FMForward: Dedicated to the Rapidly Changing Landscape of Facility Management

IFMA Boston
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This is FMForward, a podcast brought to you by IFMA Boston and now hosted by Kate Thibeault, about the rapidly changing landscape of Facility Management and how to remain on top of your game. Now in our sixth season, we are exploring the FM Talent Gap, if it really exists and if so, what to do about it! Click episodes to listen, or search FMForward in your favorite podcast player.   And this year we're introducing you to our valued Partners through a series called Conversations with our Vendor Partners.  Listen as Kate learns more about the value each partner provides to the FM Community.  Learn more about IFMA Boston at www.ifmaboston.org

  1. Janitronics - Conversations with our Vendor Partners

    04/02/2025

    Janitronics - Conversations with our Vendor Partners

    In this episode Kate speaks with Tim Cullinan, Senior Vice President, Janitronics Building Services, one of IFMA Boston's vendor partners.   Janitronics is a family-owned business that was established over a hundred years ago by the Brecher family.  The family grew the business through a series of accounts and a reputation built on service.  Ultimately, they landed the iconic Prudential Tower, which was the catalyst for the Janitronics of today, which now has close to 1,700 employees.   Many of today's employees have been with the company for 20 or more years and Tim shares their background stories, their successes and how Janitronics has continued to build a culture of family while establishing a reputation for excellence.   Tim touches on the operational focus including training and partnerships that continue to push the service level forward as well as the client services and the importance of delivering what you promise.   Their clients are exclusively developers, property management, corporate, multifamily, biotechnology, pharmaceutical and health care firms who require ahigh level of service.   Kate approaches these vendor conversations from an FM perspective to fully understand the value of partnering with a company like Janitronics Building Services.      Contact Information: Tim Cullinan, Senior Vice President Janitronics Building Services tcullinan@janitronics.com; 781-647-5570

    25 min
  2. Belfor Property Restoration-Conversations with Our Vendor Partners

    03/05/2025

    Belfor Property Restoration-Conversations with Our Vendor Partners

    In this episode Kate speaks with Matt Post of Belfor Property Restoration, one of IFMA Boston's vendor partners.  Belfor is the largest wholly-owned property restoration companies in the world with over 300 offices throughout the U.S.  Belfor specializes in mold remediation, water, fire, flood and document restoration.  Anything related to property management can be mitigated and rebuilt.   Matt and Kate discuss the variety of clients and the challenges each situation brings to the table as well and how to prepare a disaster recovery plan. Matt and Kate agree that preparedness is the name of the game as it when the inevitable disaster strikes.  They also discuss the Belfor app which connects the individuals within an organization to each other as well as with the fire and police departments.  The app also provides logistical information that may be critical to on-site people during a disaster.   Kate approaches these vendor conversations from an FM perspective to fully understand the value of partnering with a company like Belfor.      Contact:  TJ Hearn tj.hearn@us.belfor.com Cell:  774-217-1003 BELFOR Property Restoration: About | LinkedIn http://www.belfor.com/

    19 min
  3. Inovis Energy - Conversations with our Vendor Partners

    01/23/2025

    Inovis Energy - Conversations with our Vendor Partners

    In this episode Kate speaks with Gabriel Andreson, Certified Coach, Speaker, Co-Founder and President at Inovis Energy, one of IFMA Boston's vendor partners.  Inovis provides innovative energy efficiency solutions to help clients reduce their energy spend and carbon footprint.  Listen in as Gabriel discusses their work with clients across a range of industries (including the cannabis industry) and talks about the solutions they offer ranging from energy efficient lighting, HVAC upgrades, Controls, and EV Charging stations to on-site generation and storage.  Kate and Gabriel touch on the ever-changing technology and requirements of today's world and Gabriel even quotes IFMA Boston Past President Frank Rhodes, CFM at Marriott International when he says, "energy efficiency is a journey, not a destination."   Kate approaches these vendor conversations from an FM perspective to fully understand the value of partnering with a company like Inovis Energy, Inc.    Contact Information: Gabriel Andreson | LinkedIn  Certified Coach, Speaker, Co-Founder and President at Inovis Energy Inovis Energy - Commercial Energy Solutions

    17 min
  4. It's Not Your Imagination - The FM Talent Gap: Upskilling

    12/27/2024

    It's Not Your Imagination - The FM Talent Gap: Upskilling

    In our first episode we confirmed that we do, indeed, have a talent gap problem in FM.  In episode 2 we looked at what Higher Ed had to offer us in terms of solutions and found that the number of students in FM was dwindling. In Episode 3 we looked at ways to drive more high school students into the trades and into Facilities Management certificate and degree programs, and in Episode 4 we looked at other sources of talent.  Sometimes our future talent is right in our own organizations.  They may not be ready to take the reins today but with upskilling (or side skilling), your existing team may be ready to move forward in the near future. Upskilling is the focus of Kate's Episode 5 discussion with her panel including Valerie Paquette and Pat Turnbull.     Panel Introductions: Valerie Paquette is the Executive Director of Workforce Development and Professional Education at Wentworth Institute of Technology.     Valerie Paquette | LinkedIn Pat Turnbull, former President & COO of Kayhan International, a workplace strategy and furniture/interiors firm, In 2019, Pat founded Workplace-IQX a consultancy focused on developing an awesome workplace experience, enhancing workplace effectiveness and helping organizational leaders develop and bridge the gap between strategy formulation and execution.  She is also the Executive Director of Workplace Evolutionaries (WE) a global community of practice for IFMA.   Pat Turnbull - MA, LEED AP, IFMA Fellow | LinkedIn

    38 min
  5. Landscape America - Conversations with Our Vendor Partners

    10/29/2024

    Landscape America - Conversations with Our Vendor Partners

    In this episode Kate speaks with Doug Jasset, Commerical Business Development for Landscape America and discusses how Landscape America can help not only with snow plowing and landscape maintenance but also by adding value to the landscape engineering/planning process. Doug and Kate also touch on the value of open communication between vendor partners and FMs and how much it improves the relationship.  Kate approaches these vendor conversations from an FM perspective to fully understand the value of partnering with a company like Landscape America.  Contact Info: Doug Jasset:   Doug Jasset | LinkedIn Business Development at Landscape America djasset@landscapeamerica.com

    20 min
  6. It's Not Your Imagination - The FM Talent Gap: Other Sources of Talent

    10/16/2024

    It's Not Your Imagination - The FM Talent Gap: Other Sources of Talent

    In our first episode we confirmed that we do, indeed, have a talent gap problem in Facility Management.  In episode 2 we looked at what Higher Ed had to offer us in terms of solutions and found that the number of students in FM was dwindling. And in Episode 3 we looked at ways to drive more high school students into the trades and into Facilities Management certificate and degree programs.  Now, in episode 4, Kate interviews Athene Sirivallop and Emily Wadman about other sources of talent. Tune in to hear these industry experts share their sources of talent from outside the box. CONTACT INFO: Athené Sirivallop, MBA,SFP,CFM | LinkedInEmail: athene_sirivallop@harvard.edu Associate Director, David Rubenstein Treehouse Conference Center at Harvard UniversityAdjunct Faculty at Wentworth Institute of Technology, Professional Communications & Principles of Facility Mgmt. Board Member of Girls IncEmily Wadman - Emily Wadman | LinkedIn Email:  emily.wadman@toasttab.com Director, Workplace Experience & Facilities at ToastHas a BS in Hospitality Management and an MBAYoung Leader Award for NE Chapter of Corenet

    37 min
  7. Existing Conditions - Conversations with our Vendor Partners

    10/07/2024

    Existing Conditions - Conversations with our Vendor Partners

    In this episode Kate speaks with Kurt Yeghian, Founder & CEO of Existing Conditions Surveys, Inc., (now a GPRS company), one of IFMA Boston's vendor partners.   Started 27 years ago, Existing Conditions' legacy is deeply rooted in Boston and New York, both cities rich with older buildings, but Existing Conditions has worked on the most high-profile projects across the country in 29 states.  As a previous junior architect, Kurt realized early on that every project from design to construction needs accurate drawings and plans.  Existing Conditions focuses on one service:  measuring buildings and creating existing drawings for architects, building owners, facility managers and institutions. Kate approaches these vendor conversations from an FM perspective to fully understand the value of partnering with a company like Existing Conditions. CONTACT INFO: kurt@existingconditions.com 617-247-9161

    18 min
  8. It's Not Your Imagination - The FM Talent Gap: FM Isn't Sexy

    08/06/2024

    It's Not Your Imagination - The FM Talent Gap: FM Isn't Sexy

    In this episode, host Kate Thibeault speaks with Carolyn McGary, the National Director of the FM Pipeline team, Mary Mills, Associate Director of Operations at RTX, Kofi Williams, Senior Project Manager at Hughes Marino and Jackie Allen, rising Junior at Assabet Valley Regional Technical High School and winner of the 2024 Massachusetts Facilithon about what it takes to get high school students interested in the field of Facilities Management.  Listen to learn about this key demographic in our FM talent pipeline! Carolyn McGary  - Carolyn McGary | LinkedIn director@fmpipeline.org  National Director - FM Pipeline Team, Inc which is responsible for the Facilithon Competition for SkillsUSA. Adjunct Professor at both the Community College of Denver and the Metropolitan State University of Denver, where she teaches facility management, construction, and business courses!Mary Mills - "mary mills, cfm" | Search | LinkedIn mary.mills@rtx.com  Associate Director of Operations at RTXUntil recently was Mentor for the Facilithon team as part of SkillsUSA for Massachusetts, now will Mentor other chapters in the NortheastKofi Williams - Kofi Williams MSCM, FMP | LinkedIn kofi.williams@cushwake.com  Senior Project Manager - Cushman & WakefieldCo-Chair of the Student Relations committee of IFMA BostonJackie Allen -  Sophomore at Assabet Valley Regional Technical High School butterfly01532@gmail.com  Winner of 2024 Massachusetts FacilithonStudying HVACHost: Kathryn (Kate) Thibeault - (1) Kate (VP Workplace and FM - Americas) Thibeault | LinkedIn thibeaultk@wit.edu Adjunct Faculty, Wentworth Institute of Technology / Facilities Management  Former VP Workplace and FM - Americas, Pearson

    24 min
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About

This is FMForward, a podcast brought to you by IFMA Boston and now hosted by Kate Thibeault, about the rapidly changing landscape of Facility Management and how to remain on top of your game. Now in our sixth season, we are exploring the FM Talent Gap, if it really exists and if so, what to do about it! Click episodes to listen, or search FMForward in your favorite podcast player.   And this year we're introducing you to our valued Partners through a series called Conversations with our Vendor Partners.  Listen as Kate learns more about the value each partner provides to the FM Community.  Learn more about IFMA Boston at www.ifmaboston.org

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