In this episode of Facility Voices, we’re joined by Tom Polansky, Vice President for Operations and Facilities at The Huntington. Tom shares his unique career path, starting as an architect and eventually discovering his passion for managing teams and aligning campus visions with built environments. He talks about the complexities of overseeing a diverse site like The Huntington, which includes a world-class library, art museum, and botanical gardens. Tom explains the challenges of managing both old and new systems across the 207-acre campus, with a focus on the critical role of environmental controls in preserving priceless collections. He highlights how his team carefully monitors and adjusts these systems to protect rare artifacts, ensuring optimal conditions for each unique space. Tom also discusses the importance of sustainability efforts on campus and how they integrate modern technology with historic preservation. His insights provide a valuable look into the delicate balance required to manage such a culturally and historically rich facility.
Tom Polansky is Vice President for Operations and Facilities at the Huntington Library, Art Museum, and Library, where he leads master planning, operational sustainability, and campus construction. Tom holds a master’s degree in architecture from the University of Virginia. He has been with The Huntington since 2021 after eight years in a similar position at Occidental College. Tom serves on the boards of the South Pasadena Preservation Foundation and the South Pasadena Senior Center. He’s been fortunate to be able to support institutions with firm commitments to preserving their architectural heritage in the service of their missions.
Thanks for listening. Follow David Trask on LinkedIn to share feedback. Visit the ARC Facilities LinkedIn page.
The views and opinions expressed by third-party guests on this podcast are their own and do not necessarily reflect the views or opinions of ARC Facilities and ARC Document Solutions. We provide a platform for diverse perspectives and discussions and ARC Facilities/ARC Document Solutions assumes no responsibility or liability for the accuracy or completeness of the content provided by our third-party guests.
