Beyond Buildings: Exploring Facilities Management FMX

Beyond Buildings host Brian Gregory sits down with Ret Weeks, the dynamic leader of stadium operations and capital projects for the Savannah Bananas. Tune in to discover how Ret and his team prioritize fan experiences, manage the challenges of a historic stadium, and continuously innovate to make baseball fun and engaging. This episode is packed with insights on servant leadership, operational excellence, and team culture.
00:00 Introduction to stadium operations leader Ret Weeks.
03:43 Brian and Ret talk financial management, analyzing data, tracking expenses, budgeting.
07:59 How stadium operations enhance fan experience with quality service.
13:49 Prioritizing fans, even over sponsorship and sales.
18:13 Adding a thousand seats requires supporting facilities.
22:13 North Star guiding operational decisions, serving fans.
24:28 Understanding purpose makes routine tasks meaningful.

In this episode of "Beyond Buildings: Exploring Facilities Management," Maciel Pais and Brian Gregory explore the impact of humor on team dynamics, the importance of budgeting and forward-thinking in school resource management, and integrating IT with facilities departments. Brian interviews Maciel Pius, the IT and digital learning director at Greater New Bedford Regional Vocational Technical High School, who transitioned from a 17-year teaching career during the pandemic. They discuss the benefits and challenges of adopting technology solutions like FMX, the role of AI tools in education, and the positive impacts of structured processes on productivity. 
00:00 Teacher transitioned to IT director for impact.
05:27 Teaching was rewarding, missed daily interaction.
07:33 Transitioning roles, embracing change, motivating others positively.
11:56 AI as a valuable tool for teachers.
13:05 Education shifted from traditional assessment to support.
18:55 Respect the process for faster support.
21:55 Using humor to ease frustration in troubleshooting.
24:40 Maintaining aging buildings requires careful infrastructure planning.
27:34 Collaborative effort led to successful FMX implementation.
30:30 Embrace rapidly changing technology for better life.

In this episode, Director, Operations and Maintenance at Huntley Schools Doug Renkosik shares his unique 30-year journey from structural engineering to facilities leadership in public education. The episode delves deep into the challenges faced by Huntley School District during its rapid growth from 800 to 10,000 students, highlighting the adjustments required in staffing, budgeting, and building maintenance. Doug emphasizes the importance of building a reliable team, maintaining rigorous training programs, and the critical need for effective communication with the Board of Education. 
00:00 Doug's work as project engineer, then facilities manager.
06:33 Investment in tech training can lead to loss.
08:56 Long hours, tight budget, frequent staff changes.
13:36 Requested help was ignored, causing prolonged stress.
14:45 Traffic engineer needed, problems arose later. Sprinkler system complexity and management issues.
20:34 Ohio funded new schools, increasing operating costs.
22:39 Sharing successes and staying connected with workforce.
27:01 Network, learn, make time, solve challenges.
28:05 Prioritizing exercise, reading, and outdoor adventures post-work.

In this episode, our host, Brian Gregory, sits down with Lee Raspberry, Director of Construction and Planning for Bastrop Independent School District. Together, they discuss utilizing machine learning and artificial intelligence to optimize building automation systems. They cover:
[00:00:54] Lee's background and what drives him to wake up and do the best job he possibly can every single day[00:02:46] The importance of sustainability and how energy management impacts the buildings we work, learn and live in[00:06:52] Lee's experience moving from the private sector to the public sector (and why he caught so many colds!)[00:09:51] Lee's approach to reducing consumption and positively impacting the environment[00:19:05] How Lee leverages machine learning to develop algorithms for his BAS that allow for more efficient temperature control[00:29:36] Lee's most enjoyable and challenging moments of his career[00:34:49] Advice from Lee for those entering public education or building automation

In this episode, our host, Brian Gregory, sits down with John Carrillo, Chairman of the Global FM organization. Together, they discuss the impact and importance of digitization and technology in the FM industry. They cover:

[00:01:03] John's background and how he transitioned from architecture to facilities management
[00:03:56] The impact joining an organization like IFMA had on John and why this is so important
[00:05:48] Impactful moments in facilities management history and John’s predictions for what may be coming down the road
[00:09:06] How to increase your team’s resilience 
[00:15:16] The impact digitization has on sustainability
[00:17:15] John’s view on facilities management and why he’s so passionate about this field
[00:18:30] How larger companies are leveraging new, advanced technology to drive their operations and businesses forward
[00:28:35] Advice for those looking to enter the facilities management field

In this episode, our host, Brian Gregory, sits down with Paul Schuler, Manager of Maintenance at St. Vrain Valley Schools. Together, they discuss the significance of resilience and the impact of community engagement. They cover:
[00:01:01] Paul's background and how he ultimately ended up managing maintenance at a K-12 district[00:07:46] What drew Paul back to work for a K-12 district after leaving to pursue another opportunity[00:12:35] The challenges and opportunities Paul experiences working for a wealthy and growing school district[00:19:33] The role Paul and his team play in new building construction[00:22:55] How Paul maintains trust with the leadership team at his district[00:30:35] Paul's advice to those interested in pursuing a career in facilities management