Facility Rockstars

Zach Stublaski, an EHS Manager at Ocean Spray with over 20 years of real-world experience, shares his incredible journey through farming, the US Army as a military intelligence expert, serving as a deputy sheriff, working for OSHA, and his time in the oil and gas industry. He explains how this diverse background unexpectedly converged, providing him with a unique skill set for hazard recognition,...

Jeff Chierepko, Vice President of Global Facilities Management and Special Projects at Sig Sauer, shares his extensive career journey, emphasizing lessons learned, such as the importance of listening, continual learning, questioning assumptions, and problem-solving with a solutions-oriented mindset. He highlights the significance of understanding and respecting diverse cultures, effective communic...

Agata Gojzewska, Senior Facilities Manager at CBRE, shares her extensive experience in real estate and facilities management, emphasizing the importance of building relationships before they are needed. She discusses the unpredictability of the facilities world, stressing the necessity of having plans A, B, and C, and illustrates this with anecdotes from her career. Agata highlights the evolving r...

Tim Roddick, a highly experienced facilities manager at Ocean State Veterinary Specialists shares his unique career journey, which seamlessly blends skills from carpentry, veterinary medicine, and advanced technical expertise in medical imaging. The conversation touches on Tim's hands-on experiences, such as performing an MRI on a fully grown lion and various construction and renovation projects....

Emily Giannola, Director of Global EHS and Regulatory Compliance at Tecomet—a leading medical device manufacturer—brings a wealth of experience to the conversation. Her impressive background includes time as an OSHA compliance officer and service in the U.S. Coast Guard as a federal on-scene coordinator. Emily shares her deep expertise in safety, security, and emergency management, reflecting on k...

How do you effectively manage the complexities of facility operations for 1400 locations while fostering strong relationships and navigating unforeseen challenges?  Join host Jay Culbert as he speaks with Eric Beissner, Senior Facility Support Project Manager at EEG America, who shares invaluable insights from his extensive experience. Eric emphasizes that his biggest lesson learned is the necessi...

Frank Rhodes II, Senior Director of CapEx and Facilities at Benchmark Senior Living, discusses his extensive 18-year career in hospitality, engineering, and facilities management. Frank shares his journey from a tradesman to a senior director, discussing the importance of mentorship, continuous improvement, and the challenges of managing catastrophic events. He emphasizes the value of taking a bre...

How do you ensure excellence and build lasting success in the multifaceted world of facility management? Join host Jay Culbert with guest Matt Deehan, VP of Facility Management Services at UG2 and VP of Education for IFMA Boston, as he shares vital industry insights. Matt’s biggest lesson from 25 years of experience is to "trust, but verify," emphasizing the need to dig into details for proof. He...

Ever wonder why asking questions is so important?  In this episode of Facility Rock Stars, Jay Culbert interviews Layth Wahbeh, a former facilities manager at Jarvis Products and a forward-thinking leader in engineering and operations. Layth emphasizes the importance of questioning and listening to avoid problems and drive efficiency. He shares a story about identifying a steam supply issue at a p...

What does it really take to build a culture where safety is more than just a checklist, but a shared value? In this episode, we bring you a powerful compilation of conversations with Environment, Health, and Safety (EHS) professionals who are redefining what it means to lead in this space. From fostering a strong safety culture to aligning EHS with broader business goals, our guests explore the ev...

Gretchen Catlin, a seasoned compliance consultant and healthcare operations expert, is currently serving as the Chief Facilities and General Services Officer at the University of Maine System. Gretchen discusses her leadership journey and her role in managing seven campuses with over nine million square feet. She emphasizes the importance of team collaboration, safety, and compliance while sharing...

What does it take to lead a facilities team with both empathy and efficiency in today’s complex environments? Tatyana Blankenship, a facilities team leader with expertise in agriculture, biotech, facilities management, and regulatory compliance, shares valuable insights into team management, including the "five by five" exercise, which helps uncover individual work preferences. She discusses the d...

Are you asking enough questions to grow your career?  Katie Huard, Senior Director of Procurement at Blount Fine Foods, discusses the importance of asking questions and how important it is to really understand the “why” behind processes. From her early passion for numbers to leading in operations and supply chain, Katie shares insights on staying curious, mastering vendor audits, and building a st...

What does it take to lead a facility team with purpose, precision, and heart? Eric Schneider is a seasoned professional with over 40 years of experience in aerospace manufacturing and facility management. He shares his approach to solving complex problems through lean Kaizen methods, including the Five S methodology and the use of Maintenance Action Forms (MAFs) to prioritize and track facility is...

Host Jay Culbert welcomes back previous guests Matt Twerdy and Joe Gilliland for a deeper dive into Environmental Health and Safety (EHS). Matt Twerdy, Director of Environment Health and Safety at Collins Aerospace, and Joe Gilliland, Senior Director of Health, Safety, and Environment US at Sanofi, share their expertise on EHS management systems, human and organizational performance (HOP), and the...

How does transparency and teamwork drive success in facility management?  Derek Earp, Facilities Manager at UG2, talks about the power of open communication, teamwork, and leadership. Derek shares strategies like an open-door policy and group texts, offering real-world examples of collaboration leading to success. He also discusses his transition from engineering to management, the importance of s...

How can hands-on leadership and a passion for energy efficiency reshape the future of facilities management? Rob Cox, the Director of Facilities and Capital Improvements at Roach Bros Supermarkets emphasizes the importance of being both mentally and physically present in the workplace, sharing his hands-on approach to facility management. He reflects on his journey from working in food service at...

How can embracing discomfort lead to both personal growth and meaningful change within an organization? David D’Amore, Director of Facility Operations at AstraZeneca emphasizes the importance of discomfort in growth and shares his philosophy and experiences in becoming a successful facility manager.  The discussion delves into David's five pillars for personal and organizational success, focusing...

What key strategies can facilities managers adopt to enhance service delivery, improve communication, and build effective maintenance programs? John Boucher, the Director of Facilities Planning and Management at Harvard Art Museums shares valuable insights from his extensive career in facilities management, emphasizing the importance of viewing it as a service industry. He discusses the significan...

Joe Gilliland, Senior Director of Health, Safety, and Environment (HSE) at Sanofi, discusses the importance of volunteerism and community involvement. With over 20 years of experience, Joe emphasizes the value of integrating HSE with facilities and operations to enhance workplace safety and productivity. He recounts a tragic safety incident early in his career that recalibrated his focus on preven...

Looking for expert insights on commercial moving?  Sam Graves Jr., co-owner of ABC Moving Services, Inc. with nearly 25 years of experience in the industry, shares valuable knowledge on the importance of specialization and partnering with other service providers to meet client needs. He discusses managing complex moves like relocating sensitive lab equipment and handling logistics in tight urban s...

In honor of the 50th episode of Facility Rockstars, host Jay Culbert welcomes celebrity guest Denny Corby—renowned magician, entertainer, and keynote speaker. Denny takes us on his inspiring journey, starting from his roots in Scranton, PA, where his family owned the iconic paper supply company featured in The Office. He shares how his path led him to become a successful entertainer, with memorabl...

In this episode of Facility Rockstars, host Jay Culbert revisits guest Diego Ariza, a Navy Veteran and Army Reserve who leverages his military experience in his role as a facilities manager. Diego discusses recruiting challenges, the integration of AI in the hiring process, and a significant preventative maintenance incident.  He highlights the importance of strong processes, flexibility, and team...

Ryan Hacker, an experienced facilities professional shares his insights on the importance of building relationships in the field, drawing from his career at UMass Medical School to his current role as Assistant Director of Facilities and Manager of Capital Projects for Worcester Public Schools. The conversation touches on key topics such as supporting client missions, the need for flexibility and...

Do you ever struggle to find the right words when communicating in high-pressure situations?  Dustin (Dusty) Bussard is a U.S. Navy veteran and current CirCor Aerospace and Defense facilities manager. Dustin shares his experiences working in the Submarine Corp. and how he deals with tough conversations. He also discusses the importance of prioritizing customer needs, the challenges and benefits of...