August 25, 2008

Purdue taps Emory exec as VP for physical facilities

"Bob has extensive experience in facilities operations, personnel administration, planning and budgeting," said Purdue President France A. Córdova. "We were particularly impressed by Bob's leadership in sustainability efforts at Emory University, where he helped create a dynamic, results-oriented program that has generated positive results throughout all levels of the university and community."

McMains has been involved in the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design, or LEED, certification process that has resulted in Emory being recognized as the university with the most square feet of LEED-certified facilities in the nation. He also helped formulate and implement sustainability plans addressing stormwater management, recycling, and utility and energy conservation, as well as the establishment of legacy tree, no net loss tree canopy and green cleaning programs.

In addition, McMains devised strategies to ensure progress toward sustainability goals addressing energy consumption, waste stream diversion and impervious surfaces. He directed campuswide efforts to increase the community's awareness of its role in the success of sustainability initiatives and was involved in the rezoning of the campus master plan to reduce vehicle usage and the university's carbon footprint.

The vice president for physical facilities is responsible for  the operation, maintenance, planning and construction of campus lands and facilities on all four Purdue campuses. The vice president also oversees buildings and grounds, facilities planning and construction, the police and fire departments, radiological and environmental management, parking, transportation, the Purdue Airport, central machine shop, printing services, central stores, material receiving and distribution, and campus mail.

The vice president for physical facilities is responsible for 1,380 employees.

Purdue's West Lafayette campus has 387 buildings.

At Emory University, McMains has been in charge of the facilities management department that employs approximately 650 professional staff members responsible for more than 250 major buildings and 730 acres. The department has an annual budget in excess of $60 million and a capital expenditure budget of approximately $250 million per year.

Emory University, located in Atlanta, Ga., has more than 12,500 students and more than 22,000 staff. It has an annual budget of $3 billion.

Before working at Emory, McMains served as associate executive director and acting director of facilities management at Illinois State University and was business manager and acting associate director of Bone Student Center/Braden Auditorium at Illinois State University. Previously, he was controller of Stoller & Maurer Construction Inc., in Normal, Ill., and assistant controller, controller and buyer for Lumber Land/Lumber Lane Inc., in Normal.

McMains graduated in 1976 from Eastern Illinois University with a bachelor's degree.

McMains succeeds Wayne W. Kjonaas, who retired last year after serving as vice president for 14 years. He is currently the physical plant director at Fort Lewis College in Durango, Colo. Joseph D. Mikesell has served as interim vice president for facilities at Purdue since Aug. 27, 2007. He was the senior director of engineering, utilities and construction prior to this temporary assignment.

The national search for vice president of facilities was led by a committee chaired by Gerry McCartney, Purdue's vice president for information technology and chief information officer.

McMains' appointment is subject to approval by the university's board of trustees.

Writer: Greg McClure, (765) 494-9394, gmcclure@purdue.edu

Source: France A. Córdova, (765), president@purdue.edu

Purdue News Service: (765) 494-2096; purduenews@purdue.edu

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