News & Insights
Rob McKenna shares strategies for funding campus renewal and energy transition at NACUBO
As institutions weigh competing priorities, leaders are looking for ways to align infrastructure investments with financial realities and long-term goals.
Universities are under growing pressure to make infrastructure decisions that support both immediate campus needs and long-term institutional priorities. As aging systems require renewal and institutions pursue decarbonization goals, leaders are rethinking how to fund and prioritize major investments. Salas O’Brien principal and director of energy planning Rob McKenna, MBA, will explore those decisions at the National Association of College and University Business Officers (NACUBO) Annual Meeting on July 19.
Co-presenting with Dano Weisbord, chief sustainability officer and executive director of campus planning at Tufts University, Rob will discuss approaches to funding major system overhauls. The session, “System Options and Economics of Campus Renewal and Energy Transition,” will examine reserve strategies, utility business models, blended capital portfolios, and other opportunities to prioritize high-impact system investments.
Drawing on real campus examples, the discussion will also address the organizational and cultural barriers that can slow infrastructure renewal. Rob will share tools to help attendees assess their progress, strengthen funding and governance strategies, and move projects from “that won’t work here” to deployment. By combining financial, operational, and organizational perspectives, the discussion will offer a framework for advancing campus renewal and energy transition initiatives.
About NACUBO
Since 1962, the National Association of College and University Business Officers (NACUBO) has been an indispensable source of clear, trusted knowledge for campus leaders. We empower campus business and finance professionals with a bold voice, collaborative opportunities, essential resources, and strategic support. Learn more here.
About Salas O’Brien
Salas O’Brien is an employee-owned engineering, science, and technical services firm focused on advancing the human experience through the built environment. Our team is engineered for impact®, helping clients solve complex engineering challenges with a focus on efficiency, resiliency, and sustainability, while advancing our team members through growth and opportunity. We are a top firm as ranked by Engineering News-Record and Consulting-Specifying Engineer, and we have appeared for over a decade on the Inc. 5000 list of North America’s fastest-growing private companies.
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