After 32 years of service to the University System of Georgia (USG), which includes 20 years of service at Georgia Tech, Mark Demyanek, interim vice president for Sustainability, Facilities, and Safety, has announced his plans to retire at the end of the calendar year.

“We are extremely grateful to Mark for his leadership and operational expertise,” said Kelly Fox, executive vice president for Administration and Finance. “Mark and his team literally keep this small city of Georgia Tech running 24/7.”

While working on his master’s degree in technology and science policy from Georgia Tech, Demyanek joined Georgia Tech Research Institute (GTRI) in 1985 as a research scientist developing programs for environmental and safety compliance. After seven years, he went to work at the USG’s system office as the assistant vice chancellor for Compliance and Operations, serving as the chief operations and compliance official for, at the time, the system’s 35 institutions. In this role, Demyanek led the USG’s response to Hurricane Katrina, which included accommodating students displaced from colleges and universities affected by the storm. In 2007, Demyanek returned to Georgia Tech ­– this time as the head of Environmental Health and Safety.

At Tech, he oversaw Facilities Management’s Operations and Maintenance teams, consisting of more than 350 people spread across eight departments. Under his leadership, the organization received the APPA Award of Excellence. In August 2018, Demyanek was appointed interim senior vice president of Administration, overseeing the Institute’s operational units including Facilities Management, Information Technology, Human Resources, Campus Services, and the Georgia Tech Police Department. Most recently, Demyanek was appointed interim vice president for Sustainability, Facilities, and Safety.

Upon the announcement of his retirement, Demyanek agreed to chair the search committee for his successor. That search is currently underway, with plans to onboard the next leader later this fall. Demyanek will work through the fall to ensure a successful leadership transition.

“Reflecting on the past 32 years, two words come to mind: grateful and proud. I am grateful to my team and the many colleagues I have built relationships with, as well as for the opportunity to have served in so many exciting roles,” he said. “Through all of my positions over the years, I have been afforded a unique perspective, seeing behind the scenes of what makes our campus tick.”

Plans to celebrate Demyanek’s accomplishments will be announced later this fall.