I was originally to conduct this interview of Karen Howard on her home turf, C-W-C. As I drove with the early morning traffic across the top end, a chain of events caused 285 east bound to become a parking lot. Karen graciously offered to meet me at my office later in the day for this interview. As I returned from lunch with Moe’s in hand Karen was waiting for me in the Equitable lobby. We made our way up to the 25th floor of SWSN finding a comfortable conference room to talk.

For those that don’t know Karen, which may not be many of you, Karen is one of the founding members of the Atlanta Chapter of IFMA. The network of people around Karen started investigating how to charter a chapter of IFMA in what was then a younger smaller Atlanta. Karen pointed out that early in her career, Facilities Management was very new; there were not many Facilities Managers and the few there were only worked for large corporations. Through the years of Karen’s involvement in IFMA there have been many changes to both the Chapter and to the city. In this interview Karen provides insight into the past, present and what she hopes is the future of our chapter.

Karen, what does it mean to be Vice President of IFMA?

It’s President Elect. I know it’s confusing; the position is titled President Elect, as part of the responsibility is to learn on the job prior to being next year’s President.

I did not know that, so it’s like being President in Training?

Yes, that’s a good way to describe it.

Primarily, in my opinion, I have been working up to this position for a long time. I see my focus being to fill in for the president and to prepare for the responsibility of that position for the next year. I am really looking forward to attending various committee meetings and getting to know all the new members of the Atlanta Chapter. I know all the members that have been a part of IFMA for a long time, but there is this new group of members that I want to connect to. As President Elect I get the opportunity to meet and interact with a broad spectrum of members. Every year is different. Every president is different. The challenge for me as President Elect is to identify how I am to best contribute.

You mentioned you have been working up to this position for a long time, what chain of career events has brought you to here?

When I graduated from design school the economy was in a slump, much like what we have just experienced. As we know, there are no design jobs in bad economies so I took a position in sales. I have spent my career in furniture sales starting out at Ball Stalker and then moved on to C-W-C. Here I am still doing what I love.

What surprises you most about how the chapter has grown and changed since those early years?

I’d have to say it’s how involved our associate members are in the chapter. I believe this is a good thing as the associate members have so much to offer the facilities community. It hasn’t always been this way. I’m happy to see how the Presidents from recent years have embraced the associate membership and seen the potential of their contribution. The growth of our chapter membership is also a pleasant surprise. While many other chapters have experienced a decline in their membership through this tough economic period, our membership numbers continue to grow. I think that speaks volumes about the Atlanta Chapter.

What volunteering roles have you had with IFMA Atlanta?

I’ve been on the Membership Committee and Chair of the Associate Committee where I developed the etiquette rules for the Associate Members. The chapter has changed so much that is hard to remember the names of all the committees I have worked on. We use to have only a handful of committees that did many things. Now, those responsibilities have been divided up into smaller committees and subcommittees. For instance, I was on a committee what would be called today the programs committee and I also worked early on to get IFMA in to the Atlanta Business Chronicle, but I don’t recall what the committee would have been called. Probably the committee that I most enjoyed was the Associates Committee; it suited me well. Last year as Secretary was challenging. There was so much change, good change. It was long overdue.

What do you like most about living in Atlanta; what do you hope attendees of World Workplace take away from their visit?

Atlanta is such an attractive city. It has become more and more cosmopolitan. Sometimes I look around and feel like I am in Manhattan yet it still has this small city appeal. I live in town and love that everything is right here where I need it. World Workplace is going to be fabulous. I hope attendees leave this conference with the desire to return and experience Atlanta on a personal level. Come see me on Peachtree Street; I’ll be manning a booth and hopefully fitting in time to be involved with the Foundation and International.

I asked Christy this question so I’m curious, what is your vision for the future of IFMA Atlanta?

For this year, to continue what Joanne and Christy have already started. I’d like to start working on things that may not get attention due to the focus on World Workplace. WWP is here this year and that is taking a lot of energy; rightfully so. Next year we need to refocus on tasks and events that could not happen this year. The End Year Report is symbolic of where the chapter is going. What a great thing that was and what a benchmark to set for other chapters. I’m glad Joanne pushed us into the Balanced Scorecard. The chapter needs to keep progressing in a more professional and sophisticated direction. These two initiatives are examples of that professionalism.

Karen Howard lives in Atlanta with her husband Nick and has a daughter in college. Karen spends what free time she has enjoying her animals, reading, and attending the theater.

First is a USGBC Georgia chapter educational event being held on Thursday, August 19. Attendees will be able to earn LEED AP continuing education credit and elevate their understanding about projecting, tracking, & evaluating costs & returns on green building initiatives. Greg O’Brien, Principal, Sustainable Options, LLC, will address design vs. actual performance and financial returns on sustainable investments. A walking tour to Colonial Properties Atlantic Center Plaza follows as Chief Engineer Jeff Johnson will discuss the condensate reclamation system as part of this LEED Gold property. For more information, send an e-mail to Annette Gorelick. Register directly at the USGBC-GA site.

Second, Annette encourages you to join IFMA Birmingham Chapter members as they attend the Green Building Focus Conference & Expo 8/24-8/26, 2010 in Birmingham, AL. You can register on the Green Building Focus website — please note that IFMA groups receive the Host Association rate listed on the left side. If you are interested in more details, please contact Michael McHugh at Green Building Focus.

The IFMA Foundation Three Ring Spectacular promises to be a wonderful evening of networking and entertainment, including dinner and sensational live and silent auctions. The annual Gala is International’s single largest fundraising event. The funds raised are used to support our scholarships, grants, recognized degree program and research projects.

International needs your help in their efforts to accomplish their goals and mission. Please consider being a sponsor and/or donating an auction item. Your support is needed and contributors will be rewarded with ample recognition.

The Atlanta Chapter is also looking for volunteers to help with this event – please visit www.ifmaatlanta.org to view Volunteer Opportunities and sign up.

And mark your calendars for the IFMA Foundation Three Ring Spectacular at World of Coca-Cola – Tuesday, October 26th, 2010.

We’ll see you there!

Click here to view the 2010 Gala Sponsorship Form

Click here to view the Donation Form for the gala

–Joanne Cole

Christy, why did you decide to run for president of the IFMA Atlanta?

I have been asked many times in the past to run for president and have many times turned down the opportunity. Last year I attended the House of Delegates meeting in Dallas and was riveted by what I heard. In discussions with fellow attendees, what I noticed was that others were not as engaged or enthralled by what they heard. They didn’t get it but I did. It was at that point that I knew my passion for facilities would benefit the Atlanta chapter best if I was president.

What is your vision for IFMA Atlanta?

I want the Atlanta Chapter of IFMA to be recognized on a national level as the premier Facilities Management association in the southeast and throughout the nation. My hope is that we continue to provide resources and opportunities for FM professionals to grow and expand their careers. Through supporting professional development we expand our knowledge base. By expanding our knowledge, we become experts. We want to be the experts and foster expertise among our members.

What do you hope your legacy as president to be?

To develop and employ a strong strategic vision that will take our chapter beyond just one year ahead in planning. I would like to end this year with a five year plan established that can be built upon in the following years. I want our BOD to keep our mission first and foremost and see how our chapter strategic plan ties into that vision and how that vision relates to International. By achieving this goal, I will have created a forward-thinking strategy that can carry our chapter into the future.

Very few people start their career as a FM, How did you get your start in Facilities?

I started in community service as a liaison for the YWCA of Greater Atlanta. As a partner with IFMA who hosting meetings and there I observed the conversations and presentations through which I learned to apply facilities management skills to the position I held. It was through this assimilation that I came to realize that Facilities Management was in my blood. In those early years at the YWCA, I was performing the tasks of a FM without the title. As fate would have it, the YWCA posted a position for a Facilities Manager. Through the support of peers and mentors in the industry I end up taking the position and fourteen years later I’m still here. I owe a big thank you to Mitch Rabil who through all these years has provided guidance and supported my professional growth.

Prior to chapter president, what has been your contribution to the chapter?

Up until two years ago I was a member and eventually chaired the Community Service Committee. Community Service is my heart and it drives the direction of my life. Two years ago, I rolled into the MCIC of IFMA International as a membership chair and then served as Vice President of our chapter for 2009-2010. It is through this volunteer service to IFMA that I have had the opportunity to witness firsthand the interactions of many sides of the organization from both a local and international perspective. One of my primary accomplishments has been the establishment of the Annual Nonprofit Summit engage members in community service. I am proud of the efforts and compassion of our members to help the community.

What advice can you offer to new members of the Facilities Management community?

Tap into the resources that IFMA has to offer. Get involved with your local chapter and make the connections that will help foster your growth. We have a collective knowledge that cannot be taught in school. Sure, in school you learn the terms and the theory, but it takes real time experience where you have to apply knowledge with good decision in the heat of the moment to give depth to that knowledge. I would advise that you reach out to your network of IFMA professionals who have been there – done that for guidance. Nothing beats experience especially in this profession.

World Workplace will be hosted in Atlanta this year, what do you hope is a result of this event?

I hope our members and our BOD use this opportunity to really get to know the staff at International. They are a phenomenal resource. Our participation with International on this annual conference has truly been a partnering unlike what has been done in the past. We studied past years’ experiences and determined early on that we didn’t want International to just show up and run the show; we wanted to fully engage our resources to make WWP 2010 in Atlanta the most successful WWP in years. Through our efforts, we have coordinated tours to highlight Atlanta properties and we sold out Peachtree Street. For our associate members, which I want to add are wonderful supporters and we wouldn’t be able to do what we do without them, I want to see our associate members make national contacts that foster business growth in Atlanta and beyond. The Atlanta Chapter is huge; we make a huge impact on this community. This impact will be seen and felt.

If you could sum up the motto for IFMA Atlanta 2010-2011 what would it be?

It’s about relationships. Me Knowing You and You Knowing Me.

Christy Jellets lives in Atlanta with her husband Jeff Jellets, a frequent contributor to IFMA Atlanta and our August luncheon guest speaker and their 17 year old daughter. When Christy is not working or fulfilling her duties as chapter president, she enjoys volunteering, crocheting hats for newborn babies and quilting for Project Linus, spending time in her garden, and reading. Christy is currently reading, The Art of Eating In: How I Learned to Stop Spending and Love the Stove by Cathy Erway.

The Atlanta Chapter has been putting together video clips for our own entry in the pass-the-logo challenge — at the Spring Classic, our board retreat in May and at some of the luncheons. We are ready for our finale and need your help!

On Wednesday, August 11; from 11:30 am through 12:30pm, members of our chapter will be meeting at the front entrance of the Georgia World Congress Center for the filming of a dramatic scene in front of the venue that will be hosting IFMA’s World Workplace this year. We are trying to get as many folks as possible to come out and participate, and would love to have you there!

Please come out and show your support. Feel free to invite other people that you think would be interested as well!

This Exterior Renovation was the culmination of the IFMA Community Services Committee Work that started with a Condition Assessment in 2002. Since then Members have assisted them in the replacement of the roof, new HVAC System, new lighting, interior finishes and furnishings and now this Exterior Renovation to insulate the Exterior Walls and provide insulated windows and door assemblies.

This Facility now looks as though it were a new Building!

–Clara Smith

This year our Chapter has begun a re-branding process: beginning with our new logo, our Annual Report, our Newsletter and (any day now!) our website!  To celebrate this re-branding we are using our chapter’s new logo is going to be featured prominently at IFMA’s World Workplace this October.  It will be displayed on the EXPO floor (Peachtree Street), on our Chapter lanyards, Chapter shirts and, of course, on this year’s Chapter pin.

All those registered for World Workplace will receive pins to trade with at World Workplace.  Here’s a sneak preview of this year’s pin – wear it proudly and we’ll see you at World Workplace in October!

Article by Joanne Cole

Over 40 IFMA members attended a private tour of the headquarters of the CNN Center on Thursday, June 24.  Located in downtown Atlanta, CNN Center features more than 1.2 million square feet of office, retail, and restaurant space.  The site spans several city blocks and contains CNN’s main newsrooms, as well as several of the network’s studios.

IFMA member, Lindsey Bradshaw with Turner Properties, kicked off the tour by sharing with the group some interesting facts about the history of the site.  She explained that while the CNN Center opened as the Omni in 1976, it enjoyed limited success as a multi-use business/recreation property until the CNN headquarters was moved to the site in 1987.  Since that time the property has been modified in a number of ways to service the operating needs of CNN, Turner Broadcasting, and the many visitors who frequent the site daily.

Lindsey Bradshaw kicks things off

Lindsey along with Eugene De Nijs Bik, also with Turner, then treated attendees to an up-close view on how CNN operates.  Tour highlights included a viewing of the latest newsroom renovation, stops to the editing department, and a walk through of a recent office space build-out.  Attendees were also able to catch a live newscast of CNN anchor Rick Sanchez’s afternoon show!

After the tour, the group convened at McCormick & Schmick seafood restaurant, which is also located at CNN Center.  The group enjoyed cocktails and appetizers graciously provided by Andrew Hoover, president of The Best Consultant Company.

–Sandra Reese

At the recent Emerging Leaders event at Georgia Tech; a group of IFMA members were briefly trapped in a crowded elevator together. Good thing everyone in IFMA’s Atlanta chapter is so friendly!

If you missed the June luncheon, you missed a great presentation by Wayne Robertson, PE, LEED AP from Energy ACE. Wayne surveyed the room for those of us familiar with LEED. Most hands in the room were raised. He then asked who was familiar with Green Globes. Only a few hands were raised. LEED is clearly the market leader for sustainably certification but there’s a new kid on the block, Green Globes (actually I did some research and they’ve been around since 1993). Wayne liked this challenge to Pepsi vs. Coke, Microsoft vs. Apple, etc. You get the picture.

LEED is by far the market leader with 5000 certified projects world wide and 4000 in the US. Green Globes has 100 buildings certified in the US, equal to the number of LEED certified buildings in Atlanta. According to Wayne, Green Globes is making progress to becoming another contender in the certification process. Wayne mentioned several Sustainability Ordinances in the Atlanta area that recognize LEED or Green Globes. He also said that Green Globes has become the ANSI standard Commercial Green Building.

Green Globes, which is managed by the Green Building Initiative. LEED and Green Globes both use a similar rating system using points for various sustainable designs. LEED certification has four levels of certification; Certified, Silver, Gold and Platinum. Green Globes also has four levels of certification; one through four globes. Eighty to eighty five percent of the points in each rating system cross over to both. One of the differences between the LEED system and Green Globes is the different types of certification. LEED has five rating systems currently with four more in some stage of pilot program. Green Globes has two, new construction and continual improvements of existing buildings

So which is right for your project? Wayne described the differences which might sway you one way or the other. The LEED certification process review does not start until the design process is complete. In some cases this might be a year after the design was started. The final review starts after completion of the project. This might be another year or two. The review is done anonymously and the petitioner does not have the opportunity to discuss the project with the reviewer.

On the other hand, Green Globes uses an on-line documentation process that happens during the entire design process. It is more collaborative and a reviewer actually comes to the project site. You have a chance to talk to the reviewer at any point during the certification process. Green Globes also looks at life cycle assessment and will allow the petitioner to “opt out” on a requirement that doesn’t really suit the project (such as providing bike racks for an industrial project right off an interstate). According to Wayne the Green Globes certification process is much more user friendly than the LEED process.

Wayne also touched on the Energy Star program sponsored by the EPA and DOE. This program is free to applicants and the rating is awarded based on the energy efficiency of a building. Landlords and developers are starting to reap the benefits of these certifications with higher values of the asset and potentially higher rent for tenants who are willing to pay more for a sustainable building.

Wayne parted with a message we can all take to heart. “Go for and be green!”

- Submitted by Lindsey Bradshaw