For Lynn Hix, success starts with trust.
“I’ve been very fortunate to work with a lot of good people,” he said. “That’s one thing I found out: If you’re going to be successful, surround yourself with good people, and let them do their job.”
As a structural projects manager in the University of Georgia’s Facilities Management Division, Hix oversees a wide range of renovation, repair and construction efforts across campus, from classroom upgrades to office refreshes.
He leads one of FMD’s central shops, a large and highly versatile operation that includes painters, carpenters, electricians, masons, floor covering specialists and more. The team handles everything from quick repairs to multi-phase projects, often managing hundreds of work orders at a time.
“I think the biggest thing I’m proud of is the relationships we have,” he said. “We work well with people across campus and help them keep things running smoothly while work is happening in their space. Everything we do is done to a high standard.”
For Hix, building has always come naturally, shaped by a lifelong interest in learning new skills. He first worked at the university in the early 1980s while attending school, where he created landscape drawings for Extension Landscape Architecture projects. He later spent 21 years running his own general contracting business, gaining hands-on experience in nearly every major trade across the construction industry.
In 2006, Hix began looking for work that would provide more stability for his family. That search led him back to UGA, where he was hired as a foreman within FMD’s Operations and Maintenance department, initially overseeing Structural Maintenance North. Following a reorganization, he transitioned to lead the central shop, where he remains today.
Hix’s years in private construction gave him a broad skill set, but today, his focus is empowering his team.
“I’m not the one swinging the hammer anymore,” he said. “It’s my job to make sure the right people have what they need so the work gets done the right way.”
In recent years, adjustments within the shop structure have helped distribute responsibilities across assistant managers and project leads, allowing the group to handle the workload more effectively. Hix said the increased collaboration has helped operations run more smoothly, supported by strong leadership across Operations and Maintenance.
The impact shows up in what the team is able to deliver.
“I enjoy seeing the transformation when a project comes together and becomes a space people can really use and enjoy,” he said.
Outside of campus, Hix is deeply committed to serving his community. He grew up in Madison County, where his family made community involvement a regular part of everyday life, and that influence continues to shape how he shows up today.
He spends much of his free time creating custom furniture, often donating pieces to support local groups. He is also known for cooking large meals for fundraisers and pregame events. His efforts have supported schools, churches and nonprofits such as TJ & Friends, a regional cancer foundation.
“If there’s something I can do to help, I try to do it,” he said. “That’s just how I was raised.”
No matter the work or the setting, he approaches everything with humility and a deep appreciation for the people around him.
It’s no surprise that when it comes to his shop, Hix gives all the credit back to the team.
“This shop runs because of the people in it,” he said. “I’m just lucky to work alongside them.”