KENNESAW, Ga. | Jan 16, 2019

New assistant vice president of facilities brings over 25 years’ experience

Kennesaw State University has named veteran university facilities executive Michael D. Gebeke assistant vice president for facilities services and chief facilities officer, effective Feb. 18. Gebeke will oversee all aspects of facilities strategy and administration for Kennesaw State’s 13 colleges on two metro Atlanta campuses occupying a total of 581 acres.

Gebeke will be responsible for providing strategic leadership and direction in planning, implementing, improving and evaluating the Facilities Services Department. Gebeke will report to Julie Peterson, the University’s chief business officer.

“Mike is a proven leader who comes to Kennesaw State from the University of Alabama at Birmingham, bringing with him over 25 years of progressive facilities service experience from startup to implementation,” Peterson said.

At KSU, Gebeke will oversee an organization of approximately 220 employees with a state-funded budget of just under $19 million for FY19 plus an additional $6 million in capital projects on both campuses.

For the past five years, Gebeke has served as assistant vice president for facilities management at the University of Alabama at Birmingham, and for five years before that as executive director of facilities management at Ohio University. Previous employment included a decade with ARAMARK Higher Education, as director of facilities, planning and operations. Gebeke began his career in engineering posts with the Veterans Administration Hospitals, and later with the Corporate Engineering Division of Abbott Laboratories.

“It’s exciting to join a growing Carnegie-designated R2 institution like Kennesaw State University,” Gebeke said. “I look forward to continuing the great job Kennesaw State’s facilities services has undertaken on several major renovations, conversions and additions to existing buildings on both campuses. The No. 1 goal is to provide excellent facilities for our more than 35,000 KSU students, faculty and staff.”

Gebeke earned a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering from North Dakota State University and an MBA in management from Webster University. His professional certifications include Certified Facility Manager (CFM) and Certified Educational Facilities Professional (CEFP).

– Robert S. Godlewski

A leader in innovative teaching and learning, Kennesaw State University offers undergraduate, graduate and doctoral degrees to its more than 47,000 students. Kennesaw State is a member of the University System of Georgia with 11 academic colleges. The university’s vibrant campus culture, diverse population, strong global ties and entrepreneurial spirit draw students from throughout the country and the world. Kennesaw State is a Carnegie-designated doctoral research institution (R2), placing it among an elite group of only 7 percent of U.S. colleges and universities with an R1 or R2 status. For more information, visit kennesaw.edu.