For Gabe Hampton, APPA Is Where Facilities Leaders Grow Together

When Gabriel “Gabe” Hampton looks back on his 27 years with the University of Nebraska, one moment stands out: the year he received a scholarship to attend APPA’s Leadership Academy Level 1: Individual Effectiveness.

He expected a week away from the day-to-day. Instead, he found a community that broadened his perspective on leadership, shaped his long-term career path, and guided him toward his current role as Executive Director of Facilities and Operations at the University of Nebraska and the Chair of APPA’s Board of Directors.

Leadership From Electrician to Executive Director 

Gabe began his career at Nebraska as an electrician in the project group. His early leadership style, as he describes it, was more command-and-control than collaborative. Moving into a supervisor role forced him to rethink that approach.

“I didn’t really have any leadership skills,” he said. “Being a dictator doesn’t work.”

Several mentors encouraged him to step back and invest in his development. Jim Jackson, Chris Walsh, and then–Nebraska leader and current APPA President & CEO, Lalit Agarwal, guided that change. Their support pushed him to finish his leadership-focused bachelor’s degree—a life-changing decision for his management and career.

This year, he accepted an expanded role at the University of Nebraska overseeing about 400 employees across facilities and operations. He traces part of that growth to the learning and relationships he built through APPA.

A Scholarship, a Round Table, and a Lasting APPA Network 

Gabe still remembers walking into Leadership Track One in 2015 and taking a seat at a table with a co-worker, Kevin Stone, and three strangers: the late Sheri Sipes, Alex Flores, and Brian Lasey. After becoming acquainted during that first session, the group decided to have dinner together. By the end of the week, they weren’t strangers anymore.

“That week we laughed, we cried, we bonded,” he said. “That dinner we had as a table—it became the foundation of my network.”

The group stayed together through APPA’s Leadership Academy Levels Two, Three, and Four, even as their careers led them in different directions. They still keep in touch. Gabe shares updates about their progress into senior roles across higher education and the private sector.

He recalls having many helpful discussions with Sheri, who became Assistant Director of Facilities at the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff before her passing. Their conversations about inventory, staffing, and managing facilities reinforced an idea he repeats: facility challenges look similar, no matter the campus size.

Whether it’s a K–12 district, two-year institution, or a major research university, Gabe sees the same pressure points: shrinking budgets, deferred maintenance, waste management, staffing, and the need to work more efficiently.

“The scale might be different, but the problems are the same,” he said. “Everyone’s trying to do more with less.”

He values the chance to see what peers across the country are doing, especially in regions where change tends to move quickly. “Being able to look to the coasts and see what’s coming helps us prepare,” he said.

Embracing Technology Trends with Purpose

Gabe has watched facilities work shift dramatically over his nearly three decades in the field. The tools and expectations have changed, and the skill sets needed today blend hands-on expertise with digital literacy and financial planning.

“We still need people turning wrenches,” he said. “But the tools we use and the way we plan—it’s all different now.”

One of the biggest changes is the rise of artificial intelligence. Gabe was first skeptical. He worried about relying too much on technology. After seeing institutions like Penn State use AI for work-order trends, capital planning, and as-builts, he reconsidered the possibilities.

“That’s working smarter, not harder,” he said. “Use AI because it helps your institution, not because it’s trendy.”

He encourages leaders to be intentional and clear about the problems they’re trying to solve. Even small technological improvements can make a big difference when paired with thoughtful planning.

Looking Ahead: APPA and the Next Generation

When Gabe stepped into the APPA Board Chair role, many of APPA’s strategic initiatives were already in motion. “I read the initiatives and thought, ‘This is exactly where my mind has been,’” he said.

A key priority for him is to help APPA modernize member services. This means using data better, improving business processes, upgrading systems, strengthening communication, and offering programs that reflect today’s facilities teams. APPA’s refreshed T3 (Targeted Titles and Topics) program is one example. A recent session on artificial intelligence drew strong interest and opened the door to new conversations about practical adoption across campuses.

As Gabe sees it, APPA’s evolution mirrors what’s happening across the institutions it serves. “Our campuses are changing,” he said. “APPA has to change too, so we’re ready for the future.”

Gabe often thinks about Gen Z and how their expectations are reshaping campus environments. Technology integration, wellness-focused spaces, sustainability, and flexible learning environments are all becoming standard.

“It’s all about the student experience,” he said. “Quality buildings, better lighting, healthier food options, fresh air—those things matter.”

At the same time, early-career professionals tend to quickly embrace new tools and ideas. That brings energy and possibility, but it also requires seasoned leaders to stay open and adaptable. “How does an old-school facilities leader adapt?” Gabe said. “By being part of a community. You find people trying new things, and you learn from them. That’s what APPA offers.”

A Community That Moves Forward Together

For Gabe, the through-line of his APPA journey is clear: the learning, the people, and the shared commitment to improving educational environments. From a scholarship-funded leadership course to now guiding APPA’s strategic direction, the organization has been a constant source of growth and connection.

“Facilities management is changing, and we have to change with it,” he said. “APPA’s mission is to provide the education, the tools, and the network to help us adapt—no matter what kind of campus you serve.”