Nearly 100 members and guests of the St. Louis Chapter of IFMA (International Facility Managers Association) celebrated World FM Day and honored industry leaders June 18 at the Kemp Auto Museum in suburban St. Louis.
Initiated in 2008, World FM Day showcases the role that facility managers play in influencing the health, safety, productivity and well-being of those who work in commercial buildings.
As part of the evening’s festivities, IFMA St. Louis presented a check for $1,000 to Cool Down St. Louis. The nonprofit organization builds awareness and provides resources to help those in need avoid heat-related illnesses and deaths, especially the elderly, disabled and needy families with critically ill children. Francis Merrins, president of IFMA St. Louis, presented the check to Lance LeComb, board president for the organization.
The chapter also honored two industry leaders and recognized a trend-setting construction project. Those honored were:
Distinguished Member Award: Jennifer Tichacek, sales manager of C&R Mechanical Co., was lauded for her contributions to the chapter and to the facility management industry. She has spearheaded the chapter’s golf tournament, raised funds to support the chapter’s programs and fostered awareness of the industry. She is responsible for preventive maintenance agreements, small projects and the business development for the service division within C&R Mechanical Company.
Achievement in Facility Management Award: Gene McCoskey, managing director of site services for North America at Nestle Purina PetCare, was recognized for his accomplishments as group director of site services for the pet food company. He’s been involved in the company’s sustainability efforts, which includes recognition by the St. Louis Business Journal in 2012 as a “Hero of the Planet.” A member of IFMA St. Louis for nearly two decades, McCoskey has served on the chapter’s board.
Facility of the Year: The East Academic Building on the Webster University campus, which opened in 2012, earned LEED Gold certification for its innovative construction. The 94,323-square-foot building features an impermeable membrane vapor barrier, low emmittance glass and vegetative green roofs. Three-fourths of the construction waste was recycled, and low VOC adhesives and paints were used. Several St. Louis companies contributed to the project, including Mackey Mitchell Architects (lead architect), Paric Corp. (construction management), Robert AM Stern Architects (design architect) and William Tao & Associates (engineering for mechanical, electrical, plumbing, fire protection and technology). The building houses the George Herbert Walker School of Business Technology.
Merrins, outgoing president of the St. Louis chapter of IFMA, also was recognized for his dedication and leadership to the chapter.
