McMaster is welcoming back a former staff member to lead its Facility Services team as Associate Vice-President and Chief Facilities Officer.

Ehab Kamarah, whose most recent role was as the Associate Vice-Chancellor and Executive Director of Facilities and Services at the University of Illinois, was also McMaster’s director of design and construction from 2013 to 2018.

“I’m thrilled that Dr. Kamarah is coming back to McMaster,” says Saher Fazilat, vice-president (Operations and Finance).

“During his time at McMaster, he led several major construction projects, including the Peter George Centre for Living and Learning, the David Braley Health Sciences Centre, and many others. We are grateful he has come back after such a successful tenure at the University of Illinois.”

McMaster’s Chief Facilities Officer (CFacO) oversees the effective, accessible and sustainable use of the university’s campus and physical facilities, including building design, planning, construction, and maintenance services; utility services and energy and waste management; engineering operations; custodial services and grounds management.

The CFacO also plays a central role in leading the university’s sustainability strategy and Net Zero Carbon Roadmap, and will oversee initiatives related to sustainable buildings, carbon reduction, energy and waste management, reduced water usage, and renewable energy systems on campus.

Kamarah has extensive sustainability experience: During his time at the University of Illinois, he worked to advance the university’s sustainability and carbon neutrality goals, implementing energy conservation projects, leading the planning and construction of several LEED-certified and net zero buildings, overseeing the transition to electric vehicles, and enhancing the university’s capacity to generate energy from renewable sources.

“I am sincerely impressed with the steps McMaster has taken toward its net zero carbon goals since I last was here,” Kamarah says.

“I look forward to continuing to move the university forward and working with the Facility Services team and the entire university community toward our net zero goals.”

Kamarah holds a PhD in construction management from the University of Waterloo, along with an M.Sc. in construction management and a B.Eng. in civil engineering.

Kamarah previously served as director of facility development and engineering services at York University, where he led a team of architects, engineers, and project managers to ensure infrastructure renewal and capital programs were effectively implemented to support the university’s teaching and research mission.

Kamarah officially begins his role on Jan. 17, 2024, replacing Debbie Martin, who took over the role in 2018 and has been temporarily holding the position while concurrently developing her office as the new Associate Vice-President of Real Estate, Ancillary Operations and Partnerships.