Bauman named director of facilities at Lake Junaluska
The appointment of Bauman, which was effective March 13, is the result of a comprehensive search following the recent retirement of the former director.
Donated photo
The Lake Junaluska Conference and Retreat Center has announced the appointment of a new director of facilities to oversee the upkeep of all buildings, properties and infrastructure of the conference center.
Seth Bauman, who formerly served as maintenance manager at Lake Junaluska, has been promoted to the role of director of facilities, said Michael Huber, general manager for the conference and retreat center.
The appointment of Bauman, which was effective March 13, is the result of a comprehensive search following the recent retirement of the former director, Huber said.
“After an external search, we discovered that the best candidate was already on the team. We are excited about Seth’s move into this higher level of leadership,” he said.
“Seth’s wide range of experience combined with his calm nature makes him a natural fit for this critical role at Lake Junaluska,” Huber said. “As an Eagle Scout with a strong commitment to teamwork, Seth embodies our mission of Christian hospitality.”
Bauman’s move into a leadership role is the latest example of how Lake Junaluska seeks to develop people, promote from within whenever possible and offer opportunities for internal advancement, Huber said.
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In his previous role, Bauman demonstrated exceptional leadership in overseeing daily workflow, managing staff and coordinating repairs across facilities, Huber said. Bauman has technical experience in carpentry, plumbing and electrical work. He holds additional certification in carpentry and is in the process of obtaining certification in heating, ventilation, air conditioning and refrigeration at Haywood Community College.
Bauman has been a member of the Lake Junaluska staff since 2021, when he joined the organization as a maintenance technician. He held previous positions at Best Buy and Home Depot.
In his new role, Bauman oversees a crew that cares for all preventative maintenance, vehicle maintenance and urgent maintenance needs for the entire conference center, which is composed of approximately 25 buildings.
Bauman said that he could not be more excited about taking on this new role at Lake Junaluska.
“Anyone who spends five minutes by the water knows how special this place is,” he said. “To be given the responsibility of preserving and improving these facilities is an honor. I’m ready to roll up my sleeves and make sure Lake Junaluska remains a premier destination for generations to come.”
Bauman is focusing on a few key priorities as he makes the transition into leading the facilities team.
“First and foremost, I want to make sure the guest experience is seamless. Whether someone is staying overnight or just walking the trail, the facilities should work so well they don’t even have to think about them,” he said. “Second, I’m committed to being a good steward of this history. We have beautiful, older buildings that require a special touch, and I want to make sure we’re maintaining them the right way so they’re here for another hundred years.”
Taking into consideration the conference and retreat center’s environmental footprint will be a point of emphasis, Bauman said. “We’re surrounded by incredible natural beauty, and I want our maintenance and energy habits to reflect our respect for the lake and the mountains,” he said.
