(Standing L-R):
Doreen Arruda, Administrative Assistant; Peter Geldmacher, Construction Manager;
LaVerne Cawthorne, Associate Chancellor; Bruce Gempp, AutoCAD Drafter.
(Seated L-R):
Peter Gagnon, Associate Director; Liz Bender, Space Planner; Lee Nason, Director.
Who We Are
Facilities Planning, Design and Construction is a six-person department reporting to Associate Chancellor LaVerne Cawthorne.
Lee Nason (lnason@umassd.edu, x8103) is the Director of the department and has both fiduciary and technical oversight responsibilities covering major facilities projects and the annual alterations and upgrade process.
Peter Gagnon (pgagnon@umassd.edu, x9146) is the Associate Director for the department and manages the planning and design functions. He and his reporting staff complete space planning and building programming studies, design and manage all campus signage, maintain the campus space databases and archives of building drawings, hire consulting designers, and manage administrative work associated with the annual alterations and upgrade process.
Peter Geldmacher (pgeldmacher@umassd.edu, x8938) is our Construction Manager and manages the construction process for the campus. He is responsible for project oversight that ensures that construction projects reflect the campus-wide mission and vision, program priorities and human and fiscal constraints. Peter provides construction cost estimates, oversees the construction bidding process, serves as the campus liaison with DCAM and the University of Massachusetts Building Authority and manages the construction process directly for projects we do independently.
Elizabeth (Liz) Bender (ebender@umassd.edu, x8068) is our Space Planner working directly for Peter Gagnon. Liz creates space plans and interior designs for building programs, manages campus signage, and maintains our space inventory database.
Bruce Gempp (bgempp@umassd.edu, x8780) is our Drafter working directly for Peter Gagnon. Bruce maintains our floor plan and drawing databases and operates our CAD systems to create plans, sections, and views of architectural alternatives. He also produces the temporary signage that one can see used around campus for special events.
Doreen Arruda (darruda1@umassd.edu, x9223) is our departmental Administrative Assistant. She maintains departmental financial records, produces reports and presentations as needed by departmental staff, and is responsible for the effective and efficient management of the office.
