Sitzabee Named Associate Vice Chancellor for Facilities

William (Bill) Sitzabee will join NC State as the associate vice chancellor for facilities, effective June 1. In this role, Sitzabee will provide strategic leadership for the university’s physical infrastructure and oversee the planning, design, construction, operations and maintenance of the campus. 

As the leader of the 800-employee Facilities Division, Sitzabee will be responsible for the safe and continuous operation of 1,200 buildings and structures located on more than 100,000 acres in Raleigh and throughout North Carolina, directly supporting the daily needs of more than 40,000 students and 12,000 employees. 

“Bill’s extensive experience in leading large, complex facilities organizations, including serving in similar roles at R1 land-grant institutions, makes him an ideal leader for this critical role,” said Charles A. Maimone, executive vice chancellor of finance and administration. “His proven track record in strategic planning and capital projects execution at major public research institutions will ensure our physical campus and infrastructure continue to evolve in support of NC State’s land-grant mission.”

Sitzabee brings over 33 years of leadership experience in facilities management and planning, including serving as the vice president for facilities management and planning and chief facilities officer at Penn State University, where he oversaw a large workforce responsible for 2,100-plus buildings across 24 campuses. His leadership at Penn State included managing specialized facilities such as a nuclear reactor and BSL-3 laboratory facilities, as well as executing a multibillion-dollar five-year capital plan.  Additionally, Sitzabee held senior facilities leadership roles at Florida State University and Cornell University. 

Before transitioning to higher education leadership, Sitzabee served as a decorated officer in the United States Air Force for 22 years. During his military career, he led construction and facilities operations across the Middle East, Europe and the United States including Goldsboro, North Carolina. 

Sitzabee’s commitment to education extends to the classroom, as he has taught graduate-level courses at the Air Force Institute of Technology and undergraduate courses at Cornell University.

“Bill’s leadership is rooted in a deep commitment to safety, the stewardship of our physical infrastructure, and, most importantly, the people who ensure our campus operates safely and continuously, 24/7,” Maimone said. “Bill’s dedication to service excellence will ensure NC State’s campus continues as a high-performing environment for the Wolfpack community.”

Sitzabee is an NC State alumnus, having earned his Ph.D. in civil engineering from the university. He also holds a B.S. in civil engineering from Norwich University and an M.S. in engineering management from the Air Force Institute of Technology.  He is a North Carolina licensed professional engineer. 

In addition to his longstanding professional and academic ties to the university, Sitzabee is a proud NC State parent to a current undergraduate student. 

The university extends its gratitude to the 11-member nomination committee, chaired by Myron F. Floyd, dean of the College of Natural Resources, for their diligent work over the past several months, and to many colleagues across the university who participated in the on-campus finalist interview process, ensuring a comprehensive and successful search for this senior leadership position.