In this episode, Griffin Hamilton speaks with Steven Atkins, the Director of Facilities Management at Methodist University Hospital.

They discuss Steven's journey into healthcare facilities management, the unique challenges faced in this sector, and the importance of compliance and paperwork. Steven shares insights on documenting tribal knowledge, emergency preparedness, and building a culture of safety.

The conversation also delves into sustainability efforts and capital projects, emphasizing the role of optimization in achieving energy efficiency and cost savings.

Key Takeaways

• Healthcare facilities management involves navigating complex regulations and compliance requirements.
• Capturing tribal knowledge is crucial for maintaining operational efficiency in aging facilities.
• Emergency preparedness requires a multidisciplinary approach and regular drills.
• Sustainability initiatives can lead to significant cost savings and improved operational efficiency.
• Building trust with administration is essential for successful emergency management programs.

Summary

In this episode, Griffin Hamilton is joined by industry veteran Michel Theriault to unpack a recurring pain point in facilities management: the lack of fit-for-purpose tools and the undervaluation of FM’s strategic role.

With decades of experience in in-house, outsourced, and consulting environments, Michel shares compelling insights on:

• Why many organizations still use subpar or misaligned systems (like IT helpdesks) to manage complex FM needs

• The consequences of not advocating for specialized FM software (like CMMS or CAFM platforms)

• How poor interdepartmental collaboration—especially with IT—can derail initiatives for years

• The importance of positioning FM as a strategic function, not just a tactical one

• Practical advice for facility managers to gain business fluency, advocate for better tools, and communicate their impact

• The value of professional development

Interested in learning more? Reach out to Michel on LinkedIn

This weeks guest is David Stephenson, Studio Principal (Smart Building Studio) at Little Diversified Architectural Consulting

In this episode, Griffin and David talk about the evolution of smart building technology and its implementation in facilities management.

David shares his extensive experience in the industry, discussing the challenges faced by facility managers, the importance of change management, and best practices for technology adoption.

If you'd like to learn more about Little's Smart Building Studio, check out their brochure here.

00:00 Introduction to Smart Building Technology

03:01 David's Journey in Facilities Management

05:48 Challenges in the FM Industry

09:01 Best Practices for Change Management

12:01 Implementation Strategies for Technology

15:04 Integrating Smart Building Technologies

18:06 Taking the First Steps in Tech Adoption

In this episode of the Modern Facilities Management Podcast, Griffin Hamilton interviews John Kunzier, president of Invisible Sun Technology. They discuss the importance of technology in facilities management, particularly IoT solutions that enhance efficiency and productivity.

John shares insights on the challenges of tight margins in the industry and how small changes can significantly impact the bottom line. The conversation also covers innovative technologies like Proof of Presence, which improve service delivery and shift management from reactive to proactive. John emphasizes the value of data in justifying operational decisions and the importance of curiosity in driving career development.

Enjoy!

00:00 Introduction to John Kunzier and Invisible Sun Technology

02:50 The Importance of Technology in Facilities Management

05:58 Understanding Margins and Cost Efficiency

09:04 Innovative Solutions: Proof of Presence Technology

12:09 Shifting from Reactive to Proactive Management

14:55 Addressing Employee Concerns with Monitoring Technology

17:49 The Value of Data in Facilities Management

21:01 Curiosity as a Driving Force in Career Development

In this episode of The Modern Facilities Management Podcast, Griffin sits down with Dr. Tim Unruh, Executive Director of the National Association of Energy Service Companies (NAESCO) and former Deputy Assistant Secretary for Renewable Power at the U.S. Department of Energy.

Dr. Unruh breaks down how Energy Service Companies (ESCOs) are helping public institutions like K–12 schools, universities, and municipalities fund infrastructure improvements without upfront capital—while reducing energy costs, improving occupant comfort, and creating long-term operational resilience.

If energy efficiency, capital planning, or deferred maintenance are top of mind for your organization, this is a must-listen conversation.

Resources

National Association of Energy Service Companies (NAESCO)

NAESCO ESCO Members

NAESCO Accredited Members

U.S. Department of Energy (DOE)

Federal Energy Management Program (FEMP) (DOE)

Energy Savings Performance Contract Campaign (SCEP, DOE)

Energy Services Coalition (ESC)

National Association of State Energy Officials (NASEO)

In this episode of the Modern Facilities Management Podcast, ⁠Griffin Hamilton⁠ interviews ⁠Scott Christopher⁠, Senior Director of Facility Operations at the historic ⁠Fox Theatre⁠ in Atlanta, GA.

Scott shares insights into his extensive career in facilities management, the unique challenges of maintaining a 95-year-old venue, and the importance of balancing historical preservation with modern technology. He discusses operational strategies for maintenance, sustainability efforts, and the impact of mentorship on his career.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to the Fox Theater and Scott Christopher

11:50 Operational Strategies for Maintenance and Repairs

20:38 Sustainability Efforts and Waste Management

27:05 Mentorship and Career Impact

Enjoy!

In this episode of the Modern Facilities Management Podcast, Griffin Hamilton interviews Brandon Gorman, a facilities manager at Omnicell.

They discuss Brandon's journey into facilities management, the importance of technology in the industry, and the challenges of implementing new software solutions.

Brandon shares his experiences in overcoming resistance to change, the role of AI in enhancing efficiency, and the significance of mentorship in his career development.

Enjoy!

In this episode of the Modern Facilities Management Podcast, Griffin Hamilton interviews Chuck Ridgeway, Automation Technology Manager at Horner Automation

They discuss the importance of automation in facilities management, the hesitations surrounding its adoption, and the critical role of data in driving efficiency and sustainability.

Chuck shares insights on starting small with automation initiatives, the significance of intelligent systems, and the future of machine learning in the industry. 

Enjoy!

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Automation in Facilities Management

04:05 Understanding Automation and Its Misconceptions

06:15 Starting Small: The First Steps in Automation

08:05 The Role of Data in Automation

11:50 Leveraging Existing Technology for Data Collection

15:14 Looking Ahead: Machine Learning in Facilities Management

17:09 Key Takeaways and Final Advice

In this episode of the Modern Facilities Management Podcast, host Griffin Hamilton sits down with Rich Rodgers, Director of Facilities at Ballpark Village in St. Louis, to discuss best practices in vendor relationships and the importance of effective facility leadership.

Rich shares his unique career journey—starting as a police officer before transitioning into facilities management, navigating the challenges of managing Motel 6 locations, and eventually taking on leadership roles in large-scale property management. His experience in turning around struggling properties provides valuable lessons on building vendor partnerships, cost management, and strategic facility improvements.

Key takeaways include:

In this episode of the Modern Facilities Management Podcast, host Griffin Hamilton welcomes Chris Gist, a portfolio leader at Trane with over 22 years of experience in HVAC and building controls. Chris shares his wealth of knowledge on the rapid advancements in HVAC technology and how they are shaping the future of facilities management.

Key takeaways from the episode include the importance of starting with quick wins to build momentum for technological upgrades and energy savings, the potential of data analytics to identify root causes of equipment issues, and the evolution of facility managers into data-driven decision-makers. Chris highlights how small projects can lead to significant improvements and fund larger initiatives over time. He also discusses the sustainability goals driving the adoption of smart building technologies and the need for businesses to leverage existing systems while transitioning toward fully connected ecosystems.

The conversation dives into the growing importance of data, AI, and machine learning in optimizing building performance, reducing energy consumption, and modernizing older facilities. Chris provides valuable insights into the challenges of retrofitting legacy systems and the critical role of connected ecosystems in achieving operational efficiency.
This episode is packed with actionable insights for facility managers looking to embrace innovation and stay ahead in an evolving industry.

Interested in closing the skills gap? Check out our friends at Interplay Learning!