Erik Swindle, Vice President of Facilities Operations and Capital Projects at Space Center Houston, joins us to talk about managing one of the most iconic and complex nonprofit destinations in the country. With a 25-year career spanning global nonprofits, sustainable construction, museums, and hospitals, Erik shares how his diverse background helps him oversee infrastructure at a site housing NASA artifacts, massive HVAC systems, special events, and millions of international visitors. He discuss...
Aug 12, 2025•39 min
Michael Hoeflein, Regional Director of Maintenance and Facilities at University of Michigan Health Regional Network, joins host David Trask to explore the complexities of uniting facilities operations across six hospitals and 100 sites of care. With a background that spans design, construction, and operations, Michael shares how his wide-ranging experience has shaped his leadership approach—from navigating microcultures and regulatory readiness to building subject matter expertise within teams. ...
Jul 15, 2025•38 min
In this episode of Facility Voices , David Trask sits down with Joe Fullington, E.d.D, MBA, CHFM, Director of Facility Services at Duke Health, to explore the growing urgency around skilled trades in healthcare facilities. Joe shares his unconventional journey from electrician to educator to facilities leader, and breaks down the real-world challenges of talent shortages, knowledge loss, and regulatory pressure. He also shares the internship program he helped develop—designed to bridge the gap l...
Jun 30, 2025•41 min
David Trask speaks with Neyael Rubio-Delgado and James Anderson about the evolving landscape of facility management, especially in response to post-COVID staffing challenges, in this episode of Facility Voices. Drawing from their career experiences, Neyael and James talk about ESL programs, hands-on training, employee empowerment, and effective onboarding. They highlight how data-driven quality assurance and leadership support have transformed their approach to training and staff development. Th...
Jun 17, 2025•1 hr 1 min
In this episode of Facility Voices , David Trask chats with Salum Stutzer, Director of Facilities and Operations at Francis Howell School District, about leading a growing district that serves nearly 17,000 students and the challenges of aging infrastructure. Salum discusses proactive maintenance, professional development, and community engagement. He shares insights into the district’s bond program, strategies for modernizing facilities, and the role of transparency and collaboration. The conve...
Jun 03, 2025•39 min
David Trask speaks with John Voit and Rob Holmes from Forge Now about the critical need for skilled tradespeople in today’s workforce in this episode of Facility Voices . John and Rob explain how Forge Now’s vocational training program is helping close the skilled trades gap by preparing military personnel and other candidates for careers in HVAC, electrical, plumbing, and facilities maintenance. The discussion explores the rising demand for skilled trades, strong earning potential, and how tech...
May 19, 2025•45 min
David Trask interviews Trent McJunkin, Facilities and Maintenance Manager at Oshkosh Defense, about his journey from high school welding courses to a leadership role in facility management, in this episode of Facility Voices . Trent shares how his background in industrial electronics and automotive manufacturing has shaped his approach to building a world-class facilities department. The conversation covers how to build a people-first culture, proactive management strategies, and the value of de...
May 05, 2025•35 min
In this episode of Facility Voices , David Trask sits down with Alicia Jolivette, Chief of Facilities and Maintenance Operations at Houston Independent School District. Alicia reflects on her journey from substitute clerk in 1996 to leading maintenance for 273 schools—sharing her perspective on navigating a district of this scale, the structured approach Houston ISD takes, and the challenges they face, especially around HVAC systems. Alicia also talks about the growing presence of women in leade...
Apr 15, 2025•32 min
In this episode of Facility Voices , David Trask sits down with Alexander Villanueva, Director of Facilities, Maintenance, and Custodial Services at Waco Independent School District. Alexander shares his journey from Puerto Rico to Waco and how his construction background has shaped his approach to facility management. From tackling deferred maintenance to fostering a culture of transparency and accountability, Alexander discusses how data-driven decision-making, proactive maintenance, and stron...
Apr 07, 2025•35 min•Season 3Ep. 7
In this episode of Facility Voices , we continue our Women in Facilities series with Brooke Bohme, Director of Engineering at Children’s Health. Brooke shares how she transitioned from healthcare design to leading engineering teams in a hospital setting, highlighting the importance of mentorship and professional growth. She discusses the challenges of working in a male-dominated industry and her efforts to support the next generation of women in facilities. Brooke also talks about the $5 billion...
Mar 24, 2025•24 min•Season 3Ep. 6
In this week’s episode of Facility Voices , Shalita Myrick, Vice President for Administrative Services and Chief Operating Officer at Pacific Lutheran University, shares how her career in facilities management is driven by purpose and a commitment to helping others. She discusses PLU’s care-centered environment, the evolving perception of facilities management, and the lasting impact of the pandemic. Shalita also highlights opportunities for women in the industry, the importance of diversity of ...
Mar 11, 2025•30 min•Season 3Ep. 5
In this episode of Facility Voices , David Trask chats with Mike Hollingsworth, Facilities and Fleet Manager at the City of Chandler, Arizona. Mike shares how his background in military service, aerospace maintenance, public works, and casino operations led him to facilities management. Managing 61 city buildings—including police stations, fire stations, and government offices—isn’t easy. Mike explains why having a "seat at the table" in city leadership is critical for securing funding and suppo...
Feb 25, 2025•29 min•Season 3Ep. 4
On this episode of Facility Voices , we chat with Mike Hollimon, Director of Facilities at Gwinnett Technical College, to explore the vital role facilities management plays in shaping higher education. Mike shares how his team goes beyond maintenance, creating opportunities for students and staff through mentorship and leadership development. He also discusses the challenges of managing a growing team, balancing priorities, and staying ahead in an ever-evolving field. With a passion for teamwork...
Feb 10, 2025•33 min•Season 3Ep. 3
In this episode of Facility Voices, Danielle Gathje, Vice President of Hospital Operations for Fairview Health Services, takes us through her career journey, from her early days as a biology major to her current leadership role at St. John’s Hospital in Minnesota. Danielle opens up about how mentorship shaped her career, the strategies she’s used to embrace challenges, and the leadership lessons she’s learned along the way. Listeners will gain insights into the critical role mentorship plays in ...
Jan 28, 2025•30 min•Season 3Ep. 2
In this episode of Facility Voices , Lance Ollivierre from Central Piedmont Community College explains the strategies behind effective facilities management. From creating a robust preventive maintenance program to tackling deferred maintenance priorities, Lance shares the innovative approach his team used to transition from crisis mode to proactive planning. He also highlights the college's exciting Facilities Management Certificate Program, developed in collaboration with IFMA. This program ai...
Jan 14, 2025•37 min•Season 3Ep. 1
In this episode of Facility Voices , Clay Major, Director of Facilities at the Town of South Windsor, shares his experience managing facilities for a growing town while working with limited resources. He discusses the challenges of maintaining a high level of service with a small team and budget. Clay explains how modernizing municipal buildings with automation and energy-efficient systems, such as HVAC and lighting upgrades, has improved efficiency. He also highlights the importance of safety s...
Dec 27, 2024•22 min•Season 2Ep. 46
In this episode of Facility Voices , Matt Snow, Assistant Vice President of Support Services at Baptist Health System, shares how standardizing processes has transformed their operations and created lasting benefits for their facilities team. From reducing costs and improving compliance to fostering collaboration across departments, Matt provides practical strategies that listeners can apply to streamline operations and optimize resources. He also explains how data-driven approaches have support...
Dec 14, 2024•29 min•Season 2Ep. 45
In this episode, Leisa Williams-Swedberg, Performance and Project Manager, and Jaclyn Barlow, Operations Coordinator, from Michigan State University discuss the impactful Women in Skilled Trades (WIST) program. Launched in 2016, WIST provides no-cost training, hands-on experience, and the support women need to thrive in the skilled trades. Leisa and Jaclyn share how the program has already helped over 100 women build the confidence and skills required for career success and independence. With in...
Dec 03, 2024•32 min
In this inspiring episode of Facility Voices , David Trask welcomes Caitlynd A. Weekley, Director of Facilities at Columbia College, as part of the Women in Facilities series. Caitlynd shares her unique career path, which started in the culinary industry and evolved through event planning to facilities management. Now, she oversees everything from construction to maintenance on campus, all while balancing the challenges of a male-dominated field. Caitlynd opens up about navigating her career wit...
Nov 19, 2024•28 min
In this episode of Facility Voices , Melanie Ford, Senior Director of Construction at the University of Georgia, shares her experiences overseeing the facilities and construction projects of a large institution. She discusses her role in managing a diverse range of facilities—from historic buildings and agricultural stations to athletic complexes and cutting-edge science labs—while also highlighting significant projects like UGA's new medical school and recent campus upgrades. Melanie also expla...
Nov 05, 2024•39 min
In this episode of Facility Voices , David Trask sits down with Kevin Miller, Director of Facilities Management at Hampden-Sydney College. Kevin shares his journey from the Marine Corps to leading a dynamic facilities team, drawing on over 17 years of experience. He emphasizes the role of education in shaping his career path and discusses the unique challenges of managing facilities at a higher education institution. From navigating staffing shortages to bridging generational gaps, Kevin offers ...
Oct 22, 2024•36 min
In this episode of Facility Voices , David Trask talks with Jennifer Green, Director of Competitions and Business Development at Skills Ontario. Jennifer shares her personal journey from her start as a registered apprentice in high school to becoming a prominent advocate for skilled trades and women in the trades. She discusses the importance of the Skills Ontario Competition, an event that showcases skilled trades and technologies and offers participants the chance to represent Canada at the Wo...
Oct 08, 2024•37 min
In this episode from our "Women in Facilities" series, Maria O'Callaghan-Cassidy, Senior Associate Vice President of Campus Operations at University of Richmond, discusses the evolving landscape of facilities management. She emphasizes the importance of flexibility and ongoing education amid labor shortages and job mobility. Maria recommends pursuing certifications like CFM and FMP, and getting involved in organizations such as IFMA to enhance career growth. She encourages women to seek mentorsh...
Sep 21, 2024•29 min
In this episode of Facility Voices, we’re joined by Tom Polansky, Vice President for Operations and Facilities at The Huntington. Tom shares his unique career path, starting as an architect and eventually discovering his passion for managing teams and aligning campus visions with built environments. He talks about the complexities of overseeing a diverse site like The Huntington, which includes a world-class library, art museum, and botanical gardens. Tom explains the challenges of managing both...
Sep 14, 2024•38 min
In this episode of Facility Voices , David Trask sits down with Taj Sharma, founder and CEO of Convergence, to discuss the evolving challenges and opportunities in the facilities management industry. Taj, with over 35 years of experience operating facilities for companies like Amazon, Google, and Facebook, shares his insights on how to empower teams in the field. He highlights the importance of skilled professionals, the impact of evolving technology, and how strategic planning is key to address...
Sep 06, 2024•37 min
In this episode of Facility Voices, David Trask welcomes Julie Brown, Vice President of Industries and Customer Value at Johnson Controls, as part of the Women in Facilities series, where she shares insights into her dynamic role supporting field operations and shaping the company's strategic direction through customer feedback. Julie takes us through the rich history of Johnson Controls, highlighting its 140-year legacy as a leader in building systems and innovation. She discusses her career jo...
Aug 30, 2024•33 min
In this episode of Facility Voices Dean Stanberry, the Past-Chair of the Global Board of Directors at the International Facility Management Association (IFMA), shares his his evolution from IT guy to facility management leader, highlighting the "accidental profession" story that led him to oversee millions of square feet of administrative space and data centers. He explores the evolution of IFMA, the importance of professional credentials in facility management, and the growing focus on sustaina...
Aug 23, 2024•41 min
In this episode of Facility Voices , David Trask is joined by Fletcher Coffman, Senior Director of Operations at the Washington Commanders. Fletcher shares insights into his role, overseeing engineering, facilities, logistics, and more within the organization. They discuss the Commanders' recent transition to a new ownership group and the exciting improvements in store for the team. Fletcher highlights the importance of enhancing the fan experience and community impact as the team prepares for t...
Aug 16, 2024•31 min
Scott Ployer, President & CEO of the National Property Management Strategies Group, concludes our "Start Now" series with the third and final part. In this episode, Scott focuses on the crucial aspect of training for facilities teams. He underscores the importance of comprehensive training in emergency management, highlighting common challenges organizations face and detailing the essential OSHA-mandated safety training requirements. Scott discusses the significance of meticulous documentati...
Aug 10, 2024•17 min
In today’s episode David sits down with the two winners of the 2024 Facilithon Competition: Anderson Reynolds, the first-place national finalist in the high school division, and Toby Styron, the first-place national finalist in the post-secondary division. Anderson, fresh out of high school, shares how his diverse educational experiences, including participation in SkillsUSA and various construction programs, led him to excel in Facilithon. Toby, currently enrolled in the electromechanical techn...
Aug 06, 2024•28 min
