What year did you join RFMA? 2023

Why did you join RFMA? I was researching sustainability efforts in the restaurant industry and came across RFMA. I noticed that sustainability was not a section in the CRFP Exam so I inquired with the RFMA team to see if my services would be a good fit. I learned that facility managers were looking for ways to implement sustainability programs within their restaurants as the topic becomes more popular. 

What do you like most about RFMA? I attended the annual conference in San Antonio to get a taste of RFMA in person and see if it was worth the investment. I was blown away with the "family" of attendees who welcomed me and our services to RFMA. Both vendors and members were so welcoming. Now, I communicate with many members I have met over the past two years on a monthly basis.

Which RFMA resource do you utilize the most and why?  I love being a resource for RFMA members and vendors on the ever-changing environmental regulations. Posting informational stories and articles in the RFMA Blogs and feed. I also utilize the photo section to share flyers and information of our services offered to the RFMA members.

What do you enjoy the most about your job? I love my job because I get to work with restaurant and hotel leaders daily, discussing their challenges and finding solutions for their needs. Collaborating with subject matter experts within my organization and connecting them with RFMA members to drive progress and achieve meaningful results is incredibly fulfilling. 

Where did you grow up? I grew up in Durango, Colorado. A small town known for its mountain biking in Southwest Colorado. 

What was the first job you ever had? My first paycheck came from a Village Inn where I was a bus boy in high school. 

What is the most surprising thing you've learned about the restaurant world? The restaurant world is very small, and everyone is well connected. Reputation and word of mouth is very powerful in this community.

What is the best advice you ever received? Never be the smartest person in the room. I love learning more from everyone I meet. Each person brings their own experience and knowledge and I love learning more.

Who is your favorite sports team? I am one of the few real LA (San Diego) Chargers fans. 

What chore do you absolutely hate doing? I love to cook but hate the cleanup.

What’s your favorite type of food? I love all food. Everything from Texas BBQ to fresh sushi. 
 
If you could meet an iconic person from history, who would it be? I would love to have met rally race car driver Colin McRea.

What year did you join RFMA? 2021

Why did you join RFMA? I was new to restaurant management at the time. I had worked in Class A building Facilities Management, a national hair-cutting salon, and an international telecommunications company, so the restaurant industry was new to me. Many duties of the job were the same or at least similar, but there were some aspects that were different. I felt a need to connect with people who were doing what I am doing now.

What do you like most about RFMA? The educational aspect of RFMA is amazing. I frequently visit the RFMAonline.com website to access the on-demand webinars and RFMA Learning Center. I am a firm believer that I don't need to know everything by heart; I just need to know where to find it. Albert Einstein once stated, "Never memorize what you can look up in a book." Ironically, I have committed that statement to memory.

Which RFMA resource do you utilize the most and why? I refer to the RFMA website regularly to enhance my knowledge and understanding through the on-demand webinars and RFMA learning center. The website offers excellent information and is my first go-to when I am looking for an answer. While you could Google it, you're not always sure if what you find is true. RFMA information comes from people who do what I do, so I feel confident in it.

What do you enjoy the most about your job? I feel I am very blessed with the company and the people I work with. I'm paired with an incredible person named Janie, and I'm so grateful to have her by my side in the trenches. We're also fortunate to have such kind individuals working alongside us in the field. The crews supporting us and working in the shops are among the nicest people I've had the pleasure to work with.

Where did you grow up? Spent most of my childhood in Arizona and California. Moved to Texas in 1995.

What was the first job you ever had? My first job ever outside of my family's farm was in radio. I took phone surveys to help decide the top 10 songs of the week. I would sit in a little room with a tape player, a phone, and a script. I would call random people from the phone book to ask them about their radio listening habits.

What is the most surprising thing you've learned about the restaurant world? What bad drivers really are: If I had a dollar for every time a person drove through our landscape, over a sign, or into a building, I would be rich enough to not work. But then again, you wouldn't be reading this from me right now either. 

If you weren’t in the facilities industry, what would you be doing? Radio, television, or movies—a passion I have had since I was 9 years old. I started in radio when I was 14 and have been in movies and TV shows. I love doing that, but I love doing what I do for Dutch Bros coffee just as much. 

What is the best advice you ever received? I had a boss sit me down one time and ask me to think about my death bed. He asked, "Who do you imagine would be by your side at that point?" He said, "Not your coworkers or your boss. It will be your closest family: your spouse, kids, perhaps parents, and grandkids. Those are the people you need to work for, not just the paycheck or the job. Work to live; don't live to work." 

Who is your favorite sports team? I travel all of Texas, so I keep my mouth shut when it comes to sports, politics and religion.

What chore do you absolutely hate doing? Laundry and dishes. That is one sure fire telltale sign if I ever win the lottery. I might not tell you I won the lottery, but you will know because I will not be doing dishes or laundry anymore.

What is one of your favorite quotes? My favorite quote is one my grandmother told me as a young child, "I cried because I had no shoes until I met a man who had no feet." She did not actually coin that phrase, but she repeatedly told it to me, so she gets the credit in my book. That statement still rings true today. No matter how bad you think you have it, it could be worse. Be grateful for all that you have. 

What’s your favorite type of food? I love to eat, so that's like asking which son of mine is my favorite.

Do you have a secret talent and if so, what is it? The somewhat secret talent I have actually baffles me. I do lucid dreaming. When I dream, I can change from black and white to color. I can change point of view, rewind, fast forward, pause, change outcomes. I also perform break fixes in my dreams. I can build a project, run it, break it, fix it, make it better and run it again.

If you could meet an iconic person from history, who would it be? Abraham Lincoln.

What year did you join RFMA? 2023

Why did you join RFMA? I joined RFMA with the primary goal of fostering valuable connections within the restaurant facilities maintenance community. The association provides an excellent platform for networking with facility managers, and it has been instrumental in helping me establish meaningful vendor-to-vendor relationships.

What do you like most about RFMA? From my first experience at a RFMA event, I was impressed by the warm and informative atmosphere, which solidified my decision to become a member. I believe that being part of RFMA not only enhances my professional network but also contributes to my continuous learning and development in the field.

Which RFMA resource do you utilize the most and why? I find that the annual conference is the most valuable RFMA resource for me. It serves as an excellent platform for networking, allowing me to connect with numerous individuals within the restaurant facilities industry. Beyond its networking opportunities, the conference provides a wealth of knowledge about the industry and helps facilitate connections with fellow vendors.

What do you enjoy the most about your job? As the Digital Media Manager at CarePro National Painting, I have the ability to collaborate with a great team for ideas and then utilize all of my creative talents to bring those ideas to life. Creating content and staying on top of the ever-changing marketing trends is very exciting.

Where did you grow up? Portland, Tennessee.

Who is your favorite sports team? My daughter's volleyball team. Whether it's her High School or club team, I never miss a game.

What chore do you absolutely hate doing? The Dishes. 

What is one of your favorite quotes? "In the end, only three things matter: how much you loved, how gently you lived, and how gracefully you let go of things not meant for you."

What’s your favorite type of food? Mexican. 

Do you have a secret talent and if so, what is it? I am a Martial Arts Black Belt in Krav Maga.

What year did you join RFMA? 2022

Why did you join RFMA? I joined RFMA to be part of a community and converse with others who experience the same day to day life as I do.

What do you like most about RFMA? There are so many things I love, it’s hard to pick one. I love the Facilitator magazine and The Dish Newsletter. They are such great tools to learn about what’s going on in the industry and what’s new and upcoming. And, of course, another thing I love is the RFMA staff. They know us all and the way they put everything together never ceases to amaze me.

What is the most surprising thing you've learned about the restaurant world? Hmmm, I think the most surprising thing I’ve learned was how something small could cause a restaurant to have to close.

If you weren’t in the facilities industry, what would you be doing? Honestly, I have no idea. If I had to take a guess, maybe be a teacher or a pediatric nurse.

What is the best advice you ever received? The best advice I've received has to be from my mom; she always said to me, "It is what it is, but how you deal with what is will determine what will be." That has helped me through pretty much everything.

Who is your favorite sports team? NY Rangers and NY Mets all day!!!

What chore do you absolutely hate doing? Oh, dishes without a doubt, I will put anything and everything in the dishwasher!

What is the name of the last book you read? I am currently in the middle of reading the Blue Moon series by Lucy Score. I am on book four of eight right now.

What’s your favorite type of food? I love brunch food, it’s my Sunday morning tradition.

Do you have a secret talent and if so, what is it? I can fold a fitted sheet, and not just roll it in a ball but like actually fold it. Not gonna lie, I still impress myself every time I do it!

If you could meet an iconic person from history, who would it be? Betty White

What year did you join RFMA? 2015

Why did you join RFMA? I joined RFMA to learn from the best in the restaurant industry. After being in retail previously, RFMA presented the best peer and vendor group to build my knowledge and take me to the next level in my career.

What do you like most about RFMA? It is going to sound cliché, but it is the people, from the top down. Professionalism, with a great friendly "how can we help each other get better" attitude. The Annual Conference and peer networking events really keep me focused and pushing forward.

Which RFMA resource do you utilize the most and why? I utilize Facilitator magazine the most, but the Annual Conference is invaluable as well as the networking calls and events.

What do you enjoy the most about your job? I like tackling problems and getting them fixed, then putting that fixed solution in my bag of tricks for the next problem. I enjoy getting the processes set up and implemented to keep restaurants up and running with as little downtime as possible...and the greatest of all is interacting with all the great team members at our restaurants and celebrating the victory. 

Where did you grow up? Dallas, Texas, born and bred.

What was the first job you ever had? Delivering newspapers in the apartments I lived in.

What is the most surprising thing you've learned about the restaurant world? The incredible amount of talent it takes in the back of house to keep a restaurant running at its optimal performance. Next, is how bad a grease trap smells.

If you weren’t in the facilities industry, what would you be doing? If I wasn't in the restaurant industry I would be in facilities somewhere. Unless I win the lottery then I would just be a traveler.

What is the best advice you ever received? Be the best you that you can be and then let those around you help you get to the next best you. 

Who is your favorite sports team? Dallas Cowboys

What chore do you absolutely hate doing? Cleaning the bathroom at home.

What is the name of the last book you read? Harmonic Leadership is the current book I am reading.

What’s your favorite type of food? Steak and potatoes.

Do you have a secret talent and if so, what is it? It will remain secret!

If you could meet an iconic person from history, who would it be? Tom Landry, of course.