Dave Keating’s advice for aspiring facility managers is simple: “Take it one day at a time and try not to get overwhelmed.”
As the director of facilities for a growing suburban school district outside Chicago, Keating tries to practice what he preaches at the Orland Park, Illinois, school district.
Keating, a 2024 Facility Champion award recipient, has been at the forefront of the district’s facilities leadership since joining as the maintenance supervisor a decade ago before ascending to his current position in May 2020.
His primary goal? “I really like doing jobs that create money for the school district,” he says. Keating cites a big LED lighting project and a solar project at three district schools as ways he’s accomplished that goal, but in the last year alone, he has been busy.
According to John Connolly, the colleague who nominated Keating for this award, Keating has been a busy employee this year.
“In the past year, Dave has implemented several key initiatives that have significantly improved facility operations,” says Connolly, the district’s chief technology and operations officer. “He led the installation of advanced HVAC systems, enhancing air quality and energy efficiency across our schools.”
Keating is also managing a major addition to a district high school that updated multiple classrooms with modern technology and flexible furniture to support diverse teaching methods. He has also contributed to the overall safety of the district, leading a project that included installing surveillance cameras and access control measures across the campuses.
“Dave also streamlined the vendor management process, resulting in cost savings and more timely completion of projects,” Connolly says. “These initiatives have not only met but exceeded our operational goals, contributing to a more effective and efficient learning environment for students and staff.”
In addition to his commitment to the school district, Keating participates in several professional organizations to help both advance the profession and learn from his peers.
Despite the constant flow of projects that Keating oversees in the district, he still finds time to be a leader to his communities.
“His proactive approach and dedication to enhancing our facilities reflect his deep pride in his profession and his desire to contribute positively to the school district and the broader facility management community,” Connolly says.
The 2024 Facility Champions will be recognized as part of a webcast that will air on November 12 at 11 a.m. ET on FacilitiesNet. Register for the webcast here.
Dave Lubach is the executive editor of the facility market.
