The University of New Mexico’s VP Office for Institutional Support Services (ISS) has named Jeff Zumwalt as the director of UNM Utility Services.

As the director, Zumwalt will oversee the efficient and reliable delivery of utilities to UNM’s main campus, and help align department initiatives to meet the vision and goals established in the UNM 2040: Opportunity Defined strategic plan.

Jeff Zumwalt
Jeff Zumwalt

“I’m thrilled that Jeff is returning UNM to lead our recently established Utility Services department,” said Lisa Marbury, assistant vice president for Campus Environments & Facilities for UNM Institutional Support Services. “He will be a true advocate for the energy issues which have become increasingly more important to our campus community.  The University is looking to implement further energy conservation measures and I am confident in Jeff’s ability to lead the department in supporting these efforts.” 

Zumwalt first joined UNM in 2003, serving as Associate Director of Utilities until 2016. During his 13-year tenure at UNM, he oversaw $80 million of utility renovations funded by energy efficiency improvements. He also served as a member of the UNM Sustainability Council and authored UNM’s first Greenhouse Gas Inventory and Climate Action Plan. Zumwalt continued working in higher education at Texas A&M and the University of Kentucky, before his New Mexico roots drew him back to UNM. 

In accepting the director of Utility Services position, Zumwalt said he was “impressed with the employee engagement and exciting opportunities on the horizon for the Utility Services department. I look forward to helping shape and carry out the strategy to provide the energy needs of the university in a way that meets or surpasses UNM’s climate commitments and sustainability goals.”

UNM Utility Services was established as a stand-alone department in July, following a careful examination of the critical processes and systems necessary to provide utilities to The University. Zumwalt was selected for the position after a national search.