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Bryan Garza is the Director of Facilities at Filoli, a National Trust historic house, garden, and nature preserve. As the overseer of Filoli’s infrastructure and property, Bryan supports the activities of all operations and programs. He leads an innovative team that focuses on high-quality solutions while maintaining national standards for historic preservation. Before joining Filoli, he served as the Technology Project Manager for the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF). In this episode… Are you interested in a career in facilities management? Do you have a background in horticulture and think you can rise to the challenge? Consult with Bryan Garza, a skilled facilities manager with a background in horticulture and project management. Bryan fell in love with Filoli’s nature preserve and now lives and works on site. His passion for nature allows him to excel as Director of Facilities, where he continuously works to gain additional knowledge of the horticulture industry. Bryan will teach you how to gain the skills needed for a successful career in facilities management.  In this episode of Watching Paint Dry, Greg Owens sits down with Bryan Garza, Director of Facilities at Filoli, to discuss how facilities management and horticulture can build off one another. Bryan will divulge how he became Filoli’s new Director of Facilities, the management style he uses to maintain Filoli’s historic site, and the problem-solving skills he uses to innovate and maintain the historic premises. 

Bruce Mace is the Executive Director of Facilities and Support Services at UCSF Health, one of the nation’s top 10 hospitals. Bruce has extensive experience in architecture, 2D and 3D design, construction, and project delivery. Over the past 15 years, Bruce turned to healthcare operations and has developed dedicated teams of professionals in the areas of safety, energy, leasehold, construction, call center, operations, and business applications. In this episode… How would you like to maintain your client’s buildings with well-structured, well-executed facilities management programs? Better yet, would you like to improve them? Bruce Mace has experience in architecture, 2D and 3D design, construction, health operations, and project delivery, which he uses to manage and upgrade his client’s buildings. Today, he shares lessons he has learned over the past 15 years to help others refine their facilities and boost their business.  In this episode of Watching Paint Dry, Greg Owens sits down with Bruce Mace, the Executive Director of Facilities and Support Services at UCSF Health, to discuss ways brands can maintain and improve their facilities. Bruce talks about the challenges they’ve faced expanding UCSF Health during the pandemic, the lessons they’ve learned and the importance of having a backup plan, and new technology and tools in the construction industry.

Mark Hiddleson is the Owner of Specialized Storage Solutions Inc., which provides industry-leading warehouse storage solutions nationwide. Mark has been a storage racking industry professional since 1996. He became a top salesperson in the industry, working with a leading company that served Northern California before founding Specialized Storage Solutions Inc. in 2004.  Mark holds a master’s degree in holistic health education, which has helped him build a successful business model based on holistic principles and trust-based relationships. According to Mark, the more we nurture business relationships, the more successful the entire business ecosystem will become. In this episode… Relationships are one of the most important facets of a business. But cultivating and nurturing great relationships can be difficult without the necessary skills. So where can leaders turn to gain expertise and grow their business holistically? With a master’s degree in holistic health education, Mark Hiddleson knows exactly what it takes to shape a business model based on holistic principles and trust-based relationships. One of the main factors that continues to help Mark’s business thrive is his practice in the Japanese martial art, Aikido. One of its main tenets is the emphasis on not only defending yourself, but protecting the attacker. How does this apply to business? Mark is here to tell you.  In this episode of Watching Paint Dry, Greg Owens sits down with Mark Hiddleson, Owner of Specialized Storage Solutions Inc., to talk about applying holistic health practices in any industry. Mark shares how he got into storage solutions, his advice for others wanting to begin their career in the industry, and how holistic and relationship-based practices can benefit your business.

Jeremy Salles is the Senior Director of Facilities and Real Estate at Sony Interactive Entertainment, known to most as the company responsible for the PlayStation brand. Having previously worked in facilities management for UPS, eBay, and Cisco, he’s honed his skills in workplace services, property management, employee experience, and more. As a Bay Area local, Jeremy’s job has become increasingly unique as tech companies shift course to accommodate their newly-remote workforces. In this episode… What are tech companies planning to do with their properties in the aftermath of the pandemic-driven shift to remote work? Can and should higher-ups convince happy and comfortable remote workers to return to the office? Is workplace camaraderie soon to be a thing of the past? Greg Owens starts a conversation on these topics and more with Jeremy Salles, Senior Director of Facilities and Real Estate at Sony Interactive Entertainment — better known as the providers of PlayStation. With a vast portfolio of facilities management experience spanning prestigious companies like Cisco and eBay combined with a steadfast heart for helping others, Jeremy weighs the pros and cons of remote workforces in tech. In this episode of Watching Paint Dry, host Greg Owens is joined by Jeremy Salles, Senior Director of Facilities and Real Estate at Sony Interactive Entertainment. With Sony PlayStation locations worldwide, Jeremy travels often and offers unique insight into how facilities management trickles down to affect all workers in the tech field. He explains how remote work has changed the industry for better and worse, the role of camaraderie in a healthy workplace, and how you can get into his line of work.

Roger Silveira is the Director of Facilities Maintenance and Operations at East Side Union High School District and the Founder of We Need Fresh Air. We Need Fresh Air is an organization focused on reducing the health problems caused by indoor air pollution and poor ventilation in the classroom.  He has been in the construction and building maintenance industry for over 30 years. Roger found his true calling in education and helping to deliver a healthy learning environment for students. In this episode… What is the importance of building proper ventilation in classrooms? What are the benefits? Do school CO2 levels matter when it comes to education? For Roger Silveira, proper ventilation and monitoring of CO2 levels have been at the forefront of his work, especially as we navigate through the pandemic. According to Roger, there is a correlation between student achievement, attendance, and the levels of CO2 in the classroom. Air quality can play a role in your feelings and cognitive abilities — and in the classroom environment, mental sharpness is essential for children. When the air is properly filtrated, test scores and student performance increase.  In this episode of Watching Paint Dry, Greg Owens talks with Roger Silveira, Director of Facilities Maintenance and Operations at East Side Union High School District and Founder of We Need Fresh Air, about the importance of recirculation systems inside the classroom. Roger discusses funding the filtration systems, the correlation between CO2 levels and the student environment, and techniques to promote the education of air purification systems.

Bill Martorana is the Director of Facilities at IGM Biosciences. He has over 15 years of experience managing multi-site and multi-building facilities. Throughout his career, he’s worked to create a culture of trust with his team, build connections, and ensure assets and people are safe. He previously served as the Head of Facilities and EHS for ViewRay, Director of Facilities, Security, and EHS for Velodyne Lidar, Global Senior Manager of Facilities and Real Estate for Rambus, and the Associate Director of Facilities Operation for Nektar Therapeutics. In this episode… Have you ever wondered what a workday is like at a cancer research facility? Are you thinking of beginning a career in lab facility operations, but you’re not sure where to start? Bill Martorana, Director of Facilities at IGM Biosciences, is here to walk you through his day and tell you how to begin.  Bill has created a culture that drives workforce dedication by cultivating trust with his team. Working with scientists, time is of the essence when something needs addressing. Bill says having a partnership with your vendors is crucial for the success of a facility, especially when the clock is ticking. So if you’re wanting to start in lab facility operations, what do you need to do? In this episode of Watching Paint Dry, Greg Owens sits down with Bill Martorana, Director of Facilities at IGM Biosciences, to talk about creating a culture built on trust and dedication. Bill discusses finding balance and developing a mindset of trust with your team, how technology has helped shape the facilities management industry, and his advice for anyone looking to begin a career in facilities management. Stay tuned!

Michael Kistler is a Senior Facilities Manager with over 15 years of experience in project management and a demonstrated history in facilities services. He began his career with the Naval Facilities Engineering Command, where he ​​managed 13 projects valued at $68 million. During his tour of Afghanistan, Michael completed over 33 contingency construction projects, valued at $2.8 million. He graduated from Penn State University with a bachelor's in civil engineering. In this episode… How can you build your skills and trade knowledge to market yourself for facilities management programs? What does it take to become a valuable facilities manager? Michael Kistler is an experienced facilities manager who began his career in the Naval Facilities Engineering Command, and he uses his invaluable skillsets to help his clients effectively maintain their facility. He recommends gaining broad experience to equip yourself with more responsibilities and tools so you can leverage your know-how for a competitive industry.  In this episode of Watching Paint Dry, Greg Owens sits down with Michael Kistler, Senior Facilities Manager, to discuss breaking into the realm of facilities management. Michael shares the effects of the pandemic and world events on the industry, navigating the difficulties of recruiting and supply chain disruptions, and educational tools for building a career in facilities management.

Natasha Vinitsky is the Senior Property Manager at R&C Brown Associates, a privately held real estate investment company that specializes in acquisition, redevelopment, leasing, and management in the San Francisco Bay Area. She has years of experience working in the commercial real estate industry as the Property Manager for Longfellow Real Estate Partners, LLC, the Assistant Manager of Operations for Irvine Company, and the Assistant Property Manager for BioMed Realty.  Natasha has a bachelor’s in communications from Notre Dame de Namur University. In her free time, she enjoys traveling and spending time with friends and family. In this episode… How can you build value in your leased buildings and manage the risks that come with ownership? What does it take to create a comprehensive portfolio for steady growth and scalability? Natasha Vinitsky has extensive experience working in the commercial real estate industry, which she uses to help cultivate healthy relationships with her tenants. She says it’s essential for you to find the right balance and opportunity for development. The result? A place of value that you’ve helped create.  In this episode of Watching Paint Dry, Greg Owens sits down with Natasha Vinitsky, Senior Property Manager at R&C Brown Associates, to discuss the complexities of managing and creating value in rental properties. Natasha talks about cultivating a sense of merit with tenants and distributors, the financial ecosystem surrounding building maintenance, and how to establish a network of properties for your real estate portfolio. 

Jacob Quint is the Senior Facilities Manager at Mission Barns, an innovative company that takes animal fat cells and creates plant-based meat. Growing up on a horse ranch, he is no stranger to animals and uses that knowledge to enhance his management and project skills to build his team.  He has been in operational management roles, working as the Facilities Manager for NewTropic, a cannabis manufacturer, and as a general manager for Gravity Wine House. In this episode… When the global demand for meat is rapidly growing, is there a way to cultivate a healthier, more environmentally friendly, and humane option for the meat market? Jacob Quint is at the frontlines of creating a sustainable solution for meat production — without the animal. Through innovative technology, scientists can isolate fat cells and grow the fat naturally, just as an animal does. The end result is a more scalable and delicious plant-based product.  In this episode of Watching Paint Dry, Greg Owens joins Jacob Quint, Senior Facilities Manager at Mission Barns, to discuss connecting teams and specialized components for breaking into the plant-based food industry. Jacob talks about how supply chain disruptions affect growth, the challenges of setting up a workforce during the pandemic, and the harvest and cultivation process of growing plant-based meat.

Mark Moses is an author and municipal finance consultant. He’s a former municipal CFO/Treasurer and industry consultant with 29 years of financial management experience. Throughout his career, he was a Senior Finance Advisor for Regional Government Services Authority, where he provided assessment and consultative services to municipal agencies throughout California. He was also the West Coast Regional Director for Innoprise Software and the Chief Financial Officer for the city of Stockton.  Additionally, Mark recently published a book, The Municipal Financial Crisis: A Framework for Understanding and Fixing Government Budgeting. In this episode… It’s no secret that most city government financial systems are a mess. Rather than evaluate and change old practices, officials just add on layer after layer of new requirements. Is there any way out of the maze of antiquated systems and traditions?  Mark Moses has a few ideas about the solution. That’s why he’s published his new book, The Municipal Financial Crisis: A Framework for Understanding and Fixing Government Budgeting. After years of advising governments throughout California, he knows exactly what works — and what doesn’t work — for city government financial services.    In this episode of Watching Paint Dry, Greg Owens is joined by Mark Moses, author and municipal finance consultant, to discuss solutions for city budget planning. Mark explains how many city governments have made a mess of their financial systems, why politics interferes with budgeting, and options for re-evaluating your city’s budget.

Steve Wallis is the Vice President of Operations at GSH Group, a premiere provider of global integrated facilities management and building engineering services. With over 20 years of experience in the facilities engineering field, Steve oversees the operations of dedicated professionals as they efficiently accomplish their objectives for the global clientele. In this episode… How can you create greater value for your clients by having well-structured, executed facilities management programs? What does it take to be a manager that can deliver outstanding value to their clients? Steve Wallis has more than 20 years of experience in the facilities engineering field, which he uses to help his clients achieve their goals. He says that people need to understand the industry they are in to be able to tackle any issue that arises and achieve their goals in the long run. In this episode of Watching Paint Dry, Greg Owens and Katrina Stephenson sit down with Steve Wallis, Vice President of Operations at GSH Group. Together, they talk about facilities management, the impact of the pandemic on the industry, trends in the industry, and predict how the future may look. Steve also shares his journey of how he got to where he is so he can encourage other people to achieve their goals too.

Jack Lau is the Facilities Manager at Perfect World Entertainment, a leading publisher of online games most known for creating titles based on Star Trek,Dungeons & Dragons, and Magic: The Gathering. He has been in managing and coordinating roles, bringing knowledge to connect people through content creation, and fostering an environment that empowers everyone.  Before joining Perfect World Entertainment, Jack worked at Tubular Labs as a Workplace Experience Manager and at Compass Group USA as a Director of Catering and Events for Microsoft and LinkedIn. He graduated from the University of California, Berkeley, with a degree in English. In this episode… How can you create a space that brings out the best in people? The world turned upside down during the pandemic, so how do you do what is right for your employees? If you’re looking for a better way to connect with your employees, Jack Lau has helped businesses forge and connect their teams during fluid times. Since the pandemic hit, Jack’s top priority has been transitioning the workplace into an inclusive and healthy environment to further employee production and engagement. He believes a building is more than four walls — it is the people inside that make it valuable.  In this episode of Watching Paint Dry, Greg Owens is joined by Jack Lau, Facilities Manager at Perfect World Entertainment, to discuss overcoming the challenges of the pandemic in an office space. Jack talks about remaining connected with employees in a hybrid environment, leveraging technology in your favor, and cultivating an environment centered around employee engagement.