Paula Veltum has been named Interim Assistant Vice Chancellor of Physical Plant in the Division of Facilities Planning & Management (FP&M), following the retirement of current Assistant Vice Chancellor Jim Bogan.
Since 2023, Paula has served as FP&M’s Assistant Vice Chancellor of Real Estate Development and Administration, but her career spans decades and includes facilities leadership positions in the public and private sectors.
At the State of Wisconsin’s Department of Administration, Paula led the Division of Facilities and Transportation Services, where she was responsible for a complex building portfolio, including the Capitol Heat and Power Plant, the State Capitol and the Governor’s Mansion, as well as laboratories, data centers, offices, and other support facilities across the state. Her experience also includes overseeing American Family Insurance’s national facilities portfolio and roles within facilities management at Covance Laboratories (now Labcorp) in Madison.
“Leading Physical Plant takes someone with an impressive breadth and depth of facilities experience,” said Associate Vice Chancellor of Facilities Planning & Management Cindy Torstveit. “Paula’s background as a facilities leader, her understanding of buildings like ours, and her familiarity with UW-Madison equip her to provide continuity and stability, while building on Physical Plant’s tradition of continual improvement and commitment to exceptional service.”
Veltum holds a bachelor of science in business administration from Herzing College in Madison and is a retired International Facilities Management Association (IFMA)-certified facilities manager.
“I am excited to work with this team,” said Veltum. “I’ve been impressed with Physical Plant’s expertise and dedication since I joined FP&M. As the largest part of our division, they are involved in so many areas of campus and are mission critical.”
Starting Nov. 2, Veltum will serve in this role until a search for a permanent Assistant Vice Chancellor of Physical Plant is completed. She succeeds Jim Bogan, who is retiring on Oct. 31 after more than 22 years with FP&M.
“Jim has helped build an incredibly stable foundation that will serve us well during this transition,” said Torstveit. “His leadership has been instrumental in our mission to transform the built and natural environment of campus, and we will miss his expertise, insights, and dedication to UW.”
The Assistant Vice Chancellor of Physical Plant is responsible for developing, supporting, and promoting programs necessary to maintain safe and efficient facilities to meet the needs of students, faculty, staff and the visiting public. They oversee policies, procedures and programs to ensure coordination and collaboration between Physical Plant and other departments and administrative units at the university.
“This position is critical to the success of UW-Madison’s mission,” said Torstveit. “Jim and Paula are both excellent leaders who are committed to a smooth transition, supporting Physical Plant and FP&M’s continued success.”