A facility can be measured in square feet, by the systems that keep it running and by its equipment, but Tessa Chilson has spent her career measuring its success by what those things make possible for the people inside.
As director of environmental and fleet services at Alliance for Empowerment, a non-profit administrative parent company in New York, Chilson oversees the operation, safety, regulatory compliance and maintenance of the physical environment and equipment fleets. Her path into facilities management began more than 15 years ago in building operations and maintenance leadership, taking her from Elmira College to ARC of Chemung-Schuyler before landing at her current position.
"I was initially drawn to facilities management because it combines technical problem-solving with leadership and service," Chilson says. "I enjoyed understanding how buildings function and finding ways to improve operations. What truly solidified my passion for the profession was realizing that well managed facilities directly impact people's experiences, safety and success. In the developmental disabilities field, I witnessed firsthand how quality facilities can improve independence, accessibility and dignity for the individuals we support."
That connection between physical environment and quality of life became even more important when Chilson entered the Office for People with Developmental Disabilities (OPWDD)-governed field in 2020.
"I realized that every renovation, maintenance decision, inspection and compliance initiative directly affected the daily lives of individuals with developmental disabilities," Chilson says. "It transformed my perspective from managing facilities to helping create opportunities, independence and dignity through the environments we maintain."
Chilson is one of eight facility professionals to be named to FacilitiesNet’s fifth annual Facility Champion award. The Champions play a critical role in ensuring the efficient and effective operation of buildings across the country, all while exhibiting strong leadership and pride within the industry.
"Facilities professionals often work behind the scenes, yet their efforts directly affect safety, accessibility, efficiency, compliance and quality of life," Chilson says. "This recognition would reflect years of dedication to operational excellence, leadership development, emergency preparedness and service. I view recognition as an opportunity to highlight the impact that facility professionals have on the communities they serve."
One project that continues to stand out to Chilson is a kitchen accessibility renovation for individuals with developmental disabilities.
"We widened entrances, lowered work surfaces, and redesigned the space to improve accessibility for wheelchair users," she says. "When one resident saw the finished kitchen, he excitedly said, 'I love it! I can make you breakfast now.' That moment reinforced that facilities management is about much more than buildings. It is about creating opportunities and removing barriers."
The stakes become especially clear during emergencies. At Alliance for Empowerment, Chilson is in charge of disaster planning, emergency drills, response coordination and recovery efforts. One of the clearest examples came during a middle-of-the-night failure of the facility's Class C water system in January. The situation became more complicated when the well pump failed and required replacement.
"My team and I responded immediately, assessing the situation and implementing emergency contingency plans while working to restore the system," Chilson says. "To maintain essential services, we arranged for bottled water to be delivered for drinking, cooking and personal use. We also collected water from a nearby creek and transported it to the affected site for non-potable purposes, including flushing toilets, ensuring sanitary conditions could be maintained until repairs were completed.
"Throughout the incident, we coordinated staff efforts, communicated regularly with leadership and worked tirelessly to minimize disruption for the people receiving services. Although the situation was challenging, it reinforced the importance of preparation, teamwork, resourcefulness and calm decision-making under pressure. It also demonstrated that effective facilities management goes far beyond maintaining infrastructure. It is about protecting people, solving problems creatively and ensuring continuity of care when unexpected challenges arise."
Her leadership approach also extends to developing the people around her. In a nonprofit environment where attracting and retaining experienced facilities professionals can be difficult, Chilson emphasizes internal training and hands-on guidance.
"Being entrusted to serve as an OSHA compliance officer, New York State Office of Fire Prevention correspondence coordinator, risk management committee chair, employee safety committee chair and disaster response committee chair demonstrated that leadership trusted my judgment on matters affecting people, property and operations," Chilson says. "It was both humbling and rewarding because leadership is ultimately about helping others succeed and creating positive outcomes."
When Chilson thinks about her legacy, she points to the things that remain after a project is finished.
"Rather than a single building, I believe my legacy is reflected in the systems, programs and cultures I have helped create," she says. " I hope to leave a legacy of service, leadership and continuous improvement. I want to be remembered as someone who elevated safety standards, strengthened compliance programs, developed future leaders and championed the important role facilities management plays in organizational success. Most importantly, I hope my work helped create opportunities, independence and a better quality of life for the people served by the organizations I supported."
Chilson is one of eight 2026 Facility Champions who will be profiled on FacilitiesNet leading up to the webcast, "What Great Facility Leaders Do: Lessons from the Field" that will honor the recipients. The webcast will air on November 24 at 12 p.m. CST on FacilitiesNet. You can register to view the webcast here.
Elaina Myers is the assistant editor of the facilities market. She has covered various topics from pest management to resilience to sustainability and covers all holidays and special days in the facilities field. She also manages the FacilitiesNet social media accounts.
