FMForward: Dedicated to the Rapidly Changing Landscape of Facility Management

Hosted by IFMA Boston

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Apr 2025

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About the show

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

Listen to episodes

41 recent

April 2, 202524 min

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 PresidentJanitronics Building Servicestcullinan@janitronics.com; 781-647-5570

March 5, 202518 min

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 Hearntj.hearn@us.belfor.comCell: 774-217-1003BELFOR Property Restoration: About | LinkedInhttp://www.belfor.com/

January 23, 202516 min

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

December 27, 2024Episode 537 min

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 | LinkedInPat 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

October 29, 202420 min

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 | LinkedInBusiness Development at Landscape Americadjasset@landscapeamerica.com

October 16, 202436 min

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 | LinkedInEmail: 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

October 7, 202417 min

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.com617-247-9161

August 6, 2024Episode 324 min

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 | LinkedIndirector@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 | LinkedInmary.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 | LinkedInkofi.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 Schoolbutterfly01532@gmail.com Winner of 2024 Massachusetts FacilithonStudying HVACHost: Kathryn (Kate) Thibeault - (1) Kate (VP Workplace and FM - Americas) Thibeault | LinkedInthibeaultk@wit.edu Adjunct Faculty, Wentworth Institute of Technology / Facilities Management Former VP Workplace and FM - Americas, Pearson

July 24, 202414 min

MovePlan - Conversations with our Vendor Partners

In this episode Kate speaks with Chris Colón, MBA, CCP and Workplace Project Director at MovePlan, one of IFMA Boston's vendor partners. MovePlan is one of the only specialist move and change management organizations that operates on a global scale. MovePlan focuses on the employee experience during the move and change process to ensure that all stakeholders are heard and are brought along for the journey. Listen to learn more about their approach to enhanced move and change management. CONTACT INFO: Chris Colón, CCP Workplace Project Director T: +1 269 207 9496chris.colon@moveplangroup.com moveplangroup.com

July 2, 202435 min

It's Not Your Imagination - The FM Talent Gap: Focus on Education

In episode two of the FM Talent Gap series, Kate speaks with the deans of two local universities about their Facility Management Programs and the courses they offer to their various students. They speak to the challenge of bringing high school students into the field of facility management and how to market to those students. From there they delve into the graduate level offerings and potential workforce development initiatives. The panel also discusses how this is juxtaposed by the high demand in the field. Panel Introductions:Dr. John Cribbs - John Cribbs, Ph.D. | LinkedIncribbsj@wit.edu Dean - School of Management, Wentworth Institute of Technologyhttps://wit.edu/directory/john-cribbs FM Undergrad Program - https://catalog.wit.edu/management/construction-management/construction-management-bs-facilities-management/ FM Graduate Program Facility Management Master's Degree in Boston | Wentworth (wit.edu)Leah Schwanke (School of Management Academic Coordinator): schwankel@wit.edu OR Admissions Office: admissions@wit.eduDr. James McDonald - jmcdonald@maritime.edu ❘ 508.830.5096 Dean of Graduate Programs, Massachusetts Maritime AcademyFacilities Engineering Undergrad Program Facilities Engineering | Massachusetts Maritime AcademyGraduate Programs: https://www.maritime.edu/graduate-programs Please contact Captain James McDonald if you have any questions.jmcdonald@maritime.edu