Vanderbilt University Maintenance and Operations (VUMO) provides facilities support for all construction, renovation, and routine maintenance of University Central space and facilities; housekeeping services for approximately 5.8 million square feet of academic, administrative, residential, and recreational space; grounds care for 330 acres that are a registered arboretum; turf care for athletic fields; and utilities for the university and Vanderbilt University Medical Center.
VUMO is a diverse group of people over 400 strong. The department is comprised of mechanics, skilled trades workers, clerical assistants, engineers, groundskeepers, power plant operators, sustainability professionals, accountants and many more.
VUMO has a goal to provide the best possible experience for all of our customers: students, parents, faculty, staff, and visitors. In most cases, VUMO work is “behind the scenes”; however, the end result is highly visible and consumable – from campus aesthetics to utilities essential for the University to function. All of VUMO efforts are directed toward support of the university as a center of scholarly research, informed and creative teaching, patient care, and service to the community and society at large.
Meet the Staff
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Paul Goodman
Assistant Vice Chancellor of Maintenance and Operations
Paul Goodman manages the Vanderbilt University Maintenance and Operations (VUMO), assists in orchestrating an expansive infrastructure capital program and ensures the department’s continued support of the university’s mission and vision. VUMO is comprised of campus energy, cogeneration utilities, maintenance, engineering services, grounds, building services, moving, pest control, key shop, paint shop and waste & recycling. Paul oversees the planning, implementation of best practices and advancement of this department while fostering a positive, inclusive, productive, and proactive customer-oriented work environment to enhance relationships across campus and the community. Paul has a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering from Texas Tech University and a Master of Business Administration from Colorado State University, and is a registered Professional Engineer. Prior to joining Vanderbilt, he served as the Associate Vice President for Facilities at the University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA) for 22 years.
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Matthew Buckley
Director of Campus Services
Matthew Buckley has been with Vanderbilt since 2013, and has been instrumental in the university’s Waste & Recycling, Zero Waste and Surplus programs. In 2023, Matthew was promoted to Director of Campus Service where he oversees (need more details). Matthew earned his Bachelor’s Degree in Biology from Ball State University and his MBA from the Indiana Institute of Technology.
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Randy Hurt
Campus Engineer
Randy Hurt as the VU Campus Engineer analyzes the university’s current utilities in order to improve, advance its current and future utility infrastructure. Earning a Bachelor’s Degree in Physics from Centre College of Kentucky and a Bachelor’s Degree in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Kentucky, Randy is also registered as a professional engineer, a certified energy manager and a certified aircraft mechanic and flight instructor. While at Vanderbilt, Randy has overseen a variety of projects including the 2016 Utility Masterplan and chilled water expansion to the Engineering and Science Building, 2020 Water Management Masterplan, 2020 Utility Masterplan, the Peabody Campus heating hot water conversion and chiller plant expansion, the Central Powerplant fuel conversion from coal to natural gas, the West End Neighborhood heating and chilled water utility corridor and moving above ground utilities such as electrical wires underground and is currently working on a variety of Capital Projects including the Central Utilities Initiative. In his free time, Randy spends time with his wife and four daughters. He enjoys watersports, snow skiing and aviation.
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Chris Preston
Assets Manager
Chris Preston started with Vanderbilt University in 2007 as a Construction Coordinator, and in 2022 was promoted to Assets Manager within VUMO. As Assets Manager, Chris oversees Preventative Maintenance, Assets Management and Deferred Maintenance programs with the help of 10 team members. Chris earned his AAFB in Business Management and Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration and Management from the University of Phoenix. He also is Level 1 and 2 Ultrasonic Inspection certified, and has completed the Vanderbilt University’s Leadership Program. In his spare time, Chris enjoys playing ball with his son, going thrift shopping with his wife, learning about the latest technology and taking weekend getaways in his camper.
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Damon Varble
Director of Maintenance and Energy Management
Damon Varble is the Director of Maintenance and Energy Management overseeing (need more context). Damon has been a key member of the VU Facilities Department since 2016, and was involved with an array of areas of operations from the powerhouse, utilities, capital projects, consulting and managing energy and maintenance staff.Damon is a veteran of the United States Navy where he served as a submarine officer. He has a Bachelor’s Degree in Ocean Engineering from the U.S. Naval Academy and a Master’s Degree in Engineering Management from Old Dominion University. Along with his degrees, Damon is a certified Professional Engineer, has a LEAN Six Sigma Green Belt and earned a Project Management Professional (PMP) Certification. Outside of work, Damon enjoys being outdoors, running, reading and spending time with his wife, Allison, and Great Dane, Cassie.
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John Williams
Plant Manager
John Williams joined the university in 2023 as the Power Plant Manager to oversee (need more context). Before coming to Vanderbilt, John worked as an Associate General Manager Fluid Generation at MidAmerican Energy Company. John earned his Bachelor’s Degree in Business from Bellevue University, and since starting at the university has developed and implemented a start time reduction project resulting in a 66 percent decrease in startup times and cost.