Colby Wins Turner Award

Jack Colby, assistant vice chancellor for facilities operations, received the Frank B. Turner Award during the 29th annual State Construction Office Conference at the Jane S. McKimmon Center. Given annually since 1983, the award recognizes a single state employee who has made an outstanding professional contribution to the built environment, as exemplified by the professional life of Frank B. Turner. It is presented by the American Institute of Architects North Carolina, North Carolina Chapter of the American Society of Landscape Architects, Consulting Engineers Council of North Carolina and Professional Engineers Council of North Carolina.

A licensed professional engineer with 23 years of state service, Colby is recognized as a key player in the creation of a standardized model to establish the operating support required for new and renovated buildings, assuring that major investments are properly maintained. He previously served as director of facilities operations for NC State and held similar roles at UNC-Greensboro, Duke University and Daniel International. An Association of Physical Plant Administrators member since 1978, Colby has served on numerous committees and was elected national president. He also was a member and chair of the State Building Commission.

A graduate of Virginia Tech and the Fuqua Schools of Business at Duke University, Colby served on the UNC System President’s Advisory Committee on Efficiency and Effectiveness. He established NC State’s sustainability office and its first campus environmental sustainability assessment.