The Modern Facilities Management Podcast

By Griffin HamiltonBusiness Management

The Modern Facilities Management Podcast episodes

February 13, 2025#129 Rich Rodgers: Vendor Management & Facility Leadership
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:
The importance of reframing vendor relationships as partnerships, actively listening to vendor insights, and maintaining open lines of communication.

Cost-effective facility improvements, such as cleaning, painting, and landscaping, that create an immediate impact and set the tone for larger investments.

How vendor engagement and accountability drive long-term success, including strategies for negotiating fair pricing without damaging relationships.

Insights into Rich's new venture, Maintenance Marketplace, a technology-driven platform connecting property managers and real estate agents with vetted vendors.
27 min
February 06, 2025 #128 Chris Gist: HVAC Technology & AI
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!

25 min
January 23, 2025 #127 Dave Tibbetts: SIF Exposure
On this episode of the Modern Facilities Management Podcast, Griffin Hamilton interviews Dave Tibbetts, the Chief Safety Officer at Highwire. They discuss the evolving landscape of safety management, particularly in relation to contractor relationships and risk mitigation.
Dave shares insights from his career journey, the importance of understanding contractor risks, and the emerging concept of Serious Injury and Fatality (SIF) potential. The conversation emphasizes the need for data-driven approaches to safety metrics and the importance of fostering partnerships with contractors to improve safety outcomes.
Enjoy!

Chapters

00:00
Introduction to Safety Management and Contractor Relationships
06:10
Understanding Contractor Risks
11:57
The Concept of SIF Potential
17:52
Engaging Contractors in Safety Conversations
24:07
Personal Influences in Safety Career
Interested in closing the skills gap? Check out our friends at Interplay Learning!
29 min
January 16, 2025 #126: Heating Efficiency and Fuel Sources with Modine
On this episode of the Modern Facilities Management podcast, Griffin Hamilton speaks with Richard Boothman and Jamie Tuinstra from Modine about their experiences in the heating industry, the transition from the UK to the US market, and the importance of heating efficiency and fuel sources.
They discuss the challenges and opportunities in the market, the significance of preventative maintenance, and emerging technologies such as air to water heat pumps.
Enjoy!
Chapters

00:00
Introduction to Modine and Its Leaders
02:59
Transitioning from the UK to the US Market
06:00
Understanding Modine's Market Position and Product Offerings
09:04
Heating Efficiency and Fuel Sources
12:02
Evaluating Equipment for Future-Proofing Facilities
14:53
The Importance of Preventative Maintenance
17:51
Emerging Technologies in Heating Systems
24:09
Personal Influences and Career Reflections

Interested in closing the skills gap? Check out our friends at Interplay Learning!
29 min
October 24, 2024 #125 Alex Carlson: Expense Management & Supplier Relationships
On this episode of the Modern Facilities Management Podcast, Griffin Hamilton interviews Alex Carlson, VP of Facilities Management Services at FineTune. Alex discusses his career journey from retail operations at Target to his current role at FineTune, where he focuses on expense management for facilities services. They dive into the importance of auditing, building strong supplier relationships, ensuring quality in service delivery, and the impact of mentorship and personal influences on car...
33 min
October 17, 2024 #124 Tom Ricciardelli: Interlocking Flooring Technology
On this episode of The Modern Facilities Management Podcast, host Griffin Hamilton speaks with Tom Ricciardelli, President and Founder of SelectTech, about the innovative approach to sustainable flooring solutions. Tom shares his journey into the recycling industry, the unique interlocking flooring technology developed by Select Tech, and the importance of considering total cost of ownership in flooring projects. The conversation also delves into sustainability practices, market trends, and t...
21 min
October 10, 2024 #123 Yaron Dycian: Leveraging AI in Leak Detection
On this episode of the Modern Facilities Management Podcast, Griffin Hamilton interviews Yaron Dycian from Wint.AI, discussing the critical issues of water management in buildings. They explore the significant waste of water, the financial implications of leaks, and how Wint leverages AI for anomaly detection and predictive analytics to optimize water usage. The conversation also touches on proactive measures facilities managers can take and the future of water management technology in buildi...
21 min
October 03, 2024 Spotlight! Perry Shimanoff: Certified Master Custodial Trainer
In honor of National Custodian Day (10/2), we're revisiting the interview with Perry Shimanoff. Perry is a seasoned expert with 35 years of experience in educational and government facilities maintenance. Perry is a Certified Master Custodial Trainer with ISSA’s Cleaning Management Institute (CMI). He is the founder and president of MC2 Management and Communication Consultants and has been involved in training both managers and frontline cleaning staff for more than 40 years. Shimanoff i...
25 min
September 26, 2024 #122 Gretchen Schimelpfenig: Sr. Energy Engineer
In this episode of the Modern Facilities Management Podcast, host Griffin Hamilton interviews Gretchen Schimelpfenig, a professional engineer specializing in civil and architectural engineering with a focus on sustainable design and construction. Gretechen is currently a Sr. Energy Engineer at Energy Resources Integration.The conversation explores Gretchen's journey into project management, the definition and research of emerging technologies, and the balance between energy savings and second...
26 min
September 19, 2024 #121 David Jones: Director of Estates, Facilities & Engineering at University Hospital Southampton
SummaryDavid Jones, Director of Estates and Facilities at the University Hospital of Southampton, discusses the impact of backlog maintenance in healthcare buildings on patient harm. During the interview, he shares his research on the link between estate infrastructure and patient outcomes, highlighting the need for evidence-based design in older hospitals. David explains his use of AI and data analysis to identify infrastructure incidents and their impact on patient care. He emphasizes ...
33 min

About The Modern Facilities Management Podcast

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The Modern Facilities Management Podcast is your premier resource for insights, trends, and best practices in the ever-evolving world of Facilities Management. Hosted by Griffin Hamilton, this show…