Jeff Dalton plays a key role in keeping campus facilities functional, safe and true to their original character.
As a project manager for the Facilities Management Division (FMD), he oversees a range of construction and renovation projects, from roof replacements to restorations. Each one requires a blend of technical know-how and long-term thinking.
“I’ve worked with a lot of good people here,” Dalton said. “You want to leave things better than you found them.”
Dalton began his career at UGA in 2000 as a sheet metal mechanic in FMD’s operations and maintenance department. Over the years, he honed his skills in fabrication, welding and installation, later moving into a leadership role as shop manager. In 2021, he transitioned to project management, a shift encouraged by colleagues who recognized his deep institutional knowledge and hands-on experience.
Though the role may have been new, the campus was not. Dalton grew up just 20 miles away, and his connection to UGA runs deep. His father spent more than three decades working in the FMD grounds department, and several other family members have also built careers at the university.
Today, Dalton is one of 10 project managers in FMD. While each PM manages their own set of jobs, Dalton’s background in roofing makes him the go-to for related projects. But his portfolio covers far more than rooftops. He handles infrastructure upgrades, mechanical replacements and a steady mix of exterior improvements. He still collaborates with internal shops when possible and takes pride in the variety each day brings.
“Some of these buildings are over 150 years old,” he said. “Once you change something out, you can’t get it back. You have to be thoughtful about how you do the work.”
That attention to detail was especially critical in the window replacement project at the Seney-Stovall Chapel, where original frames were carefully restored using handcrafted parts to maintain the building’s historic character. Dalton coordinated with local artisans to match the original 19th-century design, blending preservation with improved safety and energy efficiency. The work required months of planning and problem-solving, but the end result was worth it.
“There’s always curveballs, especially with old buildings. You never know what you’ll find when you open something up,” Dalton said. “But you stay calm, figure it out, and keep things moving.”
Whether the job is at the Ramsey Student Center, Stegeman Coliseum or the State Botanical Garden, Dalton follows a steady process. Every project begins with early communication to ensure everyone involved knows what to expect. From there, he works closely with vendors, engineers and consultants — often visiting job sites daily to monitor safety, materials and timelines.
“If something goes wrong, I want to be the one who’s there,” he said. “I don’t want to put that burden on building occupants.”
Dalton manages relationships with contractors, evaluates performance and ensures every project meets UGA’s standards. One project he’s especially proud of is the recent ceiling restoration at Stegeman Coliseum, a high-stakes job completed on a tight deadline before the start of the athletic season.
“That one turned out really nice,” Dalton said. “A lot of it came down to the planning and the team. The contractors hit the ground running, and we got it done.”
Dalton’s work may not always be the first thing you notice walking through campus, but it touches nearly every part of it. From restored windows and repaired roofs to mechanical upgrades and exterior improvements, his projects help ensure UGA’s buildings stay safe, functional and built to last.
For Dalton, it’s about doing the job right and helping people along the way.
“Meeting the people in these buildings, hearing what they need, and making their spaces better — that’s the part I enjoy most,” he said.
