Austin, Texas Chapter Newsletter November 2007

Logistically Speaking...   with Ted Ulmer, editor        It was the Big Easy in late October.  World WorkPlace in Naw-leens.  Six thousand attendees, representing 34 countries.  Several Austin members attended and some exhibited.  We have the proof, as you'll notice inside.  Thanks greatly to Joe Siminski for his pictures, and the team at SiteStuff for all of their contributions. Know about the annual Holiday Party on Dec. 1 at County Line?  Details are inside with an RSVP link.  Please respond at your earliest.  There is a 6 Hour time limit this year (no gurneys allowed), and blending of meat is strictly prohibited (no "meat shakes").  Speaking of, there will be No December luncheon for you on account of the party.  Stay tuned for future luncheon information.  Rumor is we may be on the way to Texas Land & Cattle in the New Year.   The chapter directory team has been formed.  Your contacts are Vesta Yoder & John McGimsey. The deadline for ad space is Dec. 15 while publication is set for January.  Don't delay!  The book will contain important contact information, IFMA dates & information, and more.  Questions?  Contact Vesta & John. Excellent speaker at our luncheon Thursday.  Peter M. Winters (AIA, CFM), Senior Vice President for HOK Advance Strategies, spoke about "The Trials and Tribulations of Global Facility Planning."  Technical issues aside, Mr. Winters pointed out that one's approach can make it or break it, i.e., it's crucially important to understand the culture, and that means "understanding intent of the (foreign) work place vs. standards."  Example, safety is of key importance in Brazil.  Therefore, parking lots must be highly illuminated and be a short distance from egress doors of the facility.  And of course, laws in foreign nations can be vastly different than those stateside.  Example, workers in much of Europe legally must have visible daylight in their work space.  In this economy, the legal influence on design and construction competes with the corporate standard.  Several other cultural differences were shared while Mr. Winters told stories of his unique experience in foreign lands.  This was a high level speaker and we were fortunate to hear him.  Big thanks to Brenda Younts and everyone at Cram Roofing for sponsoring this great luncheon. Immediate past president of our chapter, Robin Connolly, recently passed the LEED CI test and is now certified as a LEED AP.  Congrats, Robin!  Details on her terrific accomplishment next month.  __________________________________________________________________________________   __________________________________________________________________________________  Guest Feature           by Tiffany Pressly of SiteStuff, Inc. , an IFMA CSP  An Insider's Take on World WorkPlace In the past, SiteStuff did not regularly exhibit or sponsor tradeshows.  This was a new endeavor for us as a company.  Therefore, making a sustainable commitment to the CSP (Corporate Sustaining Partner) program and a sponsorship of the keynote introduction made me apprehensive.  However, I was incredibly pleased with the overall experience and the level of professionals that attended and stopped by our booth. The entire IFMA team provided outstanding service and made us feel comfortable with our decisions.  In addition, our exposure during the opening keynote address proved to be very valuable. From a new business prospective, I was thrilled with our opportunities to network during the opening reception.  Our team was able to make some high-quality connections with leading facility managers.  I also had the pleasure of talking with representatives from local IFMA chapters as well.  I am pleased and excited about our opportunities to work with the IFMA organization at the chapter lever.  The opening party was a highlight of the show. The food was impressive and the atmosphere was conducive for networking.  The expo was one of our biggest successes throughout the entire conference. The convention hall was always buzzing and full of activity.  Once we were able to analyze the results, we found that we had 178 qualified leads that we are currently following up on.  We also sent a team from our Strategic Account group whose main focus was attending the educational sessions. From an educational aspect, they found the sessions helpful in their day-to-day jobs. In particular the Sustainability track provided case studies that are very beneficial. Next year, we have already committed to a larger booth and hope to really capitalize this years' exposure and make an even bigger splash. I would highly recommend to attending all events. I didn't get the opportunity because I was focused on all of the great activity in our booth. Utilize the IFMA team to provide guidance and direction. They are there to help and know their stuff. SiteStuff recently became involved with IFMA as a Corporate Sustaining Partner (CSP).  SiteStuff helps owners and managers of commercial real estate effectively manage the procurement of Maintenance, Repair and Operating Supplies (MRO), gain insight into operational spending, and streamline the bidding process of building maintenance service contracts.  Look for their ads in the FMJ publication.   Pictured below are (L-R) SiteStuff's Tiffany Pressly, Charlie Pace,  William Taylor, Chris Detrich, Mike Karol, and Tom Forshee.    New & Renewing Members: Josh Armstrong (R) Landscape Resources  Claire Balfour (R) Interface FLOR Walter Black (R) BAE Systems, Inc. Sharon Henson (R) National Instruments Roland Kriethe (N) Cort Anita Landwehr (R) KISS, Inc. Jim Liu (R) Creative Innovation Enterprises Tom Watson (R) GTech Corp. Mike Wenglar (R) KVUE-TV

www.IFMA-AUSTIN.org

2007-08 IFMA Austin Board of Directors President Shannon Schiermann 1st VP and Treasurer Mark Wendland 2nd VP Pete Stein 3rd VP Mike Negro Past President Robin Connolly Chapter Administrator Jim Coles 2007-08 IFMA Austin Committee Chairs Webmeister JR Howard Newsletter Ted Ulmer Programs Co-chairs Joe Latteo & Mike Negro Public Relations Pete Stein Sponsorship Todd Coleman Membership Co-chairs Scott Slaughter   &  Ted Ulmer Golf Tourney Sid Fiegel   Matt Miller  Directory Co-chairs John McGimsey                                         &  Vesta Yoder Administration: The Austin chapter of IFMA 2525 Wallingford Drive, Suite 13-A Austin, TX 78746 www.IFMA-AUSTIN.org     Local www.IFMA.org                  National

2007 Holiday Party Saturday, Dec. 1 7:00 PM at County Line on the Hill 6500 Bee Cave Rd. Open to IFMA members & a guest Reservations required. RSVPifma@yahoo.com $25.00 per person Cash Bar & Cheap Gift Exchange Sponsored by: info@texasbuildingservices.com

"Performance Review"      Q & A with Ed Sevcik, Director of Facilities & Construction for RRISD "Performance Review" is a regularly featured interview with one of our chapter's professional members.  Provide some insight on your Employer/Company's core function/service. The core function of the school district is to provide an education to students and adults. Identify Company's total number, sq. ft., types, and locations of offices, e.g., corporate, industrial, owned, leased, downtown, suburban, local, regional. The district has a total of 5,389,280 SF covering 42 campuses (27 elementary schools, eight middle schools, four high schools plus a Ninth Grade Center, and two Alternative Centers).  Special facilities include a Performing Arts Center, the District Media Center, East and West kitchens, the Purchasing & Distribution Center, a Print Shop and two athletic stadiums. Identify Company's total number of employees. 4,521 employees, 3,030 teachers, counselors, librarians and aides.  And over 39,000 students. What are your primary job functions? a. Responsible for planning, design and construction of all new district facilities. b. Responsible for any renovation or alteration of district facilities.  c. Oversee the Energy Management Department as well as the Watt Watcher program. d. Oversee the Custodial Services Department How long have you been in the FM field? Bachelor of Environmental Design, Texas A&M University.  Architectural License: Texas & New Mexico.  Interior Design License: Texas.  Certifications: National Council of Architectural Registration Boards. Certificate of Achievements:                          Emergency Management Institute (FEMA) – National Incident Management System                          Emergency Management Institute (FEMA) – Basic Incident Command System                          Austin ISD Incident Command System Training Program                          High Performance Schools Workshop                          The State Energy Conservation Office – Energy Efficiency Workshop                          LEED for New Construction                          LEED for Schools Organizations:   Council of Educational Facility Planners International Who do you report to?                                                                   Executive Director Operations. Who reports to you? Three secretaries, five project managers, One environmental technician, two energy management technicians, One energy management specialist, One coordinator of custodial services, four lead custodians, and over 200 custodians. Do you outsource any functions? Which ones? None. Describe your recycling program, if applicable. We are just starting on a recycling program and working with State Energy Conservation Office to implement a “Recycle Ranger Program.”  We hope to have this program up and running in the next 60 days. Describe any energy conservation measures you have implemented in your facility. Editor's note: Mr. Sevcik provided me an extensive list of prior measures detailing cost savings and/or avoidances of over $1.3 million dollars (roughly a 26% decrease) for fiscal years 2001-07.  The largest returns were generated via LoneSTAR program loan projects and the implementation of Austin Energy's "Green Choice" program.  The following are items I selected from Ed's submission to me: Current measures include:  Reduced irrigation at campuses / fields   ·      Austin Energy "Green Choice" Program contract for next 10 years at a fixed rate. Projected saving over the next 10 years (2014) is $1,900,000. (Note: It was projected that the district would start saving on electrical costs in 2.9 years, but with the high electrical rates, the district started saving in approx. 1.5 years)    ·         Review of all utility bills monthly by the energy management department for high variances in usage and costs. (Note: all utility bills are reviewed by a local engineering firm to determine cost avoidance)    ·          Install wireless controls in portables    ·          Implement the "Watt Watcher's Program" at each campus. (This project is currently underway)    ·        Consolidate summer school programs to fewer campuses   ·        Energy review of all campuses during the spring and summer breaks. Future measures and goals include:  a variety of lighting, HVAC, insulation, and electrical projects designed to increase efficiency and savings at most every campus; a recycling program for newspaper, plastic bottles and cans at each campus; and, significantly, the call for all future new construction and major renovation work to meet a minimum “Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design for Schools (LEED for Schools) Rating” of Silver. The following are just a few examples of sustainable construction items for consideration: Use “Cool Roofs” material having a Solar Reflectance Index (SRI) equal to 78; reduce landscape irrigation by 50%; capture rainwater and reuse for irrigation; maximize water efficiency within the building; On-Site Renewable Energy( Photovoltaic, Wind); materials designed to promote indoor air quality and acoustics. Identify some FM challenges you face within your organization. 1) Limited Staff Funding.  2) Funding.  Identify some challenges the FM industry as a whole must face in the near future. 1) Increase in Construction Costs.  2) Funding. What are some of your hobbies and interests outside work? Fly fishing, flying (when I can get time to do it), woodworking, hunting, construction of a cabin, farming (Hay).                                                            #                #                   # ______________________________________________________________________________________ "Cold Call "   Q & A with Montana Swart of Blackmon Mooring "Cold Call" is a regularly featured interview with one of our associate members. Describe your company's core competency. Blackmon Mooring is a 24-hour Emergency Response Restoration Company. We also provide mold remediation, carpet cleaning, air duct cleaning, tile and grout cleaning, plumbing, and HVAC services.   Describe your primary job functions. I do all outside Commercial Marketing. Describe an average day. Go to approximately 10 appointments, bringing goodies and marketing literature. Making sure the customers have been satisfied with our services and that they continue to use us! What type of clients you work with? Large and small commercial companies, schools, hospitals, property management companies, and many more! What percentage of your work and clients is local/regional/national? Blackmon Mooring has a very large number of regional and national accounts, but we have individual marketing and sales teams all over that take care of them locally.  I personally only deal with Austin and close surrounding areas. How long have you been in this field?  Tell us briefly about your career, education, certifications. I went to college in Tampa, Florida, and traveled around for a while after that, working in the restaurant industry and then sales for about 9 years.   I have been in this industry for about a year and three months and in Austin for 3 years.  In 2008, I will be Chairing the Registration Committee for AAFAME and will be Co-Chairing for the Extravaganza Committee for BOMA. Tell us about an interesting situation(s) you’ve encountered related to your current work.  End result?  Occasionally when I'm doing on-site follow up, goodies in hand, people think I am trying to solicit or sell them something else, when we’ve already done work for them. I am really pretty good at picking up on people’s vibes, so I just go off that and always keep a smile on my face. If there's an issue, I will do whatever I can to make sure that the end result for them is happiness, which I have accomplished so far and really enjoy!! What’s the best lesson you’ve learned from a client? That marketing and truly creating a great business relationship takes time, and that being persistent does pay off!! How's business right now? Business was a little slower this year because of no huge storms, but doing really good! Identify some challenges in your industry. It’s definitely challenging in our industry because we are so involved with what’s very important to most people, their homes and the things dear to them. Because we encounter fire, flood and water damage, people that we are trying to help are usually very shaken up and stressed. But, we have extremely well trained technicians and sales team, and have developed a great reputation of dealing with these situations in a very understanding and professional manor, which helps tremendously! Tell us about your personal life, family, hobbies and interests outside work. I am in a serious relationship with my boyfriend of almost 3 years. We have a beautiful home in Cedar Park, and he has an 11-year-old daughter who's with us every other weekend. I love spending time with the two of them when we have her and we do all kinds of indoor and outdoor activities!  When we don’t, I love to spend time with my friends, usually shopping and sitting down to a really nice dinner!  When I can, I absolutely love to travel. Can we quote you on that? “If You Believe In Yourself, You Can Make ANYTHING Possible.“                                                                      #                 #                   #