What Does it Take to be a Champion?

10/3/2024

On the cover this month is Leo Bobadilla of Florida-based Miami Dade College, a selfless leader who is quick to point out the amazing accomplishments of his team. Not surprisingly, Leo was recognized last year as one our 2023 Facility Champion Award recipients for not only his facility efforts but management style.  

Facility Champions are committed to this industry and demonstrate pride and professionalism in their work. They strive to achieve ambitious operational goals, often by embracing new trends and technology. And, like Leo, they engage and motivate their staff members.  

We recently announced this year's class of eight deserving Facility Champion Award winners: 

• Yasmine Alloul, Vice President, Engineering and Facilities Management, Munich (New Jersey) Airport   
• Douglas Diaz, Director of Facility Optimization – Department of Sustainability, Clark County School District, Las Vegas   
• Dave Keating, Director of Facilities, Consolidated High School District 230, Orland Park, Illinois  
• Catherine Pfundstein, Assistant Director of Engineering, Fort Lauderdale (Florida) Marriott Harbor Beach Resort and Spa   
• Jose Rosas Roque, Facilities Manager, HungerRush, Houston  
• Allen Tanner, Maintenance Coordinator, Frenship Independent School District, Wollforth, Texas   
• Cary Wilder, Associate Director of Projects and Renewal Strategies, Stanford Graduate School of Business, Stanford, California  
• Scott Wollenzien, Sr. Director of Facility Construction and Operations, Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance, Co., Milwaukee 

This industry is full of passionate and dedicated individuals who are making a difference in their facilities and communities. We received more than 100 nominations — double the number from a year ago. Each has an impressive story to tell, but these eight stood out from the pack. It is a privilege to share their successes (savvy readers will notice that last month's cover story featured Scott Wollenzien) with the entire industry.  

 Join us as we recognize and celebrate these winners during a special webcast on Nov. 12. Registration is free by signing up here. Meanwhile, if you or someone else at your organization is going above and beyond, and deserves to be recognized, we’d like to hear about it. We'll be opening nominations for the 2025 Facility Champion Award next spring. 

Dan Weltin is the editor-in-chief for the facility market. He has 20 years of experience covering the facility management and commercial cleaning industries.