VCU's Brian J. Ohlinger appointed to Virginia's art and architectural review board

By Malorie Burkett

RICHMOND, Va. – Brian J. Ohlinger, Virginia Commonwealth University associate vice president for facilities management, has been appointed by Gov. Mark R. Warner to a four-year term on Virginia’s Art and Architectural Review Board (AARB). 

As a board member, Ohlinger will be responsible for advising the governor on the artistic character of buildings and works of art that are to be paid for by the state, or to be located on or over state property. The AARB also reviews proposed building plans to ensure that they are of good design, including refinement of color, form, scale, material and craft.

Ohlinger has been at VCU for five years and oversees the university’s entire facilities management operation and its $28 million operating budget. In addition to supervising daily maintenance for the university, he directs planning, design and construction programs for the university and the VCU Health System.

Prior to arriving at VCU, Ohlinger completed a distinguished 28-year career in the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, retiring as a colonel. His last assignment was as director of public works at Fort Eustis, Va. In this position, he was selected by the American Public Works Association as one of the 1996 Top Ten Public Works Leaders of the Year. He is the only Army director of public works ever selected for this award.

Ohlinger received a Bachelor of Science degree from the State University of New York, a Master of Engineering degree in engineering management from Boston University and a Master of Public Administration from Troy State University. He is a graduate of the Virginia Executive Institute.