IFMA-AUSTIN NEWSLETTER MARCH 2005 LUNCHEON PROGRAM Charles Carpenter began the meeting by introducing Sharon Henson. Sharon wanted to get the word out to all of our members that we need to be thinking about who we want to nominate for two open positions on the Executive Board - Secretary and Treasurer. Sharon indicated that there is a minimum 4 year commitment. Beginning in the Secretary role, you move up each year, thus in year two you become Treasurer, year three Vice President and then in year four, you assume the role of President. Afterwards, you will assist the incoming President as a mentor. If you know of someone, please get in touch with one of our current board members. We will vote in May and announce our new Board shortly thereafter. The Executive Board plan strategies, fundraisers, oversee our committees such as Membership, Public Relations, Newsletter, Golf Tournament, and Programs. GUESTS It was exciting to see that our guest list for the March meeting was long!
Non-Toxic Interiors Katie gave an outstanding presentation on the Green Building Program, indicating that it is good business because we are reducing waste and resources, and best of all, saves money! Why Now?
Productivity Issues
Third Party Certification
Rating Systems
Cool Sites to Visit
You can find more useful information and guidelines on the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design website (LEED) LEED: Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design. Other Announcements We continue to look for membership co-chair for the membership committee! April 14 Meeting This presentation features lessons learned from thousands of projects including topics ranging from facilitating better meetings to extremely complex projects with multi-headed owners, enormous teams and impossible deadlines. Learn 15 fundamental, universal principles that the author has distilled from a career's worth of projects. These lessons will serve you well in planning and managing projects of every type. Learning Objectives:
This presentation has been voted one of the best at national IFMA and AIA conferences. It's one you won't want to miss! Brief Bio Kurt Neubek, CFM, FAIA, LEED™, is Associate Principal with Page Southerland Page, an international architecture/interiors/ consulting/ engineering firm with offices in Austin, Dallas, Houston, Washington DC, and London. Kurt has over twenty years' experience, and has worked on tens of millions of square feet of facilities across the globe. He is one of the few registered architects in the country with a specialization in strategic facility planning and consulting. He is a frequent speaker at national conferences and serves on numerous professional committees. Please RSVP no later than April 11 to IFMA-AUSTIN.
It looks like it is going to be very interesting (it always is when
lawyers are involved!) . . . Brad has been a Trial Lawyer in the state of Texas for 17 years and has handled over 2000 cases. Brad's area of practice is Insurance Defense, General Liability, Premises Liability, Insurance Bad Faith, Product Liability, Construction Litigation, Civil Litigation, Wrongful Death, Mold and Environmental Claims, Since 1988, Brad has argued cases in the following courts: U.S.
District Court, Southern and Western Districts of Texas, U.S. Court of
Appeals, Fifth Circuit, U.S. Supreme Court. Brad has represented a variety of clients including:
Provided by Robin Connolly, Robin Now for those of you who really read this newsletter probably thought I was off my rocker last month when you didn't see the notes from the February meeting . . .well, in the words of George Washington, "I cannot tell a lie . . ." I LOST MY NOTES L. The good news is that I found them! J Here is the update to the February meeting, and my apologies for having been so remise. February 10 Meeting Highlights A Brief Overview of Design and Construction Techniques The Bower Downing Partnership, Inc. Architecture and Consulting Terese Ferguson, AIA Robin introduced Terese Ferguson who specializes in building forensics. Terese is a registered architect and an Associate with the Bower Downing Partnership, Inc. in Austin and has a Bachelor of Architecture degree from UT. With 24 years of experience she has been with BDPI since 1983, providing architectural design and project management services. Her expertise includes extensive knowledge and experience with codes and licensing standards, construction administration, project management, and analysis of building envelope failures for medical, educational, commercial, and residential buildings. Jack Downing, AIA, is a registered architect and a Principal with the Bower Downing Partnership, Inc. in Austin. He has a Bachelor of Architecture degree from TAMU, and attended graduate school at George Washington University in Washington D.C. He has 34 years of experience. He provides architectural design, planning, project management, and construction administration services. His experience includes work for over 200 projects with a total construction value of over $670 milion. His additional expertise and experience in the investigation and analysis of building envelope failures and the resolution of construction disputes is why he is speaking here today. (He has been a building envelope consultant on 36 projects and counting). We learned how to build a wall and avoid defects in the building envelope that result in water intrusion, air infiltration, and building deterioration in all building types - educational, commercial, hospitality, residential, and medical. The building construction is important from the foundation all the way to the roof:
Highlights of Some Very Important Steps to Include
Windows
Roof / Parapet
 CHUCKLES In the hospital the relatives gathered in the waiting room, where their family member lay gravely ill. Finally, the doctor came in looking tired and somber. "I'm afraid I'm the bearer of bad news," he said as he surveyed the worried faces.
The family members sat silent as they absorbed the news. After a great length of time, someone asked, "Well, how much does a brain cost?" The doctor quickly responded, "$5,000 for a male brain, and $200 for a female brain." The moment turned awkward. Men in the room tried not to smile avoiding eye contact with the women, but some actually smirked. A man unable to control his curiosity, blurted out the question everyone wanted to ask, "Why is the male brain so much more?"
Elizabeth Searcy's Resume
Associate Members Opportunity
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"The only hope left for your loved one at this time is a brain
transplant. It's an experimental procedure, very risky but it is the only
hope. Insurance will cover the procedure, but you will have to pay for the
brain yourselves."
The doctor smiled at the childish innocence and explained to the entire
group, "It's just standard pricing procedure. We have to mark down
the price of the female brains, because they've actually been used."