This release is being distributed on behalf of Fort Lewis College.

July 13, 2007

Fort Lewis College hires Purdue's Kjonaas as new physical plant director

Kjonaas is the current vice president for physical facilities at Purdue University, a position he has held for the past 14 years. With 26 years of progressively responsible experience from front line supervision to chief facilities officer, he brings experience in campus master planning, new facility design, major renovation projects, bids, construction supervision and inspection, project authorization and approval, and budget management of Purdue's main campus and three regional campuses.

Kjonaas received his bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering from Purdue and is a registered professional engineer in Indiana

Kjonaas said, "I am very excited about the opportunity to join the staff at Fort Lewis College. My wife and I have been frequent visitors to the Durango area for many years and are looking forward to living there year-round. The minute I learned about the opening for the director of physical plant services at Fort Lewis, we both knew this was the opportunity we were waiting for. That feeling was reinforced when I visited the campus and met with the staff there. Fort Lewis is an absolutely beautiful campus in a spectacular setting, and everyone I met there made me immediately feel right at home.

"I have thoroughly enjoyed the time I've been at Purdue University, both as a student and later as an employee. It has been a great place to work and provided me many exciting opportunities. We will miss our many friends and all the great people I work with, but both my wife and I are thrilled about this opportunity to join Fort Lewis College."

Speaking on behalf of Fort Lewis College, Steve Schwartz, vice president for finance and administration, said, "We are extremely fortunate and pleased to hire a new director who brings the experience and background which Mr. Kjonaas provides. He comes at an exciting time, as we have just completed a new campus master plan and are working diligently towards implementing that plan. Mr. Kjonaas will bring innovation and insight to this process, and we are looking forward to his leadership in the physical plant."

Kjonaas will begin working at Fort Lewis in mid-September.