Virginia Institute of Marine Science (VIMS) Utilizes Data‑Driven Insights

Challenge: A Growing Backlog, Limited Resources and the Need for Unbiased Data

William & Mary’s Batten School and the Virginia Institute of Marine Science (VIMS) operates a unique and complex campus  —  one that spans labs, shoreline structures, research facilities, administrative buildings and critical infrastructure. Maintaining  these diverse assets is challenging in their own right, but for Mark Brabham, Executive Director of Facilities Management, and Joe Martinez, Chief Operations Officer at the school, limited staff capacity and a funding gap made long-term planning even more difficult.

Like many institutions, the Batten School of Coastal & Marine Sciences and VIMS faced a growing list of deferred maintenance needs. They needed a clear, credible way to quantify needs and demonstrate to leadership and legislators that continued underfunding risked compounding the problem.

“We get just under $800,000 a year to tackle projects,” Mark explained. “But the needs far exceed that. We needed a better way to be efficient with what we have  —  and to justify what we don’t.”

On top of that, the Batten School and VIMS’ facilities team is lean. What they needed was clarity, credibility and a tool that could amplify their capacity. 

Solution: Comprehensive Data, Clear Priorities and a Tool That Works as an Extension of the Team

The Batten School and VIMS partnered with Gordian to conduct a comprehensive Facilities Condition Assessment via Sourcewell, complete with investment modeling and clearly defined backlog and maintenance needs. The analysis surfaced a total of $22 million in needs over 10 years, half of which represented deferred maintenance.

One of the most valuable outcomes was the prioritization of assets. Gordian’s data identified the highest priority capital needs, confirming through third-party analysis what Mark and Joe had long suspected. According to Mark, “that analysis gave us a lot of confidence going into conversations with leadership.”

The team also gained access to the Gordian Cloud Platform to support long-term planning.

“This is another tool in our toolbox,” Mark shared. “It helps us stop and ask: Is this truly deferred maintenance, or does it belong somewhere else? That clarity saves money.”

Result: Stronger Advocacy, Clearer Priorities and a Roadmap for Sustainable Facility Investment

The impact of the Facilities Condition Assessment was immediate and meaningful.

The Batten School and VIMS leadership team was impressed with the presentation and valued the clarity and thoroughness of the results. “These results have been very beneficial to my boss during discussions in Richmond, providing data-driven examples of institutional needs. That’s powerful,” Martinez said.

Internally, the data are already helping guide conversations about operational funding. “In the end,” Mark said, “this gives us the information we need to get the work done. It helps us use our limited dollars wisely and make the case for why we need more.”

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