When Dave Blatchly took a temporary job at the University of Vermont after receiving a mechanical engineering degree in 2001, he thought he’d be mowing lawns for the summer. Instead, he found himself working on underground steam lines—unknowingly beginning a 20-plus-year journey shaping the physical and strategic landscape of the university. 

“I never, ever once imagined I’d work for the university as a project person or engineer,” Dave says, seated in the atrium of the Davis Center, a building especially meaningful to him. “You almost don’t even know that exists until you’re in it.” 

Now Director of Planning, Design, and Construction, Dave is one of six recipients of the 2024 Our Common Ground Staff Award, which recognizes staff who exemplify UVM’s core values through their daily work and relationships. 

Raised in St. Albans, Vermont, Dave studied engineering with plans to follow in his father’s footsteps. It was an unexpected opportunity when his temporary position with Physical Plant included special projects assigned by the department’s director—an engineer himself. Within a year, he had joined a newly formed technical projects team, working on deferred maintenance and infrastructure like boilers and steam systems that keep campus running but remain largely invisible. 

By 2013, Dave had moved into a role as a maintenance zone manager. Five years later, he shifted into capital planning and project management, eventually rising to lead the department. Today, he oversees work that shapes UVM’s future, including the Firestone Medical Research Building, renovations to the athletics complex, and the chiller plant that keeps central campus cool. 

Colleagues describe Dave as a collaborative, thoughtful leader who balances attention to detail with deep care for people. “Dave takes the time to listen and understand and looks for opportunities to help those around him shine in their work,” says Lisa Kingsbury, Associate Director of Planning.  

“He’s a model of method, colleagueship and attentiveness,” adds Vice Provost for Student Affairs Erica Caloiero. 

Dave credits his professional growth to two key mentors: the late Ray Lavigne and Bob Vaughan. Ray—a former Vice President for Administration—was the project manager behind the Davis Center and a guiding influence during Dave’s early years. “Getting to work with him those first 10, 12 years of my career was extremely influential,” Dave says, pointing up toward the third floor where a plaque honoring Ray was inlaid near the stairs.  

He still remembers the advice Ray gave when the Davis Center first opened: “There’s going to be 10 things in this building you’re going to live with forever.” Most people won’t see the thousands of decisions that went into making it functional, but they’ll remember the handful that went wrong. It’s a lesson that underscores how much capital planning relies on unseen effort, trust, and teamwork. 

Bob Vaughan, who led Capital Planning and Management until his passing in 2020, shaped Dave’s approach to leadership and communication. Watching Bob present at Board of Trustees meetings helped Dave find his own voice in those high-stakes settings. “There’s no doubt in my mind—the only reason I’m good at it is because I watched Bob do it for 20 years.” 

Dave sees himself as both a problem solver and connector—skills rooted in his engineering background and refined through mentorship. Whether resolving technical issues or coordinating across departments, he makes it a priority to ensure that everyone feels informed and included. “He wants UVM to be successful and works hard to find the right solution to a problem, always considering the long-term solution for UVM,” says Luce Hillman, former Executive Director of Facilities Management. 

As Dave helps his team steer large-scale projects, he remains committed to process improvement and learning from what came before. “It’s the ability to anticipate what belongs in that room or that building or that floor,” he explains, “because you’ve made the mistake yourself on a project.” 

Still living in his hometown of St. Albans with his wife and two children, Dave brings a deep sense of place and purpose to his work. Whether managing campus construction or collaborating across departments, he builds with care, knowing the impact will be felt for generations.