Oct

New leader for OFMR

Col. Rick Petito (USAF, Ret.) is the new director of the Office of Facilities Management and Reliability, effective Oct. 29.

Rick Petito

Rick Petito will become Director of Smithsonian Facilities’ Office of Facilities Management and Reliability, effective Oct. 29. Petito comes to the Smithsonian with an impressive background in facility management and leadership having served as Plant Senior Maintenance and Facilities Manager at Sealed Air Corp, following similar roles at Nissan and Georgia-Pacific.

Before a career in private industry, Petito spent nearly 25 years in the U.S. Air Force achieving the rank of Colonel. During his last assignment at Arnold Air Force Base, Petito led a large and diverse group of military and civilian staff and managed a reliability-centered maintenance program for 48 plants. His team oversaw the refurbishment, procurement, and acquisitions in those plants. Petito’s decorations include the Legion of Merit and the Bronze Star. He retired from active duty in 2014.

Petito earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Electrical Engineering from DeVry University, a Master’s degree of Aeronautical Science and Safety from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, and a Master of Science in Military Operational Art and Science from Air University. He and his wife, Shannon, have one son, Thomas.

At the Smithsonian, Petito will oversee more than 800 staff responsible for the day-to-day facilities operations and maintenance services across the Institution. He will work side-by-side with each museum to ensure the buildings and the collections they house meet our world-class standards.