Get to know IPF: Tom Silsby

“If there is magic on this planet, it is contained in water.” — Loren Eiseley, American philosopher 

You can’t miss the beautiful new Water Treatment Plant and storage tower on south campus. The tower alone rises 14 stories above the ground and holds two-million gallons of water.  

But you might have missed the man behind its operation. He may not be a magician, but Tom Silsby, Water Works supervisor, is certainly in charge of some impressive magic happening behind the scenes at the plant. 

Silsby, who is relatively new to MSU, is no stranger to water management. 

“In 2005, I took a job with the City of Mason, which quickly transitioned to being named Water System operator,” Silsby said. “In 2008, I was promoted to head operator for the newly completed water treatment plant for removing radium and iron.” He added, “By 2010 I studied and passed four different levels of State of Michigan licensure – a level #1 Water Limited Treatment and a level #1 Water Distribution System Operation; in February 2015 I was promoted to superintendent of Public Works for the City of Mason.” 

As superintendent, Silsby was responsible for water treatment, water distribution, sanitary sewer collection, 53 miles of street maintenance, developing capital and operational budgets and site plan review for new construction.  

At MSU, his responsibilities include supervision and coaching of three water system operators and two part-time support staff (formerly from the reservoir), and of course operation of the new $21 million treatment plant and tower. 

“The biggest challenge for me and my team has been getting the plant through the commissioning process during the COVID shut down that happened the week I was hired,” Silsby said. “The pandemic dramatically slowed the treatment plant and water tower approval process through the state of Michigan.” 

He added, “However, I have been very impressed with the IPF Power and Water department – it is full of dedicated people who are motivated to further the business that is MSU Utilities.” 

Outside of work, water is put on the back burner (no pun intended). 

“I have been with my beautiful wife Kim for fifteen years; together we have five children and four grandchildren,” he said. “I love spending time with Kim, traveling up north and working together on home improvement projects – we have upgraded every room in our home and recently built a 24’ x 28’ garage onto our house.” 

Even though he’s only been with MSU for half a year, Silsby has proven that he can lead under challenging circumstances and hopes to make the university home. 

“Having grown up and living literally on the other end of Collage Road, I have always had an interest in MSU – whether it was following sports or other college activities,” he said. “When I saw the job on a trades’ website, I knew I wanted to be part of this exciting new chapter for MSU Utilities.”