Greg Parsons will start his new position Feb. 1.Greg Parsons, who has served as UAB’s assistant vice president for planning, design and construction since 2014, has been named associate vice president and chief facilities officer after a national search. He will start his new position Feb. 1, succeeding Robert McMains, who retired Dec. 31, 2018.
Parsons joined UAB in 2014 after working in Auburn University’s facilities management unit office as university architect for more than 20 years.
“I’m truly honored,” Parsons said. "The opportunity to serve the faculty, staff and students at such a transformative time in UAB’s history is a privilege I take very seriously. We have so much here to be proud of, and in my new role I want our campus to reflect that pride and continue the forward progress that has made us the No. 1 Young University in the country.”
Parsons now will oversee all aspects of facilities operations, including campus planning, facility design, new construction, renovations, architecture and engineering operations and energy management — plus all operations and maintenance in UAB’s academic, research and hospital facilities. He also will supervise real estate activities, transportation, utility management and environmental health and safety efforts, plus be UAB’s primary liaison to the UAB Health System and UAB Medicine for capital planning activities and central services.
“Greg Parsons is an experienced facilities administrator who is familiar with UAB’s history and our goals for the future,” said Allen Bolton, senior vice president for finance and administration. “I’m confident that he is an excellent choice to lead UAB and its Facilities Division in the coming years of growth, progress and success.”
Parsons earned a bachelor’s degree in architecture in 1983 and another in building construction in 1984, both from Auburn University. During his career, he has worked in both private sector architecture and in higher education.
“We are grateful for Bob McMain’s leadership during the past several years,” Bolton said. “He has helped UAB grow and achieve success and shown true Blazer Pride. We thank him for his commitment to UAB.
“Additionally, we also appreciate the work of the search committee, led by Stephanie Mullins and Arpan Limdi, for identifying and recruiting candidates for this position and the members of our campus community who participated in the process,” Bolton said.
