Honoring the Class of 2026 Facility Champions
Every day across the country, facility managers prove their worth to building owners, facility executives and building occupants.
Building Operating Management is proud to announce the winners of our fifth annual Facility Champions awards. Every day across the country, facility managers prove their worth to building owners, facility executives and building occupants.
“This year’s Facility Champions submissions continue to raise the bar on the number of talented facility management professionals are employed at institutional and commercial facilities across the country,” says Dave Lubach, chief editor for facilities. “Reviewing the list of nominees is always a difficult task but one we take seriously. This year’s winners represent a number of markets, and the eight chosen Facility Champions are truly leaders in the industry. We enjoy shining the spotlight on them.”
Facility Market editors at Trade Press Media Group received more than 100 nominations for the award. This year’s applicants included a notable increase in nominations of women, highlighting the increasing influence of women in the profession.
The 2026 Facility Champions will be recognized in a webcast on Nov. 24 at 1 p.m. EST. “Leadership in Action: Lessons from the 2026 Facility Champions,” will share their thoughts on the industry, reflect on their career growth and what makes a successful facility manager. You can register for the webcast by following this link.
Adam Bregenzer, Facilities Coordinator, Fidelity Bank, Nazareth, Pennsylvania
- Adam views facilities management as much more than maintenance, with a focus on planning, budgeting, projects and long-term facility needs. He understands the way the physical environment directly impacts employees and business operations.
- He prioritizes continuous learning and believes effective leadership starts with asking questions and being willing to admit when he doesn’t know something. He listens, finds the right resources and follows through on challenges.
- During a major power outage branch, he coordinated resources and alternate locations to minimize disruption and restore operations. His goal is to leave a legacy through stronger systems and processes across the organization.
Tessa Chilson, Director of Environmental and Fleet Services, Alliance for Empowerment, Elmira, New York
- Tessa Chilson’s work in the developmental disabilities field shifted her perspective from simply maintaining buildings to creating accessible environments that remove barriers and promote dignity. For example, a kitchen accessibility renovation gave a resident greater independence and reinforced the human impact of her work.
- During a major water-system failure, Chilson implemented contingency plans and found creative ways to maintain essential services until repairs could be completed.
- In addition to overseeing environmental and fleet services, she has taken on key responsibilities involving OSHA compliance, fire prevention, risk management, employee safety and disaster response.
Jane Davis, Facilities Manager, Nielsen/JLL, New York
- Jane discovered her passion for facilities management after taking a floater position that exposed her to various aspects of building operations. Today, she takes pride in creating safe and well-maintained environments where employees can thrive.
- During the COVID-19 pandemic, Davis led the return-to-office strategy by securing personal protection equipment, implementing safety protocols and redesigning spaces to support social distancing.
- Davis views curiosity and continuous improvement from mistakes as essential to professional growth. She hopes to strengthen recognition of facilities management as a strategic profession while mentoring future leaders to be proactive, remain calm under pressure and serve as dependable foundations for their organizations.
Anthony Gourley, Senior Project Manager, University of Maryland, College Park
- Anthony’s career grew from his curiosity about large-scale building systems, sparked by his work installing a dedicated outdoor air system, into leading the residential facilities department at the University of Maryland. He enjoys finding creative solutions for aging buildings and complex infrastructure needs.
- He credits three principles — honesty and integrity, meeting expectations and building strong relationships — as the foundations of his leadership. He believes today’s managers must be effective communicators and collaborators in addition to having technical expertise.
- He helped develop a university wastewater-monitoring project during the pandemic that identified potential COVID-19 cases before they spread among residents.
Tony Malaj, Executive Director of Space and Facilities Management, Kirk Kerkorian School of Medicine, University of Nevada, Las Vegas
- Tony started his career working construction jobs with his father. His lifelong hands-on experience has shaped his practical, efficiency-focused approach to facilities management.
- Drawing on his experience as a U.S. Army veteran, he believes effective leadership starts with knowing how to communicate and lead by example. He has built a strong team culture centered on respect, continuous learning, mentorship and shared pride.
- He views facilities as a strategic asset, using proactive building walks and collaboration with executive and clinical leaders to improve performance. Ultimately, he wants his work to be remembered for raising organizational efficiency while improving the safety and security of facilities.
Joseph Mattox, Fleet and Facilities Maintenance Division Manager, City of Moreno Valley, California
- Joseph has built a more than 30-year career in facilities management, starting as a teenager at Sears. His career has come full circle, as the former Sears location where he began working is now being renovated into the Moreno Valley Museum.
- One of his biggest accomplishments was reducing his department’s facilities service contracts from more than 62 to approximately 10, significantly reducing administrative work while creating a more responsive operation.
- Rather than measuring success by individual accomplishments, he focuses on empowering his team to question outdated processes, develop practical solutions and become the next generation of facilities leaders.
Tara McMachen, Director of Operations, Mapleton Public Schools, Colorado
- Tara was drawn to the field because it combines technical problem solving with real-world consequences, particularly when it comes to safety, building performance and the ability of schools to serve students and teachers effectively.
- Since 2018, she has been involved in nearly all of her district’s 10 school remodels or rebuilds, helping make long-term decisions around infrastructure and building design.
- McMachen has worked to elevate the often-overlooked maintenance and custodial teams by investing in training and recognition, helping those employees become more visible and valued within the district.
Veronica Rivera, Director of Maintenance, Operations and Facilities, College of the Siskiyous, California
- Veronica served in the Marine Corps as an HVAC mechanic and cross-training as a generator technician and electrician and spent 25 years in commercial and industrial construction before transitioning into facilities management.
- She has helped lead several major projects since 2015, including seismic and roof upgrades, a new $30 million student housing facility, new athletic facilities and road improvements.
- Her response to a potential active-shooter situation in 2024 demonstrated the way her preparedness and teamwork can directly affect campus safety, while her connection to the college gives her work a deeply personal meaning.
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