Facilities in Focus

Coming at you live at NFMT East in Charlotte! Host Mackenna Moralez speaks with Claude Harding, security and facilities manager for the Bechtler Museum of Modern Art. Claude shares what it takes to maintain a museum filled with priceless artwork while welcoming thousands of visitors each year. From dust control strategies and climate-sensitive operations to emergency preparedness and relationship-building with contractors, Claude offers practical insights that facility managers in any industry can apply to their own buildings. Filled with real-world stories and relatable facility management challenges, this episode offers an inside look at how preparation, communication, and trust keep complex facilities operating successfully. 

“I look at my building as a living, breathing entity all on its own,” Claude says during the podcast. “You have to know your building. What does your building sound like? What does the air feel like? What does it smell like? Every building has its idiosyncrasies.” 

The Facilities in Focus podcast publishes bi-weekly. The fifth season will cover healthcare facilities with new episodes premiering in June. 

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

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Access control isn’t just about keycards and locked doors — it’s about ownership, risk and protecting your “baby.” As security threats evolve, facility managers are being asked to step up in ways that they have never before. In this episode of Facilities in Focus, Mackenna Moralez sits down with Michael Gipps, managing director of the Enterprise Security Risk Management practice at Kroll, to discuss how facility managers can identify hidden vulnerabilities, communicate the “why” behind security decisions and balance safety with occupant experience.  

Through real-world examples and practical advice, Michael explains how facility managers can move beyond the “we’ve always done it this way mindset” to building new access control strategies rooted in risk assessment, communication and collaboration with tenants. If you’re responsible for a building, this episode will challenge how you approach your role in security and give you the actionable steps to strengthen your position.  

“If you’re a facility manager for a building and you have tenants, you are responsible for everything,” Michael says during the podcast. “There’s a lot of nuances and ins and outs there. It’s a difficult job, and it’s a very important job to have.” 

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When you’re responsible for a facility that welcomes thousands of people, safety can’t be an afterthought—it has to be built into everything you do. In this episode of Facilities in Focus, Mackenna Moralez sits down with Tony Camarillo, general manager of the Orlando Convention Center at NFMT Remix to discuss how the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando is setting a new standard for emergency preparedness. After becoming the first convention center in the U.S. to conduct a large-scale safety exercise, the facility partnered with agencies like the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency, Orange County Fire Rescue and the Orange County Sheriff's Office to simulate a coordinated attack and test its response plans. 

From advanced security technology to coordinated crisis communication, learn how facility leaders are preparing for the unexpected while keeping events running smoothly. 

“It’s [communication] got to be the foundation they do their job on,” Tony says during the podcast. “It’s something that I’ve been stressing since I walked through the door. Develop the relationships in your world, whether it’s first responders or local government. Keep improving upon your guidelines so you can learn where your deficiencies are and where you can improve.” 

Learn more about the Orange County Convention Center emergency drill:

https://www.facilitiesnet.com/emergencypreparedness/article/Why-Facilities-Need-to-Perform-Emergency-Drills--20530

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Building fires are one of the most serious threats facility managers face, but preparation, maintenance and knowledge can make all the difference. In this episode of Facilities in Focus, Mackenna Moralez is joined by Shawn Mahoney, senior engineer in the technical services division for the National Fire Protection Association, to break down the essential fire safety practices facility managers need to know. From understanding sprinklers and fire alarm systems to knowing your role during an emergency and coordinating with the fire department, this conversation delivers practical fire safety strategies facility managers can apply immediately. This episode provides essential insights to help facility managers protect people, reduce risk and ensure fast recovery after a fire event. 

“If there’s a fire in your building, hopefully you’ve prepared for this — it’s not necessarily a crisis, it’s something you’re ready to get through,” Shawn says during the episode. 

The Facilities in Focus podcast publishes bi-weekly. The fourth season will cover safety and security. 

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

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What if your building’s current security measures aren’t enough—and you don’t find out until a lawsuit forces the issue? Facility managers are facing growing pressure to rethink building. In this episode of Facilities in Focus, Mackenna Moralez sits down with Kieran Carroll, chief strategy officer at ZeroEyes about a lawsuit that has the potential to change how facilities approach security. Together, they unpack what the case reveals about video surveillance, access control, emergency communications and third-party security contracts and where liability may fall. Kieran offers practical insights on where many facilities may have hidden gaps—and how those gaps could translate into real risk. This episode offers timely insights for anyone responsible for building safety in today’s risk-conscious environment. 

“If you’re a proactive facility manager and the corporation is looking at it from a risk perspective, you’re almost certainly going to want to investigate the capability gaps mentioned in the lawsuit—before any future regulatory action hits,” Kieran says. 

The Facilities in Focus podcast publishes bi-weekly. The fourth season will cover safety and security. 

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

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LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/facilitiesnetnfmt  

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One of the main responsibilities of a facility manager is keeping people safe. But what if the PPE meant to protect workers are actually putting them in harm’s way? In this episode of Facilities in Focus, Mackenna Moralez sits down with Amy Roosa, founder and executive director of The Safety Rack, to unpack a critical and overlooked issue: ill-fitting, non-inclusive personal protective equipment. Drawing on more than 20 years of safety leadership, Amy explains how one-size-fits-all PPE and the long-standing “shrink it and pink it” approach can lead to injuries, near misses, long-term ergonomic damage and even higher turnover. Amy shares eye-opening data and a compelling case for why inclusive PPE isn’t about gender – it's about fit, performance, compliance and culture. Listen to the full conversation to learn how rethinking PPE can make your facilities safer, more equitable and more effective. 

“We think better PPE costs more, but what really costs more are the injuries, the downtime, and the turnover,” Amy says. 

The Facilities in Focus podcast publishes bi-weekly. The fourth season will cover safety and security. 

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

Follow us on social media:  

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/facilitiesnetnfmt  

Youtube: @FacilitiesNet  

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Facebook: Facebook.com/FacilitiesNetNFMT 

What happens when locks don’t lock, communication systems fail, or no one knows who’s responsible for security? Emergency preparedness can feel overwhelming, especially when it comes to lockdowns. In this episode of Facilities in Focus, Mackenna Moralez sits down with security expert Brian Higgins, founder of Group 77, to unpack what lockdown drills really are, why they matter and how facility managers can implement them without fear. Drawing on decades of public safety experience, Higgins explains how small details can make a life-saving difference during an active threat. From open-office challenges to realistic, non-traumatizing training strategies, this conversation offers practical guidance every facility manager needs. If you’re responsible for keeping people safe at work, this is an episode you can’t afford to miss.  

“Don’t think about the perfect emergency plan in the beginning. Start somewhere—and build on it,” Brian says. 

The Facilities in Focus podcast publishes bi-weekly. The fourth season will cover safety and security. 

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

Follow us on social media:  

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/facilitiesnetnfmt  

Youtube: @FacilitiesNet  

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Facebook: Facebook.com/FacilitiesNetNFMT 

Welcome back to a special bonus episode of Facilities in Focus that was recorded live at NFMT Remix. Host Mackenna Moralez is joined by former Facility Champion and Building Operating Management cover star Leo Bobadilla for a one-on-one discussion on how the industry has evolved in recent years and what it takes to be a champion. Leo breaks down his career highs and how being in the Orlando Convention Center brought back memories from the start of his career. 

The Facilities in Focus podcast publishes bi-weekly. The fourth season will cover safety and security with new episodes premiering in February. 

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

Follow us on social media:  

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/facilitiesnetnfmt  

Youtube: @FacilitiesNet  

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Facebook: Facebook.com/FacilitiesNetNFMT 

Facility managers are feeling the talent shortage—but where should recruitment really begin? In this bonus episode of Facilities in Focus, host Mackenna Moralez talks with Caroline Horton on why she chose to obtain her master’s degree in facilities management and how her thesis encourages industry leaders to work with local schools to recruit new talent from a young age. She discusses why outreach matters and what facility managers can realistically do to raise awareness of FM careers. This conversation offers facility managers fresh ideas for talent development and a new perspective on strengthening the pipelines for the new generation.

“Reaching students in high school—and even middle school—is where real awareness of facilities management begins,” Caroline says. “If students don’t know facilities management exists, they can’t choose it as a career.”

The Facilities in Focus podcast publishes bi-weekly. The fourth season will cover safety and security with new episodes premiering in February.

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

Follow FacilitiesNet on social media:

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/facilitiesnetnfmt

Youtube: @FacilitiesNet

X: @FacilitiesNet_NFMT

Facebook: Facebook.com/FacilitiesNetNFMT

What if your first job could set the stage for a long-lasting career? As the facilities industry faces a significant labor shortage, one school district is preparing the next generation to take over the reigns. Host Mackenna Moralez talks with Keith Watkins, director of facilities III for the City School District of New Rochelle on how student apprenticeship and youth employment programs not only teach teenagers valuable life and trade skills, but also address the industry’s looming workforce gap. From mentoring 14–18 year-olds on everything from cleaning and HVAC basics to shadowing electricians, Keith explains how early exposure to facilities work can spark lifelong careers, instill responsibility, and even change the way students see their own schools. This conversation is a powerful look at how mentorship and hands-on learning are shaping the future of facilities management. 

"Finding out what you don’t want to do is just as important as finding out what you do want to do. Early exposure helps young adults figure out if this is an option for them," Keith says. 

The Facilities in Focus podcast publishes bi-weekly. The third season will cover education facilities. 

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

Connect with Mackenna on LinkedIn:

linkedin.com/in/mackennamoralez

Follow us on social media:  

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/facilitiesnetnfmt  

Youtube: @FacilitiesNet  

X: @FacilitiesNet_NFMT  

Facebook: Facebook.com/FacilitiesNetNFMT