
<rss version="2.0" xmlns:atom="http://www.w3.org/2005/Atom">
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<title>The Member Edit Blog Series</title>
<link>https://www.rfmaonline.com/members/blog_view.asp?id=1232254&amp;rss=EqGf6s75</link>
<description><![CDATA[Get to know your RFMA peers! Our Member Edit series spotlights some of our RFMA members and highlights their RFMA experience, involvement, career journeys, and fun facts about themselves.]]></description>
<lastBuildDate>Tue, 21 Jul 2026 01:54:23 GMT</lastBuildDate>
<pubDate>Mon, 8 Jun 2026 14:22:50 GMT</pubDate>
<copyright>Copyright &#xA9; 2026 Restaurant Facility Management Association</copyright>
<atom:link href="https://www.rfmaonline.com/members/blog_rss.asp?id=1232254&amp;rss=EqGf6s75" rel="self" type="application/rss+xml"></atom:link>
<item>
<title>Meet Our Member, Shawn Beight</title>
<link>https://www.rfmaonline.com/members/blog_view.asp?id=1232254&amp;post=516517</link>
<guid>https://www.rfmaonline.com/members/blog_view.asp?id=1232254&amp;post=516517</guid>
<description><![CDATA[<p><span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 14px; background-color: #ffffff; font-family: Montserrat; color: #7a99ac;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 700;"><img alt="" src="https://cdn.ymaws.com/rfmaonline.site-ym.com/resource/resmgr/blogs/profiles/newmember_profile_small_head.png" width="100%" height="100%" /></span></span></p>
<p><span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 14px; background-color: #ffffff; font-family: Montserrat; color: #7a99ac;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 700;">What year did you join RFMA?</span></span><span style="font-size: 14px; background-color: #ffffff; font-family: Montserrat;"> 2016</span><br style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Montserrat; font-size: 14px; background-color: #ffffff;" />
<br style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Montserrat; font-size: 14px; background-color: #ffffff;" />
<span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 14px; background-color: #ffffff; font-family: Montserrat; color: #7a99ac;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 700;">Why did you become a RFMA member? </span></span><span style="font-size: 14px; background-color: #ffffff; font-family: Montserrat;">I became an RFMA member to continue growing professionally and expanding my knowledge in restaurant facilities management. Being part of this community allows me to connect with other facility professionals and industry partners, share experiences and learn from one another. The networking and collaboration opportunities within RFMA help me bring new ideas and best practices back to my organization. </span><br style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Montserrat; font-size: 14px; background-color: #ffffff;" />
<br style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Montserrat; font-size: 14px; background-color: #ffffff;" />
<span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 700; font-size: 14px; background-color: #ffffff; font-family: Montserrat;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #7a99ac;">What do you like most about being a RFMA member? </span></span><span style="font-size: 14px; background-color: #ffffff; font-family: Montserrat;">What I like most about being a RFMA member is the strong sense of community and collaboration among professionals who truly understand the challenges of restaurant facilities management. The ability to share ideas, learn from peers and build lasting relationships has been both rewarding and valuable to my personal and professional growth.</span><br style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Montserrat; font-size: 14px; background-color: #ffffff;" />
<br style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Montserrat; font-size: 14px; background-color: #ffffff;" />
<span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 14px; background-color: #ffffff; font-family: Montserrat; color: #7a99ac;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 700;">Which RFMA member benefit do you utilize the most?</span></span><span style="font-size: 14px; background-color: #ffffff; font-family: Montserrat;"> The RFMA member benefit I utilize the most is the networking and collaboration opportunities. Whether it’s through the annual conference, roundtables or committee work, connecting with other facilities professionals and vendors has provided valuable insights, solutions and partnerships that directly support my work in the field.</span><br style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Montserrat; font-size: 14px; background-color: #ffffff;" />
<br style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Montserrat; font-size: 14px; background-color: #ffffff;" />
<span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 700; font-size: 14px; background-color: #ffffff; font-family: Montserrat;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #7a99ac;">How would you describe yourself in three words?</span></span><span style="font-size: 14px; background-color: #ffffff; font-family: Montserrat;"> Approachable, thoughtful, genuine.</span><br style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Montserrat; font-size: 14px; background-color: #ffffff;" />
<br style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Montserrat; font-size: 14px; background-color: #ffffff;" />
<span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 700; font-size: 14px; background-color: #ffffff; font-family: Montserrat;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #7a99ac;">What do you enjoy the most about your job?</span></span><span style="font-size: 14px; background-color: #ffffff; font-family: Montserrat;"> I enjoy working with great people and knowing that what I do directly impacts their success. Keeping our facilities safe, reliable and welcoming helps everyone focus on what they do best – serving our guests.</span><br style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Montserrat; font-size: 14px; background-color: #ffffff;" />
<br style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Montserrat; font-size: 14px; background-color: #ffffff;" />
<span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 14px; background-color: #ffffff; font-family: Montserrat; color: #7a99ac;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 700;">What advice would you give someone just starting in facilities management? </span></span><span style="font-size: 14px; background-color: #ffffff; font-family: Montserrat;">For anyone just starting out in facilities management, my best advice is to learn your locations inside and out, spend time in the field and understand the equipment, layouts and daily challenges firsthand. Build strong relationships early with vendors and operations teams because communication and trust are key to success. Stay proactive with preventive maintenance to avoid costly surprises, and document everything so you have clear records to guide decisions. Most importantly, stay curious and ask questions, keep learning, and take every opportunity to grow your knowledge of how things work.</span><br style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Montserrat; font-size: 14px; background-color: #ffffff;" />
<br style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Montserrat; font-size: 14px; background-color: #ffffff;" />
<span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 700; font-size: 14px; background-color: #ffffff; font-family: Montserrat;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #7a99ac;">If you weren’t in the facilities industry, what would you be doing?</span></span><span style="font-size: 14px; background-color: #ffffff; font-family: Montserrat;"> If I weren’t in the facilities industry, I’d probably be teaching. I’ve always enjoyed helping others understand how things work and seeing that moment when something “clicks.” Teaching would give me the same sense of purpose I get in facilities and sharing knowledge, solving problems and helping people grow in their roles. Whether it’s guiding a classroom or mentoring a team, I find real satisfaction in developing others and watching them gain confidence through learning.</span><br style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Montserrat; font-size: 14px; background-color: #ffffff;" />
<br style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Montserrat; font-size: 14px; background-color: #ffffff;" />
<span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 700; font-size: 14px; background-color: #ffffff; font-family: Montserrat;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #7a99ac;">Where did you grow up? </span></span><span style="font-size: 14px; background-color: #ffffff; font-family: Montserrat;">I grew up in Poland, Ohio, a suburb of Youngstown, Ohio.</span><br style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Montserrat; font-size: 14px; background-color: #ffffff;" />
<br style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Montserrat; font-size: 14px; background-color: #ffffff;" />
<span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 700; font-size: 14px; background-color: #ffffff; font-family: Montserrat;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #7a99ac;">What was your first job?</span></span><span style="font-size: 14px; background-color: #ffffff; font-family: Montserrat;"> First job was a waiter in a sit-down restaurant.</span><br style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Montserrat; font-size: 14px; background-color: #ffffff;" />
<br style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Montserrat; font-size: 14px; background-color: #ffffff;" />
<span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 700; font-size: 14px; background-color: #ffffff; font-family: Montserrat;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #7a99ac;">Who is your favorite sports team?</span></span><span style="font-size: 14px; background-color: #ffffff; font-family: Montserrat;"> Columbus Blue Jackets.</span><br style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Montserrat; font-size: 14px; background-color: #ffffff;" />
<br style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Montserrat; font-size: 14px; background-color: #ffffff;" />
<span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 700; font-size: 14px; background-color: #ffffff; font-family: Montserrat;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #7a99ac;">What is the best advice you have received?</span></span><span style="font-size: 14px; background-color: #ffffff; font-family: Montserrat;"> The best advice I received was to stay curious, be patient and focus on what I can control. Life will always throw challenges my way but approaching them with a learning mindset helps me to grow instead of getting stuck. Take time to build strong relationships, be reliable, and show kindness. Those connections often matter more than any accomplishment.</span><br style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Montserrat; font-size: 14px; background-color: #ffffff;" />
<br style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Montserrat; font-size: 14px; background-color: #ffffff;" />
<span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 700; font-size: 14px; background-color: #ffffff; font-family: Montserrat;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #7a99ac;">What's the last book you read?</span></span><span style="font-size: 14px; background-color: #ffffff; font-family: Montserrat;"> <em>Unreasonable Hospitality</em> by Will Guidara.</span><br style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Montserrat; font-size: 14px; background-color: #ffffff;" />
<br style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Montserrat; font-size: 14px; background-color: #ffffff;" />
<span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 700; font-size: 14px; background-color: #ffffff; font-family: Montserrat;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #7a99ac;">What’s your favorite type of food?</span></span><span style="font-size: 14px; background-color: #ffffff; font-family: Montserrat;"> Chinese.</span></p>]]></description>
<pubDate>Mon, 8 Jun 2026 15:22:50 GMT</pubDate>
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<title>Meet Our Member, Hannah Douglas</title>
<link>https://www.rfmaonline.com/members/blog_view.asp?id=1232254&amp;post=515729</link>
<guid>https://www.rfmaonline.com/members/blog_view.asp?id=1232254&amp;post=515729</guid>
<description><![CDATA[<p><span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 14px; background-color: #ffffff; font-family: Montserrat; color: #7a99ac;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 700;"><img alt="" src="https://cdn.ymaws.com/www.rfmaonline.com/resource/resmgr/member_pro_files/hannah_douglas_-_member_prof.png" width="100%" height="100%" /></span></span></p>
<p><span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 14px; background-color: #ffffff; font-family: Montserrat; color: #7a99ac;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 700;">What year did you join RFMA?</span></span><span style="font-size: 14px; background-color: #ffffff; font-family: Montserrat;"> 2025</span><br style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Montserrat; font-size: 14px; background-color: #ffffff;" />
<br style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Montserrat; font-size: 14px; background-color: #ffffff;" />
<span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 14px; background-color: #ffffff; font-family: Montserrat; color: #7a99ac;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 700;">Why did you become a RFMA member?</span></span><span style="font-size: 14px; background-color: #ffffff; font-family: Montserrat;"> I joined RFMA because I wanted to be a part of a community that values strong connection between vendors and franchises. RFMA also provides an environment to continuously learn and grow, which is beneficial to everyone.</span><br style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Montserrat; font-size: 14px; background-color: #ffffff;" />
<br style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Montserrat; font-size: 14px; background-color: #ffffff;" />
<span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 700; font-size: 14px; background-color: #ffffff; font-family: Montserrat;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #7a99ac;">What do you like most about being a RFMA member? </span></span><span style="font-size: 14px; background-color: #ffffff; font-family: Montserrat;">RFMA offers a welcoming environment for networking, continuing education, and amazing leadership opportunities for all who are a member. This group provides a sense of community and learning while also having a fun time.</span><br style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Montserrat; font-size: 14px; background-color: #ffffff;" />
<br style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Montserrat; font-size: 14px; background-color: #ffffff;" />
<span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 14px; background-color: #ffffff; font-family: Montserrat; color: #7a99ac;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 700;">Which RFMA member benefit do you utilize the most?</span></span><span style="font-size: 14px; background-color: #ffffff; font-family: Montserrat;"> As a newer member, RFMA has opened up an entire community of people to connect with online through virtual meetings and at in person events, such as RFMA Gives. </span><br style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Montserrat; font-size: 14px; background-color: #ffffff;" />
<br style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Montserrat; font-size: 14px; background-color: #ffffff;" />
<span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 700; font-size: 14px; background-color: #ffffff; font-family: Montserrat;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #7a99ac;">How would you describe yourself in three words?</span></span><span style="font-size: 14px; background-color: #ffffff; font-family: Montserrat;"> Determined, Hardworking, Outgoing.</span><br style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Montserrat; font-size: 14px; background-color: #ffffff;" />
<br style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Montserrat; font-size: 14px; background-color: #ffffff;" />
<span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 700; font-size: 14px; background-color: #ffffff; font-family: Montserrat;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #7a99ac;">What do you enjoy the most about your job?</span></span><span style="font-size: 14px; background-color: #ffffff; font-family: Montserrat;"> My time at Worthing Air has exposed me to so many new and different amazing people and opportunities. This job has also taught me an abundance of new skills in the world of business development and sales in real time. Within my role, I have the opportunity to learn and grow constantly. </span><br style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Montserrat; font-size: 14px; background-color: #ffffff;" />
<br style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Montserrat; font-size: 14px; background-color: #ffffff;" />
<span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 14px; background-color: #ffffff; font-family: Montserrat; color: #7a99ac;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 700;">What advice would you give someone just starting in facilities management? </span></span><span style="font-size: 14px; background-color: #ffffff; font-family: Montserrat;">Advice that I would give someone starting out in facilities management would be the same I gave to anyone starting something new. That is to be sponge and absorb any information, advice and tips that role models give you, and always ask questions.</span><br style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Montserrat; font-size: 14px; background-color: #ffffff;" />
<br style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Montserrat; font-size: 14px; background-color: #ffffff;" />
<span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 700; font-size: 14px; background-color: #ffffff; font-family: Montserrat;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #7a99ac;">If you weren’t in the facilities industry, what would you be doing?</span></span><span style="font-size: 14px; background-color: #ffffff; font-family: Montserrat;"> If I was not in the role I currently hold, I would be working as a mechanical engineer for the same or similar company.</span><br style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Montserrat; font-size: 14px; background-color: #ffffff;" />
<br style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Montserrat; font-size: 14px; background-color: #ffffff;" />
<span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 700; font-size: 14px; background-color: #ffffff; font-family: Montserrat;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #7a99ac;">Where did you grow up? </span></span><span style="font-size: 14px; background-color: #ffffff; font-family: Montserrat;">I grew up in Sussex County, New Jersey. </span><br style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Montserrat; font-size: 14px; background-color: #ffffff;" />
<br style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Montserrat; font-size: 14px; background-color: #ffffff;" />
<span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 700; font-size: 14px; background-color: #ffffff; font-family: Montserrat;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #7a99ac;">What was your first job?</span></span><span style="font-size: 14px; background-color: #ffffff; font-family: Montserrat;"> My first job was a laborer in construction working for my father. </span><br style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Montserrat; font-size: 14px; background-color: #ffffff;" />
<br style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Montserrat; font-size: 14px; background-color: #ffffff;" />
<span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 700; font-size: 14px; background-color: #ffffff; font-family: Montserrat;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #7a99ac;">Who is your favorite sports team?</span></span><span style="font-size: 14px; background-color: #ffffff; font-family: Montserrat;"> USA Women's Soccer </span><br style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Montserrat; font-size: 14px; background-color: #ffffff;" />
<br style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Montserrat; font-size: 14px; background-color: #ffffff;" />
<span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 700; font-size: 14px; background-color: #ffffff; font-family: Montserrat;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #7a99ac;">What is the best advice you have received?</span></span><span style="font-size: 14px; background-color: #ffffff; font-family: Montserrat;"> If you ever are feeling stuck, start by taking that inch, because eventually that turns into a mile. </span><br style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Montserrat; font-size: 14px; background-color: #ffffff;" />
<br style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Montserrat; font-size: 14px; background-color: #ffffff;" />
<span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 700; font-size: 14px; background-color: #ffffff; font-family: Montserrat;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #7a99ac;">What's the last book you read?</span></span><span style="font-size: 14px; background-color: #ffffff; font-family: Montserrat;"> I recently reread the Harry Potter series. </span><br style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Montserrat; font-size: 14px; background-color: #ffffff;" />
<br style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Montserrat; font-size: 14px; background-color: #ffffff;" />
<span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 700; font-size: 14px; background-color: #ffffff; font-family: Montserrat;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #7a99ac;">What’s your favorite type of food?</span></span><span style="font-size: 14px; background-color: #ffffff; font-family: Montserrat;"> Seafood .</span><br style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Montserrat; font-size: 14px; background-color: #ffffff;" />
<br style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Montserrat; font-size: 14px; background-color: #ffffff;" />
<span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 14px; background-color: #ffffff; font-family: Montserrat; color: #7a99ac;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 700;">What hobby or activity helps you unwind?</span></span><span style="font-size: 14px; background-color: #ffffff; font-family: Montserrat;"> Fishing, hiking, and spending time with my nephew. </span><br style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Montserrat; font-size: 14px; background-color: #ffffff;" />
<br style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Montserrat; font-size: 14px; background-color: #ffffff;" />
<span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 700; font-size: 14px; background-color: #ffffff; font-family: Montserrat;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #7a99ac;">What TV show are you currently watching and loving?</span></span><span style="font-size: 14px; background-color: #ffffff; font-family: Montserrat;"> Dancing with the Stars!</span></p>]]></description>
<pubDate>Mon, 23 Feb 2026 16:59:29 GMT</pubDate>
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<title>Meet Our Member, David Nelson, CRFP</title>
<link>https://www.rfmaonline.com/members/blog_view.asp?id=1232254&amp;post=515001</link>
<guid>https://www.rfmaonline.com/members/blog_view.asp?id=1232254&amp;post=515001</guid>
<description><![CDATA[<p><span style="font-family: Montserrat;"><span style="font-size: 14px;"><span style="color: #75787b;"><span style="color: #7a99ac;"><strong><img alt="" src="https://cdn.ymaws.com/rfmaonline.site-ym.com/resource/resmgr/blogs/profiles/david_nelson_-_member_profil.png" width="100%" height="100%" /></strong></span></span></span></span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: Montserrat;"><span style="font-size: 14px;"><span style="color: #75787b;"><span style="color: #7a99ac;"><strong><br />
What year did you join RFMA?</strong></span> 2016 <br />
<br />
<span style="color: #7a99ac;"><strong>Why did you become a RFMA member?</strong></span> After my promotion to Facilities Project Manager at El Pollo Loco, my former Director of Facilities recommended I become a RFMA member! <br />
<br />
<strong><span style="color: #7a99ac;">What do you like most about being a RFMA member? </span></strong>The education and networking have helped my professional growth in facilities! Earning my CRFP was one of the best moments in my facilities career!<br />
<br />
<span style="color: #7a99ac;"><strong>Which RFMA member benefit do you utilize the most?</strong></span> I read the Facilitator to learn of industry trends and for RFMA updates. It's also a great resource for vendor contacts and Best Practices! <br />
<br />
<strong><span style="color: #7a99ac;">How would you describe yourself in three words?</span></strong> Communicative, Organized, Dedicated.<br />
<br />
<strong><span style="color: #7a99ac;">What do you enjoy the most about your job?</span></strong> The best part is solving problems in a fast paced environment. And keeping the restaurants in a safe and inviting condition for customers and crew brings a strong sense of accomplishment and team work!<br />
<br />
<span style="color: #7a99ac;"><strong>What advice would you give someone just starting in facilities management? </strong></span>Don't be afraid to reach out and ask questions. There is so much knowledge in the facilities industry and you can use that to your benefit!<br />
<br />
<strong><span style="color: #7a99ac;">If you weren’t in the facilities industry, what would you be doing?</span></strong> In my early days I was a commercial plumber and would likely be a Journeyman or a Business Owner. <br />
<br />
<strong><span style="color: #7a99ac;">Where did you grow up? </span></strong>Southern California.<br />
<br />
<strong><span style="color: #7a99ac;">What was your first job?</span></strong> Haagen-Dazs Ice Cream.<br />
<br />
<strong><span style="color: #7a99ac;">Who is your favorite sports team?</span></strong> New England Patriots / Los Angeles Angels.<br />
<br />
<strong><span style="color: #7a99ac;">What is the best advice you have received?</span></strong> In the early 90's a good friend told me to buy and learn how to use computers as they would be a part of every industry. <br />
<br />
<strong><span style="color: #7a99ac;">What's the last book you read?</span></strong> How To Be Great At Your Job by Justin Kerr.<br />
<br />
<strong><span style="color: #7a99ac;">What’s your favorite type of food?</span></strong> BBQ.<br />
<br />
<span style="color: #7a99ac;"><strong>What hobby or activity helps you unwind?</strong></span> I volunteer as a Referee at our local AYSO Soccer Region for my kids soccer teams. I also love to be outdoors gardening, camping, and fishing! <br />
<br />
<strong><span style="color: #7a99ac;">What TV show are you currently watching and loving?</span></strong> Traveling Robert on You Tube and NFL Football.</span></span></span></p>]]></description>
<pubDate>Mon, 24 Nov 2025 16:01:15 GMT</pubDate>
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<title>Meet Our Member, Jennifer Derry</title>
<link>https://www.rfmaonline.com/members/blog_view.asp?id=1232254&amp;post=513489</link>
<guid>https://www.rfmaonline.com/members/blog_view.asp?id=1232254&amp;post=513489</guid>
<description><![CDATA[<p><span style="font-family: Montserrat;"><img alt="" src="https://cdn.ymaws.com/rfmaonline.site-ym.com/resource/resmgr/member_pro_files/jennifer_dery_-_member_profi.png" width="100%" height="100%" /></span></p>
<p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 10px; font-family: Roboto, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; background-color: #ffffff;"><span style="font-family: Montserrat;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 700;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #7a99ac;"><br />
What year did you join RFMA?</span></span>&nbsp;2024.<br />
<br />
</span></span></span><span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 700; font-family: Montserrat;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #7a99ac;">Why did you join RFMA?</span>&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: Montserrat; font-size: 13px; color: #75787b;">With decades of experience in the restaurant industry, we have consistently received recommendations from customers, vendors and end users to connect with other professionals through RFMA.&nbsp;<br />
<br />
</span><span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 700; font-family: Montserrat;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #7a99ac;">What do you like most about RFMA?</span>&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: Montserrat; font-size: 13px; color: #75787b;">Choosing just one aspect I appreciate most about being an RFMA member is challenging. I value the supportive RFMA team, the diverse educational opportunities and the collaborative spirit among all RFMA members who are always ready to lend a helping hand.<br />
<br />
</span><span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Montserrat; color: #7a99ac;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 700;">Which RFMA member benefit do you utilize the most?</span>&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: Montserrat; font-size: 13px; color: #75787b;">The benefit I rely on the most varies based on the specific areas where I aim to strengthen my skills. I have thoroughly enjoyed the Empowering Women sessions. Currently, I am participating in the RFMA Leadership Class of 2025, where I'm enhancing my leadership abilities while also building valuable relationships.&nbsp;<br />
<br />
</span><span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 700; font-family: Montserrat;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #7a99ac;">How would you describe yourself in three words?</span></span><span style="font-family: Montserrat;">&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: Montserrat; font-size: 13px; color: #75787b;">Generous, empathetic, supportive.&nbsp;<br />
<br />
</span><span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 700; font-family: Montserrat;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #7a99ac;">What do you enjoy the most about your job?</span></span><span style="font-family: Montserrat; color: #75787b;">&nbsp;<span style="font-size: 13px;">I really enjoy seeing projects from beginning to end and facilitating teams working together for a common goal.&nbsp;<br />
<br />
</span></span><span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 700; font-family: Montserrat;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #7a99ac;">What advice would you give someone just starting in facilities management?</span></span><span style="font-family: Montserrat;">&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: Montserrat; font-size: 13px; color: #75787b;">The most valuable advice I can give to someone entering facilities management is to embrace every experience as a learning opportunity.&nbsp;<br />
<br />
</span><span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 700; font-family: Montserrat;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #7a99ac;">If you weren't in the facilities industry, what would you be doing?</span></span><span style="font-family: Montserrat;">&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: Montserrat; font-size: 13px; color: #75787b;">If I weren't working in facilities, I would be volunteering and spending time on the water.&nbsp;<br />
<br />
</span><span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 700; font-family: Montserrat;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #7a99ac;">Where did you grow up?</span></span><span style="font-family: Montserrat;">&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: Montserrat; font-size: 13px; color: #75787b;">Atlanta, GA.&nbsp;<br />
<br />
</span><span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 700; font-family: Montserrat;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #7a99ac;">What was the first job you ever had?</span></span><span style="font-family: Montserrat;">&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: Montserrat; font-size: 13px; color: #75787b;">My first job was at Baskin-Robbins. I love ice cream.&nbsp;<br />
<br />
</span><span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 700; font-family: Montserrat;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #7a99ac;">Who is your favorite sports team?&nbsp;</span></span><span style="font-family: Montserrat;"></span><span style="font-family: Montserrat; color: #304457;"><span style="font-size: 13px; color: #75787b;">Savannah Bananas.<br />
<br />
<strong></strong></span></span><strong><span style="font-family: Montserrat;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="color: #304457;"><span style="font-size: 13px; color: #75787b;"></span></span></span></span></strong><span style="font-family: Montserrat; color: #7a99ac;"><strong>What's the last book you read? </strong></span><span style="font-family: Montserrat; font-size: 13px; color: #7a99ac;"><b><span style="color: #75787b;">Atomic Habits.&nbsp;<br />
<br />
</span></b></span><span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 700; font-family: Montserrat;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #7a99ac;">What is the best advice you ever received?</span></span><span style="font-family: Montserrat;">&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: Montserrat; font-size: 13px; color: #304457;"><span style="color: #75787b;">The best advice I ever received is to give more than you take.&nbsp;<br />
<br />
</span></span><span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 700; font-family: Montserrat; color: #304457;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #7a99ac;">What's your favorite type of food?</span></span><span style="font-family: Montserrat; color: #75787b;">&nbsp;Seafood.&nbsp;<br />
<br />
</span><span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 700; font-family: Montserrat;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #7a99ac;">What hobby or activity helps you unwind?</span></span><span style="font-family: Montserrat;">&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: Montserrat; font-size: 13px; color: #304457;"><span style="color: #75787b;">Walking, cooking, Bible Study, being on the water.&nbsp;<br />
<br />
</span></span><span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 700; font-family: Montserrat; color: #304457;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #7a99ac;">What TV show are you currently watching and loving?&nbsp;</span></span><span style="font-family: Montserrat; color: #75787b;">Your Friends and Neighbors.</span></p>]]></description>
<pubDate>Mon, 15 Sep 2025 16:34:33 GMT</pubDate>
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<title>Meet Our Member, Tina Schulte</title>
<link>https://www.rfmaonline.com/members/blog_view.asp?id=1232254&amp;post=511149</link>
<guid>https://www.rfmaonline.com/members/blog_view.asp?id=1232254&amp;post=511149</guid>
<description><![CDATA[<p><span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 14px; font-weight: 700; background-color: #ffffff; font-family: Montserrat;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box;"><img alt="" src="https://cdn.ymaws.com/rfmaonline.site-ym.com/resource/resmgr/member_pro_files/tina_schulte_-_member_profil.png" width="1063" height="173" /></span></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 14px;"><span style="font-family: Montserrat;"><strong><span style="color: #7a99ac;"><br />
What year did you join RFMA?</span></strong> 2025</span></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 14px; font-family: Montserrat;"><strong><span style="color: #7a99ac;">Why did you join RFMA?</span> </strong>I joined RFMA because I wanted to be part of an industry community that encourages continuing education, philanthropy, and fellowship. Being connected to like-minded professionals—whether they're restaurateurs, facility managers, vendors, or other contractors—has been invaluable. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 14px; font-family: Montserrat;"><strong><span style="color: #7a99ac;">What do you like most about RFMA?</span> </strong>RFMA offers valuable networking opportunities, promotes thought leadership, and provides resources that help me deliver a well-rounded customer experience. In addition, RFMA's staff is amazing; every interaction has been positive, informative, and professional...and FUN! </span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 14px; font-family: Montserrat;"><span style="color: #7a99ac;"><strong>Which RFMA member benefit do you utilize the most?</strong> </span>My membership kicked off as an exhibitor at the annual conference, which included being an active participant during the months prior on virtual planning and information calls. The calls provided a sense of community and allowed me to make connections prior to the event. I've attended as many virtual events as possible and am a regular fixture on RFMA's social link. I keep up on industry news through the Dish and Facilitator magazine. There are so many valuable member resources that I love! </span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 14px; font-family: Montserrat;"><strong><span style="color: #7a99ac;">How would you describe yourself in three words?</span></strong> Curious, Joyful and Multifaceted. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 14px; font-family: Montserrat;"><strong><span style="color: #7a99ac;">What do you enjoy the most about your job?</span></strong> My time at Cornerstone has afforded me the opportunity to contribute the knowledge and experience I've gained through 30 years of career experience in business operations and leadership. I've been referred to as a Swiss Army Knife on several occasions and am happy to contribute wherever there is need. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 14px; font-family: Montserrat;"><strong><span style="color: #7a99ac;">What advice would you give someone just starting in facilities management?</span></strong> If you are new to facilities management, ask questions and find an experienced mentor. Curiosity is an asset in any new industry and so is having someone (or a group) who can answer your questions and explain why. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 14px; font-family: Montserrat;"><strong><span style="color: #7a99ac;">If you weren't in the facilities industry, what would you be doing?</span></strong> I would be writing contemporary fiction novels and teaching yoga. Two of my passions are writing and movement.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 14px; font-family: Montserrat;"><strong><span style="color: #7a99ac;">Where did you grow up?</span></strong> I grew up in Southeast Michigan. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 14px; font-family: Montserrat;"><strong><span style="color: #7a99ac;">What was the first job you ever had?</span></strong> My first job was a lemonade stand that I assembled on my own at age six. I was born with an entrepreneurial spirit! </span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 14px; font-family: Montserrat;"><strong><span style="color: #7a99ac;">Who is your favorite sports team?</span></strong> The Detroit Lions. I've waited a long time to say that!</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 14px; font-family: Montserrat;"><strong><span style="color: #7a99ac;">What is the best advice you ever received?</span></strong> Never allow your ego to interfere with your search for the truth. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 14px; font-family: Montserrat;"><strong><span style="color: #7a99ac;">What hobby or activity helps you unwind?</span></strong> I'm a yoga instructor that specializes in Yin and Yin &amp; Yang. Movement is essential for stress relief, along with writing my stories.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: Montserrat;"><span style="font-size: 14px;"><span style="font-weight: 700; background-color: #ffffff; color: #7a99ac;"><span style="background-color: #ffffff;"><br />
</span></span></span></span></p>]]></description>
<pubDate>Mon, 2 Jun 2025 15:58:55 GMT</pubDate>
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<title>Meet Our Member, Sarah Doherty </title>
<link>https://www.rfmaonline.com/members/blog_view.asp?id=1232254&amp;post=509930</link>
<guid>https://www.rfmaonline.com/members/blog_view.asp?id=1232254&amp;post=509930</guid>
<description><![CDATA[<p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 10px; font-family: Roboto, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; background-color: #ffffff;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 700;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #7a99ac;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Montserrat;"><a href="https://cdn.ymaws.com/rfmaonline.site-ym.com" style="box-sizing: border-box; background-color: transparent; color: #b7bf10; outline: 0px !important;"><img alt="" src="https://cdn.ymaws.com/rfmaonline.site-ym.com/resource/resmgr/member_pro_files/sarah_doherty_-_member_profi.png" style="box-sizing: border-box; border-width: 0px; border-style: initial;" width="100%" height="100%" align="middle" /></a></span></span></span></p>
<p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 10px; font-family: Roboto, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; background-color: #ffffff;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Montserrat;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 700;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #7a99ac;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box;"><br />
<span style="color: #75787b;"><strong>What year did you join RFMA?</strong></span> 2021<br />
<br />
<span style="color: #75787b;"><strong>Why did you join RFMA?</strong></span> <strong>I joined after a strong recommendation from one of my former managers. As someone new to the facilities management industry, it was a great opportunity to connect and network with others in the field.</strong> <br />
<br />
<span style="color: #75787b;"><strong>What do you like most about RFMA? </strong></span>There’s so much value in being part of RFMA. I’ve attended numerous education sessions and always leave with fresh insights and practical takeaways. I especially can’t say enough about the Annual Conference—it’s an incredible opportunity to connect with facilities professionals from both the restaurateur and vendor sides. The roundtables and educational sessions have been especially impactful for my growth in the industry. As well as, getting involved on RFMA committees has also been impactful. It’s allowed me to build deeper connections, contribute to the organization’s initiatives, and grow my leadership skills in meaningful ways. <br />
<br />
<span style="color: #75787b;"><strong>Which RFMA member benefit do you utilize the most?</strong></span> The Annual Conference is the #1 benefit for me, not only the educational aspect but the networking. <br />
<br />
<strong><span style="color: #75787b;">How would you describe yourself in three words?</span></strong> Inclusive, empathetic and loyal. <br />
<br />
<span style="color: #75787b;"><strong>What do you enjoy the most about your job? </strong></span>What I enjoy most about my job is that no two days are ever the same. Facilities management keeps you on your toes—there’s always a new challenge to solve or a process to improve, and that keeps things exciting. I also really enjoy the people side of it. Whether it’s working with vendors, collaborating with operations teams, or supporting staff in the field, it’s rewarding to know that the work I do helps everything run smoothly behind the scenes.<br />
<span style="color: #75787b;"><strong><br />
What advice would you give someone just starting in facilities management? </strong></span>Build your network early. Connect with others in the field, join organizations like RFMA, and don’t be afraid to lean on the experience of those around you. There’s a strong community in facilities management, and people are usually more than willing to share knowledge and help you succeed. <br />
<br />
<span style="color: #75787b;"><strong>If you weren't in the facilities industry, what would you be doing? </strong></span>I would be an event planner; I love to be able to use my creativity. <br />
<br />
<span style="color: #75787b;"><strong>Where did you grow up? </strong></span>I grew up in a suburb in Chicago.<br />
<br />
<span style="color: #75787b;"><strong>What was the first job you ever had?</strong></span> My first job was working at a concession stand, where I learned how to multitask in a fast-paced, customer-focused environment. Whether I was serving up snacks, managing transactions, or keeping things running smoothly behind the counter, it was a crash course in responsibility, teamwork, and delivering great service under pressure.<br />
<span style="color: #75787b;"><strong><br />
What is the best advice you ever received? </strong></span>The best advice I’ve received is to build relationships before you need them. In facilities management—and really in any career—your network is one of your greatest assets. Taking the time to connect with people, listen, and build trust pays off tenfold when challenges come up or when you’re looking for support or solutions. That advice has stuck with me and shaped how I approach both professional and personal interactions. It’s helped me become a better communicator, collaborator, and leader.<br />
<br />
<strong><span style="color: #75787b;">What's the last book you read? </span></strong>The Let Them Theory. <br />
<span style="color: #75787b;"><strong><br />
What’s your favorite type of food? </strong></span>I really love elevated bar food if that's an acceptable answer. I will eat almost anything though! <br />
<br />
<span style="color: #75787b;"><strong>What hobby or activity helps you unwind?</strong></span> I love to be able to do DIY, craft + read!</span><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />
</span></span></span></p>]]></description>
<pubDate>Mon, 21 Apr 2025 15:05:56 GMT</pubDate>
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<title>Meet Our Member, Emily Martin</title>
<link>https://www.rfmaonline.com/members/blog_view.asp?id=1232254&amp;post=504112</link>
<guid>https://www.rfmaonline.com/members/blog_view.asp?id=1232254&amp;post=504112</guid>
<description><![CDATA[<p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 10px; font-family: Roboto, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; background-color: #ffffff;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 700;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #7a99ac;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Montserrat;"><a href="https://cdn.ymaws.com/rfmaonline.site-ym.com"><img alt="" src="https://cdn.ymaws.com/rfmaonline.site-ym.com/resource/resmgr/blogs/profiles/emily_martin_-_member_profil.png" style="box-sizing: border-box; border: 0px;" width="100%" height="100%" align="middle" /></a></span></span></span></p>
<p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 10px; font-family: Roboto, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; background-color: #ffffff;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Montserrat;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 700; font-family: Montserrat;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #7a99ac;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box;">What year did you join RFMA?&nbsp;</span></span></span><span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Montserrat;">2022<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />
<span style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #7a99ac;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 700;"><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />
Why did you join RFMA?&nbsp;<span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #75787b;">We joined RFMA to be part of something bigger than ourselves. At the time, we had many valuable supplier memberships on the local/regional level in the Mid-Atlantic market where we operate but hadn't reached nationally. I knew the value was there we just needed to jump in and find it. Supporting the restaurant industry as a supplier is our #1 goal and RFMA was aligned with that mission.&nbsp;</span></span></span><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />
<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />
<span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 700;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #7a99ac;">What do you like most about RFMA?&nbsp;<span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #75787b;">What I like most about RFMA is, yes you guessed it, the people! From RFMA staff, to other supplier members, and restaurant operators, the opportunities to network, learn from one another, build your business, be part of something great are endless. The annual conference is an obvious part, and I love how many chances throughout the year a supplier has to engage with the industry.&nbsp;</span></span></span></span></span></p>
<span style="box-sizing: border-box; background-color: #ffffff; font-size: 14px; font-family: Montserrat;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box;"></span></span><span style="background-color: #ffffff; font-size: 14px; font-family: Montserrat;"></span>
<p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 10px; font-family: Roboto, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; background-color: #ffffff;"><span style="font-family: Montserrat;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Montserrat;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 700;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #7a99ac;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #75787b;"></span></span></span></span></span><span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Montserrat;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 700;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #7a99ac;">Which RFMA resource do you utilize the most and why?&nbsp;&nbsp;</span></span></span><span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #75787b;">Exhibiting at the national conference and joining a committee has been the best avenue for myself and EMR to get the value out of our membership. Those are resources in and of themselves and I strongly recommend both to anyone in a position to do so. I also try to attend as many of the virtual events throughout the year to stay in the know.&nbsp;</span></span></p>
<p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 10px; font-family: Roboto, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; background-color: #ffffff;"><span style="font-family: Montserrat;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Montserrat;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #7a99ac;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 700;">What do you enjoy the most about your job?&nbsp;</span></span><span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #75787b;">Sales can be frustrating, right? I am lucky to have a supportive leadership team behind me, and more importantly a rockstar cast of account managers working their individual markets, supporting each other, building solid relationships in service with customers, + ultimately growing our business. Working on this team is an honor!&nbsp;</span><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />
<span style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #7a99ac;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 700;"><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />
Where did you grow up?&nbsp;<span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #75787b;">Originally from Athens, GA, but have spent the bulk of my childhood in Baltimore, MD.&nbsp;</span><span style="box-sizing: border-box;"></span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 10px; font-family: Roboto, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; background-color: #ffffff;"><span style="font-family: Montserrat;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Montserrat;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #7a99ac;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 700;">What was the first job you ever had?<span style="color: #75787b;">&nbsp;<span style="background-color: #ffffff;">I worked at a coffee shop when I turned 14 and could get my workers permit. I opened up the shop at 5am on the weekends, roasted the coffee beans, got the food counter prepped for morning rush, accepted deliveries, etc. I loved it. We added flavors like hazelnut to the beans and sell by the pound.&nbsp;</span></span></span></span><span style="box-sizing: border-box;"><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />
</span><span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 700;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #7a99ac;"><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />
What is the most surprising thing you've learned about the restaurant world?</span></span>&nbsp;</span><span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #304457;"><span style="color: #75787b;">It is WAY more complex than I realized before joining the foodservice industry. There are so many variables and factors affecting restaurant operations!&nbsp;</span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #75787b;"><span style="color: #7a99ac;">If you weren't in the facilities industry, what would you be doing?</span>&nbsp;<span style="background-color: #ffffff;">I would probably still be back in the advertising world where I started my career in 2006. Let's just say I am very happy to have found this industry and made that switch!&nbsp;</span></span><br />
</span></span></span></p>
<p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 10px; font-family: Roboto, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; background-color: #ffffff;"><span style="font-family: Montserrat;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Montserrat;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #7a99ac;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 700;">What is the best advice you ever received?</span></span>&nbsp;<span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #75787b;">I used to think it was "Fake it 'til you make it" but have realized with age, that that approach is not always productive or the path of least resistance (which I crave). So now, I would say "ask for help" and "don't suffer silently." EMR has been my biggest teacher of this mindset!&nbsp;</span></span></span></span></p>
<p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 10px; font-family: Roboto, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; background-color: #ffffff;"><span style="font-family: Montserrat;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 700;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #7a99ac;">Who is your favorite sports team?</span></span>&nbsp;Ravens!<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />
<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />
<span style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #7a99ac;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 700;">What chore do you absolutely hate doing?&nbsp;<span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #75787b;">Mopping the floors + cleaning the floorboards. Give me laundry, dishes, toilets all day. I despise floors.&nbsp;</span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 10px; font-family: Roboto, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; background-color: #ffffff;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Montserrat;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Montserrat;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 700;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #7a99ac;">What’s your favorite type of food?</span></span><span style="color: #75787b;">&nbsp;<span style="background-color: #ffffff;">I really love elevated bar food if that's an acceptable answer. I will eat almost anything though!&nbsp;</span></span><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />
<span style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #7a99ac;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 700;"></span></span><span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 700;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #7a99ac;"><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />
If you could meet an iconic person from history, who would it be?&nbsp;<span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #75787b;">B.K.S. Iyengar, one of the most influential yogis to bring the modern practice of yoga to the West.&nbsp;</span></span></span></span></span></p>]]></description>
<pubDate>Mon, 9 Sep 2024 14:34:16 GMT</pubDate>
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<title>Meet Our Member, Christian Dettman, CHA</title>
<link>https://www.rfmaonline.com/members/blog_view.asp?id=1232254&amp;post=502680</link>
<guid>https://www.rfmaonline.com/members/blog_view.asp?id=1232254&amp;post=502680</guid>
<description><![CDATA[<p><span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 700; font-size: 14px; background-color: #ffffff; font-family: Roboto, sans-serif;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #7a99ac;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Montserrat;"><img alt="" src="https://cdn.ymaws.com/rfmaonline.site-ym.com/resource/resmgr/member_pro_files/christian_dettman_-_member_p.png" width="100%" height="100%" /></span></span></span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: Montserrat; font-size: 14px;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 700; background-color: #ffffff;" face="Montserrat"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #7a99ac;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box;">What year did you join RFMA?&nbsp;</span></span></span><span style="box-sizing: border-box; background-color: #ffffff;" face="Montserrat">2023<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />
<span style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #7a99ac;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 700;"><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />
Why did you join RFMA?&nbsp;</span></span><span style="line-height: 107%;">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.&nbsp;</span><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />
<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />
<span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 700;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #7a99ac;">What do you like most about RFMA?&nbsp;</span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Montserrat; font-size: 14px;">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.</span></p>
<span style="font-family: Montserrat; font-size: 14px;">
<span style="color: #75787b;"></span>
</span>
<p><span style="font-family: Montserrat; font-size: 14px;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; background-color: #ffffff;" face="Montserrat"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 700;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #7a99ac;"><span style="color: #75787b;"></span></span></span></span></span><span style="box-sizing: border-box; background-color: #ffffff; font-family: Montserrat; font-size: 14px;" face="Montserrat"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 700;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #7a99ac;">Which RFMA resource do you utilize the most and why?&nbsp;&nbsp;</span></span></span><span face="Montserrat" style="font-family: Montserrat; font-size: 14px;">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.</span></p>
<p><span face="Montserrat" style="font-family: Montserrat; font-size: 14px;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; background-color: #ffffff;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #7a99ac;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 700;">What do you enjoy the most about your job?&nbsp;</span></span><span style="line-height: 107%;">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.&nbsp;</span><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />
<span style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #7a99ac;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 700;"><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />
Where did you grow up?<strong>&nbsp;</strong></span></span></span></span><span style="background-color: #ffffff; font-family: Montserrat; font-size: 14px;" face="Montserrat">I grew up in Durango, Colorado. A small town known for its mountain biking in Southwest Colorado.&nbsp;</span></p>
<p><span face="Montserrat" style="font-family: Montserrat; font-size: 14px;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; background-color: #ffffff;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #7a99ac;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 700;">
What was the first job you ever had?&nbsp;<span style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #75787b;"></span></span><span style="line-height: 107%; color: #75787b;">My first paycheck came from a Village Inn where I was a bus boy in high school.&nbsp;</span></span><span style="box-sizing: border-box;"><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />
</span><span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 700;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #7a99ac;"><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />
What is the most surprising thing you've learned about the restaurant world?</span></span>&nbsp;</span>The restaurant world is very small, and everyone is well connected. Reputation and word of mouth is very powerful in this community.</span></p>
<p><span face="Montserrat" style="font-family: Montserrat; font-size: 14px;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; background-color: #ffffff;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #7a99ac;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 700;">What is the best advice you ever received?</span></span>&nbsp;</span>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.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: Montserrat; font-size: 14px;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; background-color: #ffffff;" face="Montserrat"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 700;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #7a99ac;">Who is your favorite sports team?</span></span>&nbsp;<span style="line-height: 107%;">I am one of the few real LA (San Diego) Chargers fans.&nbsp;</span><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />
<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />
<span style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #7a99ac;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 700;">What chore do you absolutely hate doing?&nbsp;</span></span></span></span><span style="background-color: #ffffff; font-family: Montserrat; font-size: 14px;" face="Montserrat">I love to cook but hate the cleanup.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: Montserrat;"><span style="font-size: 14px;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; background-color: #ffffff;" face="Montserrat">
<span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 700;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #7a99ac;">What’s your favorite type of food?</span></span>&nbsp;<span style="line-height: 107%;">I love all food. Everything from Texas BBQ to fresh sushi.&nbsp;</span><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />
<span style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #7a99ac;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 700;">&nbsp;</span></span><span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 700;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #7a99ac;"><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />
If you could meet an iconic person from history, who would it be?&nbsp;</span></span></span>I would love to have met rally race car driver Colin McRea.</span></span></p>]]></description>
<pubDate>Mon, 8 Jul 2024 15:37:34 GMT</pubDate>
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<title>Meet Our Member, Kara Clevidence</title>
<link>https://www.rfmaonline.com/members/blog_view.asp?id=1232254&amp;post=502007</link>
<guid>https://www.rfmaonline.com/members/blog_view.asp?id=1232254&amp;post=502007</guid>
<description><![CDATA[<p><img alt="" src="https://cdn.ymaws.com/rfmaonline.site-ym.com/resource/resmgr/industry_news/kara_clevidence_-_member_pro.png" width="100%" height="100%" /><br />
</p>
<p><span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 700; font-size: 14px; background-color: #ffffff; font-family: Roboto, sans-serif;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #7a99ac;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Montserrat;">What year did you join RFMA?&nbsp;</span></span></span><span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 14px; background-color: #ffffff; font-family: Montserrat;">2019<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />
<span style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #7a99ac;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 700;"><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />
Why did you join RFMA?&nbsp;</span></span></span><span style="background-color: #ffffff; font-size: 14px; font-family: Montserrat;">To network and create lasting partnerships with restaurant and vendor members alike.&nbsp;</span></p>
<p><span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 14px; background-color: #ffffff; font-family: Montserrat;">
<span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 700;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #7a99ac;">What do you like most about RFMA?</span></span>&nbsp;<span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #75787b;">The community! This organization is like no other in its inclusiveness. As a member you feel valued for your experience, opinions and ideas. RFMA Gives is my most favorite event - to be able to give our time, resources, and energy to each wonderful organization chosen by the committee is the heart of RFMA.&nbsp;</span><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />
<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />
<span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 700;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #7a99ac;">Which RFMA resource do you utilize the most and why?&nbsp;</span></span><span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #75787b;">I love reading <em>Facilitator</em> magazine and attending Females in Facilities events!&nbsp;</span><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />
<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />
<span style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #7a99ac;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 700;">What do you enjoy the most about your job?&nbsp;</span></span><span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #75787b;">Being a business owner; there is always something new to learn whether that be with taxes, employment practices, industry applications, marketing, etc. I get to wear so many hats in a day and it is supremely satisfying, rewarding and challenging!&nbsp;</span></span></p>
<p><span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 14px; background-color: #ffffff; font-family: Montserrat;"><span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #75787b;"><span style="font-size: 14px; background-color: #ffffff; font-family: Montserrat;"><strong><span style="color: #7a99ac;">Where did you grow up?</span> </strong>Salinas, CA - The lettuce capital of the world!&nbsp;</span></span></span></p>
<p><span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 14px; background-color: #ffffff; font-family: Montserrat;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #7a99ac;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 700;">
</span></span></span></p>
<p><span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 14px; background-color: #ffffff; font-family: Montserrat;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #7a99ac;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 700;">What was the first job you ever had?&nbsp;<span style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #75787b;"></span></span><span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #75787b;">Dipping strawberries in a chocolate shop in Carmel, CA.&nbsp;</span></span><span style="box-sizing: border-box;"><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />
</span><span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 700;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #7a99ac;"><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />
What is the most surprising thing you've learned about the restaurant world?</span></span>&nbsp;<span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #75787b;">It is the most fast paced industry out there...so many moving parts that you don't think about or see unless behind the scenes.&nbsp;</span></span></p>
<p><span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 14px; background-color: #ffffff; font-family: Montserrat;"><span style="color: #7a99ac;"><strong>If you weren't in the facilities industry, what would you be doing?</strong></span> Party planning.<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />
</span></p>
<p><span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 14px; background-color: #ffffff; font-family: Montserrat;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #7a99ac;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 700;">
What is the best advice you ever received?</span></span>&nbsp;<span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #75787b;">"This too shall pass." Whatever hardships we may be going through will only be temporary.&nbsp;</span><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />
<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />
<span style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #7a99ac;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 700;">What chore do you absolutely hate doing?&nbsp;</span></span><span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #75787b;">Easy...laundry!! It's a never-ending cycle!&nbsp;</span><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />
<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />
<span style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #7a99ac;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 700;">What is your favorite type of book genre?</span></span>&nbsp;<span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #75787b;">I love any type of thriller! My current favorite authors are Ruth Ware, Jessica Knoll and Alex Michaeli.</span><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />
<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />
<span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 700;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #7a99ac;">What’s your favorite type of food?</span></span>&nbsp;<span style="color: #75787b;"><span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #75787b;">Mexican, Sushi...anything spicy.&nbsp;</span><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />
</span><span style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #7a99ac;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 700;"><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />
Do you have a secret talent and if so, what is it?&nbsp;</span></span><span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #75787b;">I have an internal compass. I usually know which direction is North wherever I'm at!&nbsp;</span><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />
<span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 700;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #7a99ac;"><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />
</span></span></span></p>]]></description>
<pubDate>Mon, 10 Jun 2024 15:47:26 GMT</pubDate>
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<title>Meet Our Member, Scot Schmidt, CRFP</title>
<link>https://www.rfmaonline.com/members/blog_view.asp?id=1232254&amp;post=499596</link>
<guid>https://www.rfmaonline.com/members/blog_view.asp?id=1232254&amp;post=499596</guid>
<description><![CDATA[<p><img alt="" src="https://cdn.ymaws.com/rfmaonline.site-ym.com/resource/resmgr/member_pro_files/scot_schmidt,_crfp_-_member_.png" width="100%" height="100%" /><br />
</p>
<p><span style="font-size: 14px;"><strong><span style="color: #7a99ac;"><br />
<span style="font-family: Montserrat;">What year did you join RFMA? </span></span></strong><span style="font-family: Montserrat;">2021<br />
<span style="color: #7a99ac;"><strong><br />
Why did you join RFMA? </strong></span>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. <br />
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<strong><span style="color: #7a99ac;">What do you like most about RFMA?</span></strong> 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.<br />
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<strong><span style="color: #7a99ac;">Which RFMA resource do you utilize the most and why? </span></strong>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.<br />
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<span style="color: #7a99ac;"><strong>What do you enjoy the most about your job? </strong></span>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. <br />
<span style="color: #7a99ac;"><strong><br />
Where did you grow up? </strong></span>Spent most of my childhood in Arizona and California. Moved to Texas in 1995. <br />
<span style="color: #7a99ac;"><strong><br />
What was the first job you ever had? <span style="color: #75787b;"></span></strong><span style="color: #75787b;">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.</span></span><span style="color: #75787b;"><br />
</span><strong><span style="color: #7a99ac;"><br />
What is the most surprising thing you've learned about the restaurant world?</span></strong> 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. <br />
<br />
<strong><span style="color: #7a99ac;">If you weren’t in the facilities industry, what would you be doing? </span></strong>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. <br />
<span style="color: #7a99ac;"><strong><br />
What is the best advice you ever received?</strong></span> 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." <br />
<strong><br />
<span style="color: #7a99ac;">Who is your favorite sports team?</span></strong> I travel all of Texas, so I keep my mouth shut when it comes to sports, politics and religion. <br />
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<span style="color: #7a99ac;"><strong>What chore do you absolutely hate doing? </strong></span>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. <br />
<br />
<span style="color: #7a99ac;"><strong>What is one of your favorite quotes?</strong></span> 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. <br />
<br />
<strong><span style="color: #7a99ac;">What’s your favorite type of food?</span></strong> I love to eat, so that's like asking which son of mine is my favorite. <br />
<span style="color: #7a99ac;"><strong><br />
Do you have a secret talent and if so, what is it? </strong></span>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. <br />
<strong><span style="color: #7a99ac;"><br />
If you could meet an iconic person from history, who would it be? </span></strong>Abraham Lincoln.</span></span></p>]]></description>
<pubDate>Mon, 8 Apr 2024 16:07:38 GMT</pubDate>
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<title>Meet Our Member, Molly Gehrls</title>
<link>https://www.rfmaonline.com/members/blog_view.asp?id=1232254&amp;post=498639</link>
<guid>https://www.rfmaonline.com/members/blog_view.asp?id=1232254&amp;post=498639</guid>
<description><![CDATA[<p><img alt="" src="https://cdn.ymaws.com/rfmaonline.site-ym.com/resource/resmgr/member_pro_files/updated_molly_gherls_-_membe.png" width="100%" height="100%" /><br />
</p>
<p><span style="font-size: 14px; font-family: Montserrat; color: #7a99ac;"><strong> </strong></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 14px; font-family: Montserrat; color: #7a99ac;"><strong>What year did you join RFMA? </strong></span><span style="font-size: 14px; font-family: Montserrat;">2021</span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: Montserrat;"><span style="font-size: 14px;">
<span style="color: #7a99ac;"><br />
<strong>Why did you join RFMA?</strong> </span>Duro-Last has been a very long-term supporter of RFMA, and most of our department are members of RFMA. I joined when I took on a new role in our National Accounts department and have been attending since Charlotte! <br />
<br />
<strong><span style="color: #7a99ac;">What do you like most about RFMA?</span></strong> Definitely the people I've met! Through Leadership RFMA, I was able to connect with several restaurant FMs & other vendors that have been wonderful connections for me to bounce ideas off. RFMA is a collaborative environment that I truly believe has made us a better vendor! <br />
<br />
<span style="color: #7a99ac;"><strong>Which RFMA resource do you utilize the most and why?</strong> </span>I am not sure there is one I use the most - I try to use every resource available, and highly encourage my coworkers to do the same. We attend webinars, go to as many breakouts as we can during the annual conference, read<em> Facilitator</em> Magazine, and we attend local RFMA events. I even have posted positions in the career center. RFMA is one of our most valuable hubs for information! <br />
<br />
<strong><span style="color: #7a99ac;">What do you enjoy the most about your job?</span> </strong>Duro-Last's mission is to "wow our customers always." I love getting to be a part of a company that has the customer experience at the heart of all we do. We're working on new things all the time with the customer in mind and I love getting to work on and watch new programs come to life. <br />
<br />
<strong><span style="color: #7a99ac;">Where did you grow up?</span></strong> Bay City, Michigan.<br />
<span style="color: #7a99ac;"><br />
<strong>What was the first job you ever had?</strong></span> I was a cashier at a local grocery store chain called Jack's Fruit & Meat Market. I am known for my ability to pick out a watermelon! <br />
<br />
<strong><span style="color: #7a99ac;">What is the most surprising thing you've learned about the restaurant world? </span></strong>How much effort goes into building a restaurant brand & brand standard. It's been fun to learn how intentional the look and feel of a restaurant is. <br />
<span style="color: #7a99ac;"><br />
</span><strong><span style="color: #7a99ac;">If you weren’t in the facilities industry, what would you be doing? </span></strong>I like to think I'm funny enough that I could be a writer for a comedic TV show. <br />
<br />
<strong><span style="color: #7a99ac;">What is the best advice you ever received? </span></strong>Do it scared.<br />
<span style="color: #7a99ac;"><strong><br />
What chore do you absolutely hate doing?</strong> </span>Anything regarding car maintenance! <br />
<br />
<strong><span style="color: #7a99ac;">What is one of your favorite quotes? </span></strong>"Leave the world a better place than you found it." <br />
<br />
<strong><span style="color: #7a99ac;">What’s your favorite type of food?</span></strong> Pizza or any sort of cheesy flavored chip.<br />
<span style="color: #7a99ac;"><br />
</span><strong><span style="color: #7a99ac;">If you could meet an iconic person from history, who would it be?</span> </strong>Any of the Sharks from Shark Tank.</span></span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: Montserrat;"><span style="font-size: 14px;"> </span></span></p>]]></description>
<pubDate>Mon, 11 Mar 2024 16:08:29 GMT</pubDate>
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<title>Meet Our Member, Victoria Bryant</title>
<link>https://www.rfmaonline.com/members/blog_view.asp?id=1232254&amp;post=497145</link>
<guid>https://www.rfmaonline.com/members/blog_view.asp?id=1232254&amp;post=497145</guid>
<description><![CDATA[<p><img alt="" src="https://cdn.ymaws.com/rfmaonline.site-ym.com/resource/resmgr/member_pro_files/victoria_bryant_member_profi.png" width="100%" height="100%" /><br />
</p>
<p><br />
<span style="font-family: Montserrat;"><span style="font-size: 14px;"><strong><span style="color: #7a99ac;">What year did you join RFMA?</span></strong> 2023<br />
<strong><span style="color: #7a99ac;"><br />
Why did you join RFMA? </span></strong>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. <br />
<br />
<span style="color: #7a99ac;"><strong>What do you like most about RFMA?</strong></span> 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. <br />
<span style="color: #7a99ac;"><strong><br />
Which RFMA resource do you utilize the most and why?</strong></span> 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. <br />
<br />
<span style="color: #7a99ac;"><strong>What do you enjoy the most about your job?</strong></span> 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&nbsp;marketing trends is very exciting. <br />
<br />
<strong><span style="color: #7a99ac;">Where did you grow up?</span></strong> Portland, Tennessee.<br />
<span style="color: #7a99ac;"><strong><br />
Who is your favorite sports team? </strong></span>My daughter's volleyball team. Whether it's her High School or club team, I never miss a game.<br />
<br />
<span style="color: #7a99ac;"><strong>What chore do you absolutely hate doing?</strong></span> The Dishes.&nbsp;<br />
<br />
<span style="color: #7a99ac;"><strong>What is one of your favorite quotes? </strong></span>"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." <br />
</span></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 14px;"><span style="font-size: 14px; font-family: Montserrat;"><span style="font-family: Montserrat; color: #7a99ac;"><strong>What’s your favorite type of food? </strong></span>Mexican.&nbsp;<br />
<br />
<span style="color: #7a99ac;"><strong>Do you have a secret talent and if so, what is it? </strong></span>I am a Martial Arts Black Belt in Krav Maga.</span> <br />
</span>
<br />
</p>]]></description>
<pubDate>Mon, 12 Feb 2024 15:38:45 GMT</pubDate>
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<title>Meet Our Member, Michael Gersh</title>
<link>https://www.rfmaonline.com/members/blog_view.asp?id=1232254&amp;post=495517</link>
<guid>https://www.rfmaonline.com/members/blog_view.asp?id=1232254&amp;post=495517</guid>
<description><![CDATA[<p class="MsoNormal"><b><img alt="" src="https://cdn.ymaws.com/rfmaonline.site-ym.com/resource/resmgr/member_pro_files/michael_gersh_member_profile.png" width="1064" height="173" /></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Montserrat;"><strong><span style="color: #7a99ac;">What year did you join RFMA?</span></strong> 2019<br />
<br />
<span style="color: #7a99ac;"><strong>Why did you join RFMA?</strong> </span>I joined RFMA to learn more about the restaurant industry as well as network with others while providing key trades to the nation.<br />
<br />
<strong><span style="color: #7a99ac;">What do you like most about RFMA?</span></strong> I love the RFMA Annual Conference and RFMA Gives event.  The conference gives me the opportunity to see current clients and network with new potential ones. RFMA Gives allows me the chance to give back to the less fortunate and working together as a team.<br />
<br />
<strong><span style="color: #7a99ac;">Which RFMA resource do you utilize the most and why?</span></strong> RFMA Online is a great resource that allows me to sign up for webinars.  I also enjoy the website as it allows me to reach out to other RFMA members to network, converse and share best ideas and practices.<br />
<br />
<strong><span style="color: #7a99ac;">What do you enjoy the most about your job?</span></strong> I enjoy engaging with others, networking and partnering to help maintain and repair their national footprint.<br />
<br />
<strong><span style="color: #7a99ac;">Where did you grow up?</span></strong> New Jersey.<br />
<br />
<strong><span style="color: #7a99ac;">What was the first job you ever had? </span></strong>Analyst for AIG.<br />
<br />
<strong><span style="color: #7a99ac;">What is the most surprising thing you've learned about the restaurant world?</span></strong> The most surprising thing that I have learned in the restaurant world is the number of resources and moving parts that are needed to let a restaurant function well and provide top notch food and customer service.<br />
<span style="color: #7a99ac;"><br />
</span><strong><span style="color: #7a99ac;">If you weren’t in the facilities industry, what would you be doing?</span> </strong>I would most likely open a bar/pub in a major metro city.<br />
<br />
<strong><span style="color: #7a99ac;">What is the best advice you ever received?</span></strong> The best advice I ever received was from my dad.  He always taught me to work hard, play hard and keep reaching for the stars.<br />
<br />
<strong><span style="color: #7a99ac;">Who is your favorite sports team?</span></strong> New York Giants.<br />
<br />
<span style="color: #7a99ac;"><strong>What chore do you absolutely hate doing?</strong> </span>Laundry.<br />
<br />
<span style="color: #7a99ac;"><strong>What is one of your favorite quotes?</strong> </span>“Live as if you were to die tomorrow. Learn as if you were to live forever.”<br />
<br />
<strong><span style="color: #7a99ac;">What’s your favorite type of food?</span></strong> Sushi or Italian.<br />
<br />
<strong><span style="color: #7a99ac;">Do you have a secret talent and if so, what is it?</span></strong> I do have a secret talent but it's a secret.<br />
<br />
<strong><span style="color: #7a99ac;">If you could meet an iconic person from history, who would it be?</span></strong> Abraham Lincoln (he and I also share a birthday).</span><b><br />
</b></p>]]></description>
<pubDate>Mon, 13 Nov 2023 15:38:29 GMT</pubDate>
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<title>Meet Our Member, Taylor Blumberg</title>
<link>https://www.rfmaonline.com/members/blog_view.asp?id=1232254&amp;post=494189</link>
<guid>https://www.rfmaonline.com/members/blog_view.asp?id=1232254&amp;post=494189</guid>
<description><![CDATA[<p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 10px; font-family: Roboto, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; background-color: #ffffff;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Montserrat;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #7a99ac;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 700;"><img alt="" src="https://cdn.ymaws.com/rfmaonline.site-ym.com/resource/resmgr/member_pro_files/taylorblumberg_memberprofile.png" width="1064" height="173" /></span></span></span></p>
<p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 10px; font-family: Roboto, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; background-color: #ffffff;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Montserrat;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #7a99ac;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 700;"><strong>What year did you join RFMA?</strong></span></span>&nbsp;2022<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />
<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />
<span style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #7a99ac;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 700;"><strong>Why did you join RFMA?</strong></span></span>&nbsp;I joined RFMA to be part of a community and converse with others who experience the same day to day life as I do.<br />
<br />
</span><span style="font-family: Montserrat;"></span><strong style="font-family: Montserrat;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #7a99ac;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box;">What do you like most about RFMA?</span></span>&nbsp;</strong><span class="WdYUQQ" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Montserrat;">There are so many things I love, it’s hard to pick one. I love the<em> Facilitator </em>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.</span></p>
<span style="font-size: 14px;">
<span style="font-family: Montserrat;"><span style="color: #7a99ac;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Montserrat; color: #7a99ac;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 700;"><strong>Which RFMA resource do you utilize the most and why?</strong></span></span>&nbsp;</span>Currently I am utilizing the CRFP prep course the most as I am getting ready to sit for my exam in a few weeks! <br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />
<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />
<span style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #7a99ac;"><span style="color: #7a99ac;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 700; color: #7a99ac;"><strong>What do you enjoy the most about your job?</strong></span>&nbsp;</span></span><span class="OYPEnA text-decoration-none text-strikethrough-none" style="color: #737373;">The thing I enjoy the most about my job is my team; I have such a great support system. Not only from my fellow facility managers and director but also from my district managers and bakery teams. They are the reason I do what I do every day.<br />
</span>
<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />
<strong><span style="color: #7a99ac;">Where did you grow up?</span></strong>&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: Montserrat;"><strong></strong>Grew up on Long Island, NY, and it is ON Long Island not IN Long Island.</span><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />
<span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Montserrat; color: #7a99ac;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 700;"><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />
<strong><span style="color: #7a99ac;">What was the first job you ever had?</span></strong></span></span><span style="font-family: Montserrat;">&nbsp;My first job was when I was 13, I answered phones and scheduled appointments for a helicopter school. It was pretty awesome.</span>
</span>
<p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 10px; font-family: Roboto, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; background-color: #ffffff;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Montserrat;"><span style="color: #7a99ac;"><br />
<strong>What is the most surprising thing you've learned about the restaurant world? </strong></span>Hmmm, I think the most surprising thing I’ve learned was how something small could cause a restaurant to have to close.<br />
<br />
</span><span style="font-family: Montserrat; color: #7a99ac;"><strong>If you weren’t in the facilities industry, what would you be doing?&nbsp;</strong></span><span style="font-family: Montserrat;">Honestly, I have no idea. If I had to take a guess, maybe be a teacher or a pediatric nurse.<br />
<br />
</span><span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Montserrat; color: #7a99ac;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 700;"><strong>What is the best advice you ever received?&nbsp;</strong></span></span><span style="font-family: Montserrat;"></span><span class="OYPEnA text-decoration-none text-strikethrough-none" style="font-family: Montserrat;">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.<br />
<br />
</span><strong style="font-family: Montserrat;"><span style="color: #7a99ac;">Who is your favorite sports team?</span>&nbsp;</strong><span style="font-family: Montserrat;">NY Rangers and NY Mets all day!!!</span></p>
<p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 10px; background-color: #ffffff;"><span style="font-size: 14px;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 14px; font-family: Montserrat;"><strong><span style="color: #7a99ac;"><br />
What chore do you absolutely hate doing? </span></strong>Oh,<span style="font-family: Roboto, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Montserrat;">&nbsp;dishes without a doubt, I will put anything and everything in the dishwasher!</span></span><b style="font-family: Roboto, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Montserrat;"></span> </b><span style="font-family: Roboto, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #75787b;"></span></span><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />
<span style="color: #7a99ac;"><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />
<span style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #7a99ac;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 700;"><strong>What is the name of the last book you&nbsp;</strong></span></span></span><b><span style="color: #7a99ac;">read?</span> </b>I&nbsp;am currently in the middle of reading the <span style="text-decoration: underline;">Blue Moon</span> series by Lucy Score. I am on book four of eight right now. <br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />
<span style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #7a99ac;"><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />
<span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 700;"><span style="color: #7a99ac;">What’s your favorite type of food?</span></span></span>&nbsp;I love brunch food, it’s my Sunday morning&nbsp;tradition.<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />
<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />
<span style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #7a99ac;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 700;"><span style="color: #7a99ac;"><strong>Do you have a secret talent and if so, what is it?</strong></span>&nbsp;</span></span>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! <br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />
<span style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #7a99ac;"><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />
<span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 700;"><span style="color: #7a99ac;"><strong>If you could meet an iconic person from history, who would it be?&nbsp;</strong></span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Montserrat;">Betty White</span></span></p>]]></description>
<pubDate>Mon, 9 Oct 2023 15:30:06 GMT</pubDate>
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<title>Meet Our Member, Luis Tabarez</title>
<link>https://www.rfmaonline.com/members/blog_view.asp?id=1232254&amp;post=488675</link>
<guid>https://www.rfmaonline.com/members/blog_view.asp?id=1232254&amp;post=488675</guid>
<description><![CDATA[<p><span style="font-family: Montserrat;"><span style="color: #7a99ac;"><strong><img alt="" src="https://cdn.ymaws.com/rfmaonline.site-ym.com/resource/resmgr/member_pro_files/luis_tabarez_member_profile_.png" width="100%" height="100%" /><br />
<br />
What year did you join RFMA?</strong></span> 2019<br />
<br />
<span style="color: #7a99ac;"><strong>Why did you join RFMA?</strong></span> I joined RFMA to earn my CRFP designation, which I did in 2020. <br />
<br />
<span style="color: #7a99ac;"><strong>What do you like most about RFMA?</strong></span>&nbsp;<span class="WdYUQQ">I like the community that RFMA has the most. I appreciate that people are always willing to support whatever is needed and provide guidance whenever it is sought out.</span><br />
</span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: Montserrat;"><span style="color: #7a99ac;"><strong>Which RFMA resource do you utilize the most and why?</strong></span>&nbsp;RFMA's&nbsp;<em>Facilitator m</em>agazine is the resource that I have benefitted from the most. It provides updates and relevant information on what's trending and new in our restaurant world. <br />
<br />
<span style="color: #7a99ac;"><strong>What do you enjoy the most about your job?</strong>&nbsp;</span><span class="WdYUQQ">I enjoy the opportunities, level of engagement I get to share with our operations team and the trainings we get to provide for our operators.</span><span class="WdYUQQ white-space-prewrap"></span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #7a99ac;"><strong>Where did you grow up? </strong></span>I grew up in a small border town called Nogales, Arizona. <br />
<span style="color: #7a99ac;"><strong><br />
What was the first job you ever had?</strong></span> First job I had was as a busser, cannot believe that was 20 years ago!<br />
<span style="color: #7a99ac;"><strong><br />
What is the best advice you ever received?</strong></span> The best advice I have been given is "Be the best version of yourself so that you can provide fish to those that are in need but above all teach those how to fish."<br />
<br />
<span style="color: #7a99ac;"><strong>What is one of your favorite quotes?</strong></span> "What counts in life is not the mere fact that we have lived. It is what difference we have made to the lives of others". - Nelson Mandela<br />
<span style="color: #7a99ac;"><br />
<strong>What’s your favorite type of food?</strong></span> I don't have a favorite as I like exploring new foods, but I do find myself eating sushi often. <br />
<br />
<span style="color: #7a99ac;"><strong>Do you have a secret talent and if so, what is it?</strong></span> Gardening.&nbsp;<br />
<span style="color: #7a99ac;"><br />
<strong>If you could meet an iconic person from history, who would it be?</strong></span> Nelson Mandela</span><br />
<br />
</p>]]></description>
<pubDate>Mon, 11 Sep 2023 15:34:57 GMT</pubDate>
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<title>Meet Our Member, Glen Jimenez</title>
<link>https://www.rfmaonline.com/members/blog_view.asp?id=1232254&amp;post=488645</link>
<guid>https://www.rfmaonline.com/members/blog_view.asp?id=1232254&amp;post=488645</guid>
<description><![CDATA[<p><span style="font-family: Montserrat;"><img alt="" src="https://cdn.ymaws.com/rfmaonline.site-ym.com/resource/resmgr/blogs/profiles/2023_glenjimenez_member_prof.png" width="100%" height="100%" /><br />
</span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: Montserrat;"><span style="color: #7a99ac;"><strong>What year did you join RFMA?</strong></span> 2015 </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Montserrat;"><span style="color: #7a99ac;"><strong>Why did you join RFMA?</strong></span> 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. </span><br />
<strong><br />
</strong><span style="font-family: Montserrat;"><strong><span style="color: #7a99ac;">What do you like most about RFMA?</span> </strong><span class="WdYUQQ" style="color: #737373;">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.</span><span class="WdYUQQ white-space-prewrap" style="color: #737373;"></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #7a99ac;"><br />
</span><span style="font-family: Montserrat;"><span style="color: #7a99ac;"><strong>Which RFMA resource do you utilize the most and why?</strong></span> I utilize <em>Facilitator</em> magazine the most, but the Annual Conference is invaluable as well as the networking calls and events. </span><br />
<span style="color: #7a99ac;"><br />
</span><span style="font-family: Montserrat;"><span style="color: #7a99ac;"><strong>What do you enjoy the most about your job?</strong></span> <span class="WdYUQQ" style="color: #737373;">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.</span> </span><br />
<span style="color: #7a99ac;"><br />
</span><span style="font-family: Montserrat;"><span style="color: #7a99ac;"><strong>Where did you grow up?</strong></span> Dallas, Texas, born and bred.</span><br />
<span style="color: #7a99ac;"><strong><br />
</strong></span><span style="font-family: Montserrat;"><span style="color: #7a99ac;"><strong>What was the first job you ever had?</strong></span> Delivering newspapers in the apartments I lived in.</span><br />
<span style="color: #7a99ac;"><br />
<span style="font-family: Montserrat;"></span></span><span style="font-family: Montserrat; color: #7a99ac;"><strong>What is the most surprising thing you've learned about the restaurant world? </strong></span><span style="font-family: Montserrat;">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.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: Montserrat;"><span style="color: #7a99ac;"><strong>If you weren’t in the facilities industry, what would you be doing?</strong></span> 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. <br />
<br />
<span style="color: #7a99ac;"><strong>What is the best advice you ever received?</strong> </span><span class="WdYUQQ">Be the best you that you can be and then let those around you help you get to the next best you.</span> <br />
<strong><br />
<span style="color: #7a99ac;">Who is your favorite sports team?</span></strong> Dallas Cowboys<br />
<span style="color: #7a99ac;"><br />
<strong>What chore do you absolutely hate doing?</strong></span> Cleaning the bathroom at home. <br />
<strong><br />
</strong><span style="color: #7a99ac;"><strong>What is the name of the last book you read?</strong> </span><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Harmonic Leadership</span> is the current book I am reading. <br />
<br />
<span style="color: #7a99ac;"><strong>What’s your favorite type of food?</strong></span> Steak and potatoes.<br />
<strong><br />
<span style="color: #7a99ac;">Do you have a secret talent and if so, what is it?</span> </strong>It will remain secret! <br />
<br />
<span style="color: #7a99ac;"><strong>If you could meet an iconic person from history, who would it be?</strong></span> Tom Landry, of course.</span></p>]]></description>
<pubDate>Tue, 8 Aug 2023 23:07:15 GMT</pubDate>
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<title>Meet Our Member, Faith Trainor</title>
<link>https://www.rfmaonline.com/members/blog_view.asp?id=1232254&amp;post=488588</link>
<guid>https://www.rfmaonline.com/members/blog_view.asp?id=1232254&amp;post=488588</guid>
<description><![CDATA[<p><img alt="" src="https://cdn.ymaws.com/rfmaonline.site-ym.com/resource/resmgr/blogs/profiles/faith_trainor.2023.png" width="100%" height="100%" /></p>
<p><span style="font-family: Montserrat;"><span style="color: #7a99ac;"><strong>What year did you join RFMA?</strong> </span>2021</span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: Montserrat;"><span style="color: #7a99ac;"><strong>Why did you join RFMA? </strong></span>I joined RFMA to engage with other facilities professionals and expand my knowledge of the facilities world. <br />
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<p><span style="font-family: Montserrat;"><span style="color: #7a99ac;"><strong>What do you like most about RFMA?</strong> </span>There is so much to be gained from RFMA. I've attended many education sessions and always walk away with new information or points of view that I can use. I also can't speak highly enough of the Annual Conference. I've been able to network with so many great facilities professionals, both on the restaurateur and vendor side, and really gain a lot from the roundtables and education sessions. </span><br />
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<span style="color: #7a99ac;"><strong>Which RFMA resource do you utilize the most and why?</strong>&nbsp;The A</span>nnual Conference for sure! I always jump in with both feet and talk away with so many new ideas and vendors to partner with.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Montserrat;"><span style="color: #7a99ac;"><strong>What do you enjoy the most about your job?</strong></span> Facilities is not for the faint of heart, but I love putting myself to the challenge and solving new problems every day. It's humbling to admit what you don't know, and such a satisfaction to go figure it out to support your team. </span><br />
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<span style="color: #7a99ac;">Where did you grow up?</span>&nbsp;</span></strong><span style="font-family: Montserrat;">The Chicago suburbs.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #7a99ac;"><strong>What was the first job you ever had?</strong></span>&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: Montserrat;">Take out girl at a pizza place.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #7a99ac;"><strong>What is the most surprising thing you've learned about the restaurant world?</strong>&nbsp;</span></span><span style="font-family: Montserrat;">There is so much going on behind the scenes to keep a restaurant operating at it's peak. You might not realize a problem COULD exist until you're asked to solve it! </span><br />
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<span style="color: #7a99ac;">If you weren’t in the facilities industry, what would you be doing?</span></strong>&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: Montserrat;">I always planned to be a dentist, but somehow restaurants just kept pulling me back. I wouldn't have it any other way, I love being in this industry. </span><br />
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What is the best advice you ever received?</strong></span>&nbsp;"Y</span><span style="font-family: Montserrat;">ou don't know what you don't know." It reminds me to ask questions always, even if the answer seems obvious. I find myself surprised all the time at the answers to questions I almost didn't ask. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Montserrat;"><strong>What chore do you absolutely hate doing?&nbsp;</strong></span></span><span style="font-family: Montserrat;">Cleaning the bathroom. Daily shower cleaner is my best friend. </span><br />
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<span style="color: #7a99ac;">What is the name of the last book you read?</span></strong>&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: Montserrat;">"Nudge" by Richard Thaler and Cass Sunstein. </span><br />
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<span style="color: #7a99ac;"><strong>What’s your favorite type of food?</strong></span>&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: Montserrat;">I could never pick just one!</span> </p>
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<pubDate>Mon, 10 Jul 2023 14:27:32 GMT</pubDate>
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<title>Meet Our Member, James Cox </title>
<link>https://www.rfmaonline.com/members/blog_view.asp?id=1232254&amp;post=484036</link>
<guid>https://www.rfmaonline.com/members/blog_view.asp?id=1232254&amp;post=484036</guid>
<description><![CDATA[<p><span style="color: #7a99ac;"><img alt="" src="https://cdn.ymaws.com/rfmaonline.site-ym.com/resource/resmgr/blogs/profiles/james_cox,_crfp_member_profi.jpg" width="100%" /></span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: Montserrat;"><span style="font-family: Montserrat; color: #7a99ac;"><strong>What year did you join RFMA?</strong></span> 2011 </span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: Montserrat;"><span style="font-family: Montserrat; color: #7a99ac;"><strong>Why did you join RFMA?</strong></span> To learn about and connect with the numerous trades that support the restaurant industry. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: Montserrat;"><span style="font-family: Montserrat; color: #7a99ac;"><strong>What do you like most about RFMA?</strong></span> Meeting the suppliers, putting faces to the names, finding new products and services at the annual conference and then enjoying time off the show floor with old and new acquaintances. Participating in the Best Practices Task Force and when location allows, participating in the RFMA Gives events. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: Montserrat;"><span style="font-family: Montserrat; color: #7a99ac;"><strong>Which RFMA resource do you utilize the most and why?</strong></span>&nbsp;RFMA's Annual Conference. I enjoy learning and expanding my knowledge through the presentations and session workshops. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: Montserrat;"><span style="font-family: Montserrat; color: #7a99ac;"><strong>What do you enjoy the most about your job?</strong></span> I am part of the best facilities team and have the best operations partners in the restaurant industry. Finding solutions to my operators' needs and transforming partner and customer experiences. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: Montserrat;"><span style="font-family: Montserrat; color: #7a99ac;"><strong>Where did you grow up?</strong></span> Chicago, IL </span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: Montserrat;"><span style="font-family: Montserrat; color: #7a99ac;"><strong>What was the first job you ever had?</strong></span> A paperboy on Chicago's north side, pushing a wagon wheel cart and tossing newspapers on people's steps. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: Montserrat;"><span style="font-family: Montserrat; color: #7a99ac;"><strong>If you weren’t in the facilities industry, what would you be doing?</strong></span> Probably the entertainment industry... </span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: Montserrat;"><span style="font-family: Montserrat; color: #7a99ac;"><strong>What is the best advice you ever received?</strong></span> Two pieces - When arguing a business case - present facts rather than emotions and 90 percent of all solutions begin with the simplest thing. Ex. "Is it plugged in?"</span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: Montserrat;"><span style="font-family: Montserrat; color: #7a99ac;"><strong>What chore do you absolutely hate doing?</strong></span> Packing and all the activities associated with moving. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: Montserrat;"><span style="font-family: Montserrat; color: #7a99ac;"><strong>What is one of your favorite quotes?</strong> </span>“When asking someone for their opinion, what you are really looking for is an accomplice." </span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: Montserrat;"><span style="font-family: Montserrat; color: #7a99ac;"><strong>What’s your favorite type of food?</strong> </span>For a while now, I have really been enjoying Indian food. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: Montserrat;"><span style="font-family: Montserrat; color: #7a99ac;"><strong>Do you have a secret talent and if so, what is it?</strong> </span>I cannot divulge that information.</span></p>]]></description>
<pubDate>Mon, 12 Jun 2023 15:13:43 GMT</pubDate>
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<title>Meet Our Member, Anna Rusconi</title>
<link>https://www.rfmaonline.com/members/blog_view.asp?id=1232254&amp;post=484030</link>
<guid>https://www.rfmaonline.com/members/blog_view.asp?id=1232254&amp;post=484030</guid>
<description><![CDATA[<div><span style="font-family: Montserrat;"><span style="font-family: Montserrat; color: #7a99ac;"><img alt="" src="https://cdn.ymaws.com/rfmaonline.site-ym.com/resource/resmgr/blogs/profiles/anna_rusconi_member_profile_.jpg" width="100%" /></span></span></div>
<div><span style="font-family: Montserrat;"><span style="font-family: Montserrat; color: #7a99ac;"> </span></span></div>
<div><span style="font-family: Montserrat;"><span style="font-family: Montserrat; color: #7a99ac;"><strong>What year did you join RFMA?</strong></span> I joined RFMA in 2020. </span></div>
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<div><span style="font-family: Montserrat;"><span style="font-family: Montserrat; color: #7a99ac;"><strong>Why did you join RFMA?</strong></span> Melink has been exhibiting at RFMA for many years. I joined RFMA to continue my education and knowledge in the industry and network with other vendors and restaurant groups. </span></div>
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<div><span style="font-family: Montserrat;"><span style="font-family: Montserrat; color: #7a99ac;"><strong>What do you like most about RFMA?</strong></span> Without a doubt, the people. The RFMA community is extremely welcoming and supportive. I joined RFMA not too long ago, and because of the people, it feels like I have been a member for years. Being a part of RFMA also allows me to learn from other vendors and restaurant groups. </span></div>
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<div><span style="font-family: Montserrat;"><span style="font-family: Montserrat; color: #7a99ac;"><strong>Which RFMA resource do you utilize the most and why?</strong> </span>The annual conference and my fellow task force members. The annual conference every year is extremely beneficial for networking with others in person. I recently joined the Vendor Communication Task Force. In this task force, I am able to work with new exhibitors and also learn from my fellow members. </span></div>
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<div><span style="font-family: Montserrat;"><span style="font-family: Montserrat; color: #7a99ac;"><strong>What do you enjoy the most about your job?</strong></span> I enjoy that my job challenges me in a new way each day. In what I do, I get to build partnerships with our customers and help them solve their problems. I also get to work with internal team members to develop their skill sets and reach their career goals. </span></div>
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<div><span style="font-family: Montserrat;"><span style="font-family: Montserrat; color: #7a99ac;"><strong>Where did you grow up?</strong></span> Cincinnati, OH </span></div>
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<div><span style="font-family: Montserrat;"><span style="font-family: Montserrat; color: #7a99ac;"><strong>What was the first job you ever had?</strong></span> Graeters Ice Gream (or babysitting, if you count that) <br />
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<div><span style="font-family: Montserrat;"><span style="font-family: Montserrat; color: #7a99ac;"> </span></span></div>
<div><span style="font-family: Montserrat;"><span style="font-family: Montserrat; color: #7a99ac;"><strong>If you weren’t in the facilities industry, what would you be doing?</strong></span> Probably still something in sales and/or customer service. However, I have always wondered what it would be like to be a Napa Valley Sommelier. </span></div>
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<div><span style="font-family: Montserrat;"><span style="font-family: Montserrat; color: #7a99ac;"><strong>Who is your favorite sports team?</strong></span> Cincinnati Bengals - Who Dey! </span></div>
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<div><span style="font-family: Montserrat;"><span style="font-family: Montserrat; color: #7a99ac;"><strong>What chore do you absolutely hate doing?</strong></span> Laundry - it never seems to end </span></div>
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<div><span style="font-family: Montserrat;"><span style="font-family: Montserrat; color: #7a99ac;"><strong>What is one of your favorite quotes?</strong></span> "Tell me and I forget. Teach me and I remember. Involve me and I learn." </span></div>
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<div><span style="font-family: Montserrat;"><strong><span style="font-family: Montserrat; color: #7a99ac;">What’s your favorite type of food?</span> </strong>I love most food and enjoy cooking, but if I had to pick, I would say Thai food. </span></div>
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<div><span style="font-family: Montserrat;"><span style="font-family: Montserrat; color: #7a99ac;"><strong>Do you have a secret talent and if so, what is it?</strong></span> I am unsure if it is a secret, but I enjoy home DIY projects. </span></div>
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<pubDate>Mon, 8 May 2023 15:37:12 GMT</pubDate>
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<title>Meet Our Member, Pemberton Hobbs</title>
<link>https://www.rfmaonline.com/members/blog_view.asp?id=1232254&amp;post=484029</link>
<guid>https://www.rfmaonline.com/members/blog_view.asp?id=1232254&amp;post=484029</guid>
<description><![CDATA[<div><span style="color: #7a99ac;"><img alt="" src="https://cdn.ymaws.com/rfmaonline.site-ym.com/resource/resmgr/blogs/profiles/pemberton_hobbs_member_profi.png" width="100%" height="180" /></span></div>
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<div><span style="font-family: Montserrat;"><span style="font-family: Montserrat; color: #7a99ac;"><strong>What year did you join RFMA?</strong></span> 2021&nbsp;</span></div>
<div><span style="font-family: Montserrat;">&nbsp;</span></div>
<div><span style="font-family: Montserrat;"><span style="font-family: Montserrat; color: #7a99ac;"><strong>Why did you join RFMA?</strong>&nbsp;<span style="color: #7f7f7f;">I attended the RFMA 2021 Annual Conference in Charlotte, NC and was impressed with the networking opportunities and the efforts by the RFMA team to put a community together to benefit everyone.</span></span></span></div>
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<div><span style="font-family: Montserrat;"><span style="font-family: Montserrat; color: #7a99ac;"><strong>What do you like most about RFMA?</strong></span> The annual conference is tough to beat, but I have recently enjoyed being a part of the Vendor Communications Task Force. I always liked being a part<span style="color: #7f7f7f;"></span> of a team and we have some good people working to bring value to the RFMA community.&nbsp;</span></div>
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<div><span style="font-family: Montserrat;"><span style="font-family: Montserrat; color: #7a99ac;"><strong>Which RFMA resource do you utilize the most and why?</strong></span> The annual conference! Speaking with people in person to start new relationships and grow existing relationships with customers and other vendors is incredibly valuable.&nbsp;</span></div>
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<div><span style="font-family: Montserrat;"><span style="font-family: Montserrat; color: #7a99ac;"><strong>What do you enjoy the most about your job?</strong></span> Building relationships with customers. Learning what is important to their operations and how I can bring value to them to create a strong partnership.... And the opportunity to take them out for a round of golf, of course!&nbsp;</span></div>
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<div><span style="font-family: Montserrat;"><span style="font-family: Montserrat; color: #7a99ac;"><strong>Where did you grow up?</strong> </span>Charlotte, NC&nbsp;</span></div>
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<div><span style="font-family: Montserrat;"><span style="font-family: Montserrat; color: #7a99ac;"><strong>What was the first job you ever had?</strong> </span>Working in the produce department at The Fresh Market.&nbsp;</span></div>
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<div><span style="font-family: Montserrat;"><span style="font-family: Montserrat; color: #7a99ac;"><strong>If you weren’t in the facilities industry, what would you be doing?</strong></span> Probably coaching baseball or talking sports somewhere.&nbsp;</span></div>
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<div><span style="font-family: Montserrat;"><span style="font-family: Montserrat; color: #7a99ac;"><strong>What is the best advice you ever received?</strong></span> The most important thing in life, is to enjoy life!&nbsp;</span></div>
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<div><span style="font-family: Montserrat;"><span style="font-family: Montserrat; color: #7a99ac;"><strong>Who is your favorite sports team?</strong></span> Chicago Cubs&nbsp;</span></div>
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<div><span style="font-family: Montserrat;"><span style="font-family: Montserrat; color: #7a99ac;"><strong>What chore do you absolutely hate doing?</strong></span> Anything that has to do with leaves in the fall.&nbsp;</span></div>
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<div><span style="font-family: Montserrat;"><span style="font-family: Montserrat; color: #7a99ac;"><strong>What’s your favorite type of food?</strong> </span>Tie between pizza and Eastern North Carolina BBQ&nbsp;</span></div>
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<div><span style="font-family: Montserrat;"><span style="font-family: Montserrat; color: #7a99ac;"><strong>If you could meet an iconic person from history, who would it be?</strong></span> Jackie Robinson</span></div>
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<pubDate>Mon, 10 Apr 2023 15:09:24 GMT</pubDate>
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<title>Meet Our Member, Shawn Coe, CRFP</title>
<link>https://www.rfmaonline.com/members/blog_view.asp?id=1232254&amp;post=484028</link>
<guid>https://www.rfmaonline.com/members/blog_view.asp?id=1232254&amp;post=484028</guid>
<description><![CDATA[<div><span style="font-family: Montserrat;"><span style="color: #7a99ac;"><img alt="" src="https://cdn.ymaws.com/rfmaonline.site-ym.com/resource/resmgr/blogs/profiles/1.16.23_shawn_coe,_crfp.jpg" width="100%" /></span></span></div>
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<div><span style="font-family: Montserrat;"><span style="color: #7a99ac;"><strong>What year did you join RFMA?</strong></span> 2018&nbsp;</span></div>
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<div><span style="font-family: Montserrat;"><span style="color: #7a99ac;"><strong>Why did you join RFMA?</strong></span> I joined RFMA for educational opportunities and this is an area that I still gain great benefit from the organization.&nbsp;</span></div>
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<div><span style="font-family: Montserrat;"><span style="color: #7a99ac;"><strong>What do you like most about RFMA?</strong></span> THE PEOPLE. The organization and its members are great individuals. Grateful to connect with a large group of people and share best business practices.&nbsp;</span></div>
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<div><span style="font-family: Montserrat;"><span style="color: #7a99ac;"><strong>Which RFMA resource do you utilize the most and why? </strong></span><em>Facilitator</em> Magazine is my top used resource. It has great articles and ads featuring new/useful products for the trade. The magazine helps me stay on top of my game.&nbsp;</span></div>
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<div><span style="font-family: Montserrat;"><span style="color: #7a99ac;"><strong>What do you enjoy the most about your job?</strong></span> Maybe I am just a people person, but I love working with operators and teaching them "how to fish." With my leadership at Panda, I am encouraged to do the things that I believe will have the most impact with our operations team. Training is always well received by our operations partners.&nbsp;</span></div>
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<div><span style="font-family: Montserrat;"><span style="color: #7a99ac;"><strong>Where did you grow up?</strong> </span>I grew up everywhere. Born in New York and raised in Miami and LA.&nbsp;</span></div>
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<div><span style="font-family: Montserrat;"><span style="color: #7a99ac;"><strong>What was the first job you ever had?</strong></span> First restaurant job I ever held was as a dishwasher when I was 14. Not like the role of a dishwasher today with a dishwashing machine. It was just me, a scrubbing pad, and my 3-comp sink. I learned the value of a hard day’s work.&nbsp;</span></div>
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<div><span style="font-family: Montserrat;"><span style="color: #7a99ac;"><strong>What is the most surprising thing you've learned about the restaurant world? </strong></span>This is not a surprise, its more an acknowledgment of operators and their ingenuity. They amaze me every day with what they are able to do and come up with to resolve an issue. .&nbsp;</span></div>
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<div><span style="font-family: Montserrat;"><strong><span style="color: #7a99ac;">If you weren’t in the facilities industry, what would you be doing?</span> </strong>It would have to follow one of my other passions. Soccer Coach, Chef, Scuba Diving Instructor.&nbsp;</span></div>
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<div><strong><span style="font-family: Montserrat;"></span></strong><span style="font-family: Montserrat; color: #7a99ac;"><strong>What is the best advice you ever received?</strong> </span><span style="font-family: Montserrat;">The way you do anything is the way you do everything. Panda proverb 1.1. I connect with it because it’s a challenge to be the best version of yourself, and if I hold myself to those standards, I will be that better version.&nbsp;</span></div>
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<div><span style="font-family: Montserrat;"><span style="color: #7a99ac;"><strong>Who is your favorite sports team?</strong></span> Miami Dolphins&nbsp;</span></div>
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<div><span style="font-family: Montserrat;"><span style="color: #7a99ac;"><strong>What chore do you absolutely hate doing?</strong></span> Any chore. I do well focusing on the things I am passionate about and finding solutions for anything "chore" related.&nbsp;</span></div>
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<div><span style="font-family: Montserrat;"><span style="color: #7a99ac;"><strong>What is the name of the last book you read?</strong></span> Just finished reading Sam Walton's <span style="text-decoration: underline;">Made in America.</span> Amazing the perseverance it took to build that brand.&nbsp;<br />
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<div><span style="font-family: Montserrat;"><strong>&nbsp;</strong></span></div>
<div><strong><span style="font-family: Montserrat;"></span><span style="font-family: Montserrat; color: #7a99ac;">What’s your favorite type of food?</span></strong><span style="font-family: Montserrat;"> My favorite type of food is a good old deli sandwich.&nbsp;</span></div>
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</span><span style="font-family: Montserrat; color: #7a99ac;"><strong>Do you have a secret talent and if so, what is it?</strong></span><span style="font-family: Montserrat;"> My secret talent is pen making. Love to turn on the lathe and take a block of wood or acrylic and make it into something of value.&nbsp;</span></div>
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</span><span style="font-family: Montserrat; color: #7a99ac;"><strong>If you could meet an iconic person from history, who would it be?</strong></span><span style="font-family: Montserrat;"> Abraham Lincoln</span></div>]]></description>
<pubDate>Mon, 16 Jan 2023 18:17:29 GMT</pubDate>
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<title>Meet Our Member, Jonnye Chasteen</title>
<link>https://www.rfmaonline.com/members/blog_view.asp?id=1232254&amp;post=483148</link>
<guid>https://www.rfmaonline.com/members/blog_view.asp?id=1232254&amp;post=483148</guid>
<description><![CDATA[<p><span style="color: #7a99ac;"><img alt="" src="https://cdn.ymaws.com/rfmaonline.site-ym.com/resource/resmgr/blogs/profiles/small_header_jonnye_chasteen.jpg" width="100%" /></span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: Montserrat;"><span style="font-family: Montserrat; color: #7a99ac;"><span style="font-family: Montserrat; color: #7a99ac;"><br />
<strong>What year did you join RFMA?</strong></span><span style="font-family: Montserrat;">&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: Montserrat;"><span style="color: #75787b;">2021</span></span></span></span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: Montserrat;"><span style="font-family: Montserrat; color: #7a99ac;">
<strong>Why did you join RFMA?</strong> </span>To find a community within an industry that I was new to. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: Montserrat;"><span style="font-family: Montserrat; color: #7a99ac;"><strong>What do you like most about RFMA?</strong></span> The people! They are so friendly and welcoming. I look forward to reuniting at every event - it has been a great organization to be a part of! </span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: Montserrat;"><span style="font-family: Montserrat; color: #7a99ac;"><strong>Which RFMA resource do you utilize the most and why?</strong> </span>The <em>Facilitator magazine </em>- as a team, we like to study the current articles and keep up with what is going on within our own vertical and others. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: Montserrat;"><span style="font-family: Montserrat; color: #7a99ac;"><strong>What do you enjoy the most about your job? </strong></span>I enjoy connecting with people and learning about them (mostly their dogs). </span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: Montserrat;"><span style="font-family: Montserrat; color: #7a99ac;"><strong>Where did you grow up? </strong></span>Dallas, Texas </span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: Montserrat;"><span style="font-family: Montserrat; color: #7a99ac;"><strong>What was the first job you ever had?</strong></span> I was a cashier/stocker for a baby clothing resale store. It lasted two weeks, and then I started waiting tables. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: Montserrat;"><span style="font-family: Montserrat; color: #7a99ac;"><strong>What is the most surprising thing you've learned about the restaurant world? </strong></span>There are SO many moving pieces within each leg of operations. The variables that affect success within the restaurant world are never-ending. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: Montserrat;"><span style="font-family: Montserrat; color: #7a99ac;"><strong>If you weren’t in the facilities industry, what would you be doing?</strong></span> I would probably own a wine bar or coffee shop in a perfect world. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: Montserrat;"><span style="font-family: Montserrat; color: #7a99ac;"><strong>What is the best advice you ever received?</strong></span> Do what you are afraid to do! </span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: Montserrat;"><span style="font-family: Montserrat; color: #7a99ac;"><strong>Who is your favorite sports team?</strong></span> LSU and Saints </span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: Montserrat;"><span style="font-family: Montserrat; color: #7a99ac;"><strong>What chore do you absolutely hate doing?</strong> </span>Dishes! </span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: Montserrat;"><span style="font-family: Montserrat; color: #7a99ac;"><strong>What is one of your favorite quotes?</strong>&nbsp;</span>"There will always be wind. And like so many things in life, we can’t control the wind. But we can learn how to respond to it. And it’s always a choice." - Sara Blakely </span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: Montserrat;"><span style="font-family: Montserrat; color: #7a99ac;"><strong>What’s your favorite type of food?</strong></span> Cajun food </span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: Montserrat;"><span style="font-family: Montserrat; color: #7a99ac;"><strong>Do you have a secret talent and if so, what is it?</strong> </span>I play piano and guitar, as well as sing.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: Montserrat;"><span style="font-family: Montserrat; color: #7a99ac;"><strong>If you could meet an iconic person from history, who would it be?</strong></span> Etta James or Janis Joplin</span></p>]]></description>
<pubDate>Mon, 13 Feb 2023 14:43:12 GMT</pubDate>
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<title>Meet Our Member, Cole Smith </title>
<link>https://www.rfmaonline.com/members/blog_view.asp?id=1232254&amp;post=483077</link>
<guid>https://www.rfmaonline.com/members/blog_view.asp?id=1232254&amp;post=483077</guid>
<description><![CDATA[<div><span style="color: #75787b;"><strong><span style="color: #7a99ac;">&nbsp;</span></strong></span></div>
&nbsp;&nbsp;<img alt="" src="https://cdn.ymaws.com/rfmaonline.site-ym.com/resource/resmgr/blogs/profiles/cole_smith_small_header.jpg" width="100%" />
<div><span style="color: #75787b;"><strong><span style="color: #7a99ac;">&nbsp;</span></strong></span></div>
<div><span style="color: #75787b;"><span style="font-family: Montserrat;"><span style="font-size: 14px;"><strong><span style="color: #7a99ac;">What year did you join RFMA?</span></strong> 2018&nbsp;</span></span></span></div>
<div><span style="font-size: 14px; font-family: Montserrat; color: #75787b;">&nbsp;</span></div>
<div><span style="font-size: 14px; font-family: Montserrat; color: #75787b;"><span style="color: #7a99ac;"><strong>Why did you join RFMA?</strong></span> I joined RFMA to help start our facility program at Dutch Bros., get to know potential future service providers and vendors, increase my knowledge in the facility management industry, and to network.&nbsp;</span></div>
<div><span style="font-size: 14px; font-family: Montserrat; color: #75787b;">&nbsp;</span></div>
<div><span style="font-size: 14px; font-family: Montserrat; color: #75787b;"><strong><span style="color: #7a99ac;">What do you like most about RFMA?</span></strong> Meeting new people every year, building relationships and the learning experience every year.&nbsp;</span></div>
<div><span style="font-size: 14px; font-family: Montserrat; color: #7a99ac;"><strong>&nbsp;</strong></span></div>
<div><span style="font-size: 14px; font-family: Montserrat; color: #75787b;"><strong><span style="color: #7a99ac;">Which RFMA resource do you utilize the most and why? </span></strong>Probably RFMA members and vendor member directory.&nbsp;</span></div>
<div><span style="font-size: 14px; font-family: Montserrat; color: #75787b;">&nbsp;</span></div>
<div><span style="font-size: 14px; font-family: Montserrat; color: #75787b;"><span style="color: #7a99ac;"><strong>What do you enjoy the most about your job?</strong></span> I enjoy being the hero in disguise. We keep our shops open which in turn helps our employees service our customers. Dutch Bros. has always been about the customer and if you were to visit a shop, you would experience this firsthand. The amount and ways Dutch Bros. gives back to our communities is what keeps me working hard every day to keep our shops running to the very best of its potential.&nbsp;</span></div>
<div><span style="font-size: 14px; font-family: Montserrat; color: #75787b;">&nbsp;</span></div>
<div><span style="font-size: 14px; font-family: Montserrat; color: #75787b;"><strong><span style="color: #7a99ac;">Where did you grow up?</span></strong> Stayton, OR&nbsp;</span></div>
<div><span style="font-size: 14px; font-family: Montserrat; color: #75787b;">&nbsp;</span></div>
<div><span style="font-size: 14px; font-family: Montserrat; color: #75787b;"><strong><span style="color: #7a99ac;">What was the first job you ever had? </span></strong>Working as a midnight janitorial and cleaning crew for local businesses.&nbsp;</span></div>
<div><span style="font-size: 14px; font-family: Montserrat; color: #75787b;">&nbsp;</span></div>
<div><span style="font-size: 14px; font-family: Montserrat; color: #75787b;"><span style="color: #7a99ac;"><strong>What is the most surprising thing you've learned about the restaurant world? </strong></span>How busy it is.&nbsp;</span></div>
<div><span style="font-size: 14px; font-family: Montserrat; color: #75787b;">&nbsp;</span></div>
<div><span style="font-size: 14px; font-family: Montserrat; color: #75787b;"><strong><span style="color: #7a99ac;">If you weren’t in the facilities industry, what would you be doing? </span></strong>Probably learning a new trade, potentially elevator trade or electrical trade.&nbsp;</span></div>
<div><span style="font-size: 14px; font-family: Montserrat; color: #75787b;">&nbsp;</span></div>
<div><span style="font-size: 14px; font-family: Montserrat; color: #75787b;"><span style="color: #7a99ac;"><strong>What is the best advice you ever received?</strong></span> The most dangerous phrase ever used in business is: "It's always been done this way."&nbsp;</span></div>
<div><span style="font-size: 14px; font-family: Montserrat; color: #7a99ac;"><em><strong>&nbsp;</strong></em></span></div>
<div><span style="font-size: 14px; font-family: Montserrat; color: #75787b;"><strong><span style="color: #7a99ac;">Who is your favorite sports team?</span></strong> Denver Broncos&nbsp;</span></div>
<div><span style="font-size: 14px; font-family: Montserrat; color: #75787b;">&nbsp;</span></div>
<div><span style="font-size: 14px; font-family: Montserrat; color: #75787b;"><strong><span style="color: #7a99ac;">What chore do you absolutely hate doing?</span></strong> Laundry&nbsp;</span></div>
<div><span style="font-size: 14px; font-family: Montserrat; color: #75787b;">&nbsp;</span></div>
<div><span style="font-size: 14px; font-family: Montserrat; color: #75787b;"><strong><span style="color: #7a99ac;">What is one of your favorite quotes?</span></strong>&nbsp;"You must be the change you wish to see in the world."</span></div>
<div><span style="font-size: 14px; font-family: Montserrat; color: #75787b;">&nbsp;</span></div>
<div><span style="font-size: 14px; font-family: Montserrat; color: #75787b;"><strong><span style="color: #7a99ac;">What’s your favorite type of food? </span></strong>Mexican; Specifically, tacos</span></div>
<div><span style="font-size: 14px; font-family: Montserrat; color: #7a99ac;"><strong>&nbsp;</strong></span></div>
<div><span style="font-size: 14px; font-family: Montserrat; color: #75787b;"><strong><span style="color: #7a99ac;">Do you have a secret talent and if so, what is it?</span></strong> Cooking&nbsp;</span></div>
<div><span style="font-size: 14px; font-family: Montserrat; color: #75787b;">&nbsp;</span></div>
<div><span style="font-family: Montserrat; color: #75787b;"><span style="font-size: 14px;"><strong><span style="color: #7a99ac;">If you could meet an iconic person from history, who would it be?<span style="color: #75787b;"> </span></span></strong>Michael Schumacher</span></span></div>
<div><span style="font-family: Merriweather;">&nbsp;</span></div>]]></description>
<pubDate>Mon, 9 Jan 2023 15:00:44 GMT</pubDate>
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<title>Meet our Member, Todd Graham, CRFP</title>
<link>https://www.rfmaonline.com/members/blog_view.asp?id=1232254&amp;post=482257</link>
<guid>https://www.rfmaonline.com/members/blog_view.asp?id=1232254&amp;post=482257</guid>
<description><![CDATA[<span style="font-family: Montserrat;"><strong><span style="color: #7a99ac;"><img alt="" src="https://www.rfmaonline.com/resource/resmgr/member_pro_files/Todd_Graham,CRFP_small_heade.png" width="100%" height="17%" /><br />
<br />
What year did you join RFMA?</span></strong> 2011<br />
<br />
<span style="color: #7a99ac;"><strong>Why did you join RFMA?</strong></span> Networking, professional development and vendor access.<br />
<br />
<strong><span style="color: #7a99ac;">What do you like most about RFMA? </span></strong>I like the annual conferences. It provides exposure to vendors that I would not get otherwise. I enjoy seeing the latest trends in our industry and new technology that is presented. It's also a great opportunity to meet new friends and catch up with old friends. The classes are excellent opportunities to grow and develop professionally.<br />
<strong><span style="color: #7a99ac;"><br />
What do you enjoy the most about your job?</span></strong> Every day presents a new challenge to solve. You'll never truly be able to say you've seen or done it all in this profession. Additionally, the people I work with in our facilities team are outstanding and treat each other like family.<br />
<br />
<strong><span style="color: #7a99ac;">Where did you grow up?</span></strong> Born in Canada,but spent most of my life in Texas.<br />
<br />
<strong><span style="color: #7a99ac;">What was the first job you ever had?</span></strong> My first job as a junior in high school was as an assistant maintenance tech at an apartment complex. That's truly where my facilities management journey began.<br />
<br />
<strong><span style="color: #7a99ac;">What is the most surprising thing you've learned about the restaurant world?</span></strong> I never worked in a restaurant until I became a facilities manager. So everything I saw behind the scene was new to me. I had no idea how hard it is for a manager to run a store successfully.<br />
<br />
<strong><span style="color: #7a99ac;">If you weren’t in the facilities industry, what would you be doing?</span></strong> I've always enjoyed the construction trade. If I wasn't a facility manager, I'd likely be doing something in new construction.<br />
<br />
<strong><span style="color: #7a99ac;">What is the best advice you ever received?</span></strong> I was once told by a retiring facility manager that to be successful you have to devote as much time to project execution as you do to building relationships with the restaurant teams. Too much focus one way or another makes you less impactful.<br />
<br />
<strong><span style="color: #7a99ac;">Who is your favorite sports team?</span></strong> I'm a Dallas Cowboys fan.<br />
<strong><span style="color: #7a99ac;"> <br />
What chore do you absolutely hate doing?</span></strong> I hate doing dishes. Fortunately, my wife actually enjoys it so it's rare that I have to perform that task. She always says I load the dishwasher wrong.<br />
<strong><span style="color: #7a99ac;"><br />
What is one of your favorite quotes?</span></strong> "What e'er thou art, act well thy part." John Allan<br />
<br />
<span style="color: #7a99ac;"><strong>What’s your favorite type of food?</strong></span> Steak and potatoes all the way!</span><br />]]></description>
<pubDate>Mon, 12 Dec 2022 16:28:38 GMT</pubDate>
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<title>Meet Our Member, Cory Briddle</title>
<link>https://www.rfmaonline.com/members/blog_view.asp?id=1232254&amp;post=481186</link>
<guid>https://www.rfmaonline.com/members/blog_view.asp?id=1232254&amp;post=481186</guid>
<description><![CDATA[<p><strong><span style="color: #7a99ac;"><img alt="" src="https://www.rfmaonline.com/resource/resmgr/member_pro_files/C.Briddle_Member_PROfile_Sma.png" width="100%" height="17%" /><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Montserrat;">What year did you join RFMA?</span></span></strong><span style="font-family: Montserrat;"> 2018 </span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: Montserrat;"><span style="font-family: Montserrat; color: #7a99ac;"><strong>Why did you join RFMA? </strong></span>I was looking for networking and education opportunities but got so much more. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: Montserrat;"><strong><span style="color: #7a99ac;">What do you like most about RFMA?</span></strong>I love the culture of the organization. I love the level of involvement that is available for members on either side of the fence and RFMA does a great job with mingling opportunities for Restaurant and vendor members. Also have to say that the RFMA staff genuinely cares about the quality of everybody's experience. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: Montserrat;"><span style="font-family: Montserrat; color: #7a99ac;"><strong>Which RFMA resource do you utilize the most and why?</strong></span> I use the education and networking resources the most. I use the networking to build relationships with new companies and strengthen our existing relationships. The education is a great tool for me and my entire company. We use the education resource from RFMA to assist in training our team members.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: Montserrat;"><span style="font-family: Montserrat; color: #7a99ac;"><strong>What do you enjoy the most about your job? </strong></span>My favorite thing is and always will be meeting all the interesting people. I mean love when we get to be the Super Hero and get problems solved for our clients but more than anything I love that we get to know people from all walks of life in this industry. There are just so many COOL RFMA members.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: Montserrat;"><strong><span style="color: #7a99ac;">Where did you grow up?</span></strong> Torrington, Wyoming </span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: Montserrat;"><span style="font-family: Montserrat; color: #7a99ac;"><strong>What was the first job you ever had?</strong></span> The first official job I had was at 13 when I got my first paper route. I was always an entrepreneur though. Before my paper route, in the summers I pushed a lawn mower around town knocked on doors and in the winter went door to door with a snow shovel. Learned how to deal with NO's well :) </span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: Montserrat;"><strong><span style="color: #7a99ac;">What is the most surprising thing you've learned about the restaurant world?</span></strong> I think it would have to be the amount of moving parts to make any restaurant run efficiently was the most surprising to me. I think the saying, "It takes a village" also works here. I really didn't understand everything that went into running a restaurant until I got into Facilities. I have to say that FM's and there vendors are some of the most underrated super heroes out there.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: Montserrat;"><strong><span style="color: #7a99ac;">If you weren’t in the facilities industry, what would you be doing?</span></strong> A lawyer or a sales job.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: Montserrat;"><strong><span style="color: #7a99ac;">What is the best advice you ever received?</span></strong> There is no single piece of advise that completely changed my my life. I learn a lot more by watching people. I inherited a great work ethic from my dad & grandpa. They were the pull yourself up by your bootstraps kind of guys. They were both tradesmen & people earned their respect by being hard workers. My grandpa always introduced his friends by there name and then saying, "he's a hard worker </span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: Montserrat;"><span style="font-family: Montserrat; color: #7a99ac;"><strong>Who is your favorite sports team?</strong></span> Raiders </span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: Montserrat;"><strong><span style="color: #7a99ac;">What chore do you absolutely hate doing?</span></strong> Putting away dishes. Don't mind washing them at all but I hate putting them away for some reason. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: Montserrat;"><strong><span style="color: #7a99ac;">What is one of your favorite quotes OR the name of the last book you read? </span></strong><i>The Ride of a Lifetime</i> by Robert Iger </span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: Montserrat;"><strong><span style="color: #7a99ac;">What’s your favorite type of food?</span></strong> All-time favorite is Pizza. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: Montserrat;"><strong><span style="color: #7a99ac;">Do you have a secret talent and if so, what is it?</span></strong> If I told you it wouldn't be a secret anymore.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: Montserrat;"><strong><span style="color: #7a99ac;">If you could meet an iconic person from history, who would it be?</span></strong> Nelson Mandela</span></p>]]></description>
<pubDate>Mon, 14 Nov 2022 16:02:03 GMT</pubDate>
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<title>Meet our RFMA member, Paul Doughty, CRFP!</title>
<link>https://www.rfmaonline.com/members/blog_view.asp?id=1232254&amp;post=479486</link>
<guid>https://www.rfmaonline.com/members/blog_view.asp?id=1232254&amp;post=479486</guid>
<description><![CDATA[<p><img alt="" src="https://cdn.ymaws.com/rfmaonline.site-ym.com/resource/resmgr/member_pro_files/paul_doughty,_crfp_member_pr.png" width="100%" height="17%" /><br />
<strong><span style="color: #7a99ac;"><br />
<span style="font-family: Montserrat;">What year did you join RFMA?</span></span></strong><span style="font-family: Montserrat;"> 2015<br />
</span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: Montserrat;"><span style="font-family: Montserrat; color: #7a99ac;"><strong>Why did you join RFMA?</strong></span> I joined RFMA for the networking, and the opportunities to increase my industry specific knowledge. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: Montserrat;"><span style="font-family: Montserrat; color: #7a99ac;"><strong>What do you like most about RFMA?</strong></span> I love the FMs who I have worked with and learned from. It is a great group to spend time with. The greatest find is the vendor base and relationships that have developed from RFMA events. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: Montserrat;"><strong><span style="color: #7a99ac;">Which RFMA resource do you utilize the most and why?</span></strong> <i>Facilitator </i>magazine is valuable. I usually read the paper copy and the online copy. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: Montserrat;"><strong><span style="color: #7a99ac;">What do you enjoy the most about your job?</span></strong> I enjoy making a difference in people's lives by helping them to learn and maximize their earnings through coaching shop leaders and other facility managers. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: Montserrat;"><strong><span style="color: #7a99ac;">Where did you grow up?</span></strong> Central Texas </span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: Montserrat;"><span style="font-family: Montserrat; color: #7a99ac;"><strong>What was the first job you ever had? </strong></span>I grew up on a farm, so I started gathering eggs and feeding chickens at age 5 or so. The work seemed to get harder each year as I grew older. My first jobs outside of the farm were delivering newspapers and then working at McDonalds when I turned 15. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: Montserrat;"><strong><span style="color: #7a99ac;">What is the most surprising thing you've learned about the restaurant world?</span></strong> Understanding the urgency of items, and the relative importance to operation success has been my biggest takeaway from facilities so far. It is important to establish the processes and network to handle all types of issues at any time. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: Montserrat;"><strong><span style="color: #7a99ac;">If you weren’t in the facilities industry, what would you be doing?</span></strong> I don't know. I can't imagine not being in facilities. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: Montserrat;"><strong><span style="color: #7a99ac;">What is the best advice you ever received?</span></strong> You can't change the past, but you can write the rest of your story starting today. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: Montserrat;"><strong><span style="color: #7a99ac;">Who is your favorite sports team?</span></strong> The Dallas Cowboys </span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: Montserrat;"><strong><span style="color: #7a99ac;">What is title of the last book you read?</span></strong> Last book I read was <em>A Good Life All The Way</em>&nbsp;by Jimmy Buffet.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: Montserrat;"><strong><span style="color: #7a99ac;">What’s your favorite type of food?</span></strong> Mexican Food </span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: Montserrat;"><strong><span style="color: #7a99ac;">Do you have a secret talent and if so, what is it?</span></strong> I am a member of the Professional Bowlers Association. I love to bowl and spend way too much money on bowling balls. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: Montserrat;"><strong><span style="color: #7a99ac;">If you could meet an iconic person from history, who would it be?</span></strong> William Wilberforce</span></p>]]></description>
<pubDate>Mon, 10 Oct 2022 15:43:20 GMT</pubDate>
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<title>Meet our RFMA member, Jana Coyle!</title>
<link>https://www.rfmaonline.com/members/blog_view.asp?id=1232254&amp;post=477012</link>
<guid>https://www.rfmaonline.com/members/blog_view.asp?id=1232254&amp;post=477012</guid>
<description><![CDATA[<span style="font-family: Montserrat;"><strong><span style="color: #7a99ac;"><img alt="" src="https://www.rfmaonline.com/resource/resmgr/Jana_Coyle_Member_PROfile_Sm.png" width="100%" height="17%" /><br />
<br />
What year did you join RFMA?</span></strong> 2018<br />
<br />
<strong><span style="color: #7a99ac;">Why did you join RFMA?</span> </strong>To network with fellow facility maintenance professionals who can help me learn and grow in the industry.<br />
<br />
<span style="color: #7a99ac;"><strong>What do you like most about RFMA?</strong></span> The people! Everyone from the staff to the members are such a motivating and positive influence. Truly appreciate the comradery of everyone in the organization.<br />
<br />
<strong><span style="color: #7a99ac;">Which RFMA resource do you utilize the most and why? </span></strong>RFMA SocialLink - I use it daily to keep up with the events, questions, comments and new members.<br />
<br />
<strong><span style="color: #7a99ac;">What do you enjoy the most about your job?</span></strong> I am amazed daily with the people at BrandPoint Services. We have such a diverse group of experts within each division and they are always willing to help. The sales team is very supportive and always finds new ways to support our client's needs. I am beyond blessed to be involved with such a dynamic and ethical company.<br />
<br />
<strong><span style="color: #7a99ac;">Where did you grow up?</span></strong> Texas - Born and Raised!<br />
<br />
<strong><span style="color: #7a99ac;">What was the first job you ever had? </span></strong>Besides working in my Dad's lumber yard in my early teens, the first job that I did without family connections was shoe sales at an exclusive department store during high school.<br />
<br />
<strong><span style="color: #7a99ac;">What is the most surprising thing you've learned about the restaurant world?</span></strong> Restaurant clients do not treat a restaurant toilet like they would do their own at home! The things pulled out of clogged toilets is amazing.<br />
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<strong><span style="color: #7a99ac;">If you weren’t in the facilities industry, what would you be doing?</span></strong> If not in facilities, I would probably be bored. However, I do have a passion for animals, so I would like to be involved in animal rescue.<br />
<strong><span style="color: #7a99ac;"><br />
What is the best advice you ever received? </span></strong>"Remember who brought you to the dance" My dad always said this to me to remember the people (clients/friends) that got you where you are. Don't ever forget to show your appreciation and support to them at all times.<br />
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<strong><span style="color: #7a99ac;">Who is your favorite sports team?</span></strong> Nebraska Huskers - GO BIG RED!<br />
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<strong><span style="color: #7a99ac;">What chore do you absolutely hate doing?</span></strong> Emptying the dishwasher or poop patrol in the backyard.<br />
<br />
<strong><span style="color: #7a99ac;">What is one of your favorite quotes?</span></strong> "You never know what your customer needs unless you ask them. Take time to listen then find a solution."<br />
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<strong><span style="color: #7a99ac;">What is the last book you read?</span></strong> - I read a lot, Varying genre from historical to romance. Depends upon my mood.<br />
<br />
<strong><span style="color: #7a99ac;">What’s your favorite type of food?</span></strong> Mexican food<br />
<br />
<strong><span style="color: #7a99ac;">Do you have a secret talent and if so, what is it?</span></strong> I am an equestrian and participated in Hunter/Jumpers until recently (being terrified of heights, this was a huge accomplishment). I love anything with water, especially scuba diving.<br />
<br />
<strong><span style="color: #7a99ac;">If you could meet an iconic person from history, who would it be?</span></strong> Ronald Reagan</span>]]></description>
<pubDate>Mon, 12 Sep 2022 13:35:14 GMT</pubDate>
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<title>Meet our RFMA Member, Carey Thomspon, CRFP</title>
<link>https://www.rfmaonline.com/members/blog_view.asp?id=1232254&amp;post=474204</link>
<guid>https://www.rfmaonline.com/members/blog_view.asp?id=1232254&amp;post=474204</guid>
<description><![CDATA[<p><span style="font-family: Montserrat;"><strong><span style="color: #7a99ac;"><img alt="" src="https://www.rfmaonline.com/resource/resmgr/member_pro_files/_Member_PROfile_Small_Header.png" width="100%" height="17%" /><br />
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What year did you join RFMA?</span></strong> 2009<br />
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<strong><span style="color: #7a99ac;">Why did you join RFMA?</span></strong> I wanted to get a broader picture of the facilities industry as a whole and to understand all the roles within it.<br />
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<span style="color: #7a99ac;"><strong>What do you like most about RFMA?</strong></span>  The people! The connections I've made over the years have been so valuable. I have been lucky enough to make life long friends as well.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: Montserrat;">
<span style="color: #7a99ac;"><strong>Which RFMA resource do you utilize the most and why?</strong></span> Annual Conference, RFMA-U webinars and Peer to Peer calls. The best practice sharing within this association has been invaluable to me.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: Montserrat;">
<span style="color: #7a99ac;"><strong>What do you enjoy the most about your job? </strong></span>Helping to drive and deliver a good experience and environment to my team members and customers.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: Montserrat;"><span style="color: #7a99ac;"><strong>Where did you grow up? </strong></span>Louisville, KY <br />
<strong><span style="color: #7a99ac;"></span></strong></span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: Montserrat;"><strong><span style="color: #7a99ac;">What was the first job you ever had? </span></strong>Target- I basically gave back every dime I made but I met Johnny Cash while working there. :) <br />
<strong><span style="color: #7a99ac;"></span></strong></span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: Montserrat;"><strong><span style="color: #7a99ac;">What is the most surprising thing you've learned about the restaurant world? </span></strong>How many parts and pieces have to be aligned for a restaurant environment to work efficiently and effectively. <br />
<span style="color: #7a99ac;"><strong></strong></span></span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: Montserrat;"><span style="color: #7a99ac;"><strong>If you weren’t in the facilities industry, what would you be doing? </strong></span>I could see myself doing something in interior design or closet organization. <br />
<strong><span style="color: #7a99ac;"></span></strong></span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: Montserrat;"><strong><span style="color: #7a99ac;">What is the best advice you ever received? </span></strong>When you know better, do better and also don't be afraid to make mistakes. <br />
<span style="color: #7a99ac;"><strong></strong></span></span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: Montserrat;"><span style="color: #7a99ac;"><strong>Who is your favorite sports team? </strong></span>Kentucky Wildcats <br />
<strong><span style="color: #7a99ac;"></span></strong></span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: Montserrat;"><strong><span style="color: #7a99ac;">What chore do you absolutely hate doing? </span></strong>Putting away clean laundry.<br />
<strong><span style="color: #7a99ac;"></span></strong></span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: Montserrat;"><strong><span style="color: #7a99ac;">What is one of your favorite quotes?</span></strong> "Happiness can be found, even in the darkest of times, if one only remembers to turn on the light." - Albus Dumbledore <br />
<span style="color: #7a99ac;"><strong></strong></span></span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: Montserrat;"><span style="color: #7a99ac;"><strong>What’s your favorite type of food? </strong></span>Pizza! <br />
<strong><span style="color: #7a99ac;"></span></strong></span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: Montserrat;"><strong><span style="color: #7a99ac;">Do you have a secret talent and if so, what is it? </span></strong>Yes, I do and it's a secret.<br />
<strong><span style="color: #7a99ac;"></span></strong></span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: Montserrat;"><strong><span style="color: #7a99ac;">If you could meet an iconic person from history, who would it be? </span></strong>Elvis- I just saw the movie and I have some questions for him.</span></p>]]></description>
<pubDate>Thu, 28 Jul 2022 16:43:06 GMT</pubDate>
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<title>Meet our RFMA member, Sarah Mason</title>
<link>https://www.rfmaonline.com/members/blog_view.asp?id=1232254&amp;post=472313</link>
<guid>https://www.rfmaonline.com/members/blog_view.asp?id=1232254&amp;post=472313</guid>
<description><![CDATA[<p><span style="font-family: Montserrat;"><span style="font-size: 14px;"><strong><span style="color: #7a99ac;"><img alt="" src="https://www.rfmaonline.com/resource/resmgr/member_pro_files/Sarah_Mason__Member_PROfile_.png" width="100%" height="17%" /><br />
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What year did you join RFMA? </span></strong>2018 </span></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 14px; font-family: Montserrat;"><span style="color: #7a99ac;"><strong>Why did you join RFMA?</strong> </span>I joined RFMA to expand my facilities knowledge and connections. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 14px; font-family: Montserrat;"><strong><span style="color: #7a99ac;">What do you like most about RFMA?</span> </strong>The fellowship. Being able to talk with people in the same industry is so beneficial. I learn a lot from my peers. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 14px; font-family: Montserrat;"><strong><span style="color: #7a99ac;">Which RFMA resource do you utilize the most and why?</span></strong> The Peer to Peer calls are my favorite. Learning best practices from others goes a long way, especially with the current state of things. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 14px; font-family: Montserrat;"><strong><span style="color: #7a99ac;">What do you enjoy the most about your job?</span></strong> I enjoy the chaos! There is always a new problem that needs solving. It keeps things interesting. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 14px; font-family: Montserrat;"><strong><span style="color: #7a99ac;">Where did you grow up?</span></strong> I grew up in Deer Park, TX. It is southeast of Houston. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 14px; font-family: Montserrat;"><strong><span style="color: #7a99ac;">What was the first job you ever had?</span> </strong>I was a host at Casa Ole, a local Mexican food restaurant. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 14px; font-family: Montserrat;"><strong><span style="color: #7a99ac;">What is the most surprising thing you've learned about the restaurant world?</span></strong> I have realized that I will never know it all. I did not expect to continue learning. I thought it would be more routine but I am glad it isn't. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 14px; font-family: Montserrat;"><span style="color: #7a99ac;"><strong>If you weren’t in the facilities industry, what would you be doing?</strong> </span>I would probably be a teacher. I love kids! </span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 14px; font-family: Montserrat;"><span style="color: #7a99ac;"><strong>What is the best advice you ever received?</strong>&nbsp;"</span>If you can't fly then run. if you can't run then walk. If you can't walk then crawl, but whatever you do, you have to keep moving forward." - MLK Jr. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 14px; font-family: Montserrat;"><span style="color: #7a99ac;"><strong>Who is your favorite sports team?</strong> </span>Whomever Tom Brady is playing for. I will reassess once he retires. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 14px; font-family: Montserrat;"><strong><span style="color: #7a99ac;">What chore do you absolutely hate doing?</span> </strong>Cleaning the bathrooms or taking out the trash! I need a maid that isn't me! </span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 14px; font-family: Montserrat;"><strong><span style="color: #7a99ac;">What is one of your favorite quotes?</span></strong> “I am no Jedi.” - Ahsoka Tano </span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 14px; font-family: Montserrat;"><strong><span style="color: #7a99ac;">What’s your favorite type of food?</span> </strong>Crawfish, crab legs or tacos! </span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 14px; font-family: Montserrat;"><strong><span style="color: #7a99ac;">Do you have a secret talent and if so, what is it?</span></strong> I am really good at video games. I actually used to compete. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: Montserrat;"><span style="font-size: 14px;"><strong><span style="color: #7a99ac;">If you could meet an iconic person from history, who would it be?</span></strong> Greg Popovich, Barack Obama, or George W. Bush</span></span></p>]]></description>
<pubDate>Mon, 6 Jun 2022 15:26:47 GMT</pubDate>
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<title>Meet our RFMA Member, Aaron Tusken, CRFP</title>
<link>https://www.rfmaonline.com/members/blog_view.asp?id=1232254&amp;post=468653</link>
<guid>https://www.rfmaonline.com/members/blog_view.asp?id=1232254&amp;post=468653</guid>
<description><![CDATA[<p>&nbsp;
<img alt="" src="https://www.rfmaonline.com/resource/resmgr/member_pro_files/Small_Member_PROfile_Header_.png" width="100%" height="17%" /></p>
<p><span style="font-family: Montserrat;"><strong><span style="color: #7a99ac;">What year did you join RFMA?</span></strong> 2019</span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: Montserrat;"><span style="font-family: Montserrat; color: #7a99ac;"><strong>Why did you join RFMA?</strong></span> I was in the field for 18 years as a tech and came to become our first FM for the company. I knew I needed to get around like-minded leaders, so I joined RFMA. It has spring-loaded my advancement and my mind shift that was needed coming from the field. Also, I wanted to get a certification in my field and the CRFP was the perfect one.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: Montserrat;"><span style="font-family: Montserrat; color: #7a99ac;"><strong>What do you like most about RFMA? </strong></span>The people! Great leaders are involved and are willing to take the time to coach and support the next generation of FMs. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: Montserrat;"><strong><span style="color: #7a99ac;">Which RFMA resource do you utilize the most and why?</span></strong> Peer to Peer and Peer to Partner calls have been my biggest resources. I have learned a lot and made good friends. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: Montserrat;"><strong><span style="color: #7a99ac;">What do you enjoy the most about your job?</span></strong> Being able to be involved in so many aspects of the company in order to ensure that our operators have a high quality building to function in. Also the people I work with is a big reason I enjoy my job. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: Montserrat;"><strong><span style="color: #7a99ac;">Where did you grow up?</span></strong> Grapevine, TX (God Bless Texas).&nbsp;</span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: Montserrat;"><strong><span style="color: #7a99ac;">What was the first job you ever had?</span></strong> Most people think its Main Event, but I actually worked at Austin Ranch first. I cooked, served and cleaned. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: Montserrat;"><strong><span style="color: #7a99ac;">What is the most surprising thing you've learned about the restaurant world?</span></strong> I know everyone says the same thing, but the daily challenges that occur with our position can and will surprise you. I've gone from dealing with bees in the morning to replacing a main water line in the evening. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: Montserrat;"><strong><span style="color: #7a99ac;">If you weren’t in the facilities industry, what would you be doing?</span></strong> There are many things that I could see myself doing but most likely I would be in law enforcement, like a game warden. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: Montserrat;"><strong><span style="color: #7a99ac;">What is the best advice you ever received? </span></strong>I have had a lot of great mentors in my past and they all have had such wise things to say. One that sticks with me to this day is, "Always try, if you break it, we can always fix it together."</span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: Montserrat;"><strong><span style="color: #7a99ac;">Who is your favorite sports team?</span></strong> All Dallas teams: Cowboys, Rangers, Mavericks and Stars.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: Montserrat;"><strong><span style="color: #7a99ac;">What chore do you absolutely hate doing? </span></strong>Laundry!!! And grocery shopping, unless the groceries are at Cabela’s. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: Montserrat;"><strong><span style="color: #7a99ac;">What is one of your favorite quotes?</span></strong> "Do or do not. There is no try." -Yoda &nbsp;</span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: Montserrat;"><span style="font-family: Montserrat; color: #7a99ac;"><strong>What’s your favorite type of food?</strong></span> Good old fashion Texas BBQ! With a side of grandma's banana pudding.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: Montserrat;"><span style="font-family: Montserrat; color: #7a99ac;"><strong>Do you have a secret talent and if so, what is it?</strong></span> Producing red headed identical twins. lol</span> </p>]]></description>
<pubDate>Mon, 6 Jun 2022 15:00:57 GMT</pubDate>
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<title>Meet our RFMA Member, Joe Savage</title>
<link>https://www.rfmaonline.com/members/blog_view.asp?id=1232254&amp;post=445122</link>
<guid>https://www.rfmaonline.com/members/blog_view.asp?id=1232254&amp;post=445122</guid>
<description><![CDATA[<p><span style="color: #7a99ac;"><strong><img alt="" src="https://www.rfmaonline.com/resource/resmgr/member_pro_files/Joe_Savge_Small_Header.png" width="100%" height="17%" /></strong></span></p>
<p><span style="color: #7a99ac;"><strong></strong></span><span style="font-family: Montserrat;"><span style="font-size: 14px;"><span style="font-family: Montserrat; font-size: 14px; color: #7a99ac;"><strong>What year did you join RFMA?</strong></span><strong><span style="color: #7a99ac;">&nbsp;</span></strong>2017</span></span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: Montserrat; font-size: 14px;"><span style="font-family: Montserrat; color: #7a99ac;"><strong>Why did you join RFMA?&nbsp;</strong></span>I heard about what RFMA could offer from Preston Funkhouser. I stayed a member because of the friends, mentors and vendor partnerships that were created beginning my first year of membership.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: Montserrat; font-size: 14px;"><strong><span style="color: #7a99ac;">What do you like most about RFMA?&nbsp;</span></strong>I appreciate that I can have honest discussions with my peer group regardless of brand or concept. While we all have trade secrets at our respective organizations, it seems like the willingness of other members/vendors to help and improve the overall profession is exceptional.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: Montserrat; font-size: 14px;"><span style="font-family: Montserrat; color: #7a99ac;"><strong>Which RFMA Resource do you utilize the most and why?</strong>&nbsp;</span>I tend to make the most of my membership at the annual conference by meeting and onboarding vendors who can help me fill regional service and trade gaps. It feels like an annual celebration of the work completed and a time to discuss upcoming projects and vision.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: Montserrat; font-size: 14px; color: #4f81bd;"><strong><span style="color: #7a99ac;">What do you enjoy the most about your job?&nbsp;</span></strong><span style="color: #7f7f7f;">Each day I have a set of known and unknown tasks to complete - I really enjoy those unknown challenges, especially those that I can personally resolve. It is even more rewarding when operators see the work being completed - it is then that the partnership strengthens.</span></span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: Montserrat; font-size: 14px;"><span style="font-family: Montserrat; color: #7a99ac;"><strong>Where is your hometown?</strong></span>&nbsp;Madison, MS</span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: Montserrat; font-size: 14px;"><span style="font-family: Montserrat; color: #7a99ac;"><strong>What was the first job you ever had?</strong>&nbsp;</span>Day care attendant for special needs children.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: Montserrat; font-size: 14px;"><span style="font-family: Montserrat; color: #7a99ac;"><strong>What is the most surprising thing you've learned about the restaurant world?</strong>&nbsp;</span>Regardless of concept, it seems that each restaurant has very similar set of challenges. I am constantly in awe of the talented professionals that surround me.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: Montserrat; font-size: 14px;"><strong><span style="color: #7a99ac;">If you weren't in the facilities industry, what would you be doing?&nbsp;</span></strong>Public accounting or audit</span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: Montserrat; font-size: 14px;"><strong><span style="color: #7a99ac;">What is the best advise you ever received?&nbsp;</span></strong><span style="color: #4f81bd;"><span style="color: #7f7f7f;">To be successful you have to have sincere and meaningful relationships with each person you come into contact with. Once those are established you will be amazed at what lengths you and they will go to support each other. "WTR"</span></span></span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: Montserrat; font-size: 14px;"><strong><span style="color: #7a99ac;">Who is your favorite sports team?&nbsp;</span></strong>New Orleans Saints</span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: Montserrat; font-size: 14px;"><strong><span style="color: #7a99ac;">What chore do you absolutely hate doing?</span></strong>&nbsp;Laundry and grocery shopping (ugh)</span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: Montserrat; font-size: 14px;"><strong><span style="color: #7a99ac;">What is one of your favorite quotes OR the name of the last book you read?</span></strong>&nbsp;The last book I read was "A technicians guide to Refrigeration" - a real page turner.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: Montserrat; font-size: 14px;"><span style="font-family: Montserrat; color: #7a99ac;"><strong>What's your favorite type of food?&nbsp;</strong></span>Brisket</span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: Montserrat; font-size: 14px;"><strong><span style="color: #7a99ac;">Do you have a secret talent and if so, what is it?</span></strong>&nbsp;I play trumpet.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: Montserrat; font-size: 14px;"><strong><span style="color: #7a99ac;">If you could meet an iconic person from history, who would it be?&nbsp;</span></strong>Mozart</span></p>
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<pubDate>Mon, 2 May 2022 14:57:43 GMT</pubDate>
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<title>Meet our RFMA Member, Tanya Arthurs-Paul</title>
<link>https://www.rfmaonline.com/members/blog_view.asp?id=1232254&amp;post=460645</link>
<guid>https://www.rfmaonline.com/members/blog_view.asp?id=1232254&amp;post=460645</guid>
<description><![CDATA[<p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 10px; font-family: Roboto, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; background-color: #ffffff;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #7a99ac;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 700;"><img alt="" src="https://www.rfmaonline.com/resource/resmgr/member_pro_files/TanyaArthurs_Small_Header.png" width="100%" height="17%" /></span></span></p>
<p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 10px; font-family: Roboto, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; background-color: #ffffff;"><span style="font-family: Montserrat;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Montserrat; color: #7a99ac;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 700;">What year did you join RFMA?</span></span><span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 700; font-family: Montserrat;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #7a99ac;">&nbsp;</span></span>2016</span></p>
<p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 10px; font-family: Roboto, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; background-color: #ffffff;"><span style="font-family: Montserrat;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Montserrat; color: #7a99ac;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 700;">Why did you join RFMA?&nbsp;</span></span>Starbucks fully supports its Facilities partners being RFMA members. When I joined the Facilities team in 2016, I was encouraged to become a RFMA member as part of my professional development journey.</span></p>
<p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 10px; font-family: Roboto, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; background-color: #ffffff;"><span style="font-family: Montserrat;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 700; font-family: Montserrat;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #7a99ac;">What do you like most about RFMA?&nbsp;</span></span>The networking opportunities.&nbsp;</span></p>
<p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 10px; font-family: Roboto, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; background-color: #ffffff;"><span style="font-family: Montserrat;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Montserrat; color: #7a99ac;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 700;">Which RFMA Resource do you utilize the most and why?</span>&nbsp;</span>The annual conference and roundtable sessions and classes that are a part of it. It's always awesome to get together with peers from other organizations to share best practices and resources.</span></p>
<p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 10px; font-family: Roboto, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; background-color: #ffffff;"><span style="font-family: Montserrat;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Montserrat; color: #4f81bd;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 700;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #7a99ac;">What do you enjoy the most about your job?&nbsp;</span></span><span style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #7f7f7f;"><span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #304457;"></span></span></span>The people and the ability to impact. I love being able to create a great working environment for our partners that enables them to turn around and create that environment for our customers.&nbsp;</span></p>
<p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 10px; font-family: Roboto, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; background-color: #ffffff;"><span style="font-family: Montserrat;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Montserrat; color: #7a99ac;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 700;">Where were you raised OR Where is your hometown?</span></span>&nbsp;Miami! I am a true Miami girl, from elementary school all the way through college.</span></p>
<p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 10px; font-family: Roboto, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; background-color: #ffffff;"><span style="font-family: Montserrat;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Montserrat; color: #7a99ac;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 700;">What is the most surprising thing you've learned about the restaurant world?</span>&nbsp;</span>What exactly goes on behind the scenes and how every little piece must come together for the experience to flow seamlessly.&nbsp;</span></p>
<p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 10px; font-family: Roboto, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; background-color: #ffffff;"><span style="font-family: Montserrat;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 700; font-family: Montserrat;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #7a99ac;">If you weren't in the facilities industry, what would you be doing?&nbsp;</span></span>Something in Diversity &amp; Inclusion.</span></p>
<p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 10px; font-family: Roboto, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; background-color: #ffffff;"><span style="font-family: Montserrat;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 700; font-family: Montserrat;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #7a99ac;">What is the best advise you ever received?&nbsp;</span></span>Stay true to who you are. People will try to change you and you still won’t be good enough. Stay true to who you are so at the end of the day you can take pride in knowing you showed up as your true authentic self.&nbsp;</span></p>
<p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 10px; font-family: Roboto, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; background-color: #ffffff;"><span style="font-family: Montserrat;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 700; font-family: Montserrat;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #7a99ac;">Who is your favorite sports team?</span></span>&nbsp;It was the New England Patriots but I’m really just a Tom Brady fan. I go where he goes!</span></p>
<p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 10px; font-family: Roboto, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; background-color: #ffffff;"><span style="font-family: Montserrat;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 700; font-family: Montserrat;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #7a99ac;">What chore do you absolutely hate doing?</span></span>&nbsp;LAUNDRY! It takes me 3-5 business days to get it all folded and put away.&nbsp;</span></p>
<p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 10px; font-family: Roboto, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; background-color: #ffffff;"><span style="font-family: Montserrat;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 700; font-family: Montserrat;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #7a99ac;">What is one of your favorite quotes OR the name of the last book you read?</span></span>&nbsp;"If you are not willing to learn, no one can help you. If you are determined to learn, no one can stop you."</span></p>
<p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 10px; font-family: Roboto, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; background-color: #ffffff;"><span style="font-family: Montserrat;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Montserrat; color: #7a99ac;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 700;">What's your favorite type of food?&nbsp;</span></span>It's a toss up between Jamaican and Thai.</span></p>
<p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 10px; font-family: Roboto, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; background-color: #ffffff;"><span style="font-family: Montserrat;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 700; font-family: Montserrat;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #7a99ac;">If you could meet an iconic person from history, who would it be?&nbsp;</span></span>Any Black woman that blazed a trail (Shirley Chisholm, Madam C.J. Walker, Harriet Tubman. Mary McLeo.&nbsp;</span></p>]]></description>
<pubDate>Mon, 21 Mar 2022 20:36:49 GMT</pubDate>
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<title>Meet our RFMA Member, JP Dalton</title>
<link>https://www.rfmaonline.com/members/blog_view.asp?id=1232254&amp;post=447766</link>
<guid>https://www.rfmaonline.com/members/blog_view.asp?id=1232254&amp;post=447766</guid>
<description><![CDATA[<p><strong><span style="color: #7a99ac;"><img alt="" src="https://www.rfmaonline.com/resource/resmgr/member_pro_files/JP_Dalton_Member_PROfile_Sma.png" width="100%" height="17%" /><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Montserrat;">What year did you join RFMA? </span></span></strong><span style="font-family: Montserrat;">2016</span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: Montserrat;"><span style="font-family: Montserrat; color: #7a99ac;"><strong>Why did you join RFMA? </strong></span>Annaji recruited me when she joined RFMA.&nbsp; She and I had worked together previously and she knew it would be a good fit for me.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: Montserrat;"><strong><span style="color: #7a99ac;">What do you like most about RFMA? </span></strong>RFMA membership brings so many benefits. I love the conference and networking with other members. I've participated in calls and enjoyed learning best practices from others. The bi-monthly <em>Facilitator</em> magazine is a great read. The connections I've made with vendors and peers has been so beneficial.&nbsp; I appreciate how willing everyone is to share and help others. I love it.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: Montserrat;"><span style="font-family: Montserrat; color: #7a99ac;"><strong>Which RFMA Resource do you utilize the most and why?</strong> </span>The conference and calls are what I've participated in the most. I'm learning the portal and want to use that more so I can better connect with my peers in the industry.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: Montserrat;"><span style="font-family: Montserrat; color: #7a99ac;"><strong>What do you enjoy the most about your job?</strong></span> I love helping people and creating scalable solutions that make life easier for teams in our restaurants. I enjoy cultivating relationships and creating partnerships that benefit both Savoy and our portfolio of brands and our vendor partners.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: Montserrat;"><span style="font-family: Montserrat; color: #7a99ac;"><strong>Where were you raised OR What is your hometown?</strong> </span>I was born in Provo, UT and moved to Juneau, Alaska when I was 12.&nbsp; I moved back to Utah 11 years ago.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: Montserrat;"><strong><span style="color: #7a99ac;">What was the first job you ever had?</span></strong> When I was 5 I would visit my dad's construction jobs and find things to do. First one I remember was scraping excess mortar off block walls. The first job I was paid for was being a runner at a law office when I was 14.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: Montserrat;"><span style="font-family: Montserrat; color: #7a99ac;"><strong>What is the most surprising thing you've learned about the restaurant world?</strong> </span>I've learned not to be surprised by anything! HA! Anything and everything can happen at a restaurant so you smile, figure it out and wait for the next opportunity to help.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: Montserrat;"><strong><span style="color: #7a99ac;">If you weren't in the facilities industry, what would you be doing? </span></strong>Advertising. I have a creative side and I like coming up with ideas to sell or promote.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: Montserrat;"><strong><span style="color: #7a99ac;">What is the best advise you ever received? </span></strong>I worked construction with my dad for many years. One day while I was not fully paying attention he told me he needed me to know what he needed before he knew he needed it.&nbsp; At that time that made no sense to me. What I learned was to be observant and analyze. To look for next steps and visualize the future. I've been able to identify needs well before needed and that has benefited us.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: Montserrat;"><strong><span style="color: #7a99ac;">Who is your favorite sports team? </span></strong>BYU Cougars. Go Cougs!!</span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: Montserrat;"><span style="font-family: Montserrat; color: #7a99ac;"><strong>What chore do you absolutely hate doing?</strong> </span>Laundry!</span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: Montserrat;"><span style="font-family: Montserrat; color: #7a99ac;"><strong>What is one of your favorite quotes OR the name of the last book you read?</strong>&nbsp;"</span>Positivity breeds success" is one of my favorite quotes. Choosing to be positive, because it's always a choice, solves so many problems and it builds momentum and strength.&nbsp; It's the perfect foundation to build from.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: Montserrat;"><span style="font-family: Montserrat; color: #7a99ac;"><strong>What's your favorite type of food? </strong></span>I love a good pasta with a nice white sauce and parmesan cheese.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: Montserrat;"><strong><span style="color: #7a99ac;">Do you have a secret talent and if so, what is it?</span></strong> I'm very empathetic. Sometimes it's a blessing and a curse to see and feel both sides of situations but it helps me be a peacemaker and better connect with people.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: Montserrat;"><strong><span style="color: #7a99ac;">If you could meet an iconic person from history, who would it be? </span></strong>Jesus Christ. The perfect exemplar. I would love to meet him, visit with him and thank him.</span></p>]]></description>
<pubDate>Fri, 18 Feb 2022 20:46:01 GMT</pubDate>
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<title>Meet our RFMA Member, Mike Snyder</title>
<link>https://www.rfmaonline.com/members/blog_view.asp?id=1232254&amp;post=382994</link>
<guid>https://www.rfmaonline.com/members/blog_view.asp?id=1232254&amp;post=382994</guid>
<description><![CDATA[<p><img alt="" src="https://www.rfmaonline.com/resource/resmgr/member_pro_files/Small_Header_Mike_Snyder.png" width="100%" height="17%" /></p>
<p><span style="font-family: Montserrat;"><b><span style="background: white; color: #7a99ac;">What year did you join RFMA?</span></b><span style="background: white; color: #75787b;"> 2004</span></span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: Montserrat;"><b><span style="background: white; color: #7a99ac;">Why did you join RFMA?</span></b><span style="background: white; color: #7a99ac;"> </span><span style="background: white; color: #75787b;">I attended the first RFMA meeting at the Westin in Dallas. Facilities management best practices were not commonly shared in the industry. This was a good opportunity to measure what our company was doing to manage our assets with other similar restaurant companies. Many best practices were not being shared amongst peers or within the service providers in the industry.</span><span style="background: white; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 106%; color: black;"></span></span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: Montserrat;"><b><span style="background: white; color: #7a99ac;">What do you like most about RFMA?</span></b><span style="background: white; color: #75787b;"> </span><span style="background: white; color: #75787b;">The resources that RFMA provides. There are a great range of resources available: networking with peers to share industry best practices, sourcing of vendors for all areas of service needs, industry certification that validates a FM subject knowledge, and the overall camaraderie with the industry professionals. Facilities management is a tough job, it is nice to get validation.</span></span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: Montserrat;"><b><span style="background: white; color: #7a99ac;">Which RFMA Resource do you utilize the most and why?</span></b><span style="background: white; color: #7a99ac;"> </span><span style="background: white; color: #75787b;">National Conference is my favorite because you get everything that RFMA has to offer in one place. Education, socialization, sourcing and fun... </span></span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: Montserrat;"><b><span style="background: white; color: #7a99ac;">What do you enjoy the most about your job?</span></b><span style="background: white; color: black;"> </span><span style="background: white; color: #75787b;">Providing the industry with a tool that allows the facilities team, operations teams and finance teams visibility and transparency into the facilities side of the restaurant business. It has always been difficult to define the value that a solid facilities program plays in the financial success of a restaurant company. Ecotrak allows the FM to be a responsible contributor to that success.</span></span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: Montserrat;"><b><span style="background: white; color: #7a99ac;">Where is your hometown?</span></b><span style="background: white; color: #7a99ac;"> </span><span style="background: white; color: #75787b;">Dallas, TX</span></span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: Montserrat;"><b><span style="background: white; color: #7a99ac;">What was the first job you ever had?</span></b><span style="background: white; color: #7a99ac;"> </span><span style="background: white; color: #75787b;">I sacked groceries at Tom Thumb and umpired youth league baseball.</span></span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: Montserrat;"><b><span style="background: white; color: #7a99ac;">What is the most surprising thing you've learned about the restaurant world</span></b><b><span style="background: white; color: #7a99ac;">?</span></b><span style="background: white; color: black;"> </span><span style="background: white; color: #75787b;">It is very difficult to create a business model that scales across multiple regions. Restaurant development has so many elements that must come together in order to command a universal demand. Food, service, design and value are hard to balance in order to create that winning brand.</span></span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: Montserrat;"><b><span style="background: white; color: #7a99ac;">If you weren’t in the facilities industry, what would you be doing?</span></b><span style="background: white; color: black;"> </span><span style="background: white; color: #75787b;">I would be coaching any and all sports. I have a passion for coaching Special Olympic athletes. </span></span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: Montserrat;"><b><span style="background: white; color: #7a99ac;">What is the best advice you ever received?</span></b><span style="background: white; color: #7a99ac;"> </span><span style="background: white; color: #75787b;">If you can't do something first class then it is not worth doing at all.</span></span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: Montserrat;"><b><span style="background: white; color: #7a99ac;">Who is your favorite sports team?</span></b><span style="background: white; color: #7a99ac;"> </span><span style="background: white; color: #75787b;">Any Dallas professional sports team.</span></span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: Montserrat;"><b><span style="background: white; color: #7a99ac;">What chore do you absolutely hate doing?</span></b><span style="background: white; color: #7a99ac;"> </span><span style="background: white; color: #75787b;">Putting away clean laundry</span><span style="background: white; color: #75787b;">. </span></span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: Montserrat;"><b><span style="background: white; color: #7a99ac;">What is one of your favorite quotes?</span></b><span style="background: white; color: #7a99ac;"> "</span><span style="background: white; color: #75787b;">If you think you are outclassed, you are. You've got to think high to rise, you've got to be sure  sure of yourself before you can ever win a prize. Life's battles don't always go to the stronger or faster man, but sooner or later the person who wins is the person who thinks they can." </span></span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: Montserrat;"><b><span style="background: white; color: #7a99ac;">What’s your favorite type of food?</span></b><span style="background: white; color: #7a99ac;"> </span><span style="background: white; color: #75787b;">Steak</span></span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: Montserrat;"><b><span style="background: white; color: #7a99ac;">Do you have a secret talent and if so, what is it?</span></b><span style="background: white; color: black;"> </span><span style="background: white; color: #75787b;">Winning stuffed animals playing fair games.</span><span style="background: white; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 106%; color: black;"></span></span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: Montserrat;"><b><span style="background: white; color: #7a99ac;">If you could meet an iconic person from history, who would it be?</span></b><span style="background: white; color: #7a99ac;"> </span><span style="background: white; color: #75787b;">Mother Theresa</span></span></p>
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<pubDate>Mon, 7 Feb 2022 15:23:29 GMT</pubDate>
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<title>Meet our RFMA Member, Katie Poole</title>
<link>https://www.rfmaonline.com/members/blog_view.asp?id=1232254&amp;post=382506</link>
<guid>https://www.rfmaonline.com/members/blog_view.asp?id=1232254&amp;post=382506</guid>
<description><![CDATA[<p><img alt="" src="https://cdn.ymaws.com/rfmaonline.site-ym.com/resource/resmgr/member_pro_files/small_header_katie_poole.png" width="100%" height="17%" /></p>
<p><span style="font-family: Montserrat;"><b><span style="background: white; color: #7a99ac;">What year did you join RFMA?</span></b><span style="background: white; color: #75787b;"> 2017</span></span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: Montserrat;"><b><span style="background: white; color: #7a99ac;">Why did you join RFMA?</span></b><span style="background: white; color: #7a99ac;"> </span><span style="background: white; color: #75787b;">Our company has a long history with the organization. My second week on the job I headed to Orlando for the 2017 conference! </span></span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: Montserrat;"><b><span style="background: white; color: #7a99ac;">What do you like most about RFMA?</span></b><span style="background: white; color: black;"> </span><span style="background: white; color: #75787b;">I have met so many wonderful, genuine people through RFMA. The community is welcoming and supportive! I love attending the events, reconnecting with old friends, and making new ones! </span></span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: Montserrat;"><b><span style="background: white; color: #7a99ac;">Which RFMA Resource do you utilize the most and why?</span></b><span style="background: white; color: #7a99ac;"> </span><span style="background: white; color: #75787b;">I look forward to each issue of Facilitator Magazine. It has great industry information and articles from fellow members. I love seeing what everyone has been up to and celebrate their milestones with them! </span></span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: Montserrat;"><b><span style="background: white; color: #7a99ac;">What do you enjoy the most about your job?</span></b><span style="background: white; color: black;"> </span><span style="background: white; color: #75787b;">I am fortunate to work with such a warm, hardworking team at Clark Service Group. My coworkers keep the job interesting and fun! </span></span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: Montserrat;"><b><span style="background: white; color: #7a99ac;">What is your hometown?</span></b><span style="background: white; color: #7a99ac;"> </span><span style="background: white; color: #75787b;">Lancaster County, PA</span></span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: Montserrat;"><b><span style="background: white; color: #7a99ac;">What was the first job you ever had?</span></b><span style="background: white; color: #7a99ac;"> </span><span style="background: white; color: #75787b;">The first job I ever had was working at our local grocery store. </span></span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: Montserrat;"><b><span style="background: white; color: #7a99ac;">What is the most surprising thing you've learned about the restaurant world?</span></b><span style="background: white; color: #7a99ac;"> </span><span style="background: white; color: #75787b;">When I started my career, I was surprised by the amount of knowledge facility managers are required to have about so many different faucets of restaurant operations. It is vast and impressive! </span></span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: Montserrat;"><b><span style="background: white; color: #7a99ac;">If you weren’t in the facilities industry, what would you be doing?</span></b><span style="background: white; color: #75787b;"> </span><span style="background: white; color: #75787b;">If I was not in the facilities industry, I am sure I would still choose a career where I am working with people daily.</span><span style="background: white; font-size: 9.5pt; line-height: 106%; color: black;"></span></span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: Montserrat;"><b><span style="background: white; color: #7a99ac;">What is the best advice you ever received?</span></b><span style="background: white; color: #7a99ac;"> </span><span style="background: white; color: #75787b;">Always assume the best intentions from people, you do not know what else they have going on in their personal lives or behind the scenes - we are all just doing the best we can! </span></span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: Montserrat;"><b><span style="background: white; color: #7a99ac;">Who is your favorite sports team?</span></b><span style="background: white; color: #7a99ac;"> </span><span style="background: white; color: #75787b;">As a proud Penn State alumni, I am always rooting for the Nittany Lions. WE ARE!</span></span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: Montserrat;"><b><span style="background: white; color: #7a99ac;">What chore do you absolutely hate doing?</span></b><span style="background: white; color: #75787b;"> </span><span style="background: white; color: #75787b;">Laundry is my least favorite chore, but luckily my husband takes on the task! </span></span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: Montserrat;"><b><span style="background: white; color: #7a99ac;">What is the name of the last book you read?</span></b><span style="background: white; color: #7a99ac;"> </span><span style="background: white; color: #75787b;">I am an avid reader. Some recent favorites include The Last Story of Mina Lee, Home Before Dark, and The Immortalists.</span></span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: Montserrat;"><b><span style="background: white; color: #7a99ac;">What’s your favorite type of food?</span></b><span style="background: white; color: #7a99ac;"> </span><span style="background: white; color: #75787b;">My favorite food is a hot cup of coffee and dessert (any kind!).</span><span style="background: white; font-size: 9.5pt; line-height: 106%; color: #304457;"></span></span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: Montserrat;"><b><span style="background: white; color: #7a99ac;">Do you have a secret talent and if so, what is it?</span></b><span style="background: white; color: black;"> </span><span style="background: white; color: #75787b;">If I had to name a secret talent, I am very crafty. I love coming up with new project for my daughter and I to work on! Currently, we are working on some dinosaur costumes for Halloween. She is going to be a pterodactyl, and she wants mommy and daddy to match! </span></span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: Montserrat;"><b><span style="background: white; color: #7a99ac;">If you could meet an iconic person from history, who would it be?</span></b><span style="background: white; color: #7a99ac;"> </span><span style="background: white; color: #75787b;">I am a closet Elvis fan, so I would love to meet the king and see him perform! </span></span></p>]]></description>
<pubDate>Fri, 3 Dec 2021 15:35:17 GMT</pubDate>
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<title>Meet our RFMA Member, Terry Companik</title>
<link>https://www.rfmaonline.com/members/blog_view.asp?id=1232254&amp;post=380148</link>
<guid>https://www.rfmaonline.com/members/blog_view.asp?id=1232254&amp;post=380148</guid>
<description><![CDATA[<p><img alt="" src="https://www.rfmaonline.com/resource/resmgr/member_pro_files/Terry_Companik_Member_PROfil.png" width="100%" height="17%" /></p>
<p><span style="font-family: Montserrat;"><b><span style="background: white; color: #7a99ac;">What year did you join RFMA?</span></b><span style="background: white; color: #75787b;"> 2017</span></span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: Montserrat;"><b><span style="background: white; color: #7a99ac;">Why did you join RFMA?</span></b><span style="background: white; color: #7a99ac;"> </span><span style="background: white; color: #75787b;">Initially, I joined for the opportunity to network with peers in the field and to gain exposure to additional vendors across the country.</span></span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: Montserrat;"><b><span style="background: white; color: #7a99ac;">What do you like most about RFMA?</span></b><span style="background: white; color: #75787b;"> I like the visibility into best practices from other companies, as well as vendors, and the knowledge sharing that accompanies it.</span></span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: Montserrat;"><b><span style="background: white; color: #7a99ac;">Which RFMA Resource do you utilize the most and why?&nbsp;</span></b><span style="background: white; color: #7a99ac;"></span><span style="background: white; color: #75787b;">The <em>Facilitator</em> Magazine is a great tool for keeping up with industry trends and the annual conference truly helps build relationships with vendors and peers alike.</span></span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: Montserrat;"><b><span style="background: white; color: #7a99ac;">What do you enjoy the most about your job?</span></b><span style="background: white; color: #7a99ac;"> </span><span style="background: white; color: #75787b;">I enjoy that every day is something different and you never know what's going to happen next. It's also the least enjoyable part of the job, but that's the dichotomy of Facilities Management.</span></span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: Montserrat;"><b><span style="background: white; color: #7a99ac;">What is your hometown?</span></b><span style="background: white; color: #7a99ac;"> </span><span style="background: white; color: #75787b;">St John, Indiana</span></span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: Montserrat;"><b><span style="background: white; color: #7a99ac;">What was the first job you ever had?</span></b><span style="background: white; color: #7a99ac;"> </span><span style="background: white; color: #75787b;">Meat market/ butcher shop. It was as glamorous as it sounds.</span></span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: Montserrat;"><b><span style="background: white; color: #7a99ac;">What is the most surprising thing you've learned about the restaurant world?</span></b><span style="background: white; color: #7a99ac;"> </span><span style="background: white; color: #75787b;">When I first started in the industry, the speed at which everything happens and is expected to happen was the most surprising. These days, everything happening ASAP is the norm though.</span></span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: Montserrat;"><b><span style="background: white; color: #7a99ac;">If you weren’t in the facilities industry, what would you be doing?</span></b><span style="background: white; color: #75787b;"> I probably would’ve been in politics if I had kept my original career path. No kid ever says, "Daddy, I hope when I grow up, I can answer the phone on a Saturday night because the ANSUL went off!"</span></span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: Montserrat;"><b><span style="background: white; color: #7a99ac;">What is the best advice you ever received?</span></b><span style="background: white; color: #7a99ac;"> </span><span style="background: white; color: #75787b;">It’s just as important to pass along the bad news as it is the good news, maybe even more so.</span></span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: Montserrat;"><b><span style="background: white; color: #7a99ac;">Who is your favorite sports team?</span></b><span style="background: white; color: #7a99ac;"> </span><span style="background: white; color: #75787b;">Chicago Bears&nbsp;</span></span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: Montserrat;"><b><span style="background: white; color: #7a99ac;">What chore do you absolutely hate doing?</span></b><span style="background: white; color: #7a99ac;"> </span><span style="background: white; color: #75787b;">Painting. The detail work takes me so long, but it’s rewarding when completed.</span></span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: Montserrat;"><b><span style="background: white; color: #7a99ac;">What is one of your favorite quotes?</span></b><span style="background: white; color: #75787b;">&nbsp;"</span><span style="background: white; color: #75787b;">We need to do a better job of putting ourselves higher on our own to-do list." - Michelle Obama</span></span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: Montserrat;"><b><span style="background: white; color: #7a99ac;">What’s your favorite type of food?</span></b><span style="background: white; color: #7a99ac;"> </span><span style="background: white; color: #75787b;">Anything that once lived in the water.</span></span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: Montserrat;"><b><span style="background: white; color: #7a99ac;">If you could meet an iconic person from history, who would it be?</span></b><span style="background: white; color: #7a99ac;"> </span><span style="background: white; color: #75787b;">Abraham Lincol</span><span style="background: white; color: #75787b;">n</span></span></p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>]]></description>
<pubDate>Mon, 8 Nov 2021 14:48:43 GMT</pubDate>
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<title>Meet our RFMA Member, Steven McKay</title>
<link>https://www.rfmaonline.com/members/blog_view.asp?id=1232254&amp;post=379704</link>
<guid>https://www.rfmaonline.com/members/blog_view.asp?id=1232254&amp;post=379704</guid>
<description><![CDATA[<p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Times New Roman';"><span style="color: #7a99ac;"><strong>&nbsp;<img alt="" src="https://cdn.ymaws.com/rfmaonline.site-ym.com/resource/resmgr/member_pro_files/ff_steven_mckay_member_profi.png" width="100%" height="17%" /></strong></span></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: Montserrat;"><span style="color: #7a99ac;"><strong>What year did you join RFMA?</strong></span>&nbsp; 2019<br />
<br />
<strong><span style="color: #7a99ac;">Why did you join RFMA?</span></strong> I was encouraged by a co-worker to join and was told about the amazing educational benefits. <br />
<br />
<strong><span style="color: #7a99ac;">What do you like most about RFMA? </span></strong>I like that it has a big family feel to it. <br />
<br />
<strong><span style="color: #7a99ac;">Which RFMA Resource do you utilize the most and why?</span></strong>&nbsp; The Leadership RFMA class because I enrolled in the 12-month program and so far it’s been a blast. <s><br />
</s><br />
<span style="color: #7a99ac;"><strong>What do you enjoy the most about your job?</strong></span> &nbsp;I like being able to interact with different people.<br />
<br />
<span style="color: #7a99ac;"><strong>Where were you raised?</strong></span> Born and raised in Detroit, MI.<br />
<br />
<strong><span style="color: #7a99ac;">What was the first job you ever had?</span></strong> Working at Taco Bell in high school.<br />
<br />
<span style="color: #7a99ac;"><strong>When you were new to the industry, what was the most surprising thing you learned about the restaurant world?</strong></span>&nbsp;I was most surprised by how intense it can be. <br />
<br />
<strong><span style="color: #7a99ac;">If you weren’t in the facilities industry, what would you be doing?</span></strong> &nbsp;Computer Engineering<br />
<br />
<strong><span style="color: #7a99ac;">What is the best advice you ever received?</span></strong> Be flexible <s><br />
</s><br />
<span style="color: #7a99ac;"><strong>Who is your favorite sports team?</strong></span> Detroit Lions<br />
<br />
<span style="color: #7a99ac;"><strong>What chore do you absolutely hate doing?</strong></span> Cutting the grass, but it has to be done.<br />
<br />
<span style="color: #7a99ac;"><strong>What is one of your favorite quotes? </strong></span>“It sucks to be you.”- Greg Fuchs<br />
<br />
<strong><span style="color: #7a99ac;">What’s your favorite type of food?</span></strong> Pasta and steak<b><s><br />
<br />
</s></b><strong><span style="color: #7a99ac;">Do you have a secret talent and if so, what is it? </span></strong>If I told you then it wouldn’t be a secret any longer! LOL (Singing).<br />
<br />
<span style="color: #7a99ac;"><strong>If you could meet an iconic person from history, who would it be?</strong></span> Barak Obama</span></p>]]></description>
<pubDate>Thu, 7 Oct 2021 20:47:41 GMT</pubDate>
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<title>Meet our RFMA Member, Daren Knight, CRFP</title>
<link>https://www.rfmaonline.com/members/blog_view.asp?id=1232254&amp;post=375692</link>
<guid>https://www.rfmaonline.com/members/blog_view.asp?id=1232254&amp;post=375692</guid>
<description><![CDATA[<p><img alt="" src="https://www.rfmaonline.com/resource/resmgr/blogs/profiles/Daren_Knight_Spotlight-02.png" width="100%" /></p>
<p><b><span style="color: #7a99ac;">What year did you join RFMA?</span></b> 2014</p>
<p><b><span style="color: #7a99ac;">Why did you join RFMA? </span></b>  Firebirds has restaurants in 20 states.  From a facility standpoint that presents a huge challenge so I was looking for a forum where I could connect with vendors and contractors from all over.</p>
<p><b><span style="color: #7a99ac;">What do you like most about RFMA?</span></b>  RFMA is not a totally vendor funded forum.  This provides the attending restaurateurs freedoms not found at fully funded events.  I like the autonomy and the chance to network with people and services we may have an immediate need for.</p>
<p><b><span style="color: #7a99ac;">Which RFMA Resource do you utilize the most and why? </span></b>At the Annual Conference,&nbsp;I attend the Educational Breakout sessions every chance I get, but the Exhibit Hall has been the best resource by far.  I am all about relationships and meeting people and the hall provides that opportunity.  I have gotten to know some great people, who’s services and friendships, have been invaluable to my success, and more importantly Firebirds Wood Fired Grill’s success.</p>
<p><b><span style="color: #7a99ac;">What do you enjoy the most about your job?</span></b>  I have always had a passion for “making things work.” That passion has made being in facilities very rewarding.  I love helping the restaurant staff resolve issues and ultimately doing what I can to help the guests experience.  Building the restaurants is an added bonus.  Seeing a restaurant come up out of the ground and being there with all the smiles on opening day is probably the greatest reward ever.</p>
<p><span style="color: #7a99ac;"><b>What’s your hometown?</b></span> My dad was active duty Air Force so we moved a lot.  We settled in Lancaster, SC when he retired.  That’s where I grew up and called home, and still do.  Luckily Lancaster, SC borders Charlotte, NC so I get a little of the small town living while having access to the bigger city opportunities.</p>
<p><b><span style="color: #7a99ac;">What was the first job you ever had?</span></b> At 10 years old I worked in a convenience store stocking shelves.  Believe it or not the school bus would drop me off there every afternoon.   I would work until 7 or so when my Dad would come get me.  I learned a lot during those times and I would like to think it helped form some of my work ethics now.  I haven’t stopped working since…Thankfully!</p>
<p><span style="color: #7a99ac;"><b>When you were new to the industry, what was the most surprising thing you learned about the restaurant world?</b></span>  My eyes were opened wide when I learned just how much equipment a restaurant staff could break.  I remember many years ago buying parts from a lady named Mary in Tennessee (can’t remember the name of the company) and one day she held a counseling session with me over the phone where she said “You can mount a steel post in the middle of the kitchen, and they will figure out a way to break or bend it.  Once you realize this your life will get much easier.” She was right!</p>
<p><b><span style="color: #7a99ac;">If you weren’t in the facilities industry, what would you be doing?</span></b>   I think I would make a stellar greeter at Walmart!  Seriously, I don’t know.  I had a dear friend years ago that had worked in restaurant facilities and once said “it takes a special person to do facilities work in restaurants.” I didn’t know until I was knee deep in it what he meant by “special.” The work is tough, thankless in most cases, but I couldn’t imagine myself doing anything else.  You meet great people, have the opportunity to make a difference in their lives, and restaurants have been good to me.</p>
<p><b><span style="color: #7a99ac;">What is the best advice you ever received?</span></b>  In my high school machine shop there was a sign that read “If you don’t have time to do something right the first time, when will you ever have time to do it over again?” Even though it wasn’t spoken advice it has resonated with me my entire life.&nbsp;</p>
<p><span style="color: #7a99ac;"><b>What chore do you absolutely hate doing?</b></span>  Hands down laundry!  My wife and I have a standing agreement…I will cook, mow the lawn, do any chore around the house, just please don’t ask me to do the laundry!  ☹</p>
<p><b><span style="color: #7a99ac;">What is one of your favorite quotes?</span> </b> “Blowing out someone else’s candle doesn’t make yours burn brighter.” No truer words ever!&nbsp;</p>
<p><span style="color: #7a99ac;"><b>Do you have a secret talent and if so, what is it?</b></span>  Not sure I would call it a talent, may actually qualify as torture depending on where you’re at, but I like to sing.   I’ve always had a love for music, never learned an instrument, even though I have 5 guitars hanging in my game room, but I find myself singing all the time.  Guess it’s more like a passion.  I applaud the people that have actually made their living and became famous by entertaining people.  They are truly blessed.</p>
<p><b><span style="color: #7a99ac;">If you could meet an iconic person from history, who would it be? </span></b> Our CEO asked me this question once during a meeting.  When I answered the look on his face screamed OMG! So I will do the same to everyone who may be reading this…I would love to have met George Jones.   There are a LOT of great people throughout history, but he would be someone I would like to sit with and get to know.  </p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p>Daren has been a RFMA member for 7 years and has attended the RFMA Annual Conference several times. He has also achieved his CRFP designation to stand out among his peers in the restaurant facilities industry. <a href="https://www.rfmaonline.com/members/public_profile.asp?id=23758682&amp;hhSearchTerms=%22Daren+and+knight%22">Click here to view Daren's profile and connect now!</a><br />
<br />
If you know of someone that you think should be highlighted in our Member PRO Files Blog please nominate them by emailing <a href="mailto:rheagan@rfmaonline.com">rheagan@rfmaonline.com</a>.</p>
<br />]]></description>
<pubDate>Thu, 26 Aug 2021 16:40:16 GMT</pubDate>
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<title>Meet our RFMA Member, Valerie Schoenholtz!</title>
<link>https://www.rfmaonline.com/members/blog_view.asp?id=1232254&amp;post=374060</link>
<guid>https://www.rfmaonline.com/members/blog_view.asp?id=1232254&amp;post=374060</guid>
<description><![CDATA[<p><img alt="" src="https://www.rfmaonline.com/resource/resmgr/blogs/Pro_Files_Header-ValerieS-02.png" align="top" width="100%" /></p>
<p><b><span style="color: #7a99ac;">What year did you join RFMA? </span></b>2009<br />
<br />
<b><span style="color: #7a99ac;">Why did you join RFMA? </span></b>RFMA was presented to me at the time as a development opportunity to better understand the facilities industry and connect with other facilities professionals. How could I say no to that?<br />
<br />
<b><span style="color: #7a99ac;">What do you like most about RFMA? </span></b>I appreciate the networking opportunities. Getting to connect with industry peers, find commonalities and hear about their solutions they have implemented provides me with a lot of value.<br />
<br />
<b><span style="color: #7a99ac;">Which RFMA Resource do you utilize the most and why?</span></b> Historically it has been the annual conference, but there are a lot of great virtual connect opportunity out there as well that I have been discovering through the pandemic.<br />
<br />
<b><span style="color: #7a99ac;">What do you enjoy the most about your job?</span></b> 100%, the people. I have the privilege or working with the smartest, most creative, fully invested, supportive and comparing partners.<br />
<br />
<b><span style="color: #7a99ac;">What’s your hometown? </span></b>I have spent my entire life in the greater Miami area, from growing up in Miami Beach to now my most northern residence ever, North Miami.<br />
<br />
<b><span style="color: #7a99ac;">What was the first job you ever had? </span></b>Working in the hospitality industry is in my blood as I was born into a family business and was raised, living in the hotel my family owned and operated. Loading soda machines, emptying coins from the washers, helping clean the pool, whatever needed to be done.<br />
<br />
<span style="color: #7a99ac;"><b>When you were new to the industry, what was the most surprising thing you learned about the restaurant world? </b></span>I am always impressed by and continue to discover how many people it truly takes to be successful and love seeing the passion from everyone around their area of the business.<br />
<br />
<b><span style="color: #7a99ac;">What is the best advice you ever received? </span></b>Do the very best you can, with the resources you have, right now.<br />
<br />
<b><span style="color: #7a99ac;">Who is your favorite sports team? </span></b>I am not a big sports fan, but I am a proud Miamian, so if it’s a Miami team, I am cheering for them. (yes, this even means the Dolphins)<br />
<br />
<b><span style="color: #7a99ac;">What was the last book you read? </span></b>I am more of an audio book person as I rarely find myself sitting down, but I am wrapping up Daring Greatly by Brene Brown.<br />
<br />
<b><span style="color: #7a99ac;">What’s your favorite type of food?</span></b> Japanese, Greek, Cuban….it hard to choose.<br />
</p>
<p>Valerie has been a RFMA member for 12 years and is currently serving as Treasurer on the RFMA Board of Directors. She has also participated in the RFMA Leadership program, is a part of the Females in Facilities group, and has attended many virtual events as well! <a href="https://www.rfmaonline.com/members/public_profile.asp?id=11071903&hhSearchTerms=%22valerie+and+schoenholtz%22">Click here to view Valerie's profile and connect now!</a></p>
<p>If you know of someone that you think should be highlighted in our Member PRO Files Blog please nominate them by emailing rheagan@rfmaonline.com.</p>]]></description>
<pubDate>Fri, 23 Jul 2021 18:52:57 GMT</pubDate>
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<title>Meet our RFMA Member, Larry Rooney</title>
<link>https://www.rfmaonline.com/members/blog_view.asp?id=1232254&amp;post=371274</link>
<guid>https://www.rfmaonline.com/members/blog_view.asp?id=1232254&amp;post=371274</guid>
<description><![CDATA[<p><b><span style="color: #7a99ac;"><img alt="" src="https://www.rfmaonline.com/resource/resmgr/blogs/Larry_Rooney_Pro_File-02.png" width="100%" /></span></b></p>
<p><b><span style="color: #7a99ac;">What year did you join RFMA?</span></b> 2019<br />
<br />
<b><span style="color: #7a99ac;"> Why did you join RFMA?</span></b> Wanted to greatly improve KBP Foods vendor partner network and resources.<br />
<br />
<b><span style="color: #7a99ac;"> What do you like most about RFMA?</span></b> The amazing people, talent, and camaraderie.</p>
<p><b><span style="color: #7a99ac;">Which RFMA Resource do you utilize the most and why?</span></b> The website, RFMA Leadership team, Annual Conference, and networking calls.<s><br />
</s><u><br />
</u><b><span style="color: #7a99ac;">What do you enjoy the most about your job?</span></b> No day is the same and the challenges are endless! <br />
<br />
<b><span style="color: #7a99ac;"> What’s your hometown?</span></b> Born New York City, raised on Long Island NY<br />
<br />
<b><span style="color: #7a99ac;"> What was the first job you ever had? </span></b>Anything for a $1 buck at 10 years old and never looked back!<br />
<br />
<b><span style="color: #7a99ac;"> When you were new to the industry, what was the most surprising thing you learned about the restaurant world? </span></b>How dynamic the restaurant industry is, nothing like it on the planet.<br />
<br />
<b><span style="color: #7a99ac;"> If you weren’t in the facilities industry, what would you be doing? </span></b>Building Motorcycles<br />
<br />
<b><span style="color: #7a99ac;"> What is the best advice you ever received?</span></b> Male and Female brains are polar opposite. <s><span style="font-family: 'Segoe UI Emoji', sans-serif;">😬</span><br />
<br />
</s><b><span style="color: #7a99ac;">Who is your favorite sports team? </span></b>Ducati Moto GP Team.<br />
<br />
<span style="color: #7a99ac;"><b> What chore do you absolutely hate doing?</b></span> Food shopping at Publix!<br />
<br />
<span style="color: #7a99ac;"><b> What is one of your favorite quotes?</b></span> “Your job is you.”<br />
<br />
<b><span style="color: #7a99ac;"> What’s your favorite type of food? </span></b>Any protein.<b><s><br />
<br />
</s></b><span style="color: #7a99ac;"><b>Do you have a secret talent and if so, what is it?</b></span> Motorcycle road racer.<br />
<br />
<b><span style="color: #7a99ac;"> If you could meet an iconic person from history, who would it be?</span></b> Albert Einstein<br />
</p>
<p> </p>
<p><br />
Larry joined RFMA in 2019 and attended our RFMA 2020 Annual Conference in Denver. After that, he quickly jumped into the RFMA Leadership program and has built long-lasting connections with his restaurant facilities peers. <a href="https://www.rfmaonline.com/members/public_profile.asp?id=60887411&hhSearchTerms=%22larry+and+rooney%22">Click here to view Larry's profile and connect now!</a><br />
<br />
If you know of someone that you think should be highlighted in our Member PRO Files Blog please nominate them by emailing <a href="mailto:rheagan@rfmaonline.com">rheagan@rfmaonline.com</a>.</p>]]></description>
<pubDate>Tue, 1 Jun 2021 18:40:08 GMT</pubDate>
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<title>Meet our RFMA Member, Steve Potter</title>
<link>https://www.rfmaonline.com/members/blog_view.asp?id=1232254&amp;post=369910</link>
<guid>https://www.rfmaonline.com/members/blog_view.asp?id=1232254&amp;post=369910</guid>
<description><![CDATA[<p><span style="font-size: 14px; background-color: #ffffff; font-family: Roboto, sans-serif;"></span><img alt="" src="https://www.rfmaonline.com/resource/resmgr/blogs/profiles/Pro_Files_Steve_Potter.png" style="box-sizing: border-box; border: 0px solid; font-family: Roboto, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; background-color: #ffffff;" width="1000" height="164" align="middle" /></p>
<p><b><span style="color: #7a99ac;"><br />
What year did you join RFMA? </span></b>2007<b><span style="color: #7a99ac;"><br />
</span></b></p>
<p><b><span style="color: #7a99ac;">Why did you join RFMA? </span></b>Because it was the first organization of its kind to focus on the restaurant facilities and food service industry.</p>
<p><b><span style="color: #7a99ac;">What do you like most about RFMA?</span></b> The RFMA Annual Conference, Trade Show, and Training.</p>
<p><b><span style="color: #7a99ac;">Which RFMA Resource do you utilize the most and why?&nbsp;</span></b>Networking. I support multiple concepts in 19 states.</p>
<p><b><span style="color: #7a99ac;">What do you enjoy the most about your job?&nbsp;</span></b>Every day is something new and challenging.</p>
<p><b><span style="color: #7a99ac;">What’s your hometown? Where were you raised?&nbsp;</span></b>Los Alamitos / Seal Beach, California</p>
<p><b><span style="color: #7a99ac;">What was the first job you ever had?&nbsp;</span></b>Maintenance technician (Wonder Bread)</p>
<p><b><span style="color: #7a99ac;">When you were new to the industry, what was the most surprising thing you learned about the restaurant world?&nbsp;</span></b>How complexed it can be to make great food consistently.</p>
<p><b><span style="color: #7a99ac;">If you weren’t in the facilities industry, what would you be doing?&nbsp;</span></b>Construction or a Train Engineer</p>
<p><span style="color: #7a99ac;"><b>What is the best advice you ever received?&nbsp;</b></span>You must be willing to develop yourself, it will not happen sitting on the sidelines. Participate in your life.</p>
<p><b><span style="color: #7a99ac;">Who is your favorite sports team?</span></b>   I do not watch sports.    I enjoy the outdoors too much to sit and watch a sporting event.<br />
<br />
<b><span style="color: #7a99ac;">What chore do you absolutely hate doing?</span></b> Yard work!  Making the Bed.<br />
<br />
<b><span style="color: #7a99ac;">What is one of your favorite quotes?&nbsp;</span></b>"Four score and seven years ago our fathers brought forth on this continent, a new nation, conceived in Liberty, and the dedication to the proposition that all men are created equal." An even more profound statement after 156 years. If rewritten today only a minor edit would be made. (All men and women are created equal.)</p>
<p><b><span style="color: #7a99ac;">What’s your favorite type of food?</span></b> Mexican Food</p>
<p><b><span style="color: #7a99ac;">If you could meet an iconic person from history, who would it be?</span>&nbsp;</b>Abraham Lincoln or Fred Rogers</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p>Steve Potter has been a RFMA member for over 13 years and has attended 11 RFMA Annual Conferences along with several Member Meet-Ups and Restaurant Roundtables over the years. <a href="https://www.rfmaonline.com/members/public_profile.asp?id=11071615&amp;hhSearchTerms=%22steve+and+potter%22"><b>Click here to view Steve's profile and connect now!</b></a></p>
<p><a href="https://www.rfmaonline.com/members/public_profile.asp?id=11071615&amp;hhSearchTerms=%22steve+and+potter%22"><b></b></a>If you know of someone that you think should be highlighted in our Member PRO Files Blog please nominate them by emailing&nbsp;<a href="mailto:rheagan@rfmaonline.com">rheagan@rfmaonline.com</a>.</p>]]></description>
<pubDate>Mon, 3 May 2021 15:36:18 GMT</pubDate>
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<title>Meet our RFMA Member, Steve Vollrath</title>
<link>https://www.rfmaonline.com/members/blog_view.asp?id=1232254&amp;post=368226</link>
<guid>https://www.rfmaonline.com/members/blog_view.asp?id=1232254&amp;post=368226</guid>
<description><![CDATA[ <img alt="" src="https://www.rfmaonline.com/resource/resmgr/blogs/profiles/Pro_Files_Header-S_Vollrath-.png" width="1000" height="164" />
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.12px;"><b><span style="color: #7a99ac;"><br />
What year did you join RFMA? Why did you join RFMA?</span></b> </span>I joined RFMA in 2010. Initially, RFMA provided a great opportunity to meet, network and understand the facility needs of the restaurant industry. Once I got involved, I realized it opened the door to meeting great people who work tirelessly every day to support their clients and portfolios. <br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.12px;"><b><span style="color: #7a99ac;">What RFMA groups are you involved in?</span></b> </span>Over the years I have attended 11 of RFMA’s Annual Conferences, been a member of the Vendor Voice committee, participated in two RFMA Gives Volunteer Days and now am excited to be the Vendor Representative on the RFMA Board for 2021!<br />
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.12px;"><br />
<b><span style="color: #7a99ac;">What do you like most about RFMA and why?</span></b> </span>The people are what make RFMA a great organization. I always enjoy attending a RFMA event (I would do anything to be at an in-person RFMA networking event), webinar or Zoom meeting and engaging to understand what the current challenges they are working on.<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.12px;"><b><span style="color: #7a99ac;">Which RFMA Resource do you utilize the most and why? </span></b></span>I utilize the RFMA’s SocialLink feed, member directory and booth management center to stay in touch with members and identify opportunities where we can bring value to the membership.<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.12px;"><b><span style="color: #7a99ac;">Where did you grow up? </span></b></span>Norristown, Pennsylvania (suburb of Philadelphia). I live about 20 miles from Norristown today, so I am still close to my family and friends.<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.12px;"><b><span style="color: #7a99ac;">If you weren’t in the facilities industry, what would you be doing? </span></b></span>If I were not in the facilities industry, I would be in the sports management business. I enjoy sports and everything that goes on behind the scenes to make the finished product happen. Growing up sports were my outlet and really taught me that life is not easy and nothing is given, if you want it you have to work hard and earn it.<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.12px;"><b><span style="color: #7a99ac;">Who is your favorite sports team? </span></b></span>I am a Philly 4 for 4 fan! (Eagles, Sixers, Flyers and Phillies)<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.12px;"><b><span style="color: #7a99ac;">What is your favorite place in the world?</span></b> </span>Jamaica.<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.12px;"><b><span style="color: #7a99ac;">What’s your favorite type of food?</span></b> </span>A cheesesteak from Jim’s Steaks in Philly.<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.12px;"><b><span style="color: #7a99ac;">What is your favorite book?</span></b> </span><i>Outliers </i>by Malcom Gladwell<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.12px;"><b><span style="color: #7a99ac;">What is one of your favorite quotes?</span></b> </span>“Nobody cares, work harder.”<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.12px;"><b><span style="color: #7a99ac;">What is your favorite song?</span></b> </span>“Ain’t Worth the Whiskey” by Cole Swindell<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.12px;"><b><span style="color: #7a99ac;">Who knows you the best?</span></b> </span>My wife, Siobhan. She always seems to know what I am thinking and says what I need to hear at the right time.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 700; font-size: 14px; background-color: #ffffff; font-family: Roboto, sans-serif;">Steve Vollrath has been a RFMA member for over 10 years and remains a top contributor on SocialLink, RFMA's online networking platform! He is also our 2021-2022 Vendor Board Representative! </span><span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 14px; background-color: #ffffff; font-family: Roboto, sans-serif; color: #7a99ac;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 700;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; outline-color: initial !important; outline-style: initial !important;"><a href="https://www.rfmaonline.com/members/public_profile.asp?id=12417898&hhSearchTerms=%22steve+and+vollrath%22">Click here to view Steve's profile and connect now!</a></span><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />
<br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />
</span></span><span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 700; font-size: 14px; background-color: #ffffff; font-family: Roboto, sans-serif;">If you know of someone that you think should be highlighted in our Member PRO Files Blog please nominate them by emailing <a href="mailto:rheagan@rfmaonline.com" style="box-sizing: border-box; background-color: transparent; outline: 0px !important;">rheagan@rfmaonline.com</a>.</span></p>]]></description>
<pubDate>Wed, 31 Mar 2021 22:35:58 GMT</pubDate>
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<title>Meet our RFMA Member, Cody Thornton</title>
<link>https://www.rfmaonline.com/members/blog_view.asp?id=1232254&amp;post=366915</link>
<guid>https://www.rfmaonline.com/members/blog_view.asp?id=1232254&amp;post=366915</guid>
<description><![CDATA[<p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 10px; font-size: 13px; background-color: #ffffff;"><span style="font-size: 14px;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 14px; color: #7a99ac;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 700;"><img alt="" src="https://www.rfmaonline.com/resource/resmgr/blogs/profiles/Pro_Files_Header-Cody-02.png" width="100%" /></span></span></span></p>
<p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 10px; font-size: 13px; background-color: #ffffff;"><span style="font-size: 14px;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 14px; color: #7a99ac;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 700;">What year did you join RFMA? </span></span>2018<span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 14px; color: #7a99ac;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 700;"><br />
<br />
Why did you join RFMA? </span></span>Networking, facility contacts and innovation.<span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 14px; color: #7a99ac;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 700;"><br />
<br />
What do you like most about RFMA? </span></span>Getting to see the newest products, meet great people and explore new potential vendor partners.<span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 14px; color: #7a99ac;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 700;"><br />
<br />
What do you enjoy the most about your job? </span></span>The excitement of being part of an ever evolving brand, the ability to work cross-functionally, and the trust earned by my SLT (Sr Leadership Team).<span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 14px; color: #7a99ac;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 700;"><br />
<br />
What’s your hometown? </span></span>Wylie, TX<span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 14px; color: #7a99ac;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 700;"><br />
<br />
What was the first job you ever had?</span></span> Age 14 working for my parents' post tension cabling company.<span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 14px; color: #7a99ac;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 700;"><br />
<br />
When you were new to the industry, what was the most surprising thing you learned about the restaurant world? </span></span>As I started in the restaurant space at age 17, I was surprised most by how lucrative of career path there could be and how competitive various markets can become.<span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 14px; color: #7a99ac;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 700;"><br />
<br />
If you weren’t in the facilities industry, what would you be doing? </span></span>Energy Management/Technology<span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 14px; color: #7a99ac;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 700;"><br />
<br />
What is the best advice you ever received? </span></span>Don’t work like the role you are in, work like the role you want!<span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 14px; color: #7a99ac;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 700;"><br />
<br />
Who is your favorite sports team? </span></span>Go Chiefs!<span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 14px; color: #7a99ac;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 700;"><br />
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What chore do you absolutely hate doing? </span></span>Yard work<span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 14px; color: #7a99ac;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 700;"><br />
<br />
What was the last book you read?</span></span> Purpose Driven Church<span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 14px; color: #7a99ac;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 700;"><br />
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What’s your favorite type of food? </span></span>Anything with Latin/Hispanic flare.<span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 14px; color: #7a99ac;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 700;"><br />
<br />
If you could meet an iconic person from history, who would it be? </span></span>Ronald Reagan<span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 14px; color: #7a99ac;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 700;"><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
</span></span><b>Cody has been a member since 2018 and has attended the RFMA Annual Conference twice since joining.</b><span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 14px; color: #7a99ac;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: 700;"> <a href="https://www.rfmaonline.com/members/public_profile.asp?id=53528890&hhSearchTerms=%22thornton%22">Click here to view Cody's profile and connect now!</a><br />
<br />
</span></span><b>If you know of someone that you think should be highlighted in our Member PRO Files Blog please nominate them by emailing <a href="mailto:rheagan@rfmaonline.com">rheagan@rfmaonline.com</a>.</b></span></p>]]></description>
<pubDate>Mon, 8 Mar 2021 17:13:55 GMT</pubDate>
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<title>Meet our RFMA Member, Donnie Pemberton</title>
<link>https://www.rfmaonline.com/members/blog_view.asp?id=1232254&amp;post=364386</link>
<guid>https://www.rfmaonline.com/members/blog_view.asp?id=1232254&amp;post=364386</guid>
<description><![CDATA[<p><span style="font-size: 14px; color: #7a99ac;"><b> <img alt="" src="https://www.rfmaonline.com/resource/resmgr/blogs/profiles/RFMAPro_Files_Header-Donnie-.png" width="100%" /></b></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 14px;"><b><span style="font-size: 14px; color: #7a99ac;">What year did you join RFMA?</span></b> 2015<br />
<br />
<b><span style="font-size: 14px; color: #7a99ac;">Why did you join RFMA? </span></b>I joined to better myself, to gain knowledge through networking with peers, and to learn and share best practices and ideas.<br />
<br />
<b><span style="font-size: 14px; color: #7a99ac;">What do you like most about RFMA?</span></b> I like the comradery and team spirit among peers. I also like knowing that any problem I have, I can click a button or make a phone call and have people who can help. <br />
<br />
<b><span style="font-size: 14px; color: #7a99ac;">Which RFMA Resource do you utilize the most and why? </span></b>The Annual Conference allows me to meet and grow my connections. Also, the RFMA website helps me solve problems and learn more about restaurant facilities. <br />
<br />
<b><span style="font-size: 14px; color: #7a99ac;">What do you enjoy the most about your job? </span></b>Two days are never the same, there's always something coming at you to keep you on your toes.<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: 14px; color: #7a99ac;"><b>What’s your hometown?</b></span> Born, raised and still live in Wichita, KS.<br />
<br />
<b><span style="font-size: 14px; color: #7a99ac;">What was the first job you ever had? </span></b>I was a lifeguard.<br />
<br />
<b><span style="font-size: 14px; color: #7a99ac;">When you were new to the industry, what was the most surprising thing you learned about the restaurant world?</span></b> How many moving parts there are to keep a restaurant running successfully.<br />
<br />
<b><span style="font-size: 14px; color: #7a99ac;">If you weren’t in the facilities industry, what would you be doing?</span></b> I would be teaching.<br />
<br />
<b><span style="font-size: 14px; color: #7a99ac;">What is the best advice you ever received?</span></b> "Don’t be afraid to make mistakes, just go for it and learn from it."<br />
<br />
<b><span style="font-size: 14px; color: #7a99ac;">Who is your favorite sports team?</span></b> The Kansas City Royals.<br />
<br />
<b><span style="font-size: 14px; color: #7a99ac;">What chore do you absolutely hate doing?</span></b> House cleaning.<br />
<br />
<b><span style="font-size: 14px; color: #7a99ac;">What is one of your favorite quotes?</span></b> “It’s supposed to be hard. If it wasn’t hard, everyone would do it. The hard is what makes it great.” <br />
<br />
<b><span style="font-size: 14px; color: #7a99ac;">What’s your favorite type of food? </span></b>Pizza & Chinese food. <br />
<br />
</span></p>
<p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 10px; font-size: 13px; background-color: #ffffff;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 14px;">Donnie has been a RFMA member for over 5 years and has attended every Annual Conference since joining! He earned his CRFP designation in 2017 and he is a member of the CRFP and Franchisee groups on <a href="https://www.rfmaonline.com/members/dashboard.aspx"><b>SocialLink</b></a>, RFMA's online networking platform. <span style="box-sizing: border-box; outline-color: initial !important; outline-style: initial !important;"><a href="https://www.rfmaonline.com/members/public_profile.asp?id=37701615&hhSearchTerms=%22donnie%22"><b>Click here to view Donnie's profile and connect now!</b></a></span></span></p>
<p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 10px; font-size: 13px; background-color: #ffffff;"><span style="font-size: 14px;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 14px;"></span><span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 14px;">If you know of someone that you think should be highlighted in our Member PRO Files Blog please nominate them by emailing <a href="mailto:rheagan@rfmaonline.com" style="box-sizing: border-box; background-color: transparent; outline: 0px !important;">rheagan@rfmaonline.com</a>.</span></span></p>
<br />]]></description>
<pubDate>Fri, 22 Jan 2021 23:03:04 GMT</pubDate>
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<title>Meet our RFMA Member, Jennifer Schmidt</title>
<link>https://www.rfmaonline.com/members/blog_view.asp?id=1232254&amp;post=356033</link>
<guid>https://www.rfmaonline.com/members/blog_view.asp?id=1232254&amp;post=356033</guid>
<description><![CDATA[<p><b><font color="#7a99ac"><img src="https://www.rfmaonline.com/resource/resmgr/blogs/profiles/RFMA19-20-JSchmidt_1-02.png" width="100%" "=""></font></b></p>
<p><font style="font-size: 14px;"><b><font color="#7a99ac" style="font-size: 14px;">What year did you join RFMA?</font></b> I joined in 2013.<br>
<br>
<b><font color="#7a99ac" style="font-size: 14px;">Why did you join RFMA?</font></b> I joined to immerse myself more in the facilities industry and to use any knowledge gained to better serve the franchisees I support.<br>
<br>
<b><font color="#7a99ac" style="font-size: 14px;">What do you like most about RFMA?</font></b>  I love the collaboration between facilities professionals, be it on committees or talking through different ideas and learning from each other.<br>
<br>
<b><font color="#7a99ac" style="font-size: 14px;">Which RFMA resource do you utilize the most and why?</font></b>  Peer to Peer calls and the <i>Facilitator </i>magazine are great tools for me to understand what is happening in the industry. <br>
<br>
<font color="#7a99ac" style="font-size: 14px;"><b>What’s your hometown? Where were you raised?</b> </font> I grew up in Leawood, KS.<br>
<br>
<b><font color="#7a99ac" style="font-size: 14px;">What is your guilty pleasure?</font></b> Binge watching a TV series preferably crime documentaries/who dunnit shows.<br>
<br>
<b><font color="#7a99ac" style="font-size: 14px;">What’s your favorite type of food?</font></b> Tacos for sure!<br>
<br>
<b><font color="#7a99ac" style="font-size: 14px;">What is your ideal vacation?</font></b> I would love for my whole family to get some cabins in Bailey, Colorado and go fishing, hiking, rafting, etc.  These were some of my favorite family vacations growing up and I would love to continue the tradition.  Of course, adult beverages and someone else cooking for me would be ideal. 😉<br>
<br>
<b><font color="#7a99ac" style="font-size: 14px;">Who is your favorite sports team?</font></b> Kansas Jayhawks and Kansas City Chiefs!!<br>
<br>
<b><font color="#7a99ac" style="font-size: 14px;">What was the last book you read?</font></b> Just finished <i>The Vanishing Half</i> by Brit Bennett – such a great read!<br>
<br>
<b><font color="#7a99ac" style="font-size: 14px;">If you weren’t in the facilities industry, what would you be doing? </font></b> Probably still involved with restaurants somehow.<br>
<b><font color="#7a99ac" style="font-size: 14px;"><br>
What chore do you absolutely hate doing? </font></b> Cleaning up after our chickens and ducks – they are cute but they are also incredibly messy!<br>
<br>
<b><font color="#7a99ac" style="font-size: 14px;">What is one of your favorite quotes?</font></b> “I never dreamed about success.  I worked for it.” – Estee Lauder<br>
<br>
<b><font color="#7a99ac" style="font-size: 14px;">What is your favorite song?</font></b> “In My Life” by The Beatles<br>
<b><font color="#7a99ac" style="font-size: 14px;"><br>
Do you have a secret talent and if so, what is it?</font></b>  The ability to convince my four year old to do his chores every day.</font></p>
<p><font style="font-size: 16px;"><font color="#7a99ac" style="font-size: 14px;"><b>If you could meet an iconic person from History, who would it be?</b></font>  <font style="font-size: 14px;">Harper Lee</font></font><br>
</p>
<p><font style="font-size: 14px;">Jennifer has been a RFMA Member since 2013 and has participated in RFMA Annual Conferences, networking events, and virtual events over the years. She also serves on the Conference Curriculum Committee and is a member of the Franchisee Group and the Females in Facilities Group. <a href="https://www.rfmaonline.com/members/public_profile.asp?id=17385690&hhSearchTerms=%22jennifer+and+schmidt%22">Click here to view Jennifer's profile and connect now!</a>
</font></p>
<p><font style="font-size: 14px;"></font><span style="font-size: 14px;">If you know of someone that you think should be highlighted in our Member PRO Files Blog please nominate them by emailing <a href="mailto:rheagan@rfmaonline.com">rheagan@rfmaonline.com</a>.</span></p>
<br>]]></description>
<pubDate>Wed, 16 Sep 2020 21:03:37 GMT</pubDate>
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<title>Meet our RFMA Member, Mel Smith!</title>
<link>https://www.rfmaonline.com/members/blog_view.asp?id=1232254&amp;post=354798</link>
<guid>https://www.rfmaonline.com/members/blog_view.asp?id=1232254&amp;post=354798</guid>
<description><![CDATA[<p><b><font color="#7b9aac"><img src="https://www.rfmaonline.com/resource/resmgr/blogs/profiles/Pro_Files_Header-Mel_Smith-0.png" width="100%"></font></b></p>
<p><b><font color="#7b9aac">What year did you join RFMA?</font></b> 2017.  I joined to network with other Facilities professionals and share best practices/lessons learned as well as network with new potential vendors.<br>
<br>
<b><font color="#7b9aac">What RFMA groups are you involved in?  </font></b>I participated in the 2018 RFMA Gives, both by volunteering and also by coordinating breakfast for the volunteers.  I also participated in the 2018 Mentorship Program and am involved with Females in Facilities.<br>
<br>
<b><font color="#7b9aac">What do you like most about RFMA and why?</font></b>  I love the RFMA website – it has so many great resources.  I recently utilized the benchmarking tool, which was fantastic.<br>
<br>
<b><font color="#7b9aac">Which RFMA resource do you utilize the most and why?</font></b>  I use the Restaurant Group Forum the most.  So much good information on there!<br>
<b><font color="#7b9aac"><br>
Where did you grow up?</font></b>  I grew up in northwestern Montana, which was fantastic!  No, I did not ride a horse to school, but I did accidentally swim with a bear once.<br>
<br>
<b><font color="#7b9aac">What is your favorite place in the world?</font></b>  The Bob Marshall Wilderness – it’s true wilderness in the middle of the Rocky Mountains.  You can see SO many stars at night!!<br>
<br>
<b><font color="#7b9aac">What’s your favorite type of food? </font></b>Italian!<br>
<br>
<b><font color="#7b9aac">What is your favorite book? </font></b> There are too many to choose from!<br>
<br>
<b><font color="#7b9aac">What is one of your favorite quotes?</font></b> “I have heard the mermaids singing, each to each.  I do not think that they will sing to me” – TS Elliot<br>
<br>
<b><font color="#7b9aac">What is your favorite song?</font></b>  This is a tie between "Linus and Lucy" by the Vince Guaraldi Trio and "Under Pressure" by Queen/David Bowie.<br>
<br>
<b><font color="#7b9aac">If you could meet an iconic person from History, who would it be? </font></b>Amelia Earhart<br>
<br>
<b><font color="#7b9aac">Who knows you the best? </font></b> My sister in law – we’re super close!</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p>Mel has been a RFMA member for 3 years and has attended the annual conference all 3 years she has been a member. She participated in the 2018 Mentorship Program, is involved with Females in Facilities, and attended RFMA Gives Volunteer Day in Austin! <a href="https://www.rfmaonline.com/members/public_profile.asp?id=51028050&amp;hhSearchTerms=%22mel+and+smith%22">Click here to view Mel's profile and connect now!</a><br>
<br>
If you know of someone that you think should be highlighted in our Member PRO Files Blog please nominate them by emailing <a href="mailto:rheagan@rfmaonline.com">rheagan@rfmaonline.com</a>.</p>
<br>]]></description>
<pubDate>Mon, 31 Aug 2020 18:22:30 GMT</pubDate>
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<title>Meet our RFMA Member, Cari McCoy</title>
<link>https://www.rfmaonline.com/members/blog_view.asp?id=1232254&amp;post=352176</link>
<guid>https://www.rfmaonline.com/members/blog_view.asp?id=1232254&amp;post=352176</guid>
<description><![CDATA[<p><font style="font-size: 13px;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><img src="https://www.rfmaonline.com/resource/resmgr/blogs/profiles/RFMA19-20_Pro_Files_Cari_McC.png" width="100%"></span></font></p>
<p><b><font color="#7a99ac">What year did you join RFMA? Why did you join RFMA?</font></b> 2017. I joined because it’s the best place to connect and share ideas with influential people within the FM industry.
</p>
<p><b><font color="#7a99ac">
What RFMA groups are you involved in?</font></b> I have participated in RFMA Gives and Females in Facilities for 3 years. This year I am on the Member Engagement Committee with a great group of people!
</p>
<p><b><font color="#7a99ac">
What do you like most about RFMA and why?</font></b> I love the sense of community between all members, both vendor and restaurant members. It is a place where we can share ideas, industry knowledge and solutions that help take this industry to the next level. </p>
<p><b><font color="#7a99ac">
Which RFMA resource do you utilize the most and why?</font></b> I use SocialLink most! I love seeing updates from everyone and the articles and resources posted within it. </p>
<p><b><font color="#7a99ac">
If you weren’t in the facilities industry, what would you be doing?</font></b> I would probably open my own family style BBQ joint. Most Saturdays I can be found firing up the smoker and smoking something delicious for my friends and family. It’s my therapy!</p>
<p><b><font color="#7a99ac">
What is your favorite place in the world?</font></b> The desert! My soon-to-be husband and I love taking our trailer and dune buggy camping in the desert with our family and friends. It is so nice to be able to unplug and enjoy our time together. With everything going on right now, we just moved our wedding from a formal venue to the desert – we’re very excited!
</p>
<p><b><font color="#7a99ac">What’s your favorite type of food?</font></b> Any kind of BBQ and Pizza! </p>
<p><b><font color="#7a99ac">
What is your favorite book?</font></b> I just finished <i>Where the Crawdads Sing</i> by Delia Owens and LOVED it! </p>
<p><b><font color="#7a99ac">
What is your favorite song?</font></b> "Going to California" by Led Zeppelin </p>
<p><b><font color="#7a99ac">
If you could meet an iconic person from History, who would it be? </font></b>Hands down, Benjamin Franklin. </p>
<p><b><font color="#7a99ac">
Who knows you the best?</font></b> Definitely my mom. She’s my best friend!
</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Cari has been a member for 4 years and has been an active RFMA member during this time. She has attended several virtual events, Females in Facilities gatherings and serves on the Member Engagement Committee. <a href="https://www.rfmaonline.com/members/public_profile.asp?id=38024384&hhSearchTerms=%22cari+and+mccoy%22">Click here to view Cari's profile and connect now!</a>
</p>
<p>If you know of someone that you think should be highlighted in our Member PRO Files Blog please nominate them by emailing <a href="mailto:rheagan@rfmaonline.com">rheagan@rfmaonline.com</a>.</p>]]></description>
<pubDate>Tue, 14 Jul 2020 21:00:02 GMT</pubDate>
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<title>Meet our RFMA Member, Fred Leon!</title>
<link>https://www.rfmaonline.com/members/blog_view.asp?id=1232254&amp;post=348053</link>
<guid>https://www.rfmaonline.com/members/blog_view.asp?id=1232254&amp;post=348053</guid>
<description><![CDATA[<p><span><strong><span style="color: #7a99ac;"><img alt="" src="https://www.rfmaonline.com/resource/resmgr/blogs/Fred_Leon_Header.png" width="100%"></span></strong></span></p>
<p><span><strong><span style="color: #7a99ac;">What year did you join RFMA?&nbsp;</span></strong></span>I believe it was 2012. I was with a vendor at the time and immediately felt “at home” with this amazing group as I was looking to network with restaurateurs.</p>
<p><span> <strong><span style="color: #7a99ac;">What RFMA groups are you involved in?</span></strong>&nbsp;</span>I am in The Buzz Council. This has been extremely fun and engaging. We cross into so many subjects and its such a great group of people.</p>
<p><span> <strong><span style="color: #7a99ac;">What do you like most about RFMA and why?</span></strong>&nbsp;</span>Hands down the people. These are some of the most caring, dedicated and hardworking folks I have had the honor of meeting in my lifetime. No matter how large or small the RFMA event I attend, I always come away with something I can utilize with my team.</p>
<p><span><strong><span style="color: #7a99ac;">Which RFMA resource do you utilize the most and why?</span></strong>&nbsp;</span>Facilitator Magazine and My Contacts on the website. Connecting with new members and veterans is a great way to get various perspectives on subjects that interest me.</p>
<p><span> <strong><span style="color: #7a99ac;">Where did you grow up?</span></strong>&nbsp;</span>El Paso, TX. Home of Chico’s Tacos! Locals and some visitors will know what I’m talking about.</p>
<p><span><strong><span style="color: #7a99ac;">If you weren’t in the facilities industry, what would you be doing?</span></strong>&nbsp;</span>Well obviously, I would be a male model LOL!!! Seriously, I think I would own a sailboat and charter trips in the Caribbean. I’m guessing I would need a sailboat and learn to sail, but who’s looking at the details right now?</p>
<p><span><strong><span style="color: #7a99ac;">What’s your favorite type of food?&nbsp;</span></strong></span>Texas smoked BBQ brisket&nbsp;</p>
<p><strong><span style="color: #7a99ac;">What is one of your favorite quotes?</span></strong>&nbsp;“Even if you are on the right track, you will get run over if you just sit there.” — Will Rogers</p>
<p><span> <strong><span style="color: #7a99ac;">What is your favorite song? "</span></strong></span>Don't Worry About a Thing" - Bob Marley</p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 12pt;"><span><strong><span style="color: #7a99ac;">If you could meet an iconic person from History, who would it be?&nbsp;</span></strong></span>Albert Einstein</p>
<span>&nbsp;</span>
<p style="margin: 0px 0px 10px;">Not only is Fred on the Buzz Council Task Force and helping create engagement on SocialLink, but he also has been involved with RFMA by attending and participating in regional events, virtual events, and the annual conference.&nbsp;<span><a href="https://www.rfmaonline.com/members/public_profile.asp?id=43266161&amp;hhSearchTerms=%22fred+and+leon%22">Click here to view Fred's profile and connect now!</a></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0px 0px 10px;">If you know of someone that you think should be highlighted in our Member PRO Files Blog please nominate them by emailing&nbsp;<a href="mailto:rheagan@rfmaonline.com" style="color: #3e76da; background: 0px 0px;">rheagan@rfmaonline.com</a>.</p>
<span><br>
</span>]]></description>
<pubDate>Fri, 15 May 2020 21:48:24 GMT</pubDate>
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<title>Meet our RFMA Member, Josh Rains, CRFP</title>
<link>https://www.rfmaonline.com/members/blog_view.asp?id=1232254&amp;post=346794</link>
<guid>https://www.rfmaonline.com/members/blog_view.asp?id=1232254&amp;post=346794</guid>
<description><![CDATA[<p><span><strong><span style="color: #7a99ac;"><img alt="" src="https://www.rfmaonline.com/resource/resmgr/blogs/Josh_Rains_Header.png" style="width: 100%;" /></span></strong></span></p>
<p><span><strong><span style="color: #7a99ac;">What year did you join RFMA? </span></strong>2006. I had started with PRSM, but it was always missing vital services and programs for the restaurant industry.<br />
<br />
<strong><span style="color: #7a99ac;">What RFMA groups are you involved in?</span></strong> I have been a RFMA Gives co-chair on two projects, a past Board and Advisory Board member and assisted with establishing the CRFP certification program.<s><br />
</s><br />
<strong><span style="color: #7a99ac;">Where did you grow up? </span></strong>I grew up in Columbus, Ohio and I have lived in Denver, Colorado for the past 20 years.<br />
 <br />
<strong><span style="color: #7a99ac;">If you weren’t in the Facilities Industry, what would you be doing?</span></strong> Sculpting and Welding.<br />
 <br />
<strong><span style="color: #7a99ac;">What is your favorite place in the world? </span></strong>In the States it would be Hawaii and Moab, Utah. Outside of that my destination of choice is always Europe. Planning a Scotland trip next year.<br />
<br />
<strong><span style="color: #7a99ac;">What is your favorite book?</span></strong> Any Dale Brown book. It helps me turn off the rest of the world and escape for a while. <b><s><br />
<br />
</s></b><strong><span style="color: #7a99ac;">Do you have a secret talent and if so, what is it? </span></strong>From an answer above, art. I was an Art and Secondary Education Major in College, perfect for Facilities right?<br />
<span style="color: red;"><br />
</span><strong><span style="color: #7a99ac;">If you could meet an iconic person from History, who would it be?</span></strong> George S. Patton<br />
<br />
</span></p>
<p style="margin: 0px 0px 10px;">Josh has been a RFMA member since the very beginning of RFMA, and he has been involved in many ways over the years. Most recently Josh was a co-chair on our latest <a href="http://onlinedigitalpublishing.com/publication/?i=657465&ver=html5&p=40">RFMA Gives 2020 project</a> and he won the <a href="http://onlinedigitalpublishing.com/publication/?i=657465&ver=html5&p=22">RFMA Gives Go-Getter RFMy Award</a> at RFMA 2020! <span><a href="https://www.rfmaonline.com/members/public_profile.asp?id=11071567&hhSearchTerms=%22josh+and+rains%22">Click here to view Josh's profile and connect now</a>!</span></p>
<p style="margin: 0px 0px 10px;">If you know of someone that you think should be highlighted in our Member PRO Files Blog please nominate them by emailing <a href="mailto:rheagan@rfmaonline.com" style="color: #3e76da; background: 0px 0px;">rheagan@rfmaonline.com</a>.</p>]]></description>
<pubDate>Wed, 29 Apr 2020 20:35:11 GMT</pubDate>
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<title>Meet our RFMA Member, Keith Keingstein</title>
<link>https://www.rfmaonline.com/members/blog_view.asp?id=1232254&amp;post=346291</link>
<guid>https://www.rfmaonline.com/members/blog_view.asp?id=1232254&amp;post=346291</guid>
<description><![CDATA[<p><span><img alt="" src="https://www.rfmaonline.com/resource/resmgr/blogs/profiles/Member_Spotlight_Header__2_.png" style="width: 100%;" /></span></p>
<p><strong><span style="color: #7a99ac;">What year did you join RFMA?</span></strong> 2017&nbsp;</p>
<p><strong><span style="color: #7a99ac;">What groups are you involved in with RFMA?</span></strong> None, yet. </p>
<p><strong><span style="color: #7a99ac;">What do you like most about RFMA and why?</span></strong> I love the wealth of knowledge that the members possess. Being part of this association allows us to learn from some of the best in the business. </p>
<p><strong><span style="color: #7a99ac;">Which RFMA Resource do you utilize the most and why?</span></strong>&nbsp;The&nbsp;Vendor Marketplace</p>
<p><strong><span style="color: #7a99ac;">Where did you grow up?</span></strong> Hauppauge, NY (Strong Island!</p>
<p><strong><span style="color: #7a99ac;">What is your proudest accomplishment? </span></strong>My proudest accomplishment was the formation of BOSS. I always envisioned working with family.</p>
<p><strong><span style="color: #7a99ac;">Who is your favorite sports team?</span></strong> The Yankees, DUH!&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>
<p><span><strong><span style="color: #7a99ac;">What’s your favorite type of food? </span></strong>Mexican food</span></p>
<p><span>&nbsp;</span><span><strong><span style="color: #7a99ac;">What is your favorite book?</span></strong> <em>The Hypomanic Edge: The link between a little craziness and a lot of success in America</em>&nbsp;by John D. Gartner </span></p>
<p><span><strong><span style="color: #7a99ac;">What is one of your favorite quotes?</span></strong> “Doing within when without.” </span></p>
<p><span><strong><span style="color: #7a99ac;">What is your favorite song? "</span></strong>Shadow of the Day" by Linkin Park </span></p>
<p><span><strong><span style="color: #7a99ac;">If you could meet an iconic person from History, who would it be?</span></strong> Nikola Tesla </span></p>
<p><span>&nbsp;</span></p>
<p style="margin: 0px 0px 10px;">Keith has been a RFMA member for 3 years and his company has been a sponsor at the RFMA Annual Conference for all 3 years.&nbsp;<span><a href="https://www.rfmaonline.com/members/public_profile.asp?id=43674333&amp;hhSearchTerms=%22kein%22">Click here to view Keith's profile and connect now!</a></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0px 0px 10px;">If you know of someone that you think should be highlighted in our Member PRO Files Blog please nominate them by emailing&nbsp;<a href="mailto:rheagan@rfmaonline.com" style="color: #3e76da; background: 0px 0px;">rheagan@rfmaonline.com</a>.</p>
<p><span><br />
</span></p>]]></description>
<pubDate>Thu, 23 Apr 2020 21:50:09 GMT</pubDate>
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<title>Meet our RFMA Member, Shannon Markwell!</title>
<link>https://www.rfmaonline.com/members/blog_view.asp?id=1232254&amp;post=345310</link>
<guid>https://www.rfmaonline.com/members/blog_view.asp?id=1232254&amp;post=345310</guid>
<description><![CDATA[<p><span>&nbsp;<img alt="" src="https://www.rfmaonline.com/resource/resmgr/blogs/Shannon_M__1_.png" style="width: 100%;" /></span></p>
<p><span>&nbsp;</span></p>
<p><strong><span style="color: #7a99ac;">What year did you join RFMA?</span></strong>&nbsp; 2019. I am one year “new” to the restaurant industry and what a better way to jump right in than joining an amazing organization solely focused on restaurant facilities.<br />
<br />
<strong><span style="color: #7a99ac;">What RFMA groups are you involved in?&nbsp;</span></strong> I have joined the Member Engagement Committee which has been very enlightening! I also just returned from my first Annual Conference which was a great few days filled with education, networking and FUN!<br />
<br />
<strong><span style="color: #7a99ac;">What do you like most about RFMA and why?</span></strong>&nbsp; The unlimited resources, the passion behind the RFMA members and the networking. To me, networking is the gateway to great success and friendships. <br />
<br />
<strong><span style="color: #7a99ac;">Which RFMA Resource do you utilize the most and why?</span></strong>&nbsp; Being new to RFMA I have just starting dipping into to the bounty of resources offered. One of the resources I am most looking forward to is the mentorship program. I love to help others who are working to expand their knowledge in a filed they are passionate about.&nbsp; <s><br />
</s><br />
<strong><span style="color: #7a99ac;">Where did you grow up?&nbsp;&nbsp;</span></strong>San Diego. “America's finest city! “<br />
&nbsp;<br />
<strong><span style="color: #7a99ac;">If you weren’t in the </span></strong><strong><span style="color: #7a99ac;">Facilities Industry, what would you be doing?&nbsp;&nbsp;</span></strong>I would be a doctor. I love helping people. This may look pretentious to people outside of the medical field, but I believe most people who have worked in a hospital in any capacity would know what I am talking about. The satisfaction and the happiness we get from helping a sick patient is beyond words.<br />
&nbsp;<br />
<strong><span style="color: #7a99ac;">What is your favorite place in the world?&nbsp;</span></strong>&nbsp;Anywhere there is clear, blue water, sun and sand.<br />
<br />
<strong><span style="color: #7a99ac;">What’s your favorite type of food?</span></strong>&nbsp; Mexican food for sure. Living close to the Mexico border we have some of the best authentic food in the U.S.<br />
<br />
<strong><span style="color: #7a99ac;">What is one of your favorite quotes?&nbsp; </span></strong>"It's hard to beat a person who never gives up."<br />
<b><s><br />
</s></b><strong><span style="color: #7a99ac;">Do you have a secret talent and if so, what is it?</span></strong>&nbsp; If I sang at your wedding or event this isn’t much of a secret…. But I used to be a wedding singer. <br />
<br />
<strong><span style="color: #7a99ac;">If you could meet an iconic person from History, who would it be?&nbsp;</span></strong><span style="color: #333333;"> </span>Steve Jobs. A man with no formal education in technology managed to start and run the biggest tech giant in the world. I would love to learn the thought process of this man. I would also like to meet Leonardo da Vinci. Hardly was there a job which this man wasn't capable of doing. He was a painter, sculptor, architect, scientist, musician, mathematician, engineer, inventor, anatomist, geologist, astronomer, historian and the list only continues. Just an amazing man. <br />
<br />
<span style="color: #7a99ac;"><strong>Who knows you the best?&nbsp;</strong> </span>Definitely my daughter.</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p style="margin: 0px 0px 10px;">Shannon has been a RFMA member for only a year but she is already so involved! Shannon serves on the Member Engagement Committee, attended Restaurant Roundtables and the RFMA Annual Conference in Denver.&nbsp;<strong><a href="https://www.rfmaonline.com/members/public_profile.asp?id=58889924&amp;hhSearchTerms=%22shannon%22">Click here to view Shannon's profile and connect now!</a></strong></p>
<p style="margin: 0px 0px 10px;">If you know of someone that you think should be highlighted in our Member PRO Files Blog please nominate them by emailing&nbsp;<a href="mailto:rheagan@rfmaonline.com" style="color: #3e76da; background: 0px 0px;">rheagan@rfmaonline.com</a>.</p>
<p><br />
<br />
</p>]]></description>
<pubDate>Tue, 7 Apr 2020 22:56:01 GMT</pubDate>
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<title>Meet our RFMA Member, Jay Andruk, CRFP!</title>
<link>https://www.rfmaonline.com/members/blog_view.asp?id=1232254&amp;post=341102</link>
<guid>https://www.rfmaonline.com/members/blog_view.asp?id=1232254&amp;post=341102</guid>
<description><![CDATA[<p style="margin-bottom: 12pt;"><span><strong><span style="color: #7a99ac;"><img alt="" src="https://www.rfmaonline.com/resource/resmgr/blogs/profiles/Jay_Andruk_Header-02.png" style="width: 100%;" /></span></strong></span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 12pt;"><span><strong><span style="color: #7a99ac;">What year did you join RFMA?</span></strong> </span>Joined in 2012. I was looking for opportunities to expand my facilities knowledge and connections and RFMA seemed like a perfect fit!</p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 12pt;"><strong><span style="color: #7a99ac;">What RFMA groups are you involved in?</span></strong> I am currently on the Board of Directors, a member of the Conference Curriculum Committee, and the RFMA Gives Steering Committee.  </p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 12pt;"><strong><span style="color: #7a99ac;">What do you like most about RFMA and why?</span></strong> I love the ability to easily connect with other facility managers and vendors who have a passion for excellence and learning within our industry. The professionals that join RFMA are people looking to expand their knowledge and connections just like I am!</p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 12pt;"><strong><span style="color: #7a99ac;">Which RFMA Resource do you utilize the most and why?</span></strong> I really enjoy participating in the Peer to Peer calls. It is a great way to stay connected and learn how other facility mangers deal with specific situations and concerns.  </p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 12pt;"><strong><span style="color: #7a99ac;">Where did you grow up?</span></strong> Taunton, MA. It is about halfway between Boston and Providence.</p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 12pt;"><strong><span style="color: #7a99ac;">What is your proudest accomplishment? </span></strong>Getting my bachelor’s degree from Syracuse University. Traditional classroom learning has never been my thing, and it took 7 years to get it, but I committed to doing it and it is something no one can ever take away from me.</p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 12pt;"><strong><span style="color: #7a99ac;">If you weren’t in the Facilities Industry, what would you be doing?</span></strong> Probably working in real estate with my wife. I would probably take the commercial side and let her focus on the residential side.</p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 12pt;"><strong><span style="color: #7a99ac;">Who is your favorite sports team?</span></strong> New England Patriots. When you grow up in MA you have no other choice…</p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 12pt;"><span><strong><span style="color: #7a99ac;">What is your favorite place in the world? </span></strong></span>Any snowy mountain I can ski on. Blue Sky Basin at Vail, CO if I must be specific.</p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 12pt;"><span><strong><span style="color: #7a99ac;">What’s your favorite type of food?</span></strong> </span>BBQ and Burgers of course!</p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 12pt;"><span><strong><span style="color: #7a99ac;">What is one of your favorite quotes?</span></strong> </span>“Do what you say you will do when you say you are going to do it!” It is on the desk of one of our company owners in lieu of a name plate.  </p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 12pt;"><span><strong><span style="color: #7a99ac;">Do you have a secret talent and if so, what is it? </span></strong></span>It is not so secret, but I am a licensed skydiver. I have been grounded for the last few years since taking care of two little kids keeps me busy, but my awesome wife Donna actually got my gear inspected and set me up to get current and jump again for a Christmas present this year 😊</p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 12pt;"><span> <strong><span style="color: #7a99ac;">Who knows you the best?</span></strong> </span>My three sisters. We are still very close and have all moved to the Austin, TX area to grow our careers and raise our families.</p>
<span> </span>
<p style="margin: 0px 0px 10px;"> </p>
<p style="margin: 0px 0px 10px;">Jay has been a RFMA member for nearly 8 years and is a director on the RFMA Board of Directors. Over the years Jay has been generous with his time and sharing his facilities knowledge, and he is even speaking on a panel during an education session at our upcoming <a href="http://https://www.rfmaannualconference.com/2020/public/SessionDetails.aspx?FromPage=Sessions.aspx&SessionID=50&SessionDateID=5">RFMA Annual Conference</a>! <a href="https://www.rfmaonline.com/members/public_profile.asp?id=14957560&hhSearchTerms=%2522jay%2522" style="background-color: transparent;">Click here to view Jay's profile and connect now!</a></p>
<p style="margin: 0px 0px 10px;">If you know of someone that you think should be highlighted in our Member PRO Files Blog please nominate them by emailing <a href="mailto:rheagan@rfmaonline.com" style="color: #3e76da; background: 0px 0px;">rheagan@rfmaonline.com</a>.</p>]]></description>
<pubDate>Mon, 24 Feb 2020 15:59:38 GMT</pubDate>
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<title>Meet our RFMA Member, Wendy Gallo, CRFP!</title>
<link>https://www.rfmaonline.com/members/blog_view.asp?id=1232254&amp;post=338816</link>
<guid>https://www.rfmaonline.com/members/blog_view.asp?id=1232254&amp;post=338816</guid>
<description><![CDATA[<p style="margin-bottom: 12pt;"><span><strong><span style="color: #7a99ac;"><img alt="" src="https://www.rfmaonline.com/resource/resmgr/blogs/profiles/Pro_Files_Header-Wendy-02.png" style="width: 100%;" /></span></strong></span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 12pt;"><span><strong><span style="color: #7a99ac;">What year did you join RFMA?</span></strong>&nbsp;</span>2008</p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 12pt;"><strong><span style="color: #7a99ac;">Why did you join RFMA?</span></strong> I joined for the education sessions, as I was new to Facilities, and to source vendors.<span><br />
<br />
<strong><span style="color: #7a99ac;">What RFMA groups are you involved in?</span></strong>&nbsp;</span>I have a passion for education and presenting. The conference curriculum committee is always my top choice for participating. I am also a board member and a member of Females in Facilities.</p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 12pt;"><span><strong><span style="color: #7a99ac;">What do you like most about RFMA and why?</span></strong>&nbsp;</span>I love the networking with both vendors and peers. The Annual Conference Exhibit Hall allows us to get to know new vendors, new services and new products. The Roundtables provide an excellent venue for sharing ideas and concerns with our peers. I also really enjoy the Express Exchange at the Annual Conference.</p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 12pt;"><span style="color: #7a99ac;"><strong>Which RFMA Resource do you utilize the most and why?</strong>&nbsp;</span>At this time, I utilize the Facilitator most often. I’m starting/trying to use SocialLink more, as a way to stay connected to everyone after the conference.</p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 12pt;"><span> <strong><span style="color: #7a99ac;">Where did you grow up?</span></strong>&nbsp;</span>Parsippany, NJ</p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 12pt;"><span><strong><span style="color: #7a99ac;">What is your proudest accomplishment? </span></strong></span>Wow, there are a couple. I’m proud of breaking down doors, ie, being the first female captain of my college speech team, joining the USMC, way back when, before it was common for women. I’m also proud of my Theater accomplishments. Producing and directing successful shows are a big part of my life, as well as performing Stand-up Comedy.</p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 12pt;"><span><strong><span style="color: #7a99ac;">If you weren’t in the Facilities Industry, what would you be doing?</span></strong>&nbsp;</span>I would do whatever was thrown my way – I fell into Facilities and have enjoyed learning a whole new industry. I would love to be an FBI agent or an actor in movies and on TV.</p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 12pt;"><span><strong><span style="color: #7a99ac;">Who is your favorite sports team?</span></strong>&nbsp;</span>Football Giants!</p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 12pt;"><span><strong><span style="color: #7a99ac;">What is your favorite place in the world?&nbsp;</span></strong></span>Although I haven’t been able to enjoy it, yet, Bora Bora is the place I most want to vacation. If not there, I’d be happy living in or near Rome, Italy.</p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 12pt;"><span><strong><span style="color: #7a99ac;">What’s your favorite type of food?</span></strong>&nbsp;</span>French Fries</p>
<p><span> <strong><span style="color: #7a99ac;">What is one of your favorite quotes?</span></strong>&nbsp;"Nothing tastes as good as thin feels!"<br />
<br />
<strong><span style="color: #7a99ac;">What is your favorite song?</span></strong>&nbsp;"Play that Funky Music"<b><s><br />
<br />
</s></b><strong><span style="color: #7a99ac;">Do you have a secret talent and if so, what is it?</span></strong>&nbsp;I guess it would be acting – not sure that is a secret and probably not a surprise to anyone. I’m a clarinet player.<br />
<br />
<strong><span style="color: #7a99ac;">If you could meet an iconic person from History, who would it be? </span></strong>Definitely John Adams!</span></p>
<p><span><br />
</span></p>
<p style="margin: 0px 0px 10px;">Wendy has been a RFMA member for 12 years and has been a part of the Conference Curriculum Committee, Females in Facilities Group and the RFMA Board of Directors. Over the years she has moderated virtual calls, met us at various regional events and attended the RFMA Annual Conference.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.rfmaonline.com/members/public_profile.asp?id=46593137&amp;hhSearchTerms=%2522gallo%2522">Click here to view Wendy's profile and connect now!</a></p>
<p style="margin: 0px 0px 10px;">If you know of someone that you think should be highlighted in our Member PRO Files Blog please nominate them by emailing&nbsp;<a href="mailto:rheagan@rfmaonline.com" style="color: #3e76da; background: 0px 0px;">rheagan@rfmaonline.com</a>.</p>
<p><span><br />
</span></p>]]></description>
<pubDate>Wed, 15 Jan 2020 20:25:52 GMT</pubDate>
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<title>Meet our RFMA Member, Robert Blum!</title>
<link>https://www.rfmaonline.com/members/blog_view.asp?id=1232254&amp;post=337346</link>
<guid>https://www.rfmaonline.com/members/blog_view.asp?id=1232254&amp;post=337346</guid>
<description><![CDATA[<p><strong><span style="color: #7a99ac;"><img alt="" src="https://www.rfmaonline.com/resource/resmgr/blogs/profiles/RFMA19-20_-Robert_Blum-02.png" style="width: 100%;" /></span></strong></p>
<p><strong><span style="color: #7a99ac;">What year did you join RFMA?</span></strong> 2017<br />
<br />
<strong><span style="color: #7a99ac;">What RFMA groups are you involved in?</span></strong> The Franchise Committee and Red Carpet Crew<br />
<br />
<strong><span style="color: #7a99ac;">What do you like most about RFMA and why? </span></strong>The Peer to Peer Calls because of the open dialogue and sharing of ideas. I also like the informal format where we are able to get to know other RFMA members.<br />
<br />
<strong><span style="color: #7a99ac;">Which RFMA Resource do you utilize the most and why? </span></strong>I use the website for researching vendors and industry resources whenever I have a question that my team can’t answer. I also have been using the app more and more for similar searches. The conference in the spring is also a great resource for making contacts, both peers and vendors.<br />
 <br />
<strong><span style="color: #7a99ac;">Where did you grow up?</span></strong> Pittsburgh, South Hills area.<br />
<br />
<strong><span style="color: #7a99ac;">If you weren’t in the Facilities Industry, what would you be doing?</span></strong> I came from the automotive repair industry so I would probably still be working in that industry.<br />
<br />
<strong><span style="color: #7a99ac;">Who is your favorite sports team?</span></strong> Penguins and Steelers<br />
<br />
<strong><span style="color: #7a99ac;">What is your favorite place in the world? </span></strong>Any place warm.<span> </span><br />
<br />
<strong><span style="color: #7a99ac;">What’s your favorite type of food?</span></strong> Steak<br />
<br />
<strong><span style="color: #7a99ac;">What is your favorite book? </span></strong><em>7 Habits of Highly Effective People</em> by Stephen Covey<br />
<br />
<strong><span style="color: #7a99ac;">What is one of your favorite quotes? </span></strong>“If you want shade today, plant a tree ten years ago. If you want shade ten years from now, plant a tree today.”  Asian Proverb<br />
<br />
<strong><span style="color: #7a99ac;">What is your favorite song?</span></strong> "Born to Run" by Bruce Springsteen<br />
<br />
<strong><span style="color: #7a99ac;">If you could meet an iconic person from History, who would it be?</span></strong> Abraham Lincoln<br />
<br />
<strong><span style="color: #7a99ac;">Who knows you the best?</span></strong> My family</p>
<p> </p>
<p style="margin: 0px 0px 10px;">Robert has been a RFMA member for 2 years and has become so involved. He actively participates on the Franchisee Task Force and Red Carpet Crew, and has attended several regional and virtual events. Robert even moderated a Restaurant Peer to Peer call! <a href="https://www.rfmaonline.com/members/public_profile.asp?id=46600722&hhSearchTerms=%2522bob+and+blum%2522">Click here to view Robert's profile and connect now!</a></p>
<p style="margin: 0px 0px 10px;">If you know of someone that you think should be highlighted in our Member PRO Files Blog please nominate them by emailing <a href="mailto:rheagan@rfmaonline.com" style="color: #3e76da; background: 0px 0px;">rheagan@rfmaonline.com</a>.</p>
<div> </div>]]></description>
<pubDate>Mon, 9 Dec 2019 22:25:36 GMT</pubDate>
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<title>Meet our RFMA member, Jenna Dominguez!</title>
<link>https://www.rfmaonline.com/members/blog_view.asp?id=1232254&amp;post=333719</link>
<guid>https://www.rfmaonline.com/members/blog_view.asp?id=1232254&amp;post=333719</guid>
<description><![CDATA[<p><img alt="" src="https://www.rfmaonline.com/resource/resmgr/blogs/profiles/RFMA19-20_Header_Jenna-02.png" style="width: 100%;" /></p>
<p> 
</p>
<p><strong><span style="color: #7a99ac;">What year did you join RFMA? Why did you join RFMA?</span></strong> I joined in 2018  as a Young Professional looking for a network in the industry.  </p>
<p><strong><span style="color: #7a99ac;">What RFMA groups are you involved in?</span></strong> I am a Member Engagement Committee member, Mentorship Program Mentee, and member of the Female in Facilities group. </p>
<p><strong><span style="color: #7a99ac;">What do you like most about RFMA and why?</span></strong> The people of RFMA really make the difference! The staff and members are kind, fun and knowledgeable. In general there is a sense of willingness - willingness to help, share, and collaborate. </p>
<p><strong><span style="color: #7a99ac;">Which RFMA Resource do you utilize the most and why?</span></strong> Facilitator Magazine helps us as a vendor stay on trend, and prepare for the waves of changes in the industry. </p>
<p><strong><span style="color: #7a99ac;">Where did you grow up? </span></strong>I grew up in Hacienda Heights, CA - fun fact: one of the largest Buddhist Temples outside of Asia is located in Hacienda Heights.  </p>
<p><strong><span style="color: #7a99ac;">What is your proudest accomplishment? Why? </span></strong>I just became a homeowner at 25! I now have a place for my son to call home and make great memories in, and that is more than I can ever ask for.</p>
<p><strong><span style="color: #7a99ac;">If you weren’t in the Facilities Industry, what would you be doing? </span></strong> I would be in Art Therapy, working with underserved communities or the prison population.</p>
<p><strong><span style="color: #7a99ac;">Who is your favorite sports team?</span></strong> *eight clap* Go Bruins! </p>
<p><strong><span style="color: #7a99ac;">What is your favorite place in the world? </span></strong>The mountains with family.</p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 12pt;"><span> <strong><span style="color: #7a99ac;">What’s your favorite type of food?</span></strong> </span>Tie between Italian and Mexican. </p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 12pt;"><strong><span style="color: #7a99ac;">What is your favorite book?</span></strong> <em>Harry Potter</em>...always.</p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 12pt;"><strong><span style="color: #7a99ac;">What is one of your favorite quotes?</span></strong> “Happiness can be found, even in the darkest of times, if one only remembers to turn on the light” - Albus Dumbledore </p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 12pt;"><strong><span style="color: #7a99ac;">If you could meet an iconic person from History, who would it be?</span></strong> Frida Kahlo</p>
<span> </span>
<p style="margin: 0px 0px 10px;"> </p>
<p style="margin: 0px 0px 10px;">Jenna has been a RFMA member for a little over a year and has already become so involved! She serves on the Member Engagement Committee and is involved with Females in Facilities, has lead a Maximize Your Membership Webinar and has completed the Mentorship Program as a mentee. <a href="https://www.rfmaonline.com/members/public_profile.asp?id=52967069&hhSearchTerms=%2522jenna%2522">Click here to view Jenna's profile and connect now!</a></p>
<p style="margin: 0px 0px 10px;">If you know of someone that you think should be highlighted in our Member PRO Files Blog please nominate them by emailing <a href="mailto:rheagan@rfmaonline.com" style="color: #3e76da; background: 0px 0px;">rheagan@rfmaonline.com</a>.</p>
<span><br />
<br />
</span>]]></description>
<pubDate>Fri, 25 Oct 2019 16:27:48 GMT</pubDate>
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<title>Meet our RFMA Member, Josh Pringle</title>
<link>https://www.rfmaonline.com/members/blog_view.asp?id=1232254&amp;post=331993</link>
<guid>https://www.rfmaonline.com/members/blog_view.asp?id=1232254&amp;post=331993</guid>
<description><![CDATA[<p><img alt="" src="https://www.rfmaonline.com/resource/resmgr/blogs/profiles/NEW_Josh_Pringle_Headers-02.png" style="width: 100%;" /></p>
<p><strong><span style="color: #7a99ac;">What year did you join RFMA? Why did you join RFMA?</span></strong> We were delighted to discover RFMA and join in 2016. Within a few weeks our team exhibited at our first RFMA event – the annual conference in Nashville. We were “hooked” from the first moment. We originally joined, like I’m sure most companies do, to get direct access to facilities managers and decision makers. However, we quickly found that RFMA means so much more than just the price of membership because of the invaluable resources each member offers to others. The overall relationship is more than just a card in a rolodex – those connections are bonds.</p>
<p><span style="color: #7a99ac;"><strong>What RFMA groups are you involved in?</strong> </span>As a small manufacturer we’ve been involved in very little to date. However, we made the decision in Austin this year that we were going to increase our activities with RFMA as our team grows. We’ve recently expanded the business and we should now have the bandwidth to give back and participate in more groups such as RFMA Gives.</p>
<p><strong><span style="color: #7a99ac;">What do you like most about RFMA and why?</span></strong> For our team, two things stand out about RFMA:</p>
<ol>
    <li>RFMA is a collection of intelligent restaurant professionals that want or need to solve problems. They are also willing to share their time and information so we can collectively find solutions.</li>
    <li>RFMA members are not just our business partners, but friends now too. The willingness of members to create relationships with suppliers is unparalleled in our manufacturing world! </li>
</ol>
<p>  <strong><span style="color: #7a99ac;">Which RFMA Resource do you utilize the most and why? </span></strong><em>Facilitator </em>magazine and the Member Directory.  <s><br />
</s><br />
<strong><span style="color: #7a99ac;">Where did you grow up?</span></strong> Litchfield, CT; home of America's first law school, author Harriet Beecher Stowe, and signer of the Declaration of Independence Mr. Oliver Wolcott.<br />
<br />
<strong><span style="color: #7a99ac;">What is your proudest accomplishment? Why?</span></strong> I am very fortunate to be the proud stepfather to Emma and Evan Craig.<br />
<br />
<strong><span style="color: #7a99ac;">If you weren’t in the Facilities industry, what would you be doing?</span></strong>  I always dreamed of being the General Manager of a minor league baseball team. I’d have our Director of Marketing, Morgan Morris, as my team's mascot too.<br />
<br />
<span style="color: #7a99ac;"><strong>Who is your favorite sports team? </strong></span>The Washington Nationals<br />
<br />
<span style="color: #7a99ac;"><strong>What is your favorite place in the world?</strong></span> I love Asheville, NC. The combination of the NC mountains, friendly people, great food, and its status as the “brewing capital of the east” makes it ideal for me.<br />
<br />
<strong><span style="color: #7a99ac;">What’s your favorite type of food? </span></strong>I really want to say tacos but because I am trying to lose some weight I will say salad.<br />
<br />
<strong><span style="color: #7a99ac;">What is your favorite book? </span></strong><em>To Kill a Mockingbird</em><br />
<br />
<strong><span style="color: #7a99ac;">What is one of your favorite quotes? </span></strong>“Control only the things YOU have control over.” – F. Herlihy (my grandfather)<br />
<br />
<strong><span style="color: #7a99ac;">What is your favorite song?</span></strong> "Sing a Song" – Earth, Wind & Fire<b><s><br />
<br />
</s></b><strong><span style="color: #7a99ac;">Do you have a secret talent and if so, what is it?</span></strong> I would say a talent is finding ways to achieve “Lifetime Diamond Member Status” on Delta!  Friends, family, and co-workers would say my secret talent is my likeability and social skill set.  Being able to connect with a broad range of individuals, regardless of industry, status, or age - harmoniously.</p>
<p><strong><span style="color: #7a99ac;">If you could meet an iconic person from History, who would it be? </span></strong>James Madison – Father of the Constitution</p>
<p><strong><span style="color: #7a99ac;">Who knows you the best? </span></strong>Jackie Bean or Caitlin Herlihy</p>
<p><span> </span> </p>
<p>Josh has been a RFMA member for nearly 4 years and has attended every RFMA Annual Conference since. <a href="https://www.rfmaonline.com/members/public_profile.asp?id=38094992">Click here to view Josh's profile and connect now!</a></p>
<p>If you know of someone that you think should be highlighted in our Member PRO Files Blog please nominate them by emailing <a href="mailto:rheagan@rfmaonline.com" style="color: #3e76da; background: 0px 0px;">rheagan@rfmaonline.com</a>.<span><br />
</span></p>]]></description>
<pubDate>Thu, 26 Sep 2019 21:34:53 GMT</pubDate>
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<title>Meet our RFMA Member, Greg Clark</title>
<link>https://www.rfmaonline.com/members/blog_view.asp?id=1232254&amp;post=328953</link>
<guid>https://www.rfmaonline.com/members/blog_view.asp?id=1232254&amp;post=328953</guid>
<description><![CDATA[<p style="margin-bottom: 12pt;"><span><img alt="" src="https://www.rfmaonline.com/resource/resmgr/blogs/profiles/Greg_Clark-02.png" style="width: 100%;" /></span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 12pt;"><span><strong><span style="color: #7a99ac;">What year did you join RFMA?</span></strong> 2014, our company was looking to centralize our in-house facilities teams.</span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 12pt;"><span><strong><span style="color: #7a99ac;">What RFMA groups are you involved in? </span></strong>Resource Committee and Board of Directors</span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 12pt;"><span><strong><span style="color: #7a99ac;">What do you like most about RFMA and why?</span></strong> How helpful everyone is and the sharing of ideas. We are all dealing with the same job trying to maintain our restaurant building grounds and equipment and everyone enjoys talking solutions and ideas. It’s awesome how many friends I have made.</span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 12pt;"><span><strong><span style="color: #7a99ac;">Which RFMA Resource do you utilize the most and why?</span></strong> <span>The website for possible vendors and ideas. Because I know our vendor partners have restaurant experience and it makes a big difference.</span></span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 12pt;"><strong><span style="color: #7a99ac;">Where did you grow up? </span></strong>Columbus, OH</p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 12pt;"><strong><span style="color: #7a99ac;">What is your proudest accomplishment? </span></strong>Getting my Professional Engineers License, because it took a very long time and a lot of sacrifice on my family and me to achieve it.</p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 12pt;"><span> <strong><span style="color: #7a99ac;">If you weren’t in the Facilities Industry, what would you be doing? </span></strong>Designing MEP’s for buildings.</span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 12pt;"><span><strong><span style="color: #7a99ac;">Who is your favorite sports team?</span></strong>&nbsp;Ohio State football</span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 12pt;"><span><strong><span style="color: #7a99ac;">What is your favorite place in the world?</span></strong>&nbsp;The beach…mostly Myrtle Beach out of convenience. St. Thomas’ Sapphire Beach preferably, though I haven’t been to Hawaii.</span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 12pt;"><span><span style="color: #7a99ac;"><strong>What’s your favorite type of food?</strong></span> Smoked Barbeque Brisket with southern style hush puppies.</span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 12pt;"><span><strong><span style="color: #7a99ac;">What is your favorite book? </span></strong><em>The Shack</em></span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 12pt;"><span><strong><span style="color: #7a99ac;">What is one of your favorite quotes? </span></strong>"As iron sharpen iron, so a friend sharpens a friend" - King Solomon</span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 12pt;"><strong><span style="color: #7a99ac;">What is your favorite song?</span></strong> Not really one favorite, anything from Queen or REO. (Yes I’m old)</p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 12pt;"><strong><span style="color: #7a99ac;">Do you have a secret talent and if so, what is it?</span></strong> I can tie a lot of different knots.</p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 12pt;"><strong><span style="color: #7a99ac;">If you could meet an iconic person from History, who would it be?</span></strong> Thomas Edison, anyone who keeps after something after 1,000’s of failed attempts would be really cool to talk with about what motivates them.</p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 12pt;"><strong><span style="color: #7a99ac;">Who knows you the best?</span></strong> My wife, she’s my soulmate, best friend and the most compassionate person I have ever met.</p>
<span> </span>
<p style="margin: 0px 0px 0.0001pt;">&nbsp;</p>
<p style="margin: 0px 0px 0.0001pt;">Greg has been a RFMA member for 5 years and has served on the Resource Committee and the Board of Directors.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.rfmaonline.com/members/public_profile.asp?id=26003118&amp;hhSearchTerms=%2522clark%2522">Click here to view Greg's profile and connect now!</a></p>
<p style="margin: 0px 0px 0.0001pt;">&nbsp;</p>
<p style="margin: 0px 0px 0.0001pt;">If you know of someone that you think should be highlighted in our Member PRO Files Blog please nominate them by emailing&nbsp;<a href="mailto:rheagan@rfmaonline.com" style="color: #3e76da; background: 0px 0px;">rheagan@rfmaonline.com</a>.</p>
<span><br />
</span>]]></description>
<pubDate>Thu, 1 Aug 2019 21:24:33 GMT</pubDate>
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<title>Meet our RFMA Member, Rob Foraker</title>
<link>https://www.rfmaonline.com/members/blog_view.asp?id=1232254&amp;post=327211</link>
<guid>https://www.rfmaonline.com/members/blog_view.asp?id=1232254&amp;post=327211</guid>
<description><![CDATA[<p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span><strong><span style="color: #7a99ac;"><img alt="" src="https://www.rfmaonline.com/resource/resmgr/blogs/profiles/rob_foraker_header-template-.png" style="width: 100%;" /></span></strong></span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span><strong><span style="color: #7a99ac;">&nbsp;</span></strong></span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span><strong><span style="color: #7a99ac;">What year did you join RFMA? Why did you join RFMA?</span></strong>&nbsp;</span>2006. RFMA was just starting out and I didn’t not know many other RFM’s. It was an exciting time to branch out and network with others in the industry, and still is today.<br />
<br />
<strong><span style="color: #7a99ac;">What RFMA groups are you involved in?&nbsp;</span></strong>2010 Membership Development Committee, 2018 Co-Chair Franchise Task Force and Leadership RFMA Class of 2019-2020<br />
<br />
<strong><span style="color: #7a99ac;">What do you like most about RFMA and why?&nbsp;</span></strong>I like the fact that the organization is a member driven association. You are with peers who face the same challenges and have input to solutions that help each one of us be a better RFM. It’s the people that make RFMA great. Proud to be a part of it.<br />
<br />
<strong><span style="color: #7a99ac;">Which RFMA Resource do you utilize the most and why?&nbsp;</span></strong>I use the new app all the time as well as <em>Facilitator </em>magazine. Great way to stay connected to everything and everyone.<br />
<br />
<strong><span style="color: #7a99ac;">Where did you grow up? </span></strong>I grew up in Canton, Ohio, home of the Pro Football HOF and Marilyn Manson…<br />
<br />
<strong><span style="color: #7a99ac;">What is your proudest accomplishment?</span></strong> I am most proud of my family, we are the perfect mix of chaos and love. They are my everything.&nbsp;<br />
<br />
<strong><span style="color: #7a99ac;">If you weren’t in the Facilities Industry, what would you be doing?&nbsp;</span></strong>I always wanted to be an Archeologist, but I guess if I was an archeologist, my life would be in ruins...<br />
<br />
<strong><span style="color: #7a99ac;">Who are your favorite sports teams?</span></strong>  I am a big Red Wing Hockey fan as well as a fan of all my CLE teams (Indians, Browns, Cavs).&nbsp;<br />
<br />
<strong><span style="color: #7a99ac;">What is your favorite place in the world? </span></strong>At home, hanging out with my wife and kids (and dogs).<br />
<br />
<strong><span style="color: #7a99ac;">What’s your favorite type of food?</span></strong> Anything grilled. Steak, Burgers, Ribs, Chicken, vegetables, cheese, pineapple, etc.<br />
<br />
<strong><span style="color: #7a99ac;">What is your favorite book? </span></strong>It is a toss-up between <em>“Still Life with Woodpecker”</em> by Tom Robbins and <em>“Practical Demonkeeping”</em> by Christopher Moore.<br />
<br />
<strong><span style="color: #7a99ac;">What is one of your favorite quotes?</span></strong> “Love all, trust a few, do wrong to none.” - Shakespeare<br />
<br />
<strong><span style="color: #7a99ac;">What is your favorite song?</span></strong> Too many to name. I stick to the 3 R’s…The Replacements, the Ramones, and The Rolling Stones.<br />
<br />
<strong><span style="color: #7a99ac;">Do you have a secret talent and if so, what is it?</span></strong> Before kids I was a 220 average bowler…<br />
<br />
<strong><span style="color: #7a99ac;">If you could meet an iconic person from History, who would it be?</span></strong> Joe Strummer. I would love to sit and have a few pints with him.<br />
<br />
<strong><span style="color: #7a99ac;">Who knows you the best? </span></strong>My wife…She filled out this PROfile for me…(not really, but she could have)<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Rob has been a RFMA member for 13 years and has participated in committees and task forces over the years.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.rfmaonline.com/members/public_profile.asp?id=11072467" style="background: 0px 0px;">Click here to view Rob's profile and connect now!</a></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span>If you know of someone that you think should be highlighted in our Member PRO Files Blog please nominate them by emailing&nbsp;</span><span><a href="mailto:rheagan@rfmaonline.com" style="color: #3e76da; background: 0px 0px;">rheagan@rfmaonline.com</a></span><span>.</span></p>]]></description>
<pubDate>Mon, 1 Jul 2019 16:30:12 GMT</pubDate>
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<title>Meet our RFMA Member, Shane Sommer</title>
<link>https://www.rfmaonline.com/members/blog_view.asp?id=1232254&amp;post=324605</link>
<guid>https://www.rfmaonline.com/members/blog_view.asp?id=1232254&amp;post=324605</guid>
<description><![CDATA[<p style="margin-bottom: 12pt;"><span><strong><em><span style="color: #5b7f95;"><img alt="" src="https://www.rfmaonline.com/resource/resmgr/blogs/profiles/RFMA19-20_Pro_Files_Header-T.png" style="width: 100%;" /></span></em></strong></span></p>
<span style="color: #7a99ac;"><strong>What year did you join RFMA?</strong>&nbsp;</span>2014. I joined RFMA to network and connect with other professionals in facilities management and to learn more about the industry.<br />
<br />
<span style="color: #7a99ac;"><strong><span>What RFMA events have you attended</span>?&nbsp;</strong></span><span>I have enjoyed attending and networking at Member Meet-ups, Peer to Partner calls and RFMA Gives.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #7a99ac;"><strong>What do you like most about RFMA and why?</strong>&nbsp;</span>The people in RFMA are awesome and fun to be around. I look forward to the national conference each year because I truly enjoy meeting new people and catching up with all of the fantastic people I have met over the years.<br />
<br />
<strong><span style="color: #7a99ac;">Which RFMA Resource do you utilize the most and why?&nbsp;</span></strong>I utilize RFMA Online and the membership directory frequently. I like to connect with other members through SocialLink on RFMAonline.com because it is a great way to share personal information in a safe, non-threatening manner. &nbsp;&nbsp;<s><br />
</s><br />
<strong><span style="color: #7a99ac;">Where did you grow up? </span></strong>New Berlin, IL population 700, a small farm community near Springfield, IL.<br />
<br />
<span style="color: #7a99ac;"><strong>What is your proudest accomplishment?&nbsp;</strong></span>I am so very proud of our amazing children. Both of them are firmly grounded in their Christian Faith and I know they will have very positive impact on our society in the future. <br />
<br />
<strong><span style="color: #7a99ac;">If you weren’t in the Facilities Industry, what would you be doing?</span></strong>&nbsp;Construction Management<br />
<br />
<span style="color: #7a99ac;"><strong>Who is your favorite sports team?</strong></span>&nbsp;I love the Tampa Bay Lightning. I watch them on TV whenever I can and I attend a few of the home games at Amalie Arena in Tampa each year. GO BOLTS!<br />
<span style="color: #7a99ac;"><strong><br />
What is your favorite place in the world?</strong></span>&nbsp;The Rock House in Negril, Jamaica<br />
<br />
<strong><span style="color: #7a99ac;">What’s your favorite type of food?&nbsp;</span></strong>BBQ<br />
<br />
<span style="color: #7a99ac;"><strong>What is one of your favorite quotes?</strong></span>&nbsp;“If you love your job, you haven’t worked a day in your life” Tommy Lasorda<br />
<strong><em><span style="color: #5b7f95;"><br />
</span></em><span style="color: #7a99ac;">What is your favorite song?</span></strong>&nbsp;Tom Petty, “Running Down a Dream”<br />
<br />
<span style="color: #7a99ac;"><strong>Do you have a secret talent and if so, what is it?&nbsp;</strong></span>I help construct sets for my kid’s local theater and school plays/musicals.<br />
<br />
<strong><span style="color: #7a99ac;">If you could meet an iconic person from History, who would it be?</span></strong>&nbsp;Thomas Jefferson<br />
<br />
<strong><span style="color: #7a99ac;">Who knows you the best?</span></strong> My wife, of course.
<p style="margin-bottom: 12pt;">&nbsp;</p>
<p style="margin: 0px 0px 10px;">Shane has been a RFMA member for 5 years, participated in Peer to  Partner virtual calls, Regional Member Meet-Up events, and utilizes <a href="https://www.rfmaonline.com/login.aspx">SocialLink</a> on RFMAonline.com.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.rfmaonline.com/members/public_profile.asp?id=25437922">Click here to view Shane's profile and connect now!</a></p>
<p style="margin: 0px 0px 10px;"><span style="color: #000000;">&nbsp;</span></p>
If you know of someone that you think should be highlighted in our Member PRO Files Blog please nominate them by emailing&nbsp;<span><a href="mailto:rheagan@rfmaonline.com" style="color: #3e76da; background: 0px 0px;">rheagan@rfmaonline.com</a></span>.]]></description>
<pubDate>Thu, 23 May 2019 17:30:27 GMT</pubDate>
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<title>Meet our RFMA Member, Jorge Rodriguez</title>
<link>https://www.rfmaonline.com/members/blog_view.asp?id=1232254&amp;post=321775</link>
<guid>https://www.rfmaonline.com/members/blog_view.asp?id=1232254&amp;post=321775</guid>
<description><![CDATA[<hr />
<p><img alt="" src="https://www.rfmaonline.com/resource/resmgr/blogs/profiles/Jorge_Rodriguez-02.png" style="width: 100%;" /></p>
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<strong>What year did you join RFMA?</strong>&nbsp;</span>On and off since 2011. I went back to the retail sector for a bit and decided to come back where the action is.<br />
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</span><strong><span style="color: #7a99ac;">What RFMA groups are you involved in?</span></strong><span style="color: #7a99ac;">&nbsp;</span>None… yet.<br />
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<span style="color: #7a99ac;"><strong>What do you like most about RFMA and why?</strong>&nbsp;</span>Being around people who get what I do. It’s tough to relate with people outside of our industry and it’s great to connect with people who know what you go through daily.<br />
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<span style="color: #7a99ac;"><strong>Which RFMA Resource do you utilize the most and why?</strong>&nbsp;</span>RFMA Annual Conference for sure. It’s where all the magic happens.&nbsp;<br />
<strong><em><span style="color: #7a99ac;"><br />
</span></em><span style="color: #7a99ac;">Where did you grow up?</span></strong>&nbsp;Passaic, NJ and Miami, FL.&nbsp;<br />
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<strong><span style="color: #7a99ac;">If you weren’t in the Facilities Industry, what would you be doing?</span><em><span style="color: #7a99ac;">&nbsp;</span></em></strong>Commercial sales of some sort. I love connecting with people and fulfilling their needs.&nbsp;<br />
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<span style="color: #7a99ac;"><strong>Who is your favorite sports team?<em>&nbsp;</em></strong></span>Miami Heat. FYI – I liked them before LeBron James joined.&nbsp;<br />
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<strong><span style="color: #7a99ac;">What is your favorite place in the world?&nbsp;</span></strong>Home. It’s where it all matters.&nbsp;<br />
<em><strong><br />
</strong></em><strong><span style="color: #7a99ac;"><strong>What’s your favorite type of food?&nbsp;</strong></span></strong>Pizza. There’s nothing better than a good slice.&nbsp;<br />
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<span style="color: #7a99ac;"><strong>What is your favorite book?</strong>&nbsp;</span><span style="text-decoration: underline;">The Servant as Leader</span> by Robert K. Greenleaf<br />
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<strong><span style="color: #7a99ac;">Do you have a secret talent and if so, what is it?</span><em><span style="color: #7a99ac;">&nbsp;</span></em></strong>I would say it’s the ability to read people very quickly, but my wife would say it’s ironing clothes well.&nbsp;<br />
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<span style="color: #7a99ac;"><strong>If you could meet an iconic person from History, who would it be?<em>&nbsp;</em></strong></span>Benjamin Franklin. One of the last true renaissance men.&nbsp;<br />
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Jorge has been a RFMA member for 8 years, participated in Peer to Peer and Peer to Partner virtual calls, and attended five Annual Conferences over the years.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.rfmaonline.com/members/public_profile.asp?id=12130447">Click here to view Jorge's profile and connect now!</a><br />
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If you know of someone that you think should be highlighted in our Member PRO Files Blog please nominate them by emailing&nbsp;<span><a href="mailto:rheagan@rfmaonline.com" style="color: #3e76da; background: 0px 0px;">rheagan@rfmaonline.com</a></span>.
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<pubDate>Wed, 10 Apr 2019 17:50:40 GMT</pubDate>
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<title>Meet our RFMA Member, Felix Vega</title>
<link>https://www.rfmaonline.com/members/blog_view.asp?id=1232254&amp;post=319812</link>
<guid>https://www.rfmaonline.com/members/blog_view.asp?id=1232254&amp;post=319812</guid>
<description><![CDATA[<img alt="" src="https://www.rfmaonline.com/resource/resmgr/blogs/profiles/Felix_Vega-01.png" style="width: 100%;" /><br />
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<strong><span style="color: #7a99ac;">What year did you join RFMA? Why did you join RFMA?</span></strong>&nbsp;I joined in 2017 at the recommendation of my director Dino Tatangelo.
<p style="margin-bottom: 12pt;"><strong><span style="color: #7a99ac;">What RFMA groups are you involved in?</span></strong>&nbsp;I am currently in the Leadership Program and studying for my CRFP exam.</p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 12pt;"><span style="color: #7a99ac;"><strong>What do you like most about RFMA and why?</strong>&nbsp;</span><span>I enjoy the peer to peer discussion and networking with other FMs. There is still lots to learn! Hearing solutions and ideas of how other FMs handled situations is great.&nbsp;</span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 12pt;"><span style="color: #7a99ac;"><strong>Which RFMA Resource do you utilize the most and why?</strong>&nbsp;</span>I use the <em>Facilitator magazine </em>because it is a great tool for information. I also use the resource library to research information on rfmaonline.com.</p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 12pt;"><strong><span style="color: #7a99ac;">Where did you grow up?</span><em><span style="color: #7a99ac;">&nbsp;</span></em></strong>I grew up in Corpus Christi, TX. It is a small coastal city about 4 hours south of Houston, TX</p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 12pt;"><strong><span style="color: #7a99ac;">What is your proudest accomplishment? Why?</span><em><span style="color: #7a99ac;"></span>&nbsp;</em></strong>Other than my 25 years of marriage and my 3 kids, I originally came from Store Operations and won a new car as one of our national incentives. </p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 12pt;"><span style="color: #7a99ac;"><strong>If you weren’t in the Facilities Industry, what would you be doing?</strong></span>&nbsp;I would probably be in Store Operations. I have done that for so long that it seems most likely.</p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 12pt;"><strong><span style="color: #7a99ac;">Who is your favorite sports team?</span><em><span style="color: #7a99ac;">&nbsp;</span></em></strong>My favorite sports team is the Houston Texans football team.</p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 12pt;"><span style="color: #7a99ac;"><strong>What is your favorite place in the world?</strong>&nbsp;</span>My favorite place would have to be the beach. I am an avid fisherman and anytime I can get to the water would be great for me.</p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 12pt;"><strong><span style="color: #7a99ac;">What’s your favorite type of food?</span></strong>&nbsp;I am a foodie and like to try it all. I have to say my favorite is traditional authentic Mexican food.</p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 12pt;"><span style="color: #7a99ac;"><strong>What is one of your favorite quotes?</strong><em><strong>&nbsp;</strong></em></span>“The problem is rarely the problem, it is the reaction to the problem that becomes the problem.” </p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 12pt;"><span style="color: #0a5183;"><strong><span style="color: #7a99ac;">What is your favorite song?</span></strong>&nbsp;"</span>Faithfully" by Journey. I am a die-hard Journey fan</p>
<strong><span style="color: #7a99ac;">If you could meet an iconic person from History, who would it be?</span></strong>&nbsp;I love being outdoors and fishing is my passion. So I would love to meet Jose Wejebe, professional guide and global fishing ambassador that died in a plane crash. His passion for the ocean and living the dream life is inspiring.
<p style="margin-bottom: 12pt;"><span style="color: #7a99ac;"><strong>Who knows you the best?</strong>&nbsp;</span>Hands down, MY WIFE!!<br />
</p>
<p>
Felix has been a RFMA Member for two years, has attended Restaurant Roundtables, is a part of our 2019 Leadership RFMA class, and is working towards achieving his CRFP designation.&nbsp;Connect with Felix on InSite! <a href="https://www.rfmaonline.com/members/public_profile.asp?id=48975868">Click here</a>&nbsp;to view Felix's profile and connect now.&nbsp;</p>
<p>If you know of someone that you think should be highlighted in our Member PRO Files Blog please nominate them by emailing&nbsp;<a href="mailto:rheagan@rfmaonline.com" style="color: #3e76da; background: 0px 0px;">rheagan@rfmaonline.com</a>.</p>]]></description>
<pubDate>Mon, 11 Mar 2019 22:13:09 GMT</pubDate>
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<title>Meet our RFMA Member, Blake Callahan, CRFP</title>
<link>https://www.rfmaonline.com/members/blog_view.asp?id=1232254&amp;post=317288</link>
<guid>https://www.rfmaonline.com/members/blog_view.asp?id=1232254&amp;post=317288</guid>
<description><![CDATA[<p><img alt="" src="https://www.rfmaonline.com/resource/resmgr/blogs/profiles/Blake_Callahan-01.png" style="width: 100%;" /></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 12pt;"><span style="color: #75787b;"><span style="color: #7a99ac;"><strong>What year did you join RFMA?</strong> </span> 2014</span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 12pt;"><span style="color: #75787b;"><span style="color: #7a99ac;"> <strong>What RFMA groups are you involved in? <em> </em></strong></span>Recently I was involved in the Membership Development Committee.</span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 12pt;"><span style="color: #75787b;"><span style="color: #7a99ac;"><strong>What do you like most about RFMA and why?</strong>  </span>The comradery and communication. Everyone truly wants to learn and share what they know.</span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 12pt;"><span style="color: #75787b;"><strong><span style="color: #7a99ac;">Which RFMA Resource do you utilize the most and why?</span><em> </em></strong> The RFMA Annual Conference. The conferences are great not only from an educational stand point but also because of all the hard work everyone puts into it to make them a success.</span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 12pt;"><span style="color: #75787b;"><strong><span style="color: #7a99ac;">Where did you grow up?</span><em> </em></strong> I grew up in rural Tennessee on a farm and still use those values I learned from my early years today. </span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 12pt;"><span style="color: #75787b;"><span style="color: #75787b;"> </span><strong><span style="color: #7a99ac;">If you weren’t in the Facilities Industry, what would you be doing? </span><em> </em></strong>I’m actually a CPA as well and was in the public accounting industry for 12 years. I am sure I would still be grinding away at that if not for loving the construction business.</span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 12pt;"><span style="color: #75787b;"><strong><span style="color: #7a99ac;">What is your favorite place in the world?</span><em> </em></strong> Love San Diego. Always great weather and a very laid back city.</span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 12pt;"><span style="color: #75787b;"><span style="color: #7a99ac;"> <strong>What is one of your favorite quotes? </strong> </span>“You have to be willing to fail while working your tail off to succeed.” I actually have this quote on my office wall. </span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 12pt;"><span style="color: #75787b;"><span style="color: #7a99ac;">
<strong>If you could meet an iconic person from History, who would it be?</strong>  </span>Abraham Lincoln – I think he did so many great things for this country without a lot of resources. Just remarkable. </span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 12pt;"><span style="color: #75787b;"><span style="color: #7a99ac;"> <strong>Who knows you the best?</strong>  </span>I would have to say my wife. She works side by side with me at MC Builders so she definitely goes through the daily process and grind with me. </span></p>
<p style="color: #304457; margin: 0in 0in 7.5pt;"><span style="color: #75787b;"> </span></p>
<span style="color: #75787b;">
Blake has been a RFMA Member for 5 years and has achieved his CRFP and attended RFMA Member Meet-Ups. Blake was also nominated and won a RFMy Award at our RFMA 2019 Annual Conference in Austin a few weeks ago! Connect with Blake on InSite! <a href="https://www.rfmaonline.com/members/public_profile.asp?id=31007557">Click here</a> to view Blake's profile and connect now.</span>
<p>If you know of someone that you think should be highlighted in our Member PRO Files Blog please nominate them by emailing <span><a href="mailto:rheagan@rfmaonline.com" style="color: #3e76da; background: 0px 0px;">rheagan@rfmaonline.com</a></span>.</p>]]></description>
<pubDate>Fri, 1 Feb 2019 22:06:33 GMT</pubDate>
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<title>Meet our RFMA Member, Jimmy Lane</title>
<link>https://www.rfmaonline.com/members/blog_view.asp?id=1232254&amp;post=318772</link>
<guid>https://www.rfmaonline.com/members/blog_view.asp?id=1232254&amp;post=318772</guid>
<description><![CDATA[<p><font size="3"><i style="color: #304457;"><span style="color: #0a5183;"><span><span><strong><img alt="" src="https://www.rfmaonline.com/resource/resmgr/blogs/profiles/J.Lane_Photo.jpeg" style="border:3px solid #009879;width: 200px;    float: left; height: 201px; margin-right: 5px;" />Jimmy Lane<br />
</strong></span></span></span></i></font><i style="font-size: medium; color: #304457;"><span style="color: #0a5183;">Facility Services Project Manager<br />
Cracker Barrel Old Country Store</span></i></p>
<p style="color: #304457; margin: 0in 0in 7.5pt;"><span style="color: #009879;"><span style="color: #000000;"><span><br />
<strong><em><span style="color: #0a5183;">What year did you join RFMA? Why did you join RFMA?</span></em></strong>&nbsp; 2018. Being new to the Restaurant Industry, I want to learn as much as possible by networking with peers and the vendor base.<br />
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<strong><em><span style="color: #0a5183;">What groups are you involved in with RFMA?</span></em></strong>&nbsp; I am excited to explore what groups are available as this will be my first time attending RFMA.<br />
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<strong><em><span style="color: #0a5183;">What do you like most about RFMA and why?</span></em></strong>&nbsp; The ability to network with peers and vendors.<br />
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<strong><em><span style="color: #0a5183;">Which RFMA Resource do you utilize the most and why?</span></em></strong>&nbsp; Peer to peer networking. It's a great way to find new vendors as well as discuss common issues and solutions in the industry.<s><br />
</s></span><span><br />
<strong><em><span style="color: #0a5183;">Where did you grow up?&nbsp;</span></em></strong> Chattanooga, TN / Altoona, PA<br />
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<strong><em><span style="color: #0a5183;">What is your proudest accomplishment? Why?</span></em></strong>&nbsp; My proudest accomplishment is being a father to my two amazing children.<br />
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<strong><em><span style="color: #0a5183;">If you weren’t in the Facilities Industry, what would you be doing?</span></em></strong>&nbsp; Practicing Law<br />
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<strong><em><span style="color: #0a5183;">Who is your favorite sports team?&nbsp;</span></em></strong> The Pittsburgh Steelers<br />
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<strong><em><span style="color: #0a5183;">What is your favorite place in the world?&nbsp;</span></em></strong> Heinz Field (Pittsburgh, PA)<br />
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<strong><em><span style="color: #0a5183;">What’s your favorite type of food?&nbsp;</span></em></strong> Italian<br />
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</span></span><span><span style="color: #000000;"> <strong><em><span style="color: #0a5183;">What is your favorite book?&nbsp;</span></em></strong> Catch 22 by Joseph Heller<br />
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<strong><em><span style="color: #0a5183;">What is one of your favorite quotes?&nbsp;</span></em></strong> Success is a journey not a destination.<br />
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<strong><em><span style="color: #0a5183;">What is your favorite song?</span></em></strong>&nbsp; "Don't Stop Believin'" by Journey<b><s><br />
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</s></b><strong><em><span style="color: #0a5183;">Do you have a secret talent and if so, what is it?</span></em></strong>&nbsp; I enjoy drawing and am somewhat of an artist.<br />
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<strong><em><span style="color: #0a5183;">If you could meet an iconic person from History, who would it be?&nbsp;</span></em></strong> Henry Ford<br />
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<strong><em><span style="color: #0a5183;">Who knows you the best?</span></em></strong>&nbsp; My wife<br />
</span> <br />
</span></span></p>
<p style="color: #304457; margin: 0in 0in 7.5pt;"><span style="color: #009879;">Jimmy has been a RFMA member for a year and he has already been nominated and won a RFMy Award at our RFMA Annual Conference in Austin a few weeks ago!&nbsp;Connect with Jimmy on InSite! <a href="https://www.rfmaonline.com/members/public_profile.asp?id=52478002">Click here</a>&nbsp;</span><span style="color: #009879;">to view Jimmy's profile and connect now.&nbsp;</span></p>
<p style="color: #304457; margin: 0in 0in 7.5pt;"><span style="color: #009879;">If you know of someone that you think should be highlighted in our Member PRO Files Blog please nominate them by emailing&nbsp;</span><span><span style="color: #3e76da;"><a href="mailto:rheagan@rfmaonline.com" style="color: #3e76da; background: 0px 0px;">rheagan@rfmaonline.com</a></span></span><span style="color: #009879;">.</span></p>]]></description>
<pubDate>Mon, 25 Feb 2019 19:43:26 GMT</pubDate>
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<title>Meet our RFMA Member, Mike Hoedeman</title>
<link>https://www.rfmaonline.com/members/blog_view.asp?id=1232254&amp;post=318178</link>
<guid>https://www.rfmaonline.com/members/blog_view.asp?id=1232254&amp;post=318178</guid>
<description><![CDATA[<p><font size="3"><i style="color: #304457;"><span style="color: #0a5183;"><span><span><strong><img alt="" src="https://www.rfmaonline.com/resource/resmgr/blogs/profiles/Mike_H.jpg" style="border:3px solid #009879;width: 180px; height: 221px; float: left; margin-right: 5px;" />Mike Hoedeman, CRFP</strong></span><br />
</span>Maintenance Coach<br />
</span></i><em style="color: #304457;"><span style="color: #0a5183;">Taco Bell Corporation</span></em></font></p>
<p><span style="color: #000000;"><span style="color: #000000;"><strong><em><span style="color: #0a5183;">What year did you join RFMA?&nbsp;</span></em></strong> 2010<br />
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<strong><em><span style="color: #0a5183;">What groups are you involved in with RFMA?&nbsp;</span></em></strong> CRFP<br />
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<strong><em><span style="color: #0a5183;">What do you like most about RFMA?</span></em></strong>&nbsp; I appreciate the selfless sharing of best practices, and the tremendous vendor resources.<br />
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<strong><em><span style="color: #0a5183;">Which RFMA Resource do you utilize the most?</span></em></strong> &nbsp;The annual RFMA Conference App is a great resource. It helps me plan my agenda, as well as provides key contacts of the vendors I intend to make post-conference contacts. The App’s ability to integrate with my own Outlook calendar is a big win!<s><br />
</s></span><span><br />
<strong><em><span style="color: #0a5183;">Where did you grow up?&nbsp;</span></em></strong> I grew up in the small town of Mason, MI. It is the County Seat of Ingham County and is only 12 miles from Michigan State University.&nbsp; The small town values have become my own, and it was a natural fit for me to attend Michigan State. My grandfather was the first to attend the school. My wife graduated from MSU in 2007, and my youngest son will graduate in 2020. <br />
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<strong><em><span style="color: #0a5183;">What is your proudest accomplishment?</span></em></strong>&nbsp; My family may not be an ‘accomplishment’, but I am proud of them nonetheless. My wife Kathleen followed her dream, put herself through school, and is a highly successful 5<sup>th</sup> grade teacher. My two sons are grown and very independent. They bring me great joy when they are around. As far as work goes, I am blessed to have a terrific team. They work well together and complement each other’s skills.<br />
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<strong><em><span style="color: #0a5183;">If you weren’t in the Facilities Industry, what would you be doing?&nbsp;</span></em></strong> Playing in a rock-n-roll band!<br />
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<strong><em><span style="color: #0a5183;">Who is your favorite sports team?</span></em></strong>&nbsp; The Dallas Cowboys, of course. They are America’s Team!<br />
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<strong><em><span style="color: #0a5183;">What is your favorite place in the world?&nbsp;</span></em></strong> My wife and I love Hawaii. We have traveled there together five time, each time exploring new places. It is a place to truly relax and enjoy ourselves.<br />
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<strong><em><span style="color: #0a5183;">What’s your favorite type of food?&nbsp;</span></em></strong> That’s a tough question as I like so many different foods. We have Mexican food most often at home. We make a terrific guacamole.<br />
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<strong><em><span style="color: #0a5183;">What is your favorite book?</span></em></strong>&nbsp; 1984<br />
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<em><span style="color: #0a5183;"><strong>What is one of your favorite quotes?</strong></span></em>&nbsp; "The tests of life are not to break you but to make you."<br />
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<strong><em><span style="color: #0a5183;">&nbsp;</span></em></strong></span></span><span style="color: #000000;"><strong><em><span style="color: #0a5183;">What is your favorite song?&nbsp;</span></em></strong> “Come Sail Away” by Styx is my favorite song. To me it is about posing the impossible and following your dreams.<br />
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<strong><em><span style="color: #0a5183;">&nbsp;</span></em></strong></span><span style="color: #000000;"><strong><em><span style="color: #0a5183;">Do you have a secret talent and if so, what is it?</span></em></strong>&nbsp; I am a Hall of Fame rock and roll drummer (in my mind) while behind the steering wheel of my car.</span><span style="color: #0a5183;"><br />
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<strong><em>&nbsp;</em></strong></span><span style="color: #000000;"><strong><span style="color: #0a5183;"><em>If you could meet an iconic person from History, who would it be?</em></span></strong>&nbsp; General George S. Patton<br />
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</span><span style="color: #000000;"><strong><em><span style="color: #0a5183;">Who knows you the best?&nbsp;</span></em></strong> My wife definitely knows me best, even better than I do sometimes. She has an amazing way of seeing me, and anticipating what I am thinking, or about to do.<br />
<br />
</span></p>
<p style="margin: 0in 0in 7.5pt;"><font color="#009879">In his time as a 9 year RFMA Member, Mike has achieved&nbsp;his CRFP designation and attended the RFMA Annual Conference every year since joining. Connect with Mike on InSite! <a href="https://www.rfmaonline.com/members/public_profile.asp?id=11071963">Click here</a>&nbsp;</font><span style="color: #009879;">to view Mike's profile and connect now.&nbsp;</span></p>
<p style="color: #304457; margin: 0in 0in 7.5pt;"><span style="color: #009879;">If you know of someone that you think should be highlighted in our Member PRO Files Blog please nominate them by emailing&nbsp;</span><span><span style="color: #3e76da;"><a href="mailto:rheagan@rfmaonline.com" style="color: #3e76da; background: 0px 0px;">rheagan@rfmaonline.com</a></span></span><span style="color: #009879;">.</span></p>]]></description>
<pubDate>Mon, 18 Feb 2019 20:21:54 GMT</pubDate>
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<title>Meet our RFMA Member, Grace Nappi</title>
<link>https://www.rfmaonline.com/members/blog_view.asp?id=1232254&amp;post=317384</link>
<guid>https://www.rfmaonline.com/members/blog_view.asp?id=1232254&amp;post=317384</guid>
<description><![CDATA[<p><span><font size="3"><strong><em><span style="color: #0a5183;"><img alt="" src="https://www.rfmaonline.com/resource/resmgr/blogs/profiles/Grace_Nappi.jpg" style="border:3px solid #009879;width: 150px; float: left;    height: 150px; margin-right: 5px;" />Grace Nappi<br />
</span></em></strong><em><span style="color: #009879;"><span style="color: #0a5183;">National Business Development<br />
Amazing Pest Control</span><br />
</span></em></font></span></p>
<p><span style="color: #000000;"><span style="color: #000000;"><strong><em><span style="color: #0a5183;">What year did you join RFMA? Why did you join RFMA?</span></em></strong>&nbsp; 2015. I joined for the networking opportunities and the national conference.<br />
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<strong><em><span style="color: #0a5183;">What groups are you involved in with RFMA?</span></em></strong>&nbsp; I'm involved with the Females in Facilities group, Membership Development Committee, and RFMA Gives.<br />
<br />
<strong><em><span style="color: #0a5183;">What do you like most about RFMA and why?&nbsp;</span></em></strong> The friendships and professional relationships that I have formed.<br />
<br />
<strong><em><span style="color: #0a5183;">Where did you grow up?</span></em></strong>&nbsp; I am a Jersey girl, currently living in Oakland, NJ.<br />
<br />
<strong><em><span style="color: #0a5183;">If you weren’t in the Facilities Industry, what would you be doing?</span></em></strong>&nbsp;&nbsp;</span>Prior to working in facilities, I worked in a local hospital as an emergency room secretary and also in a corporate relations department. I would probably be a nurse.&nbsp;</span><span><span style="color: #000000;"><br />
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<strong><em><span style="color: #0a5183;">Who is your favorite sports team?&nbsp;</span></em></strong> NY Yankees, NJ Devils, and the NY Giants!<br />
<br />
<strong><em><span style="color: #0a5183;">What is one of your favorite quotes?</span></em></strong>&nbsp; "Nothing is impossible, the word itself says 'I'm possible'!" - Audrey Hepburn<br />
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<strong><em><span style="color: #0a5183;">What is your favorite song?&nbsp;</span></em></strong> "Perfect" by Ed Sheeran<br />
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<strong><em><span style="color: #0a5183;">Who knows you the best?</span></em></strong>&nbsp; My coworkers! I would say my family but I spend more time at work.</span></span></p>
<p><span><span style="color: #000000;">&nbsp;</span></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0in 0in 7.5pt;"><span style="color: #009879;">Grace has been a RFMA Member for 4 years and serves on the Membership Development Committee, participates in Females and Facilities, and volunteers at RFMA Gives. Connect with Grace on InSite!&nbsp;</span><span style="color: #009879;"><a href="https://www.rfmaonline.com/members/public_profile.asp?id=36782677">Click here</a>&nbsp;</span><span style="color: #009879;">to view Grace's profile and connect now.&nbsp;</span></p>
<p style="color: #304457; margin: 0in 0in 7.5pt;"><span style="color: #009879;">If you know of someone that you think should be highlighted in our Member PRO Files Blog please nominate them by emailing&nbsp;</span><span><span style="color: #3e76da;"><a href="mailto:rheagan@rfmaonline.com" style="color: #3e76da; background: 0px 0px;">rheagan@rfmaonline.com</a></span></span><span style="color: #009879;">.</span></p>
<p><span><span style="color: #000000;"></span> <br />
</span></p>]]></description>
<pubDate>Mon, 4 Feb 2019 19:55:49 GMT</pubDate>
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<title>Meet our RFMA Member, Wayne Knaub</title>
<link>https://www.rfmaonline.com/members/blog_view.asp?id=1232254&amp;post=316746</link>
<guid>https://www.rfmaonline.com/members/blog_view.asp?id=1232254&amp;post=316746</guid>
<description><![CDATA[<p style="margin-bottom: 12pt;"><img alt="" src="https://www.rfmaonline.com/resource/resmgr/blogs/profiles/WK_Headshot_2019_3__Medium_.jpg" style="border:3px solid #009879;   width: 150px; float: left; height: 225px; margin-right: 5px;" /><font size="3"><i style="color: #304457;"><span style="color: #0a5183;"><strong>Wayne Knaub<br />
</strong>SVP of Sales and Marketing<br />
</span></i><em style="color: #304457;"><span style="color: #0a5183;">RSM Maintenance</span></em></font><span><br />
<br />
</span><span style="color: #0a5183;"><strong><em>What year did you join RFMA? Why did you join RFMA?</em></strong>&nbsp;&nbsp;</span><span style="color: #000000;">I joined RFMA in 2009 and have been a member ever since. I worked as Director of Facilities for a major retailer until we hit the recession. I was impacted by a large workforce reduction at my company and took the opportunity to join RSM Maintenance at that time. RSM Maintenance had one restaurant customer and I wanted to change that. So I signed us up for RFMA and now restaurant facility maintenance is a large portion of our portfolio!&nbsp;<br />
<br />
</span><span style="color: #0a5183;"><strong><em>What groups are you involved in with RFMA?&nbsp;</em></strong>&nbsp;</span><span style="color: #000000;">I co-chaired the Membership Development Committee several years ago. I stepped down from my role when I enrolled in Penn State’s Executive MBA program. After a few years hiatus, I missed having a committee role at RFMA so I applied again to be on the Membership Development Committee. After two years on that committee, I’m excited to transition to the Vendor Voice Committee in 2019. Having served on both sides of the client and supplier relationship during my career, I am looking forward to bringing valuable feedback and ideas to this committee.&nbsp;<br />
<br />
</span><span style="color: #0a5183;"><strong><em>What do you like most about RFMA and why?</em></strong>&nbsp;&nbsp;</span><span style="color: #000000;">The culture! Whenever I talk to prospective restaurateurs and suppliers about what makes RFMA different than other organizations, I tell them it’s the culture of the organization. I’ve had countless experiences at the national show where I meet a great restaurateur who won’t have a need for our services, but will show up 20 minutes later with a coworker who does have a need for our services. The first time it happened, I was shocked! Now I realize it’s just part of the culture of RFMA.&nbsp;<br />
<br />
</span><span style="color: #0a5183;"><em><strong>Which RFMA Resource do you utilize the most and why?</strong></em>&nbsp;&nbsp;</span><span style="color: #000000;">The peer to partner networking is most important to me. I’ve attended several regional events and found them to be a valuable experience for me professionally. But I’ve also fostered some great peer to peer relationships through the organization. I’ve partnered with other suppliers that I met at the regional events and national show to create custom solutions for our clients.<br />
<br />
</span><span style="color: #0a5183;"><strong><em>Where did you grow up?</em></strong>&nbsp;&nbsp;</span><span style="color: #000000;">I was born on the US Naval Base in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba and held the record (for a short time) of the largest baby born on the base – 10 lbs and 10 ozs. We later moved to Norfolk, VA for a short time. But most of my childhood was spent in the very rural part of York County, PA. To this day, the nearest Wal-Mart to where I grew up is about 45 minutes away.&nbsp;<br />
<br />
</span><span style="color: #0a5183;"><strong><em>What is your proudest accomplishment? Why?</em></strong>&nbsp;&nbsp;</span><span style="color: #000000;">My proudest accomplishment is my education. I was the first person from a very large family to graduate from college. Some scholarships helped, but I paid for almost everything myself. A few years ago I continued my education by getting my MBA from Penn State. Maybe one day I’ll be Doctor Wayne…<br />
<br />
</span><span style="color: #0a5183;"><strong><em>If you weren’t in the Facilities Industry, what would you be doing?&nbsp;</em></strong>&nbsp;</span><span style="color: #000000;">I’d be working in the entertainment industry. During my undergraduate years, I was a Stage Management Intern on the original Broadway production of The Lion King while it was still in rehearsal heading to Broadway. I even went to the Tony Awards and see the show win Best Musical. I acted in several non-paid theatre productions in NYC which included Mario Cantone (Sex and the City) and several other actors that were far more talented than myself. I probably would have transitioned out to LA and worked in a film production office. But I gave all of that up for the glamour of grease traps and backflow inspections!<br />
<br />
</span><span style="color: #0a5183;"><em><strong>What is your favorite book?</strong></em>&nbsp;&nbsp;</span><span style="color: #000000;">E.M. Forster is my favorite author and I love his book Maurice.&nbsp;<br />
<br />
</span><span style="color: #0a5183;"><em><strong>What is your favorite song?</strong></em>&nbsp;&nbsp;</span><span style="color: #000000;">I love anything from the 80’s! During long drives, I’m tuned into 80’s on 8 with my Sirius radio. From one hit wonders like Dexy’s Midnight Runners’ “Come on Ilene” to divas that are recognizable by only their first name like Cyndi, Cher, Madonna and Whitney. Toto, B-52s, Bon-Jovi and the list goes on…&nbsp;<br />
<br />
</span><span style="color: #0a5183;"><strong><em>If you could meet an iconic person from History, who would it be?</em></strong>&nbsp;&nbsp;</span><span style="color: #000000;">I love American Revolution history and I’ve always admired Ben Franklin. When I moved to Philly, I lived a few blocks from his house and the post office he started. It was great to walk the same streets that he once did and visit Independence Hall where his voice was so influential to our democracy today. I’d really love to get him drunk and have him tell me the truth about whether Betsy Ross really sewed the flag or not.</span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 12pt;"><span style="color: #000000;">&nbsp;</span></p>
<p style="color: #304457; margin: 0in 0in 7.5pt;"><span style="color: #009879;">Wayne has been a RFMA Member for 10 years and has served on the Recruitment Task Force, contributed as Membership Committee Co-Chair, was recently a part of our Membership Development Committee, and just joined the Vendor Voice Committee. Connect with Wayne&nbsp;on InSite! <a href="https://www.rfmaonline.com/members/public_profile.asp?id=11071942">Click here</a>&nbsp;</span><span style="color: #009879;">to view Wayne's profile and connect now.&nbsp;</span></p>
<p style="color: #304457; margin: 0in 0in 7.5pt;"><span style="color: #009879;">If you know of someone that you think should be highlighted in our Member PRO Files Blog please nominate them by emailing&nbsp;</span><span><span style="color: #3e76da;"><a href="mailto:rheagan@rfmaonline.com" style="color: #3e76da; background: 0px 0px;">rheagan@rfmaonline.com</a></span></span><span style="color: #009879;">.</span></p>
<span style="color: #000000;"> <br />
</span>]]></description>
<pubDate>Thu, 24 Jan 2019 22:16:53 GMT</pubDate>
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<title>Meet our RFMA Member, Wayne Jones</title>
<link>https://www.rfmaonline.com/members/blog_view.asp?id=1232254&amp;post=316220</link>
<guid>https://www.rfmaonline.com/members/blog_view.asp?id=1232254&amp;post=316220</guid>
<description><![CDATA[<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><strong><i><span style="color: #0a5183;"><img alt="" src="https://www.rfmaonline.com/resource/resmgr/blogs/profiles/wcj_pub_photo.jpg" style="border:3px solid #009879;float: left; width: 200px;    height: 200px; margin-right: 5px;" /><font size="3">Wayne Jones</font></span></i></strong></p>
<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><em><span style="color: #0a5183;"><font size="3">Director of Facilities</font></span></em></p>
<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><em><span style="color: #0a5183;"><font size="3">Taco Cabana<br />
</font></span></em></p>
<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><em><span style="color: #0a5183;"><font size="3">&nbsp;</font></span></em></p>
<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><em><b><span style="color: #0a5183;">What year did you join RFMA?&nbsp;&nbsp;</span></b></em><span style="color: black;">It was probably in 2011 when I was with Macaroni Grill as Director of Construction &amp; Facilities. I joined to learn more about the restaurant industry and what my peers were doing best to manage their business.</span></p>
<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="color: black;">
<br />
</span><strong><i><span style="color: #0a5183;">What do you like most about RFMA and why?&nbsp;</span></i></strong><span style="color: black;">&nbsp;The networking aspect is handled very professionally. Likewise, the education program and certification are truly incredible.<br />
<br />
</span><em><b><span style="color: #0a5183;">Which RFMA Resource do you utilize the most and why?</span></b></em><span style="color: black;">&nbsp; This is a difficult question to answer because I have been on both sides (vendor &amp; restaurateur).</span></p>
<p style="margin: 0in 0in 7.5pt;"><span style="color: black;"><br />
</span><em><b><span style="color: #0a5183;">Where did you grow up?&nbsp;&nbsp;</span></b></em><span style="color: black;">I grew up on a farm in Central Michigan.<br />
<br />
</span><em><b><span style="color: #0a5183;">What is your proudest accomplishment?&nbsp;&nbsp;</span></b></em><span style="color: black;">I always wanted to be a police officer and accomplished that at age 21. I served my community for over 12 years in various positions. There was great satisfaction in helping people and in the cohesiveness within the department.<br />
</span><span style="color: #0a5183;"><br />
<em><b>If you weren’t in the Facilities Industry, what would you be doing?</b></em></span><span style="color: black;">&nbsp; I would still be a consultant on Facilities Management for both restaurants and retail.<br />
<br />
</span><em><b><span style="color: #0a5183;">Who is your favorite sports team?&nbsp;&nbsp;</span></b></em><span style="color: black;">Dallas Cowboys<br />
<br />
</span><em><b><span style="color: #0a5183;">What is your favorite place in the world?&nbsp;</span></b></em><span style="color: black;">&nbsp;My backyard in the hill country of San Antonio.<br />
<br />
</span><em><b><span style="color: #0a5183;">What’s your favorite type of food?&nbsp;</span></b></em><span style="color: black;">&nbsp;Italian and Mexican.<br />
<br />
</span><em><b><span style="color: #0a5183;">What is your favorite book?&nbsp;&nbsp;</span></b></em><span style="color: black;">Killing Lincoln<br />
<br />
</span><em><b><span style="color: #0a5183;">What is one of your favorite quotes?&nbsp;</span></b></em><span style="color: black;">&nbsp;There’s no such thing as a free lunch; some just taste better than others.<br />
<br />
</span><em><b><span style="color: #0a5183;">What is your favorite song?&nbsp;&nbsp;</span></b></em><span style="color: black;">Star Spangled Banner<b><s><br />
<br />
</s></b></span><em><b><span style="color: #0a5183;">Do you have a secret talent and if so, what is it?</span></b></em><span style="color: black;">&nbsp; Photography<br />
<br />
</span><em><b><span style="color: #0a5183;">If you could meet an iconic person from History, who would it be?&nbsp;&nbsp;</span></b></em><span style="color: black;">Abraham Lincoln<br />
&nbsp;<br />
</span><em><b><span style="color: #0a5183;">Who knows you the best?&nbsp;&nbsp;</span></b></em><span style="color: black;">My wife and my kids.</span></p>
<p style="margin: 0in 0in 7.5pt;"><span style="color: black;"></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0in 0in 7.5pt;"><span style="color: #009879;">Connect with Wayne&nbsp;on InSite!&nbsp;</span><span><span style="color: #00467f;"><a href="https://www.rfmaonline.com/members/public_profile.asp?id=52673412">Click here</a></span></span><span><span style="color: #3e76da;"><span style="color: #3e76da;"><a href="https://www.rfmaonline.com/members/public_profile.asp?id=53003465">&nbsp;</a></span></span></span><span style="color: #009879;">to view Wayne's profile and connect now.&nbsp;</span></p>
<p style="margin: 0in 0in 7.5pt;"><span style="color: #009879;">Wayne has been a RFMA member for one year and has gotten involved by attending the Annual Conference.&nbsp;If you know of someone that you think should be highlighted in our Member PRO Files Blog please nominate them by emailing&nbsp;</span><span><span style="color: #3e76da;"><a href="mailto:rheagan@rfmaonline.com"><span style="color: #3e76da;">rheagan@rfmaonline.com</span></a></span></span><span style="color: #009879;">.</span></p>]]></description>
<pubDate>Tue, 15 Jan 2019 16:32:59 GMT</pubDate>
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<title>Meet our RFMA Member, Will Cash</title>
<link>https://www.rfmaonline.com/members/blog_view.asp?id=1232254&amp;post=315608</link>
<guid>https://www.rfmaonline.com/members/blog_view.asp?id=1232254&amp;post=315608</guid>
<description><![CDATA[<p style="color: #304457; margin-top: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span><em><span style="color: #0a5183;"><font size="3"><strong><img alt="" src="https://www.rfmaonline.com/resource/resmgr/blogs/profiles/UK_article.jpg" style="border:3px solid #009879;width: 150px; float: left; height: 226px; margin-right: 5px;" />Will Cash</strong></font></span></em></span></p>
<p style="color: #304457; margin-top: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span style="color: #0a5183;"><em><font size="3">Director, Procurement</font></em></span></p>
<p style="color: #304457; margin-top: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span style="color: #000000;"><em><font size="3"><span style="color: #0a5183;">Krispy Kreme Doughnut Corporation<br />
</span></font><br />
</em></span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 12pt;"><span style="color: #000000;"><span style="color: #000000;"><strong><em><span style="color: #0a5183;">What year did you join RFMA?&nbsp;&nbsp;</span></em></strong>I joined RFMA in early 2018 right before the RFMA annual conference in Phoenix. I joined because we were in the process of building from the ground up (no pun intended) a preferred facility MRO vendor list for our company owned shops to use.<br />
<br />
<strong><em><span style="color: #0a5183;">What groups are you involved in with RFMA?</span></em></strong>&nbsp; I’ve participated in one of the peer led calls regarding grease traps and also recently attended a Member meet-up event in Charlotte, NC.<br />
<br />
<strong><em><span style="color: #0a5183;">What do you like most about RFMA and why?&nbsp;&nbsp;</span></em></strong>Great access to vendors across a wide range of trades and services and a network of peers in the same industry to share best practices with.<br />
<br />
<strong><em><span style="color: #0a5183;">Which RFMA Resource do you utilize the most and why?&nbsp;</span></em></strong> I read the <em>Facilitator </em>magazine every month and have found the RFMA website to be very helpful in keeping up to date on upcoming events that may be applicable or helpful to me.<s><br />
</s></span><span><br />
<strong><em><span style="color: #0a5183;">Where did you grow up?&nbsp;&nbsp;</span></em></strong>Wilson, NC<br />
<br />
<strong><em><span style="color: #0a5183;">What is your proudest accomplishment?&nbsp;&nbsp;</span></em></strong>Personally, it would be becoming a father to my 3 sons (Stanton, William, and Max) because it pushes me to be a better person and role model to them.<br />
<br />
<strong><em><span style="color: #0a5183;">If you weren’t in the Facilities Industry, what would you be doing?&nbsp;&nbsp;</span></em></strong>I’m technically not in the Facilities Industry but have gotten hooked and am enjoying this opportunity to team up with our Facilities team to build processes that will save our company money and be more efficient. I would be interested one day to start up a small business or consulting group, using my knowledge learned and experiences in the restaurant / food &amp; beverage industry.<br />
<br />
<strong><em><span style="color: #0a5183;">Who is your favorite sports team?&nbsp;&nbsp;</span></em></strong>Carolina Panthers (Keep Pounding!)<br />
<br />
<strong><em><span style="color: #0a5183;">What is your favorite place in the world?&nbsp;</span></em></strong> It’s a tie between Jost Van Dyke (British Virgin Islands) and Emerald Isle, NC.<br />
<br />
<strong><em><span style="color: #0a5183;">What’s your favorite type of food?&nbsp;&nbsp;</span></em></strong>A Ribeye Steak cooked medium rare.</span><span><br />
<br />
<strong><em><span style="color: #0a5183;">What is one of your favorite quotes?</span></em></strong>&nbsp; “The 3 most important things in life are Faith, Family, and Friendship” – Max Stanton<br />
<br />
<strong><em><span style="color: #0a5183;">What is your favorite song?&nbsp;&nbsp;</span></em></strong>“Stairway to Heaven” – Led Zeppelin<br />
<br />
<strong><em><span style="color: #0a5183;">Who knows you the best?</span></em></strong>&nbsp; My amazing wife, Brooke<br />
<br />
</span><b></b></span></p>
<p style="color: #304457; margin: 0in 0in 7.5pt;"><span><span><span style="color: #009879;">Connect with Will&nbsp;</span></span><span style="color: #009879;">on InSite! <a href="https://www.rfmaonline.com/members/public_profile.asp?id=53003465">Click here </a>to view Will's&nbsp;</span><span style="color: #009879;">profile and connect now.&nbsp;</span></span></p>
<p style="color: #304457; margin: 0in 0in 7.5pt;"><span style="color: #009879;">Will has only been a RFMA Member for a year and has already participated in RFMA's Peer to Peer call, a Regional Networking Event, and the Annual Conference.&nbsp;</span><span style="color: #009879;">If you know of someone that you think should be highlighted in our Member PRO Files Blog please nominate them by emailing&nbsp;</span><a href="mailto:rheagan@rfmaonline.com" style="color: #3e76da; background: 0px 0px;">rheagan@rfmaonline.com</a><span style="color: #009879;">.</span></p>]]></description>
<pubDate>Thu, 3 Jan 2019 17:53:56 GMT</pubDate>
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<title>Meet our RFMA Member, Norm Dutcher</title>
<link>https://www.rfmaonline.com/members/blog_view.asp?id=1232254&amp;post=315202</link>
<guid>https://www.rfmaonline.com/members/blog_view.asp?id=1232254&amp;post=315202</guid>
<description><![CDATA[<p style="margin-top: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><font color="#0a5183" size="3"><strong><em><img alt="" src="https://www.rfmaonline.com/resource/resmgr/blogs/profiles/Norm.jpg" style="border:3px solid #009879;width: 150px;    float: left; height: 239px; margin-right: 5px;" />Norm Dutcher</em></strong></font></p>
<p style="margin-top: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><em><font color="#0a5183" size="3">Sr. Vice President, Electrical Services</font></em></p>
<p style="margin-top: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><font color="#0a5183" size="3"><em>MC Group</em></font></p>
<p style="margin-top: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span style="color: #000000;"><b><i><span style="color: #0a5183;">&nbsp;</span></i></b></span></p>
<p style="margin-top: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span style="color: #000000;"><b><i><span style="color: #0a5183;">What year do you join RFMA?&nbsp;</span>&nbsp;</i></b>I believe I joined in 2004 or 2005 when I attended the first conference.</span></p>
<p style="margin-top: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span style="color: #000000;">&nbsp;</span></p>
<p style="margin-top: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span style="color: #000000;"><b><i><span style="color: #0a5183;">What groups are you involved in with RFMA?&nbsp;</span>&nbsp;</i></b>I was a member of the Ethics Committee (2008 -2010), Retention Task Force (2011) and the Vendor Voice Committee (2016 to present).</span></p>
<p style="margin-top: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span style="color: #000000;">&nbsp;</span></p>
<p style="margin-top: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span style="color: #000000;"><b><i><span style="color: #0a5183;">What do you like most about RFMA and why?&nbsp;</span>&nbsp;</i></b>I appreciate and value the openness and inclusiveness of the general membership. Everyone, restaurateurs and vendors, are always sharing their best practices and experiences.</span></p>
<p style="margin-top: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span style="color: #000000;">&nbsp;</span></p>
<p style="margin-top: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span style="color: #000000;"><b><i><span style="color: #0a5183;">Which RFMA resource do you utilize the most and why?</span>&nbsp;&nbsp;</i></b>The people, the RFMA staff and all our industry partners.&nbsp;The organization has a wealth of knowledge and experience they are all more than willing to share. (Also, the RFMA website.)</span></p>
<p style="margin-top: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span style="color: #000000;">&nbsp;</span></p>
<p style="margin-top: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span style="color: #000000;"><b><i><span style="color: #0a5183;">Where did you grow up?</span></i></b>&nbsp; Schenectady (The Electric City) in upstate New York.</span></p>
<p style="margin-top: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span style="color: #000000;">&nbsp;</span></p>
<p style="margin-top: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span style="color: #000000;"><b><i><span style="color: #0a5183;">What is you proudest accomplishment?&nbsp;</span>&nbsp;</i></b>Having my wife Anne say yes to marrying me (33 years ago) and our three children. It’s what motivates and enables me to do what I do every day.</span></p>
<p style="margin-top: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span style="color: #000000;">&nbsp;</span></p>
<p style="margin-top: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span style="color: #000000;"><b><i><span style="color: #0a5183;">If you weren’t in the Facilities Industry, what would you be doing?</span>&nbsp;&nbsp;</i></b>I’d own a small local restaurant where I would cook for and host all my friends and soon to be friends.</span></p>
<p style="margin-top: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span style="color: #000000;">&nbsp;</span></p>
<p style="margin-top: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span style="color: #000000;"><b><i><span style="color: #0a5183;">What is your favorite type of food?&nbsp;</span>&nbsp;</i></b>Italian and most every other type. I love to cook and eat and Instagram my food shots.</span></p>
<p style="margin-top: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span style="color: #000000;">&nbsp;</span></p>
<p style="margin-top: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span style="color: #000000;"><b><i><span style="color: #0a5183;">What is your one of your favorite quotes?</span>&nbsp;&nbsp;</i></b>“You can’t always get what you want, but if you try, you just might find you get what you need.” - The Rolling Stones.</span></p>
<p style="margin-top: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span style="color: #000000;">&nbsp;</span></p>
<p style="margin-top: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span style="color: #000000;"><b><i><span style="color: #0a5183;">What is your favorite song?</span>&nbsp;&nbsp;</i></b>So many to pick from………..At this moment in time I’ll go with "Only a Fool Would Say That" by Steely Dan.</span></p>
<p style="margin-top: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span style="color: #000000;">&nbsp;</span></p>
<p style="margin-top: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span style="color: #000000;"><b><i><span style="color: #0a5183;">Do you have a secret talent and if so, what is it?&nbsp;&nbsp;</span></i></b>Not sure it’s such a secret but, I can build things. I like to be creative.</span></p>
<p style="margin-top: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span style="color: #000000;">&nbsp;</span></p>
<p style="color: #304457; margin: 0in 0in 7.5pt;"><span><span><span style="color: #009879;">Connect with Norm&nbsp;</span></span><span style="color: #009879;">on InSite! <a href="https://www.rfmaonline.com/members/public_profile.asp?id=11071636">Click here</a> to view Norm's&nbsp;</span><span style="color: #009879;">profile and connect now.&nbsp;</span></span></p>
<p style="color: #304457; margin: 0in 0in 7.5pt;"><span style="color: #009879;">Norm has been a RFMA Member for over 12 years, and he has served on the Ethics Committee, Retention Task Force, and is currently serving on the Vendor Voice Committee.&nbsp;</span><span style="color: #009879;">If you know of someone that you think should be highlighted in our Member PRO Files Blog please nominate them by emailing&nbsp;</span><a href="mailto:rheagan@rfmaonline.com" style="color: #3e76da; background: 0px 0px;">rheagan@rfmaonline.com</a><span style="color: #009879;">.</span></p>]]></description>
<pubDate>Thu, 20 Dec 2018 16:01:15 GMT</pubDate>
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<title>Meet our RFMA Member, Tom Cullen</title>
<link>https://www.rfmaonline.com/members/blog_view.asp?id=1232254&amp;post=314042</link>
<guid>https://www.rfmaonline.com/members/blog_view.asp?id=1232254&amp;post=314042</guid>
<description><![CDATA[<p style="margin-top: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: left;"><em><font size="3"><strong><span style="color: #0a5183;"><img alt="" src="https://www.rfmaonline.com/resource/resmgr/blogs/profiles/Facility_Solutions-7-2.jpg" style="border:3px solid #009879;width: 150px; float: left;    height: 193px; margin-right: 5px;" />Tom Cullen</span></strong></font></em></p>
<p style="margin-top: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #0a5183;"><em><font size="3">Founder</font></em></span></p>
<p style="margin-top: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #0a5183;"><em><font size="3">Facility Solutions</font></em></span></p>
<p style="margin-top: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #000000;"><b><i><br />
</i></b><span><strong><em><span style="color: #0a5183;">What year did you join RFMA?&nbsp;</span></em></strong> I was at the first meeting in 2004. There was a need for the restaurateurs to have an organization dedicated to Restaurant Facility Managers. </span></span></p>
<p style="margin-top: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #000000;"><span>&nbsp;</span></span></p>
<p style="margin-top: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #000000;"><span><strong><em><span style="color: #0a5183;">Why did you join RFMA?&nbsp;</span></em></strong> I was intrigued with the thought of being part of an organization the focused on the progression of the restaurant facility management industry <br />
<br />
<strong><em><span style="color: #0a5183;">What groups are you involved in with RFMA?</span></em></strong>&nbsp; I have been involved with supporting one or more committees all the years RFMA has been in existence. Membership Development, Program Co-chair for all committee’s&nbsp; in the organization for a couple years. The last few years I have been on the Steering Committee for RFMA Gives <br />
<br />
<strong><em><span style="color: #0a5183;">What do you like most about RFMA and why?</span></em></strong>&nbsp; Most of the members have become personal friends. We have a comfort level sharing our successes and opportunities like no other association. We have shown how it is possible to become more professional contributors to the industry together. <br />
<br />
<strong><em><span style="color: #0a5183;">Which RFMA Resource do you utilize the most and why?&nbsp;</span></em></strong> I like to resource the vendor/supplier membership to find support to execute projects for the restaurateur’s members within our organization. <s><br />
</s><br />
<strong><em><span style="color: #0a5183;">Where did you grow up?&nbsp;</span></em></strong> Detroit metro area<br />
<br />
<strong><em><span style="color: #0a5183;">What is your proudest accomplishment?</span></em></strong>&nbsp; Starting a business when I had a very profound hearing disability. I was the bread winner. I had to find a way provide for my family. It was a necessary to use my instinct to step through the doorway of the unknown. We were blessed to have some industry friends that were willing to take a chance on us providing solutions to their many opportunities. <br />
<br />
<strong><em><span style="color: #0a5183;">If you weren’t in the Facilities Industry, what would you be doing?&nbsp;</span></em></strong> I would probably start a business in another industry. But, my top priority is to spend more time with my family at this point in my life!<br />
<br />
<strong><em><span style="color: #0a5183;">Who is your favorite sports team?&nbsp;&nbsp;</span></em></strong>University of Michigan- Football and Basketball<br />
<br />
<strong><em><span style="color: #0a5183;">What is your favorite place in the world?&nbsp;</span></em></strong> Holland Michigan<br />
<br />
<strong><em><span style="color: #0a5183;">What’s your favorite type of food?&nbsp;</span></em></strong> Frankenmuth Chicken<br />
</span></span><span style="color: #000000;"><span style="color: #000000;"><span><br />
<strong><em><span style="color: #0a5183;">What is your favorite book?</span></em></strong> The Success Code<br />
<br />
<strong><em><span style="color: #0a5183;">What is one of your favorite quotes?</span></em></strong>&nbsp; We are only as good as our last project!<br />
<br />
<strong><em><span style="color: #0a5183;">What is your favorite song?&nbsp;&nbsp;</span></em></strong>Hotel California<s><br />
<br />
</s><strong><em><span style="color: #0a5183;">Do you have a secret talent and if so, what is it?</span></em></strong>&nbsp; Lipreading. I can usually understand conversations between people the next car over from mine.<br />
<br />
<strong><em><span style="color: #0a5183;">If you could meet an iconic person from History, who would it be?&nbsp;</span></em></strong> Thomas Edison- He was one of Americas finest inventors. The light bulb, sound recording, motion pictures, etc. He also was one of the first to introduce&nbsp; teamwork philosophies to processes&nbsp;&nbsp; <br />
<strong><em><span style="color: #0a5183;"><br />
Who knows you the best?&nbsp;&nbsp;</span></em></strong>My wife </span></span></span></p>
<p style="margin-top: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #000000;"><span style="color: #000000;"><span>&nbsp;</span></span></span></p>
<p style="margin-top: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #000000;"><span style="color: #000000;"><span>&nbsp;</span></span></span></p>
<p style="color: #304457; margin: 0in 0in 7.5pt;"><span><span><span style="color: #009879;">Connect with Tom&nbsp;</span></span><span style="color: #009879;">on InSite!&nbsp;<a href="https://www.rfmaonline.com/members/public_profile.asp?id=37977153" style="color: #3e76da; background: 0px 0px;">&nbsp;</a><a href="https://www.rfmaonline.com/members/public_profile.asp?id=11071667" style="color: #3e76da; background: 0px 0px;">Click here</a>&nbsp;to view Tom's&nbsp;</span><span style="color: #009879;">profile and connect now.&nbsp;</span></span></p>
<p style="color: #304457; margin: 0in 0in 7.5pt;"><span style="color: #009879;">Tom has been a RFMA Member for 12 years and has served in many committees over the years. He is currently involved with the RFMA Gives Steering Committee.&nbsp;</span><span style="color: #009879;">If you know of someone that you think should be highlighted in our Member PRO Files Blog please nominate them by emailing&nbsp;</span><a href="mailto:rheagan@rfmaonline.com" style="color: #3e76da; background: 0px 0px;">rheagan@rfmaonline.com</a><span style="color: #009879;">.</span></p>
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<pubDate>Thu, 29 Nov 2018 23:17:21 GMT</pubDate>
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<title>Meet our RFMA Member, Kurt Gnessin, CRFP</title>
<link>https://www.rfmaonline.com/members/blog_view.asp?id=1232254&amp;post=312995</link>
<guid>https://www.rfmaonline.com/members/blog_view.asp?id=1232254&amp;post=312995</guid>
<description><![CDATA[<p><span><em style="color: #0a5183;"><font size="3"><b><img alt="" src="https://www.rfmaonline.com/resource/resmgr/blogs/profiles/Gnessin_Kurt.jpg" style="border:3px solid #009879;width: 150px; float: left;  height: 145px; margin-right: 5px;" />Kurt Gnessin, CRFP</b><br />
Construction Project Manager<br />
Cracker Barrel Old Country Store</font></em><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #000000;"><strong><em><span style="color: #0a5183;">What year did you join RFMA?</span></em></strong>&nbsp; I have been a member of RFMA since its inception in 2004. I really wanted to network with my peers in the restaurant industry.<br />
<br />
<strong><em><span style="color: #0a5183;">What groups are you involved in with RFMA?&nbsp;</span></em></strong> I am a former board member and remain a member of the Advisory Council. I am a committee member on the resource committee and part of the Benchmarking Task Force / sub-committee<br />
<br />
<strong><em><span style="color: #0a5183;">What do you like most about RFMA and why?&nbsp;</span></em></strong> I really like the partnership across brands that might otherwise consider themselves competitors. We all have the same types of problems with our facilities and to see competitors come together to make the restaurant industry better and safer for all our shared customers is a real pleasure.<br />
<br />
<strong><em><span style="color: #0a5183;">Which RFMA Resource do you utilize the most and why?&nbsp;&nbsp;</span></em></strong>The best RFMA resource is our access to human resources. I frequently reach out to restaurant industry partners for ideas to problems, help finding vendors or contractors, and help finding people to fill important jobs. The ability to network has been invaluable to my company and to my career.<s><br />
</s></span></span><span style="color: #000000;"><span><br />
<strong><em><span style="color: #0a5183;">Where did you grow up?&nbsp;</span></em></strong> I grew up in San Diego, California in a unique community called “Bird Land” where all the street names were species of birds. I grew up on Cardinal Drive and my wife grew up on Seagull Lane.<br />
<br />
<em><strong><span style="color: #0a5183;">What is your proudest accomplishment? Why?&nbsp;</span></strong></em> My proudest accomplishment is being a father to three wonderful children. My two boys are married to endearing women with my oldest working on his Master’s degree at Carnegie Mellon University. My delightful daughter is my youngest who is a freshman at Northern Kentucky University. There is no greater blessing than to be a father.<br />
<br />
<strong><em><span style="color: #0a5183;">If you weren’t in the Facilities Industry, what would you be doing?</span></em></strong>&nbsp; I am a restaurant operator at heart.&nbsp; My project experience and applied engineering skills make me a great problem solver but everything I do is focused on our restaurant employees and customers so if I wasn’t in facilities I would be running restaurant operations.<br />
<br />
<strong><em><span style="color: #0a5183;">What’s your favorite type of food?&nbsp;</span></em></strong> I just love real authentic Mexican food, the type you can only get in the US in little “hole-in-the-wall” type of place run by folks that barely speak English.</span></span><span><span style="color: #000000;"><br />
<br />
<strong><em><span style="color: #0a5183;">What is one of your favorite quotes?&nbsp;</span></em></strong> “Tis better to remain silent and be thought a fool than to speak and remove all doubt” – Abraham Lincoln<br />
<br />
<strong><em><span style="color: #0a5183;">What is your favorite song?&nbsp;</span></em></strong> “Won’t Get Fooled Again” – The Who<b><s><br />
<br />
</s></b><strong><em><span style="color: #0a5183;">Do you have a secret talent and if so, what is it?</span></em></strong>&nbsp; I am a closet Musician.&nbsp; I play drums, and whole list of stringed instruments including guitar, bass, ukulele and banjo; but I rarely perform outside my home. I really love to play music but I can’t measure up to my own standards so I keep this talent to myself.</span></span></p>
<p><span><span style="color: #000000;">&nbsp;</span></span></p>
<p style="color: #304457; margin: 0in 0in 7.5pt;"><span><span><span style="color: #009879;">Connect with Kurt&nbsp;</span></span><span style="color: #009879;">on InSite!&nbsp;<a href="https://www.rfmaonline.com/members/public_profile.asp?id=37977153" style="color: #3e76da; background: 0px 0px;">&nbsp;</a><a href="https://www.rfmaonline.com/members/public_profile.asp?id=11071667" style="color: #3e76da; background: 0px 0px;">Click here</a>&nbsp;to view Kurt's&nbsp;</span><span style="color: #009879;">profile and connect now.&nbsp;</span></span></p>
<p style="color: #304457; margin: 0in 0in 7.5pt;"><span style="color: #009879;">Kurt has been a RFMA Member for 14 years and has served as Secretary on the RFMA Board of Directors. He is currently active on our Resources Committee, Advisory Council, and Benchmarking Task Force.&nbsp;</span><span style="color: #009879;">If you know of someone that you think should be highlighted in our Member PRO Files Blog please nominate them by emailing&nbsp;</span><a href="mailto:rheagan@rfmaonline.com" style="background: 0px 0px; color: #3e76da;">rheagan@rfmaonline.com</a><span style="color: #009879;">.</span></p>
<div><span style="color: #009879;"><br />
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<pubDate>Mon, 12 Nov 2018 18:09:14 GMT</pubDate>
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<title>Meet our RFMA Member, Jeffrey Wells, CRFP</title>
<link>https://www.rfmaonline.com/members/blog_view.asp?id=1232254&amp;post=312589</link>
<guid>https://www.rfmaonline.com/members/blog_view.asp?id=1232254&amp;post=312589</guid>
<description><![CDATA[<p style="margin-bottom: 12pt;"><span style="color: #0a5183;"><font size="3"><em><strong><img alt="" src="https://www.rfmaonline.com/resource/resmgr/blogs/profiles/Headshot_1129.JPG" style="border:3px solid #009879;width: 150px; float: left; height: 225px; margin-right: 5px;" />Jeffrey Wells, CRFP</strong><br />
Sr. Director Facilities<br />
Bojangles' Restaurants Inc.</em></font></span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 12pt;"><span style="color: #0a5183;"><font size="2"><strong><em>What year did you join RFMA?</em></strong>  </font></span><span style="font-size: small; color: #000000;">I joined RFMA in 2016. </span><span style="font-size: small; color: #000000;">I was in Operations for Hardee’s and Bojangles for 35 years. </span><span style="font-size: small; color: #000000;">I have been here at Bojangles’ for 10 years and prior I was with Hardee’s for 25 years.</span><span style="font-size: small; color: #000000;"> Three years ago, I was appointed to take over our in house facilities department, as well as heading up our company’s, store remodel program. </span><span style="font-size: small; color: #000000;">I knew that joining RFMA would give me access to Facilities Professionals that could help me with any questions or issues.</span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 12pt;"><span style="color: #0a5183;"><font size="2"><span><strong><em>What groups are you involved in with RFMA?</em></strong>  </span></font></span><span style="font-size: small; color: #000000;">I participate in the Regional Roundtable Discussions, </span><span style="color: #000000; font-size: small;">Curriculum Committee, </span><span style="font-size: small; color: #000000;">as well as Peer-to-Peer call</span><span style="font-size: small; color: #000000;">s.</span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 12pt;"><span style="color: #0a5183;"><font size="2"><span><strong><em>What do you like most about RFMA?  </em></strong></span></font></span><span style="font-size: small; color: #000000;">Having so many resources available.</span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 12pt;"><span style="color: #0a5183;"><font size="2"><span> <strong><em>Which RFMA Resource do you utilize the most and why?</em></strong>  </span></font></span><span style="font-size: small; color: #000000;">Peer to Peer calls, Regional Roundtables, and the Annual Conference. You can always find someone who has had the same issues and can find out what they did to solve them.</span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 12pt;"><span style="color: #0a5183;"><font size="2"> <strong><em>Where did you grow up?  </em></strong></font></span><span style="color: #000000; font-size: small;">I was raised in Mclean, Virginia. Now </span><span style="font-size: small; color: #000000;">I live in Charlotte North Carolina, and have a beach house in Surfside Beach, South Carolina.</span><span style="font-size: small; color: #000000;"> </span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 12pt;"><span style="color: #0a5183;"><font size="2"> <strong><em>What is your proudest accomplishment? </em></strong> </font></span><span style="font-size: small; color: #000000;">Being named Operator of the Year four years in a row, because it shows what you can accomplish with a great team, hard work, determination, and consistency.</span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 12pt;"><span style="color: #0a5183;"><font size="2"> <strong><em>If you weren’t in the Facilities Industry, what would you be doing?  </em></strong></font></span><span style="font-size: small; color: #000000;">I would be involved in International Business focusing my efforts in Asia.</span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 12pt;"><span style="color: #0a5183;"><font size="2"><strong><em>Who is your favorite sports team?</em></strong>  </font></span><span style="font-size: small; color: #000000;">Carolina Panthers. </span><span style="font-size: small; color: #000000;">I have been a PSL owner for the last 15 years. </span><span style="color: #000000; font-size: small;">My wife and I have enjoyed many games at Bank of America Stadium.</span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 12pt;"><span style="color: #0a5183;"><font size="2"><em><strong>What is your favorite place in the world?</strong></em>  </font></span><span style="font-size: small; color: #000000;">Surfside Beach, South Carolina</span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 12pt;"><span style="color: #0a5183;"><font size="2"> <em><strong>What’s your favorite type of food?  </strong></em></font></span><span style="font-size: small; color: #000000;">Italian</span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 12pt;"><span style="color: #0a5183;"><font size="2"><span> <strong><em>What is your favorite book?</em></strong>  </span></font></span><span style="font-size: small; color: #000000;">The entire Harry Potter collection</span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 12pt;"><span style="color: #000000;"><font size="2"><span><em><strong><span style="color: #0a5183;">What are three of your favorite quotes? </span></strong></em> "</span></font></span><span style="font-size: small; color: #000000;">A leader is one who knows the way, goes the way, and shows the way." "</span><span style="font-size: small; color: #000000;">Life’s most persistent and urgent question is ‘What are you doing for others?" and "</span><span style="font-size: small; color: #000000;">If you don’t have time to do it right, when will you have time to do it over?"</span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 12pt;"><span style="color: #0a5183;"><font size="2"><span> <strong><em>What is your favorite song? </em></strong> </span></font></span><span style="font-size: small; color: #000000;">Stairway to Heaven</span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 12pt;"><span style="color: #0a5183;"><font size="2"><span><strong><em>Do you have a secret talent and if so, what is it?  </em></strong></span></font></span><span style="font-size: small; color: #000000;">I love mentoring people. </span><span style="font-size: small; color: #000000;">It is rewarding helping people reach their goals and dreams.</span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 12pt;"><span style="color: #0a5183;"><font size="2"><strong><em>If you could meet an iconic person from History, who would it be?</em></strong>  </font></span><span style="font-size: small; color: #000000;">John Maxwell</span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 12pt;"><span style="color: #0a5183;"><font size="2"><strong><em>Who knows you the best? </em></strong> </font></span><span style="font-size: small; color: #000000;">My beautiful and amazing wife Bonnie.</span><span style="font-size: small; color: #000000;"></span></p>
<span style="color: #000000;"></span>
<p style="color: #304457; margin: 0in 0in 7.5pt;"><span><span><span style="color: #009879;">Connect with Jeff </span></span><span style="color: #009879;">on InSite! <a href="https://www.rfmaonline.com/members/public_profile.asp?id=37977153" style="color: #3e76da; background: 0px 0px;"> </a><a href="https://www.rfmaonline.com/members/public_profile.asp?id=41075989" style="color: #3e76da; background: 0px 0px;">Click here</a> to view Jeff's </span><span style="color: #009879;">profile and connect now. </span></span></p>
<p style="color: #304457; margin: 0in 0in 7.5pt;"><span style="color: #009879;">Jeff has been a RFMA member for 2 years and serves on the Conference Curriculum Committee, has earned his CRFP designation, and participates in Regional Roundtables and Peer to Peer Calls. </span><span style="color: #009879;">If you know of someone that you think should be highlighted in our Member PRO Files Blog please nominate them by emailing </span><a href="mailto:rheagan@rfmaonline.com" style="color: #3e76da; background: 0px 0px;">rheagan@rfmaonline.com</a><span style="color: #009879;">.</span></p>
<span style="color: #000000;"><br />
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<pubDate>Mon, 5 Nov 2018 16:27:08 GMT</pubDate>
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<title>Meet our RFMA Member, Lynn Harnishfeger</title>
<link>https://www.rfmaonline.com/members/blog_view.asp?id=1232254&amp;post=311747</link>
<guid>https://www.rfmaonline.com/members/blog_view.asp?id=1232254&amp;post=311747</guid>
<description><![CDATA[<p><span><font size="3"><span style="color: #0a5183;"><em><strong><img alt="" src="https://www.rfmaonline.com/resource/resmgr/blogs/profiles/Head_Shot_2018.jpg" style="border:3px solid #009879;width: 150px; float: left; height: 225px; margin-right: 5px;" />Lynn Harnishfeger, CRFP</strong><br />
Director of National Accounts<br />
Springwise Facility Management, Inc.</em></span></font></span></p>
<p><span style="color: #000000;"><span style="color: #000000;"><strong><em><span style="color: #0a5183;">What year did you join RFMA?</span></em></strong>  2014 - I joined RFMA to get involved with this exciting and forward-looking organization and its fantastic members.<br />
<br />
<strong><em><span style="color: #0a5183;">What groups are you involved in with RFMA?</span></em></strong>  I served on the Education Curriculum Committee and now serve as the Vendor Representative on the Board of Directors for 2018 and co-chair of the Vendor Voice Committee.<br />
<br />
<strong><em><span style="color: #0a5183;">What do you like most about RFMA and why? </span></em></strong> I love how the membership owns their association, annual conference and RFMA Gives projects.  It truly is like no other.  <br />
<br />
<em><strong><span style="color: #0a5183;">Which RFMA Resource do you utilize the most and why? </span></strong></em> I keep up to date with the happenings via the RFMA web site. I look for upcoming events, updates, member news etc.  <s><br />
</s></span><span><br />
<strong><em><span style="color: #0a5183;">Where did you grow up?</span></em></strong>  Born in San Francisco but mainly in Southern California in Ventura County.<br />
<br />
<em><strong><span style="color: #0a5183;">What is your proudest accomplishment? </span></strong></em> Earning my CRFP designation. Not an easy test but I did it!!!<br />
<br />
<strong><em><span style="color: #0a5183;">If you weren’t in the Facilities Industry, what would you be doing?  </span></em></strong>Traveling as much as I can.<br />
<br />
<em><span style="color: #0a5183;"><strong>Who is your favorite sports team?</strong></span></em>  I don’t really follow professional sports too much.  But, I do follow aviation teams and am partial to the Blue Angels.<br />
<br />
<strong><em><span style="color: #0a5183;">What is your favorite place in the world? </span></em></strong> Ireland, it’s beautiful and the people are so warm and friendly.<br />
<br />
<strong><em><span style="color: #0a5183;">What’s your favorite type of food?</span></em></strong> Chocolate!!<br />
</span></span><span><span style="color: #000000;"> <br />
<strong><em><span style="color: #0a5183;">What is one of your favorite quotes?  </span></em></strong>“Whether you cup is half-full or half-empty, remind yourself there are others without one.” Matshona Dhliwayo<br />
<br />
<strong><em><span style="color: #0a5183;">What is your favorite song? </span></em></strong> “Sing a Song” – Earth, Wind & Fire<br />
<br />
<strong><em><span style="color: #0a5183;">If you could meet an iconic person from History, who would it be?</span></em></strong>  Founding Fathers of our country.  Would love to get their thoughts on what is happening in the world today.<br />
<br />
<strong><em><span style="color: #0a5183;">Who knows you the best?</span></em></strong> My husband<br />
</span></span></p>
<p style="color: #304457; margin: 0in 0in 7.5pt;"><span><span style="color: #009879;"> </span></span></p>
<p style="color: #304457; margin: 0in 0in 7.5pt;"><strong><span><span style="color: #009879;">Connect with Lynn </span></span><span style="color: #009879;">on InSite! <a href="https://www.rfmaonline.com/members/public_profile.asp?id=37977153" style="color: #3e76da; background: 0px 0px;"> </a><a href="https://www.rfmaonline.com/members/public_profile.asp?id=21792292">Click here</a> to view Lynn's </span><span style="color: #009879;">profile and connect now. </span></strong></p>
<p style="color: #304457; margin: 0in 0in 7.5pt;"><span style="color: #009879;">Lynn has been a member of RFMA for 4 years, and in that time she has achieved her CRFP designation! She is now the Vendor Rep on the RFMA Board of Directors and serves as Co-Chair of the Vendor Voice Committee. </span><span style="color: #009879;">If you know of someone that you think should be highlighted in our Member PRO Files Blog please nominate them by emailing </span><a href="mailto:rheagan@rfmaonline.com" style="color: #3e76da; background: 0px 0px;">rheagan@rfmaonline.com</a><span style="color: #009879;">.</span></p>
<p><span><br />
</span></p>]]></description>
<pubDate>Mon, 22 Oct 2018 17:13:37 GMT</pubDate>
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<title>Meet our RFMA Member, Nate Lee, CRFP</title>
<link>https://www.rfmaonline.com/members/blog_view.asp?id=1232254&amp;post=310636</link>
<guid>https://www.rfmaonline.com/members/blog_view.asp?id=1232254&amp;post=310636</guid>
<description><![CDATA[<p><img alt="" src="https://www.rfmaonline.com/resource/resmgr/blogs/profiles/Nate_Lee-2018_Restaurant_of_.jpg" style="border:3px solid #009879;width: 150px; float: left; height: 172px; margin-right: 5px;" /><em style="font-size: medium; color: #0a5183;"><strong><em>Nate Lee, CRFP<br />
</em></strong></em><em style="font-size: medium; color: #0a5183;"><em>Facilities Administrator<br />
RPM Pizza LLC</em></em></p>
<p><span style="color: #0a5183;"><em><strong>What year did you join RFMA?</strong></em>&nbsp;&nbsp;</span><span style="color: #000000;">2015</span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 12pt;"><span style="color: #0a5183;"><strong><em>What groups are you involved in with RFMA?</em></strong>&nbsp;&nbsp;</span><span style="color: #000000;">Currently serve as the Co-Chair of the Resource committee,&nbsp;</span><span style="color: #000000;">I am a member of the Best Practices Task Force, and&nbsp;</span><span style="color: #000000;">I participated in the 2018 mentorship program as a mentor.</span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 12pt;"><span style="color: #0a5183;"><strong><em>What do you like most about RFMA?&nbsp;</em></strong>&nbsp;</span><span style="color: #000000;">The abundant network of working knowledge available. And also the fact that RFMA is continually striving to lift awareness, best practices and emerging technology and trends to help make its members the best in the industry.&nbsp;&nbsp;</span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 12pt;"><span style="color: #0a5183;"> <strong><em>Which RFMA Resource do you utilize the most?</em></strong>&nbsp; The&nbsp;</span><span style="color: #000000;">RFMA website because it has great resources to use. But besides the website, I really enjoy The Dish. I use it to stay up to date with industry news and trends.</span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 12pt;"><span style="color: #0a5183;"><strong><em>Where did you grow up</em></strong></span><span style="color: #0a5183;"><em><strong><em>?</em>&nbsp;</strong></em>&nbsp;</span><span style="color: #000000;">Gulfport, MS has been my home since day one. I still remember when we first got our own area code of 228 and what life was like pre-Katrina.&nbsp;</span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 12pt;"><span style="color: #0a5183;"> <strong><em>What is your proudest accomplishment?</em></strong>&nbsp;&nbsp;</span><span style="color: #000000;">My proudest accomplishment would have to be my son. Although he can be a bit willful, I still look forward to dropping him off at school and learning about his day when I get off.&nbsp;&nbsp;</span></p>
<p><span style="color: #0a5183;"><strong><em>If you weren’t in the Facilities Industry, what would you be doing?</em></strong>&nbsp;&nbsp;</span><span style="color: #000000;">I think I probably would have ended up as a biology teacher somewhere or been a chef.&nbsp;&nbsp;<br />
<br />
</span><span style="color: #0a5183;"><em><strong>Who is your favorite sports team?</strong></em>&nbsp;&nbsp;</span><span style="color: #000000;">I’m a "fever fan". I like to go for the underdog, but I do like a good game. But as a Mississippian, the correct response would be the Saints.&nbsp;&nbsp;<br />
<br />
</span><span style="color: #0a5183;"><strong><em>What is your favorite place in the world?&nbsp;&nbsp;</em></strong></span><span style="color: #000000;">Smokey Mountains. For some strange reason I am drawn to mountains. Beaches are nice, but staying in a log cabin in the mountains is fantastic!<br />
<br />
</span><span style="color: #0a5183;"><strong><em>What’s your favorite type of food?</em></strong>&nbsp;&nbsp;</span><span style="color: #000000;">Mexican street tacos with fresh corn tortillas is hands down my favorite food to eat.&nbsp;&nbsp;<br />
<br />
</span><span style="color: #0a5183;"><strong><em>What is your favorite book?&nbsp;</em></strong>&nbsp;</span><span style="color: #000000;"><em>The Firm</em>, by John Grisham is my favorite book.<br />
<br />
</span><span style="color: #0a5183;"><strong><em>What is one of your favorite quotes?&nbsp;</em></strong>&nbsp;</span><span style="color: #000000;">"Take a look, it's in a book"- LaVar Burton Reading Rainbow&nbsp;<br />
<br />
</span><span style="color: #0a5183;"><strong><em>What is your favorite song?&nbsp;</em></strong>&nbsp;"</span><span style="color: #000000;">One in a Million You" by Larry Graham<br />
<br />
</span><span style="color: #0a5183;"><em><strong>Do you have a secret talent and if so, what is it?</strong></em>&nbsp;&nbsp;</span><span style="color: #000000;">Many people don't know but I consider myself a pretty good chef and mixologist.<br />
<br />
</span><span style="color: #0a5183;"><strong><em>If you could meet an iconic person from History, who would it be?</em></strong>&nbsp;&nbsp;</span><span style="color: #000000;">Ghenghis Kahn. He was a bit ruthless at times but he was one of the best military strategist of all time.&nbsp;<br />
<strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><span style="color: #0a5183;"><br />
</span></em></span></strong></span><span style="color: #0a5183;"><strong><em>Who knows you the best?&nbsp;</em></strong>&nbsp;</span><span style="color: #000000;">My mom knows me the best.&nbsp;&nbsp;</span></p>
<p><span style="color: #000000;">&nbsp;</span></p>
<p style="color: #304457; margin: 0in 0in 7.5pt;"><span><span style="color: #009879;">Connect with Nate&nbsp;</span></span><span style="color: #009879;">on InSite!&nbsp;<a href="https://www.rfmaonline.com/members/public_profile.asp?id=37977153">Click here</a>&nbsp;to view Nate's&nbsp;</span><span style="color: #009879;">profile and connect now.&nbsp;</span></p>
<p style="color: #304457; margin: 0in 0in 7.5pt;"><span style="color: #009879;">Nate has been a RFMA member for 3 years and has already achieved his CRFP, serves as a committee co-chair, is a member of a Task Force, and has become a mentor for our 2018 mentorship program.&nbsp;</span><span style="color: #009879;">If you know of someone that you think should be highlighted in our Member PRO Files Blog please nominate them by emailing&nbsp;</span><a href="mailto:rheagan@rfmaonline.com" style="color: #3e76da; background: 0px 0px;">rheagan@rfmaonline.com</a><span style="color: #009879;">.</span></p>]]></description>
<pubDate>Fri, 5 Oct 2018 16:09:26 GMT</pubDate>
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<title>Meet our RFMA Member, Ryan Kinnison</title>
<link>https://www.rfmaonline.com/members/blog_view.asp?id=1232254&amp;post=309784</link>
<guid>https://www.rfmaonline.com/members/blog_view.asp?id=1232254&amp;post=309784</guid>
<description><![CDATA[<p style="margin-bottom: 12pt;"><span><span style="color: #000000;"><em style="color: #0a5183;"><font size="3"><span><strong><img alt="" src="https://www.rfmaonline.com/resource/resmgr/blogs/profiles/ryan1.jpg" style="border:3px solid #009879;float: left; width: 150px; height: 202px; margin-right: 5px;" />Ryan Kinnison</strong></span><strong><br />
</strong>Facilities Manager<br />
Sprinkles Cupcakes</font></em></span></span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 12pt;"><span><span style="color: #000000;"><strong><em><span style="color: #0a5183;">What year did you join RFMA?&nbsp;</span></em></strong> 2016<br />
<br />
<strong><em><span style="color: #0a5183;">What ways are you involved with RFMA?</span></em></strong>&nbsp; Austin Restaurant Roundtable, Member Meet-Ups, and Annual Conference<br />
<br />
<strong><em><span style="color: #0a5183;">What do you like most about RFMA?&nbsp;</span></em></strong>&nbsp;</span></span><span style="color: #000000;">I really like the RFMA team themselves. Everyone is always very welcoming and most helpful when I am looking for referrals or any other information. Also I like the fact that I have a connection with so many other professionals in this industry, this is also very helpful when I am looking for information and referrals</span><span style="color: #000000;">.&nbsp;</span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 12pt;"><span style="color: #000000;"><span> <strong><em><span style="color: #0a5183;">Which RFMA Resource do you utilize the most?&nbsp;</span></em></strong> Jeff Dover's Audit punch list. <s><br />
</s><br />
<strong><em><span style="color: #0a5183;">Where is your hometown?&nbsp;</span></em></strong>&nbsp;</span></span><span style="color: #000000;">I grew up farming and ranching in a small town in South Texas called Nixon.</span><span style="color: #000000;"></span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 12pt;"><span style="color: #0a5183;"><span><strong><em>What is your proudest accomplishment?</em></strong>&nbsp;&nbsp;</span></span><span style="color: #000000;">By FAR the best thing I have ever done in my life is be a father. Being involved in the daily development of my children and seeing them grow, learn, and develop into who they are has been nothing short of amazing</span><span style="color: #000000;">.&nbsp;</span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 12pt;"><span style="color: #0a5183;"><strong><em>&nbsp;</em></strong></span><span style="color: #0a5183;"><strong><em>If you weren’t in the Facilities Industry, what would you be doing?&nbsp;</em></strong>&nbsp;</span><span style="color: #000000;">Law Enforcement. I've ALWAYS had the utmost respect and admiration for those guys and how they lay it all on the line for their fellow citizens everyday.&nbsp;</span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 12pt;"><span style="color: #0a5183;"><span><strong><em>Who is your favorite sports team?&nbsp;</em></strong>&nbsp;</span></span><span style="color: #000000;">HUGE fan of the Houston Astros. Went to my first Astros game with a friend in 1986 when I was in 6</span><sup style="color: #000000;">th</sup><span style="color: #000000;"> grade. We didn’t have baseball in my small one horse town so this was my first exposure to it and I've been hooked every since.&nbsp;</span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 12pt;"><span style="color: #000000;"><span><strong><em><span style="color: #0a5183;">What is your favorite place in the world?</span></em></strong>&nbsp; On an inner tube in the middle of the Guadalupe River with a cool drink in my hand listening to some good Texas music!!</span></span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 12pt;"><span style="color: #0a5183;"><strong><em>What’s your favorite type of food?&nbsp;&nbsp;</em></strong></span><span style="color: #000000;">Cupcakes of course?!?! Haha not really. I am a BBQ junkie. One of my favorite parts of traveling in this industry is getting to sample BBQ's from all over and seeing how the styles and flavors vary region by region.</span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 12pt;"><span style="color: #000000;"><span> <strong><em><span style="color: #0a5183;">What is your favorite book?</span></em></strong>&nbsp; <em>Where the Red Fern Grows</em> by Wilson Rawls.</span></span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 12pt;"><span style="color: #0a5183;"> <strong><em>What is one of your favorite quotes?</em></strong>&nbsp;&nbsp;</span><span style="color: #000000;">“Courage is being scared to death but saddling up anyway.”</span><span style="color: #000000;"></span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 12pt;"><span style="color: #0a5183;"><span><strong><em>What is your favorite song?</em></strong>&nbsp;<strong>&nbsp;"</strong></span></span><span style="color: #000000;">S</span><span style="color: #000000;">ilver Wings" by Merle Haggard</span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 12pt;"><span style="color: #0a5183;"><span><strong><em>If you could meet an iconic person from History, who would it be?</em></strong>&nbsp;&nbsp;</span></span><span style="color: #000000;">Ronald Reagan</span><span style="color: #000000;"></span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 12pt;"><span style="color: #0a5183;"><span><strong><em>Who knows you the best?</em></strong>&nbsp;&nbsp;</span></span><span style="color: #000000;">My wife Rebecca.</span></p>
<p style="color: #304457; margin: 0in 0in 7.5pt;"><span><span style="color: #009879;">Connect with Ryan&nbsp;</span></span><span style="color: #009879;">on InSite!&nbsp;<a href="https://www.rfmaonline.com/members/public_profile.asp?id=41507050" style="color: #3e76da; background: 0px 0px;">Click here</a>&nbsp;to view Ryan's&nbsp;</span><span style="color: #009879;">profile and connect now.&nbsp;</span></p>
<p style="color: #304457; margin: 0in 0in 7.5pt;"><span style="color: #009879;">Ryan has been engaged with RFMA since first joining in 2016. He has invested time in getting to know the RFMA staff and all of the resources available to him through RFMA.&nbsp;</span><span style="color: #009879;">If you know of someone that you think should be highlighted in our Member PRO Files Blog please nominate them by emailing&nbsp;</span><a href="mailto:rheagan@rfmaonline.com" style="color: #3e76da; background: 0px 0px;">rheagan@rfmaonline.com</a><span style="color: #009879;">.</span></p>]]></description>
<pubDate>Thu, 20 Sep 2018 22:34:24 GMT</pubDate>
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<title>Meet our RFMA Member, Christy Webster</title>
<link>https://www.rfmaonline.com/members/blog_view.asp?id=1232254&amp;post=308130</link>
<guid>https://www.rfmaonline.com/members/blog_view.asp?id=1232254&amp;post=308130</guid>
<description><![CDATA[<img alt="" src="https://www.rfmaonline.com/resource/resmgr/blogs/profiles/Christy_Webster_2018.jpg" style="border:3px solid #009879;width: 150px;  float: left;   height: 200px; margin-right: 5px;" />
<p><font size="3"><span style="color: #0a5183;"><em><strong>Christy Webster</strong><br />
Manager of Facility Systems<br />
The Wendy's Co.</em></span></font></p>
<p><span style="color: #000000;"><font size="2"><span style="color: #0a5183;"><strong><em>What year did you join RFMA?&nbsp;&nbsp;</em></strong></span>I joined RFMA in 2012 when I was hired with by Wendy’s. My boss, John Getha, suggested that I join for opportunities to network, learn more about the restaurant industry and compare best practices. <br />
<br />
<em><strong><span style="color: #0a5183;">What groups are you involved in with RFMA?</span></strong></em> I am currently in the Mentoring Program (loving it!!), Females in Facilities, Young Professionals and looking for more opportunities to get involved. <br />
<br />
<em><strong><span style="color: #0a5183;">What do you like most about RFMA? </span></strong></em>I like RFMA because it feels like a community. So many of the folks are living, breathing and sleeping the same issues that I am every day, there’s comfort in knowing you’re not alone.<br />
<br />
<em><strong><span style="color: #0a5183;">Which RFMA Resource do you utilize the most?</span></strong></em> I like the <em>Facilitator </em>magazine most because I can pick it up at my leisure and read it from front to back. If there is a company or something that has peaked my interest or maybe someone that I met at the conference, I can also research them at that point. <s><br />
</s><br />
<em><strong><span style="color: #0a5183;">What’s your hometown? </span></strong></em>My hometown is Dublin OH, born and raised in Columbus OH<br />
<br />
<em><strong><span style="color: #0a5183;">What is your proudest accomplishment?</span></strong></em> Earning two college degrees, when I didn’t think I had the strength to complete one.<br />
<br />
<em><strong><span style="color: #0a5183;">If you weren’t in the Facilities Industry, what would you be doing? </span></strong></em>Interior Decorating or working in any capacity with animals (except snakes and lizards….eek!)<br />
<br />
<em><strong><span style="color: #0a5183;">Who is your favorite sports team?</span></strong></em> Ohio State Buckeyes!!<br />
<br />
<strong><em><span style="color: #0a5183;">What is your favorite place in the world?</span></em></strong> On a beach staring at the ocean<br />
<br />
<strong><em><span style="color: #0a5183;">What’s your favorite type of food? </span></em></strong>I should say everything Wendy’s, duh! But my true fav is anything Italian!!!!<br />
<br />
<strong><em><span style="color: #0a5183;">What is your favorite book?</span></em></strong> Nicholas and Alexandria, The Last Russian Tsar<br />
<br />
<strong><em><span style="color: #0a5183;">What is one of your favorite quotes?</span></em></strong> “Where there is love, there is life” ~ Mahatma Ghandi<br />
<br />
<strong><em><span style="color: #0a5183;">What is your favorite song? </span></em></strong>Love Bites by Judas Priest<b><s><br />
<br />
</s></b><strong><em><span style="color: #0a5183;">Do you have a secret talent and if so, what is it?</span></em></strong> Drawing and painting. I’m an artist by nature.<br />
<br />
<strong><em><span style="color: #0a5183;">If you could meet an iconic person from History, who would it be?</span></em></strong> No one actually, but I would like to go back in time to see what life was like<br />
<br />
<em><strong><span style="color: #0a5183;">Who knows you the best? </span></strong></em>My sister</font></span></p>
<p><span style="color: #000000;"><font size="2">&nbsp;</font></span></p>
<p style="color: #304457; margin: 0in 0in 7.5pt;"><span><span style="color: #009879;">Connect with Christy&nbsp;</span></span><span style="color: #009879;">on InSite! <a href="https://www.rfmaonline.com/members/public_profile.asp?id=15223695">Click here</a> to view Christy's&nbsp;</span><span style="color: #009879;">profile and connect now.&nbsp;</span></p>
<p style="color: #304457; margin: 0in 0in 7.5pt;"><span style="color: #009879;">Christy has been a RFMA Member for 6 years and she has participated in Females in Facilities and the 2018 Mentorship Program.&nbsp;</span><span style="color: #009879;">If you know of someone that you think should be highlighted in our Member PRO Files Blog please nominate them by emailing&nbsp;</span><a href="mailto:rheagan@rfmaonline.com" style="background: 0px 0px; color: #3e76da;">rheagan@rfmaonline.com</a><span style="color: #009879;">.</span></p>]]></description>
<pubDate>Thu, 23 Aug 2018 18:20:05 GMT</pubDate>
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<title>Meet our RFMA Member, Noelle Faille, CRFP</title>
<link>https://www.rfmaonline.com/members/blog_view.asp?id=1232254&amp;post=307379</link>
<guid>https://www.rfmaonline.com/members/blog_view.asp?id=1232254&amp;post=307379</guid>
<description><![CDATA[<p style="margin-bottom: 12pt;"><span><em style="color: #0a5183;"><font size="3"><span><strong><img alt="" src="https://www.rfmaonline.com/resource/resmgr/member_pro_files/Noelle1.jpg" style="border:3px solid #009879;width: 150px; float: left;  height: 187px; margin-right: 5px;" />Noelle Faille, CRFP</strong></span><br />
Facilities Manager, Texas Division<br />
Olive Garden</font></em></span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 12pt;"><span><strong><em><span style="color: #0a5183;">What year did you join RFMA?</span></em></strong>&nbsp; 2011, I was new to the field and the RFMA Conference was a way to increase my knowledge and develop contacts. <br />
<br />
<strong><em><span style="color: #0a5183;">What groups are you involved in with RFMA?</span></em></strong>&nbsp; Board of Directors, Member Engagement<br />
<br />
<strong><em><span style="color: #0a5183;">What do you like most about RFMA?</span></em></strong>&nbsp; The comradery of the Facilities professionals and the chance to source talented vendor partners for new opportunities. <br />
<br />
<em><strong><span style="color: #0a5183;">Which RFMA Resource do you utilize the most?</span></strong></em>&nbsp; Picking up the phone and calling the staff. I’ve collaborated with Jeff Dover, found vendors in new areas where we were opening new locations, and most impactful to me was when I called and asked if they had heard of any job openings. I got three leads right off the bat, and quickly found my home with Olive Garden. <s><br />
</s></span><span><br />
<em><strong><span style="color: #0a5183;">What’s your hometown?&nbsp; </span></strong></em>I’m from Charlotte, NC, but moved all over the southeast states until I moved to Texas almost 10 years ago. <br />
<br />
<strong><em><span style="color: #0a5183;">What is your proudest accomplishment?&nbsp;</span></em></strong> Signing up for a half-marathon and finishing it. It was my 30<sup>th</sup> birthday and I made a lifestyle change then and there. I’ve done 7 more since. <br />
<br />
<strong><em><span style="color: #0a5183;">If you weren’t in the Facilities Industry, what would you be doing?</span></em></strong>&nbsp; I would be a college business professor and a paid speaker. &nbsp;</span></p>
<p> <span><strong><em><span style="color: #0a5183;">Who is your favorite sports team?&nbsp; </span></em></strong>Carolina Panthers – Keep Pounding! <br />
<br />
<strong><span style="color: #0a5183;"><em>What is your favorite place in the world?&nbsp;</em></span></strong> The US National Whitewater Center in Charlotte, North Carolina. They are the home to the world’s largest man-made recirculating whitewater river, with rock climbing, mountain bike trails and zip lines. And a deck where you can have a cold beer afterward. <br />
<br />
<strong><em><span style="color: #0a5183;">What’s your favorite type of food?&nbsp;</span></em></strong> Tapas and wine. <br />
</span><span><br />
<em><strong><span style="color: #0a5183;">What is your favorite book?</span></strong></em>&nbsp; Pillars of the Earth – Ken Follett <br />
<br />
<strong><em><span style="color: #0a5183;">What is your favorite song?</span></em></strong>&nbsp; “This Girl is on Fire” by Alicia Keys<b><s><br />
<br />
</s></b><strong><em><span style="color: #0a5183;">Do you have a secret talent and if so, what is it?</span></em></strong>&nbsp; Give me some toothpicks, limes, a lighter, and I’ll do all kinds of bar tricks from my college days working behind the bar at Outback Steakhouse. <br />
<br />
<strong><em><span style="color: #0a5183;">Who knows you the best?</span></em></strong>&nbsp; My wife Addie. She has to remind me who I am sometimes, and I love her for that. </span></p>
<p><span>&nbsp;</span></p>
<p style="color: #304457; margin: 0in 0in 7.5pt;"><span><span style="color: #009879;">Connect with Noelle&nbsp;</span></span><span style="color: #009879;">on InSite!&nbsp;<a href="https://www.rfmaonline.com/members/public_profile.asp?id=11966587">Click here</a>&nbsp;to&nbsp;view Noelle's&nbsp;</span><span style="color: #009879;">profile and connect now.&nbsp;</span></p>
<p style="color: #304457; margin: 0in 0in 7.5pt;"><span style="color: #009879;">Noelle has been a RFMA member for 7 years and she is currently serving as the secretary of the RFMA Board of Directors. If you know of someone that you think should be highlighted in our Member PRO Files Blog please nominate them by emailing&nbsp;<a href="mailto:rheagan@rfmaonline.com" style="color: #3e76da; background: 0px 0px;">rheagan@rfmaonline.com</a>.</span></p>
<p><span> <br />
</span></p>]]></description>
<pubDate>Fri, 10 Aug 2018 15:11:45 GMT</pubDate>
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<title>Meet our RFMA Member, Lori Fate</title>
<link>https://www.rfmaonline.com/members/blog_view.asp?id=1232254&amp;post=306466</link>
<guid>https://www.rfmaonline.com/members/blog_view.asp?id=1232254&amp;post=306466</guid>
<description><![CDATA[<p style="margin-bottom: 12pt;"><span style="color: #0a5183;"><font size="3"><em><strong><img alt="" src="https://www.rfmaonline.com/resource/resmgr/blogs/profiles/20180406_071950-01.jpg" style="border:3px solid #009879;width: 150px; float: left;    height: 201px; margin-right: 5px;" />Lori Fate</strong><br />
Regional Facilities Manager<br />
Coffee and Bagel Brands</em></font></span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 12pt;"><span style="color: #0a5183;"><strong><em>What year did you join RFMA?&nbsp;&nbsp;</em></strong></span><span style="color: #000000;">I joined RFMA in 2006. I sat on the Board of Directors the following year. I joined because I had quite a few business associates and friends in the industry that had shared with me the benefits. I learned it was a tremendous opportunity to network with vendors and facility managers, to share experiences and to exchange best practices and give back to the restaurant industry. (And they were right!)<br />
<br />
</span><span style="color: #0a5183;"><strong><em>What groups are you involved in with RFMA?&nbsp;</em></strong>&nbsp;</span><span style="color: #000000;">RFMA Gives, Females in Facilities, Conference Curriculum Committee, past member of Board of Directors and in 2017 a mentor in the Mentor/Mentee Program.<br />
<br />
</span><span style="color: #0a5183;"><strong><em><br />
What do you like most about RFMA?</em></strong></span></p>
<ul>
    <li style="margin-bottom: 12pt;"><span style="color: #000000;">The “Giving Spirit”</span></li>
    <li style="margin-bottom: 12pt;"><span style="color: #000000;">Members - Members are very giving of their time and knowledge and are generous with sharing their experience, best practices and networking.</span><b></b></li>
    <li style="margin-bottom: 12pt;"><span style="color: #000000;">The Staff &nbsp;- The Staff is giving of their time and dedication to this organization. Consistently creating opportunities that add value to the members thru webinars, regional meetings, CRFP and RFMA Gives! </span></li>
    <li style="margin-bottom: 12pt;"><span style="color: #000000;">RFMA Gives – an opportunity for both members and staff to come together and spend the day doing something totally wonderful for the community.</span></li>
</ul>
<p style="margin-bottom: 12pt;"><span style="color: #0a5183;"><span><strong><em>Which RFMA Resource do you utilize the most?&nbsp;&nbsp;</em></strong></span></span><span style="color: #000000;">Lately I’ve been participating in the webinars. The cumulative years of knowledge and experience of the moderator and the participants is a tremendous resource. I share my notes with my entire facilities team following each of the calls.&nbsp;<br />
<br />
</span><span style="color: #0a5183;"><strong><em>What’s your hometown?&nbsp;</em></strong>&nbsp;</span><span style="color: #000000;">I was born in Attleboro, MA. But we moved to Sarasota FL when I was pretty young so I don’t remember much about MA. But I am truly a “beach girl” by&nbsp;</span><span style="color: #000000;">heart!</span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 12pt;"><span style="color: #000000;"><strong><em><span style="color: #0a5183;">&nbsp;</span></em></strong></span><span style="color: #000000;"><strong><em><span style="color: #0a5183;">What is your proudest accomplishment?</span></em></strong>&nbsp; I raised (3) teenagers on my own..(and everyone survived). They are all adults now..one is a successful multi business owner and the other two are in college.</span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 12pt;"><span style="color: #0a5183;"><span><strong><em>If you weren’t in the Facilities Industry, what would you be doing?&nbsp;</em></strong>&nbsp;</span></span><span style="color: #000000;">Dance instructor for Seniors…keeping all of your parents active and healthy.<br />
<br />
</span><span style="color: #0a5183;"><strong><em>Who is your favorite sports team?</em></strong>&nbsp;&nbsp;</span><span style="color: #000000;">It would be shameful </span><b style="color: #000000;">not</b><span style="color: #000000;"> to say The Braves...I’ve been a resident of Georgia for over 30 years.</span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 12pt;"><span style="color: #0a5183;"><span><strong><em>What is your favorite place in the world?</em></strong>&nbsp;&nbsp;</span></span><span style="color: #000000;">I love the Caribbean..beautiful waters, &nbsp;sandy beaches and a great place to recharge.</span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 12pt;"><span style="color: #0a5183;"><span><strong><em>What’s your favorite type of food?&nbsp;</em></strong>&nbsp;</span></span><span style="color: #000000;">Sushi…No question!<br />
<br />
<strong><em><span style="color: #0a5183;">&nbsp;</span></em></strong></span><span style="color: #0a5183;"><strong><em>What is your favorite book?&nbsp;</em></strong>&nbsp;</span><span style="color: #000000;">Anything Stephen Covey wrote. I read 7 Habits for the first time in 1984 and still have that copy I purchased back then. I keep it handy and refer back often.<br />
<br />
</span><span style="color: #0a5183;"><strong><em>What is one of your favorite quotes?&nbsp;&nbsp;</em></strong></span><span style="color: #000000;">“God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can and the wisdom to know the difference”.&nbsp; My grandmother gave me that plaque 35 years ago and it’s definitely chipped and cracked in many places, but it still hangs proudly on my wall.</span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 12pt;"><span style="color: #0a5183;"><span><strong><em>What is your favorite song?</em></strong>&nbsp;&nbsp;</span></span><span style="color: #000000;">I have two….“God Bless the U.S.A” by Lee Greenwood (chokes me up every time) and “Sweet Caroline” by Neil Diamond..no Brave Game is complete without Sweet Caroline.<br />
<br />
</span><span style="color: #0a5183;"><strong><em>Do you have a secret talent and if so, what is it?&nbsp;</em></strong>&nbsp;</span><span style="color: #000000;">I’m a First Degree Black Belt in Taekwondo and a former competitive ballroom dancer.<br />
<br />
<em><strong><span style="color: #0a5183;">&nbsp;</span></strong></em></span><span style="color: #0a5183;"><em><strong>If you could meet an iconic person from history, who would it be?</strong></em>&nbsp;&nbsp;</span><span style="color: #000000;">Frank Sinatra – multi talented, still a huge fan of his music AND his song &nbsp;“New York, New York” is what inspired me to learn ballroom dancing.<br />
<br />
</span><span style="color: #0a5183;"><strong><em>Who knows you the best?&nbsp;</em></strong>&nbsp;</span><span style="color: #000000;">My oldest son, he’s 34 and has always been very supportive of me and proud of my accomplishments. We speak nearly every day and have for years!</span></p>
<p style="color: #304457; margin: 0in 0in 7.5pt;"><span><span style="color: #009879;">Connect with Lori&nbsp;</span></span><span style="color: #009879;">on InSite! <a href="https://www.rfmaonline.com/members/public_profile.asp?id=53748432">Click here</a> to&nbsp;view Lori's&nbsp;</span><span style="color: #009879;">profile and connect now.&nbsp;</span></p>
<p style="color: #304457; margin: 0in 0in 7.5pt;"><span style="color: #009879;">Lori has been a RFMA member for over 12 years and she has been involved in many different ways over the years.&nbsp;If you know of someone that you think should be highlighted in our Member PRO Files Blog please nominate them by emailing&nbsp;<a href="mailto:rheagan@rfmaonline.com" style="color: #3e76da; background: 0px 0px;">rheagan@rfmaonline.com</a>.</span></p>]]></description>
<pubDate>Fri, 27 Jul 2018 17:11:13 GMT</pubDate>
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<title>Meet our RFMA Member, Mark Consigny</title>
<link>https://www.rfmaonline.com/members/blog_view.asp?id=1232254&amp;post=305554</link>
<guid>https://www.rfmaonline.com/members/blog_view.asp?id=1232254&amp;post=305554</guid>
<description><![CDATA[<p style="margin-bottom: 12pt;"><span><em style="color: #304457;"><span style="color: #0a5183;"><font size="3"><span><strong><img alt="" src="https://www.rfmaonline.com/resource/resmgr/blogs/profiles/2659a6f.jpg" style="border:3px solid #009879;float: left; width: 200px; height: 200px; margin-right: 5px;" />Mark Consigny</strong><br />
</span>National Sales Manager<br />
AGI</font></span></em></span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 12pt;"><span style="color: #0a5183;"><strong><em>What year did you join RFMA?</em></strong></span><span style="color: #000000;">&nbsp; I joined RFMA in 2016. I joined RFMA because I had always heard great things and wanted to plug in within the restaurant facilities industry. My short time with RFMA has been great and I plan on being part of RFMA for a very long time.&nbsp;</span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 12pt;"><strong style="color: #000000;"><em><span style="color: #0a5183;">What groups are you involved in with RFMA?</span></em></strong><span style="color: #000000;">&nbsp; RFMA Gives / past Membership Engagement Committee member</span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 12pt;"><strong style="color: #000000;"><em><span style="color: #0a5183;">What do you like most about RFMA?</span></em></strong><span style="color: #000000;">&nbsp; I am really impressed with the loyalty of the members especially with the restaurant facility professionals. RFMA is a community/family. My experience has been that the RFMA members are excited to work with other RFMA members, that’s encouraging to me. This commitment to one another helps everyone’s success and it’s very contagious.&nbsp;</span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 12pt;"><strong style="color: #000000;"><em><span style="color: #0a5183;">Which RFMA Resource do you utilize the most?</span></em></strong><span style="color: #000000;">&nbsp; The RFMA website is extremely helpful to me, it has all of the content I need and look for. Also, “Facilitator” is one of the best trade magazines I’ve seen. AGI plans on using for it for their own advertising. I have used “Facilitator” for educational purposes along with networking with other vendors.&nbsp;&nbsp;</span></p>
<p>
<em style="color: #000000;"><strong><span style="color: #0a5183;">What’s your hometown?&nbsp;&nbsp;</span></strong></em><font color="#000000">I was raised in Keene, NH but currently live in St Petersburg, FL with my wife of 25 years and my 2 kids</font><br />
<br />
<strong style="color: #000000;"><em><span style="color: #0a5183;">What is your proudest accomplishment?&nbsp;&nbsp;</span></em></strong><font color="#000000">Raising a son and a daughter. Watching them grow into responsible, decent human beings has been incredible. I’m definitely a proud father. &nbsp;</font><br />
<br />
<em style="color: #000000;"><span style="color: #0a5183;"><strong>If you weren’t in the Facilities Industry, what would you be doing?</strong></span></em><font color="#000000">&nbsp; Playing baseball professionally</font><br />
<br />
<strong style="color: #000000;"><em><span style="color: #0a5183;">Who is your favorite sports team?&nbsp;&nbsp;</span></em></strong><font color="#000000">Although I live in FL I am still a die hard&nbsp;Red Sox fan. My second favorite team are the AZ Diamondbacks. Obviously I love baseball. </font><br />
<br />
<font color="#000000"> <strong><em><span style="color: #0a5183;">What is your favorite place in the world?</span></em></strong>&nbsp; Other than in my wives arms I’d have to say Maui</font><br />
<br />
<font color="#000000"> <strong><em><span style="color: #0a5183;">What’s your favorite type of food?</span></em></strong>&nbsp; Everything that’s bad for me especially pizza.</font><br />
<span><span style="color: #000000;"><br />
<strong><em><span style="color: #0a5183;">What is your favorite book?</span></em></strong>&nbsp; The Bible<br />
<br />
<strong><em><span style="color: #0a5183;">What is your favorite song?&nbsp;&nbsp;</span></em></strong>“With or Without You” by U2<b><s><br />
</s></b><b><s><br />
</s></b><strong><em><span style="color: #0a5183;">Do you have a secret talent and if so, what is it?&nbsp;&nbsp;</span></em></strong>Give me a city in the country and I can tell you what companies are based there (lol). <br />
<br />
<em><strong><span style="color: #0a5183;">If you could meet an iconic person from History, who would it be?</span></strong></em>&nbsp; Jesus<br />
<br />
<strong><em><span style="color: #0a5183;">Who knows you the best?&nbsp;&nbsp;</span></em></strong>My wife, my kids and my boss (lol)</span></span></p>
<p><span><span style="color: #000000;">&nbsp;</span></span></p>
<p style="color: #304457; margin: 0in 0in 7.5pt;"><span><span style="color: #009879;">Connect with Mark&nbsp;</span></span><span style="color: #009879;">on InSite! <a href="https://www.rfmaonline.com/members/public_profile.asp?id=41898017">Click here</a> to&nbsp;view Mark's&nbsp;</span><span style="color: #009879;">profile and connect now.&nbsp;</span></p>
<p style="color: #304457; margin: 0in 0in 7.5pt;"><span style="color: #009879;">Mark has been a RFMA Member for 2 years and has been involved with RFMA Gives and the Member Engagement Committee.&nbsp;If you know of someone that you think should be highlighted in our Member PRO Files Blog please nominate them by emailing&nbsp;<a href="mailto:rheagan@rfmaonline.com" style="color: #3e76da; background: 0px 0px;">rheagan@rfmaonline.com</a>.</span></p>]]></description>
<pubDate>Fri, 13 Jul 2018 18:43:38 GMT</pubDate>
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<title>Meet our RFMA Member, Dale Moore, CRFP</title>
<link>https://www.rfmaonline.com/members/blog_view.asp?id=1232254&amp;post=304207</link>
<guid>https://www.rfmaonline.com/members/blog_view.asp?id=1232254&amp;post=304207</guid>
<description><![CDATA[<p style="margin: 0in 0in 11.25pt;"><span><font size="3"><em><span style="color: #0a5183;"><strong><img alt="" src="https://www.rfmaonline.com/resource/resmgr/blogs/profiles/DM.jpg" style="border:3px solid #009879;float: left; width: 150px;    height: 194px; margin-right: 5px;" />Dale Moore, CRFP<br />
</strong>Lead Facilities Manager<br />
Chipotle</span></em></font></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0in 0in 11.25pt;"><span style="color: #000000;"><strong><span style="color: #0a5183;"><em>Why did you join RFMA?&nbsp;&nbsp;</em></span></strong>It was recommend we go to the RFMA conference to connect with others in the trade.<br />
<br />
<strong><em><span style="color: #0a5183;">What groups are you involved in with RFMA?</span></em></strong>&nbsp; The Board of Directors and the Membership Development Committee.<br />
<br />
<em><strong><span style="color: #0a5183;">What do you like most about RFMA?&nbsp;&nbsp;</span></strong></em>The education resources and meeting others in the trade.<br />
<br />
<strong><em><span style="color: #0a5183;">Which RFMA Resource do you utilize the most?&nbsp;&nbsp;</span></em></strong>The member directory to search for vendors. <s><br />
</s></span><span style="color: #000000;"><br />
<strong><em><span style="color: #0a5183;">What’s your hometown?&nbsp;&nbsp;</span></em></strong>Born and raised in Damascus, MD<br />
<br />
<strong><em><span style="color: #0a5183;">If you weren’t in the Facilities Industry, what would you be doing?</span></em></strong>&nbsp; Military<br />
<br />
<strong><em><span style="color: #0a5183;">Who is your favorite sports team?</span></em></strong>&nbsp; Redskins and Alabama football “ Roll Tide”<br />
<br />
<strong><em><span style="color: #0a5183;">What’s your favorite type of food?</span></em></strong>&nbsp; Thai food<br />
</span><span style="color: #000000;"><br />
<strong><em><span style="color: #0a5183;">What is your favorite book?&nbsp;&nbsp;</span></em></strong>The Mission, The Men, and ME<br />
<br />
<strong><em><span style="color: #0a5183;">What is one of your favorite quotes?</span></em></strong></span><font color="#000000">&nbsp; “If a man is called to be a street sweeper, he should sweep streets even as a Michelangelo&nbsp;painted, or Beethoven composed music or Shakespeare wrote poetry. He should sweep streets so well that all the hosts of heaven and earth will pause to say, 'Here lived a great street sweeper who did his job well.”&nbsp;</font><span style="color: #000000;">―&nbsp;</span><b style="color: #000000;"><u><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/23924.Martin_Luther_King_Jr_">Martin Luther King Jr.</a></u></b></p>
<p><span style="color: #000000;"><span>
<strong><em><span style="color: #0a5183;">Who knows you the best?&nbsp;&nbsp;</span></em></strong>My wife</span></span></p>
<p><span style="color: #000000;"><span>&nbsp;</span></span></p>
<p style="color: #304457; margin: 0in 0in 7.5pt;"><span><span style="color: #009879;">Connect with Dale&nbsp;</span></span><span style="color: #009879;">on InSite!&nbsp;<a href="https://www.rfmaonline.com/members/public_profile.asp?id=41743075" style="color: #3e76da; background: 0px 0px;">&nbsp;</a><a href="https://www.rfmaonline.com/members/public_profile.asp?id=15216617">Click here</a>&nbsp;to&nbsp;view Dale's&nbsp;</span><span style="color: #009879;">profile and connect now.&nbsp;</span></p>
<p style="color: #304457; margin: 0in 0in 7.5pt;"><span style="color: #009879;">Dale has been a RFMA member since 2012 and he was recently appointed to our RFMA Board of Directors. He also serves on our Membership Development Committee. If you know of someone that you think should be highlighted in our Member PRO Files Blog please nominate them by emailing&nbsp;<a href="mailto:rheagan@rfmaonline.com" style="color: #3e76da; background: 0px 0px;">rheagan@rfmaonline.com</a>.</span></p>]]></description>
<pubDate>Fri, 22 Jun 2018 15:55:42 GMT</pubDate>
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<title>Meet our RFMA Member, Beth Krantz</title>
<link>https://www.rfmaonline.com/members/blog_view.asp?id=1232254&amp;post=303351</link>
<guid>https://www.rfmaonline.com/members/blog_view.asp?id=1232254&amp;post=303351</guid>
<description><![CDATA[<p style="margin-bottom: 12pt;"><font size="3"><span style="color: #0a5183;"><em><span style="color: #0a5183;"><strong><img alt="" src="https://www.rfmaonline.com/resource/resmgr/blogs/profiles/Beth_2016.png" style="border:3px solid #009879;width: 150px; float: left; height: 225px; margin-right: 5px;" />Beth Krantz<br />
</strong>Senior Director of Sales<br />
</span>Metro Service Solutions</em></span></font></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 12pt;"><span style="color: #000000;"><span style="color: #0a5183;"><em><strong>What year did you join RFMA?</strong></em></span> I still have an email draft of our very first ad in a RFMA directory from 2008 so, officially, 2008.&nbsp; I joined so that I could stay close to restaurant facilities industry and to be part of the growth of an organization that was (and still is) a much needed source. </span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 12pt;"><span style="color: #000000;"><strong><em><span style="color: #0a5183;">What groups are you involved in with RFMA? </span></em></strong>I am on the Vendor Voice Committee and love to participate in RFMA Gives. I plan on joining others – there are many choices.&nbsp;</span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 12pt;"><span style="color: #000000;"><em><span style="color: #0a5183;"><strong>What do you like most about RFMA and why?&nbsp;</strong></span></em> RFMA is forward-thinking, and always seeking new ways to engage its members, while never forgetting to have fun along the way.&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;</span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 12pt;"><span style="color: #000000;"><strong><em><span style="color: #0a5183;">Which RFMA Resource do you utilize the most and why? </span></em></strong>RFMA’s people are a huge resource .&nbsp; Everyone jumps to assist and is quick to take action.&nbsp; I utilize the member directory and &nbsp;message center most often.&nbsp;&nbsp;</span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 12pt;"><span style="color: #000000;"> <strong><em><span style="color: #0a5183;">What’s your hometown?</span></em></strong>  I’m a Brooklyn girl, born and bred.&nbsp;&nbsp; It’s true, you can take the girl out of Brooklyn, but not Brooklyn out of the girl.&nbsp; </span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 12pt;"><span style="color: #000000;"><strong><em><span style="color: #0a5183;">What is your proudest accomplishment?</span></em></strong>&nbsp;Along with my husband, raising my son, Teddy and learning from him.&nbsp;</span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 12pt;"><span style="color: #0a5183;"><strong><em>&nbsp;</em></strong></span><span style="color: #000000;"><strong><em><span style="color: #0a5183;">If you weren’t in the Facilities Industry, what would you be doing?</span></em></strong> I always dreamed of being a personal shopper – or working&nbsp; with animals .&nbsp; Two ends of the spectrum.</span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 12pt;"><span style="color: #000000;"><strong><em><span style="color: #0a5183;">Who is your favorite sports team? </span></em></strong>Let’s Go Mets! </span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 12pt;"><span style="color: #000000;"><strong><em><span style="color: #0a5183;">What is your ideal vacation? </span></em></strong>Lots of sunshine, throw in some history, culture , good food and lots of shopping.&nbsp; </span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 12pt;"><span style="color: #000000;"><strong><em><span style="color: #0a5183;">What’s your favorite type of food?&nbsp;</span></em></strong>I have many favorites ( really!) &nbsp;which I’m sure my fellow RFMA colleagues won’t fault me for. </span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 12pt;"><span style="color: #000000;"><strong><em><span style="color: #0a5183;">What is your favorite book? </span></em></strong>I like the authors Sue Monk Kidd, Joyce Carol Oates, and Stephen King.&nbsp;</span></p>
<p><span style="color: #000000;"> <span><strong><em><span style="color: #0a5183;">If you could meet an iconic person from History, who would it be?&nbsp;</span></em></strong>JFK </span></span></p>
<p><span style="color: #000000;"><strong><em><span style="color: #0a5183;">Who knows you the best?&nbsp;</span></em></strong>My inner circle of friends and family.&nbsp;</span></p>
<p style="color: #304457; margin: 0in 0in 7.5pt;"><span><span style="color: #009879;">&nbsp;</span></span></p>
<p style="color: #304457; margin: 0in 0in 7.5pt;"><span><span style="color: #009879;">Connect with Beth&nbsp;</span></span><span style="color: #009879;">on InSite!&nbsp;<a href="https://www.rfmaonline.com/members/public_profile.asp?id=41743075" style="color: #3e76da; background: 0px 0px;">Click here</a>&nbsp;to&nbsp;view Beth's&nbsp;</span><span style="color: #009879;">profile and connect now.&nbsp;</span></p>
<p style="color: #304457; margin: 0in 0in 7.5pt;"><span style="color: #009879;">Beth has been a RFMA member for 11 years, and she serves on the Vendor Voice Committee. If you know of someone that you think should be highlighted in our Member PRO Files Blog please nominate them by emailing&nbsp;<a href="mailto:rheagan@rfmaonline.com" style="color: #3e76da; background: 0px 0px;">rheagan@rfmaonline.com</a>.</span></p>]]></description>
<pubDate>Fri, 8 Jun 2018 16:22:27 GMT</pubDate>
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<title>Meet our RFMA Member, Greg Fuchs, CRFP</title>
<link>https://www.rfmaonline.com/members/blog_view.asp?id=1232254&amp;post=302570</link>
<guid>https://www.rfmaonline.com/members/blog_view.asp?id=1232254&amp;post=302570</guid>
<description><![CDATA[<p style="margin-bottom: 12pt;"><font size="3"><span><em><span style="color: #0a5183;"><strong><img alt="" src="https://www.rfmaonline.com/resource/resmgr/blogs/profiles/RFMA_headshot.jpg" style="border:3px solid #009879;width: 150px; float: left; height: 267px; margin-right: 5px;" />Greg Fuchs, CRFP<br />
</strong>Facilities Manager<br />
</span></em></span><em><span style="color: #0a5183;">TEAM Schostak Family Restaurants - Applebee's</span></em></font></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 12pt;"><span style="color: #0a5183;"><strong><em>What year did you join RFMA?</em></strong> </span><span style="color: #000000;">I joined RFMA in 2016 to learn from other facilities professionals so I have as much knowledge as possible so I can effectively support the Applebee’s restaurants I am responsible for.</span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span style="color: #000000;"><strong><em><span style="color: #0a5183;">What groups are you involved in with RFMA?</span></em></strong> I am on the Membership Development Committee and serve as Co-Chair on the Franchisee Task Force.</span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span style="color: #000000;"> </span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span style="color: #000000;"> </span><span style="color: #0a5183;"><strong><em>What do you like most about RFMA?</em></strong> </span><span style="color: #000000;">The RFMA is a great forum for networking and cultivating relationships between facilities professionals and vendor partners; I appreciate their willingness to share their knowledge and experience. </span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span style="color: #0a5183;"><br />
<strong><em>Which RFMA Resource do you utilize the most? </em></strong></span><span style="color: #000000;">When I first joined RFMA, I spent most of my time going through the CRFP Program which was highly beneficial to me and a great source of knowledge.  Now, the Peer-to-Peer calls are valuable to me so I can learn what other facilities professionals are doing within their businesses, as well as sharing real-time advice in real-time situations.  I have been able to take away something that I can use to do my job better with every call.</span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span style="color: #000000;"><span><br />
<strong><em><span style="color: #0a5183;">What’s your hometown? </span></em></strong>Queens, NY. </span></span><span style="color: #000000;">Raised in Metro Detroit</span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span style="color: #000000;"><br />
<strong><em><span style="color: #0a5183;">What is your proudest accomplishment? </span></em></strong>Professionally, it was being named the Del Taco Multi Unit Franchisee of the Year two years in a row. </span><span style="color: #000000;">Personally, it was completing the Tough Mudder in Dallas, Texas and at Michigan International Speedway in Brooklyn, Michigan.</span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span style="color: #000000;"><span style="color: #000000;"><br />
<strong><em><span style="color: #0a5183;">Who is your favorite sports team? </span></em></strong>Detroit Tigers</span><span><br />
<strong><em><span style="color: #0a5183;"><br />
What is one of your favorite quotes? </span></em></strong>At the beginning of the Tough Mudder, the question was asked, “When was the last time you did something for the first time?”  It reminds me of how we should be living life.</span></span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span style="color: #000000;"> </span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span style="color: #000000;"><strong><em><span style="color: #0a5183;">What is your favorite song?</span></em></strong> Bob Seger “Turn the Page”</span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span style="color: #0a5183;"><span><br />
<strong><em>Who knows you the best? </em></strong></span></span><span style="color: #000000;">My better ¾ -- my wife.</span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;"><span style="color: #000000;"> </span></p>
<p style="color: #304457; margin: 0in 0in 7.5pt;"><span><span style="color: #009879;"><span><span>Connect with Greg </span></span></span></span><span style="color: #009879;">on InSite! <a href="https://www.rfmaonline.com/members/public_profile.asp?id=41743075" style="color: #3e76da; background: 0px 0px;">Click here</a> to view Greg's </span><span style="color: #009879;">profile and connect now. </span></p>
<p style="color: #304457; margin: 0in 0in 7.5pt;"><span style="color: #009879;">Greg has only been a member for 2 years and has already achieved his CRFP, serves on the Membership Development Committee, and is a Co-Chair on the Franchisee Task Force.  If you know of someone that you think should be highlighted in our Member PRO Files Blog please nominate them by emailing <a href="mailto:rheagan@rfmaonline.com" style="color: #3e76da; background: 0px 0px;">rheagan@rfmaonline.com</a>.</span></p>
<span style="color: #000000;"> <br />
</span>]]></description>
<pubDate>Fri, 25 May 2018 19:20:58 GMT</pubDate>
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<title>Meet our RFMA Member, Wayne Brayton, CRFP</title>
<link>https://www.rfmaonline.com/members/blog_view.asp?id=1232254&amp;post=301726</link>
<guid>https://www.rfmaonline.com/members/blog_view.asp?id=1232254&amp;post=301726</guid>
<description><![CDATA[<p><span><font size="3"><span style="color: #0a5183;"><em><strong><img alt="" src="https://www.rfmaonline.com/resource/resmgr/blogs/profiles/Wayne_Brayton_pic2015.jpg" style="border:3px solid #009879;width: 150px; float: left; height: 225px; margin-right: 5px;" />Wayne Brayton, CRFP</strong><br />
VP of Facilities<br />
Sonic Restaurants, Inc.</em></span></font></span></p>
<p><span> </span></p>
<p><span><strong><em><span style="color: #0a5183;">What year did you join RFMA? Why did you join RFMA?</span></em></strong><span style="color: #000000;"> It was 2006 (12 years ago). I was promoted to Director of Facilities, and Bryan Grady from Chick-Fil-A convinced me to join. It was only the 2<sup>nd</sup> RFMA meeting.<br />
<br />
<strong><em><span style="color: #0a5183;">What groups are you involved in with RFMA?</span></em></strong> Board of Directors, RFMA Gives, Membership Development <br />
<br />
<strong><em><span style="color: #0a5183;">What do you like most about RFMA and why? </span></em></strong>Networking with peers, continued education, vendor trade show. Many of our facility vendors are RFMA members.<br />
<br />
<strong><em><span style="color: #0a5183;">Which RFMA Resource do you utilize the most and why?</span></em></strong> There is a lot of best practice interaction with my peers, especially the BOD folks<s><br />
</s></span></span><span style="color: #000000;"><span><br />
<strong><em><span style="color: #0a5183;">What’s your hometown? Where were you raised? </span></em></strong>Norman, OK (BOOMER SOONER!), grew up in Kansas<br />
<br />
<strong><em><span style="color: #0a5183;">What is your proudest accomplishment?</span></em></strong> Eagle Scout, my family, my 5 grandkids. Very proud of my family.<br />
<br />
<strong><em><span style="color: #0a5183;">If you weren’t in the Facilities Industry, what would you be doing?</span></em></strong> I love the restaurant business, been in it over 30 years, so probably selling kitchen equipment<br />
<br />
<strong><em><span style="color: #0a5183;">Who is your favorite sports team? </span></em></strong>Tie between OU & St Louis Cardinals <br />
<br />
<strong><em><span style="color: #0a5183;">What is your favorite place in the world?</span></em></strong> THE LAKE! My little slice of heaven <br />
<br />
<strong><em><span style="color: #0a5183;">What’s your favorite type of food?</span></em></strong> Mexican <br />
<br />
<strong><em><span style="color: #0a5183;">What is one of your favorite quotes?</span></em></strong> Insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results <br />
<br />
<strong><em><span style="color: #0a5183;">What is your favorite song? </span></em></strong>On A Cloud by Cross Canadian Ragweed<b><s><br />
<br />
</s></b><strong><em><span style="color: #0a5183;">Do you have a secret talent and if so, what is it? </span></em></strong>I can water ski pretty good for an old man haha <br />
<br />
<strong><em><span style="color: #0a5183;">If you could meet an iconic person from History, who would it be?</span></em></strong> I LOVE history! Ben Franklin, Thomas Jefferson<br />
<br />
<strong><em><span style="color: #0a5183;">Who knows you the best? </span></em></strong>My wife Karen <br />
<br />
</span></span></p>
<p style="color: #304457; margin: 0in 0in 7.5pt;"><span><span style="color: #009879;"><span><span>Connect with Wayne </span></span><span><span><span><span>on InSite! <a href="http://rfmaonline.site-ym.com/members/public_profile.asp?id=11071735" style="color: #3e76da; background: 0px 0px;">Click here</a><a href="http://www.rfmaonline.com/members/public_profile.asp?id=12142407" style="color: #3e76da; background: 0px 0px;"> </a> to </span><span><span>view Wayne's </span></span></span><span><span>profile and connect now. </span><br />
</span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p style="color: #304457; margin: 0in 0in 7.5pt;"><span style="color: #009879;">Wayne has been a RFMA member for 12 years. He is involved in the Membership Development Committee, helps with RFMA Gives, and serves on our RFMA Board of Directors. If you know of someone that you think should be highlighted in our Member PRO Files Blog please nominate them by emailing <a href="mailto:rheagan@rfmaonline.com" style="color: #3e76da; background: 0px 0px;">rheagan@rfmaonline.com</a>.</span></p>]]></description>
<pubDate>Fri, 11 May 2018 16:32:42 GMT</pubDate>
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<title>Meet our RFMA Member, Preston Funkhouser</title>
<link>https://www.rfmaonline.com/members/blog_view.asp?id=1232254&amp;post=300367</link>
<guid>https://www.rfmaonline.com/members/blog_view.asp?id=1232254&amp;post=300367</guid>
<description><![CDATA[<p style="color: #304457;"><span><em><span style="color: #0a5183;"><font size="3"><strong><img alt="" src="http://www.rfmaonline.com/resource/resmgr/blogs/Preston_Funkhouser.jpg" style="border:3px solid #009879;width: 200px; float: left; height: 200px; margin-right: 5px;" />Preston Funkhouser<br />
<span></span></strong><span>Sr. Director, Facility Services and Construction</span><br />
Cracker Barrel Old Country Store, Inc.</font></span></em></span></p>
<p style="color: #304457;"><span><em><span style="color: #0a5183;"><font size="3">&nbsp;</font><br />
</span></em></span></p>
<p style="color: #304457;"><span style="color: #000000;"><span><span><span style="color: #000000;"><span><strong><em><span style="color: #0a5183;">What year did you join RFMA?</span></em></strong> 2014.&nbsp; As a newcomer to the restaurant facility services industry, I was thrilled to learn that there was a trade organization designed around coaching, teaching, and mentoring our industry.&nbsp; <br />
<strong><em><span style="color: #0a5183;"><br />
What groups are you involved in with RFMA?&nbsp;</span></em></strong> Honored to join the board in 2018 and join the online training and leadership development committee.&nbsp; <br />
<br />
<span style="color: #0a5183;"><em><strong>What do you like most about RFMA?</strong></em></span>&nbsp; Networking with peers and meeting our vendor base.&nbsp; <br />
<br />
<strong><em><span style="color: #0a5183;">Which RFMA Resource do you utilize the most and why?</span></em></strong>&nbsp; The annual conference is my opportunity to explore industry trends with peers and leaders in the service organizations who support us.<s><br />
</s></span></span><span style="color: #000000;"><span><br />
<strong><em><span style="color: #0a5183;">What’s your hometown? </span></em></strong>Sonora, CA, not too far from Yosemite National Park.<br />
<br />
<em><strong><span style="color: #0a5183;">What is your proudest accomplishment?</span></strong></em> Raising two brilliant and respectful teenagers who love their mother and me.&nbsp; <br />
<br />
<strong><em><span style="color: #0a5183;">If you weren’t in the Facilities Industry, what would you be doing? </span></em></strong>&nbsp;I would like to be a farmer one day.<br />
<br />
<em><span style="color: #0a5183;"><strong>Who is your favorite sports team?&nbsp;</strong></span></em> Nashville Predators, NHL Hockey<br />
<br />
<strong><em><span style="color: #0a5183;">What is your favorite place in the world? </span></em></strong>&nbsp;I’ve been all around the world and my favorite place is right here in America.<br />
<br />
<strong><em><span style="color: #0a5183;">What’s your favorite type of food?</span></em></strong>&nbsp; I like food.&nbsp; All of it.&nbsp; <br />
</span><span><br />
<strong><em><span style="color: #0a5183;">What is your favorite book?&nbsp;</span></em></strong> Undaunted Courage, by Stephen Ambrose<br />
<br />
<strong><em><span style="color: #0a5183;">What is one of your favorite quotes?&nbsp;&nbsp;</span></em></strong> “Don’t do dumb stuff!” one of my Airborne Instructors to our class before a weekend. &nbsp;Summer of 1992.&nbsp; <br />
<br />
<em><strong><span style="color: #0a5183;">What is your favorite song?&nbsp;</span></strong></em> Amazing Grace<b><s><br />
<br />
</s></b><em><strong><span style="color: #0a5183;">Do you have a secret talent and if so, what is it?&nbsp;</span></strong></em> Not so much a secret by one of my favorite hobbies is blacksmithing<br />
<br />
<em><strong><span style="color: #0a5183;">If you could meet an iconic person from History, who would it be?&nbsp;</span></strong></em> Thomas Jefferson (he commissioned the Lewis and Clark expedition)<br />
<br />
<strong><em><span style="color: #0a5183;">Who knows you the best?&nbsp;</span></em></strong> My wife, Sheila.</span></span></span></span></span></p>
<p style="color: #304457;"><span style="color: #000000;"><span><span><em><span style="color: #0a5183;"><span>&nbsp;</span></span></em></span></span></span></p>
<p style="color: #304457; margin: 0in 0in 7.5pt;"><span><span style="color: #009879;"><span><strong>Connect with Preston&nbsp;</strong></span><strong><span><span><span>on InSite!&nbsp;<a href="http://www.rfmaonline.com/members/public_profile.asp?id=23980782" style="color: #3e76da; background: 0px 0px;">Click here</a><a href="http://www.rfmaonline.com/members/public_profile.asp?id=12142407" style="color: #3e76da; background: 0px 0px;">&nbsp;</a>&nbsp;to&nbsp;</span><span><span>view Preston's&nbsp;</span></span></span><span><span>profile and connect now.&nbsp;</span><br />
</span></span></strong></span></span></p>
<p style="color: #304457; margin: 0in 0in 7.5pt;"><span style="color: #009879;">Preston has been a RFMA member for 4 years and is a new member to our 2018 Board of Directors. Preston always has a positive attitude and is an eager learner. If you know of someone that you think should be highlighted in our Member PRO Files Blog please nominate them by emailing&nbsp;<a href="mailto:rheagan@rfmaonline.com" style="color: #3e76da; background: 0px 0px;">rheagan@rfmaonline.com</a>.</span></p>]]></description>
<pubDate>Thu, 19 Apr 2018 19:31:43 GMT</pubDate>
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<title>Meet our RFMA Member, Shane Brock, CRFP</title>
<link>https://www.rfmaonline.com/members/blog_view.asp?id=1232254&amp;post=298092</link>
<guid>https://www.rfmaonline.com/members/blog_view.asp?id=1232254&amp;post=298092</guid>
<description><![CDATA[<p><span><font size="3"><em><span style="color: #0a5183;"><strong><img alt="" src="https://www.rfmaonline.com/resource/resmgr/blogs/profiles/Headshot_1.jpg" style="border:3px solid #009879;width: 150px; height: 225px; float: left; margin-right: 5px;" />Shane Brock, CRFP</strong><br />
<span>Regional Facility Services Manager</span><br />
Cracker Barrel Old Country Store, Inc.<br />
</span></em></font></span></p>
<p><span style="color: #000000;"><span style="color: #000000;"><strong><em><span style="color: #0a5183;">What year did you join RFMA?</span> </em></strong>Initially joined in 2014 to attend the annual conference.<br />
<br />
<strong><em><span style="color: #0a5183;">What groups are you involved in with RFMA?</span> </em></strong>RFMA Gives, 2018 Board of Directors Nominating Committee, and CRFP<br />
<br />
<span style="color: #0a5183;"><strong><em>What do you like most about RFMA?</em></strong> </span>I like the relationships that are made at conference.<br />
<br />
<strong><em><span style="color: #0a5183;">Which RFMA Resource do you utilize the most?</span></em></strong> Peer to Peer calls, I have picked up tips on every call!<s><br />
</s></span><span><br />
<strong><em><span style="color: #0a5183;">What’s your hometown?</span></em></strong> Mt. Vernon, KY (yes it is really a town) <strong><em><span style="color: #0a5183;">Where were you raised? </span></em></strong>Somerset, KY <br />
<br />
<strong><em><span style="color: #0a5183;">What is your proudest accomplishment? </span></em></strong>Being husband to Katie and dad to our blended family of three brown eyed girls.<br />
<br />
<strong><em><span style="color: #0a5183;">If you weren’t in the Facilities Industry, what would you be doing? </span></em></strong> Radio DJ<br />
<br />
<strong><em><span style="color: #0a5183;">Who is your favorite sports team?</span></em></strong> Kentucky Wildcats<br />
<br />
<strong><em><span style="color: #0a5183;">What is your favorite place in the world?</span></em></strong> By the ocean with my wife and three brown eyed girls.<br />
<br />
<strong><em><span style="color: #0a5183;">What’s your favorite type of food? </span></em></strong>Large (is that a type?)<br />
</span><span><br />
<strong><em><span style="color: #0a5183;">What is your favorite book? </span></em></strong>The Bible<br />
<br />
<strong><em><span style="color: #0a5183;">What is one of your favorite quotes? </span></em></strong>It is what it is.<br />
<br />
<strong><em><span style="color: #0a5183;">What is your favorite song?</span></em></strong> Total Eclipse of the Heart by Bonnie Tyler (don’t take away a man card!)<br />
<br />
<strong><em><span style="color: #0a5183;">If you could meet an iconic person from History, who would it be? </span></em></strong>Ronald Reagan<br />
<br />
<strong><em><span style="color: #0a5183;">Who knows you the best? </span></em></strong>Katie my wife<br />
</span></span></p>
<p><span style="color: #000000;"><span><br />
</span></span></p>
<p style="color: #304457; margin: 0in 0in 7.5pt;"><span><span style="color: #009879;"><strong>Connect with Shane </strong><span><strong><span>on InSite! <a href="http://rfmaonline.site-ym.com/members/public_profile.asp?id=22771529" style="color: #3e76da; background: 0px 0px;">Click here</a><a href="http://www.rfmaonline.com/members/public_profile.asp?id=12142407" style="color: #3e76da; background: 0px 0px;"> </a> to </span><span><span>view Shane's </span></span></strong><span><strong>profile and connect now. </strong><br />
</span></span></span></span></p>
<p style="color: #304457; margin: 0in 0in 7.5pt;"><span style="color: #009879;">Shane has been a RFMA member for 5 years. He has been involved with Peer to Peer calls, RFMA Gives, and has achieved his CRFP Certification. If you know of someone that you think should be highlighted in our Member PRO Files Blog please nominate them by emailing <a href="mailto:rheagan@rfmaonline.com" style="color: #3e76da; background: 0px 0px;">rheagan@rfmaonline.com</a>.</span></p>
<p><span style="color: #000000;"><span><br />
</span></span></p>]]></description>
<pubDate>Wed, 4 Apr 2018 17:10:21 GMT</pubDate>
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<title>Meet our RFMA Member, Jenn McCoy</title>
<link>https://www.rfmaonline.com/members/blog_view.asp?id=1232254&amp;post=297168</link>
<guid>https://www.rfmaonline.com/members/blog_view.asp?id=1232254&amp;post=297168</guid>
<description><![CDATA[<p style="margin-bottom: 12pt;"><font size="3"><span style="color: #0a5183;"><span style="color: #0a5183;"><span><em><strong><img alt="" src="http://www.rfmaonline.com/resource/resmgr/blogs/PROfiles/Jenn_McCoy.jpg" style="border:3px solid #009879;width: 150px; height: 225px; float: left; margin-right: 5px;" />Jenn McCoy</strong></em></span></span><em><strong></strong><br />
Director of Operations<br />
Retail Mechanical Services, Inc. <br />
</em></span></font></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 12pt;"><span><strong><span style="color: #0a5183;"><em>What year did you join RFMA? </em></span></strong><span style="color: #000000;">2007<br />
<br />
<strong><em><span style="color: #0a5183;">What groups are you involved in with RFMA? </span></em></strong>Membership Committee, RFMA Gives and Females in Facilities <br />
<strong><em><span style="color: #0a5183;"><br />
What do you like most about RFMA and why? </span></em></strong>I enjoy the members, staff, education and networking opportunities RFMA offers.   <br />
<br />
<strong><em><span style="color: #0a5183;">Which RFMA Resource do you utilize the most and why? </span></em></strong> In-site.  Its user friendly and you are able to connect with others members.  <s><br />
</s><strong><em><span style="color: #0a5183;"><br />
What’s your hometown? Where were you raised? </span></em></strong> In-between Wallingford, Connecticut & West Babylon, New York<br />
<strong><em><span style="color: #0a5183;"><br />
What is your proudest accomplishment? </span></em></strong>Becoming a mother. Watching my daughter grow into the little lady she is today has been one of the greatest gifts life has to offer. <br />
<strong><em><span style="color: #0a5183;"><br />
If you weren’t in the Facilities Industry, what would you be doing?</span></em></strong>  I’d like to say Event Planning <br />
<br />
<strong><em><span style="color: #0a5183;">What’s your favorite type of food?</span></em></strong> Smart food…you can’t just stop at one!  <br />
<br />
<strong><em><span style="color: #0a5183;">What is one of your favorite quotes? </span></em></strong>We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give – Winston Churchill <br />
<br />
<strong><em><span style="color: #0a5183;">What is your favorite song?</span></em></strong> Whatever It Is by Zac Brown Band <br />
<strong><em><span style="color: #0a5183;"><br />
If you could meet an iconic person from History, who would it be? </span></em></strong>Whitney Houston <br />
<strong><em><span style="color: #0a5183;"><br />
Who knows you the best? </span></em></strong>My mom</span><strong><br />
</strong></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0in 0in 7.5pt;"><strong><span style="color: #009879;">Connect with Jenn <span><span>on InSite! <a href="http://www.rfmaonline.com/members/public_profile.asp?id=12142407">Click here</a><a href="http://www.rfmaonline.com/members/public_profile.asp?id=12142407"> </a>to </span><span><span>view Jenn’s </span></span><span>profile and connect now. <br />
</span></span></span></strong></p>
<p style="margin: 0in 0in 7.5pt;"><span style="color: #009879;">Jenn has been a RFMA member for 11 years. She enjoys connecting with her peers through Insite, participating in the Females in Facilities Group, and volunteering for RFMA Gives. If you know of someone that you think should be highlighted in our Member PRO Files Blog please nominate them by emailing <a href="mailto:rheagan@rfmaonline.com">rheagan@rfmaonline.com</a>.</span></p>]]></description>
<pubDate>Thu, 22 Mar 2018 16:24:06 GMT</pubDate>
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<title>Meet our RFMA Member, Bevin McPherson</title>
<link>https://www.rfmaonline.com/members/blog_view.asp?id=1232254&amp;post=293631</link>
<guid>https://www.rfmaonline.com/members/blog_view.asp?id=1232254&amp;post=293631</guid>
<description><![CDATA[<h6 style="margin-bottom: 12pt;"><span><em><font size="4"><span style="color: #0a5183;"><strong><img alt="" src="http://www.rfmaonline.com/resource/resmgr/blogs/PROfiles/IMG_1929.jpg" style="border:3px solid #009879;width: 200px; float: left; height: 237px;    margin-right: 4px;" />Bevin McPherson</strong><u><br />
</u>Ruby Tuesday<u><br />
</u>Facilities Financial Analyst|Project Manager</span></font></em></span></h6>
<p style="margin-bottom: 12pt;"><s><span><br />
</span></s><span><span style="color: #000000;"><em><span style="color: #0a5183;"><strong>What year did you join RFMA?</strong></span></em> 2015</span></span></p>
<p><span style="color: #000000;"><strong><span style="color: #0a5183;"><em>Why did you join RFMA?</em></span></strong> I joined the organization to build relationships with peers and vendors, as well as seeking educational and development opportunities.<br />
<br />
<strong><em><span style="color: #0a5183;">What groups are you involved in with RFMA?</span></em></strong>&nbsp;</span><span style="color: #000000;">Co-Chair Member Engagement Committee,&nbsp;</span><span style="color: #000000;">RFMA Gives and&nbsp;</span><span style="color: #000000;">Females in Facilities.</span><span style="color: #000000;"><br />
<br />
</span><span style="color: #000000;"><strong><em><span style="color: #0a5183;">What do you like most about RFMA and why? </span></em></strong>The conference is a great way to get face time with both vendors and other restaurateurs. The organization provides support and really pushes everyone to be open and share ideas to better the industry. As a restaurateur it’s a great way to get all of our National accounts in one room for brief meetings throughout the week.<br />
<br />
</span><span style="color: #000000;"><strong><em><span style="color: #0a5183;">Which RFMA Resource do you utilize the most and why? </span></em></strong><em>Facilitator</em>, Insite, and blogs have all been good resources to use in understanding others learning experiences.<br />
<br />
</span><span style="color: #000000;"><strong><em><span style="color: #0a5183;">What’s your hometown?</span></em></strong> I was born and raised in a small town outside of Knoxville, TN.<br />
<br />
<strong><em><span style="color: #0a5183;">&nbsp;</span></em></strong></span><span style="color: #000000;"><strong><em><span style="color: #0a5183;">What is your proudest accomplishment?</span></em></strong>&nbsp;I am the proud mother of 2 children. I love to see how I my time with them makes an impact and helps ensures their success in life.&nbsp;<br />
<br />
<strong><em><span style="color: #0a5183;">&nbsp;</span></em></strong></span><span style="color: #000000;"><strong><em><span style="color: #0a5183;">What is your favorite place in the world?</span></em></strong> Anywhere that I can’t get emails.<br />
<br />
</span><span style="color: #000000;"><strong><em><span style="color: #0a5183;">What’s your favorite type of food?&nbsp;</span></em></strong> I love eating at sporting events. HA!<br />
<br />
<strong><em><span style="color: #0a5183;">&nbsp;</span></em></strong></span><span style="color: #000000;"><strong><em><span style="color: #0a5183;">What is your favorite book?</span></em></strong> <span style="text-decoration: underline;">Mere Christianity</span> by C.S. Lewis<br />
<br />
<strong><em><span style="color: #0a5183;">&nbsp;</span></em></strong></span><span style="color: #000000;"><strong><em><span style="color: #0a5183;">What is one of your favorite quotes?</span></em></strong> “Remember no one can make you feel inferior without your consent.” Eleanor Roosevelt<br />
<br />
</span><span style="color: #000000;"><strong><em><span style="color: #0a5183;">If you could meet an iconic person from History, who would it be? </span></em></strong>Queen Elizabeth I<br />
</span></p>
<p style="color: #304457;"><span><br />
<span style="color: #009879;"><span><span><span><span><span><strong>Connect with Bevin&nbsp;</strong></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><span><strong><span style="color: #009879;">on InSite! <a href="http://rfmaonline.site-ym.com/members/public_profile.asp?id=37961946">Click here</a> to&nbsp;</span><span><span style="color: #009879;">view Bevin's&nbsp;</span></span><span style="color: #009879;">profile and connect now.&nbsp;</span></strong></span></p>
<div><span><span style="color: #009879;"><br />
</span></span></div>
<p><span style="color: #009879;"><span style="color: #009879;">Bevin McPherson has been with RFMA for 2 years and she is involved with RFMA Gives, Females in Facilities, and she is Co-Chair of our Member Engagement Committee. Bevin is a joy to work with and always brings a smile to our faces!&nbsp;If you know of someone that you think should be highlighted in our Member PRO Files Blog please nominate them by emailing&nbsp;<a href="mailto:rheagan@rfmaonline.com" style="color: #3e76da; background: 0px 0px;">rheagan@rfmaonline.com</a>.</span></span></p>]]></description>
<pubDate>Fri, 26 Jan 2018 21:45:51 GMT</pubDate>
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<title>Meet our RFMA Member, David Reeb, CRFP</title>
<link>https://www.rfmaonline.com/members/blog_view.asp?id=1232254&amp;post=292672</link>
<guid>https://www.rfmaonline.com/members/blog_view.asp?id=1232254&amp;post=292672</guid>
<description><![CDATA[<p><span><font size="4"><em><span style="color: #0a5183;"><strong><img alt="" src="http://www.rfmaonline.com/resource/resmgr/blogs/PROfiles/David_Reeb.png" style="border:3px solid #009879;width: 200px; float: left; height: 200px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 5px;" />David Reeb, CRFP<br />
</strong> Facility Solutions, Inc.<br />
National Sales Manager<br />
</span></em></font></span><u><span><br />
</span></u><s><span><br />
</span></s><span><strong><em><span style="color: #0a5183;">What year did you join RFMA? Why did you join RFMA?</span></em></strong> I joined the organization for the educational, certification, leadership development and networking opportunities.<br />
<br />
<strong><em><span style="color: #0a5183;">What groups are you involved in with RFMA?</span></em></strong> CRFP, RFMA Gives, Online Learning Committee<br />
<br />
<strong><em><span style="color: #0a5183;">What do you like most about RFMA and why? </span></em></strong>I enjoy how close knit the membership is and their willingness to give back to the communities we serve.<br />
<br />
<strong><em><span style="color: #0a5183;">Which RFMA Resource do you utilize the most and why?</span></em></strong> The annual conference, I enjoy catching up with everyone and the chance to meet new people.<s><br />
</s><br />
<strong><em><span style="color: #0a5183;">What’s your hometown? Where were you raised? </span></em></strong>Currently reside in a suburb of Detroit. I grew up in a small town in Northern Michigan.<br />
<br />
<strong><em><span style="color: #0a5183;">If you weren’t in the Facilities Industry, what would you be doing?</span></em></strong> I would be in the restaurant industry, most likely in a different support role.<br />
<br />
<strong><em><span style="color: #0a5183;">What is your ideal vacation? </span></em></strong>With family somewhere warm, preferably relaxing on a beach.<br />
<br />
<strong><em><span style="color: #0a5183;">What is one of your favorite quotes?</span></em></strong> “The pessimist complains about the wind; the optimist expects it to change; the realist adjusts the sails.” William Arthur Ward<br />
<span style="color: red;"><br />
</span><strong><em><span style="color: #0a5183;">If you could meet an iconic person from History, who would it be? </span></em></strong>Isaac Newton<br />
<br />
<strong><em><span style="color: #0a5183;">Who knows you the best? </span></em></strong>My beautiful wife of 26 years!<br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="color: #009879;"><span><span><span><span><strong>Connect with David&nbsp;</strong></span></span></span></span></span></span><strong><span style="color: #009879;">on InSite!&nbsp;<a href="http://www.rfmaonline.com/members/public_profile.asp?id=37593070" style="color: #3e76da; background: 0px 0px;">Click here</a>&nbsp;to&nbsp;</span><span style="color: #304457;"><span style="color: #009879;">view David's&nbsp;</span></span><span style="color: #009879;">profile and connect now.&nbsp;</span></strong></p>
<p><span><br style="color: #009879;" />
<span style="color: #009879;">David has been a member for two years, is a part of the Online Learning Committee, Young Professionals, and has earned his CRFP. If you know of someone that you think should be highlighted in our Member PRO Files Blog please nominate them by emailing&nbsp;<a href="mailto:rheagan@rfmaonline.com" style="color: #3e76da; background: 0px 0px;">rheagan@rfmaonline.com</a>.</span></span>&nbsp;</p>
<span><br />
</span>]]></description>
<pubDate>Thu, 11 Jan 2018 15:28:32 GMT</pubDate>
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<title>Meet our RFMA Member, Judi Scott</title>
<link>https://www.rfmaonline.com/members/blog_view.asp?id=1232254&amp;post=291528</link>
<guid>https://www.rfmaonline.com/members/blog_view.asp?id=1232254&amp;post=291528</guid>
<description><![CDATA[<h5 style="margin-bottom: 12pt;"><span style="font-size: 18px;"><b><span style="color: #002060;"><img alt="" src="https://www.rfmaonline.com/resource/resmgr/blogs/PROfiles/My_Pic.jpg" style="border:3px solid #009879;width: 150px; float: left;    height: 213px; margin-right: 5px;" /><em>Judi Scott<br />
</em></span></b><em>Facilities Representative<br />
Starbucks Coffee Company</em></span></h5>
<p><strong><span style="color: #0a5183;"><em>What year did you join RFMA? Why did you join RFMA?</em></span></strong><span style="color: #000000;"> I joined RFMA in 2013. I joined to learn more about the facilities world outside Starbucks and to connect with others in my area.<br />
<br />
</span><strong style="color: #000000;"><em><span style="color: #0a5183;">What groups are you involved in with RFMA?</span></em></strong><span style="color: #000000;"> Females in Facilities and RFMA Gives.<br />
<br />
</span><span style="color: #0a5183;"><em><strong>What do you like most about RFMA and why?</strong></em></span><span style="color: #000000;"> RFMA Annual convention, </span><i style="color: #000000;">Facilitator</i><span style="color: #000000;"> and RFMA.&nbsp; The convention is a great way to connect with others in facilities and to network. I enjoy reading the many articles in </span><i style="color: #000000;">Facilitator</i><span style="color: #000000;"> as it’s a great source of learning for me. And this year, I was able to participate in my first RFMA Gives in Phoenix. I had a great time connecting with others while giving back.<br />
<br />
</span><span style="color: #000000;"><strong><em><span style="color: #0a5183;">What’s your hometown? Where were you raised?</span></em></strong> Phoenix, AZ is my home now but I grew up in Frederick, MD (outside Washington, DC).<br />
<br />
</span><strong style="color: #000000;"><em><span style="color: #0a5183;">What is your proudest accomplishment? Why?</span></em></strong><span style="color: #000000;"> Buying my house… because I did it on my own.<br />
<br />
<strong><span style="color: #0a5183;"><em>&nbsp;</em></span></strong></span><span style="color: #000000;"><strong><span style="color: #0a5183;"><em>What is your ideal vacation?&nbsp; </em></span></strong>Anywhere warm and sunny, close to water where I can kick back and relax with friends and adult beverages.<br />
<br />
<strong><em><span style="color: #0a5183;">&nbsp;</span></em></strong></span><span style="color: #000000;"><strong><em><span style="color: #0a5183;">What’s your favorite type of food? </span></em></strong>Maryland Blue Crab… there’s nothing better!<br />
<br />
<strong><em><span style="color: #0a5183;">&nbsp;</span></em></strong></span><span style="color: #000000;"><strong><em><span style="color: #0a5183;">What is your favorite book? </span></em></strong>Any good murder mystery.<br />
<br />
<strong><em><span style="color: #0a5183;">&nbsp;</span></em></strong></span><span style="color: #000000;"><strong><em><span style="color: #0a5183;">What is one of your favorite quotes? </span></em></strong>“When we seek to discover the best in others, we somehow bring out the best in ourselves.” William Arthur Ward.&nbsp;<br />
<br />
<strong><em><span style="color: #0a5183;">&nbsp;</span></em></strong></span><span style="color: #000000;"><strong><em><span style="color: #0a5183;">What is your favorite song?</span></em></strong> I don’t have a favorite song as much as a favorite genre - Broadway.&nbsp; Right now, I’m into “Hamilton”.<br />
<br />
<strong><em><span style="color: #0a5183;">&nbsp;</span></em></strong></span><span style="color: #000000;"><strong><em><span style="color: #0a5183;">If you could meet an iconic person from History, who would it be? </span></em></strong>Agatha Christie<br />
<br />
<strong><em><span style="color: #0a5183;">&nbsp;</span></em></strong></span><span style="color: #000000;"><strong><em><span style="color: #0a5183;">Who knows you the best?</span></em></strong> My Mom!<br />
<br />
<br style="color: #000000;" />
<span style="color: #009879;"><span><span><span><strong>Connect with Judi on InSite! <a href="http://www.rfmaonline.com/members/public_profile.asp?id=12307093">Click here</a> to&nbsp;</strong></span></span></span></span><span style="color: #304457;"><span style="color: #009879;"><span><span><strong>view Judi's profile and connect now.&nbsp;</strong></span></span></span></span><br style="color: #009879;" />
<br style="color: #009879;" />
<span style="color: #009879;">Judi has been a RFMA member for 6 years and is involved with our Females in Facilities and RFMA Gives groups.  If you know of someone that you think should be highlighted in our Member PRO Files Blog please nominate them by emailing <a href="mailto:rheagan@rfmaonline.com">rheagan@rfmaonline.com</a>.</span></span></p>
<span> <br />
</span>]]></description>
<pubDate>Thu, 14 Dec 2017 20:16:08 GMT</pubDate>
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<title>Meet our RFMA Member, Ashley Hodge, CRFP</title>
<link>https://www.rfmaonline.com/members/blog_view.asp?id=1232254&amp;post=290561</link>
<guid>https://www.rfmaonline.com/members/blog_view.asp?id=1232254&amp;post=290561</guid>
<description><![CDATA[<p><img alt="" src="https://www.rfmaonline.com/resource/resmgr/blogs/Ashley.jpg" style="border:3px solid #009879;width: 200px; float: left; height: 202px; margin-right: 5px;" /><strong style="font-size: 18px; color: #00467f; text-transform: uppercase;"><em>Ashley Hodge, CRFP<br />
</em></strong><strong style="color: #00467f; font-size: 16px; text-transform: uppercase;"><em>Panda Restaurant Group<br />
</em></strong><strong style="color: #00467f; font-size: 16px; text-transform: uppercase;"><em>Regional Facilities Manager</em></strong></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 12pt;"><span style="color: #0a5183;"><em><strong>What year did you join RFMA? Why did you join RFMA? </strong></em></span><span style="color: #000000;">I joined RFMA November 2016 to prepare for the CRFP exam.<br />
<br />
<b><span style="color: #0a5183;"><em>What groups are you involved in with RFMA?<br />
</em></span></b><span style="color: #000000;">- Females in Facilities<br />
- Young Professionals<br />
- Restaurant Members<br />
- CRFP Group</span></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="color: #000000;"> <b><em><span style="color: #0a5183;">What do you like most about RFMA and why? </span></em></b>I love that RFMA provides a great community, support and a vast facility knowledge base for those within the Restaurant industry. </span></p>
<p style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="color: #0a5183;"><b><em>Which RFMA Resource do you utilize the most and why? </em></b></span><span style="color: #000000;">I use Peer to Peer calls the most because I get to discuss and exchange knowledge with my peers & vendor business partners. </span></p>
<p style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="color: #000000;"><span><b><em><span style="color: #0a5183;">What’s your hometown? </span></em></b>Buffalo NY<br />
<br />
<b><em><span style="color: #0a5183;">What is your proudest accomplishment? Why? </span></em></b>Jan 2017—I won 3<sup>rd</sup> place in the USPA Powerlifting Competition lifting over 670lbs combined doing squat, bench press, and deadlift. Sometimes weightlifting is less about the weight. And more about what you are channeling through the challenge of hundreds of pounds crushing your back. The weights are objective. Will you let them dominate you? Or will you dominate them? Fitness is my therapy. Each of us has more strength than we know and can use it to make an impact in the world and in the lives of others. Why do I give my all? "To give anything less than your best is to sacrifice your gift" - Steve Prefontaine</span></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="color: #000000;"> <b><em><span style="color: #0a5183;">If you weren’t in the Facilities Industry, what would you be doing? </span></em></b>I would manage a health/wellness center<br />
<br />
<b><em><span style="color: #0a5183;">What’s your favorite type of food? </span></em></b>A classic PB & J sandwich<br />
</span></p>
<p style="margin: 0in 0in 12pt;"><span style="color: #000000;"><b><span><em><span style="color: #0a5183;">What is your favorite book? </span></em></span></b><span>The 4 Disciplines of Execution: Achieving Your Wildly Important Goals</span></span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 12pt;"><span style="color: #000000;"><b><span><em><span style="color: #0a5183;">What is one of your favorite quotes? </span></em></span></b><span>“I can’t go back to yesterday because I was a different person then.” - Lewis Carroll, Alice in Wonderland<br />
<br />
<b><em><span style="color: #0a5183;">Who knows you the best? </span></em></b>My mom<br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="color: #009879;"><span><span><strong>Connect with Ashley on InSite! <a href="http://rfmaonline.site-ym.com/members/public_profile.asp?id=43031397">Click here</a> to</strong></span></span></span><span style="color: #304457;"><span style="color: #009879;"><span><strong> view Ashley's profile and connect now. </strong></span></span></span><br style="color: #009879;" />
<br style="color: #009879;" />
<span style="color: #009879;">Ashley has achieved her CRFP through our education program and she is involved in the Females in Facilities and Young Professionals groups. If you know of someone that you think should be highlighted in our Member PRO Files Blog please nominate them by emailing rheagan@rfmaonline.com.</span></span></span></p>]]></description>
<pubDate>Thu, 30 Nov 2017 22:23:32 GMT</pubDate>
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<title>Meet our RFMA Member, Steve Garver, CRFP</title>
<link>https://www.rfmaonline.com/members/blog_view.asp?id=1232254&amp;post=289654</link>
<guid>https://www.rfmaonline.com/members/blog_view.asp?id=1232254&amp;post=289654</guid>
<description><![CDATA[<h1 style="margin-bottom: 12pt;"><b><span style="color: #0a5183;"><em><img alt="" src="http://www.rfmaonline.com/resource/resmgr/member_pro_files/steve_garver_correct.jpg" style="border:3px solid #009879;width: 250px; height: 335px; float: left; margin: 5px;" /></em></span></b></h1>
<h5 style="margin-bottom: 12pt;"><font size="3"><span style="color: #0a5183;"><em><strong><span style="font-size: 22px;">Steve Garver, CRFP<br />
</span>
</strong></em></span><em><span style="color: #0a5183;"><span style="font-size: 20px;">Denny’s Inc<br />
</span></span><span style="color: #0a5183;"><span style="font-size: 20px;">Project Manager</span></span></em></font></h5>
<p style="margin-bottom: 12pt;"><span style="font-size: 14px;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><strong><em><span style="color: #0a5183;">What year did you join RFMA? </span></em></strong>2006<br />
<br />
<strong><em><span style="color: #0a5183;">What do you like most about RFMA and why?</span></em></strong> Networking, Building relationships with peers and vendors.<br />
<br />
<strong><em><span style="color: #0a5183;">Which RFMA Resource do you utilize the most and why?</span></em></strong> I use the vendor search engine a lot. I have several geographic outliers and use the vendor search database to locate vendors.<s><br />
</s></span><span style="font-family: Arial;"><br />
<strong><em><span style="color: #0a5183;">What’s your hometown? </span></em></strong>Melbourne FL.<br />
<br />
<strong><em><span style="color: #0a5183;">What is your proudest accomplishment? Why?</span></em></strong> I am very proud of my career, I never went to college.<br />
<strong><em><span style="color: #0a5183;"><br />
If you weren’t in the Facilities Industry, what would you be doing?</span> </em></strong>I would still be a hands-on technician. I very much enjoy working with hand tools and making repairs.<br />
<br />
<strong><em><span style="color: #0a5183;">What is your ideal vacation?</span></em></strong> Any vacation that involves close friends and our families. Cruises, Mountain Cabins, Beach<br />
<strong><em><span style="color: #0a5183;"><br />
What’s your favorite type of food?</span></em></strong> Mexican</span><span style="font-family: Arial;"><br />
<br />
<strong><em><span style="color: #0a5183;">What is one of your favorite quotes?</span></em></strong>  “The customer experience will never exceed the crew member experience.”<br />
<strong><em><span style="color: #0a5183;"><br />
What is your favorite song? </span></em></strong>Bodies-Drowning Pool<b><s><br />
<br />
</s></b><strong><em><span style="color: #0a5183;">Do you have a secret talent and if so, what is it? </span></em></strong>I have a green Thumb<br />
<br />
<strong><em><span style="color: #0a5183;">Who knows you the best? </span></em></strong> Wife<br />
<span style="color: #009879;"><br />
<span style="color: #009879;"><span><strong>Connect with Steve on InSite! <a href="http://www.rfmaonline.com/members/public_profile.asp?id=11071610" style="color: #3e76da; background: 0px 0px;">Click here</a> t</strong></span></span><span style="color: #304457;"><span style="color: #009879;"><strong>o view Steve's profile and connect now. </strong></span></span><br />
<br />
Steve has been a member with RFMA for over 10 years and has achieved his CRFP through our education program. If you know of someone that you think should be highlighted in our Member PRO Files Blog please nominate them by emailing rheagan@rfmaonline.com.</span></span></span></p>]]></description>
<pubDate>Thu, 16 Nov 2017 16:49:15 GMT</pubDate>
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<title>Meet our RFMA Member, Teresa Phelps</title>
<link>https://www.rfmaonline.com/members/blog_view.asp?id=1232254&amp;post=288681</link>
<guid>https://www.rfmaonline.com/members/blog_view.asp?id=1232254&amp;post=288681</guid>
<description><![CDATA[<b></b>
<h4><img alt="" src="v" /></h4>
<h5><img alt="" src="https://www.rfmaonline.com/resource/resmgr/member_pro_files/Teresa_Phelps.jpg" style="border:3px solid #009879;width: 200px; float: left; height: 272px; margin-right: 5px;" /></h5>
<h5><span style="font-family: Arial;"><em><span style="color: #0a5183; font-size: 24px;"><strong>Teresa Phelps<br />
</strong></span></em><em style="color: #0a5183; font-size: 22px;">DENTCO<br />
</em><em style="color: #0a5183; font-size: 22px;">National Sales Director</em></span></h5>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p><span style="font-size: 14px; font-family: Arial;">
</span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 12pt;"><span style="color: #777777; font-size: 14px; font-family: Arial;"><strong><span style="color: #0a5183;"><em>What year did you join RFMA? Why did you join RFMA?</em></span></strong> 2006 I believe. To become a part of an association that focused on the services and needs of Facility Directors, managers and teams in the Restaurant &amp; foodservice industry.<br />
<em><br />
</em><strong><span style="color: #0a5183;"><em>What groups are you involved in with RFMA?</em></span></strong> Females in Facilities, The RFMA&nbsp; Community, The Vendor Community and RFMA Gives<br />
<em><br />
</em><strong><span style="color: #0a5183;"><em>What do you like most about RFMA and why?</em> </span></strong>The people, the networking and this industry! This is the friendliest, most professional and hardworking group of people.&nbsp;&nbsp;</span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 12pt;"><span style="color: #777777; font-size: 14px; font-family: Arial;"> <span style="color: #0a5183;"><strong><em>Which RFMA Resource do you utilize the most and why? </em></strong></span>The national Show, FIF and both the magazine and website.&nbsp; Each resource provides a different avenue for me for networking, researching, and doing business.&nbsp; Jeff’s blog’s are funny and interesting as well as informative.&nbsp; I love the Females in facilities.&nbsp; What we have accomplished together and the bond we have formed is great. I learn from the magazine about our members and their accomplishments as well as keep up on our vendors.&nbsp; What is there not to love about our national show every year?&nbsp; Such a great time, well organized and fun place to do business and learn at our educational break-outs.<s><br />
</s><span><br />
<strong><span style="color: #0a5183;"><em>What’s your hometown? Where were you raised?</em></span></strong>&nbsp;</span>I was born and raised in Lansing Michigan during the booming automobile industry.&nbsp; General Motors, Oldsmobile and Fisher Body were in my backyard. &nbsp;In 1980 I moved to a small town in northern Michigan for 25 years where my husband and I raised our 3 children. I worked for a foodservice distributor as their marketing and office manager. I moved back to Lansing in 2004 to accept the Sales Director position with DENTCO.&nbsp; It was a huge bonus to be back with my 6 siblings and their families and my parents.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-size: 14px;">
<span style="color: #777777;"> <strong><span style="color: #0a5183;"><em>What is your proudest accomplishment?</em></span></strong> Married for 37 years and raising 3 great kids.&nbsp; <br />
<br />
<strong><span style="color: #0a5183;"><em>Who is your favorite sports team?</em></span></strong> Michigan State Spartans – Go Green!<br />
<em><br />
<strong><span style="color: #0a5183;">What is your ideal vacation?</span></strong> </em>Anywhere warm and beautiful, preferably on the Gulf, no cooking, cleaning or laundry involved.&nbsp; Adult beverages, good food with my friends and family in tow.<br />
<strong><span style="color: #0a5183;"><br />
<em>What’s your favorite type of food? </em></span></strong>Pasta – preferably with homemade sauce and ice cream as a hard second.</span><br />
<strong><span style="color: #0a5183;"><br />
<em>What is your favorite book?</em></span></strong> <span style="color: #777777;">“Good to Great” by James Collins</span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #0a5183;"><strong><em>What is one of your favorite quotes?</em> </strong></span><span style="color: #777777;">“It’s nice to be important, but more important to be nice.” John Templeton.&nbsp;&nbsp; I read it first in 6<sup>th</sup> grade and it has always stuck with me.&nbsp; I strive to live this.</span><br />
<br />
<strong><span style="color: #0a5183;"><em>What is your favorite song?</em></span></strong> <span style="color: #777777;">Growing up in the 70’s we had <u>the best music</u> so it’s hard to pick just one.&nbsp; “Bohemian Rhapsody” by Queen remains at the top of the list along with America’s “A horse with no name”. Just try not to sing along….I dare you!</span><br />
<br />
<strong><span style="color: #0a5183;"><em>If you could meet an iconic person from History, who would it be?</em></span></strong> <span style="color: #777777;">Helen Keller</span><br />
<br />
<strong><br />
<span style="color: #009879;">Connect with Teresa on InSite!&nbsp;<a href="http://rfmaonline.site-ym.com/members/public_profile.asp?id=11071641" style="background: 0px 0px;">Click here&nbsp;</a>to view Teresa's profile and connect now.&nbsp;</span><br />
<br />
</strong><span style="color: #009879;"><br />
Teresa has been a member with RFMA for over 10 years and she is involved in our Vendor Community, Females in Facilities, and RFMA Gives. If you know of someone that you think should be highlighted in our Member PROfiles Blog please nominate them by emailing</span> <a href="mailto:rheagan@rfmaonline.com">rheagan@rfmaonline.com</a>.</span></span></p>
<p><span style="color: #777777;">
</span></p>]]></description>
<pubDate>Thu, 2 Nov 2017 17:42:11 GMT</pubDate>
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<title>Meet Our RFMA Member, Brad Visser</title>
<link>https://www.rfmaonline.com/members/blog_view.asp?id=1232254&amp;post=286635</link>
<guid>https://www.rfmaonline.com/members/blog_view.asp?id=1232254&amp;post=286635</guid>
<description><![CDATA[<p><b><span>&nbsp;</span></b></p>
<img alt="" src="https://c.ymcdn.com/sites/rfmaonline.site-ym.com/resource/resmgr/blogs/Brad_Visser.jpg" style="border: 3px solid #009879; width: 185px; height: 314px; float: left; margin-right: 5px;" />
<p><span style="font-family: Verdana;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><em><span size="5"><strong><span style="color: #0a5183; font-size: 28px;">Brad Visser</span></strong></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 22px; color: #0a5183;">Facilities Manager<br />
</span></em></span><span style="color: #0a5183; font-size: 22px;"><em><span style="font-family: Arial;">Four Foods Group</span></em><br />
</span>&nbsp;</span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-size: 14px;"><strong><span style="color: #0a5183;"><em>What year did you join RFMA?</em><span style="color: #777777;">&nbsp;</span></span></strong><span style="color: #777777;">2016</span></span></span></p>
<p><span size="2" style="font-size: 14px; font-family: Arial;"><span><strong><span style="color: #0a5183;"><em>Why did you join RFMA?&nbsp;</em></span></strong></span></span><span style="color: #777777; font-size: 14px; font-family: Arial;">To network with likeminded people. To solve problems using others’ experiences.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 14px; font-family: Arial;"><b style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #0a5183;"><em>What do you like most about RFMA</em></span></b><b><span style="color: #0a5183;"><em>?</em><span style="color: #777777;">&nbsp;</span></span></b><span style="color: #777777;">The exchange of information and communication.</span></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 14px; font-family: Arial;"><b><span style="color: #0a5183;"><em>Which RFMA Resource do you utilize the most and why?</em>&nbsp;</span></b><span style="color: #777777;">The magazine…I like to go through page by page.</span></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 14px; font-family: Arial;"><b style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #0a5183;"><em>What was the last book you read?</em>&nbsp;</span></b><span style="color: #777777;">Learned Optimism</span><span style="color: #777777;">, by Martine E.P. Seligman</span></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 14px; font-family: Arial;"><b><span style="color: #0a5183;"><em>If you weren’t in the Facilities Industry, what would you be doing?<span style="color: #777777;">&nbsp;</span></em></span></b><span style="color: #777777;">This is what I do…But, what is another dream job? Ranch’n!!</span></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 14px; font-family: Arial;"><b><span style="color: #0a5183;"><em>What chore do you absolutely hate doing?</em>&nbsp;</span></b><span style="color: #777777;">Meetings!!</span></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 14px; font-family: Arial;"><b><span style="color: #0a5183;"><em>What is one of your favorite quotes?</em><span style="color: #777777;">&nbsp;</span></span></b><span style="color: #777777;">“Courage is being scared to death and saddling up anyway!” – John Wayne</span></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 14px; font-family: Arial;"><b><span style="color: #0a5183;"><em>What is the most-played song on your iPod?&nbsp;</em></span></b><span style="color: #777777;">Ronnie Dunn – “That’s Why They Make Jack Daniels”</span></span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-size: 14px;"><b><span style="color: #0a5183;"><em>If you could meet an iconic person from history, who would it be?<span style="color: #777777;">&nbsp;</span></em></span></b><span style="color: #777777;">John Wayne<br />
<br />
<br />
</span><span style="color: #009879;"><strong>Connect with Brad on InSite! <a href="http://www.rfmaonline.com/members/public_profile.asp?id=43559121">Click here</a> t</strong></span><span style="color: #009879;">o view Brad's profile and connect now.&nbsp;<br />
<br />
<br />
</span><span style="color: #009879;">We love to recognize our RFMA members throughout the year for being active and participating in different RFMA events. We want to share the diverse personalities of our members and have a little fun getting to know them! If you know of anyone you would like to nominate for the spotlight, please email </span>rheagan@rfmaonline.com<span style="color: #009879;">.</span></span><strong></strong><a href="mailto:rheagan@rfmaonline.com"></a></span></p>]]></description>
<pubDate>Mon, 9 Oct 2017 21:57:08 GMT</pubDate>
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<title>Meet Our RFMA Member, Kevin Carringer, CRFP</title>
<link>https://www.rfmaonline.com/members/blog_view.asp?id=1232254&amp;post=282445</link>
<guid>https://www.rfmaonline.com/members/blog_view.asp?id=1232254&amp;post=282445</guid>
<description><![CDATA[<p><span style="font-size: 18px;"><em><span style="color: #1f497d; font-family: Arial;"><strong><img alt="" src="http://www.rfmaonline.com/resource/resmgr/member_pro_files/41_Kevin_Carringer_Headshot_.jpg" style="border:3px solid #009879;width: 200px; height: 228px; float: left; margin: 5px;" /><span style="font-size: 20px;"><br />
Kevin Carringer, CRFP</span></strong></span><strong><span style="color: #1f497d; font-size: 20px;"><br />
</span><span style="color: #1f497d; font-family: Arial; font-size: 20px;">Senior Director of Facilities<br />
Ruby Tuesday&nbsp;</span></strong></em><span style="color: #1f497d;"><br />
</span></span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 12pt;"><span style="font-size: 14px;"> <em><strong><span style="color: #0a5183;"><br />
What year did you join RFMA? </span></strong></em>2011.<br />
<br />
<strong><em><span style="color: #0a5183;">Why did you join RFMA?</span></em></strong> Saw the organization as the industry leader for education and wanted to brainstorm with peers. <i><br />
</i><br />
<strong><em><span style="color: #0a5183;">What do you like most about RFMA? </span></em></strong>The open dialogue with industry leaders. It’s a one stop shop for answers.&nbsp;<i><br />
<br />
</i><em><strong><span style="color: #0a5183;">Which RFMA Resource do you utilize the most and why?</span></strong> </em>The magazine articles are great and I love to be able to search past articles.&nbsp;<em><br />
<br />
<strong><span style="color: #0a5183;">What is your guilty pleasure?</span></strong> </em>Cookies, mostly chocolate chip, but really any kind. Oh! And cheesecake!<br />
<br />
<strong><em><span style="color: #0a5183;">What is your ideal vacation?</span></em></strong><em> </em>Anywhere I don’t get cell service.</span></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 12pt;"><span style="font-size: 14px;"><em><strong><span style="color: #0a5183;">Who is your favorite sports team?</span></strong></em> Pittsburgh Steelers.<i><br />
</i><br />
<strong><em><span style="color: #0a5183;">What was the last book you read?</span></em></strong> <span style="text-decoration: underline;">Jesus Calling</span><i><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><br />
</span>
</i><s><em><strong><span style="color: #0a5183;"><br />
</span></strong></em></s><em><strong><span style="color: #0a5183;">Describe your best day.</span></strong> </em>That’s an easy one. Every day is my new best day. I have learned to try and seize life each day and make sure I do not miss any “open windows- opportunities” in my life. I have found there are always going to be some tough days but if they are few and far between then I am right in the middle of a blessed life. <br />
<strong><em><span style="color: #0a5183;"><br />
If you weren’t in the Facilities Industry, what would you be doing?</span></em></strong><i> </i>College Coach or motivational speaker. Crowd attendance could be an issue but I would enjoy it…..<i><br />
</i><br />
<em><strong><span style="color: #0a5183;">What chore do you absolutely hate doing?</span></strong></em> Cooking for myself. <br />
<br />
<em><strong><span style="color: #0a5183;">What is one of your favorite quotes? </span></strong></em>“Get busy living or get busy dying.”&nbsp;<br />
<br />
<strong><em><span style="color: #0a5183;">What is the most-played song?</span></em></strong> Motivational sports audio clips.<b><s><br />
<em><span style="color: #0a5183;"><br />
</span></em></s></b><em><span style="color: #0a5183;"><strong>Do you have a secret talent and if so, what is it?</strong></span></em> It’s a secret.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-size: 14px;"><em><strong><span style="color: #0a5183;"><br />
If you could meet an iconic person from History, who would it be?</span></strong></em></span></span><i><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14px;"> </span></i><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14px;">&nbsp;I want to meet the people that shaped, mentored and changed the lives of people such as Ronald Reagan, Martin Luther King, Abe Lincoln, General Patton, etc. </span><b><u><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14px;">It’s the people that shaped them I want to meet.&nbsp;</span></u></b></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 12pt;"><b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14px; color: #009879;">Connect with Kevin on InSite! <a href="http://www.rfmaonline.com/members/public_profile.asp?id=11071912&amp;hhSearchTerms=%2522kevin+and+carringer%2522">Click here </a>to view Kevin's profile and connect now.&nbsp;</span></b></p>]]></description>
<pubDate>Tue, 8 Aug 2017 21:19:34 GMT</pubDate>
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<title>Meet Our RFMA Member, Jason Johnson</title>
<link>https://www.rfmaonline.com/members/blog_view.asp?id=1232254&amp;post=281274</link>
<guid>https://www.rfmaonline.com/members/blog_view.asp?id=1232254&amp;post=281274</guid>
<description><![CDATA[<p><span style="font-size: 14px;"><span style="font-size: 18px;"><strong><span style="color: #0a5183;"><em><img alt="" src="http://www.rfmaonline.com/resource/resmgr/member_pro_files/42__JJohnsonHeadshot_500.jpg" style="border: 3px solid #009879; width: 180px; height: 227px; float: left; margin: 5px;" /><br />
Jason Johnson<br />
National Sales Manager-Commercial<br />
Kinnetico Commercial Systems</em></span></strong></span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #0a5183;"><strong><em>What year did you join RFMA?</em></strong> I attended by first conference in 2013 and officially joined in 2014. <br />
<br />
<em><strong>Why did you join RFMA? </strong></em>RFMA is a tight-knit group of professionals that all look out for each other and try to help our peers, our customers, and our industry to get better and, in turn, improve the experiences for restaurant guests. <br />
<em><strong><br />
What do you like most about RFMA?</strong></em>  I like how everyone is approachable and willing to help each other and others within the communities in which we work.  We all call on each other to help.  Seeing everyone at the conference each year is so enjoyable and every year make great connections with restaurateurs and vendors.<br />
<em><strong><br />
Which RFMA Resource do you utilize the most and why?</strong></em> I really enjoy the new Insite.  If we got more people posting information, questions, it would unlock the knowledge base we have in this group and further drive the value of RFMA.<br />
<br />
<em><strong>What is your guilty pleasure? </strong></em> Trying different types of beer and whiskey from different parts of the world.<br />
<br />
<em><strong>What is your ideal vacation?</strong></em> A small island with clear, shallow water, cold drinks, and great food with my family.<br />
<br />
<em><strong>Who is your favorite sports team? </strong></em>The World Champion Chicago Cubs of course.  I have been a lifelong fan since I was born and raised in Chicago (just so no one thinks I am a bandwagoner).  Lots of seasons of sadness up until this last year!<br />
<br />
<em><strong>What was the last book you read?</strong></em> Yikes.  I am not much of a reader but I think it was “Delivering Happiness: A Path to Profits, Passion, and Purpose” by Tony Hsieh, the CEO of Zappos.com.<br />
<br />
<strong>Describe your best day.</strong> My best work day is when I can help a customer with a difficult situation or help someone I work with, but my best days are the days I spend having fun with my wife and three kids.<br />
<em><strong><br />
If you weren’t in the Facilities Industry, what would you be doing?</strong></em> If I weren’t in this industry, I think I would be a police officer or a Federal Agent for the FBI. <br />
<br />
<strong><em>What chore do you absolutely hate doing?</em></strong> Dishes.  Been around too many dirty dishes during my time in the industry.<br />
<br />
<strong><em>What is one of your favorite quotes?</em></strong> “People don’t care how much you know until they know how much you care.” – Theodore Roosevelt <br />
<br />
<strong><em>What is the most-played song?</em></strong> “Little Wing” - both the Jimi Hendrix and the Stevie Ray Vaughan versions<br />
<br />
<em><strong>Do you have a secret talent and if so, what is it?</strong></em>  I can do some pretty funny impressions, which I never realized until I had kids.<br />
<strong><em><br />
If you could meet an iconic person from History, who would it be?</em></strong>  Abraham Lincoln</span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #009879;"><strong>Connect with Jason on InSite! <a href="http://www.rfmaonline.com/members/public_profile.asp?id=29464760&hhSearchTerms=%2522jason+and+johnson%2522">Click here</a> to view Jason's profile! </strong></span></span></p>
<strong><span style="color: #009879;"></span></strong>]]></description>
<pubDate>Mon, 24 Jul 2017 15:44:41 GMT</pubDate>
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<title>Meet Our RFMA Member, Michael Kurland</title>
<link>https://www.rfmaonline.com/members/blog_view.asp?id=1232254&amp;post=279383</link>
<guid>https://www.rfmaonline.com/members/blog_view.asp?id=1232254&amp;post=279383</guid>
<description><![CDATA[<p style="margin-bottom: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14px;"><span style="font-size: 20px;"><em><span style="color: #0a5183;"><strong><img alt="" src="https://www.rfmaonline.com/resource/resmgr/member_pro_files/39__Michael_Kurland_Photo_sm.jpg" style="border:3px solid #009879;width: 200px; height: 196px; float: left; margin: 5px;" /><br />
Michael Kurland<br />
CEO<br />
Branded Group</strong></span></em></span><br />
<br />
<em><strong><span style="color: #0a5183;">What year did you join RFMA?</span></strong></em> Originally joined RFMA in 2009, have been a member with BG since 2014.<br />
<br />
<em><strong><span style="color: #0a5183;">Why did you join RFMA?</span></strong></em> For the Networking opportunities with the industries finest.<br />
<em><strong><span style="color: #0a5183;"><br />
What do you like most about RFMA?&nbsp;</span></strong></em> The ability to keep up with this fast paced industry.<br />
<em><strong><span style="color: #0a5183;"><br />
Which RFMA Resource do you utilize the most and why?&nbsp;</span></strong></em> I utilize the website often.<br />
<strong><em><span style="color: #0a5183;"><br />
</span></em></strong></span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14px;"><strong><em><span style="color: #0a5183;">What would be the title of your autobiography?</span></em></strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;"> Happiness, The Key</span><br />
<br />
<em><strong><span style="color: #0a5183;">&nbsp;</span></strong></em></span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14px;"><em><strong><span style="color: #0a5183;">What is your guilty pleasure?</span></strong></em>&nbsp; Cassidy’s Cheeseburger, if you have never been to Newport Beach CA, put this on your list.<br />
<br />
<em><strong><span style="color: #0a5183;">&nbsp;</span></strong></em></span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14px;"><em><strong><span style="color: #0a5183;">What is your ideal vacation? </span></strong></em>Sand, Ocean, Surfboard and Scuba Gear, Drink with an umbrella.<br />
<br />
<strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><span style="color: #0a5183;">&nbsp;</span></em></span></strong></span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14px;"><strong><em><span style="color: #0a5183;">Who is your favorite sports team?</span></em></strong> New York Mets.<br />
<br />
<strong><em><span style="color: #0a5183;">&nbsp;</span></em></strong></span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14px;"><strong><em><span style="color: #0a5183;">What was the last book you read?</span></em></strong>&nbsp; <span style="text-decoration: underline;">Conscious Capitalism</span><br />
<br />
<strong><em><span style="color: #0a5183;">&nbsp;</span></em></strong></span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14px;"><strong><em><span style="color: #0a5183;">Describe your best day. </span></em></strong>&nbsp;Run on the beach, followed by brunch with friends and an afternoon sail with a special lady, sunset with a glass of wine.<br />
<br />
<strong><em><span style="color: #0a5183;">&nbsp;</span></em></strong></span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14px;"><strong><em><span style="color: #0a5183;">If you weren’t in the Facilities Industry, what would you be doing?</span></em></strong>&nbsp; I’d love to say working in professional sports.<br />
<br />
<strong><em><span style="color: #0a5183;">&nbsp;</span></em></strong></span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14px;"><strong><em><span style="color: #0a5183;">What chore do you absolutely hate doing?</span></em></strong> Laundry.<br />
<br />
<em><strong><span style="color: #0a5183;">&nbsp;</span></strong></em></span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14px;"><em><strong><span style="color: #0a5183;">What is one of your favorite quotes?</span></strong></em>&nbsp;"</span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14px;">God grant me the serenity&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14px;">to accept the things I cannot change;&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14px;">courage to change the things I can;&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14px;">and wisdom to know the difference."</span></p>
<span style="font-size: 14px; font-family: Arial;"> <em><strong><span style="color: #0a5183;">What is the most-played song?</span></strong></em> My most played song is Eric Church, "A Man who was Gonna Die Young."<br />
<b><s><br />
</s></b><strong><span style="color: #0a5183;">Do you have a secret talent and if so, what is it?</span></strong>&nbsp; I can read people.<br />
<span style="color: red;"><br />
</span><strong><em><span style="color: #0a5183;">If you could meet an iconic person from History, who would it be?&nbsp;</span></em></strong> Prince, that guy changed the game, and made great music.<br />
<strong><span style="color: #009879;"><br />
Connect with Michael on InSite! <a href="http://www.rfmaonline.com/members/public_profile.asp?id=11071838&amp;hhSearchTerms=%2522michael+and+kurland%2522">Click here</a> to view Michael's profile.&nbsp;</span></strong><br />
<br />
</span>]]></description>
<pubDate>Mon, 26 Jun 2017 21:41:36 GMT</pubDate>
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<title>Meet Our RFMA Member, Brian Davies</title>
<link>https://www.rfmaonline.com/members/blog_view.asp?id=1232254&amp;post=277253</link>
<guid>https://www.rfmaonline.com/members/blog_view.asp?id=1232254&amp;post=277253</guid>
<description><![CDATA[<span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-size: 14px;"><span style="color: #0a5183;"><span style="font-size: 20px;"><em><strong><img alt="" src="http://www.rfmaonline.com/resource/resmgr/member_pro_files/40__Brian_Davies_Photo_small.jpg" style="border:3px solid #009879;width: 160px; height: 217px; float: left; margin: 5px;" /><br />
Brian Davies<br />
Manager of Facilities<br />
Border Foods</strong><br />
</em></span></span><br />
<em><strong><span style="color: #0a5183;">What year did you join RFMA?</span></strong></em> 2011.<br />
<strong><em><br />
<span style="color: #0a5183;">Why did you join RFMA?</span></em></strong> Networking with peers and source new vendor partners.<br />
<br />
<em><strong><span style="color: #0a5183;">What do you like most about RFMA?</span></strong></em> <span style="color: #009879;">The</span> complete openness of everyone in the organization.<br />
<br />
<em><strong><span style="color: #0a5183;">Which RFMA Resource do you utilize the most and why? </span></strong></em> The annual conference mostly. I am working to use more online resources.<br />
 <br />
<em><strong><span style="color: #0a5183;">What would be the title of your autobiography?</span></strong></em><span style="text-decoration: underline;"> I did what ???</span><br />
<br />
<em><strong><span style="color: #0a5183;">What is your guilty pleasure?</span></strong></em>  Reese's Peanut Butter Cups.<br />
<br />
<span style="color: #0a5183;"><em><strong>What is your ideal vacation?</strong></em></span> Tahiti. Would love to stay in the huts on the water for a week.<br />
<em><strong><span style="color: #0a5183;"><br />
Who is your favorite sports team?</span></strong></em>  Minnesota Wild.<br />
<br />
<strong><em><span style="color: #0a5183;">What was the last book you read?</span></em></strong> <span style="text-decoration: underline;">Live from New York,</span> a book about the TV show Saturday Night Live.<br />
<br />
<em><strong><span style="color: #0a5183;">Describe your best day. </span></strong></em>Travelling with my family with no phone or internet.<br />
<br />
<em><strong><span style="color: #0a5183;">If you weren’t in the Facilities Industry, what would you be doing?</span></strong></em>  Either managing a restaurant or an accountant.<br />
<br />
<em><strong><span style="color: #0a5183;">What chore do you absolutely hate doing?</span></strong></em>  Mowing the grass.<br />
<br />
<strong><em><span style="color: #0a5183;">What is one of your favorite quotes?</span></em></strong>  “What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger”.<br />
<br />
<em><strong><span style="color: #0a5183;">What is the most-played song on your iPod?</span></strong></em>  Metallica “Fade to Black”.<br />
<strong><span style="color: #009879;"><br />
Connect with Brian on InSite!<a href="http://www.rfmaonline.com/members/public_profile.asp?id=12293683&hhSearchTerms=%2522brian+and+davies%2522"> Click here</a> to view Brian's profile and connect now!</span></strong></span></span>]]></description>
<pubDate>Tue, 30 May 2017 17:07:39 GMT</pubDate>
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<title>Meet Our RFMA Member, Shawn Black, CRFP</title>
<link>https://www.rfmaonline.com/members/blog_view.asp?id=1232254&amp;post=274366</link>
<guid>https://www.rfmaonline.com/members/blog_view.asp?id=1232254&amp;post=274366</guid>
<description><![CDATA[<p style="margin-bottom: 12pt;"><span style="font-size: 14px;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="color: #0a5183;"><strong><em><span style="font-size: 16px;"><br />
<br />
<img alt="" style="margin: 5px; border: 3px solid rgb(0, 152, 121); border-image: none; width: 200px; height: 200px; float: left;" src="https://www.rfmaonline.com/resource/resmgr/member_pro_files/38_Shawn_Black_Photo_small.jpg" />Shawn Black, CRFP <br />
Regional Vice President<br />
CGP Maintenance &amp; Construction Services, Inc. </span></em></strong><br />
<br />
<em><strong>What year did you join RFMA? </strong></em>2014<br />
<br />
<em><strong>Why did you join RFMA?</strong></em> When I started with CGP they were already a part of the organization. I saw it as a way to connect with new people and get the opportunity to learn more about our clients. I was not disappointed!<br />
<strong><br />
What do you like most about RFMA?</strong> I love the energy. The members aren’t like other organizations. I feel like I could walk right up and start a conversation with anyone and they would be open to it! It’s one of the best things about RFMA, you just feel WELCOME!<br />
<br />
<em><strong>Which RFMA Resource do you utilize the most and why?</strong></em> For me it’s using the find others feature of InSite. Always needing contact info and I know right where to find it when I am on the go.<br />
<br />
<em><strong>What would be the title of your autobiography?</strong></em> <span>&nbsp;</span>How to Survive being a Creative Mind.<br />
<br />
<strong>What is your guilty pleasure?</strong> I am a big foody and love watching Bizarre Foods.<br />
<br />
<em><strong>What is your ideal vacation? </strong></em>My ideal vacation would be somewhere tropical, I thinking Fuji. I would be sitting on the beach with a cool ocean breeze blowing. Relaxing while sipping on an ice cold drink! </span></span></span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14px; color: #0a5183;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><em>Who is your favorite sports team?</em> Kansas City Chiefs <br />
<br />
<strong><em>What was the last book you read?</em></strong> I am currently reading The Power of Body Language by Tonya Reiman &amp; Unshakeable by Tony Robbins. The last book I finished was Good Leaders Ask Great Questions by: John Maxwell.<br />
</span><s><strong><br />
</strong></s><strong>Describe your best day. </strong>Honestly my best day happens as soon as my feet touch the ground. If I am above ground it’s the best day. I have very little rules when it comes to being happy. Being surrounded by my friends and family is just the icing on the cake.<br />
<strong><em><br />
If you weren’t in the Facilities Industry, what would you be doing? </em></strong>That’s a great question; I think I would still be in construction. I love the idea of it! To create and build something that last for years and years. There is so much good that comes out of building.<br />
<em><br />
<strong>What chore do you absolutely hate doing?</strong> </em>The Dishes&nbsp; </span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14px; color: #0a5183;"><em><strong>What is one of your favorite quotes?</strong></em><span><em><strong>&nbsp;</strong></em> </span>That’s hard because there are so many influences on my life. One that shows up every day would be: “Remember that if you don’t prioritize your life someone else will”― Greg McKeown, Essentialism: The Disciplined Pursuit of Less. </span></p>
<span style="font-size: 14px; font-family: Arial;"><span style="color: #0a5183;"><em><strong>What is the most-played song on your iPod?</strong></em> “May We All” Florida Georgia Line<br />
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</s><em><strong>Do you have a secret talent and if so, what is it?</strong></em> I can wiggle my ears.<br />
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<strong>Connect with Shawn on InSite! <a href="http://rfmaonline.site-ym.com/members/public_profile.asp?id=30518800&amp;hhSearchTerms=%2522shawn+and+black%2522">Click here</a> to view Shawn's profile and connect now!</strong></span></span><br />
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<pubDate>Mon, 1 May 2017 17:45:35 GMT</pubDate>
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<title>Meet Our RFMA Member, Danny Koontz</title>
<link>https://www.rfmaonline.com/members/blog_view.asp?id=1232254&amp;post=271902</link>
<guid>https://www.rfmaonline.com/members/blog_view.asp?id=1232254&amp;post=271902</guid>
<description><![CDATA[<p style="margin-bottom: 12pt;"><span style="font-size: 14px;"><span style="color: #0a5183;"><em><strong><span style="font-size: 18px;"><img alt="" src="https://www.rfmaonline.com/resource/resmgr/member_pro_files/DannyKoontz_(2).jpg" style="border: 3px solid #009879; width: 160px; float: left; height: 205px; margin: 5px 7px 5px 5px;" />Danny Koontz<br />
Director of Facilities Management<br />
Collier Restaurant Group</span><br />
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What year did you join RFMA?</strong></em> When it began, was part of group who met to discuss putting together an organization .<br />
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<em><strong>Why did you join RFMA?</strong></em> To be a part of an organization of people in the same industry as me, to learn from and to have access to the best vendors . Great opportunity to learn.<br />
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<em><strong>What do you like most about RFMA?</strong></em> The relationships I have developed with my peers in the restaurant industry and the best vendor network in the world. The ability to learn each day, not have to reinvent the wheel but ask for best practices and get it quickly from someone who has already experienced what I am dealing with .<br />
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<em><strong>Which RFMA Resource do you utilize the most and why?</strong></em> The Staff, have went to different members at different times and they have always been on point and helpful in every way. <s><br />
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<em><strong>What would be the title of your autobiography?</strong></em>  Make it Go Away- A story of  Perseverance <br />
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<em><strong>What is your ideal vacation? </strong></em> Golf trip.</span></span></p>
<p><span style="color: #0a5183; font-size: 14px;"><span style="color: #0a5183;"><strong><em>Who is your favorite sports team?</em></strong> New York Yankees.<br />
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</s></span><span style="font-size: 14px;"><span style="color: #0a5183;"><em><strong>Describe your best day.</strong></em> A day of watching sports with my son Adam. <br />
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<strong><em>If you weren’t in the Facilities Industry, what would you be doing?</em></strong> ESPN Anchor.<br />
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<strong><em>What is one of your favorite quotes?</em></strong> "The difference between a successful person and others is not a lack of strength, not a lack of knowledge , but rather in a lack of will." - Vince Lombardi<br />
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If you could meet an iconic person from History, who would it be?</strong></em> Ronald Reagan- Would want to understand his ability to get people to move in the same direction for a united cause.<br />
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Connect with Danny on InSite! <a href="http://www.rfmaonline.com/members/public_profile.asp?id=25937199&hhSearchTerms=%2522danny+and+koontz%2522">Click here</a> to view Danny's profile and connect now.</span></strong><br />
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<pubDate>Thu, 30 Mar 2017 16:00:10 GMT</pubDate>
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<title>Meet Our RFMA Member, Summer Fredrickson</title>
<link>https://www.rfmaonline.com/members/blog_view.asp?id=1232254&amp;post=265248</link>
<guid>https://www.rfmaonline.com/members/blog_view.asp?id=1232254&amp;post=265248</guid>
<description><![CDATA[<p style="margin-bottom: 12pt;"><span style="color: #0a5183; font-size: 14px;"><em><strong><span style="font-size: 18px;"><img alt="" src="http://www.rfmaonline.com/resource/resmgr/member_pro_files/200_Summer_Fredrickson.jpg" style="border:3px solid #009879;float: left; width: 150px; height: 222px; margin: 5px;" />Summer Fredrickson<br />
Regional Facilities Manager<br />
Red Robin Gourmet Burgers</span></strong></em><span style="font-size: 18px;"><br />
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<em><strong>What year did you join RFMA?</strong></em> 2011<br />
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<em><strong>Why did you join RFMA?</strong></em> I joined RFMA to network, learn from other peers in the industry, learn best practices and share experiences with others in the same field. <br />
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<strong><em>What do you like most about RFMA?</em></strong> When I was first starting out in Facilities, it was a great way for me to better educate myself on the different trades and it provided me with many resources and opportunities to meet other professionals in the field. <br />
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<em><strong>Which RFMA Resource do you utilize the most and why?</strong></em> I would say that I utilize both the Resource Library and Education modules equally the most because it helps me find answers to new problems I’m faced with and it’s helping me to prepare for the CRFP exam! <u><br />
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<em><strong>What is your ideal vacation?</strong></em> I love to travel and cook so my ideal vacation would be backpacking through Europe, seeing as many countries as possible, taking cooking classes along the way. I also love to experience new cultures so finding spots where the locals hang out is always high on my list when I travel. </span></p>
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<span style="color: #0a5183;"> <span><em><strong>Who is your favorite sports team?</strong></em> The New England Patriots<br />
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<em><strong>What was the last book you read?</strong></em> T<span style="text-decoration: underline;">he Girl On the Train</span> by Paula Hawkins…now I can’t wait for the movie to come out! </span><s><span><br />
</span></s></span></span><span><span style="font-size: 14px;"><span style="color: #0a5183;"><span style="font-size: 14px;"><em><strong><br />
What is the most-played song on your iPod?</strong></em>&nbsp;"First Day of my Life" by Bright Eyes&nbsp;<br />
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</span><strong><span style="color: #009879;"><span style="font-size: 16px;">Connect with Summer on InSite! <a href="http://www.rfmaonline.com/members/public_profile.asp?id=11772863&amp;hhSearchTerms=%2522summer+and+fredrick%2522">Click here</a> to view Summer's profile and connect now!&nbsp;</span></span></strong></span></span></span>]]></description>
<pubDate>Thu, 29 Dec 2016 15:48:33 GMT</pubDate>
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