Upcoming Events

November 12 - Fall Classic, St. Johns Golf and Country Club

December 15 - Christmas Party
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Welcome
New Members
 
Jeff Hubbard 
Sales
Advanced Furniture Solutions

Sandy Porter
VP Facilities
Hancock Bank

Tim Sutherland
Facilities Manager
JM Family Enterprises, Inc. 
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Sign up for IFMA
If you're ready to join our chapter, please click here (you will be diirected to the national IFMA website). If you have questions, please contact 
Jo Rogers
jo@cubix-inc.com
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IFMA Jax Board

President
Keith Van Der Leest

Vice President
Van Dyke Walker

Secretary
Greg Letnaunchyn

Treasurer
Henry Hammer

Board Members

Joe Byous

Dan Davis

Keith Murphy

Jo Rogers 

Chris Crane

Cindy Kaneer 

Michael Schroeder
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Job Opportunities


Aetna Building


City of Jacksonville 

Click on the desired title to get more information. 
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Contact us about  Sponsorship
Opportunities! 


info@ifmajax.com










































































































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November 4, 2015


On behalf of IFMA Jacksonville, welcome to our inaugural weekly IFMA JAX newsletter.  

As a board, we have tasked ourselves at improving our communication to the IFMA JAX membership and believe a regular weekly update will be one step in allowing us to accomplish that.  You will find informative information on upcoming local programs/events, items of interest from a local and national level and resources for your professional development, all at a quick glance.  

This newsletter will spotlight our members with a different twist to allow you to learn more about them and how they can assist you through networking.  Please look for these weekly updates in your inbox each Wednesday afternoon.  

In addition, please look for our newly developed website at www.ifmajax.org in the next few weeks.  There you will find a refreshing look at what our Jacksonville chapter has to offer.  It will be filled with links to easily sign up or renew your IFMA membership, along with information on upcoming events with quick links to sign up.  An easy resource tab will be provided for information on obtaining your IFMA credentials, job postings, a membership directory and links to local and national resources.  Brief summaries for each of our Committees along with contact information for each of your board members will be provided.  

We look forward to continuing to serve our membership by providing the best monthly programs, resources and communication for your professional development and growth.  

As always, we welcome your input on what we can do better as a chapter and look forward to your feedback.  


Sincerely,
Keith Van Der Leest
President, IFMA Jacksonville
 
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Member Spotlight
Name/Business Name: 
Keith Van Der Leest, Assistant General Manager, SMG Jacksonville - Sports & Entertainment
 
Business Description:
SMG JAX manages six Sports & Entertainment Facilities for the City of Jacksonville which include EverBank Field, Baseball Grounds of Jacksonville, Arena, Performing Arts Center, Ritz Theatre and the Convention Center.  My particular responsibilities are oversight of approximately 75 team members in the Facilities, Technologies, Safety & Compliance, Security, Sports Turf & Grounds, Production, Housekeeping and Utility Departments.   
 
What was your first job / How did you get into the FM business:
My first job was as a Groundskeeper for the Baltimore Orioles.  This allowed me to get into the Sports & Entertainment business which brought me to Jacksonville when the Major League Baseball strike hit in the fall of 1994.  I quickly learned my passion for the FM side of the business while serving as Director of Facilities for SMG JAX from 2006 - 2013. 
 
What is the most significant professional event of your career:
In my profession, "event" can serve many meanings.  Having the ability to be a part of the Jacksonville Super Bowl in 2005 was the most rewarding and nerve-wracking at the same time.  Being told that we were the underdog gave us all motivation to work harder to achieve success. 
 
What are your biggest strengths you can offer FM's:
Out of the different areas, I find that many of the FM's are challenged with some of the new technologies that are coming into play.  In our business, we try to stay on the bleeding edge of new technologies and through our great team, I have a good sense of them.  In addition, I find capital planning (sometimes with limited resources) and the prioritization of the projects is a strong suit. 
 
Who has been the biggest influence on your life:
My biggest influence have come from a good friend of mine, Paul Zwaska who was the Head Groundskeeper for the Baltimore Orioles and gave me my shot in the business overall and a mentor Dan O'Keefe who was the Chief Engineer for Oscar Mayer while I was growing up in Madison, WI.  Both were influential in shaping my work ethic today and who both taught me to work hard to achieve my goals in life. 
 
Tell us something about yourself that no one knows:
Had several cameo roles in the blockbuster movie Major League II in 1994......hold the laughter.....can you find me?  
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IFMA National

At the recent IFMA World Workplace Conference and Expo in Denver, IFMA unveiled new additions to their website, namely the Knowledge Library and the IFMA Wide Online Community. 

The Knowledge Library offers articles and news on several topics and are segmented by competency and industry, making it easy to find just what you are looking for. 

The IFMA Wide Online Community, IFMA's version of Facebook for FMs, is a great place to go to stay informed or ask questions about challenges you maybe facing or recently solved. 

If you haven't already done so, IFMA JAX encourages you to register on the ifma.org website to gain access to both of these. To sign in or register, you can click here
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The Buzz  
If you have exciting news about yourself, this area will wh ere we will announce it! This space is limited to IFMA members and topics
like new credentials or job changes will be featured. To submit your information, please send it to our digital marketing consultant at  jfredrick@jfredrickgroup.com. 
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Upcoming programs

Fall Golf Classic
The annual IFMA Fall Golf Classic is scheduled for Thursday, Nov 12 at the St. Johns Golf and Country Club. Deadline to submit your foursomes and to donate to the "Build a Bar" is this Friday, Nov 6. 

Click here to register


Christmas Party 
Mark you calendar for Dec 15 at 6 p.m. IFMA JAX is head ed to Enza's for good food, good times and good friends! More information will be coming out on t his in the next week. 

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Thanks to our Platinum Corporate Sponsor! 

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