Facility Voices

What does it take to lead with humility, serve with purpose, and build a team that thrives? In this episode of Facility Voices, Jason Cann, Director of Operations at Pusch Ridge Christian Academy, shares how lessons from military service have shaped his approach to leadership and facilities management.

Jason's journey highlights the connection between discipline, adaptability, and servant leadership. Drawing on his military background and his role overseeing campus operations, he explores the importance of putting people first, building trust, and creating an environment where teams feel supported and empowered to succeed.

From navigating operational...

What does it take to go from digging ditches to leading hospital operations? In this episode of Facility Voices, Jordan Smith, VP & Chief Operations Officer at AdventHealth Riverview, shares his unconventional journey from the skilled trades to the healthcare C-suite. From plumbing and construction to facilities management and executive leadership, Jordan reflects on how hands-on experience, strong relationships, and teamwork shaped his career.

Jordan discusses the challenges of opening a new hospital, building a team from scratch, and connecting facilities professionals to the impact they have on patient care. He also shares insights on building trust with...

In this episode of Facility Voices, Nico Viola, Director of Facilities at Holden Forests & Gardens, shares how a childhood spent working alongside his grandfather helped shape a career in construction, project management, and ultimately facilities management.

Nico takes listeners behind the scenes of two remarkably different campuses: the Cleveland Botanical Garden and Holden Arboretum. From maintaining complex biome environments and research laboratories to managing rural infrastructure, roads, equipment, and private water systems, his team supports an operation where facilities directly impact scientific research and the visitor experience.

The conversation explores the importance of designing flexible...

In this episode of Facility Voices, Kim Thompson, Director of Facilities Management at CommonSpirit Health, shares the career journey that took her from architecture and K–12 facilities into the complex, always-on world of healthcare.

Kim reflects on how moving from design to facilities changed her perspective, teaching her to think beyond aesthetics and function to the long-term realities of maintaining buildings and supporting the people inside them. She discusses the unique demands of healthcare facilities, where 24/7 operations, complex building systems, and careful coordination all play a role in supporting patient care.

The conversation also explores Ki...

In this episode of Facility Voices, Walt Kanzler, Senior Director of Project Quality Management at the University of California, San Diego, shares how a career that began in architecture evolved into a focus on project quality, sustainability, and smarter facility operations.

Drawing on experience in private architecture, higher education, and corporate facilities, Walt explains how UC San Diego manages standards and project delivery across a complex portfolio of more than 760 buildings. He explores how detailed design guidelines, specifications, commissioning, and closeout processes help create facilities that operations teams can maintain long after construction ends.

Walt...

In this episode of Facility Voices, James “Jim” Stephens, Vice President of Infrastructure & Sustainability and Chief Facilities Officer at Georgia Institute of Technology, shares a career journey that began in manufacturing before leading him into higher education and, ultimately, back to his alma mater.

Stephens explores what it takes to lead facilities operations through changing executive leadership while maintaining a clear, long-term vision for infrastructure. He discusses the importance of simplifying data, communicating facility needs in terms leaders can understand, and building disciplined strategies around deferred renewal and capital investment. He also explains Georgia Tech’s A–F approa...

In this episode of Facility Voices, David Trask sits down with Dennis Ford, Corporate Facilities Management at Advocate Health and current ASHE President, to explore a career shaped by engineering, military service, and healthcare facilities leadership.

Dennis shares how his journey began in the U.S. Air Force, where his civil engineering background led him into healthcare facilities management. From managing individual medical facilities to supporting operations across a growing healthcare system, his career has given him a unique perspective on leadership, standardization, risk, and operational preparedness.

The conversation also explores the future of healthcare...

In this episode of Facility Voices, David Trask sits down with Andre Allen, Chief Business Officer at HRCI, to explore how HR, facilities, and technology are converging as organizations rethink the future of work. Andre shares his unconventional path from software and assessment science into HR strategy, along with his perspective on how the profession has evolved from an administrative function into a true business partner.

Their conversation examines the growing importance of durable skills, the challenges of connecting employers with skilled talent, and why outdated job descriptions can make hiring even harder. Andre also explores AI’s...

In this episode of Facility Voices, Dave Muns, an independent contractor and consultant currently serving as Interim Assistant Administrator at Mills-Peninsula Medical Center, shares a career journey that began as an enlisted medic in the U.S. Air Force and evolved into healthcare leadership and administration. His experience across military and civilian healthcare has given him a unique perspective on how facilities teams and executive leaders can work together more effectively.

Dave explores the importance of translating facilities challenges into language leadership understands, building strong relationships with CFOs and other decision-makers, and bringing solutions—not just problems—to t...

Matt Erwin, Director of Facilities at North Syracuse Central School District, brings a career shaped by plumbing, construction, project management, entrepreneurship, military service, and years of hands-on facilities experience. His path eventually led him to K-12 facilities leadership, where he now oversees the challenges of maintaining and modernizing aging school infrastructure.

In this episode of Facility Voices, Matt shares how long-range planning, data, and strong administrative support have helped his district tackle major capital improvements while balancing limited budgets and staffing. He discusses moving beyond temporary fixes, strengthening preventive maintenance, integrating technology and security systems, and thinking...

In this episode of Facility Voices, Frank Rudilosso, Senior Director of Maintenance Operations Programs at NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital, shares the career journey that took him from working in his family's medical gas business to leading maintenance operations and compliance programs across one of the nation's premier healthcare systems. Along the way, he reflects on the mentors who recognized his potential and the opportunities that shaped his leadership philosophy.

The conversation explores how Frank bridges the gap between facilities operations and regulatory compliance, creating standardized processes across multiple campuses while keeping teams survey-ready every day. He also discusses NewYork-Presbyterian's...

In this episode of Facility Voices, David Trask sits down with Ben Perdue, Engineering Manager at Norton Healthcare, to discuss a career journey built on hard work, adaptability, and continuous learning. Ben shares how he went from leaving high school to support his family to building a successful career in healthcare facilities management, progressing through roles as a painter, carpenter, maintenance mechanic, project coordinator, and ultimately into leadership.

The conversation explores what it takes to manage more than 4.7 million square feet of healthcare facilities while balancing aging infrastructure, limited resources, and the unpredictable challenges that come with...

In this episode of Facility Voices, Dan Keller, Assistant Vice President for Facilities & Engineering at Main Line Health Services, shares how his journey from construction to executive healthcare facilities leadership shaped his approach to building resilient organizations. Drawing on decades of experience managing complex hospital systems across St. Louis and the greater Philadelphia region, Dan explores the evolving debate between in-house and outsourced maintenance, explaining why investing in internal technical talent can strengthen reliability, accountability, and long-term operational performance. The conversation examines the challenges of balancing financial pressures with mission-critical healthcare operations while highlighting the importance of leadership, psychological...

Mike Bastion, Director of Facilities Planning Operations for the Central Region at OSF St. Francis Medical Center, shares the career journey that took him from collegiate athletics and higher education into the complex world of healthcare facilities management. He reflects on embracing new challenges, leading through periods of growth, and why developing broad leadership skills has been the foundation of every career transition. Along the way, Mike recounts an unforgettable encounter with legendary broadcaster John Madden during a Super Bowl practice, a story that perfectly captures the unpredictable moments facilities professionals experience behind the scenes. The conversation also explores...

In this episode of Facility Voices, David Pettit, Director of Facilities for Joplin Schools, shares the career journey that took him from district carpenter to facilities leader over more than three decades of service. He reflects on the challenges and rewards of supporting a growing school district before recounting the events of the devastating 2011 EF5 tornado that forever changed Joplin. David explains how the district, with the help of an extraordinary community effort, reopened schools in just a few months, providing students with stability and hope during one of the most difficult times in the city's history.

...

In this episode of Facility Voices, David Trask sits down with Skip Vaughn, Assistant Vice President of Facilities Management at American University, to explore a career that spans construction, military service, federal facilities, and higher education. From starting on construction sites alongside his father to serving as a Coast Guard civil engineer and leading facilities operations for organizations including the U.S. General Services Administration, the Architect of the Capitol, and the National Institute of Standards and Technology, Skip shares how each chapter shaped his approach to leadership and problem-solving.

The conversation examines how military experience translates...

In this episode of Facility Voices, David Trask sits down with Dave Lubach, Chief Editor for Facilities at Trade Press Media Group, to explore the trends shaping the future of facilities management. Drawing from conversations with facility leaders across industries, Dave shares insights into the workforce challenges facing the profession, the growing demand for skilled trades, and the importance of developing the next generation of FM leaders. The discussion then turns to one of the industry’s most talked-about topics: how AI and data are transforming operations. From predictive maintenance and indoor air quality monitoring to security systems and da...

In this episode of Facility Voices, David Trask sits down with Samantha Green, Director of Operations and Systems at Baylor School, to discuss her unconventional journey from classroom teacher to facilities and operations leader. A Baylor alumna with a deep connection to the institution, Samantha shares how her passion for education evolved into a mission to improve the systems and infrastructure that support an entire campus community.

The conversation explores the challenges of managing a 700-acre campus, preserving critical institutional knowledge, and leading operational transformation in an environment where change is constant. Samantha discusses the importance of...

In this episode of Facility Voices, David Trask sits down with Brian Miller, Director of Facilities at the Mariners’ Museum, to discuss his unique journey from a 24-year career in the U.S. Navy to leading facilities operations for one of the nation’s premier maritime museums. Drawing on his experience in the submarine force and overseeing complex shipyard work on nuclear vessels, Brian shares how military leadership, accountability, and systems thinking continue to shape his approach to facilities management today. 

The conversation explores the challenges of transitioning from military service to the civilian workforce, the critical role...

In this episode of Facility Voices, David Trask sits down with Trey Adams, Director of Physical Plant at the Southern College of Optometry, to talk about the lessons learned from a career built in the electrical trade and shaped through years in facilities management. Trey shares how his background running service trucks and troubleshooting in the field prepared him for the people-first side of facilities leadership, where listening, communication, and trust matter just as much as technical skill.

The conversation explores the culture Trey has worked to build at Southern College of Optometry, centered around teamwork, adaptability...

Andrew Williams, Director of Facilities Management at University of South Alabama Health, joins Facility Voices to share his journey from biomedical technician to healthcare facilities leader. In this episode, Andrew reflects on how hands-on technical experience and years of operational growth prepared him to step into a leadership role overseeing a large and complex healthcare environment. He discusses the realities of managing aging hospital infrastructure, balancing long-term capital projects with day-to-day operational demands, and navigating the growing challenges of recruiting and retaining skilled facilities professionals.

The conversation also explores the importance of preserving institutional knowledge, investing in...

In this episode of Facility Voices, Yanet Vega, Director of Facilities and Environmental Services at El Rio Health, shares a deeply personal and determined journey into facilities management. From growing up in Los Angeles to moving to Arizona as a single mother, Yanet carved her path through architecture school with relentless focus, balancing long commutes, late nights, and hands-on learning experiences that shaped her practical understanding of the built environment. 

She reflects on how early challenges—advocating for herself in school, working at Home Depot to learn construction fundamentals, and navigating her first professional roles—laid the found...

In this episode of Facility Voices, David Trask welcomes Kevin Buckles, Manager of Facilities Engineering at Cook Medical, for a conversation grounded in hands-on experience and a passion for continuous improvement. Kevin shares how his journey began in a high school trades program, building a home from the ground up, and evolved through roles across multiple manufacturing industries before landing in the highly regulated world of medical devices.

Along the way, he developed a deep appreciation for teamwork, systems thinking, and the balance between people, process, and performance. Kevin explores the differences between reactive and structured maintenance...

In this episode of Facility Voices, Kevin Fernandes, Director of Facilities at Seasons Corner Market, shares his journey from apprentice plumber to leading a multi-state facilities operation. Kevin reflects on how hands-on experience in the trades shaped his problem-solving mindset and opened doors to leadership roles across maintenance and property management. Now overseeing a growing portfolio and a diverse team, he discusses the balance between in-house capabilities and outsourced services, and how data-driven decisions have helped drive efficiency and cost savings.

Throughout the conversation, Kevin highlights the importance of technology in modern facilities management, from CMMS systems...

Albert Kahalehoi II, Vice President of Facilities and Engineering at Pechanga Resort and Casino, joins the Facility Voices conversation to share a journey shaped by culture, service, and hands-on experience. From his upbringing in Hawaii, where the Aloha spirit instilled values of respect and humility, to his early days in the U.S. Army and technical training in electrical engineering, Albert’s path into facilities management was anything but conventional. His career evolved through hospitality and gaming environments, where high-pressure operations sharpened his focus on reliability and proactive service.

In this episode, Albert reflects on the deeper pu...

In this episode of Facility Voices, Ben Fitzgerald, Executive Director of Systems Support Services Facilities at AdventHealth, reflects on a career that began in the skilled trades and evolved into leading large-scale healthcare facility initiatives. With nearly three decades of experience spanning electrical work, building automation, and energy management, Ben brings a grounded, practical lens to complex operational challenges.

He shares how AdventHealth has reimagined facility condition assessments by transforming them from static reports into living, data-driven programs. The conversation highlights the role of technology in creating visibility across a vast portfolio, enabling better capital planning, and...

In this episode of Facility Voices, Geoff Kilbourn, Regional Area Maintenance Manager at CBRE, reflects on a career built through experience, resilience, and a people-first approach to leadership. Starting from hands-on construction work and evolving into leadership roles across athletic facilities, county operations, and large-scale commercial environments, Geoff’s journey highlights the many paths that lead into facilities management. 

Throughout the conversation, he shares defining moments that shaped his leadership philosophy—from early lessons in accountability inside a county jail to managing high-pressure operations during critical events and emergencies. Geoff emphasizes the importance of trust, clear expectations, and s...

David Trask marks a major milestone for Facility Voices with the podcast’s 100th episode, featuring a conversation with two respected voices in the facilities management community: Kim Jackson, Executive Director of Business Development at IFMA, and Jeff Williams, Principal Owner of GDW Facility Management Consulting. Kim reflects on more than two decades at IFMA and how her career has been shaped by a passion for helping the profession grow and deliver value to facility leaders around the world. Jeff shares his own journey from architecture school to consulting, leading large-scale operations portfolios, and eventually returning to teaching and ad...

In this episode of Facility Voices, host David Trask sits down with Greg Christensen, host of the CMMS Radio podcast and a longtime voice in the maintenance and reliability community. Greg shares his journey from working alongside building engineers and facilities teams to entering the computerized maintenance management software (CMMS) space in the early 2000s. After helping grow and eventually sell a CMMS company, he launched CMMS Radio in 2021 to create conversations that spotlight the people and ideas shaping the industry. 

The discussion explores the importance of knowledge-sharing across facilities and maintenance teams, especially as experienced professionals r...

On this episode of Facility Voices, David Trask sits down with Robin Cowie, Chief Executive Officer of Skillmaker, to explore how immersive technology is reshaping the future of skilled trades. Robin’s journey begins in South Africa, where his father, an industrial psychologist, used film to train gold miners who couldn’t read or write—an early lesson in meeting people where they are. That philosophy carried Robin from filmmaking and video games to building hands-on, tech-enabled training solutions for today’s workforce. 

Now at Skillmaker, Robin is focused on closing the skilled labor gap by accelerating competenc...

On this episode of Facility Voices, host David Trask sits down with Geoffrey Boss, Director of Property Management at Carnegie Management and Development, to explore a facilities career shaped by adaptability, curiosity, and a willingness to learn on the job. Geoffrey’s path into facilities management wasn’t linear. With undergraduate and graduate degrees in psychology, he began his career far from property operations before finding himself in a mall maintenance department—an experience that ultimately launched a decades-long journey through retail, third-party management, and now a national portfolio of nearly four million square feet.

Geoffrey shares how Ca...

In this episode of Facility Voices, David Trask sits down with Jeff O’Neill, Vice President of Plant Operations at Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital, for a thoughtful conversation about bridging design and operations in complex healthcare environments. An architect by training, Jeff began his career at the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs before moving into healthcare consulting and later stepping into leadership roles at Penn Medicine. Today, he oversees both capital projects and day-to-day plant operations within the RWJBarnabas Health system.

Jeff shares how his dual perspective helps break down silos between construction and maintenance te...

In this episode of Facility Voices, host David Trask speaks with Burke Jones, Director of Operations at Derby Public Schools, about a professional journey that moves from architecture into the realities of school operations. After more than 26 years in design, Burke explains what drew him to K–12 facilities leadership and how his architectural background helps him think strategically about maintenance, infrastructure, and long-term planning.

Their conversation takes a practical look at aging school buildings, the challenge of prioritizing critical systems, and the constant tension between reactive repairs and proactive investment. Burke also shares how his district approaches en...

In this episode of Facility Voices, Eric Krause, Director of Regional Facilities Hospital Operations at Allina Health, shares a career journey that began in the trades and grew into system-level leadership. Eric reflects on starting as a plumber, building deep hands-on experience in healthcare environments, and how that foundation continues to shape his approach to facilities operations today.

The conversation explores Allina Health’s move to centralize facilities teams, breaking down silos to improve consistency, efficiency, and collaboration across hospitals. Eric discusses what it takes to standardize “where it makes sense,” balance rural and metro needs, and use ri...

In this episode of Facility Voices, the conversation turns to sustainability, resilience, and innovation in healthcare facilities with Richie Stever, Vice President of Real Estate and Construction at the University of Maryland Medical Center. Richie’s career path into facilities management is anything but traditional, moving from finance to hands-on HVAC work before stepping into leadership roles overseeing millions of square feet of complex healthcare environments. Along the way, he’s built a reputation for saying yes to challenges and learning fast, whether that meant leading infrastructure projects, navigating the operational chaos of COVID-era mass vaccination sites, or expanding over...

In this episode of Facility Voices, Brian Dodge, Director of Facilities at Scottsdale Community College, shares a career journey shaped by planning, mentorship, and a willingness to embrace change. Brian didn’t enter facilities management through the traditional trades path. Instead, his experience spans military service, construction, entrepreneurship, and leadership roles that taught him the value of organization, adaptability, and people-first management. Throughout the conversation, he reflects on how those experiences influence his approach today, from long-term campus planning to supporting teams behind the scenes.

Brian discusses the often unseen role facilities plays as the backbone of an...

In this episode of Facility Voices, David Trask sits down with Stephen F. James, founder and principal of Digital Facilities Corporation, to explore the often-overlooked world of roof management and why it plays such a critical role in an organization’s long-term success. Stephen traces his journey from leading a thermoplastic roofing division to launching Digital Facilities in 2002, where he began shaping a more data-driven approach to roofing programs. He and David dig into the hidden risks institutions face when organizational knowledge isn’t preserved, the measurable value of a well-designed roof management strategy, and how...

In this episode of Facility Voices, David Trask sits down with Charlie Thiel, Chief Revenue Officer at IOTACOM, for a candid conversation about how sensor technology is reshaping the daily reality of facilities teams. Charlie shares his wide-ranging career journey—from years in security technology to consulting across North America—and explains how those experiences led him to IOTACOM’s mission of connecting, collecting, and analyzing data to help people make smarter decisions. Together, David and Charlie explore why digitization in facilities continues to lag behind personal technology adoption, how emerging connectivity standards like LoRaWAN are lowering barriers, and why re...

In this episode of Facility Voices, David Trask sits down with John D’Angelo, Vice President of Capital Planning and Facilities at Indiana University, to explore the real challenges and opportunities behind an effective preventive maintenance program. John reflects on his career journey—from two decades as a U.S. Naval officer to leading facilities at Cleveland Clinic, NewYork-Presbyterian, Northwestern, and now IU, a portfolio spanning nearly 900 buildings and millions of square feet .

John breaks down why mislabeled routine work can create costly blind spots, how life safety and critical equipment must guide priorities, and the risks orga...

In this episode of Facility Voices, David Trask sits down with Brian Johnson, Director of Facilities at Franklin Regional School District, to explore a career built from the ground up. Brian shares how he went from a second-shift custodian in his hometown to leading the facilities operation in the community where he now lives, coaches, and raises his kids. His journey—shaped by custodial work, union leadership, maintenance training, and a deep commitment to education—reveals how hands-on experience can evolve into thoughtful, community-driven leadership.

Brian offers an inside look at the realities of managing a district wher...