Our Team
It is our responsibility to develop and manage over 13 million square feet of buildings,
including parks, parking lots, athletic fields and equestrian facilities.
Facilities Associate Vice Presidents
James "Jim" D. Demarest | Associate Vice President, Facilities Services
The Facilities Services team handles all facilities service requests as well as maintenance,
custodial services, landscaping and grounds, signage and more for the university community. Jim has
over 35 years of experience managing higher education facilities, including the University
of Nebraska, Old Dominion University and Illinois State University where he served
as Executive Director of Facilities Management. He earned his B.S. in Education from
Nebraska Wesleyan University. He served on the board of directors for the national
APPA organization (Association of Higher Education Facilities Officers) and as president
of the South Carolina APPA chapter. Presently, he sits on the SCAPPA board of directors.
Derek S. Gruner, RA, LEED AP, | University Architect, Associate Vice President of
Facilities Planning, Design and Construction
The Planning, Design and Construction team creates new projects within the state procurement
system, guides projects through approvals, works closely with private architectural
and engineering firms, documents space management and other property matters. Derek has
over 30 years of experience in master planning, programming, architectural design
and construction administration. A former principal at a Columbia architectural and
engineering firm, his projects have included university, corporate, institutional,
athletic, historic preservation and adaptive reuse. Derek holds a Bachelor of Architecture
degree from the College of Architecture and Urban Studies at the Virginia Polytechnic
Institute and State University.
Facilities Planning, Design and Construction Directory