Facility Voices

Latest Episodes:

Empowering Facilities Management at Houston ISD Apr 15, 2025

Show notes

In this episode of Facility Voices, David Trask sits down with Alicia Jolivette, Chief of Facilities and Maintenance Operations at Houston Independent School District. Alicia reflects on her journey from substitute clerk in 1996 to leading maintenance for 273 schools—sharing her perspective on navigating a district of this scale, the structured approach Houston ISD takes, and the challenges they face, especially around HVAC systems.

Alicia also talks about the growing presence of women in leadership roles within facilities management, the value of continuous learning, and how boosting team morale and recognition directly contributes to operational success. Her focus on emotional intelligence and mentorship highlights a powerful, people-first approach to leading in a demanding field.

Listen in for an inspiring conversation packed with real-world insights from one of the nation’s largest school districts.

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Alishia Jolivette is the Chief of Facilities and Maintenance Operations for Houston ISD, where she began her career in 1996. She has held numerous roles in operations and technology, rising through the ranks to her current leadership position. She oversees facilities, maintenance, energy management, safety systems, food services, construction, and athletics. Jolivette holds BBA and MBA degrees from the University of Houston–Downtown and is active in ASUG, TASBO, and other professional groups. She also serves as the Officials Coordinator and Certification Chair for USA Track and Field’s Gulf Association.

Thanks for listening. Follow David Trask on LinkedIn to share feedback. Visit the ARC Facilities LinkedIn page
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The views and opinions expressed by third-party guests on this podcast are their own and do not necessarily reflect the views or opinions of ARC Facilities and ARC Document Solutions. We provide a platform for diverse perspectives and discussions and ARC Facilities/ARC Document Solutions assumes no responsibility or liability for the accuracy or completeness of the content provided by our third-party guests.

Transforming School Facilities with Data-Driven Solutions: A Journey of Transparency and Strategy Apr 07, 2025

Show notes

In this episode of Facility Voices, David Trask sits down with Alexander Villanueva, Director of Facilities, Maintenance, and Custodial Services at Waco Independent School District. Alexander shares his journey from Puerto Rico to Waco and how his construction background has shaped his approach to facility management.

From tackling deferred maintenance to fostering a culture of transparency and accountability, Alexander discusses how data-driven decision-making, proactive maintenance, and strong community relationships have helped improve Waco ISD’s facilities. Learn how his team revamped work order management, optimized funding strategies, and established preventive maintenance programs to enhance operational efficiency.

Tune in to hear how Alexander’s leadership is making a lasting impact on school facilities!

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With over 20 years of experience in project management, Alexander Villanueva specializes in optimizing maintenance and custodial operations, strategic planning, and asset inventory management. Skilled in CMMS and PMS software, he enhances efficiency in facility management. He is currently completing a bachelor’s degree in Project Management and Public Administration with a minor in Civil Engineering from Liberty University.

Women in Facilities: Embracing Change, Empowering Teams, and Thriving as a Woman Leader in FM Mar 24, 2025

Show notes

In this episode of Facility Voices, we continue our Women in Facilities series with Brooke Bohme, Director of Engineering at Children’s Health. Brooke shares how she transitioned from healthcare design to leading engineering teams in a hospital setting, highlighting the importance of mentorship and professional growth. She discusses the challenges of working in a male-dominated industry and her efforts to support the next generation of women in facilities. Brooke also talks about the $5 billion replacement hospital project she’s involved in and its impact on the future of healthcare facilities.

Listeners will gain insights into the skills needed to excel in healthcare facilities management, the value of strong leadership, and how large-scale projects are shaping the industry. Don’t miss this insightful conversation!

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Brooke Bohme currently holds the position of Director of Engineering at Children's Health in Dallas, Texas. As a licensed mechanical engineer, she brings twelve years of expertise in healthcare design to her role. With a solid foundation in design, construction, and facilities operations, Brooke offers valuable perspectives on both the design and operational aspects of healthcare facilities. She is passionate about energy efficiency and leveraging cutting-edge technology and innovation to optimize facility operations.

Women in Facilities: Finding Purpose in Facilities Management Mar 10, 2025

Show notes

In this week’s episode of Facility Voices, Shalita Myrick, Vice President for Administrative Services and Chief Operating Officer at Pacific Lutheran University, shares how her career in facilities management is driven by purpose and a commitment to helping others. She discusses PLU’s care-centered environment, the evolving perception of facilities management, and the lasting impact of the pandemic. Shalita also highlights opportunities for women in the industry, the importance of diversity of thought, and the need to close the gender pay gap. Her advice? Be open, be confident, and ask for what you deserve.

Tune in for an insightful conversation on leadership, purpose, and the future of facilities management!

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Shalita Myrick, VP for Administrative Services and COO at Pacific Lutheran University, previously held leadership roles at MD Anderson, Texas Children’s Hospital, UT Southwestern, Kaiser Permanente, and AT&T. She oversees business operations, HR, risk management, and facilities at PLU. Myrick holds a master’s in facilities management from UT San Antonio and a bachelor’s in political science from Spelman College.

Integrating AI and Human Expertise for Standardized Facilities Management Feb 25, 2025

Show notes

In this episode of Facility Voices, David Trask chats with Mike Hollingsworth, Facilities and Fleet Manager at the City of Chandler, Arizona. Mike shares how his background in military service, aerospace maintenance, public works, and casino operations led him to facilities management.

Managing 61 city buildings—including police stations, fire stations, and government offices—isn’t easy. Mike explains why having a "seat at the table" in city leadership is critical for securing funding and support for facilities teams.

The conversation also explores AI’s growing role in facilities management, from predictive maintenance to budget forecasting. Mike and David break down common misconceptions about AI, emphasizing how it enhances operations without replacing skilled teams.

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Mike Hollingsworth has 20+ years of Facilities Management experience in government and hospitality. As Facilities & Fleet Manager for the City of Chandler, he leads a team of 59 overseeing 61 buildings (1.1 million sq. ft.), 816 vehicles, and 400 equipment assets. His expertise includes Building Facilities Management, Budgeting, Construction, Vendor Management, and Safety/Compliance. Committed to efficiency and fiscal responsibility, he ensures clean, safe operations. Mike is a member of the Arizona Governments Facility Alliance and IFMA Phoenix Chapter.

Building a Skilled Workforce: The Role of Technical Schools Feb 10, 2025

Show notes

On this episode of Facility Voices, we chat with Mike Hollimon, Director of Facilities at Gwinnett Technical College, to explore the vital role facilities management plays in shaping higher education. Mike shares how his team goes beyond maintenance, creating opportunities for students and staff through mentorship and leadership development. He also discusses the challenges of managing a growing team, balancing priorities, and staying ahead in an ever-evolving field. With a passion for teamwork and continuous learning, Mike highlights the strategies that have helped him build a strong, resilient facilities department.

Listen now to gain insights on fostering a strong team culture, developing leadership skills, and the impact of proactive facilities management on campus success.

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Mike Hollimon is the Director of Facilities at Gwinnett Technical College, managing a team of 60 and overseeing six divisions. With 30+ years of experience, he has led multimillion-dollar projects at Brenau University and Reinhardt University. Mike began his career in his family’s construction business and holds degrees from Dalton Junior College and Brenau University. He volunteers with Hall County Search & Rescue and founded the Habitat High Program. Mike resides in Flowery Branch, Georgia, with his family and enjoys diecast model collecting and baseball umpiring.

Women in Facilities: Advocating for Yourself in Facilities Management Jan 27, 2025

Show notes

In this episode of Facility Voices, Danielle Gathje, Vice President of Hospital Operations for Fairview Health Services, takes us through her career journey, from her early days as a biology major to her current leadership role at St. John’s Hospital in Minnesota. Danielle opens up about how mentorship shaped her career, the strategies she’s used to embrace challenges, and the leadership lessons she’s learned along the way.

Listeners will gain insights into the critical role mentorship plays in professional growth, actionable advice on navigating change in complex environments, and a behind-the-scenes look at what it takes to lead operations for a major healthcare organization. Whether you’re a seasoned facilities professional or just starting your career, this conversation offers inspiration and practical takeaways you won’t want to miss. Tune in now to hear Danielle’s story and her advice for driving success in the world of facilities and healthcare!
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Danielle M. Gathje, MBA, CHFM, SASHE, is Vice President of Hospital Operations at M Health Fairview St. John’s Hospital in Maplewood, MN. With expertise in hospital strategy, facility management, and operational innovation, she is dedicated to improving patient safety and quality. A certified healthcare leader, Danielle serves on multiple ASHE committees, has earned awards for her contributions, and actively volunteers, emphasizing collaboration and lifelong learning to advance healthcare outcomes.

FM Insight: CPCC's Training, Partnerships, and Tech Drive Improvements Jan 14, 2025

Show notes

In this episode of Facility Voices, Lance Ollivierre from Central Piedmont Community College explains the strategies behind effective facilities management. From creating a robust preventive maintenance program to tackling deferred maintenance priorities, Lance shares the innovative approach his team used to transition from crisis mode to proactive planning.

He also highlights the college's exciting Facilities Management Certificate Program, developed in collaboration with IFMA. This program aims to bridge the talent gap in the industry by combining classroom learning with real-world, hands-on experience. Students get exposure to everything from capital planning to analytics, KPIs, and cutting-edge technology used in facilities management.

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Lance A. Ollivierre is the Director of Facilities Operations at Central Piedmont Community College, managing a $11.6M facilities maintenance contract for six campuses totaling 4 million square feet. With over 30 years of facilities and project management experience, Lance is a thought leader in cost-effective operations and service reliability. He holds a B.S. in Architectural Engineering from North Carolina A&T State University and is an active member of several professional organizations.

The Value of Peer Groups and Networking in Facility Management Dec 27, 2024

Show notes

In this episode of Facility Voices, Clay Major, Director of Facilities at the Town of South Windsor, shares his experience managing facilities for a growing town while working with limited resources. He discusses the challenges of maintaining a high level of service with a small team and budget.

Clay explains how modernizing municipal buildings with automation and energy-efficient systems, such as HVAC and lighting upgrades, has improved efficiency. He also highlights the importance of safety systems, like a push-button lockdown feature, which ensures quick and effective responses in emergencies.

Listen in for valuable insights on modernizing public buildings, enhancing operational efficiency, and implementing advanced safety features to protect both staff and the public.
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Clay Major has over 30 years in Facilities/Maintenance Management, beginning with a certificate in electricity and an HVAC apprenticeship. After transitioning from aerospace manufacturing to facilities management, he became Director of Facilities for the Town of South Windsor, managing 17 facilities totaling 250,000 sq/ft. He founded a quarterly roundtable for facilities professionals and won the 2023 APWA Professional Facilities and Grounds Manager of the Year award.

Maximizing Efficiency: The Benefits of Standardizing Processes Dec 13, 2024

Show notes

In this episode of Facility Voices, Matt Snow, Assistant Vice President of Support Services at Baptist Health System, shares how standardizing processes has transformed their operations and created lasting benefits for their facilities team.

From reducing costs and improving compliance to fostering collaboration across departments, Matt provides practical strategies that listeners can apply to streamline operations and optimize resources. He also explains how data-driven approaches have supported better decision-making and long-term success.

Whether you’re aiming to boost efficiency or plan for the future, this episode is packed with insights to help your facilities team thrive.
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Matt Snow is the System Vice President of Support Services at Baptist Health System in Kentucky and Southern Indiana, overseeing multiple departments. Previously, he was Executive Director of Facilities at Baptist Health Paducah. Matt holds an MBA and a BS in Mechanical Engineering and is a Certified Energy Manager, Professional Engineer, and Fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives (FACHE). He has held leadership roles in healthcare and regional organizations.

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