He is responsible for oversight of the university's grounds, custodial, maintenance and energy management operations. Gebeke reports to Associate Vice President for Facilities Harry Wyatt, who held the executive director position before assuming his current role last May.

Gebeke has more than 18 years' related experience.

He most recently served for 10 years as director of facilities, planning and operations at ARAMARK Higher Education, which provided facilities services for the University of Central Missouri. There, he oversaw 238 employees working in maintenance, custodial, grounds, project management, warehouse operations and safety positions. He also helped bring about the design, review and construction of more than $25 million in capital projects and more than $5 million in maintenance projects.

Gebeke also has worked as director of plant operations and maintenance for Dayton Public Schools and as an engineer for Abbott Laboratories and Veterans Administration Hospitals. He is a certified facility manager and plant maintenance manager.

"I am looking forward to making a difference at the university by improving the efficiency of all facilities management operations, thus saving it money during this difficult economic time," Gebeke said. "I also plan on improving customer service on campus by establishing mutually agreeable service expectations."

He said he hopes to bring about improvements in billing processes, labor efficiency, and the work order system. 

"Overall, my goal is to make sure facilities operations are an asset and not a liability," he said.

A Fargo, N.D., native, Gebeke earned a bachelor's degree in electrical engineering from North Dakota State University in 1989. In 1997, he earned a master's degree in management from Webster University, where he was a distinguished graduate.