Facility Executive Live! Conference Speakers
At Facility Executive Live!, industry experts will present a variety of topics that are of critical importance to facility management professionals.
Speaker Line-up
Kevin Borg, UCLA Athletics
Kevin is the Assistant Athletic Director of Facilities and Project Management for the UCLA Intercollegiate Athletics Department. He has spent over 35 years working for the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) as a Facilities worker, a Facilities Manager, and now the Assistant Athletic Director of Facilities and Project Management. With diverse experience, including a background in high-end residential and commercial construction, and his involvement in the entertainment industry, Kevin has brought a sound practical experience of facilities management and merged it with his own flavor of building and sports facilities to achieve smart design and build. During his career with UCLA, Kevin has managed over $450 million dollars in new construction and renovation projects. Today, Kevin has oversight of 11 buildings and venues; which include sport complexes, stadiums and arenas, administrative buildings, medical facilities, classrooms, and locker room complexes. With a personal mantra of “get it done right the first time,” Kevin has helped mentor and educate today’s facilities executives and managers on how to look at a facilities or projects from all aspects including the end users, the facility directors and managers and staff who maintain the buildings or properties for years to come.
Judie Cooper, Smithsonian Institution
Judie Cooper, CFM, is Associate Director of Organizational Development for the Office of Facilities Management and Reliability at the Smithsonian Institution, where she is responsible for strategic initiatives that support continuously improved organizational performance including benchmarking, best practices, strategic planning, change management, outreach, professional development, and staff education.
Judie is a Certified Facility Manager and a member of the IFMA ISO Technical Committee 267 (Facilities Management), Chair of the Federal Facilities Council Committee on Workforce and Management Practices, and a member of the Board of Advisors of the Catholic University of America Facilities Management graduate degree program.
In addition to being a frequent speaker about facility management, leadership, and career development and branding initiatives for facilities teams, she is the co-author of “The Care and Keeping of Cultural Facilities: A Best Practice Guidebook for Museum Facility Management”. Judie is also active in the International Association of Museum Facility Administrators, Society of Human Resources Management, and Association for Talent Development.
Contributing Sessions
Tom Dunn, Helbling & Associates
Tom Dunn is a Senior Managing Consultant with Helbling & Associates, a retained executive search firm in Pittsburgh, PA that specializes in conducting facilities-related searches for healthcare, higher education, and cultural institutions, as well as corporations with significant campuses and real estate assets. Tom has been with the firm for more than eight years, and he focuses in the New York City and Mid-Atlantic (Eastern PA, MD, VA, and DC) regions.
Contributing Sessions
Alana Dunoff, AFD Facility Planning and Temple University
Alana F. Dunoff, FMP, IFMA Fellow has over 27 years’ experience as a strategic facility planner. She began her career as a space planner working at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital and later worked as a project manager and then design principal with Little Diversified Architects. In 2002, she opened her own consulting practice, AFD Facility Planning, a firm offering strategic facility planning services that help FM’s achieve their goals.
Alana has a passion for FM education, and has been an adjunct professor for over 16 years. She currently teaches at Temple University in their Facility Management program, helping to educate our future FM leaders. Alana is also an IFMA Qualified Instructor for the FMP credential. She has lectured on numerous FM topics at colleges, universities, and corporations and has had the pleasure of presenting at dozens of facility management conferences, forums, and symposiums.Alana has been a long-time active member in the International Facility Management Association (IFMA) including serving as President of the Philadelphia Chapter and as a Director on the Board of Directors. In 2013 she was honored as IFMA’s Distinguished Member and in 2014 she became an IFMA Fellow.
Alana earned her B.S. in Environmental Psychology from Boston University and her M.S. in Facility Planning and Management from Cornell University.
Contributing Sessions
Marcella Garwood, Comcast Corporation
Marcella is a lead Facilities Manager overseeing the Technology and Product Xperience for Comcast’s New Jersey Portfolio managing a half a million square feet of owned and leased properties. With over 20 years of experience in facilities management, Marcella has worked for General Electric, General Motors Acceptance Corporation, Ally Financial and currently with Comcast Corporation. A key lead on the 2007 Fort Washington Expo Center real estate project for GMAC, Marcella led the facilities team in the development of a 450,000 square foot facility saving the company 23MM by consolidating seven locations into one highly efficient building including the replacement of subsidized cafeterias with a single profit/loss model. In 2008, this facility received “The Office Building of the Year Award” (TOBY) for excellence in building operations and design by BOMA for a Corporate Facility and in 2010 was awarded the Platinum in Sustainability from the Fort Washington Township.
A graduate of the University of Florida with a degree in Journalism and Communications and a minor in Business Administration along with Six Sigma certification, Marcella’s strengths are team building, communication, change management, project management, life cycle management, and strategic planning.
An IFMA member since 1998, Marcella has served on the Board of the Greater Philadelphia Chapter of IFMA as Program Chair, Vice President, President, and Past President and is currently the Chair of the Golf Committee raising funds for scholarships to Temple University in the field of Facilities Management. As a First Robotics Mentor for B.C.I.T. High School (Burlington County Institute of Technology) as well as a mentor at Comcast, Marcella is a big believer in volunteering time to help people see their path to greatness.
Contributing Sessions
Craig Harnitchek, The School District of Philadelphia
Craig is a project manager with The School District of Philadelphia’s Office of Capital Programs. Prior to joining the District, he worked in the private sector for over 20 years as a mechanical engineer designing and supervising projects in the medical, pharmaceutical, and industrial sectors.
Since joining the District, Craig has managed the design of capital improvements for new facilities, major renovations, and modernizations of existing buildings. He continues to implement fuel conversions from legacy steam systems and oil fired plants to natural gas, reducing the District’s carbon footprint and operating costs. Additionally, he enacted the Energy Education program in partnership with the Alliance to Save Energy Coalition® in District Schools.
Craig is currently supervising the District’s $23 million GESA pilot program. Based on the pilot’s success, the District is currently planning the second phase. While he believes work in the public sector has its rewards it also presents many challenges: “Facility operators are all experiencing the same pressures of shrinking budgets and reduced labor force while continually being asked to do more with less. In this climate, the GESA model offers a vehicle to both improve facilities and reduce energy consumption while managing expenditures.”
Contributing Sessions
Magda Krapf, JacobsWyper Architects
Magda Krapf joined JacobsWyper Architects in 1998 after moving to the US from her native Poland where she graduated with a Master of Science in Architecture and Urban Design from Silesian University of Technology in Gliwice. Her accreditations include AIA, LEED AP BC+D and she is a partner at JWA. She brings passion and creativity as a project leader for pharmaceutical, biotechnology, institutional, corporate and industrial clients. She uses her diverse experience of 20 years and cGMP expertise to create efficient, sustainable and aesthetically-pleasing environments in which form, function and structure are in harmony. While able to look at the bigger picture to orchestrate master planning initiatives, she is equally capable of resolving intricate details for complex projects. A careful listener and collaborator, she is an asset to her clients to make them successful within their organizations.
Contributing Sessions
James (J.B.) Messer, Community College of Allegheny County
James (J.B.) Messer, the 2013 Facility Executive of the Year, is chief facilities officer at Community College of Allegheny County (CCAC) in Pittsburgh, PA. Prior to joining CCAC, he was the director of Facilities Management at Oklahoma City Community College for 15 years and spent six years at the University of Oklahoma in utilities systems and power production management.
He began his career with the United States Navy as a certified, licensed nuclear engineer. His 21-year career included service aboard nuclear-powered vessels and four years teaching at the Naval Nuclear Power School. He completed his military career as a member of the Naval Reactors training & inspection team for all Atlantic Fleet operational and repair facilities.
For the past two decades, Messer has demonstrated consistent leadership at the state, regional and international levels of APPA. Over the years he has held leadership roles on the boards of directors of the Oklahoma state chapter (OACUPPA), Central Association of Physical Plant Administrators (CAPPA) and APPA International.
He holds a Bachelor of Science in Organizational Leadership and a Master of Science in Business Management from Southern Nazarene University.
Contributing Sessions
Bo Mitchell, 911 Consulting
Bo Mitchell was Police Commissioner of Wilton, CT for 16 years. He retired to found 911 Consulting which creates emergency, disaster recovery, business continuity, crisis communications and pandemic plans, plus training and exercises for organizations like GE HQ, Hyatt HQ, H&R Block HQ, MasterCard HQ, four colleges and universities plus 26 secondary schools. He serves clients headquartered from Boston to LA working in their facilities from London to San Francisco. Bo has earned 22 certifications in homeland security, emergency management, disaster recovery, business continuity, safety and security. He also serves as an expert in landmark court cases nationally.
Contributing Sessions
Andrew Nye, United Nations Headquarters
Andrew Nye, Chief, Facilities Management Services at the United Nations (UN) Headquarters, leads the initiative to transform the approach to office space management at UN headquarters in New York City. Through sharing lessons learned with facility managers in the UN system and other international public-sector organizations across the world, this traditional sector has now opened itself up to cutting-edge workspace environments.
In 2013, Andrew saw that the recently completed $2Bn renovation of the UN headquarters campus had installed state-of-the-art building infrastructure yet office space use followed an inefficient 20th century hierarchical model. After piloting unassigned seating in a variety of space types and zones with an enthusiastic pioneer group, Andrew’s team demonstrated the benefits including financial gains and built a compelling case for transformation. Other recent efficiency changes Andrew and his team have introduced include: SAP Real Estate, LED lamping, exploration of green roofs and solar panels, and improved service delivery through right-sizing of insourcing and outsourcing.
Andrew holds an MBA and bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering and came to facility management in the new millennium from a background of more than 20 years in the television broadcast and international news industry as an engineer, video producer editor, and operations manager.
Contributing Sessions
Bryon Olsen, Willis Towers Watson
Bryon Olsen leads the Corporate Real Estate team for the North America geography for Willis Towers Watson, a leading global advisory, broking, and solutions company with roots dating back to 1828. Bryon’s role at the company encompasses real estate strategy, transactions, and negotiations as well as workplace strategy, design, and construction of office space. Willis Towers Watson has 40,000 employees in over 500 offices and services clients in 140 countries around the globe. Bryon came to Willis Towers Watson in 2014, and he was the Senior Project Manager leading the Project Delivery and Construction Management team for North America before assuming the duties of his current role. As part of his ongoing efforts, Bryon has helped develop and drive a comprehensive change to the workplace program within the organization, focusing his efforts on both the new workplace designs and the change management program.
Prior to joining Willis Towers Watson, Bryon was a project manager for a leading Nashville-based general contractor and construction management firm with eight years of experience in construction and project management. He served six years as an Active Duty Army Officer and continues to serve in the Army National Guard. Bryon holds the designation of Masters of Corporate Real Estate with a specialty in Workplace Strategy and has completed the LEED Accredited Professional credentialing.
Contributing Sessions
Jeffrey O’Neill, Pennsylvania Hospital, Penn Medicine
Jeff O’Neill, AIA, ACHA, CHFM is the Senior Director of Facilities at Penn Medicine’s Pennsylvania Hospital, the nation’s first hospital. Facilities is responsible for the maintenance of the physical plant, security, and cleanliness, while developing and implementing capital construction projects. Previous roles at Penn Medicine Director of Engineering, and Senior Project Manager for Real Estate, Design and Construction, which include four hospitals and multiple outpatient sites. Before joining Penn Medicine in 2006, Jeff worked at the Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Philadelphia, and Vitetta, an architecture consulting firm, progressing to shareholder and Healthcare Program Manager.
Jeff holds a Bachelors of Architecture degree from Catholic University, is a Registered Architect in Pennsylvania, holds certifications from the American College of Healthcare Architects and the American Hospital Association as a Certified Health Facilities Manager. Professional society memberships include the American Institute of Architects, the National Fire Protection Agency, the American Society for Healthcare Engineers, and the International Code Council.
Jeff is currently active in Building Code Development as Vice Chair of the International Code Council’s Health Care Committee, Vice Chair of the International Existing Building Code committee, and member of the ICC Interpretations Committee.
Contributing Sessions
Jen Robinson, PECO
Jen Robinson is a PECO Smart Ideas Outreach Manager, and she brings 15 years of experience in sales, sales management and utility program management to this position. She currently manages outreach to contractors and commercial and industrial customers on behalf of the PECO Smart Ideas Program. In partnering with energy service professionals across the region, Jen has assisted facility managers achieve thousands of dollars in energy savings through the submission of hundreds of rebate applications. She was previously a program manager for PPL Electric Utilities’ commercial and industrial energy efficiency programs. On the customer side, she served as a service sales account representative with Johnson Controls. Jen expertly defines a vision for success and drives a team for results.
Jen is a Penn State alumna with a bachelor’s degree in business, finance and marketing and is LEED AP O+M certified. She is based in Allentown, PA.
Contributing Sessions
Emily Schapira, Philadelphia Energy Authority
Emily Schapira has been the Executive Director of the Philadelphia Energy Authority (PEA) since 2016 and a member of the board since 2011. Emily joined PEA to develop and execute the Philadelphia Energy Campaign, a $1 billion, 10-year initiative to advance energy efficiency and clean energy across Philadelphia, while creating over 10,000 jobs.
Prior to joining PEA full time, Emily was Director of Global Accounts – Lighting at WESCO Distribution, a Fortune 500 electrical supply company. WESCO acquired Aelux, a national lighting and controls retrofitter serving C&I and MUSH sectors, where Emily was Chief Operating Officer. Previously, Emily worked on sustainability for Verizon and Intel, and started and ran the Wharton School’s Sustainability Program, based in Wharton’s facilities management group. Emily’s sustainability work focused on operational eco-efficiency and behavior change, including LEED certifications and stakeholder engagement. Emily also spent five years running a consumer heating oil co-op in Philadelphia and advocating for low-income energy assistance. Emily has an MBA from Wharton and a BA from the University of Pennsylvania. She sits on the Alumni Advisory Board of Penn’s Initiative for Global Environmental Leadership.
Contributing Sessions
Christine Workman, Vertical Systems Analysis, Inc.
Christine Workman is an elevator/escalator Project Manager consultant for modernization and maintenance for Vertical Systems Analysis, Inc. in the Philadelphia and Manhattan areas. With over 25 years of experience in the real estate and construction industry, she delivers on business goals by thoroughly researching issues, creatively resolving problems, and implementing plans on time and on budget. Christine is currently the IFMA Philadelphia Chapter President and holds an MBA in Project Management from Capella University. She worked at Otis Elevator as a Construction Project Manager in Atlantic City, NJ for four years while the casinos were undergoing revitalization. Christine is also an OSHA Outreach trainer for the OSHA-10 & OSHA-30 Construction classes and a licensed NJ Building Inspector for residential and light commercial buildings.