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Facilities Department

Meet the Staff

Alexander Kohnen, Associate Vice Chancellor and Chief Facilities Officer 

Alexander Kohnen oversees the planning, program management and implementation of best practices for all aspects of Vanderbilt University’s facilities and ground operations, maintenance, utilities, construction and real estate initiative. He leads a workforce of over 500+ staff members responsible for the physical campus, which encompasses 12 million total square feet of space, including 7.9 million square feet of buildings, 340 acres of land, 2.9 million square feet of real estate property, 1.8 million feet of garages, a combined heat and power plant and comprehensive underground utility infrastructure, and the design and construction of capital projects.  

Kohnen is an alumnus of the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland, where he earned a B.S. in aerospace engineering with a focus in astrodynamics. Kohnen’s experience and expertise spans more than 28 years, encompassing facilities operations, energy efficiency and environmental engineering. His background includes two decades as a naval officer, where the focus of his work was on facilities and construction management, at home and abroad, including Afghanistan and Iraq.  

Before joining Vanderbilt Kohnen was the Vice President for Facilities Development and Management at Arizona State University. Kohnen holds a master’s degree in business administration from Colorado State University and a master’s degree in environmental engineering from the University of Florida.  

Email: alexander.m.kohnen@vanderbilt.edu 

Paul Goodman, Assistant Vice Chancellor of Maintenance and Operations

Paul Goodman manages the Vanderbilt University Maintenance and Operations (VUMO), assists in orchestrating an expansive infrastructure capital program and ensures the department’s continued support of the university’s mission and vision. VUMO is comprised of campus energy, cogeneration utilities, maintenance, engineering services, grounds, building services, moving, pest control, key shop, paint shop and waste & recycling.

Paul oversees the planning, implementation of best practices and advancement of this department while fostering a positive, inclusive, productive, and proactive customer-oriented work environment to enhance relationships across campus and the community.

Paul has a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering from Texas Tech University and a Master of Business Administration from Colorado State University, and is a registered Professional Engineer. Prior to joining Vanderbilt, he served as the Associate Vice President for Facilities at the University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA) for 22 years.

Email: paul.goodman@vanderbilt.edu

Matthew Reithmiller, Assistant Vice Chancellor of Planning, Design, and Construction

Matt Riethmiller was named the Assistant Vice Chancellor of Planning, Design, and Construction (PDC) at Vanderbilt University in October 2024. The PDC department is responsible for overseeing the programming, planning, design, construction, and closeout of all university projects, ranging from small renovations to large capital projects.

Under Riethmiller’s leadership, PDC is evolving to reach its full potential, strategically dividing into specialized directorates for planning & programming, design, and construction. Together, the team manages a Capital Projects portfolio of over $1 billion.

With an extensive career in the United States Navy executing planning, design, construction and maintenance of multiple campus complexes, Riethmiller developed deep expertise in facilities operations, real estate, energy and utility services. He served in the Navy over 28 years and held key leadership roles, including Executive Vice President for the Naval Facilities Research and Development Command, Commodore (Chief Executive) of the 4700-person Naval Construction Group ONE executing humanitarian construction of education and medical facilities in over 30 countries, and completed his career as Commander (Chief Executive) of the largest facilities operations and construction Command in the Navy with nearly 5000 personnel on 17 campus complexes.

He earned his bachelor’s degree in civil engineering from Ohio State University, a master’s in environmental engineering from Old Dominion University, and completed a Senior Executive Fellowship at Harvard University’s Kennedy School of Government.

Andrea George, PHD, BCEEM, CHMM, PMP

Assistant Vice Chancellor of Environmental Health, Safety, and Sustainability | Adjunct Faculty, Civil and Environmental Engineering

  • Contact: andrea.george@vanderbilt.edu; 615-322-4551
  • Former VU sustainability and environmental management director for 6 years.
  • Former VEHS associate director for VU and VUMC for 19 years.
  • More than 25 years experience leading health, safety and sustainability programs for VU, ORNL, Bechtel National, and others.
  • 2021 University Excellence Award and Service Champion Award.
  • Board Certified by Eminence in Environmental Engineering by the American Academy of Environmental Engineers and Scientists, Certified Hazardous Materials Manager (CHMM), certified Project Management Professional (PMP).
  • Doctor of Philosophy and Master of Science degrees in engineering from Vanderbilt. Bachelor of Science degrees in physics and mathematics, Western KY University.

Allyson Sullivan, Executive Director of Business Operations

Allyson Sullivan served as the Director of Vanderbilt University Real Estate before she was appointed Executive Director of Business Operations in 2017 following a nationwide search. Ally is responsible for the oversight of the fiscal, administrative and business that serves the institution-wide Facilities department. She oversees the Business Operations Center, a shared services unit that offers an enhanced focus on streamlining and effective client interfaces while providing exceptional customer experiences and engagement. Since assuming her position, Ally has created a new Employee Engagement group, consolidated the staff supporting various Facilities systems and mapping services, established communications for Facilities and implemented programs such as eBuilder and Lean. Ally earned her Bachelor of Science in Economics with a financial emphasis from Southern Methodist University, and is a graduate of the Vanderbilt Leadership Academy class of 2015-2016.

Email: ally.sullivan@vanderbilt.edu