DFCM Eliminates East Parcel From Consideration For New Correctional Facility

SALT LAKE CITY (July 29, 2016) – ¬The Division of Facilities Construction and Management (DFCM) announced today that it has eliminated the east parcel of the Salt Lake City site from consideration for Utah’s new correctional facility. The division will now focus solely on the west parcel. This area is a portion of the Salt Lake City site selected by the Prison Relocation Committee last summer.

The east parcel was ruled out because of environmental concerns and site costs, including issues surrounding the existence of an abandoned landfill.

“The elimination of the east parcel represents our commitment to constructing the new prison in a manner that balances community and environmental interests while meeting the needs of the Department of Corrections’ staff, volunteers and inmates,” said Eric Tholen, DFCM division director. “The focus on the west parcel ensures the best use of State resources for this critical project.”

Eric Tholen Appointed Division of Facilities Construction and Management Director

SALT LAKE CITY – Eric Tholen has been named the new director of the Division of Facilities Construction and Management (DFCM), a division of the Utah Department of Administrative Services (DAS). The appointment follows an extensive nationwide search.

“Eric’s vast experience working within Utah’s construction and architectural communities will greatly benefit the State of Utah as the DFCM undertakes some very challenging projects,” said Kim Hood, Executive Director of the Department of Administrative Services.

Prior to joining DAS, Tholen was a vice president and co-owner in EFT Architects, Inc. With over 35 years of construction and architecture experience, he has extensive experience in value engineering, project and program management, architectural design, facilities programming, and forensic architecture. Eric managed projects for state and federal government agencies including U.S. Courts; Probation; U.S. Marshal Service; Social Security Administration; Internal Revenue Service; Department of Homeland Security; and the U.S. Postal Service.

Ken Hansen Appointed Administrative Services Deputy Executive Director

SALT LAKE CITY – The Utah Department of Administrative Services (DAS) is pleased to announce the appointment of Kenneth A. Hansen as its new Deputy Executive Director. Hansen will assume his new duties on July 27, 2015.

“Ken’s work in public policy at the national level, as well as in our local communities, demonstrates his commitment to leading by example.” says Kim Hood, Executive Director of the DAS. “I look forward to his efforts in strategic planning, streamlining our products and services, and reviewing administrative policy in terms of business regulation.”

Ken has worked in DAS under six gubernatorial administrations and been part of its management team for over 22 years. In 1998 through 2000, Ken served as the President of Administrative Codes and Registers (ACR), the national organization for government publishers of administrative rules. He served as the ACR observer to the Uniform Law Commission’s Model State Administrative Procedure Act drafting committee. He is a past president of the Utah Chapter of the American Society for Public Administration and is an adjunct professor of Political Science at the University of Utah.