Jamie Joyner, MSA, CEFP is Zone Manager at The University of Virginia in Charlottesville where he is passionate about leadership development, performance improvement, and project management while also serving as President of the Virginia Chapter of APPA (VAPPA). Asset Champion host Mike Petrusky discusses Jamie’s FM career journey, and the importance of leadership and adaptability in the ever-changing world of facilities management. What is agreed on is that leadership and mentorship are essential in our industry, so we encourage listeners to pass on their knowledge to the next generation of FM leaders.
Agenda
- The importance of leadership and mentorship in facilities management
- The role of technology and data in the industry
- The future of the built environment and the importance of adaptability
What you need to know: Facility and maintenance takeaways
Takeaway 1: The world of facilities management is constantly evolving and it’s important to adapt to these changes.
In this episode of the Asset Champion podcast, Jamie Joyner, the Zone Manager at the University of Virginia, speaks about the importance of adaptability in the world of facilities management. He noted that change is the only constant in his field and the key to success lies in how his team adapts to these changes.
“I tell my team I’m gonna make them one promise, and one promise is it things will change,” Joyner said. “It’s how we go about it and how we navigate through it that makes us successful or not successful in the long run.”
Takeaway 2: The future of facilities management is leaning heavily towards technology and data analysis.
Joyner emphasized the increasing importance of technology and data analysis in facilities management. He mentioned the recent opening of the School of Data Science at the University of Virginia and its focus on studying data and its applications.
“More and more technology is being thrust upon us. My HVAC mechanics can’t live without a laptop,” Joyner explained. He also highlighted the importance of a CMMS (Computerized Maintenance Management System), stating, “I can’t really fathom or wrap my mind around how to function without one of these”.
Takeaway 3: Facilities management is fundamentally a people business
Despite the increasing importance of technology and data, Joyner emphasized that facilities management is first and foremost about people. Whether it’s repairing equipment, cleaning buildings, or interacting with colleagues, the human element is central to the role.
“This is a people business that we live in. And at the end of the day, we’ve got to influence people to do the things that we need to get done around here,” he stated.
Takeaway 4: Leadership and mentorship are key to the development of future FM leaders.
Joyner, who is also the board president for the Virginia chapter of APPA (Association of Physical Plant Administrators), spoke passionately about the importance of mentorship and leadership in FM. He highlighted a recent Future Leaders within FM Summit that was aimed at newly promoted supervisors and up-and-coming frontline employees.
“That was a lot of our role in the process: providing mentorship and answering questions,” Joyner said. “How did you get where you’re at? How did you get your position? And the cool thing about the VAPPA board is none of us got there in the same exact way.”
Asset management insights
- Change is inevitable in the facilities management industry, and the key to success lies in how teams implement and adapt to these changes.
- Facilities management is a people business, and influencing people to get things done is crucial.
- More and more data is being generated, requiring facilities management professionals to adapt and use technology for diagnostics and decision-making.
- There are many paths to leadership in facilities management, and sharing experiences and mentorship can help the next generation of leaders navigate their career paths.
Do a deep dive into more asset management insights by exploring all Asset Champion Podcast episodes.
