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John Borgmeyer
Director of Exhibits and Maintenance for the Woodland Park Zoological Society.
How did you get into your current position?
My early career was spent constructing stage scenery for local professional theaters. About 20 years ago, I started as an Exhibit Technician applying my building skills to renovating and creating the habitats in which the animals live. Over the course of a decade in that role, I learned about the profession of Facility Management and how rewarding the planning and solving of facility issues can be. I pursued educational opportunities through UW Extension and IFMA and readied myself for the opportunity to move up, eventually landing in the Director role. I like to describe my position as caring for everything that is not alive at the zoo, in support of all that is.
What excites you about facility management?
Facilities teams are well-positioned to support and drive positive change in an organization as we participate in both the strategy and operational sides of the business. For example, we can both inform targets and goals and more directly support sustainability initiatives. One of the more interesting aspects to my role is the added factor of the animals that call the facility home. While we have all the standard complications to renovations and construction, the first question is always, how will this impact the animals? The answer drives everything. Also, the partnerships and collaboration with my colleagues and vendors are extremely rewarding as I'm always learning something new and growing in my appreciation for folks with high levels of expertise. In my facility, I feel like I am a steward of the institution so as we make renovations and improvements, I'm constantly looking for ways to future-proof the infrastructure to set my successors up for success. No two days are alike and there are always improvements to be made and that keeps the job fresh.
How do you benefit from the IFMA and the Seattle Chapter?
IFMA and our local chapter have been foundational to my ongoing professional development. The coursework related to the FMP and CFM provides strategies and knowledge that I use each day to support my role. In addition, some of the networking and more local opportunities like the lunch-and-learns give me access to a network of people that I can use as sounding boards. Facility managers deal with many issues that are unique to their facilities, but the problems often rhyme and by partnering and talking we can solve our individual issues more quickly and easily.
Any advice for new members?
Two phrases resonate with me.
1. You get out of something what you put in. Be involved, be helpful.
2. You find what you are looking for. Be a positive force in your organization, find the opportunity not the problem.
What do you like to do in your spare time?
In my spare time, I enjoy hiking and camping. My 11-year-old black labrador retriever, Nanook, is a constant companion and source of joy. You can often find me in T-Mobile Park enjoying a Mariners game in the summer, although my hometown St. Louis Cardinals are my first love
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