Marc A. Valera, associate vice president for facilities since 2005, has been confirmed as vice president for facilities by the University Board of Trustees.
In his new position, Valera is responsible for overseeing facilities operations, capital projects and safety and security for all University campuses. In addition, he manages the campus development plan for Rose Hill.
“Marc Valera has more than earned the University community’s respect for his knowledge, competence and decency,” said Joseph M. McShane, S.J., president of Fordham. “I rest easy in placing the care of Fordham’s facilities in his hands. I know the community joins me in celebrating this very important appointment.”
Valera has an MBA from Columbia University and undergraduate degrees in physics and mechanical engineering from Jacksonville University and the Florida Institute of Technology, respectively. After service as an officer in the U.S. Navy, Valera worked in the hotel industry, managing property operations and renovations, including a position as regional director of engineering for the Crowne Plaza Hotel brand based in Manhattan.
He came to Fordham in 1995 as director of facilities for the Rose Hill campus, managing all aspects of facilities services for buildings and grounds. In 2001, he accepted a position as associate vice president for facilities operations with Columbia University, where he oversaw facilities for its main campus as well as the Baker Field Athletics campus and the Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory.
In 2005, he returned to Fordham as the associate vice president for facilities, where he has also served as chairman of the Sustainability Committee, which is seeking to reduce Fordham’s carbon footprint, in line with New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg’s plan to reduce greenhouse gases 30 percent by 2017.
