The Modern Facilities Management Podcast

Jeff Wagner, former Chief of Facilities for Clark County School District, joins the show. After a career in architecture and facilities, Jeff has joined the team at R-Zero as the GM of Education. R-Zero is a biosafety company that utilizes UV-C technology to keep occupants safe and more productive. On this episode, we discuss:An introduction to UV-C techThe impact of a healthy building on students...

This weeks episode is Z (also known as Eddie Luchs). After a full 24 year career in the Navy as a Machinist's Mate, Z has spent an additional 20 years as a Facilities Manager in Biotech. On this episode, Z and I discuss the challenges of FDA guidelines, the importance of proper resource utilization, and establishing best practices in a highly regulated industry. Enjoy! Interested in closing the sk...

Chris Bunch joins the show! Chris is the VP of Commercial Facilities Services at PRIDE Industries. PRIDE helps private and public organizations achieve their operational goals while simultaneously providing career opportunities for people with disabilities. On this episode, Chris and I discuss the value of partnering with a service provider, the impact that PRIDE culture can bring to an organizati...

Sherry Perkins, President of the IFMA San Diego Chapter, is this weeks guest. Sherry has over 25 years in facilities management for both defense and biotech companies. On this episode, Sherry details the importance of Facilities Managers being the Marines of the built environment; adjusting, adapting, and overcoming any and all obstacles surrounding facilities. How can IFMA influence and help FMs...

Stephen Burke, Facilities Manager and Emergency Planning Consultant, is this weeks guest! Stephen has over a decade of experience in emergency operations planning and drill development. As you'll see, he is clearly passionate about helping organizations build a culture of safety. On this episode, we dive into the importance of a proactive culture, and best practices in implementing emergency opera...

This weeks guest is Matthew Erwin, Director of Facilities for the North Syracuse Central School District. Matt has been in the educational space for over a decade, and is currently responsible for 11 different schools. On this episode, Matt dives into the challenges with managing educational facilities including:Best practices for managing vendors and preventive maintenance strategies Integrating...

James Kovacevic, Principal Instructor at Eruditio, joins the podcast to discuss the importance of a well designed PM program. James is a trainer, speaker, and consultant that specializes in bringing profitability, productivity, availability, and sustainability to manufacturers around the globe. Throughout his career, James has focused on providing the discipline and training needed to strengthen r...

Danny Koontz leads the second part of our series on the maturation of a Facilities Management organization. This week, we focus on the evolution of vendor management within a facilities organization. Danny spent over 30 years helping Ruby Tuesday grow from a small multi-unit restaurant group to a nationally recognized brand with hundreds of locations. Through this growth, Danny experienced first h...

Taz Sutherland, Senior Facilities Manager at Walmart, joins the show as this weeks guest. Taz has 20+ years of experience heading various FM initiatives for Walmart. On this episode, Taz walks through the impact that a preventive maintenance program has on the overall maturation of the FM organization. How can one move from 'reactive' maintenance to 'proactive maintenance'? What impact does elimin...

Our first ever spotlight is from our 6th episode with Carissa Kelly, Facility Operations Manager for Harvard Medical School. On this episode, Carissa discusses her journey getting into facilities management. Carissa has an incredible background and has earned her Bachelors in Facilities and Environmental Engineering, MBA, and Masters of Science in Facilities Management. Carissa also discusses her...

Cindy Hermsen, CEO for Global Alliance of Facility Management Innovators, joins the show from Barcelona! The Global Alliance of FM Innovators is a membership-based platform that facilitates connections between facility managers and technology startups focused on the FM industry. On this episode, Cindy discusses the rapid change of technology for FMs, the impact technology can have on a facilities...

William Cowell de Gruchy joins the show from London. After 5 years in the British Army, Will wore the consulting hat and found inefficiencies in building management. Uncovering this problem, along with his passion for building sustainability, led Will to launch Infogrid, a smart building platform that uses IoT sensors and AI to automate and optimize facilities and building management. On this epis...

Martha Weidmann, Co-Founder and CEO of NINE dot ARTS, joins the show as this weeks guest. Martha and her team are art consultants and curators, creating art experiences around the world for the hospitality industry, mixed-use developments, municipalities, multi-family residential developments, and healthcare environments. NINE dot ARTS uses the power of original art to transform spaces into experi...

Randy Olson from ProFMI is our guest on this weeks episode. The ProFMI Credential Program covers 24 core competencies and knowledge areas required of today's facility professionals. In 2021, ProFMI and Building Operating Management magazine conducted the first FM Training Outlook survey, receiving input from over 20 countries. In this episode, Randy discusses the importance of a standardized FM ed...

This weeks guest is Sheetal Ohri. Sheetal has over 26 years of experience leading key growth initiatives within the restaurant and hospitality industries. She has worked with organizations across the globe including London, India, and the US. In her current position, Sheetal is responsible for managing over 140 locations across the West Coast. Enjoy! Interested in closing the skills gap? Check out...

This weeks guest is Keith Watkins. Keith has specialized in managing educational facilities and has earned numerous accolades along the way:SCSPMA Anthony A. Vicar AwardNSPMA Pat Cochrane Award2020 NSPMA Plant Manager of the YearNYSSFA Past PresidentNSPMA Past PresidentOn this episode, Keith dives into his involvement with various organizations, the value of certifications for FMs, and his respons...

Derek Bacigal, recognized by IFMA's Forty Under 40 award, joins the show from Hawai'i! Derek currently serves in a handful of capacities including:Principal at Akamai Facilities Consulting LLCInstructor at University of Hawai‘iChair of Americas for International Facility Management Association - Young ProfessionalsDirector of Engineering, Hale Koa HotelPresident of the University of Hawai‘i West O...

Jim Zirbel, Co-Director of FM Pipeline, is this weeks guest. Over 50% of facilities professionals will be reaching retirement age within the next 5 - 7 years, leading to a HUGE need for talent in the industry. Jim has taken this problem head-on through the Facilithon program with FM Pipeline. Facilithon is a SkillsUSA competition that introduces high school and technical school students to careers...

Carolyn McGary, the WonderWoman of Facility Management, joins the show as this weeks guest. Carolyn currently serves as the Chair, FM Pipeline & GWI Liaison for IFMA, and was awarded IFMA's Forty Under 40 award in 2020. Carolyn is also the Co-Director for the FM Pipeline Team, sharing the mission of ushering in the next generation of FMs. On this episode, Carolyn speaks to the standardization...

I was introduced to Danny Koontz by being told that he is one of the greatest people to set foot in the facilities world. It was a tall order, but Danny exceeded my expectations. Danny has over 40 years of experience working in facilities, purchasing, and distribution. He spent over 30 years helping Ruby Tuesday grow from a small multi-unit restaurant group to a nationally recognized brand with hu...

Tom Czyz, a retired SWAT member and homicide detective, joins the show. Following the tragic events of the Sandy Hook shooting, Tom started Armoured One with a single mission: end the story of active shooter. Armoured One has created Shooter Attack Certified glass and film to make schools, colleges, and workplaces around America safer. On the show, Tom brings his expertise to highlight safety in s...

Giselle Holder, Director of Facilities Management for Acuitas Caribbean, joins the podcast. Giselle has her Masters in Facilities Management, holds several certifications including IFMA's CFM and FMP, and was awarded IFMA's Forty Under 40 award in 2020. She was also one of the first Trinidad and Tobago based IFMA instructors in the IFMA FM Educational Programs - FMP and Essentials of FM.On this ep...

James Kovacevic, Principal Instructor at Eruditio, joins the podcast to discuss the importance of a well designed PM program. James is a trainer, speaker, and consultant that specializes in bringing profitability, productivity, availability, and sustainability to manufacturers around the globe. Throughout his career, James has focused on providing the discipline and training needed to strengthen r...

Wayne Beamish, Founder of Powerhouse Management Services, joins the show. Powerhouse launched as consultancy firm, and has expanded into a facility maintenance and data utility management company. On this episode, Wayne discusses:The outsourced FM modelThe importance of vendor relationshipsROI of preventive maintenance plansThe importance of asset tagging Enjoy! Interested in closing the skills ga...

Jason Callis, President of the IFMA Indianapolis Chapter, joins the show. Jason has been in corporate facilities for over 25 years, and currently services as a Facilities Project Manager with Goodwill. On this episode, Jason and I discuss:IFMA and the direction of the Indy Chapter His role with Goodwill and the impact of COVID on their 95 locationsChallenges and best practices for retail facilitie...