SPRINGFIELD, Mo., April 6, 2023 – Drury University is pleased to announce that Alex Riddle has been named the new Executive Director of Facilities. Riddle brings with him more than 30 years of experience as an operations manager and methods engineer, including managing manufacturing and agriculture projects across the Midwest. He received his bachelor’s degree in Drafting & Design with a minor in Industrial Management from Missouri State University in 1987.
“We are excited to welcome Alex to Drury,” said Interim Chief Operations Officer, Aaron Jones. “He is a confident self-starter that will be a valuable addition to our Facilities Services department. Alex has exceptional knowledge and expertise for this role and I look forward to seeing what his rich experience brings to Drury.”
Riddle comes to Drury from Carthage where he owned and operated his family ranch, Riddle Ranch since 2013 until recently handing over management responsibilities to his son. In that role, he oversaw 320 acres of land and 100 head of cattle and actively engaged in the research and execution of modern ranching techniques to enhance sustainability and efficiency
Between 2010-2013 Riddle served as Director of Manufacturing and then Business Unit Manager for Thorco Industries. There, he managed profit and loss, oversaw operations of wire and fixture manufacturing in a 500,000 square foot facility and revised and implemented new workflow management procedures to enhance productivity and
materials. Over his career, Riddle also spent time working for Paul Mueller Company, Honeywell International and The Boeing Company.
In his new role at Drury, Riddle is responsible for managing and directing all facility maintenance and HVAC staff, developing a preventative and corrective maintenance plan to improve the quality of existing facilities, overseeing the strategic plan for campus grounds and maintaining all residential housing units.
“I am honored to join the Drury community and the talented team of facilities professionals on campus,” said Riddle. “The facilities department is all about service and maintaining a beautiful and well-functioning campus for students, faculty, staff and everyone who calls Drury home. I look forward to serving and getting to know the Drury community.”
Riddle’s official first day as Drury’s Executive Director of Facilities was March 21, 2023.
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Media Contact: Jasmine Cooper, Director of University Communications and Media Relations – (417) 873-7390 or JCooper020@drury.edu.