Ryan Knudsen

Corporate Facility Manager, SSA Marine 

How did you get into facility management / your current position?

My career in facility management happened somewhat inadvertently. After high school, I began a commercial electrician apprenticeship, which gave me a strong foundation in construction, building systems, and the trades. After completing my apprenticeship—and after bending plenty of conduit and pulling a lot of wire—I decided to go back to school.

At the time, I was considering a career in counseling or social work because I’ve always enjoyed listening to people and helping solve problems. I enrolled at the University of Utah and earned my bachelor’s degree in psychology. While finishing my degree, I worked as a campus electrician for the university’s facilities department in a position that allowed me to attend classes during the day.

That experience really changed the direction of my career. Working in facilities exposed me to a wide variety of buildings, systems, and occupants across campus. I enjoyed the variety, the problem-solving, and the opportunity to build relationships with the people who use the spaces every day. I began to realize that facility management brought together both sides of what interested me: the technical side of buildings and the people side of the workplace.

After graduating, I decided to stay in facilities but move into a broader FM role where I could be involved in every aspect of building operations. To take that next step, I attended Georgia Tech and earned a master’s degree in building construction and facility management.

I was fortunate to study there while Kathy Roper, coauthor of The Facility Management Handbook, was teaching. One lesson she shared that has stayed with me is that large challenges are best approached one step at a time. In facility management, there is always a long list of competing priorities, but I’ve found that steady progress and continuous improvement often lead to the biggest results. Small improvements made consistently over time can have a significant impact on building performance and workplace experience.

For the past ten years, I have served as Corporate Facility Manager for SSA Marine's headquarters campus in Seattle. SSA Marine is one of the largest terminal operators in the Americas. In this role, I lead facilities operations across multiple buildings, overseeing building operations, maintenance programs, energy management, capital projects, workplace planning, emergency preparedness, environmental health and safety initiatives, vendor and contractor performance, and compliance with regional transportation and commute-reduction requirements.

What excites you about facility management?

What excites me most about facility management is that it has a direct impact on both people and buildings. I want employees to feel safe, comfortable, and supported in the workplace while helping create facilities that are more efficient, sustainable, reliable, and resilient. I also enjoy how broad the profession is. One day I may be troubleshooting an HVAC issue, and the next I may be leading a capital project, developing an energy-efficiency initiative, updating an emergency preparedness plan, managing a workplace relocation, or helping shape long-term workplace strategy.

That variety is a big part of what keeps facility management interesting to me. Every project presents a different challenge and an opportunity to improve the workplace experience, support business objectives, and create a positive impact for both the organization and its employees.

How do you benefit from IFMA and the Seattle Chapter?

IFMA has been an important part of my professional development. The Seattle Chapter is especially valuable because it gives me the opportunity to learn from and build relationships with other facility professionals. Hearing how others approach energy management, capital planning, workplace strategy, emergency preparedness, and vendor management provides practical insight that is hard to get from a textbook. The chapter also provides a great opportunity to connect with people facing many of the same challenges and learn from their experiences. Facility management covers such a broad range of responsibilities that there is always something to learn from others in the profession.

Any advice for new members?

Develop a strong understanding of how building systems operate and interact. You don’t need to be an expert in every trade, but understanding HVAC, electrical, controls, lighting, and other major building systems will make you a much more effective facility manager. For facility professionals in Washington, I also recommend developing a strong understanding of the Clean Buildings Performance Standard and how building operations influence energy use and performance outcomes. I recently completed Building Potential’s Building Operator Certification (BOC) Level I and Level II programs and found the training to be excellent value. The courses provided a deeper understanding of how building systems operate, interact, and can be maintained for optimal performance. A solid understanding of building systems creates a strong foundation for success throughout your FM career.

What do you like to do in your spare time?

Outside of work, I enjoy exploring the Olympic Mountains and fly fishing. I’m also involved with my son’s Boy Scout troop, which keeps us active and gives me a rewarding opportunity to support young people as they develop leadership skills and work toward their goals.

Any other topics you would like to share with the IFMA community?

Buildings represent a significant share of U.S. energy consumption, which gives facility managers an important opportunity and responsibility to help organizations operate more sustainably while preserving resources for future generations. Energy conservation and sustainability are priorities that I take seriously, and I enjoy identifying practical ways to improve building performance, reduce waste, and lower operating costs.



At the same time, I believe sustainability efforts must support the people who occupy our buildings. I often keep JLL’s 3-30-300 framework in mind, which recognizes that while utilities and rent are important costs, employee salaries represent a far greater organizational investment. That perspective reminds us that sustainability and efficiency initiatives should not only reduce energy use but also enhance occupant comfort, health, productivity, and overall workplace experience. For me, that’s what good facility management comes down to—finding ways to improve building performance and reduce environmental impact while creating workplaces where people are comfortable, productive, and able to do their best work.

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