, explain the process of painting the Atrium’s tall ceiling and highlight their special trick to get helium balloons down from a 30-foot ceiling. Jeff fondly remembers getting to watch fireworks from the roof on the Fourth of July because he was fixing the AC unit.
- Jeff’s background and early career (00:37)
- Stewart’s background and early career (07:01)
- Advantages of seeing what’s behind the walls (08:47)
- Growing campus brings Stewart on board (20:08)
- Fitting equipment through a door (24:30)
- Challenges of a growing campus (25:28)
- Installing a walk-in freezer (28:21)
- Cleaning all this glass (34:12)
- Jeff’s reaction to seeing IALR for the first time (37:19)
- Converting to LED (39:00)
- Tight spaces and a hot roof (41:45)
- Lessons learned during employment (43:25)
- Getting familiar with the building and campus (46:38)
- Looking ahead twenty years (48:03)
- Closing thoughts (50:46)
- Help desk ticketing system (51:26)
For more history and information and to view photos of the construction of 150 Slayton, please visit https://www.ialr.org/history/.
The Institute for Advanced Learning and Research serves as a regional catalyst for economic transformation in Southern Virginia. Our services, programs and offerings are diverse, impactful and far reaching.
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