IFMA Issues New Climate Change Report

An experienced construction professional, John Waitkunas serves as a vice president and project executive at STV|DPM. In addition, John Waitkunas is a member of the International Facility Management Association (IFMA), which supports over 23,000 professionals across over 100 countries.

In conjunction with the FM Research and Benchmarking Institute, IFMA has released a new report, entitled Adapting to Climate Change for Facility Management Professionals, which highlights how facility management professionals can better prepare for climate change effects. The study, which was sponsored by BGIS, is a follow-up to the Climate Change Fundamentals for Facility Management Professionals report in 2019.

The report suggests that two aspects need to be addressed; how firms can reduce their impact on the environment and the impact that climate change has on a business. IFMA looks to explore how both of these can be done without negatively affecting a company while also highlighting that climate change is a growing threat to organizations around the world.

Expert Opinions on Boston Real Estate Trends in 2020

For nearly 20 years, John Waitkunas has served as a project executive at STV|DPM, a multi-focused construction management firm that has been involved in infrastructure, commercial, and residential developments in and around the Boston area. John Waitkunas maintains a professional interest in trends and analysis of the Boston real estate market.

According to a recent survey evaluating the opinions of real estate agents, brokers, and local housing experts, 2020 is a great time to invest in Boston real estate. The market can be described by the following three trends:

1. Steady market - While housing in Boston has risen significantly over the years and is more in-line with Manhattan prices, the experts did not attribute this increase to a bubble. Rather, rising costs can be attributed to other factors, such as a strong job market and desirable neighborhoods.

2. Low Inventory - Another element to Boston’s strong real estate market is the lack of houses on the market. Since demand outstrips supply, most houses in the area sell within 37 days, nearly half of the national average.

3. Up and Coming Areas - An influx of middle-class buyers and renters into areas outside Greater Boston have driven demand for restaurants, cultural centers, and other amenities. Neighborhoods such as Roxbury and Quincy that were previously in-demand due to their proximity to Boston are becoming interesting destinations in their own right.

NAIOP Issues Statement on Waters of the U.S. Rule

John Waitkunas is a vice president of and project executive at STV|DPM, a construction firm that he joined in 2000 and where he is responsible for managing staff performance and development, among other duties. John Waitkunas is also a member of several professional organizations, including the Commercial Real Estate Development or NAIOP, an organization that advocates on behalf of real estate development professionals in North America.

The NAIOP recently welcomed the Waters of the U.S. Rule established by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and Army Corps of Engineers. However, NAIOP noted that more measures need to be taken, specifically in regards to the lack of clear regulations.

For example, NAIOP CEO and president, Thomas J. Bisacquino stated while the new rule is a step in the right direction, there has also been a lack of clear definitions regarding the scope of such regulations, which has subsequently caused confusion, potential costly delays, and compliance challenges for some industries.

NEHES Upcoming Conference and Past Presentations

With more than three decades of experience in management for a diverse range of industries and LEED certification, John Waitkunas serves as project executive at STV/DPM, an architecture, engineering, and construction management firm headquartered in Newton, Massachusetts. John Waitkunas regularly attends industry events through organizations such as the New England Healthcare Engineers' Society (NEHES).

Since its establishment in 1958, NEHES has supported professionals in the healthcare industry in order to enhance patient care, encourage collaboration, and provide educational opportunities. Twice each year, in spring and fall, the society hosts a conference as part of this mission.

The 2019 NEHES Fall Conference will take place September 22-25 at the Mystic Marriott Hotel & Spa in Groton, Connecticut.

Those who have missed previous conferences can gain insight into offerings at these events by visiting the presentations page on the NEHES website. There the society features an extensive archive of conference articles covering topics such as barriers to manage smoke and fire, energy efficiency, hospital case studies, and limiting self-harm risk.

To access these articles or to learn about about the upcoming conference, visit nehes.org.

IFMA Announces New Partnership with Macau Institute of Management

A graduate of the Wentworth Institute of Technology with a bachelor's degree in construction management, John Waitkunas has more than three decades of project management experience in the building and renovation industry. Alongside his management work, John Waitkunas stays engaged in his field through membership organizations such as the International Facility Management Association (IFMA).

In a major international move, IFMA announced a new strategic partnership agreement with the Macau Institute of Management (MIM) in March 2019 that will pave the way for Macau real estate developers to receive facility management educational training using IFMA resources. With the move, MIM becomes the first organization to officially adopt the IFMA Foundation’s FM Training and Development Framework as part of its core training curriculum, which contains a number of industry-leading certifications.

In his comments, IFMA global board chair Graham Tier said he believes this is the first step in a long and lucrative partnership between the two organizations. Tier says that both IFMA and MIM will benefit from the value each organization brings to the table.