Maintenance and facilities management have been a part of Andrew Baxter’s life since an early age. That exposure was followed by a career that has included project management, operations supervision and now facilities management director.
FMD: What was your first facilities-related job? How did you find it?
Andrew Baxter: My introduction to facilities management began by shadowing my father as a young boy while he served in director-level facilities positions. I’m also proud to call myself the son of a son of a plumber, as our family has had a plumbing business since 1901 in Philadelphia that is now owned by my cousins. Maintenance and facilities management activities run in the blood.
My first real position working in a professional facilities management department was when I was hired by Pasco County as a project specialist in 2007. I was able to use my project management, analytical and computer skills to help the facilities department refine the CMMS system they had recently implemented and bring some standardization to the three maintenance regions the system was supporting.
The position came my way through a combination of serendipity and trust. I had been actively looking for opportunities that would provide me with a position that would enable me to support my young family, but I wasn’t specifically looking for a facilities position. I interviewed with the facilities department for a different position, and the hiring managers recognized the skills that I had and said, “We have the perfect position for you, but it won’t be posted for a few weeks.” I trusted that they had my best interest in mind, and when the project specialist position came open a few weeks later, I was interviewed and hired.
FMD: What led you from that job to your current position?
Baxter: My curiosity and drive to learn more about the intricacies of facilities management led me to seek ways to support the department’s efforts to have better oversight of our service contracts and to finalize my bachelor’s degree and eventually complete a master’s degree and pursue certifications such as the facilities management professional offered by IFMA. These educational pursuits allowed me to gain expertise in leadership, budgeting, strategic planning, emergency management and project management — all critical elements of facilities management.
Within two years I was promoted to operations supervisor, which helped me refine my leadership skills and taught me the importance of creating an engaged team. Attending conferences and connecting with peers also introduced me to new ideas and practices, broadening my understanding of what best practices and facilities management could achieve. In 2014, a new director joined the department and provided me with some of the mentoring that I needed to be a more well-rounded leader. In 2015, I was promoted to assistant director, and by 2018 I became director.
FMD: What projects or other accomplishments in your career are you proudest of?
Baxter: Several accomplishments fill me with pride. I spearheaded a major training and development program for our maintenance technicians. This program provided them with standardized training materials which upon demonstrated mastery would result in automatic promotions for the individuals while also enhancing our service capabilities. This allowed us to take care of our customers better.
There also were many projects involving major equipment replacements, enhancing security systems and introducing automated building controls to reduce energy consumption that benefited our customers and community.
My proudest moments have been when I have been able to use my emergency management skills during severe weather events. I’ve served in the county emergency operations center during multiple events. I was asked to serve as logistics section chief in Florida’s emergency operations center after Hurricane Michael made landfall. After Hurricane Ian, I deployed with an incident management team to Lee County to assist with the response and recovery.
FMD: What has surprised you the most about facilities management?
Baxter: When I entered the field, I thought facilities management would primarily revolve around maintaining physical assets and infrastructure. I quickly learned that the role is far more dynamic and multifaceted. One of the biggest learnings has been the people-focused aspect of the job. Facilities management is not just about managing buildings. It’s about creating environments that enhance the well-being, safety and productivity of the people who use them.
Balancing competing priorities has also been an eye-opener. Whether it’s juggling budget constraints, adhering to compliance standards or planning for growth, the role requires strategic thinking and adaptability. Additionally, the sheer diversity of challenges keeps the work exciting. One day I might be addressing custodial concerns for a customer, and the next I’m strategizing ways to improve space utilization or planning for disaster preparedness. The ever-changing nature of the field has kept me engaged and motivated.
FMD: What is one thing you would change about your career if you could?
Baxter: If I could make one adjustment to my career path, it would be to seek mentorship earlier. As someone who initially learned through trial and error, I now realize how invaluable guidance from experienced professionals can be. A mentor could have provided me with insights that might have made transitions smoother and challenges less daunting. I am thankful to have had someone share their wisdom on navigating complex situations, offered advice on career progression and introduced me to opportunities I might not have discovered on my own, but I wish I had made those connections sooner.
Dan Hounsell is senior editor for the facilities market. He has more than 30 years of experience writing about facilities maintenance, engineering and management.
