Practical Facilities Tips, News & Advice.
Faces of Facilities profiles members of the facilities management community, sharing their personal experiences, successes, challenges, current practices, aspirations, and opinions on topics impacting the industry and its workforce.
Jessica Fumo, an award-winning facilities management leader, women’s advocate, and proud mother of three, said, “I strive to empower women to be fearless.” It’s a mission she inherited from her own mother and now carries out in the FM industry. It also likely helped Fumo win her brand-new board seat at the ConnexFM association. Fumo […]
“Perspective is all that separates mistakes from opportunities,” said Christine Burkett, Senior Regional Facilities Manager of Sam’s Club and a life-long learner. A membership-only retail warehouse club owned and operated by Walmart Inc., Sam’s Club has over 600 locations across the U.S. and Puerto Rico. In her role, Burkett helps oversee 180 of them in […]
As a native New Yorker, Ty Dupass considers the September 11th tragedy a “pivotal moment” in his career and is particularly proud of his degree in fire science, which he has “dedicated to the service persons and civilians who lost their lives on 9/11.” Dupass currently serves as Director of Environmental Services and Life Safety […]
We at Facilities Management Advisor launched our “Faces of Facilities” profile series in December 2021, offering readers a chance to hear directly from industry insiders. As we enter 2023 and celebrate the series’ first anniversary, let’s take a look back at some of the best advice, insights, and predictions provided over the past year. Dave Irvin from […]
U.S. Air Force veteran Jeff Womack’s current role as a facilities management professional at federal contractor AGEISS Inc. has allowed him to continue supporting the military and his country. Now, he’s calling on organizations everywhere to enlist other hard-working veterans to join the FM industry. Womack served in the Air Force for over 21 years, […]
Considered a rising star in the facilities management industry, Jessica Bickel loves taking on challenges, learning new skills, and making valuable connections. One prominent industry veteran called Bickel “an example of the future of FM.” Bickel currently serves as Facilities Coordinator for Reece Group USA, a Dallas-based supplier of plumbing, kitchen, appliance, and HVAC products […]
Many seasoned facilities management pros retired during the COVID-19 pandemic or plan to soon, causing experts to warn that the industry may be facing a skills gap and worker shortage. Therefore, it’s encouraging to hear that relative newcomers like Liz Bishop enjoy being part of the FM space and are eager to learn. Bishop has […]
If you’re looking for a mundane career of predictability, facilities management probably isn’t for you. In fact, one of Amber Gratkowski’s favorite things about the FM industry is that every day on the job is different. Gratkowski works as the Facilities Manager of the Central Campus at the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission (PTC). The commission is […]
“By working as a team, you can overcome any challenge over time,” said Lesley Groff. Groff is the Senior Supervisor of Buildings and Grounds for UGI Utilities Inc., a natural gas and electric utility serving more than 730,000 customers in 45 Pennsylvania counties and one county in Maryland. Over her 25-plus-year career, Groff also held […]
Nelson Peña, Facilities Manager for the Southeast Region at Sam’s Club, is passionate about maintenance and proud of the work his team and employers are doing for sustainability. A membership-only retail warehouse club owned and operated by Walmart Inc., Sam’s Club has over 600 locations across the U.S. and Puerto Rico. In his role, Peña […]