Category: Industry News

Connex recognizes and celebrates World FM Day, today, May 15^th.

World FM Day was created to celebrate and elevate the facility management profession and recognize the success of the FMs worldwide who work tirelessly to ensure the safety and efficiency of their facilities each day. This year, the event falls on Wednesday, May 15 and related celebrations will last from May 13 – 17.

This year’s theme is Celebrating Global ISO Standards, which will recognize the tremendous progress and success of the ISO 41000 series of standards that focuses on the global facility management industry.

Join Connex in celebrating and elevating the facility management profession by posting on your social media channels and/or highlighting the events on your website.

The U.S. Department of Energy (U.S. DOE) presented its Advanced Roof Top Unit (RTU) Campaign Awards during the PRSM2019 National Conference held in Denver, CO.

The RTU Campaign is a recognition and guidance program designed to encourage building owners and operators to take advantage of savings opportunities from high efficiency RTUs.  This effort is a collaboration between ASHRAE and RILA, with the U.S. DOE providing technical support to Campaign participants (through the Better Buildings Alliance and the Federal Energy Management Program). 

The winners of the 2019 DOE Advanced RTU Awards are: Walgreens, Target, H&M, McDonalds, Sponsors of Mass Save, Tri Pacific Heating & A/C, Energy Solutions, and Transformative Wave Technologies.

“Energy efficiency is extremely important to retail, and we are proud to recognize the winners for their hard work and dedication to retrofitting their buildings to maximize energy savings,” said Bill Yanek, PRSM’s CEO. “We are also proud to continue this partnership with the DOE to present the Advanced RTU Awards during our national conference.”

 

2019 DOE Advanced Rooftop Unit Campaign Recognition Awardees included (pictured from left to right):  Taren Heindl (Walgreens), Marilyn Nolte (Walgreens), Jeff Groncki (Walgreens), Michael Fox (Walgreens), Kelly Noel (Target), Jim Dunavant (Tri Pacific), Kelli Kolquist (Target), Jason Katje (Tri Pacific), Molly Mullins (Target), Evan Atwater (Transformative Wave), Cassandra Squiers (Energy Solutions), Danny Miller (Transformative Wave), Shonte Davidson (Mass Save), Cedar Blazek (U.S. DOE), Amy Jiron (U.S. DOE), and Michael Deru (NREL)

The Professional Retail Store Maintenance Association, (PRSM), the authority on multi-site facilities management, announced the recipients of the 2019 multi-site facilities management industry awards.  The awards were presented during the PRSM2019 National Conference in Denver, CO.  Recipients included:

·       US Multi-Site/Retailer of the Year Award – Ross Stores, Inc

·       US Supplier of the Year Award – CBRE | Facility Source

·       Canadian Multi-Site/Retailer of the Year Award – Aldo Group AND Staples Canada (TIE)

·       Canadian Supplier of the Year Award – 1-800-GOT-JUNK?

·       Young Professional of the Year – Jessica Fumo, Party City

·       Service Excellence – Curt Picard and Bob Barnard

·       Volunteer of the Year – Amanda Smith

During the awards presentation, PRSM CEO, Bill Yanek commented, “The multi-site facilities management industry is rapidly evolving, and the companies and individuals recognized by the PRSM Awards presented today are those who are engaged with their customers, the association and they are making a difference in the industry. We are proud to recognize their achievements and contributions.”

For more information, visit PRSM2019 National Conference or for more information about PRSM, visit www.prsm.com .

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Not even a late Spring snow storm could stop the final PRSM National Conference from being a major success. From changing the branding of the association from PRSM to Connex, to the motivational keynote address by Mel Robbins, PRSM members rocked the Gaylord Rockies Resort and Convention Center for three days.

PRSM members from across the nation arrived early to participate in the PRSM Foundation Top Golf tournament, learn about and tour Cannabis store operations and tour the Denver Bronco’s stadium.

Action ramped up Monday afternoon as a snow storm rolled in during the Opening Reception, but the cold white stuff didn’t put a chill on the action as members used the latest high-tech to make thousands of connections that were immediately uploaded to their personal conference app.

Tuesday morning, the General Session saw a transfer of PRSM power as Jonathan Bauer, Sr. Director Store Development, Gap Inc, and PRSM Board Chair for the last two years, hand over the reins to Myriah Kingen, Director, Facilities Management, DaVita Kidney Care, the incoming Board Chair for 2019-2020. The new 2019-2020 Board was also introduced.

The session was highlighted by world-renowned speaker and author, Mel Robbins. She helped the audience learn how to use her now famous Five-Second Rule to make better business and personal decisions, break bad habits and take their life to a new level.

At the end of the General Session, PRSM rolled out the biggest change in the association’s history announcing that PRSM will now be known as Connex. The branding change was a six-month process directed by the PRSM Board of Directors and staff involving extensive member and industry research. You can read more about the new brand in the special issue of Connexus Magazine which will arrive at your doorstep soon.

During the Awards Luncheon, PRSM presented the PRSM 2019 industry awards to outstanding companies and individuals who have contributed to the success of the industry and the association. You can read more about the awards here.

Between the General Session and Awards Luncheon, the Retail Quick Connect provided suppliers the opportunity to meet with dozens of retailers in person.

The Exhibition Hal opened Tuesday afternoon filled with more than 400 exhibitors, all ready to meet with the hundreds of retailers attending the conference. During the show, the PRSM Foundation helped attendees look their best by providing a Headshots Lounge that provided professional makeup and photography services for a small donation to the Foundation.

Wednesday has been packed with dozens of educational sessions and the Exhibit Hall was open until mid-afternoon when members packed up to prepare for the closing night celebration scheduled for 6:30 p.m. Wednesday evening.

For complete coverage of the final PRSM National Conference, please read the May/June issue of the new Connexus Magazine to be delivered in late May.

The U.S. Department of Energy (U.S. DOE) presented its Advanced Roof Top Unit (RTU) Campaign Awards during the 2019 National Conference held in Denver, CO.

The Advanced Rooftop Unit (RTU) Campaign is a recognition and guidance program designed to encourage building owners and operators to take advantage of savings opportunities from high efficiency RTUs.  This effort is a collaboration between ASHRAE and RILA, with the U.S. DOE providing technical support to Campaign participants (through the Better Buildings Alliance and the Federal Energy Management Program). 

The winners of the 2019 DOE Advanced RTU Awards are: Walgreens, Target, H&M, McDonalds, Sponsors of Mass Save, Tri Pacific Heating & A/C, Energy Solutions, and Transformative Wave Technologies.

“Energy efficiency is extremely important to retail, and we are proud to recognize the winners for their hard work and dedication to retrofitting their buildings to maximize energy savings,” said Bill Yanek, Connex’s CEO. “We are also proud to continue this partnership with the DOE to present the Advanced RTU Awards during our national conference.”

A record-setting crowd of facilities management professionals from the U.S. and Canada attended PRSM2019 National Conference, the premier conference for multi-site facilities management featuring world-class speakers, industry leading educational sessions and more than 400 exhibiting companies.

The 2019/2020 PRSM Board of Directors assumed office, April 30 during the 2019 PRSM National Conference. The new officers are:  

Chair:               Myriah Kingen, Director, Facilities Management, DaVita Kidney Care

Vice Chair:       Matthew Whelan, President/CEO, W Services Group

Immediate Past Board Chair: Jonathan Bauer, Sr. Director Store Development, Gap Inc

Treasurer:        Shawn Browning, MP, FMA, LEED-Green Assoc., Facility Manager, Nike, Inc.

Secretary:        Jaclyn Frenzel, Vice President, OnSite, Inc        

As Director Facilities Management for DaVita Kidney Care, Kingen, PRSM’s new Board Chair, directs facilities maintenance, project rollouts and store refurbishments for more than 1,000 DaVita Locations. This past year Kingen served as PRSM Board Secretary. She first became a PRSM member in 2006 and has served on the Editorial Board, and the following committees: Ethics, Governance, Membership, and the Mid-Year Conference Task Force.

“It is an honor to be elected PRSM Board Chair. The facilities management industry is undergoing an evolution and PRSM is evolving and is prepared for its next chapter. The association is well positioned strategically and financially, and I am excited about the opportunities that lie ahead,” Kingen said.

The Association membership also elected two new retail Board members to three-year terms and two retail alternates to a one-year term. Newly elected retail directors include:

·       Director: Anthony Armato, Director, Facilities & Energy Management, Ulta Beauty

·       Director: Kirk Beaudoin, RFMP, FMA, LEED Green Associate, Senior Facilities Manager, adidas America, Inc.

·       Retail 1^st Alternate: Jordan Campbell, Facilities Manager, Bottega Veneta

·       Retail 2^nd Alternate: Mike Bowman, Director, Facilities, Environmental and Safety, LCBO

Retailer Directors returning to the Board include:

§  Director: Steve Andrews, Sr. Regional Facilities Manager, Walmart, Inc.

§  Director: Neil Butler, LEED Green Associate

Two Supplier Board members were elected, one for a three-year term, and one supplier alternate, elected to a one-year term. Newly elected supplier directors include:

·       Director: Grant Baecker, President, Authority HVAC

·       Supplier Alternate: Kim Goei, COO, Fexa

Supplier Directors returning to the Board include:

§  Director: Tom Buiocchi, CEO, ServiceChannel

§  Director: Chris Slocum, Founder, Chief Customer Officer, Cornell Storefront Systems, Inc.