The challenges of managing gameday operations for a women’s soccer team run the gamut from security and concessions to field setup and customer relations. For Robert Gottlieb, the job also provided critical training and experience that led him to eventually become executive director of facilities, operations and maintenance for Chicago Public Schools.
FMD: What was your first facilities-related job? How did you find it?
Robert Gottlieb: My first operations and facilities role was as director of gameday operations for a professional women's soccer team. I sort of fell into this position while simultaneously working on the development of a soccer stadium in the St. Louis area.
Managing game-day operations — including field setup, concessions, security, broadcasting and customer relations for nationally televised games — was both challenging and rewarding. Over two years, this experience planted a strong interest in operations. Planning, development, execution and satisfaction are interconnected and play a role daily, whether in organizing a soccer game or managing a school facility.
FMD: What led you from that job to your current position?
Gottlieb: Most of my career has focused on being an owner's representative and project manager in development and capital construction. After spending five years in the capital program for Chicago Public Schools, I was asked to transition to the operations side.
The department was undergoing significant changes under our integrated facilities management program, and my role involved building and refining a balance between external vendors and internal staff to enhance our cleaning and engineering programs. One notable accomplishment was de-privatizing the custodial management program, which was a critical step in regaining control and establishing new operational standards for the district.
FMD: What projects or accomplishments in your career are you proudest of?
Gottlieb: I’ve been fortunate to work on several significant projects, including two national historic landmarks, but I’m most proud of the water quality testing program developed in-house at Chicago Public Schools. We set the state standard by serving as the model for legislation requiring testing of all potable water sources in schools. Chicago Public Schools now has the largest database of water quality testing results in the United States, and we continuously test 25 percent of our facilities annually.
FMD: What has surprised you the most about facilities management?
Gottlieb: The resilience of our buildings continues to amaze me, particularly given the simple designs and systems of our older schools. Their average age is 84 years.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, we conducted deep evaluations of our ventilation systems, identifying what was functional and what was not. Despite significant portions of mechanical systems — including pneumatic controls, building automation systems, dampers, exhaust fans and unit ventilators — being non-operational, we managed to maintain comfortable heating levels. Although it took time and resources to address these issues, our buildings are now in a much better operational state.
FMD: What is one thing you would change about your career if you could?
Gottlieb: I wish I had pursued more technical training earlier in my career. Completing a building engineering apprenticeship or similar training program would have been invaluable.
That said, I have completed other technical certifications, including the Associated General Contractors of America’s certifications for project managers and for water, fire, and mold mitigation. The latter has been particularly helpful in managing unexpected events, like fires, floods, and freeze-ups, that occur from time to time but must be mitigated with time and life safety in mind.
Are you interested in sharing your career path with the readers of Facility Maintenance Decisions? Contact Dan Hounsell at dan.hounsell@tradepress.com.
