Professional Retail Store Maintenance Association Wraps Another Successful National Conference
PRSM2010! National Conference concluded last week in Orlando, Florida with excellent reviews. This event brought over 1,400 retailers and vendors together to discuss retail facility management. Held April 18-20 at The Rosen Shingle Creek, the conference was an extremely positive event for PRSM members surpassing the previous retailer company attendance by 25 percent.
The theme for Monday's General Session was "Exploring Key Trends in Retail Facilities Management Today." PRSM inducted the 2010-11 Board President Paul Walsh, Director, Vendor Mgmt, Architecture, Construction, Facilities Services and Sourcing at Gap, Inc. During the Monday's General Session, Walsh spoke about being honored to serve as President and being associated with a talented Board and most importantly, PRSM members. During his speech he touched on the Facilities Maintenance industry, how PRSM can support its members and the vision for PRSM into the future. His speech was followed by Keynote Speaker Jim Carroll, Futurist, Trends and Innovation Expert. He spoke about today's high velocity economy and how FM professionals can innovate and stay out in front by collaborating together to meet future demands.
"Trends in Corporate Responsibility" was the theme for Tuesday's General Session. First, Blake Mcycoskie, Founder and Chief Shoe Giver of TOMS Shoes, Inc gave an inspiring speech on how corporate social responsibility is more than a buzzword for many retailers today. It's a commitment to embracing the impact of their work on the consumer, the environment, employees and their community. He spoke how he has made this the sole of his business.
PRSM recognized its annual awards honorees during the Awards Ceremony on Tuesday. Olivia Walker, a former PRSM Association Board President who recently retired from Pier1 Imports, received the association's most prestigious award, The Lawrence W. Whalen PRSM Lifetime Achievement Award for her career long service to the FM profession and to PRSM. Also honored were Karen Altemose of Rite Aid Corporation, 2010 Retailer of the Year and Ron Eigenbrod of LightStat, Inc., 2010 Vendor of the Year. John Nadler, P.E., of Nadler Resources, LLC was honored as 2010 Volunteer of the Year. Service Excellence Awards were presented to Amanda Hamilton, Abaco, Inc; Peter Mohrhauser, RMS, Inc. and Janis Williams, Tuesday Morning for their volunteer contributions to PRSM Association.
PRSM2010! offered over 30 hours of education from energy management, LED product assessment, HVAC, Outsourcing, Facilities Maintenance, Retail Economic Outlook, International market expansion and project management just to name a few. The highest attended sessions were Realigning Facility Departments for the New Economy, Reducing Operational Costs, Being Prepared for the Next Crisis and Disaster and Keys to Succeeding in the RFP Process.
A highlight of the Conference was the release a new Best Practices White Paper on "Keys For Successful Requests for Proposals" by the PRSM Best Practices Committee. This paper is available for download on the PRSM website to members.
Also during PRSM2010! retailers and vendors explored many networking opportunities from the Presidential Golf Challenge, Fun Run/Walk and Hero Quest, a team building charity event where $1,000 was donated to the USO. Over 175 attendees participate in these events on Sunday. The winning team at the Presidential Golf Challenge was Kurt Bremer, Tennant Company, Kevin Nicholson, Tennant Company and Brian Tarbert, TCS Basys Controls. Mario Vega of The Gymboree Corporation won the Exhibition Grand Prize, an Alaskan cruise, sponsored by Lennox National Accounts.
Stay tuned, in the coming week, videos and photos and more information from PRSM2010! National Conference will be uploaded to the PRSM website and PRSM Facebook and LinkedIn pages.
About PRSM The Professional Retail Store Maintenance Association (PRSM) is the leading membership association that empowers Retail Facilities Professionals to make informed business decisions by delivering best practices, education, forums and partnerships.
Professional Retail Store Maintenance Association Announces 2010 Award Honorees
Orlando, Florida - April 20, 2010 - The Professional Retail Store Maintenance Association 2010 Annual Awards were announced this morning in Orlando, Florida at the PRSM2010! National Conference. The Awards Ceremony recognizes the Retailer of the Year and the Vendor of the Year who exemplify excellence in the retail facilities maintenance profession. The Volunteer of the Year and Service Excellence Awards are given to those who have volunteered their time and expertise to PRSM Committees, Task Forces and other voluntary efforts. The 2009 Retail Facility Maintenance Professional (RFMP) Designees were also recognized.
The Lawrence W. Whelan PRSM Lifetime Achievement Award recognizes people living or deceased who have distinguished themselves by their contributions to the facility maintenance profession over a long career.
2010 LAWRENCE W. WHELAN PRSM LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD
Olivia B. Walker, CPM
Olivia started her career in retail in 1986 where she managed a shopping center property as a landlord representative. As a landlord representative and property manager, she was responsible for managing tenant construction signage, center marketing, maintenance, and budgeting and lease compliance.
In 1993, Olivia joined Pier 1 Imports, North America's largest import home decor chain as West Zone Asset and Property Manager. Her responsibilities increased with each position she held over her 14 plus years with the company. She was promoted to a top position within the Real Estate Department and became Senior Director of Real Estate. In this position, her duties spanned all critical areas of real estate management. She was responsible for all real estate functions for stores and distribution centers. At the time, she lead the Real Estate Department, Pier 1's retail stores and distribution centers totaled over 1,000 locations in the US and Canada.Olivia retired from Pier 1 in late 2009.
Olivia was an active member of PRSM Association throughout her career with Pier 1, joining in 1996. During this time she served as a PRSM Board member from 2004-2007, Board President from 2006-2007 and Immediate Past President from 2007-2008. She hosted Retailer2Retailers, was a speaker at multiple PRSM National Conferences and was awarded 2007 Retailer of the Year. She served on the bylaws committee when the bylaws were rewritten in late 2007/early 2008. The rewriting of the bylaws was a significant change for PRSM as it strengthened all the checks and balances for a growing, successful, not for profit, organization which was critical to ensure its ongoing sustainability and viability.
Olivia was a true mentor to all PRSM members. Whatever task she undertook, it was performed with integrity, dedication, professionalism and in the best interest of the association.
2010 RETAILER OF THE YEAR
Karen Altemose, Director, Facilities Contract Services, Rite Aid Corporation Camp Hill, PA
Karen is a leader within Rite Aid Corporation, the community and the Professional Retail Store Maintenance Association. Karen is a leader within Rite Aid Corporation with many accomplishments. Success has been a constant, with her department noting a 40% reduction in settlements through thorough research and excellent control of data to minimize claims with a philosophy of "no stone unturned." Karen recently developed best practices for dark stores, which other retailers can now mimic and implement.Karen is both professional, fair and displays integrity and character that is noteworthy within the industry.
2010 VENDOR OF THE YEAR
Ron Eigenbrod, President, Lightstat, Inc. Barkhamsted, CT
Ron is an expert in the energy management control industry. He has been at the leadership of Lightstat, Inc. for the last 22 years. Lightstat provides EMS controls for national accounts. They provide demand response programs for electric utilities throughout the USA. Lightstat systems are well known in the industry for ease of installation, effectiveness and reliability. Ron, through Lightstat, has made commitments to clients to move from "zero" EMS systems to close to 500 locations in a two-year period. His team provides the necessary information to IT departments to bring clients online, and trains all levels of associates. Ron is often mentioned as a resource for retail locations.
2010 PRSM OUTSTANDING VOLUNTEER OF THE YEAR
John Nadler, P.E., Owner, Nadler Resources, LLC San Jose, CA
John is an engaged and active member of PRSM. He has actively contributed to the Mentoring and Best Practices Committees. John recently completed a term on the PRSM Board of Directors and provided great insight and remained engaged in the needs of the Association after his tenure on the Board. In addition to his participation with PRSM, John became a LEED Green Association and an EnergyStar Partner. John is a constant supporter of PRSM conferences, webinars and presents himself to the members in an open and honest way.
Amanda has made a huge impact on the Minority/Diversity sub-committee and College/Tech school sub-committee while serving on the Mentoring Committee for PRSM Association. She has pursued the college program with a vigor that has helped PRSM gain a strategic alliance with Rochester Institute of Technology and has set the stage for future engagement in Technology schools and college formats. She has also reached out to the WBENCE group for women owned businesses. Amanda shares her knowledge with other vendors and retailers to ensure all are educated on ways that she has found to enhance quality and process.
Peter Mohrhauser, President, RMS, Inc. St. Racine, WI
As chair of the Best Practices, Peter took over the committee in its second full year. He embraced the vision of the committee and has guided it in releasing four white papers under his leadership. He has been effective in engaging the committee, assigning work, setting expectations and following through on commitments. He has volunteered to identify resources for the papers, to review them and offered suggestions to improve the final work product. He has enabled members to have tangible resources available to them from PRSM through the best practices program. He has also embraced the concept that white papers are the source documents for webinars, educational sessions and magazine articles enabling PRSM to use the content to reach the membership.
Janis Williams, Director of Facilities, Tuesday Morning Dallas, TX
Janis has been an active member of the Membership Committee for the past two years participating in conferences
offering ideas and support. Janis is an integral member of this committee. Janis actively participates in Association events such as Retailer2Retailer events not only as a participant but as a host and she also participated in PRSM Associations inaugural Facilities Connection event at the Mid-Year Conference '09. Janis is an excellent spokesperson and recruiter for the Association, has made recommendations for new members and makes personal calls on behalf o the Association to recruit members. Janis has a gift to make individuals feel comfortable and welcome in any environment.
About PRSM The Professional Retail Store Maintenance Association (PRSM) is the leading membership association that empowers Retail Facilities Professionals to make informed business decisions by delivering best practices, education, forums and partnerships.
PRSM Releases Best Practices White Paper "Cost Effective Business Strategies"
Dallas, Texas - March 31, 2010 - The Professional Retail Store Maintenance Association just released the white paper, Cost Effective Business Strategies written by a big box retailer with over 1,000 stores in the U.S. and Canada.
The white paper focuses on how a big box retailer has honed its cost saving strategies enabling it to operate its stores at maximum efficiency. The retailer saw that its physical assets were not standardized across the stores so its replacement and preventative maintenance schedules were not synchronized or consistent. Through this paper, the retailer outlines the steps taken to standardize its process and control maintenance costs; down to 85 cents per square foot.
"This paper demonstrates the valuable and critical role facilities maintenance is assuming to protect the brand's assets and to control costs," says PRSM Executive Director, Patricia Dameron. "This best practice is a valuable resource for members to consider when implementing their business strategy for their stores."
White Papers are a key component of PRSM's Best Practices Program as they answer a current need of the Association's membership to acquire and share information about the retail facilities maintenance and management of the industry's best business practices being used by retailers and vendors today. Driven by PRSM's Best Practices Committee, and written by individuals who are at the top of their careers, these papers to share what other industry professionals are doing along with their successes and failures.
PRSM members can download the complete white paper from the PRSM website through this link.
About PRSM Association The Professional Retail Store Maintenance Association (PRSM) is the leading membership association that empowers Retail Facilities Professionals to make informed business decisions by delivering best practices, education, forums and partnerships.
Professional Retail Store Maintenance Association Elects New Board of Directors
Dallas, Texas, March 19, 2010- The Professional Retail Store Maintenance Association (PRSM), a member-run association established to empower Retail Facilities Professionals to make informed business decisions announces their newly elected Board of Directors.
"We are delighted to welcome the new Board," said PRSM President Paul Walsh. "We look forward to the insight, experience and leadership that they will provide over the year."
Newly elected members to the Board of Directors for a three year term (2010-2013) are as follows: Shawn Browning, Territory Facility Manager, Nike Retail, Inc., Beaverton, Oregon John Catanese, Vice President, Chain Store Maintenance, Attleboro, Massachusetts Robert D. Fazakerley, Vice President Retail and Corporate Facilities, Rite Aid Corporation, Camp Hill, Pennsylvania Charisse Luckey, Corporate Account Manager, Roto-Rooter Services Co., Cincinnati, Ohio
Elected to a one year term are as follows: Retailer Alternate- Stan Schmidt, Director of Facilities, Stage Stores, Houston, Texas Vendor Alternate- Kellie D'Andrea, Vice President, NEST International, Gloucester City, New Jersey
Continuing Members of the 2010-2011 Board of Directors are as follows: President: Paul Walsh, Director Construction, Architecture, Facilities Services, Strategic Sourcing, Gap, Inc., San Bruno, California 1st Vice President: Bill Pietrykowski, Director of Retail Facilities & Energy Management, GameStop, Grapevine, Texas 2nd Vice President: Mike Lapointe, Manager, Field Technical Group, Bose Corporation, Framingham, Massachusetts Secretary: Steve Lord, Director Non-Retail Procurement, Target Corporation, Minneapolis, Minnesota Treasurer: Joe Stern, Senior VP, Operations , Cobbler's Bench, Landover, Maryland Immediate Past President: Duane E. Smith, Director of Store & Facilities Maintenance, Limited Brands, Columbus, Ohio Bruce Falke, Director of Sales, Commercial Fire, Inc., Jacksonville, Florida Ann Moran, Vice President National Account Business Development, Engineering Excellence, Cincinnati, Ohio Mike Rose, CEO, Academy Service Group-Academy Protection, Maspeth, New York Maryella Pegnato, Director of Operations, First Service Networks, Los Angeles, California Chris Slocum, President, Cornell Storefront Systems, Wilkes Barre, Pennsylvania
The 2010-2011 Board of Directors will take office at the PRSM2010! National Conference, April 18-20, in Orlando, Florida.
Professional Retail Store Maintenance Association Board of Directors Elects 2010-2011 Officers
Dallas, Texas - March 11, 2010- The Professional Retail Store Maintenance Association (PRSM) Board of Directors elected its 2010-2011 Officers at its March Board Meeting in Dallas, Texas.
2010-2011 Board Officers are as follows:
President: Paul Walsh, Director, Vendor Management, Corporate Architecture, Construction & Facilities, Gap, Inc., San Bruno, California,
1st Vice President: Bill Pietrykowski, Director of Retail Facilities & Energy Management, GameStop, Grapevine, Texas,
2nd Vice President: Mike Lapointe, Manager, Field Technical Group, Bose Corporation, Framingham, Massachusetts,
Secretary: Steve Lord, Director Non-Retail Procurement, Target Corporation, Minneapolis, Minnesota,
Immediate Past President: Duane E. Smith, Director of Store & Facilities Maintenance, Limited Brands, Columbus, Ohio.
Newly elected Board President Paul Walsh has over 20 years of experience in facilities management with the past seven years at Gap, Inc. "I am honored to be elected by my peers to lead our Association. I am extremely excited about the future of PRSM as we move into a new decade. Our board and the staff are looking ahead to insure that PRSM not only meets the ongoing needs of our members but anticipates what those needs will be in the future," says Walsh.
Walsh is a leader in facilities management having extensive experience in corporate America shaping and transforming the professionalism of facilities management. He has enhanced the value that facilities brings to the corporate brand and strengthened the credibility of his department's work by using fact based data to drive business decisions. In his current position, he is responsible for managing all supplier relationships and driving continuous improvement in all areas of cost, quality, schedule and effectiveness.
His involvement with PRSM Association includes serving as Chairman of the inaugural Best Practices Committee in 2008-09 and Secretary of the PRSM Association Board of Directors in 2009-2010.
The 2010-2011 Board of Directors will take office at the PRSM2010! National Conference, April 18-20, in Orlando, Florida.
About PRSM The Professional Retail Store Maintenance Association (PRSM) is the leading membership association that empowers Retail Facilities Professionals to make informed business decisions by delivering best practices, education, forums and partnerships.
Professional Retail Store Maintenance Association Announces 2010 Award Honorees
Orlando, Florida - April 20, 2010 - The Professional Retail Store Maintenance Association 2010 Annual Awards were announced this morning in Orlando, Florida at the PRSM2010! National Conference. The Awards Ceremony recognizes the Retailer of the Year and the Vendor of the Year who exemplify excellence in the retail facilities maintenance profession. The Volunteer of the Year and Service Excellence Awards are given to those who have volunteered their time and expertise to PRSM Committees, Task Forces and other voluntary efforts. The 2009 Retail Facility Maintenance Professional (RFMP) Designees were also recognized.
The Lawrence W. Whelan PRSM Lifetime Achievement Award recognizes people living or deceased who have distinguished themselves by their contributions to the facility maintenance profession over a long career.
2010 LAWRENCE W. WHELAN PRSM LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD
Olivia B. Walker, CPM
Olivia started her career in retail in 1986 where she managed a shopping center property as a landlord representative. As a landlord representative and property manager, she was responsible for managing tenant construction signage, center marketing, maintenance, and budgeting and lease compliance.
In 1993, Olivia joined Pier 1 Imports, North America's largest import home decor chain as West Zone Asset and Property Manager. Her responsibilities increased with each position she held over her 14 plus years with the company. She was promoted to a top position within the Real Estate Department and became Senior Director of Real Estate. In this position, her duties spanned all critical areas of real estate management. She was responsible for all real estate functions for stores and distribution centers. At the time, she lead the Real Estate Department, Pier 1's retail stores and distribution centers totaled over 1,000 locations in the US and Canada.Olivia retired from Pier 1 in late 2009.
Olivia was an active member of PRSM Association throughout her career with Pier 1, joining in 1996. During this time she served as a PRSM Board member from 2004-2007, Board President from 2006-2007 and Immediate Past President from 2007-2008. She hosted Retailer2Retailers, was a speaker at multiple PRSM National Conferences and was awarded 2007 Retailer of the Year. She served on the bylaws committee when the bylaws were rewritten in late 2007/early 2008. The rewriting of the bylaws was a significant change for PRSM as it strengthened all the checks and balances for a growing, successful, not for profit, organization which was critical to ensure its ongoing sustainability and viability.
Olivia was a true mentor to all PRSM members. Whatever task she undertook, it was performed with integrity, dedication, professionalism and in the best interest of the association.
2010 RETAILER OF THE YEAR
Karen Altemose, Director, Facilities Contract Services, Rite Aid Corporation Camp Hill, PA
Karen is a leader within Rite Aid Corporation, the community and the Professional Retail Store Maintenance Association. Karen is a leader within Rite Aid Corporation with many accomplishments. Success has been a constant, with her department noting a 40% reduction in settlements through thorough research and excellent control of data to minimize claims with a philosophy of "no stone unturned." Karen recently developed best practices for dark stores, which other retailers can now mimic and implement.Karen is both professional, fair and displays integrity and character that is noteworthy within the industry.
2010 VENDOR OF THE YEAR
Ron Eigenbrod, President, Lightstat, Inc. Barkhamsted, CT
Ron is an expert in the energy management control industry. He has been at the leadership of Lightstat, Inc. for the last 22 years. Lightstat provides EMS controls for national accounts. They provide demand response programs for electric utilities throughout the USA. Lightstat systems are well known in the industry for ease of installation, effectiveness and reliability. Ron, through Lightstat, has made commitments to clients to move from "zero" EMS systems to close to 500 locations in a two-year period. His team provides the necessary information to IT departments to bring clients online, and trains all levels of associates. Ron is often mentioned as a resource for retail locations.
2010 PRSM OUTSTANDING VOLUNTEER OF THE YEAR
John Nadler, P.E., Owner, Nadler Resources, LLC San Jose, CA
John is an engaged and active member of PRSM. He has actively contributed to the Mentoring and Best Practices Committees. John recently completed a term on the PRSM Board of Directors and provided great insight and remained engaged in the needs of the Association after his tenure on the Board. In addition to his participation with PRSM, John became a LEED Green Association and an EnergyStar Partner. John is a constant supporter of PRSM conferences, webinars and presents himself to the members in an open and honest way.
Amanda has made a huge impact on the Minority/Diversity sub-committee and College/Tech school sub-committee while serving on the Mentoring Committee for PRSM Association. She has pursued the college program with a vigor that has helped PRSM gain a strategic alliance with Rochester Institute of Technology and has set the stage for future engagement in Technology schools and college formats. She has also reached out to the WBENCE group for women owned businesses. Amanda shares her knowledge with other vendors and retailers to ensure all are educated on ways that she has found to enhance quality and process.
Peter Mohrhauser, President, RMS, Inc. St. Racine, WI
As chair of the Best Practices, Peter took over the committee in its second full year. He embraced the vision of the committee and has guided it in releasing four white papers under his leadership. He has been effective in engaging the committee, assigning work, setting expectations and following through on commitments. He has volunteered to identify resources for the papers, to review them and offered suggestions to improve the final work product. He has enabled members to have tangible resources available to them from PRSM through the best practices program. He has also embraced the concept that white papers are the source documents for webinars, educational sessions and magazine articles enabling PRSM to use the content to reach the membership.
Janis Williams, Director of Facilities, Tuesday Morning Dallas, TX
Janis has been an active member of the Membership Committee for the past two years participating in conferences
offering ideas and support. Janis is an integral member of this committee. Janis actively participates in Association events such as Retailer2Retailer events not only as a participant but as a host and she also participated in PRSM Associations inaugural Facilities Connection event at the Mid-Year Conference '09. Janis is an excellent spokesperson and recruiter for the Association, has made recommendations for new members and makes personal calls on behalf o the Association to recruit members. Janis has a gift to make individuals feel comfortable and welcome in any environment.
About PRSM The Professional Retail Store Maintenance Association (PRSM) is the leading membership association that empowers Retail Facilities Professionals to make informed business decisions by delivering best practices, education, forums and partnerships.
PRSM Releases Best Practices White Paper "Cost Effective Business Strategies"
Dallas, Texas - March 31, 2010 - The Professional Retail Store Maintenance Association just released the white paper, Cost Effective Business Strategies written by a big box retailer with over 1,000 stores in the U.S. and Canada.
The white paper focuses on how a big box retailer has honed its cost saving strategies enabling it to operate its stores at maximum efficiency. The retailer saw that its physical assets were not standardized across the stores so its replacement and preventative maintenance schedules were not synchronized or consistent. Through this paper, the retailer outlines the steps taken to standardize its process and control maintenance costs; down to 85 cents per square foot.
"This paper demonstrates the valuable and critical role facilities maintenance is assuming to protect the brand's assets and to control costs," says PRSM Executive Director, Patricia Dameron. "This best practice is a valuable resource for members to consider when implementing their business strategy for their stores."
White Papers are a key component of PRSM's Best Practices Program as they answer a current need of the Association's membership to acquire and share information about the retail facilities maintenance and management of the industry's best business practices being used by retailers and vendors today. Driven by PRSM's Best Practices Committee, and written by individuals who are at the top of their careers, these papers to share what other industry professionals are doing along with their successes and failures.
PRSM members can download the complete white paper from the PRSM website through this link.
About PRSM Association The Professional Retail Store Maintenance Association (PRSM) is the leading membership association that empowers Retail Facilities Professionals to make informed business decisions by delivering best practices, education, forums and partnerships.
Professional Retail Store Maintenance Association Elects New Board of Directors
Dallas, Texas, March 19, 2010- The Professional Retail Store Maintenance Association (PRSM), a member-run association established to empower Retail Facilities Professionals to make informed business decisions announces their newly elected Board of Directors.
"We are delighted to welcome the new Board," said PRSM President Paul Walsh. "We look forward to the insight, experience and leadership that they will provide over the year."
Newly elected members to the Board of Directors for a three year term (2010-2013) are as follows: Shawn Browning, Territory Facility Manager, Nike Retail, Inc., Beaverton, Oregon John Catanese, Vice President, Chain Store Maintenance, Attleboro, Massachusetts Robert D. Fazakerley, Vice President Retail and Corporate Facilities, Rite Aid Corporation, Camp Hill, Pennsylvania Charisse Luckey, Corporate Account Manager, Roto-Rooter Services Co., Cincinnati, Ohio
Elected to a one year term are as follows: Retailer Alternate- Stan Schmidt, Director of Facilities, Stage Stores, Houston, Texas Vendor Alternate- Kellie D'Andrea, Vice President, NEST International, Gloucester City, New Jersey
Continuing Members of the 2010-2011 Board of Directors are as follows: President: Paul Walsh, Director Construction, Architecture, Facilities Services, Strategic Sourcing, Gap, Inc., San Bruno, California 1st Vice President: Bill Pietrykowski, Director of Retail Facilities & Energy Management, GameStop, Grapevine, Texas 2nd Vice President: Mike Lapointe, Manager, Field Technical Group, Bose Corporation, Framingham, Massachusetts Secretary: Steve Lord, Director Non-Retail Procurement, Target Corporation, Minneapolis, Minnesota Treasurer: Joe Stern, Senior VP, Operations , Cobbler's Bench, Landover, Maryland Immediate Past President: Duane E. Smith, Director of Store & Facilities Maintenance, Limited Brands, Columbus, Ohio Bruce Falke, Director of Sales, Commercial Fire, Inc., Jacksonville, Florida Ann Moran, Vice President National Account Business Development, Engineering Excellence, Cincinnati, Ohio Mike Rose, CEO, Academy Service Group-Academy Protection, Maspeth, New York Maryella Pegnato, Director of Operations, First Service Networks, Los Angeles, California Chris Slocum, President, Cornell Storefront Systems, Wilkes Barre, Pennsylvania
The 2010-2011 Board of Directors will take office at the PRSM2010! National Conference, April 18-20, in Orlando, Florida.
Professional Retail Store Maintenance Association Board of Directors Elects 2010-2011 Officers
Dallas, Texas - March 11, 2010- The Professional Retail Store Maintenance Association (PRSM) Board of Directors elected its 2010-2011 Officers at its March Board Meeting in Dallas, Texas.
2010-2011 Board Officers are as follows:
President: Paul Walsh, Director, Vendor Management, Corporate Architecture, Construction & Facilities, Gap, Inc., San Bruno, California,
1st Vice President: Bill Pietrykowski, Director of Retail Facilities & Energy Management, GameStop, Grapevine, Texas,
2nd Vice President: Mike Lapointe, Manager, Field Technical Group, Bose Corporation, Framingham, Massachusetts,
Secretary: Steve Lord, Director Non-Retail Procurement, Target Corporation, Minneapolis, Minnesota,
Immediate Past President: Duane E. Smith, Director of Store & Facilities Maintenance, Limited Brands, Columbus, Ohio.
Newly elected Board President Paul Walsh has over 20 years of experience in facilities management with the past seven years at Gap, Inc. "I am honored to be elected by my peers to lead our Association. I am extremely excited about the future of PRSM as we move into a new decade. Our board and the staff are looking ahead to insure that PRSM not only meets the ongoing needs of our members but anticipates what those needs will be in the future," says Walsh.
Walsh is a leader in facilities management having extensive experience in corporate America shaping and transforming the professionalism of facilities management. He has enhanced the value that facilities brings to the corporate brand and strengthened the credibility of his department's work by using fact based data to drive business decisions. In his current position, he is responsible for managing all supplier relationships and driving continuous improvement in all areas of cost, quality, schedule and effectiveness.
His involvement with PRSM Association includes serving as Chairman of the inaugural Best Practices Committee in 2008-09 and Secretary of the PRSM Association Board of Directors in 2009-2010.
The 2010-2011 Board of Directors will take office at the PRSM2010! National Conference, April 18-20, in Orlando, Florida.
About PRSM The Professional Retail Store Maintenance Association (PRSM) is the leading membership association that empowers Retail Facilities Professionals to make informed business decisions by delivering best practices, education, forums and partnerships.
Call for Nominations for PRSM Board of Directors and PRSM Awards
Dallas, Texas - January 15, 2010- The Professional Retail Store Maintenance Association Nominating Committee announces nominations are open for the 2010 Board of Directors.
The Nominating Committee is charged with ensuring that all Board nominees are fully qualified and experienced, bringing the maximum amount of expertise and value to the membership and Association.
It is established each year to review your recommendations and to use the following criteria for consideration in determining the eligibility of potential candidates for open Board of Director positions. Please use the detailed criterion listed in the 2010 Board of Directors Nominations Packet to make your nominations. Some criteria to consider include:
Leadership abilities and business acumen and expertise.
Credibility, character and reputation.
Length of time as a PRSM Association member and in the retail facilities maintenance industry.
Overall contribution to PRSM Association and involvement in PRSM Association.
After the review of the submitted nominations, the PRSM Nominating Committee will select the candidate based upon the set criteria of the recommended members. There are two open retailer positions and two open vendor positions. Also, a retailer and vendor alternate will be selected. This proposed slate will be presented to the Board of Directors for approval. After approval, the slate will be sent via electronic ballot to the primary member of each Professional Corporate Retail Member and Allied Corporate Member company. Only one vote per member company is accepted.
Nominations must be received by the PRSM Association no later than February 1, 2010. Self-nominations are accepted and you may nominate more than one individual. Contact Jennifer Pratt at PRSM Association office at 972.231.9081, ext. 120 with any questions.
Your participation is very important in this democratic process of acquiring qualified board members to guide the future direction of PRSM. Thank you in advance for taking the time to participate.
Nominate Your Colleagues for PRSM Awards
The Professional Retail Store Maintenance Association Awards Committee announces nominations are open for the prestigious awards that will be presented on April 20 at the PRSM2010! National Conference Awards Ceremony at the Rosen Shingle Hotel in Orlando, Florida.
The Awards committee encourages PRSM members to recognize colleagues for excellent performance in their workplace as retail facility maintenance professionals.
To this end, the PRSM Association Awards Committee is looking for individuals with impeccable accomplishments from a company and/or organization who have impacted the field of retail facility maintenance through innovation, operations or outstanding work performance within the industry.
The following awards are open for nominations.
Retailer of the Year is the Association's most prestigious award recognizing excellence of performance by a retail facility maintenance professional in their workplace.
Vendor of the Year is the Association's most prestigious award recognizing excellence of performance by a vendor/supplier/consultant to the retail facility maintenance profession in their workplace.
The Lawrence W. Whelan PRSM Lifetime Achievement Award recognizes extraordinary accomplishments by PRSM members and recognizes people-living or deceased-who have distinguished themselves by their contributions to the facility maintenance profession over a long career.
To be considered for the 2010 Awards, nominations must be received no later than February 1, 2010. For more information on the PRSM Association Awards Program and to download the Awards Nomination Form, follow this link. Celebrate the highest honors the retail facilities maintenance industry can bestow on its professionals. Submit your nominee today!
About PRSM The Professional Retail Store Maintenance Association (PRSM) is comprised of North America's most innovative and reputable retailers and suppliers that need an equally dynamic organization committed to advancing the industry and the careers of those engaged in the retail facilities maintenance profession. PRSM's commitment to its members is to be the industry leader by providing continuing education and information about current events as well as a thriving market place for the industry's best products and services.
PRSM Association Hires Director of Vendor Relations
Dallas, Texas -Jeffrey Bond has joined PRSM Association as the new Director of Vendor Relations. He has responsibility for enhancing relationships with PRSM's vendor members, enabling vendors to realize 365 days of opportunities available with PRSM via exhibits, sponsorships, membership, programs and non-dues revenue opportunities for PRSM.
"We are very excited to have Jeff as a member of the PRSM team," said PRSM Executive Director Patricia Dameron. "His extensive marketing, sales and retail knowledge are a great enhancement to our management team. He has a passion for excellence and his superior customer service will elevate our vendor relations to the next level."
Prior to his new position, Jeff worked as Director of Marketing for Bluewater Learning, Director of Corporate Events and Hospitality for The Marketing Arm and has retail work experience with Radioshack Corporation as Director of Events. He is a board member of the American Marketing Association -DFW Chapter and has past success developing corporate events and driving sales growth.
Jeff can be reached directly atjbond@prsm.comor 972-231-9810 extension 108.
About PRSM The Professional Retail Store Maintenance Association (PRSM) is comprised of North America's most innovative and reputable retailers and suppliers that need an equally dynamic organization committed to advancing the industry and the careers of those engaged in the retail facilities maintenance profession. PRSM's commitment to its members is to be the industry leader by providing continuing education and information about current events as well as a thriving market place for the industry's best products and services.
Ecoxera Announced as Sustainability Consultant to PRSM
Dallas, Texas - November 6, 2009 -The Professional Retail Store Maintenance Association (PRSM) has chosen Ecoxera as its sustainability consultant. Ecoxera will work with PRSM to develop a robust sustainability program for its members.
"We are excited to have Ecoxera on board to help us deliver a more robust program for our members," said Patricia Dameron, PRSM Association executive director. "Ecoxera's support will be pivotal in meeting our Green Initiative mission of positioning PRSM as the voice of the retail facility maintenance industry on greening initiatives."
Since the establishment of the Green Initiative in 2007, PRSM has made great strides in raising awareness about the impact retail has on the environment by educating members on the benefits of sustainability and greening operations as well as building a foundation for further program development. As part of the initiative, the Green Council was formed to recommend and develop programs in response to member needs.
"There are many great opportunities in retail for green initiatives," Ecoxera President David DeVos said. "We are thrilled to be working at the forefront of the eco era movement with such a progressive association to deliver green programs for their forward-thinking retail and vendor members."
There is confusion in the sustainability market place - Ecoxera and PRSM's collaboration will bring clarity and direction for programs and practices that make business sense while helping retailers deliver on environmental commitments. The program will include innovative, revenue-generating tools, education and resources such as guides, articles, best-practice sharing, white papers and a number of interactive features such as a discussion forum and "Ask the Expert" Web feature on sustainability topics.
A survey revealed members were most interested in topics related to retrofitting stores, energy management, efficient lighting, waste management and recycling, eco-friendly products and services and water conservation.
The greening retail landscape continues to be driven by a variety of factors such as code compliance, energy and water-use reduction, waste management and shifting consumer buying behaviors. Together, PRSM and Ecoxera will bring valuable resources to retailers and vendors to tackle the every changing landscape.
About PRSM The Professional Retail Store Maintenance Association (PRSM) is comprised of North America's most innovative and reputable retailers and suppliers that need an equally dynamic organization committed to advancing the industry and the careers of those engaged in the retail facilities maintenance profession. PRSM's commitment to its members is to be the industry leader by providing continuing education and information about current events as well as a thriving market place for the industry's best products and services.
About Ecoxera Ecoxera, based in Austin, Texas, is an innovative team of experienced professionals in the field of sustainability who are driven to help the retail industry implement innovative and sustainable business models. Comprised of LEED®-accredited professionals who have developed retail sustainability programs for prominent corporations as well as the United States Green Building Council, Ecoxera has the unique ability to develop effective, integrated green approaches that yield lasting bottom-line results and provide green equity into a retailer's brand. Ecoxera's expertise extends across four main sectors: Building Efficiency & Green Operations, Innovative Design & Construction, Sustainable Products & Supply Chains and GreentellingTM.
PRSM Association Sets Record Attendance at Mid-Year Conference
Dallas, Texas - October 23, 2009 - The PRSM Mid-Year Conference concluded last week in Dallas, Texas with rave reviews. This two-day event brought together over 400 retailers and vendors from all over the U.S. and Canada. Held October 14-15 at The Fairmont Hotel, the conference was an extremely positive event for PRSM members surpassing the previous retailer attendance record by 60 percent.
"The Mid-Year Conference far exceeded my expectations and has certainly raised the bar for future PRSM events. I heard so much positive feedback about not only the excitement that surrounds facility management but how much of an impact PRSM has made in this industry," said Duane Smith, 2009-2010 PRSM Board of Directors President.
The Mid-Year Conference featured a sold-out Maintenance MarketPlace representing over 125 companies showcasing their products and services.
Education sessions were very well attended. Session topics were based on Best Practices in facilities and included energy management, efficient facility management, dark store programs and many more.
Jim Harris was the keynote speaker for Wednesday. His session "Going Green Drives Bottom Line Benefits" encouraging businesses to cut waste and to strive for greater efficiencies in business operations. He backed up his statements with research and outlined functional drivers and trends that predict retailers, who practice environmental leadership, will capture better long-term, bottom line results.
During the Conference, The PRSM Best Practices Committee released a new Best Practices White Paper on Lighting Retrofits featuring Limited Brands as the retailer prospective and Wiedenbach and Brown, Inc. as the vendor prospective. This White Paper can be downloaded fromwww.prsm.com.
A new networking event for the Conference was Facilities Connection held on Tuesday, October 13. It gave retailer participants the opportunity to spend quality time with PRSM member vendors and hear presentations about their company. The Facilities Connection enabled vendors and retailers to interact in a one-on-on setting to discuss their critical issues/needs affecting their retail facilities.
With The Mid-Year Conference complete, excitement is building for PRSM2010!, to be held April 18-20 in Orlando, Florida. For more information on PRSM2010!, visitwww.prsm.com.
About PRSM The Professional Retail Store Maintenance Association (PRSM) is comprised of North America's most innovative and reputable retailers and suppliers that need an equally dynamic organization committed to advancing the industry and the careers of those engaged in the retail facilities maintenance profession. PRSM's commitment to its members is to be the industry leader by providing continuing education and information about current events as well as a thriving market place for the industry's best products and services.
PRSM Releases Best Practices White Paper on Lighting Retrofits
Dallas, Texas - October 22, 2009 -The Professional Retail Store Maintenance Association released the white paper, Lighting Retrofits at the PRSM Mid-Year Conference, October 15, 2009 in Dallas, Texas.
The White Papers are a key component of PRSM's Best Practices Program as they answer a current need of the PRSM Association's membership to acquire and share information about the industry's best business practices being utilized by retailers and vendors concerning retail facilities maintenance and management. Driven by PRSM's Best Practices Committee, and written by individuals who are at the top of their careers, these papers are designed to share what other industry professionals are doing along with their successes and failures.
This White Paper released in collaboration with the PRSM Best Practices Committee, examines a Lighting Retrofits project implemented by Limited Brands and offers a vendor perspective presented by Wiedenbach-Brown Co in 2009.
Lighting retrofits nearly always make sense....and cents, and dollars. Unfortunately, lighting retrofits are often not conceived or executed with a true, clear understanding of the possible and/or the necessary. The emphasis on lowest acquisition cost overwhelms the potential for a truly intelligent, thorough, thoughtful analysis of all of a retrofit's potential problems, and all of its potential benefitsbeyond simple energy cost savings. Problems can include inadequate and incomplete site surveys, labor scheduling issues, product availability in general and on-site, rebate form completion and monitoring, post-install verification of energy reduction, post-install analysis of store conversion and sales changes, among many other problems and potential pitfalls that are discussed in detail in this White Paper.
PRSM members can download the complete white paper from the PRSM website through this link.
About the PRSM Best Practices Committee
This Committee is charged with capturing and conveying to the members information and resources about current business practices, processes, and issues being dealt with by retail facilities maintenance professionals. The goal of this Committee is to enable members to share the "best of the best" of what they are doing to effectively and efficiently manage their FM departments. Vendors' business practices are also solicited to encourage suppliers to share what they are doing in working with retailers. The committee also reviews discussions during theRetailer2Retailer Best Practices Eventsto identify future white paper topics.
About PRSM Association The Professional Retail Store Maintenance Association (PRSM) is comprised of North America's most innovative and reputable retailers and suppliers that need an equally dynamic organization committed to advancing the industry and the careers of those engaged in the retail facilities maintenance profession. PRSM's commitment to its members is to be the industry leader by providing continuing education and information about current events as well as a thriving market place for the industry's best products and services.
PRSM Association Announces Upcoming Best Practices Mid-Year Conference
Dallas, Texas- August 25, 2009 -The Professional Retail Store Maintenance Association will bring together leaders in the field of facilities management for a comprehensive overview of retail best practices. The Mid-Year Conference will be held on October 14-15 at The Fairmont Hotel in Dallas, TX.
The Mid-Year Conference is an intimate learning event for retail facility decision makers. Attendees will learn from FM industry leaders on their best practices about energy management, efficient facility management, dark store programs and many more.
The Mid-Year Conference will feature two keynote presentations. Jim Harris is the keynote speaker for Wednesday. His session "Going Green Drives Bottom Line Benefits" encourages businesses to cut waste and to strive for greater efficiencies in business operations. He backs up his statements with research and outlines functional drivers and trends that predict retailers, who practice environmental leadership, will capture better long-term, bottom line results. Dean Lindsay is the keynote speaker for Thursday. His session "The Progress Challenge-Working and Winning in a World of Change" challenges attendees on how to work and win in this complicated, stress-encouraging, wonderful world of retail.
Approximately 100 companies will showcase their new products and services with table-top exhibits in the Maintenance Marketplace. Visit www.prsm.comfor a list of all exhibiting companies.
PRSM's Mid-Year Conference is a great opportunity to learn useful and practical information about FM best practices, recharge your energy level and focus on what is new and upcoming in the industry that can help you meet the daily demands of a retail facility professional.
For more information about attending the PRSM Mid-Year Conference visit: www.prsm.com. Retailer registration is free for PRSM members.
About PRSM Association The Professional Retail Store Maintenance Association (PRSM) is comprised of North America's most innovative and reputable retailers and suppliers that need an equally dynamic organization committed to advancing the industry and the careers of those engaged in the retail facilities maintenance profession. PRSM's commitment to its members is to be the industry leader by providing continuing education and information about current events as well as a thriving market place for the industry's best products and services.
PRSM Releases Best Practices White Paper on EMS Systems
Dallas, Texas- May 29, 2009 -The Professional Retail Store Maintenance Association Best Practices Committee recently released the white paper, Energy Management Systems (EMS). EMS is a series of industry best practices white papers to be released in 2009.
These papers are a key component of PRSM's Best Practices Program as they answer a current need of the PRSM Association's membership to acquire and share information about the industry's best business practices being utilized by retailers and vendors concerning retail facilities maintenance and management. Driven by PRSM's Best Practices Committee, and written by individuals who are at the top of their careers, these papers are designed to share what other industry professionals are doing along with their successes and failures.
"We welcome our members' white papers on the issues they are addressing each day. Over time, we envision a library of papers to be an invaluable resource to our members on all kinds of industry issues with helpful tips, strategies and analyses that enables members to share and learn," explains Patricia Dameron, Executive Director.
Energy Management Systems explores the EMS Systems implemented by Nike's Retail Facilities Department and offers a vendor perspective presented by McKinstry Company.
Due to the changing climate and scarcity of resources, an EMS is fast becoming a necessity in the Facilities Management industry. Selecting the right EMS for your facility can improve energy performance, reduce operating costs, and lessen the environmental impact of your facility. The wrong system can just as easily reverse those benefits. In order to optimize your facilities and meet performance goals, you and your vendor must be aware of the opportunities and challenges related to Energy Management Systems.
PRSM members can download the complete white paper from the PRSM website through this link.
About the PRSM Best Practices Committee
This Committee is charged with capturing and conveying to the members information and resources about current business practices, processes, and issues being dealt with by retail facilities maintenance professionals. The goal of this Committee is to enable members to share the "best of the best" of what they are doing to effectively and efficiently manage their FM departments. Vendors' business practices are also solicited to encourage suppliers to share what they are doing in working with retailers. The committee also reviews discussions during theRetailer2Retailer Best Practices Eventsto identify future white paper topics.
About PRSM Association The Professional Retail Store Maintenance Association (PRSM) is comprised of North America's most innovative and reputable retailers and suppliers that need an equally dynamic organization committed to advancing the industry and the careers of those engaged in the retail facilities maintenance profession. PRSM's commitment to its members is to be the industry leader by providing continuing education and information about current events as well as a thriving market place for the industry's best products and services.
PRSM Association Forms Alliance with ISSA, the Worldwide Cleaning Association
Dallas, Texas- April 20, 2009 - The Professional Retail Store Maintenance Association (PRSM) announced today that it has formed an alliance withISSA, the worldwide cleaning association.
PRSM and ISSA will work together to educate members on the value of both associations. This alliance creates a broader awareness of PRSM within the cleaning industry. ISSA will provide PRSM members with the ISSA's expertise on cleaning issues through educational articles in the PRSM magazine, educational sessions at conferences and other added values for the PRSM membership.
"We are very excited to have an alliance with ISSA, who is a leader in the cleaning industry," said PRSM Executive Director, Patricia Dameron. "This partnership will enable our membership to become more familiar with the cleaning industry and to share their expertise with both our retail and vendor members." We look forward to working with ISSA to provide our members with quality information and education on cleaning issues."
"We regard PRSM's members to be the experts in retail maintenance and are delighted to embark on this new relationship," said John Garfinkel, ISSA Executive Director. "We also believe the cleaning expertise of ISSA's members, both on the product and service sides, can provide great value for PRSM's members."
The PRSM Association Board of Directors approved this partnership at their March Board meeting along with setting partnership guidelines for other industry relationships that will bring added value to PRSM's membership.
About PRSM The Professional Retail Store Maintenance Association (PRSM) is comprised of North America's most innovative and reputable retailers and suppliers that need an equally dynamic organization committed to advancing the industry and the careers of those engaged in the retail facilities maintenance profession. PRSM's commitment to its members is to be the industry leader by providing continuing education and information about current events as well as a thriving market place for the industry's best products and services.
About ISSA
The leading trade association for the cleaning industry worldwide, ISSA has a membership that includes more than 5,500 distributor, manufacturer, manufacturer representative, building service contractor, in-house service provider, and associated service members. ISSA offers the industry's largest cleaning shows in conjunction with Amsterdam RAI under the brand name ISSA/INTERCLEAN®, the popular Web sitewww.issa.com, educational products, industry standards, periodicals, and legislative and regulatory services that specifically focus on the professional cleaning industry.
The association is headquartered in Lincolnwood, IL, USA, with regional offices in Amsterdam, Netherlands; Leicester, United Kingdom; Monterrey, Mexico; Singapore; Shanghai, China; and Warsaw, Poland. ISSA also works with more than 75 associations, alliances, and government agencies around the world to represent the cleaning industry. For more information, visitwww.issa.com.
