Ken McHugh is a nationally recognized expert in facility development and operations, with a special focus on non-for-profit institutions. His unique vision and extensive track record in this area has been officially recognized by The City of Chicago.
Recently, he has helped manage the development of new academic facilities such as Spertus Institute of Jewish Studies and Catholic Theological Union.
Prior to launching IPM in 2003, McHugh was Executive Vice President of Operations and Chief Operating Officer at DePaul University. During his tenure at DePaul, he pioneered innovative mixed-use developments that combined academic, retail and office space. These breakthrough developments enabled the university to keep pace with its rapidly growing student population while minimizing debt.
A notable example from this period was the transformation of the historic Goldblatt’s department store into the DePaul Center. This $70 million renovation in Chicago’s downtown anchored DePaul’s Loop Campus and energized the South State Street area. The DePaul Center blends academic space (including the College of Commerce), with retail (the DePaul Music Mart) and office space (City of Chicago offices). In November of 2000, the Urban Land Institute presented the DePaul Center with its prestigious Award for Excellence for Rehabilitation.
During McHugh’s twenty years at DePaul, the University exceeded $500 million in construction projects, with an enrollment of more than 24,000 students and annual revenue approaching $400 million. Ken was responsible for the university’s public financing, including three tax-exempt bond issues since 1992. The university had $170 million in outstanding Illinois Educational Facilities Authority revenue bonds in 2001, financing new construction and renovations while enabling tuition to be spent on academics and student services.
Prior to coming to DePaul, McHugh served as secretary-treasurer of All-Steel, Inc., in Aurora, Ill., from 1977 to 1981 and as vice president of Jupiter Systems, Inc., Hinsdale, Ill., from 1971 to 1977.
McHugh holds a law degree from Chicago-Kent College of Law and a bachelor’s degree from the University of Notre Dame. He is also a licensed real estate broker. He is a member of the National Association of College and University Business Officers and is a board member of the Chicago Central Area Committee. He also serves as chair of the Alexian Brothers Medical Center Board of Trustees.