Panelists & Speakers

Keith Jack

Professional Title: Director of Facilities Operations

Organization: Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission

Sessions: Session 10

Biography

Keith Jack serves as the Director of Facilities Operations at the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission. In this role, he manages daily operations, safety and security, building system maintenance and inspections, and construction projects within the Facilities & Energy Management Operations (FEMO) Department. Jack oversees 140 facilities across the Turnpike's 565-mile network, including the Central Administration Building, Turnpike Industrial Park, Eastern and Western Regional Offices, 23 maintenance sheds, 5 tunnels, as well as various tower sites, fare collection facilities, and State Police stations. The FEMO Department is also dedicated to identifying and implementing energy-saving solutions across the Turnpike's building inventory. As co-chair of the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission's Sustainability Committee, Jack leads efforts to advance the agency's sustainability initiatives in both its roadway and business operations. Under his leadership, the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission became the ?rst and only state agency to achieve a perfect score from Pennsylvania’s GreenGov Council, which was created to help the state reach its climate goal of an 80% reduction of net greenhouse gas emissions from 2005 levels by 2050. Each year, all state agencies complete the GreenGov Agency Certi?cation Checklist, a set of approximately 100 standards, grouped into 20 key areas. The comprehensive list covers systematic achievements, such as reducing energy consumption by 3% and improved ?eet vehicle efficiency, to active employee culture and engagement initiatives. In 2022, Jack oversaw the installation of the Turnpike’s ?rst-of-its-kind 3,300 panel solar microgrid that powers the Greensburg Maintenance Facility and District Trades Building. The next evolution in the Turnpike’s energy management strategy includes constructing a series of solar generation facilities along the Turnpike’s right-of-way areas, building a solar canopy at its Central Administration Building, and hosting an inductive charging stationary showcase to test the interoperability of electric vehicle charging stations. Jack has shared insights on the Turnpike’s sustainability strategy at various forums nationwide, including statewide municipal and business associations, the PA GreenGov Council, the Keystone Emergency Management Association, ASPIRE, the International Bridge, Tunnel and Turnpike Association, the American Society of Highway Engineers, and more. He has also contributed articles to industry and trade publications such as Pennsylvania Borough News and Pennsylvania Township News. In 2014, Jack, who has worked for the PA Turnpike for 23 years, was named the Engineer of the Year by the Facility Managers Association. A proud U.S. veteran, Jack served as a Seabee in the U.S. Navy and is the Commander of the American Legion Post 329 in Elizabethtown, further demonstrating his dedication to community service and leadership.