Facilities in Focus

What does it take to build a successful career without truly letting the career define who you are as a person? In this episode of Facilities in Focus, Mackenna Moralez sits down with Tia Freiburger, director of facilities and operations at Under Armour and former Building Operating Management cover star, for a candid conversation about leadership, career growth and the evolving role of women in facilities management.  

Tia brings an honest and human perspective to some of facilities management biggest challenges, and shares how intentional leadership and strong relationships can make all the difference. Her message about emerging technology is especially reassuring for the skeptics: while automation may change how facility professionals work, but the need for human judgement, problem solving and leadership isn't going away anytime soon.  

Tia also opens up about the importance of setting boundaries, making time for life outside of work and recognizing that working harder doesn't always mean moving further ahead.  

“I'd rather do 50 amazing, wonderful things that are really impactful than to do 152 things just okay as fast as I can,” Tia says during the podcast. 

At the heart of the episode is an encouraging conversation about women in facilities management: finding the confidence to speak up, advocating for yourself and others, and recognizing the unique strengths different perspectives can bring to the workplace. 

The Facilities in Focus podcast publishes bi-weekly. The sixth season will cover high performers in the facilities management industry. 

For comments or to be a guest on the Facilities in Focus podcast, please email Mackenna at [email protected]. 

Read Tia's Building Operating Management Cover Story: 

https://www.facilitiesnet.com/facilitiesmanagement/article/Tia-Freiburger-on-Leadership-Teamwork-and-the-Art-of-Facility-Management--20666 

Connect with Mackenna on LinkedIn: 

www.linkedin.com/in/mackennamoralez 

Follow us on social media:  

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/facilitiesnetnfmt  

Youtube: @FacilitiesNet  

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Facebook: Facebook.com/FacilitiesNetNFMT 

Most people don’t really think about facility management until something goes wrong within the building. But Ethan Lang, director of facilities and engineering at the Baltimore Convention Center, explains that’s actually a sign that facility managers are doing their jobs well. 

Joining host Mackenna Moralez on this episode of Facilities in Focus, Lang discusses the convention center’s extensive restroom renovation project and the many considerations that went into transforming an aging space into one that is brighter, more functional, accessible and welcoming. The renovation wasn’t just simply replacing outdated finishes. His team looked at how people actually use the space — from travelers carrying luggage to visitors seeking more privacy. Even minor details like illuminated mirrors and stall occupancy indicators can dramatically change the user experience.  

“We want it to feel intentional and like people are valued and it's not an afterthought,” Ethan says during the episode.  

Lang’s story is a reminder that facility management is a profession built around care. The best work may go unnoticed — and that is often the point. The episode offers practical insight into capital planning, customer experience, construction logistics, sustainability, accessibility and inclusion. But its message extends well beyond the profession. Anyone who has ever walked into a public building, struggled with a poorly designed restroom or appreciated a space that simply works can relate to the ideas discussed. 

The Facilities in Focus podcast publishes bi-weekly. The sixth season will cover high performers in the facilities management industry. 

For comments or to be a guest on the Facilities in Focus podcast, please email Mackenna at [email protected]. 

Connect with Mackenna on LinkedIn: 

www.linkedin.com/in/mackennamoralez 

Follow us on social media:  

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/facilitiesnetnfmt  

Youtube: @FacilitiesNet  

X: @FacilitiesNet_NFMT  

Facebook: Facebook.com/FacilitiesNetNFMT 

Facility managers spend countless hours preparing for emergencies. But what happens when a disaster exposes the gaps you didn't know you had?  

In the season premiere of Facilities in Focus, host Mackenna Moralez sits down with Nico Viola, director of facilities at Holden Forests and Gardens to discuss the aftermath of a devastating tornado that tore through the organization’s Cleveland-area campus in August 2024. The storm caused millions of dollars in damage, knocked out power for almost a week and forced a campus closure.  

Viola shares the hard-earned lessons that emerged when the tornado exposed vulnerabilities that the team didn’t know existed. From losing access to technology and discovering communication dead zones across a 4,000-acre campus, the experience forced the facilities team to truly rethink what preparedness looks like. His perspective offers a reminder that recovery isn’t necessarily always about restoring things as they were, but how to make space for something new to grow.  

“You have to look at it, you have to train on it, you have to constantly be updating it and re-evaluating it,” Nico says during the podcast. 

Whether you're responsible for a facility, lead a team or simply want to understand what happens behind the scenes when a community faces a disaster, this episode offers a compelling look at preparedness, resilience, leadership and the ability to find opportunity in unexpected change. 

The Facilities in Focus podcast publishes bi-weekly. The sixth season will cover high performers in the facilities management industry. 

For comments or to be a guest on the Facilities in Focus podcast, please email Mackenna at [email protected]. 

Read the Building Operating Management cover story on Nico:

https://www.facilitiesnet.com/facilitiesmanagement/article/Nico-Viola-Leads-the-Way-at-Holden-Gardens-amp-Forests--20552

Connect with Mackenna on LinkedIn: 

www.linkedin.com/in/mackennamoralez 

Follow us on social media:  

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/facilitiesnetnfmt  

Youtube: @FacilitiesNet  

X: @FacilitiesNet_NFMT  

Facebook: Facebook.com/FacilitiesNetNFMT 

In this episode of Facilities in Focus, host Mackenna Moralez takes listeners behind the scenes of one of the facilities management’s leading trade shows NFMT West. 

With NFMT West taking place November 3-4 at the Horseshoe Event Center in Las Vegas, she sits down with senior event coordinator Becky Cofta to discuss what goes into creating the conference and why continuing education remains so important for today’s facility professionals. 

From expert-led educational sessions and emerging industry trends to networking opportunities and the value of bringing hundreds of exhibitors and facility leaders together under one roof, Becky shares an inside look at what attendees can expect from this year’s event. 

Whether you’re planning to attend NFMT West or simply looking for ways to continue growing in your facilities career, this conversation is a reminder that learning doesn’t stop when the workday ends—and investing in your professional development can open the door to new ideas, connections and opportunities. 

The Facilities in Focus podcast publishes bi-weekly. The sixth season will cover high performers in the facilities management industry. 

For comments or to be a guest on the Facilities in Focus podcast, please email Mackenna at [email protected]. 

Register for NFMT: 

Nfmt.com/West  

Discount code: NFMT26@HALFOFF 

Connect with Mackenna on LinkedIn: 

www.linkedin.com/in/mackennamoralez 

Follow us on social media:  

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/facilitiesnetnfmt  

Youtube: @FacilitiesNet  

X: @FacilitiesNet_NFMT  

Facebook: Facebook.com/FacilitiesNetNFMT 

What makes a hospital feel safe? What transforms a building into a place of healing? For the season finale of Facilities in Focus, we're ending on a story that puts people at the center of everything facility managers do. How Mackenna Moralez is joined by 11-year-old Kendalynn and her mother, Karissa, to share their journey with Intermountain Primary Children’s Hospital. 

Born six weeks early and living with a rare gastrointestinal disorder that requires lifelong medical care, Kendalynn has spent a majority of her life in and out of the hospital. Yet, her story is still one of resilience, joy, courage and the power of community. Throughout the podcast, Kendalynn and Karissa reflect on how the facility has shaped their lives — from thoughtful hospital design and safe, comfortable environments to the caregivers, volunteers and support teams that make even the hardest days a little easier.  

"When you are in that space of a hospital, every single detail matters. The way the room feels, the way people walk in and say hello, the availability of the staff... every single detail matters," Karissa says during the podcast. 

While this episode offers meaningful insight for facility managers working in healthcare and beyond, its message reaches far beyond any industry. It’s a heartfelt reminder that every detail of a facility can influence someone’s experience, healing, and sense of belonging. 

The Facilities in Focus podcast publishes bi-weekly. The fifth season will cover healthcare facilities. 

This episode is brought to you by ABM, Orkin and Pointcore. 

For comments or to be a guest on the Facilities in Focus podcast, please email Mackenna at [email protected]. 

Connect with Mackenna on LinkedIn: 

www.linkedin.com/in/mackennamoralez 

Follow us on social media:  

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/facilitiesnetnfmt  

Youtube: @FacilitiesNet  

X: @FacilitiesNet_NFMT  

Facebook: Facebook.com/FacilitiesNetNFMT 

When someone faces a serious medical condition, having access to world-class care close to home can make all the difference. In this episode of Facilities in Focus, Mackenna Moralez sits down with Travis Laird, a key leader behind the UT Dell Medical Center, to explore the vision, planning and innovation shaping one of the most ambitious healthcare projects in the country. 

From advanced technology and digital twins to immersive training environments and patient-centered design, Travis offers a behind-the-scenes look at what it takes to build a next-generation healthcare institution. He discusses how the new specialty hospital aims to keep patients closer to home for complex care, rethink how healthcare professionals are trained, and create a model that other organizations may one day follow. 

"We're using this as a way to rethink research, accelerate the pace of discovery, and create new ways of working," Travis says during the podcast. 

For facility managers and healthcare professionals, the discussion offers practical insights into the challenges and opportunities involved in building the next generation of healthcare environments. 

The Facilities in Focus podcast publishes bi-weekly. The fifth season will cover healthcare facilities. 

This episode is brought to you by ABM, Orkin and Pointcore. 

For comments or to be a guest on the Facilities in Focus podcast, please email Mackenna at [email protected]. 

Connect with Mackenna on LinkedIn: 

www.linkedin.com/in/mackennamoralez 

Follow us on social media:  

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/facilitiesnetnfmt  

Youtube: @FacilitiesNet  

X: @FacilitiesNet_NFMT  

Facebook: Facebook.com/FacilitiesNetNFMT 

Hospitals and other healthcare facilities rely on much more than doctors and nurses to keep patients safe. In this episode of Facilities in Focus, Mackenna Moralez sits down with Yanet Vega of El Rio Health to discuss how safety standards and compliance challenges keep hospitals running safely. 

Throughout the episode, Yanet explains how compliance goes far beyond checklists, why education and collaboration matter across every department and how even the smallest of shortcuts can have severe consequences in healthcare environments. She also gives valuable advice for professionals new to healthcare facilities management, emphasizing the importance of relationships, systems thinking and understanding how people, processes and safety all connect. 

“Compliance is never done, and it’s not done alone,” Yanet says during the podcast. 

Whether you work in facilities management, healthcare operations, or simply want a behind-the-scenes look at what keeps hospitals safe and running smoothly, this episode delivers valuable perspective for every listener. 

The Facilities in Focus podcast publishes bi-weekly. The fifth season will cover healthcare facilities. 

This episode is brought to you by ABM, Orkin and Pointcore. 

For comments or to be a guest on the Facilities in Focus podcast, please email Mackenna at [email protected]. 

Connect with Mackenna on LinkedIn: 

www.linkedin.com/in/mackennamoralez 

Follow us on social media:  

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/facilitiesnetnfmt  

Youtube: @FacilitiesNet  

X: @FacilitiesNet_NFMT  

Facebook: Facebook.com/FacilitiesNetNFMT 

Behind every successful hospital, university or large facility is a team solving problems most people never see. From navigating construction chaos to leading major healthcare facility operations, this episode of Facilities in Focus pulls back the curtain on what it really takes to keep complex buildings running smoothly. Host Mackenna Moralez sits down with Brian Cowperthwaite to discuss renovation challenges, leadership lessons, data-driven decision making and the constant balancing act facility managers face every day. 

“Don’t nail anything to the floor… we’re gonna flex, we’re gonna move. Priorities change, leadership changes — just roll with the punches and keep the place running,” Brian says during the podcast. 

Brian shares honest insights about communication breakdowns, project frustrations, data overload and why process matters more than ever in modern facilities management. This episode highlights the invisible work that impacts everyone who walks through a building’s doors. Whether you work in healthcare, operations, leadership or simply want a behind-the-scenes look at the systems that keep organizations functioning, this episode offers practical wisdom, humor and honest stories from the field. 

The Facilities in Focus podcast publishes bi-weekly. The fifth season will cover healthcare facilities. 

This episode is brought to you by ABM, Orkin and Pointcore. 

For comments or to be a guest on the Facilities in Focus podcast, please email Mackenna at [email protected]. 

Connect with Mackenna on LinkedIn: 

www.linkedin.com/in/mackennamoralez 

Follow us on social media:  

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/facilitiesnetnfmt  

Youtube: @FacilitiesNet  

X: @FacilitiesNet_NFMT  

Facebook: Facebook.com/FacilitiesNetNFMT 

Accessibility isn’t just a checklist — it’s a human experience, and as America’s population ages, the conversation around accessibility is becoming impossible to ignore. In senior living communities, families want spaces where their loved ones can truly live with dignity, independence and comfort. In this episode of Facilities in Focus, Mackenna Moralez sits down with ADA expert and NFMT presenter Joan Stein to explore the future of senior care facility design, from the hidden flaws in everyday architecture to the growing demand for universal design that works for everyone. 

During the episode, Joan explains how meeting minimum code is not enough and how poor design choices can fail aging adults. She advises facility managers how they can create environments that are both functional and welcoming as seniors age into their new homes. From frustrating accessibility failures to the dream of fully connected, walkable communities designed for aging in place, Joan paints a compelling picture of where senior living could be headed. She challenges facility leaders to think beyond compliance and create spaces that are welcoming, practical and genuinely inclusive. 

“We are not going to age gracefully and quietly. Baby boomers are going to demand better spaces — and they’re going to demand them instantly,” Joan says during the podcast. 

Whether you’re a facility manager, healthcare professional, designer or someone thinking about the future of aging, this episode will challenge the way you look at the built environment. 

The Facilities in Focus podcast publishes bi-weekly. The fifth season will cover healthcare facilities. 

This episode is brought to you by ABM, Orkin and Pointcore.

For comments or to be a guest on the Facilities in Focus podcast, please email Mackenna at [email protected]. 

Connect with Mackenna on LinkedIn: 

www.linkedin.com/in/mackennamoralez 

Follow us on social media:  

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/facilitiesnetnfmt  

Youtube: @FacilitiesNet  

X: @FacilitiesNet_NFMT  

Facebook: Facebook.com/FacilitiesNetNFMT 

When a life is saved, most people are quick to thank the doctors and nurses. But what about the teams working behind the scenes that make care possible every second of every day? In the Season Five premiere of Facilities in Focus, host Mackenna Moralez sits down with Bruce Legris and Daniel Wagner of SSM Health St. Mary’s Hospital to explore the unseen world of healthcare facilities management — through the lens of Mackenna’s own high-risk pregnancy and her son’s stay in the NICU. 

From maintaining clean air and reliable power to protecting the hospital’s most vulnerable patients, Bruce and Dan share the emotional responsibility that comes with operating critical care environments. It’s a heartfelt reminder that healing depends on far more than what happens at the bedside. 

“When anything happens critical on our side with the power plant, there’s little ones on the other side of the road that we’ve got to worry about and make sure the power’s on at all times,” Bruce says during the podcast.  

Whether you work in facilities management, healthcare, or simply want a powerful story about compassion, resilience, and the people behind the scenes, this is an episode you won’t want to miss. 

The Facilities in Focus podcast publishes bi-weekly. The fifth season will cover healthcare facilities. 

This episode is brought to you by ABM, Orkin and Pointcore.

For comments or to be a guest on the Facilities in Focus podcast, please email Mackenna at [email protected]. 

Connect with Mackenna on LinkedIn: 

www.linkedin.com/in/mackennamoralez 

Follow us on social media:  

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/facilitiesnetnfmt  

Youtube: @FacilitiesNet  

X: @FacilitiesNet_NFMT  

Facebook: Facebook.com/FacilitiesNetNFMT