Oberlin sustainability director to head UW–Madison Physical Plant

Robert Lamppa, director of sustainability and energy management at Oberlin College in Oberlin, Ohio, has been selected as the new director of the Physical Plant in UW–Madison Facilities Planning & Management.

Lamppa previously served as director of facilities management at the University of Maine at Farmington. He has a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering with environmental emphasis from the University of Minnesota Institute of Technology.

“Rob’s diverse professional experience within higher education, industry and consulting make him well-suited for this position,” says William M. Elvey, associate vice chancellor for facilities planning and management. “He is well-versed in the technical, life-cycle cost, sustainability, energy, regulatory compliance and facility planning aspects of managing a university’s physical facilities portfolio. We are excited to welcome Rob to the FP&M leadership team.”

The director of the Physical Plant is responsible for the coordination and administration of services for the campus community, which includes approximately 60,000 faculty, staff and students and more than 4 million visitors annually. Responsibilities also include developing, supporting and promoting programs necessary to maintain safe and efficient facilities. The director oversees policies, procedures and programs to ensure coordination and collaboration between the Physical Plant and other departments and administrative units at the university.

“It’s exciting to become part of a world-class institution,” Lamppa says. “I want to continue the good work of everyone in the Physical Plant who enhances the quality of the institution’s facilities to ensure we maintain the highest-level environment for research and learning. There is a reputation for excellence here that just makes you want to be a part of it.”

Lamppa will start March 4. He succeeds John Harrod, who has served as interim director. Harrod will continue with FP&M as a project manager for the Charter Street Heating Plant project through 2013.