Facility Voices

In this inspiring episode of Facility Voices , David Trask welcomes Caitlynd A. Weekley, Director of Facilities at Columbia College, as part of the Women in Facilities series. Caitlynd shares her unique career path, which started in the culinary industry and evolved through event planning to facilities management. Now, she oversees everything from construction to maintenance on campus, all while b...

In this episode of Facility Voices , Melanie Ford, Senior Director of Construction at the University of Georgia, shares her experiences overseeing the facilities and construction projects of a large institution. She discusses her role in managing a diverse range of facilities—from historic buildings and agricultural stations to athletic complexes and cutting-edge science labs—while also highlighti...

In this episode of Facility Voices , David Trask sits down with Kevin Miller, Director of Facilities Management at Hampden-Sydney College. Kevin shares his journey from the Marine Corps to leading a dynamic facilities team, drawing on over 17 years of experience. He emphasizes the role of education in shaping his career path and discusses the unique challenges of managing facilities at a higher ed...

In this episode of Facility Voices , David Trask talks with Jennifer Green, Director of Competitions and Business Development at Skills Ontario. Jennifer shares her personal journey from her start as a registered apprentice in high school to becoming a prominent advocate for skilled trades and women in the trades. She discusses the importance of the Skills Ontario Competition, an event that showca...

In this episode from our "Women in Facilities" series, Maria O'Callaghan-Cassidy, Senior Associate Vice President of Campus Operations at University of Richmond, discusses the evolving landscape of facilities management. She emphasizes the importance of flexibility and ongoing education amid labor shortages and job mobility. Maria recommends pursuing certifications like CFM and FMP,...

In this episode of Facility Voices, we’re joined by Tom Polansky, Vice President for Operations and Facilities at The Huntington. Tom shares his unique career path, starting as an architect and eventually discovering his passion for managing teams and aligning campus visions with built environments. He talks about the complexities of overseeing a diverse site like The Huntington, which includes a...

In this episode of Facility Voices , David Trask sits down with Taj Sharma, founder and CEO of Convergence, to discuss the evolving challenges and opportunities in the facilities management industry. Taj, with over 35 years of experience operating facilities for companies like Amazon, Google, and Facebook, shares his insights on how to empower teams in the field. He highlights the importance of sk...

In this episode of Facility Voices, David Trask welcomes Julie Brown, Vice President of Industries and Customer Value at Johnson Controls, as part of the Women in Facilities series, where she shares insights into her dynamic role supporting field operations and shaping the company's strategic direction through customer feedback. Julie takes us through the rich history of Johnson Controls, hig...

In this episode of Facility Voices Dean Stanberry, the Past-Chair of the Global Board of Directors at the International Facility Management Association (IFMA), shares his his evolution from IT guy to facility management leader, highlighting the "accidental profession" story that led him to oversee millions of square feet of administrative space and data centers. He explores the evolution...

In this episode of Facility Voices , David Trask is joined by Fletcher Coffman, Senior Director of Operations at the Washington Commanders. Fletcher shares insights into his role, overseeing engineering, facilities, logistics, and more within the organization. They discuss the Commanders' recent transition to a new ownership group and the exciting improvements in store for the team. Fletcher...

Scott Ployer, President & CEO of the National Property Management Strategies Group, concludes our "Start Now" series with the third and final part. In this episode, Scott focuses on the crucial aspect of training for facilities teams. He underscores the importance of comprehensive training in emergency management, highlighting common challenges organizations face and detailing the es...

In today’s episode David sits down with the two winners of the 2024 Facilithon Competition: Anderson Reynolds, the first-place national finalist in the high school division, and Toby Styron, the first-place national finalist in the post-secondary division. Anderson, fresh out of high school, shares how his diverse educational experiences, including participation in SkillsUSA and various constructi...

In part two of our series, "Start Now: A Guide to Building or Enhancing Your Emergency Management Program," Scott Ployer, President and CEO of National Property Management Strategies Group, explores the vital role of insurance in facilities management. With insurance premiums skyrocketing, Scott offers strategies to help companies mitigate these costs by fostering a safety-first culture...

In this episode, we chat with Sean Tracy, the Director of Facilities at AdventHealth Castle Rock. With 20 years in healthcare facilities management, Sean takes us through his career journey, from trade school to spearheading sustainability efforts. He explains why trade schools are so valuable and how Facility Condition Assessments (FCA) help in planning for the future. Sean shares the innovative...

In this special three-part series, "Start Now: A Guide to Building or Enhancing Your Emergency Management Program," Scott Ployer, President and CEO at National Property Management Strategies Group, provides valuable insights and practical advice for Facilities Managers across industries. In the first episode, Scott delves into the essential role of OSHA, discussing its functions, the lat...

In today's discussion, Paul Sutter, Associate Vice President of Facilities and Capital Projects at the Julliard School, takes us behind the scenes at this world-renowned performing arts education institution. From overseeing a vast array of facilities within Lincoln Center to maintaining impeccable standards for students and staff, Paul shares his journey from golf course superintendent to ma...

In this episode, David sits down with Dr. Walter Lamar, Executive Director of Health, Safety, and Environmental for the University of Miami Health Care System. Dr. Lamar shares his extensive background in emergency management and public health, providing a unique perspective on managing safety functions across diverse communities in South Florida.   Learn about the innovative approaches Dr. Lamar...

In this episode, David is joined by Scott Ployer, President and CEO of National Property Management Strategies Group. Scott shares his 38-year journey in facilities management, construction, development, and safety, along with insights into his consultancy work with various organizations on strategic planning, process improvement, and safety programs. Scott emphasizes the significance of embedding...

Maria Johnson, a seasoned leader in the restaurant facilities and construction industry, shares her inspiring journey from emigrating from Venezuela to the United States as a child, witnessing her parents' hard work, and pursuing her own career in the restaurant and retail industry. Rising from a secretary to VP of Development, Maria emphasizes the importance of education, determination, and...

Leni Rivera, Owner of WorkplaceXperience, takes Facility Voices listeners on a compelling journey from her beginnings as an actor with a degree from NYU to her current role as a workplace experience advocate. With a background in the performing arts, Leni developed a deep understanding of human behavior, a skill she seamlessly transitioned into creating environments that support people. Her career...

In today's episode, David sits down with Josh Bracket, the System Regulatory Director of Facilities Services at Banner Health. Josh shares his unique journey from being an EMT driver to leading regulatory efforts at one of the most innovative healthcare systems in the U.S. He discusses the crucial role of code flexibility and risk assessments in achieving significant cost savings without comp...

In today's episode, David is joined by Mike Smith, Senior Facilities Maintenance Manager at Saddle Creek Logistics Services.   Mike's journey in maintenance began as an Air Force Mechanic, where he honed his skills keeping crucial equipment operational and efficient. From there, he transitioned into his current role, where he oversees the maintenance operations for Saddle Creek Logistics...

In this episode of Facility Voices, David sits down with Dr. Louis Fletcher, Executive Director for Facilities and Operations at School District 49 in Colorado Springs. Dr. Fletcher, with his extensive background in the Air Force and higher education, provides invaluable insights into the multifaceted role of facilities management in education. From dealing with snow delays to tackling deferred ma...

This week David is joined by Melissa Petracca, Facilities Manager, and Jim Campoli, Senior Director of Operations and Services at Matheny Medical and Education Center. Melissa and Jim share their unique journeys into facilities management, detailing the complexities and challenges they face at Matheny, a 101-bed specialty hospital and special needs school in New Jersey.   Hear how Melissa grew fro...

In this episode of Facility Voices we hear from Jeremiah Johnson, COO at Muskego-Norway School District, as he shares his career path from custodian to district leader, offering insights into workforce retention strategies and innovative initiatives. Learn about the Muskego-Norway School District, serving around 5,000 students across six schools in southeastern Wisconsin, and their efforts to revi...