What’s your job? is a series focused on the work of FP&M employees. As the largest and most diverse nonacademic unit on campus, it can be challenging to learn everything our division is responsible for. These stories shine a light on FP&Mers and what they do to keep campus safe, sustainable and successful.
Meet Troy Ruland, the person leading efforts to keep all five million square feet of on-campus parking structures and surface lots safe and running. As the Facilities Manager for FP&M’s Transportation Services, Troy works to ensure everyone has the safest experience possible when parking on campus.
In his 15 years with FP&M, Troy has held three different positions. He started his career at the university with SAFEwalk and then became a Field Services Manager, overseeing parking enforcement and lot cleaning operations before moving into his current position.
A typical day at work for Troy includes conducting parking facility assessments and using technology to mark areas that need attention. These can be as simple as a bent sign to more critical, structural issues that could become a safety hazard for commuters if not addressed. He also interacts with customers, works with contractors, and budgets for long-term projects in all facilities.
Troy and his team are currently working with contractors and Physical Plant employees to convert all parking structures from fluorescent to LED lighting over the next three years. This project began three years ago, when Troy conducted a lighting study to determine lighting levels and a plan to upgrade. So far, Troy and his team have completed Lot 38 (Microbial Sciences) and Lot 80 (Union South Garage).
“The lighting upgrades will reduce labor and material maintenance costs, lower the cost of lighting in the facilities and will increase light levels throughout all of the parking structures on campus,” Troy said.
Spring is Troy’s busiest season — in the past few months he has worked on 19 projects. Between April and June, he has worked on parking garage structural repairs and concrete spalling repairs, among other maintenance. Spring is also when Troy has the opportunity to prepare for the busy summer construction season with tasks like identifying painting and signage needs, conducting bus stop relocations, relamping ramps and overlaying asphalt parking lots.
“We actually have to walk every stall on campus,” Troy said. “I walk all 13,000 stalls annually, and I can tell you where everything is at and what needs to be done with it.”
Troy believes his experience at FP&M is unique due to the collaboration and support he receives from others.
“I am surrounded by a lot of excellent people in FP&M who I rely on to be able to do what I do,” Troy said.
“The whole Grounds unit, they are my savior. Matt Harman and Shaun Frey, those two have been instrumental in my success on campus. Right now, I’m working with Manny Tarin on a whole ton of projects, and he has been excellent.”
In addition, Troy cherishes his stories and fond memories with his team, including holiday celebrations.
“One of my favorite holiday traditions is I make car-shaped gingerbread cookies for the Transportation Services department,” Troy said. “Employees then get to determine whether the cookie gets a permit or a parking citation based on the color of the frosting provided.”
Troy’s passion for his work is evident in the variety of unique projects he has taken on. He relishes the opportunity to be out in the field, seeing new things and interacting with new people every day.
Troy wants people to know that if they ever need help with parking, directions or transportation, he is happy to help! Parking facilities are the first spots visitors see on campus and he is here to help ensure parking areas are safe and accessible for all.
Want to learn more about parking lots and facilities on the UW–Madison campus? More information is available on the Transportation Services site. You can get in touch with Troy at troy.ruland@wisc.edu.
By Colby Bellaman and Corinne Loth
Colby was a strategic communications student intern with FP&M Marketing & Communications. She graduated with a Strategic Communications degree from UW–Madison in spring 2024 but had been working at FP&M since the fall of 2023.
Corinne is a strategic communications student intern with FP&M Marketing & Communications. She is a rising senior at UW–Madison majoring in Communications and Information Science with a certificate in Digital Studies. Corinne has been working at FP&M since winter 2024.