From The President

Well, nearing the end of 2015 it certainly has been an unusual year for Facilities Managers with all the weather extremes. First, in the spring with monsoon type rains running right up until summer, followed by drought conditions, and now fall rains continue with hard driving directional rain. Then we are faced with never before leaks on some of our roofs. Landscaping services were also tough, darting in and out of the weather patterns during peak growth season.

The one thing so great about managing facilities is "IT'S NEVER BORING" which brings new opportunities that would challenge even the Best of Facilities People, including the "Busy Bees" amongst the board members working on new sponsorship packages.

One thing for sure is we have a great group of folks taking care of your chapter business. I am happy to say that with my upcoming retirement from local Government, my newly established business will be one of your 2016 chapter sponsors. I will provide more info in the next newsletter about my new beginnings.

I want to wish each and every member Happy Holidays and please be safe and we'll see you soon! 

Tech Corner

Tim Geier - Editor

Community Service

Todd Coleman - Community Service Chair

Our community service work day activities will resume after the Holiday Season and when warmer weather returns.

Thank you for all of your help and support throughout this past year at our sponsored charity, Sammy's House. They are very grateful for all we have accomplished through our efforts during our scheduled work days.

IFMA Upcoming Events

2015 Holiday Party

There is no luncheon this month, but please join us for the 2015 IFMA Holiday Party on Thursday December 10. We'll meet on the shores of Lady Bird Lake for a Dinner Cruise. If you have not reserved your space please do so by Wednesday December 9th, check your email inbox for additional information.

We will be collecting gifts for our charity, SafePlace, at the IFMA Holiday Party. If you can donate, please pick up a gift card from either HEB or Walmart as a contribution to SafePlace.  We will be collecting the donations that afternoon to present to SafePlace shortly thereafter.  Any amount would be appreciated.  If you would rather give cash, you can do so as well and we will use the money to purchase more gift cards from HEB or Walmart.

SafePlace is an Austin charity that helps provide assistance to battered women and children in our area.
                                                

Featured IFMA Gold Sponsor

Often forgotten by building design and construction teams, the building maintenance manager and crew play an important role in the performance of any HVAC system. At HTS, we respect the facility manager's need to be included and considered in the HVAC system design and equipment placement because they will often get questions from those deciding which equipment to buy. And of course, they will be the first one to get the call to make sure every zone in the building is working right - exactly when and how it's needed. Learn more about us!!

In This Issue

Tech Corner
Community Service
Upcoming Events
New Members
Featured Associate
Featured Partner
Sponsors
Featured Gold Level Sponsor

New Members

We would like to welcome Twelve New Members to the Austin IFMA organization in this edition. Please reach out to them at the next meeting or special event and offer them a warm smile and firm handshake.

Featured Associate

Our Featured Associate this issue is Kevin Blackburn. You may have noticed that Kevin is the Chairman of the Membership Committee, and provides chapter member activity updates to us at the monthly meetings. Learn more about Kevin and his other job in the world of Architecture. 

Featured Partner

This month we have a Special Featured Member whom you see each month at the registration table. Most of you know him as Jim Coles, but may not know what it is that Jim does. Is he a Facility Manager, a Corporate Real Estate Lawyer or maybe a Bouncer for the establishment? Learn more about Jim and some of his interests and expertise in the specialized field of Association Management. 

Sponsors

If you wanted to gain more exposure to the members of IFMA Austin and would like to reserve your spot at all of the major IFMA events for the year, check out the Annual Sponsorship program for the IFMA Chapter of Austin.