Hello Dayton-IFMA members. I wanted to speak a little bit about Dayton-IFMA’s vision and goals moving into the 2011-2012 season.

IFMA, as stated on the IFMA International website, is a member-centric association that exist to guide and develop facility management professionals by providing exceptional services, products, resources, and opportunities. IFMA-Dayton Chapter has the same goals, thought track, and path but in doing this we also want to have FUN! I think our past president (Russ Kunkel) has done this extremely well over the past couple of years and I want to carry that forward into the 2011-2012 season. So, first and foremost lets continue to have fun!

Next, I have talked to many of our members over the past three years that I have been a member and have found that the most common interest or factors that most members would like to get back from IFMA-Dayton are, to keep technology at the forefront, stay up to date on Green initiatives and Lead initiatives, keep members informed and up to date on continuing education, forums, programs, and continue to network with vendors and facility directors in a positive and sharing environment. I firmly believe we will be able to accomplish this by keeping the right people in the right places and adding the right people in positions where we need them. We are blessed by having many great volunteers within our organization and many more great people that would like to volunteer as well, along with a vast pool of knowledge within our past presidents that we can drawl upon at any given time. 

In closing, I am very pleased to be the 2011-2012 Dayton-IFMA President. I look forward to meeting those members I have not met yet and introducing new members into our great organization.

Mike Kells

(937) 602-2730  

Rewards and Challenges of Owning a Small Business

Uptime Solutions:

Time flies when you’re having fun!   That’s the case in the life of the Uptime SolutionsTEAM!   In June of 1983, the challenges included finding the right rental office space and securing the proper financing to support the Uptime operations in further support of end users’ data centers, labs, and other critical spaces.

1988 brought expansion and a new (and current) home base of 15,000 square feet, with all the challenges of taking care of one’s own space!   The formation of the Dayton Chapter of IFMA soon thereafter was very timely and became a valuable facility-management resource for Jim Davidson, Uptime’s founder.  That’s why Uptime has been a proud Dayton IFMA Gold Sponsor since the early days of the sponsorship program!  It’s Davidson’s way to pay forward for the valuable FM education received, right here at Dayton IFMA! 

TheTEAMapproach has worked to a “T” to provide support for the Uptime operations and, more importantly, customers’ operations!  The greatest reward is that end users, computer resellers, contractors, and engineers continue to count on and recommend Uptime for support in critical cooling systems, Uninterruptible Power Supplies, rack solutions, raised flooring, Transient Voltage Surge Suppression, monitoring systems, and power distribution systems/cabling from the best suppliers…Liebert, Emerson and Tate! 

Imagine delivering a complete data center with all the cooling, backup power, power distribution, racks, fire suppression, and monitoring complete on a flatbed trailer!  This Liebert / Emerson innovation is here and available today! 

With the addition of Avocent and Aperture to the Liebert / Emerson family of products, Uptime now has the most comprehensive solutions in the Data Center Infrastructure Management (DCIM) arena.  This allows planning and tracking of all adds, moves, and changes in the critical data center space…thus insuring adequate power and cooling are available when needed.

Which IFMA credentials are right for you?

IFMA is the recognized leader in professional FM credentialing

Whether you are new to the facility management profession or have decades of experience under your belt, IFMA's credentials can help open doors to new possibilities. IFMA credentials will help you expand your skill set, earn instant credibility, distinguish yourself from your peers, and demonstrate your knowledge and commitment to current and prospective employers.

Build your career on a solid foundation with the updated IFMA FMP Credential Program™.

• Assessment-based certificate program with no prerequisites.
• For new and transitioning FM professionals and industry suppliers.
• Enhance your knowledge, gain recognition and earn a competitive advantage.

Four courses teach the foundational elements of facility management:

• Operations and Maintenance
• Project Management
• Finance and Business Essentials
• Leadership and Strategy Essentials

Utilize comprehensive print materials, interactive online study tools and online FMP final assessments.

Establish sustainable FM knowledge and practices. IFMA's new assessment-based certificate program delivers a specialty credential in sustainability.

• For all FM and like-minded professionals with an interest in sustainable practices.
• Develop and gain recognition for your expertise in sustainable FM practices while impacting your organization's triple bottom line.

Topics to include:

• Overview of Sustainability in Facilities
• Strategies for Sustainable Facilities
• Operating Sustainable Facilities
• Purchasing, Finance and Policy Development for Sustainable Facilities

Stay ahead of the competition—earn the SFP! Self-study materials and instructor-led courses will be available in 2011.

Earn recognition for your expertise. IFMA's competency-based credential sets the industry standard for practicing facility managers.

• For experienced FM professionals who meet education and experience requirements.
• Earn distinction, demonstrate your expertise and increase your earning potential.

The CFM Exam will test your expertise in the following core competencies:

• Leadership and Management
• Planning and Project Management
• Communication
• Operations and Maintenance
• Finance
• Quality Assessment and Innovation
• Human and Environmental Factors
• Real Estate
• Technology

Earn the most prestigious certification in the global FM profession.

Learn more at www.ifma.org/credentials.

Ken has spent his life in the Dayton area and has been married for 29 years. He has three sons, and three grandsons. He is a Veteran of the United States Army.

Ken is the founder and President of Solid Blend Technologies, Dayton, Ohio. Solid Blend Technologies is a full service water treatment company servicing HVAC, commercial, and industrial water systems such as cooling towers, steam boilers, and waste water applications. His career in the water treatment and mechanical industry began in 1985.

He is a member of National Association of Corrosion Engineers, Cooling Tower Institute, ASHRAE, American Society of Mechanical Engineers, National Association of Power Engineers, National Institute for The Uniform Licensing of Power Engineers, and serves on the board for International Facility Management Association of Dayton.

He is a licensed NIULPE 4th Class Engineer, holds a State of Ohio Stationary Steam Engineers License, and ASOPE Engineering License.

Mike Kells, Russ Kunkel, Chris Snider, Tom Wadham, Kevin Kiger, Dave Roark, Jim Davidson, Fred Weick

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Please contact Barbara Saville, newsletter editor, at 937-673-1253 or bsaville@debra-kuempel.com, if you'd like to contribute articles for the newsletter