Welcome back to a special bonus episode of Facilities in Focus that was recorded live at NFMT Remix. Host Mackenna Moralez is joined by former Facility Champion and Building Operating Management cover star Leo Bobadilla for a one-on-one discussion on how the industry has evolved in recent years and what it takes to be a champion. Leo breaks down his career highs and how being in the Orlando Convention Center brought back memories from the start of his career.

The Facilities in Focus podcast publishes bi-weekly. The fourth season will cover safety and security with new episodes premiering in February.

For comments or to be a guest on the Facilities in Focus podcast, please email Mackenna at fnpodcast@tradepress.com.

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Facility managers are feeling the talent shortage—but where should recruitment really begin? In this bonus episode of Facilities in Focus, host Mackenna Moralez talks with Caroline Horton on why she chose to obtain her master’s degree in facilities management and how her thesis encourages industry leaders to work with local schools to recruit new talent from a young age. She discusses why outreach matters and what facility managers can realistically do to raise awareness of FM careers. This conversation offers facility managers fresh ideas for talent development and a new perspective on strengthening the pipelines for the new generation.

“Reaching students in high school—and even middle school—is where real awareness of facilities management begins,” Caroline says. “If students don’t know facilities management exists, they can’t choose it as a career.”

The Facilities in Focus podcast publishes bi-weekly. The fourth season will cover safety and security with new episodes premiering in February.

For comments or to be a guest on the Facilities in Focus podcast, please email Mackenna at fnpodcast@tradepress.com.

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What if your first job could set the stage for a long-lasting career? As the facilities industry faces a significant labor shortage, one school district is preparing the next generation to take over the reigns. Host Mackenna Moralez talks with Keith Watkins, director of facilities III for the City School District of New Rochelle on how student apprenticeship and youth employment programs not only teach teenagers valuable life and trade skills, but also address the industry’s looming workforce gap. From mentoring 14–18 year-olds on everything from cleaning and HVAC basics to shadowing electricians, Keith explains how early exposure to facilities work can spark lifelong careers, instill responsibility, and even change the way students see their own schools. This conversation is a powerful look at how mentorship and hands-on learning are shaping the future of facilities management.

"Finding out what you don’t want to do is just as important as finding out what you do want to do. Early exposure helps young adults figure out if this is an option for them," Keith says.

The Facilities in Focus podcast publishes bi-weekly. The third season will cover education facilities.

For comments or to be a guest on the Facilities in Focus podcast, please email Mackenna at fnpodcast@tradepress.com.

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What does it really mean to keep students safe in schools? In this candid conversation, host Mackenna Moralez talks with Alishia Jolivette, chief of facilities and maintenance operations for Houston Independent School District on how safety is about more than just securing doors, it’s about creating an environment where students feel protected, comfortable and able to learn. Alishia shares how her team goes beyond locks and alarms to focus on everything from air and water quality to hurricane preparedness and mental health. With insights into student-led initiatives and the constant behind-the-scenes work that keeps campuses, Alishia shows how facilities shape not just safety, but learning itself.

“Safety is broad. It’s not just doors and locks—it’s roofs, air quality, water quality, and the mental well-being of our students and staff,” Alishia says.

The Facilities in Focus podcast publishes bi-weekly. The third season will cover education facilities.

For comments or to be a guest on the Facilities in Focus podcast, please email Mackenna at fnpodcast@tradepress.com.

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Accessibility on college campuses goes far beyond code compliance, it’s about dignity, independence and creating a true sense of belonging. In this episode of Facilities in Focus, host Mackenna Moralez talks with Lawrence Group leaders Mike Flynn and Javier Esteban about the art and complexity of retrofitting for accessibility. With examples ranging from residence halls to libraries, they explain how facilities leaders can design spaces that serve students of every ability—today and in the future.

“Accessibility cannot be an afterthought. It has to be part of the process,” Javier says.

The Facilities in Focus podcast publishes bi-weekly. The third season will cover education facilities.

For comments or to be a guest on the Facilities in Focus podcast, please email Mackenna at fnpodcast@tradepress.com.

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Deferred maintenance is a reality for every facility manager, but what happens when the stakes are thousands of students’ health and safety? In this episode of Facilities in Focus, host Mackenna Moralez sits down with Machion Jackson, deputy superintendent of operations for Detroit Public Schools Community District about how transparency, creativity and community engagement have helped her team prioritize critical repairs and reinvest in Detroit’s schools. Her insights offer practical strategies and inspiration for facility managers everywhere.

“School buildings are stabilizers of neighborhoods—they’re the beacons of communities,” Machion says. “If left unattended, deferred maintenance doesn’t just affect classrooms, it affects families, teachers, and the future of entire neighborhoods.”

The Facilities in Focus podcast publishes bi-weekly. The third season will cover education facilities.

For comments or to be a guest on the Facilities in Focus podcast, please email Mackenna at fnpodcast@tradepress.com.

Read Machion’s BOM cover story here: https://www.facilitiesnet.com/facilitiesmanagement/article/From-Teaching-to-Facilities-Management-How-Machion-Jackson-Found-Her-Calling--19928

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What does campus construction have to do with student success? In this episode of Facilities in Focus, host Mackenna Moralez speaks with Gretchen Catlin, chief facilities and general services officer for the University of Maine System how strategic facilities planning impacts everything from housing shortages to collaborative learning spaces. She also offers unique insights into construction trends that currently surround education facilities. Packed with real-world examples, creative solutions and even a few surprising stories from behind the scenes, this conversation sheds light on why facilities management is at the heart of higher education’s future.

“If you build it, they will come — and that’s what excites me most about facilities: creating safe, engaging spaces that truly shape the student experience,” Catlin says.

The Facilities in Focus podcast publishes bi-weekly. The third season will cover education facilities.

For comments or to be a guest on the Facilities in Focus podcast, please email Mackenna at fnpodcast@tradepress.com.

Connect with Mackenna on Linkedin:

linkedin.com/in/mackennamoralez

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How does one of the largest school districts in the country transform its facilities operations to meet the highest standards of health and sustainability? In this episode of Facilities in Focus, host Mackenna Moralez sits down with Sara Porter of Healthy Schools Campaign and Chicago Public Schools leaders Rob Christlieb and Brian Martin to discuss how the district made history by being the first in the nation to achieve Gold Certification under the Healthy Green Schools & Colleges Standard. Porter, Christlieb and Martin share how they reached this milestone, what it means for students and staff and how sustainable practices create healthier, more effective learning environments.

“This is not a one-and-done award—it’s about creating healthier, safer schools every single day,” Christlieb says.

The Facilities in Focus podcast publishes bi-weekly. The third season will cover education facilities.

For comments or to be a guest on the Facilities in Focus podcast, please email Mackenna at fnpodcast@tradepress.com.

Connect with Mackenna on LinkedIn:

linkedin.com/in/MackennaMoralez

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