The Modern Facilities Management Podcast

Hosted by Griffin Hamilton

Business CareersInterviews guests

Website RSS feed LinkedIn

Episodes

170

Latest episode

Aug 2026

Language

EN-US

About the show

The Modern Facilities Management Podcast is your premier resource for insights, trends, and best practices in the ever-evolving world of Facilities Management. Hosted by Griffin Hamilton, this show features conversations with thought leaders, service providers, and tech innovators who are shaping the future of FM. From navigating new technologies like AI and IoT to optimizing operational efficiency and sustainability, we dive deep into the challenges and opportunities facing facility managers today. Whether you're a seasoned FM professional or new to the field, this podcast offers actionable takeaways to help you elevate your facility operations and stay ahead in a rapidly changing industry.

Listen to episodes

60 recent

August 6, 202626 min

Jay Fiske: Energy Management for Multi-Site Operators

Jay Fiske, President of Powerhouse Dynamics, returns to the Modern Facilities Management Podcast for a deep dive into energy management for multi-site retailers and food service operators. Jay breaks down the Internet of Things without the jargon, explains why energy is quietly becoming one of the most controllable line items on the P&L, and unpacks the shift from passive procurement toward proactive, demand-side management. With energy costs climbing 4–5% year over year (and spiking 20–30% in some markets), he makes the case for why so many enterprises are finally moving from "voluntold to find savings" to a real strategy. The heart of the conversation is measurement. Jay walks through the IPMVP framework and the concept of weather normalization — why you can't just compare last July's bill to this July's, and how to prove the true impact of an energy-saving investment by measuring a building against itself. It's the difference between getting lucky with a cool summer and actually knowing your technology works. Whether you manage two locations or two thousand, this episode will help you become a savvier consumer of energy initiatives and build a business case your leadership team can trust. In this episode: What IoT really means (and why the term shouldn't intimidate you) The real drivers behind rising energy costs Procurement vs. SOPs vs. active controls vs. AI The IPMVP methodology and weather normalization explained How to properly measure and present energy savings 📚 Learn more about the IPMVP framework Jay references: https://evo-world.org/en/products-services-mainmenu-en/protocols/ipmvp Make sure to check out our main sponsor: https://www.getflowpath.com/

July 23, 202622 min

Neil Simons: Labor, Safety, and Autonomous Mowers

Neil Simons of RC Mowers joins Griffin to talk remote-controlled and autonomous mowers, and how they tackle the labor and safety problems every facilities team faces. Takeaways: RC vs. autonomous: RC mowers keep an operator safely off steep slopes; autonomous mowers run on their own and lay down clean commercial stripes — one operator can run several at once. Labor multiplier, not job-killer: No customer has cut staff. Crews get freed from open-field mowing to focus on higher-value work like trimming, edging, and pruning. Safety first: Removing operators from machines on dangerous slopes prevents accidents. Neil's advice — listen to the boots on the ground; they know when a job feels unsafe. Curb appeal counts: Well-kept grounds shape first impressions for campus tours, recruiting, and hiring. What's next: AI and better cameras will let mowers cut within inches of trees and fences, closing today's precision gap. Resources: RCMowers Website LinkedIn RCMowers YouTube

July 16, 202632 min

Ryan Chan: Founder & CEO of Upkeep

Ryan Chan didn't set out to build software. He was a chemical engineer at a manufacturing plant, watching technicians write work orders on paper, walk back to the office, and retype it all into a desktop system nobody wanted to use. That frustration became UpKeep. Eleven years later it's a 150-person company that's raised $50M, and Ryan's still obsessed with the same thing: making tools the shop floor actually loves to use. In this episode, Ryan and Griffin get into what's changed across a decade in facilities, and what hasn't. They talk about why the only real constant is change, from COVID to tariffs to AI, and what separates the teams that thrive from the ones that stall. A few things we covered: Why "permission to fail" is the culture trait best-in-class teams share The one person in every org you should unleash on new tech (hint: the tinker) How to roll out change the right way: single person, to single site, to full org Why AI won't climb a ladder or turn a wrench, and why that makes technicians more important, not less The difference between using AI as a search bar and using it as a second brain that does real work Whether you run a facilities team or you're just trying to figure out where AI actually fits in the physical world, there's a lot here. UpKeep is the CMMS platform trusted by 4,000+ companies to manage maintenance, safety, and reliability. With built-in AI tools that customize the platform to each organization’s workflows, the platform empowers maintenance teams to reduce downtime and extend asset life — which is why UpKeep is the CMMS chosen by organizations like McDonald’s, Caterpillar, and Chevron. Curious to learn more? Follow ⁠Ryan on LinkedIn⁠ or reach him directly at ⁠ryan@upkeep.com⁠

April 16, 202628 min

Peter Costanzo: AI, Sensors, and the Next Era of FM Tech

In this episode, Griffin sits down with Peter Costanzo of ROI Consulting Group to explore how facilities management technology is rapidly evolving—and why the industry is finally hitting an inflection point. Peter shares his unexpected path into FM tech and what’s kept him in the space for over two decades: the increasing complexity, opportunity, and impact of technology on building operations. From the growing role of IT and HR in facilities decisions to the rise of workplace experience as a priority, facilities teams are becoming more integrated than ever before. The conversation dives into major trends shaping the future of FM, including AI, predictive maintenance, and the explosion of sensors. Peter highlights how falling sensor costs and improved connectivity are making smarter buildings more accessible—and how large players like Siemens, Schneider Electric, and Autodesk are investing heavily in this space. They also discuss common challenges, like outdated systems, overwhelming technology choices, and implementation failures. A key theme: success with FM tech isn’t just about buying the right tools—it’s about long-term thinking, cross-functional collaboration, and actually using the systems to their full potential. If you’re trying to make sense of where FM technology is headed—or where to even begin—this episode offers a grounded, real-world perspective on what’s changing and what it means for facilities teams moving forward. Resources: ROI Consulting Group Peter Costanzo LinkedIn

March 19, 202631 min

More Than Maintenance: Rethinking Facilities Leadership with Adam Cronk

Adam Cronk joins The Modern Facilities Management Podcast to share his journey from the U.S. Air Force into leadership roles across fitness and hospitality facilities. He dives into how military structure shaped his leadership style—and the challenges of adapting to corporate environments. The conversation explores a major shift in how facilities teams are viewed: from siloed “fix-it” departments to strategic operators that directly impact business outcomes. Adam breaks down why facilities, cleanliness, and people form the core triangle of customer retention—and why maintenance teams must be embedded in operations, not hidden behind the scenes. He also shares practical insights on: Hiring for culture over technical skill Building trust through a strong “say-do” ratio Elevating facilities leaders by stepping into cross-functional roles Learning leadership lessons from both great—and terrible—examples This episode is a must-listen for facilities leaders looking to drive impact, build stronger teams, and secure a seat at the table.

January 22, 202626 min

Ben Moller: Rethinking Asset Lifecycle Planning

In this episode, Griffin Hamilton sits down with Ben Moller, VP at Modelve, to discuss how facilities teams can move from reactive asset replacement to long-term, data-driven capital planning. They explore leadership buy-in, scenario planning, and how using existing CMMS data can help organizations make smarter asset investment decisions, even with limited budgets. Key Takeaways • Leadership buy-in is essential for long-term asset strategy • Start with the data you have and improve iteratively • Scenario planning creates better, more transparent decisions • Strong asset plans support grants, bonds, and future funding If you're interested in learning more about Modelve, check out their website and contact Ben here .

January 15, 202627 min

William Gordon: Emergency Planning, Water Damage, and Rapid Response

In this episode, Griffin Hamilton speaks with William Gordon, Regional Business Coach at 1-800-WaterDamage , who brings over 40 years of experience in property restoration. The conversation focuses on how facilities teams can better prepare for emergencies, respond effectively when disaster strikes, and recover faster, whether the incident affects a single building or an entire region. Key Takeaways: Preparation matters more than the plan itself. You can’t predict every scenario, but thinking ahead and documenting response steps dramatically reduces damage and confusion. Document critical information and make it accessible. Water shutoffs, emergency contacts, and vendor info should be easy to find and available to every shift, not just one person. Have a trusted restoration partner before you need one. Restoration vendors deal with these situations daily and bring experience, resources, and vendor relationships you don’t want to scramble for mid-crisis. Speed and clear communication reduce impact. Calling for help early, designating a single point of contact, and coordinating updates across stakeholders prevents chaos and delays. Regional disasters require a different mindset. In hurricanes, fires, or earthquakes, infrastructure and supply shortages change priorities, preexisting relationships help your building get back online faster. This episode is a practical guide for facilities leaders looking to minimize risk, protect occupants, and recover quickly when emergencies inevitably occur.

December 18, 202534 min

Micah Jacob: Rethinking FM Through Systems Thinking

In this episode of The Modern Facilities Management Podcast , Griffin Hamilton is joined by Micah Jacob, a Melbourne-based Facilities Manager with over a decade of global FM experience across Australia, Europe, and large multinational portfolios. Micah’s journey into facilities management is anything but traditional. Originally trained in computer science, his career path took an unexpected turn—from a mailroom role to managing complex FM contracts across energy, banking, retail, and commercial real estate. Along the way, he’s worked with some of the largest global FM providers, gaining a rare, cross-functional perspective on how facilities management has evolved over the last 12 years. Together, Griffin and Micah explore: How a technical and systems-thinking background can shape better FM decision-making The expanding role of facilities teams post-COVID, from operations to strategy Why emotional intelligence and stakeholder psychology are now critical FM skills Global differences in FM best practices across Australia, the U.S., Europe, and the Middle East The promise—and challenges—of IoT, data, and predictive maintenance in facilities Why adaptability beats “cause and effect” thinking in complex FM environments Micah also shares insights into mentorship, continuous learning, and his upcoming book project focused on complex systems thinking—bridging human psychology, infrastructure, and long-term outcomes in facilities and beyond. Enjoy!

December 4, 202528 min

Lonnie Pilgrim: Navigating Capital Projects & Future-Proofing School Facilities

In this episode of the Modern Facilities Management Podcast , Griffin welcomes back Lonnie Pilgrim, Director of Operations & Maintenance for the Fort McMurray Public School Division in Alberta. Previously featured in Episode 101 for his crisis management expertise, Lonnie returns to discuss best practices in capital project management. Lonnie breaks down capturing daily maintenance data to annual lifecycle reporting, FCA cycles, emerging issues, and the metrics that ultimately built the case for the project approval. The conversation dives deep into best practices for capital project planning, including: How to demonstrate need using real maintenance and cost data Mistakes to avoid in early project design Ensuring operational efficiency post-construction Standardizing equipment to streamline future maintenance Building strong relationships with architects, GCs, and stakeholders to ensure a smooth turnover Enjoy!

November 20, 202527 min

Nick Queensland: Change Management in FM

In this episode of The Modern Facilities Management Podcast , Griffin Hamilton sits down with Nick Queensland , a a healthcare facilities leader with more than 25 years of experience at Mayo Clinic, Luminis Health, and Johns Hopkins. Griffin and Nick dig into the realities of change management in hospital facilities—why buy-in matters, how to communicate effectively with stakeholders, and why reinforcing change is just as important as implementing it. Nick also reflects on the evolving expectations in healthcare facilities and the importance of engaging teams at every level. If you’re looking to grow your career or lead change in facilities management, this episode is packed with practical insights and hard-earned lessons. Key Topics Covered Navigating a 25+ year career in hospital facilities The importance of understanding your role in healthcare Leadership philosophies and developing future FM talent Change management: buy-in, communication, and reinforcement Engaging stakeholders across clinical and non-clinical teams How expectations in hospital facilities have evolved Building team culture during times of change Enjoy!