Lookin’ at U: Andrew Balus

Each Thursday, we randomly feature a medical center employee. This week, we learn more about:

• Name: Andrew Balus
• Hometown: Omaha
• No. of years at UNMC: Three and a half

Tell us a bit about what you do here at UNMC.
My role is to provide support and leadership to our construction projects across campus. I’m fortunate enough to be involved in the planning, budgeting and implementation of each of our projects. We have a great team, so a lot of what I do is help with initial planning and strategy — then get out of the way and let our people do what they do best.

Innovation is one of our ITEACH values. Tell us of a time you witnessed a person or group at UNMC exhibit this value.
When I started here in late 2015, UNMC and Nebraska Medicine were in the process of merging their facilities departments. The groups co-located within my first 30 days. This brought together two groups of people with different company cultures, different procedures, different histories, and even different vacation schedules. These transitions are never easy, and we definitely learned a lot along the way. Looking back at the experience, I’m continually amazed at the innovation and teamwork it took to get us to where we are today. We are blessed to have an amazing group of planners, project managers, zone technicians and support staff. It’s a team I’m truly proud to be a part of.

What is your favorite summer activity?
Spending time with my wife and three children. Right now, that means getting them to baseball fields, volleyball courts and dance recitals. They’re only young once, so we try and do as much with them as we can.

List three things people may not know about you.

• I grew up in South Omaha — less than 10 minutes from this campus.
• My wife and I met in grade school and have known each other since we were five years old.
• I’ve never caught a fish.