Blogs

In a recent ARC Facilities webinar panel discussion, moderated by Facilities Voices podcast host David Trask, and hosted by APPA, several higher education facilities management leaders came together to share insights, strategies, and a few battle-tested solutions.

Frank Borrelli, now enjoying his well-deserved retirement, had a colorful career in facilities management that began in an unexpected place: the storerooms of the Gallo Winery. Growing up close to the Gallo family, Frank's early days were filled with a mix of mundane and fascinating tasks, from sweeping floors to learning the ins and outs of shipping. This was no ordinary storeroom; it was a massive space filled with everything from tiny nuts and bolts to complex parts for the winery’s bottling lines and palletizers, along with office supplies and equipment.

Aykean Forde, the Facilities Director of the International School of Port of Spain is an ambassador of FM. What exactly does that mean?

At age 68, retirement hasn’t fully stuck for Vern Baker, a native Arizonan who has worked for two city governments in the Grand Canyon state and continues to provide contract facility management consulting expertise for his previous employer.

Meet Angel Bolton, a seasoned professional whose career is a tapestry of adventure, excitement, and dedication to enhancing team efficiency. Over the past two decades, Angel has traversed more than 36 countries, bringing her expertise in law enforcement, operations, safety, security, and facility management to diverse environments. Her roles have spanned from director of operations and facilities manager to training facilitator and detective, showcasing her versatility and commitment to making a difference.

Janet Sisolak retired from MD Anderson Cancer in Houston after more than 30 years with the organization, working primarily on major capital projects, assisting with real estate selections and managing the strategic facility planning team. Throughout her career she’s managed large and lengthy projects. But there have been major ups – and downs over three decades.

Veronica Hill is an agent of change, moving from industrial engineering to food supply chain management to K-12 facilities management. She attended Mississippi State University, where she received a Bachelor of Science in Industrial Technology. She also has a Master of Science in Management from the University of Maryland Global Campus. She’s now the Executive Director of Facilities for Frederick County Public Schools in Maryland, the fastest growing county in the state of Maryland, with many elementary schools, middle schools, and high schools.

Coaches use playbooks to organize and communicate their team’s strategies, tactics, and plays. Developed over time, with input from athletes and staff members, 

On her first day at medical device manufacturer Align Technology, Dawn Moynihan was asked if she knew anything about construction.

Jennifer Green, the Director of Competitions and Business Development for Skills Ontario, gets great joy and fulfillment promoting and advocating the skilled trades. 

As Independence Day approaches, facilities managers have a crucial role in ensuring that celebrations are safe, organized, and enjoyable for everyone.

Studying an organization’s building plans is one of the best ways to trace the many phases, renovations and additions made to buildings over the years while reflecting everyone who has worked in, around, and outside the building.