Robert Mack, Director of Facilities and Laboratory Operations at Korro Bio, delivers a masterclass in building a resilient and strategic facilities career in the life sciences sector. With 18 years of experience spanning water and sewer work, accounting, auditing, battery manufacturing, and biotech lab operations, Robert shares how embracing chaos, never saying “no” early in your career, and stacking safety certifications can dramatically accelerate professional growth.Robert also unpacks the changing dynamics of the Massachusetts biotech market, the importance of safety leadership in lab environments, and how to position yourself as indispensable by owning OSHA, DOT, IATA, and waste certifications. From turning labs “upside down” to prioritize infrastructure correctly, to ending meetings early with pride, this episode delivers practical frameworks for facility professionals who want to lead strategically — and thrive in uncertainty. Takeaways:Don’t Say “That’s Not My Job”: Early in your career, say yes to opportunities outside your scope. Exposure builds skill, trust, and long-term leverage.Stack Safety Certifications Strategically: Start with OSHA 10, then OSHA 30, and expand into RCRA, DOT, and IATA. These credentials separate you quickly and make you indispensable.Own the Safety & Compliance Function: If you can sign permits, manage waste, oversee shipping, and lead safety committees, you become mission-critical to the organization.Get Everyone in the Same Room for Construction Projects: Avoid “meetings about meetings.” Bring design, construction, and facilities together to prevent costly miscommunication.Build the Infrastructure First: When planning labs, “turn it upside down.” Focus on HVAC, electrical, and core systems before getting lost in minor details.Become a Cross-Functional Bridge: Develop strong relationships with HR, finance, lab leadership, and executive teams. Facilities leaders filter and translate information both ways.Embrace Chaos as Training: Every build-out, shutdown, expansion, or decommissioning is a learning opportunity that strengthens long-term strategic value.Quote of the Show: “ You have to be humble enough to know that you don't know something, but proactive enough to go learn it.”Links:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bobmack9/ Website: https://www.korrobio.com/ 

In the final installment of Facility Rockstars’ special series with Massachusetts Maritime Academy, host Jay Culbert sits down with three accomplished graduates who are now leading across the facilities, engineering, and operations landscape. Featuring David D’Amore, Tim Cullinan, and Paul Donhauser, the episode explores how the academy’s unique structure, leadership training, and hands-on technical education continue to shape their careers decades after graduation.The conversation highlights how the academy’s “Learn. Do. Lead.” philosophy translates directly into the professional world—from systems thinking and operational accountability to leadership development and industry networking. Each guest reflects on their personal journey through the regimented academy environment and how the discipline, preparation, and responsibility they learned there became a lasting competitive advantage in their careers. Takeaways:Discipline compounds over time: What may feel rigid early in a career often becomes a competitive advantage later. Consistency in preparation, punctuality, and accountability builds long-term credibility.Learn systems, not just tasks: Understanding how complex systems interact—rather than just how individual components work—is a critical skill for facilities and operations leaders.Leadership starts with example: Preparation, punctuality, and personal standards set the tone for the people you lead.Focus on what’s in front of you: Handling the “task at hand” and controlling what you can control is often the most effective path to long-term success.Small habits build discipline: Daily actions—showing up prepared, following through on commitments, and maintaining standards—create lasting professional muscle memory.Invest in your network early: The relationships built during school often evolve into future colleagues, partners, clients, and mentors.Technical confidence opens doors: Hands-on experience and exposure to real systems can accelerate career development and help professionals step confidently into complex environments.Quote of the Show: “Show up early, be prepared. Hold yourself to high standards, especially when no one’s watching.” — David D’AmoreLinks:David D’AmoreLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-damore-2262474/ Website: https://www.are.com/ Tim CullinanLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tim-cullinan-13508241/ Website: https://www.janitronics.com/ Paul DonhauserLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/pauldonhauser/ Website: https://www.bostonscientific.com/en-US/home.html 

In the third installment of our special series with Massachusetts Maritime Academy, host Jay Culbert sits down with Allen Metcalfe alongside Dr. John Bausch and Katie McClellan to explore what truly shapes the Mass Maritime experience from the leadership side. This conversation moves beyond the cadet perspective and into the systems, infrastructure, and intentional design that develop disciplined, capable, and workforce-ready graduates.From major campus reinvestments, including new STEM facilities, geothermal systems, and marine infrastructure, to the Academy’s defining “Learn, Do, Lead” framework, this episode highlights how academic rigor and a regimental lifestyle combine to create uncommon leadership growth. The faculty and leadership team share how experiential learning, early responsibility, and high standards prepare cadets not just for jobs, but for leadership roles from day one. Takeaways:Create structured leadership progression: Leadership development works best when it’s layered—start with learning how to follow, then gradually increase responsibility.Reinvest continuously in infrastructure and people: Staying competitive requires constant improvement—whether in facilities, sustainability initiatives, or training technology.Pair theory with real-world execution: The “Learn, Do, Lead” model reinforces that classroom knowledge must be applied through experiential learning, internships, and hands-on training.Build culture through standards and discipline: Clear expectations—like punctuality and accountability—create consistency that employers recognize and value.Develop leadership early: Giving students meaningful responsibility before graduation builds confidence and readiness that traditional programs often lack.Support learning environments behind the scenes: Operations, maintenance, marine services, EHS, and campus safety teams play a critical role in enabling student success.Adapt to workforce evolution: Facilities and operational leaders must continually update systems and training to stay aligned with changing industry demands.Quote of the Show:“You start off as a freshman… learning all about how to follow… By the time you are done in your senior year, you've had more opportunities for leadership than anybody else coming out of a four-year degree program.” - Katie McClellanLinks:Allen MetcalfeLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/allen-metcalfe-23bb3b12/ Website: https://www.maritime.edu/about/president/senior-staff Phone Number: (508) 830-5052.John BauschLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-j-bausch-ph-d-155a915/ Website: https://www.maritime.edu/directory Email: jbausch@maritime.edu Katie McClellanLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/katie-mcclellan-9148b98/ Website: https://www.maritime.edu/undergraduate-programs/marine-engineering/faculty Email: kmcclellan@maritime.edu 

In this second installment of our four-part special series, we go behind the scenes with the faculty and leadership who shape the Massachusetts Maritime Academy experience. Jay Culbert sits down with Chief Engineer Laura Wilcox of the training ship TS Patriot State and Dr. Ashraf Omran, Associate Professor in the Facility Engineering department. Chief Wilcox, calling in live from the Caribbean Sea, describes the immense responsibility of managing an "island" at sea. A vessel that supports 600 cadets and processes its own water, power, and waste while transiting the Panama Canal. She highlights how the ship serves as the ultimate laboratory where cadets transition from classroom theory to real-world operational maintenance.The conversation also features Dr. Ashraf Omran, a control systems expert with 24 international patents, who discusses the creation of the Academy's world-class Operational Controls Lab. Dr. Omran explains the "Learn, Do, Lead" philosophy that defines the MMA curriculum, emphasizing the importance of troubleshooting and decisive leadership in engineering. Together, they explore how the Academy’s unique regimental structure and immersive labs create a level of professional predictability that makes MMA graduates some of the most sought-after professionals in the facility and marine engineering sectors. Takeaways:Implement "In-Place" Training: Use routine maintenance, like an air compressor oil change, as a real-time teaching moment for junior staff rather than just a task to be completed.Master the Noontime Report: Maintain strict accountability for system conditions and fluid quantities through regular, standardized reporting to ensure operational readiness.Build Pride through Utility: Recognize that basic tasks like waste management and site cleaning are essential for team safety and building a culture of workplace pride.Prioritize Troubleshooting in Professional Development: Move beyond just knowing how a system works; practice diagnosing "glitches" and making independent decisions under pressure.Foster Industry Engagement: Bridge the gap between education and the workforce by inviting industry leaders and alumni into your training spaces to share real-world expectations.Invest in Experiential Learning (EL): Use field trips and site visits to help early-career professionals distinguish between different facility types, from power plants to biotech labs.Quote of the Show:"We take you from the theoretical all the way through the hands-on, and then to the practical skill and the practical knowledge that you need in order to run a ship, to run a power plant, to run an industrial facility." - Laura WilcoxLinks:Laura WilcoxLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lwilcox/ Website: https://www.maritime.edu/directory Email: lwilcox@maritime.edu  Ashraf OmranLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ashraf-omran-9572104b/ Website: https://www.maritime.edu/ Email: aomran@maritime.edu 

In this kickoff to a special four-part series in partnership with Massachusetts Maritime Academy (MMA), Jay Culbert sits down with five impressive cadets to explore the journey of the next generation of engineering and facility leaders. The episode features seniors Knox Ackerman, Sam Toerne, Ed Mekjian, Luke Dubois, and Chase Dwight, as well as junior Ryan Liberatore. These cadets share their unique paths to the Academy, ranging from a multi-generational maritime family influence to a trek from Minnesota to Cape Cod to pursue a passion for boats.The conversation dives deep into the "secret sauce" of the MMA experience: the fusion of rigorous theoretical knowledge with gritty, hands-on application. Listeners will hear firsthand accounts of the Academy’s legendary "Sea Term," student-led research on electric propulsion, and the transformative power of the regimental lifestyle. Beyond the technical expertise, the cadets reflect on their personal growth—transitioning from shy high school students to confident leaders ready to manage complex systems in power plants, pharmaceutical facilities, and on commercial vessels across the globe. Takeaways:Bridge the Theory Gap: Seek opportunities to apply classroom concepts to real-world mechanical systems, such as boilers or turbines, to deepen technical understanding.Step Out of Your Comfort Zone: Professional growth often requires putting yourself in "uncomfortable positions," such as public speaking or regimental leadership, to build the necessary "people skills."Value "Followership" Before Leadership: Recognize that becoming an effective leader starts with learning how to be a disciplined follower within a structured organization.Network Across Generations: Leverage institutional reputations and alumni networks (like the "Maritime name") to secure internships and gain industry insights.Maintain "Good Housekeeping": In any facility or vessel, prioritizing cleanliness and organization is a critical safety measure to prevent fires and accidents. Pursue Practical Licensing Early: If your field offers state or federal certifications (like a 3rd Engineer’s license), prioritize these during your training to enter the workforce with immediate utility.Quote of the Show:"Not only have I become a better engineer in the classroom, but I've also become a better human being and a leader as well." - Chase DwightLinks:Website: https://www.maritime.edu/