The Modern Facilities Management Podcast

A bad process that you automate is still a bad process. It's just faster, and now it has a timestamp on it. Griffin Hamilton and Yvonne Harrison of CamCode pick up part two of their conversation on automation, moving from clean data into the three pillars that decide whether a rollout actually sticks: standardized process, a real link between the asset and its record, and people who want to us...

Most automation projects don't fail because the software was wrong. They fail because nobody could answer a simpler question first: is our asset data actually trustworthy? Griffin Hamilton sits down with Yvonne Harrison of CamCode for part one of a two-part conversation on what has to be true before you automate anything. You know what you have, and everyone in the building calls it the same t...

Jay Fiske, President of Powerhouse Dynamics, returns to the Modern Facilities Management Podcast for a deep dive into energy management for multi-site retailers and food service operators. Jay breaks down the Internet of Things without the jargon, explains why energy is quietly becoming one of the most controllable line items on the P&L, and unpacks the shift from passive procurement toward pr...

Neil Simons of RC Mowers joins Griffin to talk remote-controlled and autonomous mowers, and how they tackle the labor and safety problems every facilities team faces. Takeaways: RC vs. autonomous: RC mowers keep an operator safely off steep slopes; autonomous mowers run on their own and lay down clean commercial stripes — one operator can run several at once. Labor multiplier, not job-killer: No c...

Ryan Chan didn't set out to build software. He was a chemical engineer at a manufacturing plant, watching technicians write work orders on paper, walk back to the office, and retype it all into a desktop system nobody wanted to use. That frustration became UpKeep. Eleven years later it's a 150-person company that's raised $50M, and Ryan's still obsessed with the same thing: making...

In this episode, Griffin sits down with Peter Costanzo of ROI Consulting Group to explore how facilities management technology is rapidly evolving—and why the industry is finally hitting an inflection point. Peter shares his unexpected path into FM tech and what’s kept him in the space for over two decades: the increasing complexity, opportunity, and impact of technology on building operations. Fr...

Adam Cronk joins The Modern Facilities Management Podcast to share his journey from the U.S. Air Force into leadership roles across fitness and hospitality facilities. He dives into how military structure shaped his leadership style—and the challenges of adapting to corporate environments. The conversation explores a major shift in how facilities teams are viewed: from siloed “fix-it” departments...

In this episode, Griffin Hamilton sits down with Ben Moller, VP at Modelve, to discuss how facilities teams can move from reactive asset replacement to long-term, data-driven capital planning. They explore leadership buy-in, scenario planning, and how using existing CMMS data can help organizations make smarter asset investment decisions, even with limited budgets.   Key Takeaways • Leadership buy...

In this episode, Griffin Hamilton speaks with William Gordon, Regional Business Coach at  1-800-WaterDamage , who brings over 40 years of experience in property restoration. The conversation focuses on how facilities teams can better prepare for emergencies, respond effectively when disaster strikes, and recover faster, whether the incident affects a single building or an entire region. Key Takeaw...

In this episode of The Modern Facilities Management Podcast , Griffin Hamilton is joined by Micah Jacob, a Melbourne-based Facilities Manager with over a decade of global FM experience across Australia, Europe, and large multinational portfolios. Micah’s journey into facilities management is anything but traditional. Originally trained in computer science, his career path took an unexpected turn—f...

In this episode of the Modern Facilities Management Podcast , Griffin welcomes back Lonnie Pilgrim, Director of Operations & Maintenance for the Fort McMurray Public School Division in Alberta. Previously featured in Episode 101 for his crisis management expertise, Lonnie returns to discuss best practices in capital project management. Lonnie breaks down capturing daily maintenance data to ann...

In this episode of The Modern Facilities Management Podcast , Griffin Hamilton sits down with Nick Queensland , a a healthcare facilities leader with more than 25 years of experience at Mayo Clinic, Luminis Health, and Johns Hopkins. Griffin and Nick dig into the realities of change management in hospital facilities—why buy-in matters, how to communicate effectively with stakeholders, and why rein...

In this episode of The Modern Facilities Management Podcast , host Griffin Hamilton sits down with Jay Fiske, President of Powerhouse Dynamics, to explore how IoT (Internet of Things) is transforming the food service and retail industries. Jay shares the fascinating journey of Powerhouse Dynamics—from a scrappy four-person startup to an acquisition by Middleby, one of the world’s largest commercia...

In this episode, Jessica Wicks , Brand President of DUCTZ , joins us to discuss why proactive maintenance planning is vital to facilities management. She explains how deferred maintenance directly affects indoor air quality, energy efficiency, and overall building performance. Jessica also shares how HVAC systems play a pivotal role in sustainability, and offers practical insights on selecting the...

In this episode of the Modern Facilities Management Podcast, host Griffin Hamilton sits down with Michelle Sujka to discuss her journey into facilities management. Michelle shares how relationship building, self-reflection, and embracing discomfort have shaped her growth in a male-dominated field. She also highlights how COVID-19 offered a moment for personal and professional reset, and how her po...

In this episode of the Modern Facilities Management Podcast, Griffin Hamilton speaks with Billy Holder about his extensive journey in the facilities management and construction industry. They discuss the significant changes in the industry over the past year, the core problems faced by facilities managers, particularly regarding time management and inspections, and how innovative technology, inclu...

On this episode, Griffin Hamilton interviews Micah Remley , CEO of Robin , a workplace management platform. Micah and Griffin dive into the evolving landscape of workplace management, particularly in the context of hybrid work environments. They discuss the challenges and strategies for returning to the office, the importance of data in managing facilities, and how to create a workplace that foste...

On this episode of the Modern Facilities Management Podcast, Griffin Hamilton interviews John Price, a Facilities Director at Elevate Eye Care. They discuss John's journey into facilities management, the challenges of leadership, including imposter syndrome, and the importance of curiosity and servant leadership. The conversation also explores the integration of AI in facilities management and its...

On this episode of the Modern Facilities Management Podcast, host Griffin Hamilton sits down with Michael LoVaglia , Director of Facilities Management and Real Estate for Canvas Worldwide . Michael shares his journey into the facilities management industry, highlighting the unique blend of creativity and technical skills required in the field. They delve into the concept of the "third space&q...

On this episode of the Modern Facilities Management Podcast, Griffin Hamilton speaks with Bob Miller , the General Manager at Camp Margaritaville. They discuss Bob's journey in the hospitality industry, the importance of communication in enhancing guest experiences, and the unique challenges of facilities management in hospitality. Bob shares insights on preventative maintenance strategies, balanc...

In this episode of the Modern Facilities Management Podcast, Griffin Hamilton interviews Gerrayl Bryson , a Facilities Supervisor for the Nevada Department of Veterans Services. Gerrayl shares his journey from military service to civilian life, highlighting the skills and experiences that have shaped his career in facilities management. He discusses the unique challenges and rewards of managing fa...

In this episode, Griffin Hamilton speaks with Steven Atkins , the Director of Facilities Management at Methodist University Hospital. They discuss Steven's journey into healthcare facilities management, the unique challenges faced in this sector, and the importance of compliance and paperwork. Steven shares insights on documenting tribal knowledge, emergency preparedness, and building a cultur...

Summary In this episode, Griffin Hamilton is joined by industry veteran Michel Theriault to unpack a recurring pain point in facilities management: the lack of fit-for-purpose tools and the undervaluation of FM’s strategic role. With decades of experience in in-house, outsourced, and consulting environments, Michel shares compelling insights on: Why many organizations still use subpar or misaligne...

This weeks guest is David Stephenson , Studio Principal (Smart Building Studio) at Little Diversified Architectural Consulting In this episode, Griffin and David talk about the evolution of smart building technology and its implementation in facilities management. David shares his extensive experience in the industry, discussing the challenges faced by facility managers, the importance of change m...

In this episode of the Modern Facilities Management Podcast, Griffin Hamilton interviews John Kunzier, president of Invisible Sun Technology. They discuss the importance of technology in facilities management, particularly IoT solutions that enhance efficiency and productivity. John shares insights on the challenges of tight margins in the industry and how small changes can significantly impact th...