In this episode of Facility Rockstars, host Jay Culbert sits down with Jeff Beaudry, the Regional Facility Rockstars Director at Appleton Corporation. With over 19 years of experience managing 30 properties totaling more than 2.6 million square feet, Jeff shares his evolution from a maintenance superintendent in residential housing to a leader overseeing high-tech life science labs. He discusses the "epiphany" that shifted his career from just grinding through tasks to finding true passion in making buildings better for the people who live and work in them.The conversation dives deep into the philosophy of facility management, emphasizing the importance of becoming the absolute expert on your specific assets. Jeff offers insightful advice on "leading without a title," the necessity of bridging the communication gap between technical operations and financial leadership, and why the future of the industry—even with the rise of AI—will always rely on the "ground up" professional who knows how to keep a building running when the automation fails. Takeaways:Find Your "Why" in the End-User: Focus on the impact your work has on residents or tenants; viewing the building as a product for people’s comfort can drive long-term passion and career success.Be the Expert of Your Specific Asset: During new construction or transitions, "lock in" with the MEP and construction teams to understand every system from the basement to the roof. Aim to know the building better than the engineers who drew it.Learn the Language of the CFO: When advocating for capital projects or energy initiatives, translate the technical needs into financial impacts, such as labor costs and 12-month ROI, to gain executive buy-in.Adopt a "Listen First" Mindset: Especially early in your career, find the smartest person in the room and "shut up and absorb" their knowledge rather than trying to figure everything out through solo grinding.Support and "Pour Into" Your Team: Effective leadership requires constant checking in and interpersonal support; ensure the company culture is carried from top to bottom by empowering your team to grow into your own role.Lean Into Technology, Don't Fear It: Use AI and new platforms to level the playing field, particularly for written communication and task-based efficiency, but maintain the hands-on skills to operate when technology fails.Just "Chill Out" During Crises: When faced with high-pressure failures, avoid over-analyzing or getting emotional. Build a simple plan and jump into action to reduce anxiety and reach the outcome faster.Quote of the Show: "You have to have the confidence to know that that's your building. You understand the building... You are that building's operator."Links:Email: jbeaudry@oconnells.comLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeffrey-beaudry-a132b311a/ Website: https://appletoncorporation.com/ 

As we get ready to launch our special show series with MMA this February, we wanted to bring back an episode that highlights the kind of leadership and perspective that continues to shape our industry. Jamie’s voice remains an important one, and we’re excited to share this conversation again with our community.Captain Jamie McDonald, Dean of Graduate and Continuing Studies at Massachusetts Maritime Academy, shares insights from his extensive career as a marine engineer, educator, and leader. He introduces his core management philosophy that performance is a product of ability multiplied by motivation, providing a framework for diagnosing and solving personnel challenges. Captain McDonald discusses the importance of creating policy to implement vision, using his own efforts to establish new graduate programs—like the "Four plus One" and a potential doctoral degree—as prime examples. He also touches on the significance of financial literacy for engineers, innovative energy projects at the MMA campus, and a harrowing story of surviving a storm at sea that shaped his perspective on overcoming challenges. Takeaways:Diagnose Performance Issues: When an employee is underperforming, determine if it's an ability problem (requiring training) or a motivation problem (requiring a deeper understanding of the individual's circumstances).Hire for Passion: When hiring, look for passion in a candidate, as it is a key driver of motivation and can lead to better employee retention.Become an Implementer: Recognize that great ideas are common, but the real value lies in being an "implementer" who knows how to navigate systems and enact policy to bring those ideas to life.Embrace Financial Literacy: Facility managers should understand financial concepts like present and future value to make sound business and project decisions.Practice Active Listening: In meetings and one-on-one conversations, make a conscious effort to "say a little and listen a lot" to ensure people feel heard and to gain a fuller understanding of the situation.View Policy as a Tool for Change: Approach policy not as a bureaucratic hurdle but as the mechanism for making substantive changes and driving an organization toward a future vision.Quote of the Show: "These are the people that we want in the program. Change makers, visionaries, and implementers."Links:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/james-mcdonald-6b5872153/ Website: https://www.maritime.edu/ Email: jmcdonald@maritime.edu 

Alex Agnello, a seasoned technology leader and the founder of True Data Ops, joins host Jay Culbert for this special episode. With a background spanning the U.S. Air Force, medical technology, and defense, Alex brings a "unicorn" blend of deep engineering expertise and approachable insight to the world of facilities management. He discusses the evolution of AI from a source of fear to a vital operational tool, explaining that while AI has been around since the 1950s, modern tools like Large Language Models (LLMs) are finally making this technology accessible and "Hollywood-ified" for everyday use.The conversation dives deep into the practical applications of predictive analytics and IOT sensors. Alex explains how high-frequency data, analyzing thousands of samples per second, can detect issues like pump cavitation or motor failure months before they occur. He emphasizes that the true value of AI lies in its ability to translate complex graphs into a narrative, telling a "story" that allows facility managers to take proactive action rather than just reacting to fires. Takeaways:Start Small, Not Big: Avoid "boiling the ocean" by picking a single project with low visibility but clear success criteria to test AI implementation.Use the "Insights" Prompt: When using LLMs (like ChatGPT or Gemini) with your data, use the keyword "insights" to uncover patterns or issues you might have overlooked.Anonymize Before You Upload: If your organization has strict data rules, ensure you anonymize sensitive information before sharing it with a public large language model.Request Multiple Versions: When using AI to draft professional communications, ask for three different versions so you can pick and choose the best verbiage.Layer Your Data: Combine BMS data with external IOT sensors (like vibration or temperature) to fill in the "gaps" and create a more accurate predictive profile for your equipment.Time Your Reports: For the highest engagement, push automated data narratives to your team early in the morning (5:00 AM – 6:00 AM) when facility managers have quiet time to plan their day.Consider Space Management: Remember that buildings exist for people; use space management data to adjust maintenance schedules based on actual room capacity and usage rather than just fixed calendar intervals.Quote of the Show:"You gotta start small, right? You can't boil an ocean... Pick a project that you don't have a lot of visibility into, and just say, we want to attack this, and we want to show success criteria."Links:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alessandroagnello/ Website: https://truedataops.com/ Email: aagnello@truedataops.com Phone Number: (617) 936-9800

As we reflect on this last year, we wanted to re-air this great conversation with David D’Amore, Assistant Vice President – Facility Services at Alexandria Real Estate Equities, Inc.! In this episode, he brings a refreshingly practical and grounded perspective to leadership. His journey illustrates how embracing discomfort, leaning into unfamiliar challenges, and staying aligned with clear organizational priorities can shape a more capable, confident, and influential facility leader.In this episode, you’ll hear how David’s philosophy of intentional growth has guided his career and why pushing beyond your comfort zone is essential for developing resilience, strategic clarity, and team cohesion. He also breaks down the pillars that have shaped his approach to managing complex operations, fostering collaboration across departments, and navigating change with consistency and purpose.Additionally, David offers thoughtful insights on continuous learning, strengthening cross-functional partnerships, and understanding the broader business impacts that facility teams influence every day. Takeaways:Embrace Discomfort for Growth: David emphasized the importance of stepping outside your comfort zone by taking on new, challenging tasks to experience growth in any role.Engage in Cross-functional Collaboration: Avoid silos by encouraging regular communication and collaboration across different departments and teams to enhance problem-solving and innovation.Align Personal and Organizational Goals: Understand both your company’s global and departmental goals, and align your personal objectives to contribute effectively to the overall mission.Manage Risks Proactively: Identify potential risks early in your projects and work processes, and develop strategies to mitigate them. This includes understanding the impact of your performance on your organization’s goals and reputation.Set and Communicate Clear Goals: Establish clear, measurable goals for yourself and your team, ensuring they are aligned with broader organizational objectives to create a sense of purpose and direction.Invest in Continuous Learning: Seek out regular learning opportunities, such as books, courses, or certifications, to stay updated and improve your skill set. David recommended resources like Essentials of Finance and Accounting for Non-Financial Managers by Edward Fields.Highlight the Value of Tasks: Ensure everyone understands the importance of the tasks they are assigned and how they contribute to the bigger picture, which can boost motivation and reduce burnout.Quote of the Show: “ You are not truly experiencing growth unless you're uncomfortable.”Links:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-damore-2262474/ Website: https://www.are.com/ 

In this special holiday episode, Jay Culbert offers a message of gratitude, reflecting on the past year and sharing exciting news about the future of Facility Rockstars. The episode begins by thanking the entire community, from weekly listeners to long-time and new members. Jay emphasizes that the show's growth and vitality are a "real testament" to the engagement, feedback, and shared knowledge within the community. He reinforces the core mission of Facility Rock Stars: "honoring the unsung heroes of our everyday lives," facility professionals, and consistently bringing like-minded people together who are actively willing to share and help one another.Jay also highlights several 2025 events and milestones, including an educational forum hosted by Dan O'Connell and his team at Alnylam Pharmaceuticals in March, the summer Swim with a Mission fundraiser events, which included paintball and a Gold Star dinner, the booth at the ISPE event in Gillette Stadium in October, and the annual fall event hosted by Tim Scarpa and his team at Avalon's Sky Lounge. Jay extends a special thank you to guest speakers, particularly three-time Navy SEAL speaker Sal DeFranco and first-time speaker Wayne, and acknowledges the support from board members of the IFMA and AFE Boston and Worcester chapters. Looking ahead to 2026, the community can anticipate more episodes, an educational collaboration series with Massachusetts Maritime Academy, and more events focused on education, entertainment, and connection. Jay concludes with a warm, happy holiday and New Year wish, encouraging everyone to rest, celebrate, and appreciate their supporters. Takeaways:Contribute to the Show: If you have suggestions, ideas, or stories that would benefit the community, reach out to Jay—he encourages listeners to share.Connect with Peers: Remember that the show is built on the "connective tissue" of the community; connecting with others can lead to discovering new business solutions or professional relationships.Rest and Reflect: Take the time to rest, celebrate, and appreciate all the people who support you throughout the holiday season.Stay Tuned for 2026: Look forward to the special episode collaboration series with Massachusetts Maritime Academy, expected to drop in early 2026 (January or February).Attend More Events: Be on the lookout for many more Facility Rock Stars events in 2026, as the community has requested them, and they will incorporate new, fantastic ideas.Focus on Best Practices: Continue to engage with episodes, as sharing of best practices and educational aspects will remain a key component of the show.Embrace Collaboration: Recognize the true meaning and power of the community: every single member contributes, collaborates, and eagerly looks to connect with others and help.Quote of the Show:"Everyone, every single member, regardless of industry role or seniority, contributes, collaborates, and eagerly looks to connect with others and help. That's the true power and meaning of what we've all built together as a community. It's just awesome."Links:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jay-culbert-2675998/ Facility Rockstars Website: https://facilityrockstars.com/ Kaloutas Website: https://www.kaloutas.com/