Facility Voices

David Trask, National Director, ARC Facilities
  • 5.0 (5)
  • Technology

The Facility Voices podcast is brought to you by ARC Facilities – Providing Instant Mobile Access to Building Information for on-the-go Facilities teams. To learn more about our Smart Building Technology for the Built Space, visit arcfacilities.com.   Your host is David Trask, National Director and Industry Speaker at ARC Facilities.  David  brings you  stories from the front lines of Facilities via conversations with Facilities Management leaders from across the nation. You'll hear real-world stories about leadership, coaching, mentorship, a day in the life of, and so much more!   

  1. 4d ago

    From the Trades to the C‑Suite: A Journey in Healthcare Leadership

    What does it take to go from digging ditches to leading hospital operations? In this episode of Facility Voices, Jordan Smith, VP & Chief Operations Officer at AdventHealth Riverview, shares his unconventional journey from the skilled trades to the healthcare C-suite. From plumbing and construction to facilities management and executive leadership, Jordan reflects on how hands-on experience, strong relationships, and teamwork shaped his career. Jordan discusses the challenges of opening a new hospital, building a team from scratch, and connecting facilities professionals to the impact they have on patient care. He also shares insights on building trust with executives, planning for long-term facility needs, and embracing AI to improve operational efficiency. Throughout the conversation, Jordan emphasizes the importance of mentorship, communication, and creating a culture where people feel valued and motivated to succeed. Tune in to hear Jordan Smith’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: https://www.arcfacilities.com/facilityvoices  -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Jordan Smith brings more than a decade of experience in healthcare operations, facilities management, and large-scale construction projects. From founding a successful contracting business in his early twenties to leading operations at a newly built hospital, Jordan has built his career on developing high-performing teams, improving operational efficiency, and building strong partnerships. He holds an MBA from the University of South Florida, along with multiple professional certifications. Beyond his professional accomplishments, Jordan is passionate about mentorship and giving back to his community. He lives in the Tampa Bay area with his wife, Julie, and their three children. Thanks for listening. Follow David Trask on LinkedIn to share feedback. Visit the ARC Facilities LinkedIn page ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The views and opinions expressed by third-party guests on this podcast are their own and do not necessarily reflect the views or opinions of ARC Facilities and ARC Document Solutions. We provide a platform for diverse perspectives and discussions and ARC Facilities/ARC Document Solutions assumes no responsibility or liability for the accuracy or completeness of the content provided by our third-party guests.

  2. Oct 6

    The Impact of FM on Research and Visitor Experience at Holden Forests and Gardens

    In this episode of Facility Voices, Nico Viola, Director of Facilities at Holden Forests & Gardens, shares how a childhood spent working alongside his grandfather helped shape a career in construction, project management, and ultimately facilities management. Nico takes listeners behind the scenes of two remarkably different campuses: the Cleveland Botanical Garden and Holden Arboretum. From maintaining complex biome environments and research laboratories to managing rural infrastructure, roads, equipment, and private water systems, his team supports an operation where facilities directly impact scientific research and the visitor experience. The conversation explores the importance of designing flexible research spaces, building infrastructure redundancy, supporting volunteers and educational programs, and using data and technology to make smarter operational decisions. Nico also reflects on the larger purpose behind the work: creating spaces where research can thrive and people can connect with nature. Tune in to hear Nico Viola’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: https://www.arcfacilities.com/facilityvoices  -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Nico Viola brings over 20 years of experience across real estate, construction, and facilities management, with a proven track record of delivering projects nationwide. Known for his deep industry knowledge and hands-on approach, he has built a reputation for leading complex initiatives with professionalism, precision, and a passion for the built environment. His expertise spans project management, estimating, production oversight, and program development, supported by active involvement in industry associations and ongoing professional education. Nico currently serves as President of the IFMA Museums and Cultural Institutions Council and was honored as a recipient of the 2022 Facilities Champion Award. As a speaker, he shares practical insights drawn from real-world experience, helping organizations navigate challenges and elevate performance across the built environment. Thanks for listening. Follow David Trask on LinkedIn to share feedback. Visit the ARC Facilities LinkedIn page ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The views and opinions expressed by third-party guests on this podcast are their own and do not necessarily reflect the views or opinions of ARC Facilities and ARC Document Solutions. We provide a platform for diverse perspectives and discussions and ARC Facilities/ARC Document Solutions assumes no responsibility or liability for the accuracy or completeness of the content provided by our third-party guests.

  3. Sep 28

    Navigating the Complex World of Healthcare Facilities Management

    In this episode of Facility Voices, Kim Thompson, Director of Facilities Management at CommonSpirit Health, shares the career journey that took her from architecture and K–12 facilities into the complex, always-on world of healthcare. Kim reflects on how moving from design to facilities changed her perspective, teaching her to think beyond aesthetics and function to the long-term realities of maintaining buildings and supporting the people inside them. She discusses the unique demands of healthcare facilities, where 24/7 operations, complex building systems, and careful coordination all play a role in supporting patient care. The conversation also explores Kim’s approach to leadership, from listening to and learning from her team to collaborating with other facilities leaders across the organization. She shares how tools like SBAR help communicate needs to leadership, build stronger business cases, and connect infrastructure investments to their real-world impact. Tune in to hear Kim Thompson’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: https://www.arcfacilities.com/facilityvoices  -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Kim Thompson is a Facilities Director with more than 26 years of experience spanning design, education, higher education, and healthcare. With a B.S. in Architectural Studies from the University of Nebraska–Lincoln, she brings a unique design perspective to facilities management, focusing on long-term maintainability, operational efficiency, and collaboration. For the past eight years, Kim has worked in higher education and healthcare, where she is passionate about supporting safe, reliable facilities that directly contribute to patient care. Thanks for listening. Follow David Trask on LinkedIn to share feedback. Visit the ARC Facilities LinkedIn page ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The views and opinions expressed by third-party guests on this podcast are their own and do not necessarily reflect the views or opinions of ARC Facilities and ARC Document Solutions. We provide a platform for diverse perspectives and discussions and ARC Facilities/ARC Document Solutions assumes no responsibility or liability for the accuracy or completeness of the content provided by our third-party guests.

  4. Sep 22

    How Design Standards Improve Maintenance, Speed Closeouts, and Smarter Campuses

    In this episode of Facility Voices, Walt Kanzler, Senior Director of Project Quality Management at the University of California, San Diego, shares how a career that began in architecture evolved into a focus on project quality, sustainability, and smarter facility operations. Drawing on experience in private architecture, higher education, and corporate facilities, Walt explains how UC San Diego manages standards and project delivery across a complex portfolio of more than 760 buildings. He explores how detailed design guidelines, specifications, commissioning, and closeout processes help create facilities that operations teams can maintain long after construction ends. Walt also discusses the importance of bringing facilities teams into projects early, creating feedback loops around lessons learned, and extending commissioning into the warranty period. At the center of it all is collaboration—between project managers, operations teams, designers, contractors, and subject matter experts—to improve handoffs and continuously refine campus standards. Tune in to hear Walt Kanzler’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: https://www.arcfacilities.com/facilityvoices  -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Walt Kanzler is the Senior Director of Project Quality Management at UC San Diego, where he focuses on strengthening the connection between capital projects and long-term facilities operations. A licensed architect and LEED Fellow with more than 25 years of public- and private-sector experience, Walt has built his career around bridging design, construction, sustainability, and facility performance. He also contributes to the University of California Green Building Working Group, helping advance sustainability and decarbonization efforts. At UC San Diego, Walt develops standards and processes that improve project closeouts, strengthen collaboration, and ensure maintenance teams have the information and infrastructure needed to operate efficient, resilient, high-performing facilities from day one.  Thanks for listening. Follow David Trask on LinkedIn to share feedback. Visit the ARC Facilities LinkedIn page ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The views and opinions expressed by third-party guests on this podcast are their own and do not necessarily reflect the views or opinions of ARC Facilities and ARC Document Solutions. We provide a platform for diverse perspectives and discussions and ARC Facilities/ARC Document Solutions assumes no responsibility or liability for the accuracy or completeness of the content provided by our third-party guests.

  5. Sep 15

    Navigating Leadership Changes and Infrastructure Challenges in Higher Ed

    In this episode of Facility Voices, James “Jim” Stephens, Vice President of Infrastructure & Sustainability and Chief Facilities Officer at Georgia Institute of Technology, shares a career journey that began in manufacturing before leading him into higher education and, ultimately, back to his alma mater. Stephens explores what it takes to lead facilities operations through changing executive leadership while maintaining a clear, long-term vision for infrastructure. He discusses the importance of simplifying data, communicating facility needs in terms leaders can understand, and building disciplined strategies around deferred renewal and capital investment. He also explains Georgia Tech’s A–F approach to facility condition assessments and how it helps make complex infrastructure challenges more accessible across the organization. Throughout the conversation, Stephens emphasizes stewardship, adaptability, and the responsibility facilities leaders have to communicate difficult realities—even when the message isn’t easy to hear. Tune in to hear James Stephens’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: https://www.arcfacilities.com/facilityvoices  -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- James Stephens, VP of Infrastructure & Sustainability and Chief Facilities Officer at Georgia Institute of Technology, is a transformational leader with experience across infrastructure, engineering, energy, sustainability, and operations in both private industry and higher education. His career focuses on practical innovation, using technology and data to modernize infrastructure, improve efficiency, and deliver measurable results while maintaining fiscal discipline. With expertise in utilities, energy management, and large-scale modernization, Stephens also brings an international perspective through his work building partnerships in Latin America, particularly Colombia.  Thanks for listening. Follow David Trask on LinkedIn to share feedback. Visit the ARC Facilities LinkedIn page ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The views and opinions expressed by third-party guests on this podcast are their own and do not necessarily reflect the views or opinions of ARC Facilities and ARC Document Solutions. We provide a platform for diverse perspectives and discussions and ARC Facilities/ARC Document Solutions assumes no responsibility or liability for the accuracy or completeness of the content provided by our third-party guests.

  6. Sep 8

    From Data to Decisions: The Future of Healthcare Facilities Management

    In this episode of Facility Voices, David Trask sits down with Dennis Ford, Corporate Facilities Management at Advocate Health and current ASHE President, to explore a career shaped by engineering, military service, and healthcare facilities leadership. Dennis shares how his journey began in the U.S. Air Force, where his civil engineering background led him into healthcare facilities management. From managing individual medical facilities to supporting operations across a growing healthcare system, his career has given him a unique perspective on leadership, standardization, risk, and operational preparedness. The conversation also explores the future of healthcare facilities management, including AI, CMMS technology, building automation, cybersecurity, and the importance of collaboration between facilities and IT. Dennis explains why accurate asset inventories and standardized data are the foundation for smarter decisions—and how technology can help teams prioritize work, improve efficiency, and better manage facility risk. Tune in to hear Dennis Ford’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: https://www.arcfacilities.com/facilityvoices  -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Dennis Ford has more than 30 years of experience in healthcare facilities management and currently serves as President of the ASHE Advisory Board. A civil engineer who began his career in the U.S. Air Force, Dennis has held facilities leadership roles at Texas Children’s Hospital, UTMB, Baptist Health System, and Advocate Health. He also teaches in UTSA’s Facility Management Master’s Program and holds CHFM, CHC, and FASHE credentials, along with a Master of Health Administration from Texas A&M.  Thanks for listening. Follow David Trask on LinkedIn to share feedback. Visit the ARC Facilities LinkedIn page ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The views and opinions expressed by third-party guests on this podcast are their own and do not necessarily reflect the views or opinions of ARC Facilities and ARC Document Solutions. We provide a platform for diverse perspectives and discussions and ARC Facilities/ARC Document Solutions assumes no responsibility or liability for the accuracy or completeness of the content provided by our third-party guests.

  7. Sep 1

    The Future of HR and Facilities: Strategies for Workforce Redesign

    In this episode of Facility Voices, David Trask sits down with Andre Allen, Chief Business Officer at HRCI, to explore how HR, facilities, and technology are converging as organizations rethink the future of work. Andre shares his unconventional path from software and assessment science into HR strategy, along with his perspective on how the profession has evolved from an administrative function into a true business partner. Their conversation examines the growing importance of durable skills, the challenges of connecting employers with skilled talent, and why outdated job descriptions can make hiring even harder. Andre also explores AI’s changing role in the workforce, from its potential impact on entry-level opportunities to its ability to improve productivity, preserve institutional knowledge, and support facilities teams. He emphasizes thoughtful workforce redesign, stronger collaboration, and capturing the expertise of experienced employees before it walks out the door. Tune in to hear Andre Allen’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: https://www.arcfacilities.com/facilityvoices  -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Andre Allen brings more than three decades of experience in the assessment and measurement industry, beginning his career in 1989 at Reid Psychological Systems and later developing technologies that support secure assessment administration and scoring for organizations including Pearson, Vangent, and General Dynamics Information Technology. Before his current role, he served as owner and CEO of FifthTheory, LLC. Today, Andre is Chief Business Officer at the Human Resources Certification Institute (HRCI) and board secretary for the Association of Test Publishers (ATP). He holds a Bachelor of Science in Information Technology with a focus on project management and an MBA in Information Technology Management from Capella University. Thanks for listening. Follow David Trask on LinkedIn to share feedback. Visit the ARC Facilities LinkedIn page ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The views and opinions expressed by third-party guests on this podcast are their own and do not necessarily reflect the views or opinions of ARC Facilities and ARC Document Solutions. We provide a platform for diverse perspectives and discussions and ARC Facilities/ARC Document Solutions assumes no responsibility or liability for the accuracy or completeness of the content provided by our third-party guests.

  8. Aug 25

    Aligning Facilities and Leadership for Smarter Decisions

    In this episode of Facility Voices, Dave Muns, an independent contractor and consultant currently serving as Interim Assistant Administrator at Mills-Peninsula Medical Center, shares a career journey that began as an enlisted medic in the U.S. Air Force and evolved into healthcare leadership and administration. His experience across military and civilian healthcare has given him a unique perspective on how facilities teams and executive leaders can work together more effectively. Dave explores the importance of translating facilities challenges into language leadership understands, building strong relationships with CFOs and other decision-makers, and bringing solutions—not just problems—to the table. He also discusses planning for equipment failures, communicating during emergencies, using data to demonstrate facilities’ impact, and building credibility by setting realistic expectations and delivering results. Drawing on lessons from Hurricane Katrina and multiple interim leadership roles, Dave shows why communication, preparation, and trust are essential to smarter facility decisions. Tune in to hear Dave Muns’ 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: https://www.arcfacilities.com/facilityvoices  -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- David Muns is an executive leader with over 25 years of experience.  He has held positions as a Chief Operating Officer, Vice President Inpatient Physician Services, Undergraduate Instructor, and U. S Air Force Medic among many others.  Dave has been an executive leader as both a permanent and interim in organizations with FTEs from 3000 to 300.  His experiences in public/nonprofit as well as proprietary institutions have shaped a belief in highly efficient operations while maintaining a patient/team centered focus.  These wide-ranging experiences provide practical approaches to a variety of challenges which he is excited to share.  Dave’s greatest passion is to provide real world guidance to those responsible for the day-to-day operations of healthcare organizations.  Many things have changed over the last few years however, there are still fundamental truths which endure to effectively lead. Thanks for listening. Follow David Trask on LinkedIn to share feedback. Visit the ARC Facilities LinkedIn page ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The views and opinions expressed by third-party guests on this podcast are their own and do not necessarily reflect the views or opinions of ARC Facilities and ARC Document Solutions. We provide a platform for diverse perspectives and discussions and ARC Facilities/ARC Document Solutions assumes no responsibility or liability for the accuracy or completeness of the content provided by our third-party guests.

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About

The Facility Voices podcast is brought to you by ARC Facilities – Providing Instant Mobile Access to Building Information for on-the-go Facilities teams. To learn more about our Smart Building Technology for the Built Space, visit arcfacilities.com.   Your host is David Trask, National Director and Industry Speaker at ARC Facilities.  David  brings you  stories from the front lines of Facilities via conversations with Facilities Management leaders from across the nation. You'll hear real-world stories about leadership, coaching, mentorship, a day in the life of, and so much more!   

Information

  • Creator
    David Trask, National Director, ARC Facilities
  • Years Active
    2023 - 2026
  • Episodes
    126
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Copyright © 2023 Facility Voices
  • Show Website
    Facility Voices