Retired Army Col. Chris Kennedy tapped as new director of Facilities Operations, construction manager at Maryville College
May 19, 2026
Maryville College has appointed retired U.S. Army Col. Chris Kennedy as director of Facilities Operations and construction manager, a leadership role overseeing campus maintenance, grounds, housekeeping, infrastructure systems and construction planning.
Kennedy brings to the position more than 30 years of military leadership experience, including service in Iraq and senior operational roles involving large-scale logistics, facilities management and strategic planning. In his new role, he will help guide the stewardship and long-term maintenance of Maryville College’s historic campus while supporting future construction and infrastructure initiatives.
“I was immediately drawn to Maryville College when I stepped on campus a few years before I moved to Tennessee,” Kennedy said. “It reminded me so much of where I went to college in the mid-1980s at Widener University near Philadelphia. It was also founded around the time that Issac Anderson founded Maryville, and it had the same small, intimate community feeling. After a lifetime of moving every two to three years (and sometimes less), becoming ingrained in a community is important to my family.”
As an armor officer, Kennedy said his military career emphasized preventive maintenance, operational systems and long-range planning from the outset. Ensuring that equipment and mechanical systems perform at peak capacity was paramount to successful military operations, he added.
“As an armor officer, we start learning about preventive maintenance and maintenance systems from day one,” he said. “At one point in my career, I was responsible for managing and sustaining hundreds of wheeled and tracked vehicles as well as helicopters and facilities. I also had experience guiding construction projects in Iraq, and also at Fort Benning, where I was the chief of operations from 2011 to 2012.
“My experience in campaign planning also nests nicely with the director of Facilities Operations and construction manager, since I need to remain focused on the College’s long-range objective while at the same time dealing with the day-to-day challenges that the team must address.”
Kennedy served three years in combat in Iraq and held leadership responsibilities connected to major operations in Fallujah, Ramadi and Tal Afar. He later served as a Cavalry Squadron commander in the 3rd Infantry Division responsible for Iraq’s Wasit Province, an area roughly the size of New Jersey bordering Iran and stretching to Baghdad. His military honors include the Distinguished Service Medal, three Legions of Merit and three Bronze Stars. He also is an inductee in the Officer Candidate School Hall of Fame at Fort Benning.
At Maryville College, Kennedy pointed out, Facilities Operations plays a critical role in shaping both first impressions and the daily student experience.
“The first thing that a potential student sees when they step onto the campus is the lush grounds and the grandeur of the buildings,” he said. “I remember taking my son on a college visit, and he was immediately turned off because the campus was not well-maintained and frankly looked more at home in the old Soviet Union.
“Attracting students is step one. When they are here on campus, they should expect a clean, comfortable and cozy environment where they can concentrate on studies, sports, building relationships and making memories.”
Kennedy said he is especially inspired by the College’s blend of historic architecture, natural beauty and long-standing institutional legacy. The story of famous alumnus Kin Takahashi 1895 serves as a lesson for both College employees and the student themselves, he added.
“First, the history of the campus is amazing,” he said. “Kin Takahashi should inspire every student, faculty and staff member who steps on campus. Alumni built this campus with their own hands, and it is our responsibility to maintain those historic buildings as well as guide the campus toward the future with innovative ideas like the Alexander Institute for Conservation Leadership and Sciences.
“We are well-positioned in this location to attract talent that wants to sustain our environment here in the Smoky Mountains and leave their legacy in this region of Tennessee and Southern Appalachia.”
Kennedy described his leadership philosophy as being grounded in three core pillars: people, priorities and systems. Integrating those principles into the culture of Facilities Operations will ensure the department contributes to the College’s success and makes a lasting impression on those who work and learn here.
“We have three pillars that guide how we approach Facilities Operations,” Kennedy said. “The first is people. We ensure that everyone on the team is respected, trained to accomplish their assigned tasks, and they are empowered to take initiative in their jobs.
“The next pillar is priorities. Those priorities are set by college leadership and the cycles that drive the campus throughout the year. For instance, (recently) our focus was ensuring that graduation was the amazing experience that all the students, parents and alumni expected. This week we are working hard to get the grounds ready for the summer, turn over the dormitories for camps, and accomplish as much maintenance as possible before students return to campus.
“The final pillar is systems,” he added. “This includes things like preventive maintenance schedules, inspections, documentation, well-defined standards, and collecting data to help inform future requirements and expenditures.”
Kennedy said one of his primary goals during his first year will be strengthening systems and long-term planning processes within the department.
“The priority this year is to build systems that will allow us to collect data and communicate effectively with members of the campus population,” he said. “We also need to establish clear standards and build an estimate of all of the work that needs to be done to sustain the campus as we move into the future. In terms of construction, continued collaborative planning for the Alexander Institute is the priority.”
Kennedy also pointed to future opportunities involving automation, artificial intelligence and expanded campus planning initiatives. Taking advantage of them, he added, will allow maintenance manpower to be redirected toward other high-priority tasks.
“I really see the integration of autonomous devices and AI as the greatest opportunity for the future on the physical campus,” he said. “The size of the workforce is always a challenge, and the more systems that we can automate effectively, the more time the team can spend addressing deferred maintenance and building for the future.
“The establishment of the Alexander Institute for Conservation Leadership and Sciences will help transform the campus and continue the rich legacy that we have already established in the region.”
John Berry, chief operations officer at Maryville College, said Kennedy distinguished himself throughout the search process through both his leadership experience and his thoughtful understanding of campus operations.
“Chris impressed us with both the breadth of his leadership experience and his understanding of the important role that facilities operations play in serving the campus community and supporting the student experience,” Berry said. “Throughout the interview process, he demonstrated professionalism, humility, and a genuine enthusiasm for Maryville College, its mission, and its future.
“We believe he is well-positioned to strengthen our operations and champion a culture grounded in service, effective communication, shared expectations, and a commitment to continuous improvement and innovation.”
Outside of work, Kennedy said he enjoys spending time outdoors exploring East Tennessee.
“I enjoy spending time in nature, walking trails or simply driving through the mountains,” he said. “There is so much to do in this region, the list is endless. I also enjoy watching football and baseball, especially live so I am looking forward to supporting all of the Scots’ home games!”