Announcing FM’s New Director, Landscape & Special Services

From: Bob Reuning
To: All-FM
Subject: Announcing FM’s New Director, Landscape & Special Services

Greetings FM,

I am pleased to announce the appointment of Karen Petroff for the position of Director, Landscape & Special Services in the Building & Landscape Maintenance unit, effective October 23.  

The Director, Landscape & Special Services is a new position reporting to the Executive Director of B&LM and serving as a member of FM’s Senior Leadership Team. In this new role, Karen will provide strategic direction for three organizational groups – Special Services, Landscape/Contract Services, and Arboretum/Horticultural Services – and oversee the daily care and maintenance of UMD’s extensive grounds, recycling and solid waste, and support of university special events.  

Karen has been a key contributor and collaborative member of the FM team since 2006 and has an abundance of experience serving the university community. She served as Assistant Director of Arboretum and Landscape Services and recently as Interim Executive Director for B&LM. The university has benefitted from her many contributions, including the Green Star Grand Award 2019, Tree Campus USA/Tree Campus, ArbNet Level 4 Accreditation for the UMD Arboretum, and most recently, Bee Campus USA certification, achieved in 2023. Many of you know Karen from a different role – leading FM’s Maryland Day tent. 

We are excited about the leadership that Karen will bring to this vital new position. Please join me in congratulating Karen on this well-deserved achievement.

Sincerely,

Bob

Charles R. Reuning, MS, MBA, P.E.
CAPT, CEC, USN (Ret.)
Associate Vice President
University of Maryland
301-405-6214