Category: Connex News

DALLAS – April 16, 2021– ConnexFM, the multi-site facilities management network, formerly known as PRSM, has announced its Board of Directors and has selected new officers for the 2021-2022 term. The new officers are:

• Director: Tony DiSpirito, Director of Store Preservation, Sephora

Multi-Site Directors returning to the Board include: 

• Director: Pat Bacigalupo, Store Maintenance Director, Gap, Inc. 
• Director: Kirk Beaudoin, RFMP, FMA, LEED Green Associate, Senior Facilities Manager, adidas America, Inc.
• Director: Sean Coakley, Director of Facilities, Weight Watchers

Two Supplier Board members were elected, for three-year terms. Newly elected supplier directors include:

• Director: Amanda Smith, Sr. Manager, Business Development, Superclean Service Company Inc.
• Director: Siddarth Shetty, Vice President – Major Accounts, ServiceChannel

Supplier Directors returning to the Board include: 

• Director: Mandy Rennehan, CEO & Founder, Freshco.ca

For the 2021-2022 term, the ConnexFM Board of Directors voted to add three non-voting alternate members. The new alternate members will provide the ConnexFM Board of Directors with their expert opinions and experiences to ensure the Board is a trendsetter in the facilities management industry.

• Tom Kay, Chief Revenue Officer, SMG Facility Services
• Karen Shriner, Senior Real Estate Attorney, Weis Markets, Inc.
• Garrick Brown, Managing Director, Western Region Research, Newmark Group

The 2020-21 Connex Board of Directors will be introduced live to membership, Tuesday, April 20 during the Virtual Connexion event. Visit connexfm.com for more information.

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ConnexFM is the leading membership organization for multi-site facilities managers and supplier professionals. Established in 1995, and based in Irving, TX, ConnexFM empowers facilities management professionals with events, best practices, benchmarking, education, discussion forums and trusted partnerships. Members depend upon ConnexFM to help them achieve greater success and a competitive advantage through quality programs and resources. For more information visit www.connexfm.com.

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Connex, the multi-site facilities network, formerly known as PRSM, has announced Shana Thomas as Vice President of Marketing & Communications. 

Shana has been integral to Connex’s success – serving the association for over nine years in the Communications, Marketing and Events departments. In her most recent role as the Director, Marketing & Digital Experiences (DX), Shana has elevated Connex via the website, social media, event marketing and helped pivot Connex into a new digital transformation including Connex’s The Daily Grind livestream show airing over 200 plus episodes since March 2020. 

Her creative technologist and futurist mindset began integrating cutting-edge technologies into the association including AI (artificial intelligence), IoT (Internet of Things), marketing automation, geofencing, real-time digital platforms, and SMART networking. Her networking and passion for relationship building has fostered beta test relationships with cutting-edge technology, accelerating Connex far beyond other associations.

“Shana has taken our event marketing, technology and digital experience efforts to the next level,” said Bill Yanek, CEO, Connex. “I am confident she will translate that vision across Connex. She keeps the member at the core of her mindset and their success at the forefront of her endeavors and planning.” 

As the Vice President of Marketing & Communications, Shana will build upon her strategic, and creative experience with implementing new technologies to enhance the member experience to ensure Connex is the premier association for all Multi-Site Facilities Management Professionals and Supplier Partners for networking, education and thought leadership. 

“Shana is vital to PRSM/Connex as she continuously is improving the member experience,” said LeeAnn Norton, COO, Connex. “Her dedication, drive, and brilliance in the technical and digital worlds is the key that will transform Connex for years to come.” 

Shana graduated from the International Association of Exhibitions and Event (IAEE) Krakoff Leadership Institute in 2018 and serves on IAEE’s Technologies Committee (2018 – present), member of the Retail Council of Canada, and an active alumnus of the VaynerMedia 4D Digital Marketing Group out of New York City.

About Connex  

Connex is the leading membership organization for multi-site facilities managers and supplier professionals. Established in 1995, and based in Irving, TX, Connex empowers facilities management professionals with events, best practices, benchmarking, education, discussion forums and trusted partnerships. Members depend upon Connex to help them achieve greater success and a competitive advantage through cutting edge events, quality programs and resources. For more information visit www.connexfm.com.

Connex, the multi-site facilities network, formerly known as PRSM, has announced Shana Thomas as Vice President of Marketing & Communications. 

Connex is proud to announce the candidates for upcoming the Connex Board of Directors election. Each year, Connex takes great pride in the quality of member candidates nominated and selected for the Connex Board of Directors slate. The Connex Nominating Committee strives for candidates that exhibit leadership qualities such as strategic planning, foresight, innovative thinking, industry expertise, and an understanding of the varying interests of our diverse membership. 

Connex is calling on YOU, the primary and/or voting Connex member of your organization, to cast YOUR VOTE for the 2021-22 Connex Board of Directors. The deadline to vote is April 2, 2021 at 5:00PM CT. 

Multi-Site Candidates

One Multi-Site Board seat will be filled based on your votes. There are two Multi-Site Alternates that will be selected this year with a separate ballot and vote by the 2020-21 Board of Directors. Candidates include: 

• Kenneth Jones, Director of Facilities, Heartland Dental
• Nicole Price, Facilities Manager, Retail, Herman Miller Retail (Design Within Reach, HAY North America and Herman Miller Seating)
• Mike Bowman, Director Facilities, Environmental and Safety, Liquor Control Board of Ontario (LCBO)
• Douglas Phillips, Director of Maintenance, Energy, Waste and Recycling, Petco Animal Supplies
• Tony DiSpirito, Director, Store Preservation, Sephora
• Karen Shriner, Esq., Sr. Real Estate Attorney, Weis Markets, Inc.

Supplier Candidates

Two Supplier Board seats will be filled based on your votes. There is also one Supplier Alternate that will be that will be selected this year with a separate ballot and vote by the 2020-21 Board of Directors. Candidates include: 

• Michael Kurland, CEO, Branded Group
• Steven Hearon, President, BrandPoint Services
• Stefanie Driscoll, Vice President of Client Relations, Ferrandino & Son, Inc.
• Siddarth (Sid) Shetty, Vice President – Major Accounts, ServiceChannel
• Tom Kay, Chief Revenue Officer, SMG Holdings LLC
• Amanda Smith, Sr. Manager, Business Development, Superclean Service Company, Inc.

Watch The Daily Grind at 2:00PM CT to hear from each of the candidates from March 9 – 18. To view more information on the voting process, candidate biographies and candidate statements, click here.

Collaborate with FM Leaders & Game Changers by Joining the Connex Board of Directors

Now Accepting Board of Director Nominations & Applications
Nominations Due: November 13 | Applications Due: November 20

The landscape of being an FM is changing daily as we forge through one of the toughest years our industry has experienced. Collaborating with the influencers of our industry will empower and equip you to forge new paths and get a jumpstart on the challenges none of us predicted. Joining the Connex Board of Directors is truly one of the most impactful choices you could make to influencing not only the future of Connex, but the FM industry overall.

Connex is governed by a volunteer Board of Directors who are career professionals working in the industry, selling to and/or servicing retail and multi-site facilities. Connex is now accepting nominations and applications for consideration for the 2021-22 Board of Directors. Submit a nomination by November 13 or submit an application by November 20.

Self-Nominations and Colleague Nominations Encouraged 

The non-profit Institute for Supply Chain Management (ISM) has just released its July survey on how the COVID-19 pandemic is impacting supply chains around the world. Among the latest ISM findings are the following:

• Severe disruptions are reported in the United States, Mexico, Canada, Japan, South Korea, parts of Europe, and China.
• Average lead time – the amount of time between ordering a product and its delivery – has improved, but still lags pre-COVID operations.
• U.S. domestic manufacturing is operating at 74 percent of normal capacity
• Most respondents say they have enough inventory to support current operations. However, confidence this will continue is on the decline in the U.S. (64 percent), Mexico (49 percent), and Canada (55 percent).

Are you still having challenges with your supply chain? Please share on the Connex Community here how you have overcome these challenges or any solutions you have found!

Read the full article here.

Bob Keingstein of BOSS Facility Services, Inc. lost his battle with cancer over the weekend. 

In the June Town Hall, Bill Yanek, Connex CEO, announced the creation of the new Connex Healthcare Council, led by Nick Straka, Facilities Manager, Heartland Dental. The Council will develop specialized events, education and resources specific to healthcare members. 

“I am honored to lead Connex’s new Healthcare Council. I’ve already learned so much from Connex’s traditional FM members and I am looking forward to becoming more connected to the healthcare FMs. The council will allow us to network and discuss our specific needs,” Straka said.

More information will be available soon. Until then, please email Alexandra Sanchez, Connex’s Membership Development Manager .

J.D. Wilcox, Vice President, Client Services, Lane Valente Industries, Inc. has earned the ProFM Credential. Read below to see why the ProFM was a great fit for Wilcox.  

Why did you choose the ProFM program?
I felt it was a natural progression after completing the RFMP. After reviewing the functional knowledge areas, it became clear I was involved in each of these competencies on a daily basis. I therefore felt it was important to get involved in the program to gain more knowledge and to reinforce the things I do in my daily responsibilities.

How did you use the study tools – reading and online quizzes – to progress through the program?
The Progress reports at the end of each section were helpful. The on-line quizzes within each module were extremely valuable, and the Cumulative Glossary was a necessity for the test.  The best advice I can give is to be sure you get the books (I almost didn’t, glad someone convinced me to spend a little more to get them) – I can’t imagine doing it all on a computer.

How will the knowledge gained from the ProFM program help you in your day-to-day work responsibilities and/or in your career overall?
I think the FM decisions we all make daily are driven by so many different factors, that we rarely stop to consider how many factors are involved in the decision. For example, a simple quote recommendation may involve considerations such as repair or replace, tenant vs. landlord responsibility, capital requirements, financial payback periods, contractual obligations, compliance (code requirements), utility considerations, environmental impact, and overall customer satisfaction. The program covered all these areas in detail while tying it all everything together.

Why would you recommend that other suppliers earn the ProFM credential?
I think it’s a great way to meet other people in the industry while learning new skills.

Connex is proud to partner with the Professional Facility Management Institute (ProFMI), the founding body and administrator of the ProFM credential. The partnership strengthens the Connex facility management credential program. Connex members have access to special discounts. Click here for more information.