Chapter Events

Member Highlight

IFMA Member Spotlight

Kyla Grennan, Business Development Manager, Alliance Building Services

How did you get into your current position?

I have always been in marketing and business development, but became introduced to the commercial real estate industry 6 years ago when I was recruited for a BD role at a local roofing company. I then transitioned to my current role with Alliance Building Service. I love our company culture, commitment to customer service and overall pride in the services we provide!

How do you support Facility Managers?

Our company supports facilities managers by being a teammate for your building service’s needs, including but not limited to janitorial, building engineering and parking services. I would love to connect over coffee or lunch to discuss our services and how we might be able to support your facility!

How do you benefit from the IFMA and the Seattle Chapter?

Being a part of IFMA has given me a wonderful opportunity to meet new people in our industry and to keep up to date with all the challenges that those in this industry, both professional and associate, are facing. IFMA also provides wonderful educational and networking opportunities, which I appreciate both personally and professionally!

Any advice for new members?

Participate! There are plenty of opportunities to engage in chapter committees depending on where you are passionate, and so many events throughout the year that it is easy to participate in IFMA events! Take advantage of these opportunities, as they allow you to experience the benefits of your membership and meet and network with other industry professionals!

What do you like to do in your spare time?

I enjoy spending time with family! I have two teenage daughters (one graduating from high school this year) as well as a step son and step daughter, so we have a busy house with always something going on! I love watching our kids pursue their passions! I also enjoy outdoor activities with my husband and our pup, Lincoln!

Our chapter is dedicated to our members and would like to showcase the efforts of professional and associate members alike!

If you have a member to showcase in our newsletter, please contact melanie.danuser@buildingpotential.org

IFMA National News

IFMA National Free FM Memberships

For the third year in a row, we are working with IFMA National to grant (5) free base professional memberships as a thank you to FM professionals for their contributions and to attract new FMs to our group. If you know of an FM who would benefit from IFMA membership, please send us a note at melanie.danuser@buildingpotential.org

Regional News

Welcome to the Greater Seattle Chapter of IFMA 2024-2025 Board of Directors

President- Adam Thordarson, Director of Facilities, Bouldering Project
Vice President of Programs and Sponsorship- Kyla Grennan, Business Development Manager, Alliance Building Services
Vice President of Education- Melanie Danuser, Director of Education and Training, Building Potential and Smart Buildings Center
Treasurer- Lisa Welcome, Operations Manager, RESA Power
Secretary- Trevor Kurtz FMP, SFP, CFM, Regional Workplace Manager, Snowflake
Immediate Past President- Michael Wodrich, Platform Technology, Quality & Performance Management
Director at Large- Tony Kauffman, President, Integrated Facility Management Consulting LLC

Teague is Hiring a Facility Technician!

For more information visit the posting here: https://www.linkedin.com/jobs/view/3970550897/

Clean Buildings Incentive Program – Bellevue & Issaquah

The Cities of Bellevue and Issaquah are helping large buildings (20,000+ sf) to reduce energy use, save on costs, and comply with WA State Clean Buildings Law. Free building energy services include energy benchmarking, scoping assessments, incentive navigation, and compliance reporting support – an estimated $18,000 value. 

Sign-up today: Bellevue | Issaquah

Free WA Clean Buildings Law Webinars – For Bellevue and Issaquah Buildings:

The Law: A Closer Look & Benchmarking

W, 8/14, 11am

The Cities of Bellevue and Issaquah offer free building energy services to all large Bellevue and Issaquah buildings through MacDonald-Miller.

BOC Courses

IFMA members receive $100 off any BOC course registration,

visit theboc.info/wa for more information or contact melanie.danuser@neec.net

SBX Conference: Registration Open!

Registration for the FREE Smart Buildings Exchange conference is open now! https://www.sbxconference.org/register/

Throughout the built environment, new technologies are connecting building systems and occupants in ways that generate new and exciting opportunities. From enabling buildings to perform for occupants and owners in previously unimaginable ways, to leveraging buildings to accelerate smart cities and the clean energy transition for a cleaner and healthier planet, the opportunities are countless and inspiring. The Smart Buildings Exchange brings together the key audiences to challenge the hype, bear witness to the innovation, and explore the business case for accelerating the adoption and commercialization of smart buildings technologies and practices.

FREE, ONLINE DEMAND FLEXIBILITY LEARNING WITH AESP & The U.S.D.O.E.

Brought to you by AESP and the U.S. Department of Energy, Demand flexibility is the heartbeat of our future grid. It is the coordinated manipulation of energy consumption and production across grid devices on a massive scale while maintaining livability and comfort standards. AESP is now offering free, online courses that are convenient, and designed for tomorrow's energy efficiency leaders.

Elevate your expertise with FLEX's accredited online courses! Dive into demand flexibility, exploring water heaters, lighting, HVAC systems, and cutting-edge distributed energy resources (DERs) like solar, battery storage, and EVSE. Funded by the U.S. Department of Energy, FLEX FLEX's 3-course series offers flexible learning modules, and equips tomorrow's workforce with skills for grid-interactive energy technologies. Whether designing customer offerings or engaging with these resources as grid assets, FLEX is your gateway to mastering the future of energy. Ideal for Energy Efficiency and DER Professionals, Electric Utilities Staff, and more. Seize the opportunity to maximize the value of flexible loads as both a grid asset and a customer asset. Enroll now for a brighter, sustainable future! Register here: Login.aesp.org

Seattle Building Emission Performance Standard (BEPS) News

Since the passage of Seattle Building Emission Performance Standard (BEPS) in December, OSE staff have been preparing for the next phase of policy implementation – rulemaking, program design and reporting tool evaluation. OSE is kicking off rulemaking this month while we concurrently revamp the Accelerator coaching program to better support BEPS and WA Clean Buildings (CBPS) compliance.

BEPS Rulemaking

Stakeholder Engagement

The BEPS policy includes many flexible options for compliance and OSE values opportunities for stakeholder participation to help the City further shape and clarify these options. To facilitate this OSE will enable:

A facilitated Technical Rulemaking Workgroup with subject matter experts from multiple sectors to weigh in on options to inform the draft.
Facilitated topic-specific focus groups (e.g., affordable housing, decarbonization plans, private building portfolios, and others TBD).*
Public webinars for feedback on key elements of the draft rule.
Continuous opportunities to share written comments.
A three-week formal public comment period after the draft rule is released.

Timeline

This month we are kicking off the workgroup and will convene focused topical meetings starting in the fall. Summaries of and slides from these meetings will be posted on the new BEPS Rulemaking webpage.
Public webinars summarizing the input and key draft rules will follow later this year and into early 2025. (Dates TBD)
A draft rule for public comment will follow by mid-2025.
Visit the website for a detailed timeline that will be updated periodically.

* Please contact us at cleanbuildings@seattle.gov if you have a technical expertise and a strong interest in participating.

Accelerator Coaching Program is Getting a Makeover

OSE is gathering input from stakeholders to help reshape the Seattle Clean Building Accelerator’s coaching cohort approach. To date, six cohorts of building owners and operators, representing more than 40 entities, have completed four-month “sprints” of monthly workshops and one-on-one coaching calls and virtual site visits to help them understand and comply with the State of Washington’s Clean Building Standard (CBPS). As CBPS Tier 2 buildings (smaller commercial and multifamily) begin to prepare for upcoming compliance dates and as the City prepares to embark on rulemaking for its BEPS, OSE is revamping the Accelerator to ensure it meets the needs of under-resourced owners of the buildings subject to these new rules. New cohorts are currently paused while the program redesign is underway, but building owners and operators can access the self-led, online content of the Accelerator at any time here. Stay informed about the revamped Accelerator by signing up for updates here.

Got a question or comment?

Email us at cleanbuildings@seattle.gov or check the website for additional resources like:

ENERGY BENCHMARKING

(Non-residential and Multifamily Buildings > 20,000 SF)

Benchmarking Enforcement Grace Period Ends September 1^st

Congratulations to the 87% of required properties that have attained compliance with Seattle’s benchmarking law. The deadline for submitting reporting year 2023 benchmarking data was June 1^st. Property owners who are out of compliance have until September 1^st, 2024, to submit an accurate benchmarking report. After that date, Notices of Violation and fines will be issued. Per updates to the benchmarking law made in December 2023, the City will now impose a single comprehensive fine for each violation, rather than quarterly accruing fines. Non-compliance after the end of the grace period will result in a $2,000 fine for properties between 20,000 and 50,000 square feet and a $4,000 fine for properties larger than 50,000 square feet. Please visit the Benchmarking Instructions page for detailed guidance on how to ensure compliance.

Review the Compliance Status of Your Building(s)

Property owners can check their compliance status in the 2023 Benchmarking Compliance Portal by searching the Office of Sustainability and Environment (OSE) Building ID, property name, or ENERGY STAR® Portfolio Manager® username. The Compliance Portal will continue to be updated three times per week through October 2024. If you need help finding your building’s OSE Building ID, search the Energy Benchmarking Map for your property. Additionally, a list of all non-compliant properties as of 7/19/2024 can be downloaded here.