Looking Forward to 2026: Getting to Know the New AVP for Facilities, Zach Newswanger

Florida State University announced the appointment of Zach as Associate Vice President (AVP) for Facilities and Chief Facilities Officer just before the Thanksgiving holidays in 2025. As 2026 begins, Zach has spent the past few weeks getting to know the people, operations, and culture within FSU Facilities, as well as the broader built environment that FSU oversees. Facilities is ecstatic to share more about Zach's background and the opportunities he envisions at FSU as he embarks on his new role as AVP for Facilities in 2026.

Zach brings over 20 years of experience in higher education and facilities management to FSU, including leadership roles at the University at Albany, SUNY Cortland, and Ithaca College. Most recently, he has served as an AVP for Facilities Management at the University at Albany. He's been an active member of APPA since 2010, serving as NYAPPA Secretary from 2019-2025.  

A licensed Building Code Enforcement Officer with an academic background in psychology and counseling, Zach began his higher education journey in student affairs before transitioning to Facilities and then to Finance & Administration. With two decades of experience, Zach is most proud of two projects during his facilities tenure: an overhaul of exterior signage and wayfinding for SUNY Cortland and the relocation of The College of Integrated Health Sciences to the University at Albany's uptown campus. Facilities spearheaded both of these initiatives and required significant collaboration across the University. 

Zach attributes his work ethic and leadership style to his upbringing. He notes that his parents and grandparents instilled a strong work ethic in him, and he always strives to lead by example. His core leadership values include "Commitment, Dedication, Collaboration, Communication, and Listening," as he states.  

Zach is eager to continue getting to know the dynamic team at FSU and contribute to the expanding campus. He looks forward to understanding team collaboration, defining success for the Facilities staff, and ensuring their support. "I draw my inspiration from seeing team members achieve success in their roles or from their completion of a project. I believe that if something is a success, it is the team, and if something fails, that is mine to own."   

Zach grew up in Pottsville, PA, home to one of the first NFL teams, the Pottsville Maroons! He is married to his wife, Suzanne, a retired educator. He has two adult stepsons who are building successful careers. The oldest is in the well-drilling industry in Texas, and the youngest is completing a degree in construction management in New York. Zach's extended family is spread across the country, with roots in Pennsylvania and Massachusetts.  

Outside of work, he enjoys spending time with his wife and friends, particularly when playing golf. A fun fact about Zach is that he is an avid drummer, and even once filled in for a drummer at a gig where his wife was the lead singer!