Thursday Talks: Jim McIntosh

Every other Thursday, we feature a member of our community through our Thursday Talks series. This week, James McIntosh fielded questions about his role at Rutgers School of Dental Medicine (RSDM).

Tell us a bit about yourself and what you do at RSDM.  

I am the director of facilities for the school.  My job is to make sure the lights are on, and the water runs.  I have to make sure all the dental equipment is working properly.  I am also the liaison to other university departments. 

For how long have you been here, and why did you decide to come to RSDM?  

I started working at then UMNDJ [former name for RSDM] in September of 1995 as a carpenter in the construction shop.  I came to work directly for the dental school in August of 1999.  We became Rutgers School of Dental Medicine in July of 2013.  I came to work at the school to advance my career and started here as a maintenance supervisor.  I was promoted to manager, then assistant director over 13 years before I became the director in 2012.  I am in my 29th year at the university.    

What do you like the most about RSDM?  

The best part of my job is helping make sure the school environment is a safe, healthy, and well-maintained place to learn, work, and treat patients.  There is no better feeling than helping to get something done unless it is helping a student or patient with something.     

What do you enjoy doing outside the school? 

I enjoy spending time with my wife of 36 years traveling or being down the shore.  I am a huge Rutgers football fan and have only missed two home games since 2008.  We have a huge tailgate for every home game.  I have a son who is a law enforcement officer, and my daughter is a rising senior at Rutgers in New Brunswick.