Adam Cronk joins The Modern Facilities Management Podcast to share his journey from the U.S. Air Force into leadership roles across fitness and hospitality facilities. He dives into how military structure shaped his leadership style—and the challenges of adapting to corporate environments.

The conversation explores a major shift in how facilities teams are viewed: from siloed “fix-it” departments to strategic operators that directly impact business outcomes. Adam breaks down why facilities, cleanliness, and people form the core triangle of customer retention—and why maintenance teams must be embedded in operations, not hidden behind the scenes.

He also shares practical insights on:

• Hiring for culture over technical skill

• Building trust through a strong “say-do” ratio

• Elevating facilities leaders by stepping into cross-functional roles

• Learning leadership lessons from both great—and terrible—examples

This episode is a must-listen for facilities leaders looking to drive impact, build stronger teams, and secure a seat at the table.

In this episode, Griffin Hamilton sits down with Ben Moller, VP at Modelve, to discuss how facilities teams can move from reactive asset replacement to long-term, data-driven capital planning.

They explore leadership buy-in, scenario planning, and how using existing CMMS data can help organizations make smarter asset investment decisions, even with limited budgets.

Key Takeaways
• Leadership buy-in is essential for long-term asset strategy
• Start with the data you have and improve iteratively
• Scenario planning creates better, more transparent decisions
• Strong asset plans support grants, bonds, and future funding

If you're interested in learning more about Modelve, check out their website and contact Ben here.

In this episode, Griffin Hamilton speaks with William Gordon, Regional Business Coach at 1-800-WaterDamage, who brings over 40 years of experience in property restoration.

The conversation focuses on how facilities teams can better prepare for emergencies, respond effectively when disaster strikes, and recover faster, whether the incident affects a single building or an entire region.

Key Takeaways:

• Preparation matters more than the plan itself. You can’t predict every scenario, but thinking ahead and documenting response steps dramatically reduces damage and confusion.
• Document critical information and make it accessible. Water shutoffs, emergency contacts, and vendor info should be easy to find and available to every shift, not just one person.
• Have a trusted restoration partner before you need one. Restoration vendors deal with these situations daily and bring experience, resources, and vendor relationships you don’t want to scramble for mid-crisis.
• Speed and clear communication reduce impact. Calling for help early, designating a single point of contact, and coordinating updates across stakeholders prevents chaos and delays.
• Regional disasters require a different mindset. In hurricanes, fires, or earthquakes, infrastructure and supply shortages change priorities, preexisting relationships help your building get back online faster.

This episode is a practical guide for facilities leaders looking to minimize risk, protect occupants, and recover quickly when emergencies inevitably occur.

In this episode of The Modern Facilities Management Podcast, Griffin Hamilton is joined by Micah Jacob, a Melbourne-based Facilities Manager with over a decade of global FM experience across Australia, Europe, and large multinational portfolios.

Micah’s journey into facilities management is anything but traditional. Originally trained in computer science, his career path took an unexpected turn—from a mailroom role to managing complex FM contracts across energy, banking, retail, and commercial real estate. Along the way, he’s worked with some of the largest global FM providers, gaining a rare, cross-functional perspective on how facilities management has evolved over the last 12 years.

Together, Griffin and Micah explore:

• How a technical and systems-thinking background can shape better FM decision-making

• The expanding role of facilities teams post-COVID, from operations to strategy

• Why emotional intelligence and stakeholder psychology are now critical FM skills

• Global differences in FM best practices across Australia, the U.S., Europe, and the Middle East

• The promise—and challenges—of IoT, data, and predictive maintenance in facilities

• Why adaptability beats “cause and effect” thinking in complex FM environments

Micah also shares insights into mentorship, continuous learning, and his upcoming book project focused on complex systems thinking—bridging human psychology, infrastructure, and long-term outcomes in facilities and beyond.

Enjoy!

In this episode of the Modern Facilities Management Podcast, Griffin welcomes back Lonnie Pilgrim, Director of Operations & Maintenance for the Fort McMurray Public School Division in Alberta. Previously featured in Episode 101 for his crisis management expertise, Lonnie returns to discuss best practices in capital project management.

Lonnie breaks down capturing daily maintenance data to annual lifecycle reporting, FCA cycles, emerging issues, and the metrics that ultimately built the case for the project approval.

The conversation dives deep into best practices for capital project planning, including:

• How to demonstrate need using real maintenance and cost data

• Mistakes to avoid in early project design

• Ensuring operational efficiency post-construction

• Standardizing equipment to streamline future maintenance

• Building strong relationships with architects, GCs, and stakeholders to ensure a smooth turnover

Enjoy!

In this episode of The Modern Facilities Management Podcast, Griffin Hamilton sits down with Nick Queensland, a a healthcare facilities leader with more than 25 years of experience at Mayo Clinic, Luminis Health, and Johns Hopkins.

Griffin and Nick dig into the realities of change management in hospital facilities—why buy-in matters, how to communicate effectively with stakeholders, and why reinforcing change is just as important as implementing it.

Nick also reflects on the evolving expectations in healthcare facilities and the importance of engaging teams at every level.

If you’re looking to grow your career or lead change in facilities management, this episode is packed with practical insights and hard-earned lessons.

Key Topics Covered

• Navigating a 25+ year career in hospital facilities

• The importance of understanding your role in healthcare

• Leadership philosophies and developing future FM talent

• Change management: buy-in, communication, and reinforcement

• Engaging stakeholders across clinical and non-clinical teams

• How expectations in hospital facilities have evolved

• Building team culture during times of change

Enjoy!

In this episode of The Modern Facilities Management Podcast, host Griffin Hamilton sits down with Jay Fiske, President of Powerhouse Dynamics, to explore how IoT (Internet of Things) is transforming the food service and retail industries. Jay shares the fascinating journey of Powerhouse Dynamics—from a scrappy four-person startup to an acquisition by Middleby, one of the world’s largest commercial food service equipment manufacturers.

They dive deep into how simple IoT sensors and data streams—like temperature, energy, and door sensors—can unlock massive operational efficiencies, prevent costly equipment failures, and optimize energy use. Jay also explains how facilities teams can start small, measure ROI, and scale their use of connected technologies without adding to their workload.

Key Takeaways:

• What IoT really means and how it drives actionable insights.
• Real-world examples of how connected devices improve efficiency, safety, and sustainability.
• How AI and automation are redefining facility management and reducing labor burdens.
• A look ahead at the next 3–5 years of connectivity, automation, and AI in the facilities world.

About the Guest:

Jay Fiske is President of Powerhouse Dynamics, a Boston-based IoT company whose platforms—Open Kitchen and SiteSage—help multi-site operators manage critical infrastructure like HVAC, refrigeration, and cooking equipment through cloud-connected automation.

In this episode, Jessica Wicks, Brand President of DUCTZ, joins us to discuss why proactive maintenance planning is vital to facilities management. She explains how deferred maintenance directly affects indoor air quality, energy efficiency, and overall building performance.

Jessica also shares how HVAC systems play a pivotal role in sustainability, and offers practical insights on selecting the right maintenance partners. From coil cleaning to air duct restoration, this conversation underscores the importance of consistency and accountability in creating healthy, efficient buildings.

Takeaways:

• Maintenance plans should include walkthroughs and system inventory checks.

• Deferred maintenance leads to costly breakdowns and potential health risks.

• Indoor air quality depends on consistent HVAC upkeep.

• Energy efficiency is tightly linked to system cleanliness.

• Coil cleaning helps extend HVAC lifespan.

• Facilities managers must prioritize proactive care to avoid disruptions.

• Vendor selection plays a major role in maintenance success.

• AI and technology are supporting skilled trades and ensuring long-term job stability.

00:00 – Introduction to Jessica Wicks and DUCTZ
04:59 – The Importance of Maintenance Plans
09:45 – Impact of Deferred Maintenance on Indoor Air Quality
14:27 – Energy Efficiency and Maintenance Strategies
19:17 – Challenges in Maintaining Occupied Buildings
20:12 – Selecting the Right Vendor

About DUCTZ:

Founded in 2002, DUCTZ is the nation’s leading brand for HVAC and air duct cleaning. Since air duct cleanliness is directly tied to indoor air quality, DUCTZ technicians provide thorough services that improve system efficiency and safety. DUCTZ emphasizes long-term relationships with residents and businesses through exceptional service. In addition to air duct cleaning, the company offers HVAC restoration, dryer vent cleaning, coil cleaning, and exhaust cleaning.