International. The International Facilities Management Association (IFMA) officially introduced the new executive committee elected by the appointed members of its global board of directors for the 2023-24 fiscal year.
Led by President Dean Stanberry, CFM, SFP, who begins his term on July 1, the board will focus its efforts on ensuring that facility managers (FM) professionals worldwide have the resources and support to keep pace with emerging industry and business trends.
Stanberry is joined on the executive committee by First Vice President Lynn Baez, CFM, SFP, FMP, CBCP, IFMA Fellow, and Second Vice President Christa Dodoo, CFM, CIWFM, FMP, CMQ-OE. Laurie A. Gilmer, P.E., CFM, FMP, SFP, LEED AP will remain involved as past president.
"The importance of facilities management has skyrocketed beyond the mere maintenance of physical spaces," Stanberry said. "The pandemic underscored the critical need for adaptive, safe and efficient environments, which brought FM to the forefront. We are no longer just custodians of bricks and mortar, but facilitators of innovative and agile workspaces that drive productivity and well-being."
IFMA's global board intends to build on the successes achieved over the past year, including more than 23,000 members worldwide; publish 10 research reports, eight of which were the first of their kind; add new training aimed at keeping FM skills commensurate with changing demands; and partnering with other respected organizations to address the issues and opportunities of the built environment.
"IFMA's board of directors, staff, volunteer leaders and components around the world have worked tirelessly to keep our professional community informed, engaged and prepared amid radical changes in how, where and under what conditions people work, meet and interact," said IFMA's President and CEO, Don Gilpin. . "We have expanded our educational and informational offerings, and expanded and strengthened our network, giving our board a solid foundation from which to grow. Dean Stanberry brings more than 20 years of industry knowledge and partnership leadership to the board, which will keep our momentum going."
Stanberry is an active advocate for the industry, and previously served as chair of IFMA's Government Affairs Committee and the Environmental Stewardship, Utilities and Sustainability Community. He is a member of the Advisory Group 2 committee and the U.S. representative for ISO/TC 267, which has produced several papers within the ISO 41000 FM series of standards, which focuses on FM as the leading contributor to a more productive, sustainable and livable built environment.
IFMA shared its indebted to outgoing President Laurie Gilmer for her leadership. Focusing on the importance of professional connections, he travelled extensively to re-establish relationships with and between members and partners, rekindle enthusiasm and involvement across the association and remind the IFMA community that members are its greatest source of support and strength. "The driving force of what we do, how and why we do it, are people. Those in our facilities motivate us to do the best job possible. Our community members inspire us to be the best FMs possible," Gilmer said.
