Building a Proactive Team Culture in Facilities

In this episode of Facility Voices, David Trask sits down with Trey Adams, Director of Physical Plant at the Southern College of Optometry, to talk about the lessons learned from a career built in the electrical trade and shaped through years in facilities management. Trey shares how his background running service trucks and troubleshooting in the field prepared him for the people-first side of facilities leadership, where listening, communication, and trust matter just as much as technical skill.

The conversation explores the culture Trey has worked to build at Southern College of Optometry, centered around teamwork, adaptability, and a “whatever it takes” mindset. He also discusses the challenge of replacing long-tenured team members, preserving institutional knowledge, and using technology to support both experienced staff and new hires. From mentoring employees to solving unexpected maintenance emergencies, Trey offers a grounded perspective on leadership, accountability, and creating opportunities for teams to succeed.

Tune in to hear Trey Adams’s story and insights from the front lines of facilities management.

Each episode of Facility Voices includes supplementary content that expands on key themes and insights from the conversation. You can find that additional material at: Access Episode Takeaways