Executive Staff

Matthew Early is the Vice President of Facilities Operations. He is accountable for providing a full range of facilities services to the University, including comprehensive building and physical plant maintenance; repairs and renovations; faculty and student housing; custodial services; and energy management. Matthew leads a team of over 875 employees, who provide services to the over 13 million square feet campus, with an annual operating budget of $250M.

Before joining the Facilities team in 2006, Matthew retired from the U.S. Navy, where he worked from 1987 to 2006. Matthew fulfilled various positions, from Deputy Officer in Charge of Construction to a Public Works Officer.

As the Deputy Office in Charge of Construction, Matthew was responsible for the military construction program in Capodichino, Italy, executing $450M in new construction. During this time, nine "state of the art" administrative, operational, and training facilities were completed on a new naval base.

As a Public Works Officer, he supervised the engineering, planning and utilities branch of facilities at the Marine Corps's base in Hawaii. During that time, he established a state-of-the-art GIS system and oversaw the execution of over $248M in projects ranging from major construction projects to minor repair and renovations. Matthew was also assigned as the Public Works Officer for the U.S. Naval Air Station in Jacksonville, FL. While in Jacksonville, he was responsible for maintenance, services, capital planning and improvements, construction management, and environmental compliance of 24,800 acres and $1.3B in plant facilities totaling over 7.6M square feet of buildings, with an annual operating budget of $117M.

Matthew is registered as a Professional Civil Engineer and holds a master's degree in Construction Management and Business Administration. He is a 1987 graduate of the Naval Academy and received his Naval Flight Officer wings in 1988. 

Matthew Early and his wife, Hazel, have a 10-year-old daughter, Cheyenne, and a 6-year-old son, Dakota.

La-Verna Fountain currently serves as the Associate Vice President for Construction Business Services and Communications at Columbia University in the City of New York.  As the Associate Vice President, Ms. Fountain will help lead our outreach and communications efforts regarding construction business opportunities and activities.  

Prior to assuming the role in Facilities, Ms. Fountain served as the Associate Vice President of Public Affairs where she served as the Chief Operating Officer of Columbia's Office of Communications and Public Affairs and as the public affairs liaison on the University's top initiative--the expansion of the University.

In addition to her work at the University, Ms. Fountain is the President and founder of the Defiant Hope Consulting and Training Company. For the past 25 years, she has provided motivational speeches, training and facilitation on topics of conflict resolution, cultural diversity/human awareness, nonviolence as a way of life, working with teenagers, spirituality in the workplace, staff development and organizational development.

La-Verna also served as the Director of Communications for the Pennsylvania Department of Education, Senior Advisor to Save the Children for its U.S. programs, served as the State Office Director for former U.S. Senator Harris Wofford, and as Deputy Communications Director for the late Pennsylvania Governor Robert P. Casey.

 David Greenberg is Columbia University Facilities' Vice President for Finance & Administration.  He is responsible for the planning and administration of an operating budget of over $200 million and a multi-year capital budget of over $1 billion.  In addition to serving as Facilities' Chief Financial Officer, David is responsible for the provision of administrative support to CUF including capital project administration, human resources and labor relations, management information systems, accounts payable, business process analysis and parking administration.

Prior to joining Columbia University, David served as Associate Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Georgetown University Law Center.  At Georgetown, he oversaw the management of the Law Center's fiscal affairs, capital projects and campus planning, facilities operations, real estate, human resources, payroll and purchasing. In this capacity, he was responsible for a $100 million annual operating budget and led the close-out of a $60 million award winning International Law Building and Fitness Center.

David also has significant experience in New York City government. Prior to his work at Georgetown, he was the Deputy Commissioner for Fiscal Management and Operations for the New York City Department of Citywide Administrative Services (DCAS) where he had management responsibility for $700 million in operating funds and $80 million in revenues as well the administration of the agency's $200 million annual capital budget.  Before joining DCAS, David was with the NYC Mayor's Office of Management and Budget.  In his capacity as Assistant Budget Director he served as the principal liaison to 30 agencies on all budgetary matters and managed the Elected Officials Task Force in the budgetary preparation, administration, and oversight of $1.3 billion in operating funding and $200 million in capital commitments annually.

David holds a BA from the University of Rochester and a Master in Public Administration from the Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs at Syracuse University.

Joseph A. Ienuso is Executive Vice President of Facilities at Columbia University, one of the top academic and research institutions in the world.  Under Joe's leadership, Columbia University Facilities supports the core educational and research mission of the University by maintaining a safe, beautiful and functional campus environment.  The University Facilities organization is responsible for the safety, preservation, and maintenance of Columbia's real estate portfolio including space planning, overseeing new building design and construction, operating and maintaining buildings and grounds, managing the University apartment housing inventory and ensuring campus public safety.  University Facilities is responsible for an operating budget in excess of $200 million per year, a capital budget in excess of $1 billion, and the management of more than 240 buildings and 13 million gross square feet. 

Since his appointment as Executive Vice President of Facilities in August 2005, Joe has presided over several initiatives to improve operations and services at the University and support its growth as a globally respected academic institution.  Achievements include the successful integration of the University's academic and residential facilities departments, the planning and construction of new buildings such as the Lamont-Doherty Geochemistry Research Building and the Northwest Cornner Building, and the University's proposed long-term expansion plan in the old Manhattanville manufacturing zone in West Harlem. Joe helped guide the University through New York City's Uniform Land Use Review Procedure (ULURP) for the rezoning of 6.8 million gross square feet in Manhattanville into an academic mixed-use zone, which was approved by the New York City Council in December 2007.

Joe joined Columbia in 1989 and has since led various change initiatives through senior administrative roles at the University, including Vice President of Facilities Management; Assistant Vice President of Finance and Administrative Planning for Facilities Management; Director of Student Information Systems and University Registrar; Director of Finance and Administration for Student Services; Director of Enrollment Services for Student Services; and Director of Admissions for the School of Engineering and Applied Science.  Prior to Columbia, Joe was the Director of Student Affairs at St. John's University. 

Joe holds a Master of Business Administration degree from Columbia University, a Master of Science in Education from St. John's University, and a Bachelor of Science from St. John's University. He is on the Board of Directors of Nontraditional Employment for Women (NEW), a nonprofit organization that trains women for skilled jobs in construction and other blue-collar industries.

Kerri Jew is Columbia University Facilities' Chief of Staff. She is the former Deputy Commissioner at the New York City Department of Small Business Services (SBS), where she worked closely with Facilities to establish a pioneering mentorship program to help minority-, women-owned and local businesses build capacity and earn contracting opportunities at Columbia.  

As SBS Deputy Commissioner of Economic and Financial Opportunity, Kerri lead the creation and implementation of economic development programs focused on equal access to opportunities for small, minority- and women-owned businesses and for individuals seeking construction industry careers in the New York City market. She also established policies, defined objectives and implemented strategic plans by guiding the development, execution, and evaluation of programmatic, operational, and technological initiatives.  

An attorney by training, Kerri also has extensive legal experience. Prior to her role as a Deputy Commissioner, she was Deputy General Counsel at SBS and Assistant Corporation Counsel at the New York City Law Department, where she provided legal advice to the Office of the Mayor and City agencies. Earlier in her career, Kerri worked as an associate at two New York City-based private law firms. 

A resident of Westchester, Kerri is also a member of the City of New York Leadership Institute. Her strong background in policy, business development and law will help Facilities enormously as she works to ensure the successful implementation of key organizational initiatives and objectives.  

Joe Mannino is currently Interim Associate Vice President, Capital Project Management. With over 15 years of experience which includes a diverse background in the areas of project management, design, construction and specialty subcontracting, Joseph has been involved in all phases ofproject management for new building construction, building additions, extensive interior renovations, exterior envelop upgrades and complex mechanical upgrades.

For Columbia University, Joe has managed over $100 million worth of projects which include Lenfest Hall, renovation upgrades to Carmen Hall, Wien Hall, River Hall, Ruggles Hall and McBain Hall, and various office and departmental office renovations.

Joe is a licensed architect in New York and New Jersey, and his previous experience includes designing institutional buildings and acting as an owner's representative for the City University of New York.

James F. McShane joined Columbia University as the Assistant Vice President for the Department of Public Safety in January 2004. He was promoted to Associate Vice President in January 2006 before now holding the position as Vice President. Jim is responsible for security and safety at the Morningside, Medical Center, and Manhattanville Campuses. He oversees all uniformed operations and investigations and is responsible for security technology and fire safety.

Jim McShane is a 24 year veteran of the New York City Police Department. He began his career on patrol in the 52^nd Precinct. He was promoted to Sergeant in October 1984 and served as a patrol supervisor in the 41^st and 42^nd Precincts. After graduating from St. John's University School of Law in 1986, Jim obtained a leave of absence to work as an Associate Attorney at the Law Firm of Rogers & Wells. Upon his return to the department in October 1987, he was assigned to the Office of the Deputy Commissioner for Legal Matters and then to the Office of the Police Commissioner as Legal Advisor to Commissioner Benjamin Ward.

Promoted to Lieutenant in November 1989, Jim McShane was soon assigned to the staff of First Deputy Commissioner Ray Kelly. He was promoted to Captain in January 1992 while attending the Kennedy School of Government, where he received a master of public administration degree. In the fall of 1992, he returned to the Police Commissioner's Office as Legal Advisor to then Police Commissioner Kelly. In 1994, Deputy Inspector McShane commanded the 47^th Precinct in the Bronx. Thereafter, he was assigned as Commanding Officer of the First Deputy Commissioner's Office under Commissioner John Timoney in January 1995.

In August 1996, he was assigned as Commanding Officer, Narcotics Borough Manhattan South, where he served until June 1997, when he was transferred to the Traffic Control Division. Jim served in Traffic for nearly six years, as both the Executive Officer and as Commanding Officer. He was promoted to Deputy Chief in January 2002. In March 2003, Chief McShane was appointed Executive Officer of the Narcotics Division, his final assignment in a 24-year career with the department.

Prior to joining the N.Y.P.D., Jim McShane taught mathematics in the South Bronx for five years--first at St. Angela Merici Elementary School and then at Morris High School, where he also served as Dean of Students.

Jim McShane holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree from Fordham University, a Juris Doctor from St. John's University School of Law, and a Masters of Public Administration from Harvard University. He is also a 1994 graduate of the Police Management Institute at Columbia University and was awarded a Fulbright Grant as a lecturer at the Police College of Finland in Helsinki, Finland in 2000.

Pitruzzello is the Vice President for Manhattanville Capital Construction. He serves as the Columbia University Facilities' point person on all aspects of development, design and construction of the University's Manhattanville in West Harlem initiative.

Previously, he was Vice President for Real Estate at Time Warner, where he was responsible for corporate real estate, design and project management, and operations. He led Time Warner's team in the planning, design, and construction of the company's one million square foot office, broadcast center and corporate headquarters interiors within Time Warner Center in New York City.

Prior to joining Time Warner, Pitruzzello was a partner in a real estate banking firm and served with the Battery Park City Authority in several senior management capacities including President and Chief Executive Officer, at a time when the 92-acre Battery Park City project became a thriving office, residential, and retail community.

Earlier in his career, Pitruzzello specialized in finance and construction law in the fields of affordable housing, health care, and higher education. He has also served as Assistant Counsel to former New York Gov. Mario M. Cuomo and was general counsel to several public benefit corporations.

Additionally, he is a director of New Yorkers for Parks, a director of the Bowery Residents Committee and the Settlement Housing Fund, and a member of the Urban Land Institute. He received a B.A. from the University of Chicago and a J.D. from Boston University.

Philip Silverman is the Vice President for Real Estate.  Overseeing all aspects of the University's real state interests, he manages a portfolio which encompasses the Morningside Heights area, the Columbia University Medical Center, and the Manhattanville in West Harlem initiative as well University-owned and leased space in the greater New York area.  Philip's team manages all real estate acquisitions for the University (including the Manhattanville initiative) as well as dispositions of donated gifts of property.  Real Estate is also responsible for lease management, negotiation and ongoing relationships where the University is a commercial landlord or tenant. 

Prior to joining the University in 2001, Philip served as Senior Vice President for a real estate development firm with offices in New York and Boston.  During his tenure, he developed retail, office, industrial and residential properties throughout the northeast. 

Mr. Silverman also serves as the Co-Chair of Dorot, a not-for-profit organization dedicated to enriching the lives of the elderly by addressing basic needs, such as food and housing, health and wellness services, and life management skills, as well as providing social, cultural, and educational activities to alleviate isolation and to bring generations together.

Phil holds a BS in accounting and a JD.  He is a member of the New York State Bar and has also been an Instructor for the School of Continuing Education's Evening Extension Program, teaching Introduction to Urban Real Estate Development.

Geoffrey Wiener is the Assistant Vice President for the Planning and Space Management department at Columbia University Facilities. His team is responsible for developing solutions to long-term and short-term space problems at all of the University campuses, with the exception of Columbia University Medical Center (CUMC). 

Geoff's work varies from finding office space for a new administrator to planning an entirely new campus. His department also surveys and reports on space changes and utilization characteristics for 7 million square feet at Columbia's campuses. Planning and Space manages all requests for new space or the reorganization of existing spaces from schools, departments, centers, institutes, and administrative units at the Morningside campus. He works closely with Facilities' Real Estate department on the acquisition of buildings and development sites and leasing space in non-Columbia buildings. He also heads up efforts to obtain rezonings, zoning variances, and other discretionary land use approvals for Columbia properties.

Geoff received his bachelor's degree in urban geography from Clark University in 1975 and a master's degree in city and regional planning from Pratt Institute in 1978. He is also on the boards of Hamilton Madison House, a social services agency on the Lower East Side, and The Interchurch Center, a nonprofit office building located near Columbia's main campus.