Ryan Thompson - Director of Utilities for Operations
About Ryan
Ryan is the Director of Utilities Operations for UT Austin’s Utilities and Energy Management (UEM). He has worked for the university for twenty-four years. During this time, he served as a Maintenance Mechanic, Project Manager, Maintenance Manager, Associate Director of Power Plant and Chilling Stations, and now as Director of Utilities.
Ryan has over thirty years of experience in power generation in nuclear and fossil-fuel plants. His expertise is in campus district energy systems, including combined-cycle generation systems, large chilling plant systems, district heating, and utility distribution systems. Currently, he focuses on energy optimization and efficiency improvement in new and existing plant equipment.
He is also a member of the Association of Energy Engineers and the International District Energy Association. Throughout his career, Ryan has supported the Mechanical Engineering Department at UT Austin by giving plant tours and serving as a guest lecturer.
Ryan has a Bachelor’s Degree and Master’s Degree in Mechanical Engineering from The University of Texas at Austin.
Ryan's Areas of Expertise
- Campus and District Energy Master Planning
- Thermal and Fluid System Design and Analysis
- Project Planning and Management
- Generation and Distribution Asset Analysis
- Utility Specifications and Standards
- Infrastructure Risk Assessment and Resiliency Planning
About Operations
Operations generates electric power, chilled water, heating steam and hot water, and other auxiliary utility services for main campus buildings connected to distribution networks. The Operations' project management team facilitates early planning of utility infrastructure serving UT Austin campus construction projects through close coordination with the campus, Capital Planning and Construction (CPC), and the City of Austin. The team also advocates for the consistent adoption of UEM design guidelines, standards, and specifications across all UT System and campus projects. This team also provides administrative management of large utility expansion projects, maintenance and renovation, and refurbishment projects to ensure these projects are built to the university’s standards of quality and efficiency while being on time and within budget.
Operations Leadership Team
- Director of Utilities for Operations: Ryan L. Thompson, PE
- Assistant Director of Plant Operations: Clay L. Looney
- Chiller Maintenance Manager: Steven E. Schoelzel
- Assistant Director of Plant Maintenance: Chase Dube
- Assistant Director of Project Management Services: Todd W. Shaw, PMP
- Project Manager: Jordan Rosinski
- Work Process Manager, Holly Mittel, PMP
Refer to the Operations for more team details.
Contact Information
Email: ryan.thompson@austin.utexas.edu
Office Phone: 512-471-5618