UF has hired a new director of real estate to oversee the university’s growing properties.
Lee Nelson, former director of real estate and development for the Board of Regents of the University System of Georgia, was hired to take over for previous director Bruce Delaney.
Nelson, a graduate from Yale University, said he liked the breadth of responsibility the position at UF offered.
"(The university) has done a lot of interesting things on the real estate front," he said. "It’s hard to predict what we’ll continue to develop in the future, but a lot of the developments the university has are all going to be very interesting."
Nelson will be responsible for creating and executing a development plan for UF in Gainesville and around Florida.
This includes buying, receiving and selling property for the university’s use, according to a university memo.
UF spokesman Steve Orlando said Nelson was the right fit for the position with his qualifications.
"I think if you look at his experience level and the type of project he worked on in Georgia, you’ll see he is imminently qualified for this position," he said.
According to the UF memo, Nelson had held his position in Georgia since 2010, where he was responsible for coordinating real estate transactions among 31 public universities.
Students on campus, such as 20-year-old UF art junior Allie Wright, questioned whether the university needs more real estate development.
"None of the construction or development hinders me in any way," she said. "I do question if it’s necessary to have another building for the business majors, though."
Nelson is set to start his position Sept. 15.
Nelson said he is looking forward to becoming a part of The Gator Nation.
"Everybody I have met in this whole process has been absolutely marvelous to talk to and share ideas with," he said. "I just think getting to work with a set of people like that is great."
[A version of this story ran on page 5 on 9/5/2014 under the headline "New UF director of real estate"]
