The Michigan Memorial Phoenix Energy Institute moved late last month to a new, interim home at the University of Michigan’s North Campus Research Complex on Plymouth Road, consolidating its administrative staff under one roof.

“Though interim, our new space here in NCRC’s Building 10 provides us with a great environment to plan, communicate and work together in a way that just wasn’t possible before with so many of our team located in different offices around campus,” said MMPEI Director Dennis Assanis.

The move comes as MMPEI finalizes its plans for a permanent new home to be created at the site of the Michigan Memorial Phoenix Laboratory building on Bonisteel Avenue within the College of Engineering campus. Targeted for completion in approximately two-and-a-half years, the facility will include office, collaboration and lab space to support MMPEI’s mission of leadership in energy research and education.

In addition to its new NCRC home, MMPEI announces the recent appointment of Paul Gargaro as its Director of Communications and Marketing.

Gargaro joins MMPEI from the University of Michigan’s Office of University Development where he served for five years as its senior writer and as editor of Leaders & Best, the University of Michigan’s magazine of philanthropy.

Prior to joining the U-M, Gargaro worked as marketing copywriter and as a journalist, including staff positions with Bloomberg and Crain’s Detroit Business.