Case Studies November 2022

As the population booms in Texas, so does the number of school-aged children. So last year, as a school district in Greater Houston struggled to handle the influx of students, the state approached International Leadership of Texas, a nonprofit that builds and operates free public charter schools in the Lone Star State. Talk about quick […]

Among a hospital’s many components—HVAC systems, lighting, plumbing, etc.—one asset stands above the rest for David Neely, and that’s people. “Investing time and effort into my staff is absolutely one of my highest priorities,” says the director of engineering for Maine Medical Center. “I want to give the team the skills and room to grow […]

When two chillers broke at Sturdy Memorial Hospital last winter, Dann Boyer knew that repairing them would be a waste of money. Given their age, he knew they’d need to be replaced within three years anyway. So, he recommended to hospital leaders that the 500-ton chillers be replaced with two 750-ton chillers. “It was a […]

Kevin O’Rourke says everything he does at St. Francis College comes back to the students. As vice president of capital projects and facilities management for the Brooklyn-based college, he says this approach is central to the college’s 2023 strategic vision. He says it’s also evident in a new academic building he and his team finished […]

How many facilities directors are greeted by students with a hug and kind words? Jerry Wood can’t say but he knows he’s one of the lucky few. Of course, Wood, who directs facilities for the Vail Unified School District in Tucson, Arizona, also taught these students and served as their principal. In December 2017, Wood, […]

Liz Whittingham was working in medical billing at Professional Physical Therapy when she began overseeing contractors doing renovations. She let them into the clinic, directed them around the building and even gave her input on floor and wall finishes. It wasn’t long before her boss took notice. “I have a knack for development and facilities, […]

As the adage goes, the kitchen is the heart of the home; the stronger and more steadily it beats, the healthier and happier the home. “This is where you cook, entertain, do your homework,” says Jeff Toren. “The kitchen has evolved way beyond its original use.” Since 2015, Toren has been among those behind that […]

When Jim Rubach retired 11 years ago, he envisioned days spent fishing, golfing and renovating old cars and tractors. But, only a few months later, he was called back to Dickinson Independent School District, where he’s now worked for 43 years. The Texas-based district needed his help connecting with vendors he knew best. “It’s a […]

Quite the productive year it’s been at Kendal-Crosslands Communities, a senior living community in southeast Pennsylvania. Eight new cottages began welcoming residents this past spring. By mid-autumn, the doors should open for another apartment building. Preliminary work has begun for what will be an expanded healthcare center come 2023. Everything has been or will be […]

With a degree in construction management, Richard Carr says there were plenty of opportunities early—and throughout—his career to take a lucrative position in the market-rate housing industry. He could’ve worked for a large real estate organization and helped build luxury townhouses and high-end apartment complexes, for example. But for him, there was always something missing […]