The Utilities lead team is responsible for guiding the department’s strategic planning and development. They ensure the staff are trained and supported to provide the best service to the University of Michigan.
| Name | Title |
|---|---|
| Brian Hall | Assistant Vice President |
| Nathan Parker | Interim Senior Manager, Central Power Plant |
| Don Norton | Manager, NCRC Central Energy Plant |
| Heather Ivey | Senior Manager, Utilities Services |
| Scott Wells | Senior Manager, Electrical Operations |
| Kimberly Gauss | Business Manager, Utilities |
Biographies
Brian Hall
Assistant Vice President of Utilities
As Assistant Vice President of Utilities, Brian oversees all aspects of the production, procurement and distribution of the critical Utility Systems to campus. This includes steam, electricity, natural gas and potable water as well as campus wide sanitary and storm sewer collection.
Brian was Senior Manager of Electrical Operations from 2016 to 2020, responsible for the day-to-day operation and maintenance of the university’s electrical distribution and outdoor lighting systems. His responsibilities also included managing the building substation replacement program, electrical distribution master planning, and maintaining the electrical metering and billing system.
Prior to joining U-M, Brian worked 19 years in the automotive industry, primarily at Ford and Visteon manufacturing plants. Prior to his experience in the automotive industry, Brian worked at Toledo Edison’s Bay Shore Generating Station where he supported the plant’s preventative maintenance program and substation operations.
Brian is a licensed Professional Engineer in Ohio and holds a Bachelor of Science and Master of Science in Electrical Engineering from the University of Toledo.
Nathan Parker
Interim Senior Manager, Central Power Plant
As interim Manager of the Central Power Plant, Nathan is responsible for the team that operates and maintains the production of electricity, steam, domestic hot water and compressed air for Central Campus and the University Hospital.
Nathan has been with the Utilities Department for nine years. After starting as the Utilities Industrial Water Treatment Specialist, he moved into the role of the plant Operations Superintendent. His career in power generation began in the steam fields of Calpine’s Geysers in Northern California. He also worked at a large combined-cycle power plant near Denver, Colorado, where he held various roles in plant operations, environmental compliance, and chemistry.
Nathan holds a Bachelor of Science in Microbiology from the University of California, Davis, and a Master of Business Administration from Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi. Don Norton
Manager, NCRC Central Energy Plant
As the Manager of the NCRC Central Energy Plant, Don is responsible for the team that operates and maintains the production of electricity, heating steam, chilled water, and compressed air for the NCRC.
Don has been with the Utilities Department for 19 years. He started his career as an Outlying Boiler Circuit Operator and worked his way to a Group Leader for the Outlying Boilers crew. In 2011, Don transferred to NCRC to assist in the maintenance of the Powerhouse and Chiller. In 2017, he became the Maintenance Planner for the Central Power Plant.
Don holds a State of Michigan Boiler Repair license for the University of Michigan.
Heather Ivey
Senior Manager, Utilities Services
As Utility Services Manager, Heather is responsible for the teams that operate and maintain utility services on campus. These systems include thermal utilities (steam tunnels and direct buried thermal systems), water utilities (domestic water, sanitary, and storm-water systems), outlying boiler systems, and is responsible for the revenue metering for these systems.
Prior to joining U-M in 2025, Heather spent 20 years in food manufacturing for Post Consumer Brands, working in operations, maintenance, and engineering.
Heather is a licensed Professional Engineer in Michigan and holds a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering from Georgia Tech. Scott Wells
Senior Manager, Electrical Operations
As Manager of Electrical Operations, Scott oversees the day-to-day operation and maintenance of the University’s electrical distribution and outdoor lighting systems. Scott is also responsible for engineering support for the Power and Lighting shop as well as the monthly electrical campus billing and real-time monitoring. Previous to his work with Power and Lighting, Scott was an energy engineer for F&O. He has been with Utilities since 2005.
Prior to joining U-M, Scott worked as energy engineer/consultant for Michigan Manufacturing Technology Center for 11 years.
Scott is a licensed Professional Engineer in Michigan and holds a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering from Missouri Science and Technology University. Kimberly Gauss
Business Manager, Utilities
Kimberly leads the administrative support team and oversees a range of departmental functions. She is responsible for managing hiring and onboarding processes, coordinating events and special projects, and supporting key departmental initiatives. Kimberly provides broad organizational support and plays a central role in shaping a positive and collaborative workplace culture.
Kimberly has been with the University since 2008. Before joining Utilities in 2015, she served as the Assistant to the Chair of the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering. She holds a Bachelor of Arts from Lake Superior State University and a Master of Arts from Eastern Michigan University. 