For those of you who didn’t attend – you missed out on a hilarious time at Esther’s Follies! The fajita dinner put us all in the mood for a festive evening. Chuck had a heavy duty camera and was snapping photos – creating memories for us all.

Accessibility is more than just a few well-placed ramps. Access is empowerment; an amenable portal for everyone; an open path for any person, disabled or not; to access any building and any person within that building . . . On their own . . . Empowered

Kristi J. Thomas founded Accessology, Inc., in November 1990 as a direct result of her involvement in national disability related issues. Through various experiences in working with disability regulations, and the panic associated with full compliance to such regulations, the need for dependable compliance assistance was clear. Kristi participated in the development of a program for people to assess an "expert's" knowledge of compliance matters. Through this effort the need for a strategically linked national organization devoted solely to assisting businesses, state and local governments and agencies in the practical applications of regulatory compliance became apparent.

In early 1995, Accessology, Inc., again expanded services to include architectural plan reviews and final inspections in Texas on behalf of the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR). Through this program construction documents are reviewed for compliance with the related sections of the Texas Accessibility Standards (TAS) and a comprehensive report is developed for the architect designing the project. Within one year of occupancy we completed the final on-site inspection, again ensuring compliance with the Texas Accessibility Standards (TAS).

Our alliance with TDLR allows us to assist architects, designers and building owners in many phases of a project from conceptualization to final design. Most of the confusion associated with compliance with disability regulations stems from the application of the standards to a specific project, not the standards themselves. Our services ensure accurate and timely answers to very complex problems regarding full access. This allows our clients to concentrate on other important matters, with full confidence that all accessibility related issues are being addressed.

Today, much of our work stems from the rise in ADA related lawsuits, and the need to address compliance for existing facilities. From a risk management perspective, we draw on our extensive experience to create access solutions that not only comply with minimum standards but also exceed them when possible. We believe in a creative, holistic approach to accessibility that showcases the benefits of compliance, resulting in local and national recognition in several projects to date. In short, our goal is to continue partnering with clients in the shared endeavor of creating access for all.

Happy New Year!

We just completed the IFMA Austin 20th anniversary in 2005 and what a year it has been. Charles Carpenter, immediate past President, turned over the Presidency to me back in July and I accepted this position with much enthusiasm and thankful for the opportunity to serve IFMA Austin Chapter members.

Charles Carpenter did a great job setting the stage and getting the right people in place for the IFMA Austin Board in 2004/05 and he certainly picked some wonderful talent. His recommendations for this year were also right on target and we thank him for doing a great job for this chapter. We also appreciate all the hard work and efforts of JR Howard, for taking care of the website and Mary Duke for the Newsletter.

We started the year with a team building event at the Austin Club. We had a consultant join us in bringing the group together to understand the different characteristics and personality styles that make up each board member and committee chair. Each person on your board/team has some wonderful talent and has contributed to the overall success of the IFMA Austin Chapter. I am very fortunate to be working with them.

Our program Chair for 2004/05 has been Robin Connolly. Robin has done an outstanding job in bringing great programs to the Chapter that has helped increase interest for current and new members. Robin has been working with Nisa Kosteka, our new Programs Chair. Nisa has taken on this role with equal enthusiasm. We appreciate all their efforts, tremendously.

Membership has been steadily increasing over the last six months and we see it continuing to grow well into 2006. Our Membership Chair, Kathryn Ingerly, put together a committee to focus on putting membership processes in place to prepare for growth. They were right in line with our goals for 2005/ 2006 to retain and increase membership. We certainly need everyone’s participation in making this a strong chapter and to keep it alive and well. We will be focusing on retaining current members and bringing in new members. We are challenging all members to bring in two (2) guests within the first quarter of 2006.

This year our annual IFMA Holiday party was held on Friday December 16, 2005 at Esthers Follies. Our PR and Social Committee Chair, Jaime Fleming did a great job putting this event together. She will have more socials coming up in 2006. I would like to extend a very special “Thank You” to Chuck Coffman for being the photographer and helping to make this evening a very memorable one. What a way to end the year!

Here we are in the first days of 2006 and the outlook for IFMA Austin looks great. We have some wonderful programs planned. Stay tuned for more interesting building tours as well as some social events.

I want to share with you some of the challenging and fun things we have to look forward to and we are looking for you as a member to actively attend and participate. The best way to get something great out of IFMA Austin is to get involved.

In addition, please let us hear from you about any meeting topics or any issues of importance to you as a member.

• The IFMA Annual Golf Tournament is scheduled for Monday March 27, 2006. It will be held at The Hills of Lakeway. Please mark your calendar. We will be contacting you shortly to sponsor the Golf Tournament. Glenda Stubbs is working with a committee to make this the best Golf Tournament IFMA Austin has had. More information to come.
• Education- We are looking for a member that would like to head up the Education Committee. IFMA Austin has purchased the books that can be checked out by Shannon Schiermann as a self study for the CFM. Please contact me if you are interested in taking a lead on the education committee.
• Sponsors- If you would like to sponsor a luncheon you may contact Tux MacAuley. A luncheon sponsor is $250. What you get for $250 is a table set up inside the room to display your company information. Business cards are collected for a drawing of $50 cash that the sponsor will present to a winner. The sponsor gets a two-minute presentation at the podium before the program. This is a great way to introduce your company to the members.
• Membership Directory- I am looking for a volunteer to help with a new directory for 2006. Please contact me if you are interested. I am encouraging all members to go to the IFMA website to make sure your information is correct and current. This is the information that will go into the directory.

All the Best to you in 2006!

Anita Landwehr, FMA
IFMA Austin Chapter President
alandwehr@movesolutions.com
512-848-7345

Eight (8) each Tocco 30kw motor-generators (induction motor); 460v 57amp; 3525 rpm

If anyone is interested to purchase or has recommendations for where to possibly sell them contact me at below information.

Donnie Wise: Plant Services Manager, CarboMedics Inc A, Sorin Group Company, 1300 East Anderson Lane, Austin TX 78752, (512)435-3268 (work) (512)633-1456 (cell) dwise@carbomedics.com

Member Changes:

Tux MacAuley is now the CEO of Liquis Inc.

Eight (8) each Tocco 30kw motor-generators (induction motor); 460v 57amp; 3525 rpm

If anyone is interested to purchase or has recommendations for where to possibly sell them contact me at below information.

Donnie Wise: 
Plant Services Manager, 
CarboMedics Inc A, 
Sorin Group Company, 
1300 East Anderson Lane, 
Austin TX 78752, 
(512)435-3268 (work)
(512)633-1456 (cell) 
dwise@carbomedics.com

The GREENGUARD Environmental Institute's mission is to improve public health and quality of life by helping manufacturers build better and safer products and to provide the public with a free indoor air quality resource and guide to readily available low-emitting products. An Advisory Board consisting of independent volunteers, who are renowned experts in the areas of indoor air quality, public and environmental health, building design and construction, and public policy, provides guidance and leadership to the GEI.

Cost $20 members $25 non-members

Mark Knipfer is the Program Manager for the GREENGUARD Environmental Institute (GEI), an industry-independent, non-profit organization responsible for administering the GREENGUARD Certification ProgramS. Mr. Knipfer is a practiced indoor environmental quality (IEQ) consultant with expertise in the assessment and evaluation of existing and potential building IEQ matters. He has provided consultation in material selection and installation processes with the intention of diminishing potential indoor air contaminant concentrations in numerous public and private structures including schools, medical facilities, commercial buildings, government buildings, and residences. Through the Greenguard Certification Program, which is the premier third-party testing program for low-emitting products and materials, Mr. Knipfer provides oversight for the establishment and continuous maintenance of acceptable standards and testing protocols for interior products.

Mr. Knipfer has performed comprehensive building studies and provided consultation on LEED® building certification processes as it pertains to IEQ. He has coordinated and conducted baseline indoor air quality testing, has developed and helped implement green housekeeping plans in commercial and governmental indoor environments, and has devised and conducted tracer gas analysis of ventilation effectiveness in a large commercial office space.

Mr. Knipfer holds a BS in Chemical Engineering with an Environmental Engineering Option from Oklahoma State University. Mr. Knipfer is a LEED® Accredited Professional and a member of the U.S. Green Building Council.