Retirement reception set for two ISU Facilities Services retirees

A retirement reception for Idaho State University Facilities Services Maintenance and Operations Supervisor Jess Scruggs and Project Manager Gary Blanchard and is scheduled from 2 to 3 p.m. June 24 in the Pond Student Union Canoe Room, located near the Hypostyle on the main floor.

Scruggs began with the University in April 1986 as a utility craftsman, and then as a building facilities foreman for campus housing. In 1996 he was promoted to maintenance and operations supervisor. Scruggs says his main objective as supervisor was to build a maintenance department comparable to other universities and one that ISU and its employees could be proud of, and he accomplished his objective. The maintenance/HVAC department is now housed in a large, cinderblock building, much improved from originally working out of the heating plant, with a well-trained and dedicated staff.   

Prior to working at ISU, Scruggs worked construction most of his life and was self-employed with his own construction company for several years. His plans for retirement include a lot of traveling – becoming a “snow bird” to Arizona in the winter and working on his home in Blackfoot and spending time in his “fifth wheel” in Mackay during the summer.  Spending more time with his son in Blackfoot and his son and grandson in Houston are also on his retirement agenda.   

Blanchard has been instrumental in managing various campus projects, particularly on heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems, plumbing, and steam lines, since September 2001.  He has an extensive background in construction and owned/managed a heating and air conditioning company for many years.   

Blanchard has a bachelor’s degree in architecture and an associate degree in mechanical engineering.  He has been involved in design and construction projects in over 80 percent of the campus buildings, and has done extensive work in the community.