Michael D. Gebeke, associate vice president for facilities services at Illinois State University, has been named associate vice president for the University of Georgia’s Facilities Management Division following a national search. He will begin his appointment Oct. 6.
Gebeke brings over 30 years of experience in facilities management and leadership in higher education, health care and the private sector. At Illinois State, he led a facilities team of 450 staff responsible for more than 1,100 acres, 187 buildings and 6.8 million gross square feet of space.
He and his team helped advance several major capital projects, including a $62 million engineering building to launch that new program, a $20 million expansion of the nursing program and a 1,200-bed student housing and dining hall development. He also served on the university’s COVID-19 steering team, providing valuable leadership and expertise in helping guide campus operations through the pandemic.
Prior to Illinois State, Gebeke held senior facilities leadership positions at Kennesaw State University, the University of Alabama at Birmingham and Ohio University. His career has been marked by a consistent focus on innovation, efficiency, sustainability and staff development. He is a Certified Facility Manager, Certified Educational Facilities Professional and LEED Accredited Professional. Gebeke holds a Bachelor of Science in electrical engineering from North Dakota State University and a Master of Business Administration from Webster University.
As associate vice president for FMD, Gebeke will serve as UGA’s senior facilities engineer and collaborate closely with University Architect Gwynne Darden to fulfill the responsibilities of UGA’s chief facilities officer. He will lead FMD in operating and maintaining approximately 12 million gross square feet of facilities and 823 acres across UGA’s Athens campus, ensuring that the university’s landscapes, buildings and infrastructure remain safe, sustainable and resilient. He will also work alongside more than 850 members of the FMD team and campus partners to strengthen and advance UGA’s teaching, research, outreach and student life missions.
“I look forward to working with Mike and the entire FMD team as we continue to advance UGA’s mission and long-term strategic goals,” said Ryan Nesbit, vice president for finance and administration. “I am deeply grateful to the search committee, chaired by Nick Place, dean and director of the College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, and supported by the search firm Spelman Johnson and the UGA Search Group, as well as to the many members of the university community who participated in the process and provided invaluable feedback. I am also deeply grateful for the extraordinary leadership Clayton Wilcox has provided while serving as the AVP on an interim basis and for the exceptional service and outstanding work of the entire FMD team during this time of transition.”
