If the second-year executive director of Facilities & Services at the University of Illinois could swap spots for a week with any other leader in town, Jeff Angiel wouldn’t leave campus.
"Katie Hultin, Illini women's head soccer coach," he says. “Soccer has always been a passion of mine — whether playing or coaching my own kids’ teams throughout their school years. I deeply admire the will, discipline and dedication of our student-athletes, and I appreciate the instant feedback and brutal honesty that comes with a scoreboard or win-loss record. As Bill Parcells famously said, ‘You are what your record says you are,’ a reminder of the accountability and clarity that comes with competition.”
With the start of classes just around the bend, the department Angiel oversees as associate vice chancellor is hard at work on projects all across campus, from the years-long overhaul of the Main Library to the replacement project that is Illini Hall.
The western New York-raised boss arrived here late last summer via the University of Buffalo, where he served as facilities operations director. His family — including 23-year wife Lori, two children in college, an Australian Shepherd dog and an “opinionated” American Shorthair cat — will join him in C-U come spring.
A first-generation college student himself, Angiel holds two degrees in environmental science, both from the University of Buffalo.
In 2025, Angiel took part in News-Gazette Editor Jeff D’Alessio's Beyond the Boardroom feature, spotlighting leaders of local organizations big and small.
I can’t live without my ... homemade Arnold Palmer iced tea and Microsoft Notes app. One keeps me satisfied and the other keeps me organized.
The hardest thing about being a leader is … making decisions that you know won’t please everyone. Leadership often involves navigating competing priorities and doing what’s right for the long-term health of the organization, which sometimes means making tough, unpopular choices.
Balancing empathy with accountability is never easy — but it’s necessary.
My philosophy on meetings is ... in general, I believe they should be purposeful and action-oriented. I value preparation, clear objectives and keeping things concise.
I always close meetings with a summary of the content and any action items that result so that we all leave with a consistent understanding.
The three adjectives I hope my staff would use to describe me are … approachable, strategic and accountable.
On my office walls, you’ll find … first, a framed U of I map — a much-needed reference until I memorize all the campus buildings, places and street names.
Second, a blank dry-erase board — not for lack of ideas or use; I just erase it after each session as a public service to spare others from my dreadful penmanship.
And third, pictures of my family — my motivation.
My professional role model is … Thomas Ketchum, P.E., a former supervisor of mine at the Town of Amherst, New York. Early in my career, Tom selected me for a promotional opportunity over other candidates who had more experience, noting he took a chance because he saw my potential. He gave me three rather simple pieces of advice I try to emulate:
— Don’t get distracted. Stay focused on what matters.
— Show up consistently and always give your best effort. Respect will follow.
— Define your goals clearly, then create a plan and take action to reach them.
I’m frugal in that … I grocery shop a few times a week — not because I love errands but because I like my food fresh and my fridge free of science experiments.
I like high-quality products, but I’m usually sporting last year’s model of just about everything. For me, it’s about being intentional with spending — whether at home or at work — and finding smart ways to make the most of what we have without waste.
My one unbreakable rule of the workplace is … follow the golden rule: treat everyone with respect, regardless of role, title or circumstance. That’s non-negotiable. Everything else, we can figure out together.
This concept is incorporated in F&S’ mission, vision, values and guiding principles.
The first thing I do when I get to work most days is … preview my workday. My calendar typically doesn’t have much unallocated time, so I need to make sure I can properly prepare for the appointments I have scheduled.
For lunch … I keep lunch light and low-key at my desk — it gives me a chance to reset and knock out a few lingering tasks without distractions.
To wind down after work … I like to decompress by going for a run or hitting a bucket of balls at the driving range. It’s a great way to quiet my mind and mentally clock-out from work.
The last luxury in which I indulged was ... my wife and I celebrating our 23rd wedding anniversary with a trip to the Florida Keys, visiting Key Largo, Islamorada and Key West.
The pace of life down there is so calm and laid-back — it was the perfect place to unwind and recharge.
The most beneficial college class I took was … Chemical Principles of Environmental Engineering, taught by Dr. A. Scott Weber, now provost and executive vice president for academic affairs at the University at Buffalo.
It was a turning point for me — the first time I truly felt a connection between what I was learning in the classroom and how it applied to my future career.
Dr. Weber had a rare ability to bridge theory and practice in a way that stuck with me. Since then, I’ve made it a point to help others understand not just the “how” but the “why” behind what we do.
The last good book I read was … “Into Thin Air,” by Jon Krakauer, a personal account of a tragic attempt to climb Mount Everest.
I’m up and at ’em every day by … 6:11 a.m. No idea why my alarm was originally set to that oddly specific time — but it works, and I’m not messing with a system that has been proven to work.
As far as my exercise routine goes … I wish I were more consistent, but I try to run three to five miles at least two times a week. Resistance training for me is fairly irregular, but important when I feel my energy isn’t as high as it should be.
When it comes to my career calling … higher education was a serendipitous discovery for me. In my mid-40s, life circumstances led to a relocation, and a university position matched my skill set. I decided to give it a try — and now, I can’t imagine ever leaving.
The first job I ever had was … delivering newspapers for the Buffalo Evening News.
The worst job I ever had was ... at a local grocery store when I turned 16 and could legally work. My only two responsibilities were hauling trash bags to the compactor and chasing shopping carts in the parking lot.
I only lasted three weeks, which made my next job in sales at a local ski shop feel like a huge step up.
