IFMA Philly Newsletter Fall 2024
IFMA Philly Newsletter Fall 2024 Past Event Highlights, Upcoming Events, Learning Opportunities, FM Spotlight Highlights, and much, much more! Click on image to view newsletter!
Steve is married to his wife Mei and has 3 children and 2 step children ranging from 25 to 33. He graduated with a Bachelors degree in Criminal Justice and has been in the Facilities industry for over 30 years as a project manager, facility manager with Citibank, Robert Fleming Inc., Rider University, CBRE and now Bancroft for the past 5 years with his current position as the Director of Commercial Properties for the company. Steve has been a member of IFMA Greater Philadelphia since 2020.
How did you get into Facility Management?
Right out of college with a BS in Criminal Justice I started working for Citibank as a security-fire safety manager on a large project in Manhattan and then worked my way to Facility Coordinator. Through the years I became a project facility manager managing internal renovations and churn projects. This wasn’t a path I chose but one which continually evolved through different job assignments leading up to my position today as Director of Commercial Properties for Bancroft.
Tell us about a favorite project.
During a stint art Rider University we were required to install sprinklers in one of our most iconic Georgian style architecture buildings dating back to1936. The interior plaster molding and architectural preservation was essential to maintain and with the architect, administration and sprinkler vendor, we were able to do this while school was closed for break and then continue while staff and students were in session. Communication and planning were the key elements to this successful project. Once completed, even alumni from the past commented on how it was blended into the original interior without standing out.
What is your greatest success story?
Working for Subaru of America’s corporate HQ in Cherry Hill, the building was an open 6 story atrium without any building controls. Working with Tozour Trane and engineers, we came up with an BMS automation plan to install VFD’s on the air handlers, wireless stats and controls for the HVAC system. After the install was completed, the results were immediate as there was a 35% reduction in energy usage saving significant amounts of money for the corporation by reducing operating expenses and the ability to properly control the interior environment.
Tell us about a challenge or obstacle that you faced in the Facilities field and how you overcame it.
After the implementation of the fire life safety code of requiring sprinkler systems to be installed in residential and places of assembly within a university setting, working with the administration, local code officials and finance office to come up with a strategy on prioritizing which buildings, how to fund them and the time period in which to complete these projects. Communication between all was imperative to manage the code timeline and budget expectations.
What is something that most people do not know about you?
I love to cook and collect wine and host dinner parties for my friends and family. My 15 minutes of fame was in 2001 when my family boarded the Disney Wonder and we were the one millionth booking for Disney Cruise lines which we did live interviews on Channel 3, 6 and 10 for the Philadelphia affiliates and awarded a free cruise for 20 within the following year.
What learning experience would you pass onto future FM’s?
Never stop learning within the field, ask questions from those above you, and network with as many people through out your career .
Steve is married to his wife Mei and has 3 children and 2 step children ranging from 25 to 33. He graduated with a Bachelors degree in Criminal Justice and has been in the Facilities industry for over 30 years as a project manager, facility manager with Citibank, Robert Fleming Inc., Rider University, CBRE and now Bancroft for the past 5 years with his current position as the Director of Commercial Properties for the company. Steve has been a member of IFMA Greater Philadelphia since 2020.
How did you get into Facility Management?
Right out of college with a BS in Criminal Justice I started working for Citibank as a security-fire safety manager on a large project in Manhattan and then worked my way to Facility Coordinator. Through the years I became a project facility manager managing internal renovations and churn projects. This wasn’t a path I chose but one which continually evolved through different job assignments leading up to my position today as Director of Commercial Properties for Bancroft.
Tell us about a favorite project.
During a stint art Rider University we were required to install sprinklers in one of our most iconic Georgian style architecture buildings dating back to1936. The interior plaster molding and architectural preservation was essential to maintain and with the architect, administration and sprinkler vendor, we were able to do this while school was closed for break and then continue while staff and students were in session. Communication and planning were the key elements to this successful project. Once completed, even alumni from the past commented on how it was blended into the original interior without standing out.
What is your greatest success story?
Working for Subaru of America’s corporate HQ in Cherry Hill, the building was an open 6 story atrium without any building controls. Working with Tozour Trane and engineers, we came up with an BMS automation plan to install VFD’s on the air handlers, wireless stats and controls for the HVAC system. After the install was completed, the results were immediate as there was a 35% reduction in energy usage saving significant amounts of money for the corporation by reducing operating expenses and the ability to properly control the interior environment.
Tell us about a challenge or obstacle that you faced in the Facilities field and how you overcame it.
After the implementation of the fire life safety code of requiring sprinkler systems to be installed in residential and places of assembly within a university setting, working with the administration, local code officials and finance office to come up with a strategy on prioritizing which buildings, how to fund them and the time period in which to complete these projects. Communication between all was imperative to manage the code timeline and budget expectations.
What is something that most people do not know about you?
I love to cook and collect wine and host dinner parties for my friends and family. My 15 minutes of fame was in 2001 when my family boarded the Disney Wonder and we were the one millionth booking for Disney Cruise lines which we did live interviews on Channel 3, 6 and 10 for the Philadelphia affiliates and awarded a free cruise for 20 within the following year.
What learning experience would you pass onto future FM’s?
Never stop learning within the field, ask questions from those above you, and network with as many people through out your career .
IFMA Philly Newsletter Fall 2024 Past Event Highlights, Upcoming Events, Learning Opportunities, FM Spotlight Highlights, and much, much more! Click on image to view newsletter!
IFMA Philly Newsletter Summer 2024 Past Event Highlights, Upcoming Events, Learning Opportunities, FM Spotlight Highlights, and much, much more! Click on image to view newsletter!
Past Event Highlights, Upcoming Events, Learning Opportunities, FM Spotlight Highlights, and much, much more! Click on image to view newsletter!