Building Management Services (BMS) is always working on new projects around campus. We sat down with Refik Smlatic, Inspector, Planner, Estimator for Facilities Management (FM) BMS, to delve into the background and details of an impressive project that has led to a complete overhaul of Hoagland Hall’s lighting system and aims to increase campus efficiency as a whole.

Our sheet metal, weld, and machine shop team at Facilities Management works diligently to maintain, build, and install all HVAC systems on campus. These systems are integral to ensuring suitable temperatures for vital research and academics, making their work incredibly important to our campus community. The team has over 250 years of combined experience and is made up of 9 members, listed below: 

Supervisor: Al Bacchini 

Sheet metal shop: Manuel Preciado, Greg Turben, Ryan Montoya, Chris Meyer, John Eldeen

Elevators play a vital role in ensuring our campus remains accessible for all students, staff, and visitors. While essential for navigating campus buildings, they often go unnoticed until they stop working. Campus elevator foreman Aimee Spivey knows all about the intricate mechanisms that make these transportation devices function and works daily to make sure that they are operating at the highest level possible. We sat down with Aimee to learn more about a long-term elevator modernization project currently underway on campus. 

In a recent interview with Joe Lestanguet, inspector, Planner, Estimator (IPE) for Facilities Management Building Maintenance Mechanical unit, we delved into the background and details of a transformative project to enhance efficiency, reduce costs and contribute to our campus sustainability goals.

In the dynamic landscape of a campus such as ours, adapting facilities to meet evolving needs is paramount. One such transformative endeavor took place at Cowell building's second story, housing the Center for Advocacy, Resources, and Education (CARES). Spearheaded by Student Affairs Director Matthew Fucile and Divisional Resources Associate Director Carol Swafford, this project breathed new life into the space, providing CARES with enhanced functionality and privacy.

As we walk around campus, we often overlook the intricate systems that silently work behind the scenes. Today, we take a closer look into a significant project that plays a pivotal role in both our research efforts and the sustainability of our campus: the renovation of the exhaust fans in the Physics building. We had the opportunity to chat with the team driving this initiative. 

Looking for a cost-effective way to give your office a facelift? Look no further than Facilities Management’s Office Refresh program! An Office Refresh can bring your office from drab to fab in just a week! We sat down with Structural IPE (Inspector Planner Estimator) Sam Fernandez to get all the details about how the Office Refresh program started, what’s included, and how to sign up.

Let's take a moment to shine a spotlight on the exceptional team at The Security Alarm Shop, a vital department entrusted with ensuring the safety and security of our campus. This dedicated group consists of five highly skilled Technicians, an IPE (Inspector Planner Estimator), and is expertly led by their Lead Technician and shop Supervisor. Together, they play a crucial role in safeguarding our academic environment. Now, let's get acquainted with the talented individuals who form the backbone of The Security Alarm Shop:

As we welcome students back to campus this fall, our focus at Facilities Management shifts in response to the changing season. In Northern California, the wet season typically spans from October to April, and while our winters in the Sacramento valley are generally mild, we must remain vigilant due to the possibility of heavy rainfall, as experienced in the previous season—the wettest in recent memory.

Facilities Management’s R.I.S.E (Recognizing Innovative Solutions by Employees) program began in 2019 to encourage staff to propose projects or programs that improve efficiency, increase customer satisfaction, or reduce costs within their department. This quarter we’re featuring a recently completed R.I.S.E project - Joe Lestanguet’s Building Alarm System (BAS) recommission project.