Warm greetings, IFMA-GTC family!
As we settle into the heart of winter, I hope you’re all managing to stay warm—and that your HVAC systems are behaving themselves! There’s nothing quite like a North Carolina January to remind us why our roles as facilities managers are so vital to keeping everyone comfortable and safe.
Looking back at January, what a way to kick off the year! A huge thank you to everyone who joined us at Prestonwood Country Club for our session with Alan Mallory. Hearing Alan’s insights on agility and resilience through the lens of his family’s Everest climb was exactly the “peak” inspiration we needed. It was a powerful reminder that whether you’re navigating a literal mountain or a complex facility renovation, success comes down to teamwork and strategic planning. If you’d still like to purchase a copy of “Summits of Self”, please reach out to president@ifmatriangle.org.
We also had a fantastic turnout for our tour of Alexandria Real Estate’s 9 Laboratory Drive on January 22nd. Getting an inside look at their innovative life science spaces was a great reminder of how the Triangle continues to be a hub for cutting-edge facility design. It’s these “behind-the-scenes” moments that make our membership so valuable.
The Future is in Your Hands
Speaking of teamwork, our search for new board members is open! Our chapter thrives because of the diverse perspectives and collaborative energy of our members. If you’ve been looking for a way to give back to the FM community, grow your leadership skills, or simply help shape the direction of IFMA-GTC, we want to hear from you. We’re looking for fresh ideas and passionate voices to join us for the upcoming term. Email me directly at president@ifmatriangle.org no later than February 13th.
And speaking of the future, don’t forget about our scholarship opportunities. If you know a student or a professional looking to further their education in facility management, please point them toward the IFMA Foundation and our chapter-specific grants. We’re committed to investing in the talent that will keep our buildings running for decades to come. Check out our LInkedIn page for more details!
What’s Coming Up in February
We have three big ways to connect this month—one for our dedicated volunteers and two for everyone:
- Committee Appreciation (February 5th): We’re heading to Apex Racing for an evening of high-speed fun! This event is all about saying “thank you” to the volunteers who keep our committees moving.
- Monthly Lunch Meeting (February 11th): Please join us at our monthly lunch meeting where we’ll have a Commercial Real Estate panel discussion you won’t want to miss!
- ‘Four Corners’ Networking (February 19th): Our regional networking series continues! Join us at Deep River Brewing for the next installment. These events are designed to make networking easy and local—no need to cross the entire Triangle to find a friendly face and a great craft beer.
Whether you’re dodging the wind chill on a rooftop unit or coordinating a major move, remember that you’ve got a whole chapter of peers backing you up.
Tanya Blankenship, CFM, MBA, PMP, ASQ-CQA
President, IFMA-GTC