TEMPE, ARIZ. (May 25, 2023) ‒ The Greater Phoenix Chapter of IFMA, the world’s largest and most widely recognized international association for facility management professionals, has had a particularly busy month of May that includes the election of new officers and members celebrating World Facilities Management Day.
Monisa (MJ) Nagarajan Gomathi, CFM, FMP, SFP, FMG, Facilities Project Manager with Terracon, was elected to her first term as President.
Other officers: Stephanie Jones, Allied Universal, first term, Vice President of Communication and Community; Kathy Keating-Losinske, Lungaretti Flooring Solutions, second term, Vice President of Special Events; Nick Kramer, Climatec, first term, Vice President of Professional Development; and David Ramirez, APS, first term, Vice President of Membership Engagement. Jacob Kashiwagi, KSM, Inc., was elected to his third term as Secretary/Treasurer. Vice presidents can serve two consecutive two-year terms.
“I am deeply grateful and humbled by the trust bestowed upon me as the new President of IFMA Phoenix Chapter. I extend my heartfelt appreciation to each and every member for their unwavering support and belief in my abilities. I stand here today, committed to carrying forward the legacy and hard work of past presidents like Marshall MacFarlane, and I am excited to lead our chapter into a future filled with growth, collaboration, and success,” Gomathi said.
IFMA chapter members also celebrated World Facilities Management Day on May 10. Activities included Ted Ritter, IFMA Fellow and Principal, Lead Management Institute, participating in a podcast with two other global leaders on how facilities management makes a difference.
“Whenever you depart a role like this, you feel there are some things undone and other things you wish you’d have done differently,” said Marshall MacFarlane, C3 Engineering, who served out his second term as Chapter President. “My term as President was more challenging than I anticipated, and more rewarding than anticipated. I’m proud of how we navigated the post-COVID years as a chapter and the things we have improved on.
“I’m excited to see what MJ accomplishes during her term as President; there are a lot of exciting things happening for the chapter. I am very grateful for the work and the support of our board and membership, and the extraordinary efforts of Kathleen Severson our Chapter Administrator. Finally, my eyes were opened to the vitality and enthusiasm of our Student Chapter members. I hope with sincerity that our efforts with the Arizona Government Facilities Alliance and the Young Professionals groups continue to pay dividends. I look forward to continuing to contribute to such an amazing organization.”
A hallmark of the IFMA Greater Phoenix Chapter is the education programs it offers its members. This includes the knowledge-based Facility Management Professional (FMP) credential that helps members accelerate their transition into the profession and the Sustainable Facility Professional (SFP) credential that helps facility managers make data-driven decisions and understand sustainable best practices.
“Our Education Committee recognizes that as facilities professionals it is critical that we continually sharpen our skills through professional development. With this in mind, we will continue to provide programs and training opportunities to help you enhance member skills and awareness in preparation for the challenges their jobs provide today and, in the future,” Gomathi said.
IFMA Greater Phoenix also boasts a robust student chapter. It offers internships and scholarships to future facility management professionals. Community outreach efforts include an annual charity golf tournament and working with Valley non-profits such as “Feed Our Friends.”
Patrick Okamura Education Scholarship
With the generosity of IFMA Fellow Patrick Okamura, the chapter is providing an opportunity to all individuals seeking financial support to advance their education credentials through the Patrick Okamura Education Scholarship.
Patrick Okamura and the IFMA Greater Phoenix Chapter understand the rigors of sustaining the financial burden while maintaining an efficient professional career. Through this scholarship, the chapter hopes to provide one valued individual who is enthusiastic in learning and looking for a way to climb higher.
The scholarship type is continuing education, education credentials, and career oriented/student. Applicants who are currently employed with a company or pursuing a degree with one or more focuses on facility management or related fields are encouraged to complete and submit the application.
The scholarship amount is $800 and goes towards a chapter credential series or workshop. The scholarship is open to professionals and students currently in facility management or related field with demonstrated interest in advancing their educational degree; and to any professional and associate member of IFMA Greater Phoenix Chapters and IFMA Student Chapter. Application deadline is June 15.
To apply visit this link.
About IFMA
Founded in 1980, IFMA is the world’s largest and most widely recognized international association for facility management professionals, supporting more than 24,000 members in 105 countries. The association’s members, represented in 134 chapters and 17 councils worldwide, manage more than 37 billion square feet of property and annually purchase more than $100 billion in products and services. IFMA certifies facility managers, conducts research, provides educational programs and produces World Workplace, the world’s largest facility management conference and exposition.
The Greater Phoenix Chapter of IFMA, formed in 1985, is one of the top association chapters in the world and winner of IFMA’s Large Chapter of the Year in 2012. It is dedicated to continuous improvement of the facility management profession by providing relevant educational and networking opportunities for its membership while supporting the community as a whole. For more information about the Phoenix chapter ifmaphoenix.org.
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