Steele appointed associate vice chancellor for facilities management

Effective March 1, Richard Steele will assume the associate vice chancellor for facilities management position, after serving this role in an interim capacity since August 2021. Steele also served as the associate vice chancellor of business services from July 2019 through December 2021, splitting roles to serve both areas from August through December 2021.

As associate vice chancellor for facilities management, Steele will continue to lead more than 400 employees in planning, building, operating and maintaining the University’s buildings and land. He will report directly to Richard Amon, vice chancellor for business affairs.

“Over the last six months serving in the interim role, Rich has proven himself as a methodical thinker as well as a thoughtful and strong leader of the department,” said Amon. “Feedback on Rich’s leadership and skillset from internal staff has been overwhelmingly positive and external customers laud his ability to communicate and find beneficial solutions to challenging problems. I am confident he will continue to be an asset and strong leader of facilities management.”

Prior to joining UNC Charlotte, Steele served the Georgia Institute of Technology at Georgia Tech for 31 years, working from an associate program director for entertainment for the student center to senior director of auxiliary services. He also served as the interim associate vice chancellor for campus enterprises at N.C. State University.

“I am honored to serve with the facilities management team and I am excited about supporting these hard-working, dedicated individuals who daily serve our facilities and our beautiful campus,” said Steele. “I am also very proud of the business services team and their many accomplishments, in spite of the challenges faced over the past two years. And I’m thankful we have a highly-qualified professional, Bonnie Murphy, to continue serving as the interim associate vice chancellor for business services.”

Steele holds a bachelor’s degree in chemical engineering from Georgia Tech. He is also a Certified Auxiliary Services Professional and has professional certifications in business management and customer service.