Watching Paint Dry

Keith Ryan is the Co-founder and CEO of ScanQuo, a leading software that is transforming the way pricing is handled in facilities management. After 32 years of working in the cleaning industry, Keith discovered that there was no consistency or accuracy with contract pricing. So, he teamed up with Jeffrey Teglas to create ScanQuo and provide accurate measurements, avoid underpricing or overpricing, and allow businesses to save significantly. 

Before starting ScanQuo, Keith worked in various management positions at Kier Group, NationwideFM & BBCS cleaning, OCS Group UK, and Xcell Cleaning.

In this episode…

Are you exhausted from spending too much time pricing contracts? Do you wish there was an easier way to analyze the cost of your work? With his company, ScanQuo, Keith Ryan is making contract pricing effortless for businesses in the cleaning and facilities management industries. 

ScanQuo is getting more scientific about pricing. Using 3D scanning technology, the software takes into account a building’s internal DNA, allowing for a more accurate pricing algorithm. Plus, ScanQuo is fully automated; what used to take months to finalize can now be completed in minutes! Now, Keith is here to share all of the details behind the software.

In this episode of Watching Paint Dry, Greg Owens and Katrina Stephenson are joined by Keith Ryan, the Co-founder and CEO of ScanQuo, to talk about how the company is transforming pricing models in the facilities management space. Keith explains the benefits of the software, discusses his hopes for the future of the business, and talks about how technology is changing facilities management operations for the better. Stay tuned to learn how ScanQuo can help your company!

Homer Lee Gibbins is a Building Manager for Meadows & Ohly, LLC. He is also a Master General Mechanic at the Atlanta Medical Center, the Owner of DJ G’s Entertainment, and the Owner of RoomsbyHomer.com. Homer is a certified quality control manager and safety officer with experience in JCAHO accreditation standards and OSHA training. 

Outside of his construction industry expertise, Homer is a two-time world boxing champion. Homer was a professional boxer for 19 years, boasting a record of 46 wins, 16 losses, and 33 KOs. He won the World Boxing Foundation Jr. Welterweight title in 1992 and the International Boxing Union Welterweight title in 2006.

In this episode…

How did Homer Lee Gibbins go from winning as a professional boxer to succeeding as a building manager? What lessons did he learn along the way?

While pursuing a boxing career, Homer also worked in the construction industry. Why? Homer wanted plenty of opportunities to meet people across different disciplines. For Homer, one of his most important values is to learn something from everyone you meet and pass knowledge along to others. When you surround yourself with people who want to grow, you’ll be on the right track to improve yourself. So, how can you do the same?

In this episode of Watching Paint Dry, Greg Owens sits down with Homer Lee Gibbins, Building Manager for Meadows & Ohly, LLC, to talk about his journey from boxing to facilities and building management. Homer shares the lessons he learned from his father, his journey through the worlds of boxing and construction, and the values that continue to lead him through life. Stay tuned!

Jay Hsueh is the CEO and Founder of Roby, a conversational AI service that streamlines the modern office. Roby’s mission is to create an engaged, productive workplace by making customer operations efficient, simple, and personalized. Before Roby, Jay served as the Analog Design Engineer for NXP Semiconductors and participated in Techstars’ Alexa Accelerator program. He has also founded two other companies, LiWi LLC and Room2music. Jay attended the National Cheng Kung University and the University of Southern California.

In this episode…

Are you getting distracted in your work environment because the room is too hot or too cold? Is your company spending too much time, energy, and money on employee requests and facilities management calls? We may have the solution for you: Roby. 

The AI service hub, Roby, is transforming businesses across all industries. The platform automates employee requests and uses energy-saving equipment and data analytics to keep everyone in the office comfortable, happy, and productive — while saving your business money. So, how exactly does this service work, and how can you implement the software into your company today?

In this episode of Watching Paint Dry, Greg Owens and Katrina Stephenson sit down with Jay Hsueh, the CEO and Founder of Roby, to talk about how the platform is helping companies become more efficient. Jay breaks down the Roby process, shares examples of how the software is supporting innovation for both legacy companies and small businesses, and talks about his predictions for the future of AI. Stay tuned!  

Dave Stockton is the Senior Facility Manager at Brinker International, a global leader in the casual dining restaurant industry. Dave has over a decade of experience managing high-risk, high visibility projects with changing priorities that are characterized by significant financial and business impact.

Before his current role at Brinker International, Dave has worked in various facilities and management positions at companies including TDIndustries, Lone Star Steakhouse, and Topgolf.

In this episode…

Have you ever wondered what a typical workday is like for facilities managers in the restaurant industry? Are you thinking of beginning a career in facilities management, but not sure where to start? Dave Stockton, a Senior Facility Manager for restaurant chains across Texas (and beyond), is here to tell all.

According to Dave, you don’t need a technical background to get into facilities management. However, you do need to be flexible and multifaceted. Dave says that every day brings something new, which means it’s vital to keep up with technology trends, work through unforeseen emergencies, and deal with difficult markets — all while keeping the customer happy. So, how does he do it?

Dave Stockton, Senior Facility Manager for Brinker International, joins Greg Owens and Katrina Stephenson in this episode of Watching Paint Dry. Together, they discuss the dos and don’ts of working in the restaurant and facilities management industries. Dave talks about the challenges of the restaurant labor shortage, how he juggles various tasks across the field, and his advice for anyone looking to begin their career in facilities management. Stay tuned.

Erick Humbser is the Facilities Operations Manager at Cisco Meraki. With 15 years of experience in the facilities management industry, Erick has sharpened his leadership prowess as well as his aptitude for the development and oversight of high-performing, multi-disciplined, and quality oriented teams. 

Erick is a creative problem solver who is skilled at discovering solutions for employees, processes, and costs. Before Cisco Meraki, he was the Facilities and Property Manager for companies including Swift Navigation and Walz Properties.

In this episode…

What does the future hold for your company? What will happen to your company culture in a hybrid work environment? How will you keep up with the oncoming and inevitable technological changes in the facilities management industry?

Ever since the pandemic hit, companies across all industries are searching for the answers to big questions. For Erick Humbser, one of his top priorities for transitioning back to the workspace is to create an inclusive environment for everyone returning. With people working both at home and in the office, you have to make a plan for reconfiguration while upholding company culture and accommodating the needs of all employees. How has Erick done it?  

In this episode of Watching Paint Dry, Greg Owens is joined by Erick Humbser, Facilities Operations Manager at Cisco Meraki, to talk about strategies for adapting to workplace changes. Erick discusses his predictions for the future of the industry, tips for leveraging technology, and his ideas for creating a collaborative work environment. Stay tuned!

Peter Belden is the Operations Manager at Blue & Gold Fleet, a ferry and water excursion company that has been serving San Francisco Bay for over 40 years. In 1979, Blue & Gold Fleet began cruising the San Francisco Bay with only three passenger vessels from PIER 39’s West Marina. Since then, the company has expanded to include commuter ferries between Alameda, Oakland, San Francisco, and Vallejo. 

In 2012, Blue & Gold Fleet was selected to operate the San Francisco Bay Ferry System by the Water Emergency Transportation Authority. The company is now the largest ferry and land tour transportation provider for San Francisco Bay’s commuters, residents, and visitors.

In this episode…

What career opportunities are in the maritime industry? How is the industry evolving from generation to generation? 

As someone who transitioned from captain to the head of facility operations, Peter Belden knows how the maritime industry works. There’s an abundance of companies looking to hire new talent and there are many job opportunities, from entry-level positions to senior engineers. According to Peter, some of the best captains started out as deckhands and worked their way up through experience and mentorship. Want to learn more about starting your journey in the maritime industry?

In this episode of Watching Paint Dry, Greg Owens is joined by Peter Belden, Operations Manager at Blue & Gold Fleet, to talk about careers, challenges, and changes happening within the maritime industry. Peter shares how his company is managing rules and regulations with the public, the next big things happening within the industry, and how you can begin your career. Stay tuned!

Edward Johnson is the Procurement Manager at ON24, a cloud-based digital experience platform that helps businesses grow. Powered by AI, ON24 provides a system of engagement that enables businesses to scale conversions and drive revenue growth. The ON24 platform supports an average of four million professionals a month, equipped with global offices in North America, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and the Asia-Pacific region. 

Edward is highly skilled in team and project management, facilities supervision, analysis, and problem-solving. Before working at ON24, Edward worked in facilities management for Dropbox and Keurig Green Mountain, Inc., and as a Construction Foreman for Rain Pro’s.

In this episode…

In any industry, this holds true: you’re only as good as your employees. However, there are certain principles a leader should uphold to cultivate healthy relationships and an exceptional work environment. 

With 10 years of facilities management experience, Edward Johnson knows that a great leader should be able to mediate between tradesmen and corporate while building up their emotional intelligence to pivot during challenging times. He also emphasizes the importance of maintaining relationships — and trust — between all members of a team. According to Edward, you can improve these relationships by taking the time to appreciate a person and their potential, not just the transaction. 

In this episode of Watching Paint Dry, Greg Owens sits down with Edward Johnson, Procurement Manager at ON24, to talk about the qualities of a great leader. Edward discusses his principles of leadership, the people that inspire him, and how facilities management is evolving. Plus, Edward shares all of the exciting things happening within the industry and how you can begin your career! Stay tuned.

Kate Peevey is the Manager of Facilities and Real Estate Services at Telecare, a family- and employee-owned company that has been treating individuals with serious mental illness since 1965. Telecare specializes in innovative, outcome-driven services for high-risk individuals with complex needs. Its programs are recovery-focused, clinically effective, and designed in partnership with local, county, state, and other behavioral health organizations. 

Previously, Kate worked as a Job Captain, Architectural Associate, and Architectural Designer for Pacific Design Group and Weston Miles Architects. She holds a bachelor’s degree in architecture, conceptual design, and urban development from Woodbury University. 

In this episode…

According to Kate Peevey, your environment has a big impact on your mental health development. That’s why she’s working to provide services, programs, and healthy environments that will help individuals — and the community — grow. However, Kate’s role in facilities management comes with its challenges. So, how is she navigating these obstacles to help the community thrive?

Through Telecare, a mental health service provider, Kate designs home-like, barrier-free facilities that allow a diverse group of individuals to feel comfortable. When the pandemic came along, Kate and her team had to create spaces that supported social distancing practices while still making patients feel at ease. Even in 2021, Kate, along with many other facilities managers, face difficulty getting the items and tools necessary to complete their jobs — but this won’t stop her from designing spaces to aid Telecare’s customers. Kate says that the industry is always changing, and in order to keep up, you have to continue to learn and say yes to new challenges and opportunities. 

In this episode of Watching Paint Dry, Greg Owens is joined by Kate Peevey, Manager of Facilities and Real Estate Services for Telecare. Together, they discuss how Kate is helping individuals improve their mental health through the facilities management industry. Kate talks about her role at Telecare, the importance of strengthening relationships within the community, and how you can get your career started in facilities management. Stay tuned! 

De’Shawn Kelly is the Facilities Manager at Homeward Bound of Marin, a community nonprofit working to end homelessness by providing shelter and services for homeless families and individuals in Marin County, California. De’Shawn is a facilities maintenance professional with a history of working in property management, medical, senior retirement living, and homeless shelter fields. 

De’Shawn is an exceptional leader and is highly skilled at improving customer satisfaction, team morale, property appeal, maintenance mentorship, and more.

In this episode…

In Marin County, California, Facilities Manager De’Shawn Kelly is aiding the community in the wake of COVID-19 and the increase in homelessness that came along with it. In his role, De’Shawn is supporting the movement to end homelessness by helping individuals and families transition to housing. So, how does De’Shawn keep up with the challenges, and what opportunities are out there to begin your career in facilities management? 

Since joining Homeward Bound of Marin in November of 2019, De’Shawn calls himself a “battle-tested” facilities manager. While working in a new position during the pandemic, De’Shawn learned how to quickly overcome unprecedented obstacles. Now, he has a fierceness to pursue any challenge that comes his way, and he’s here to share this knowledge with you!  

In this episode of Watching Paint Dry, Greg Owens talks with De’Shawn Kelly, Facilities Manager at Homeward Bound of Marin, about the challenges and learning opportunities in a facilities management role. De’Shawn discusses what he learned on the job, the challenges that many nonprofits face, and how you can begin a career in the dynamic, diverse area of facilities management. Stay tuned.  

Tina Vitali is the Facilities and Administration Manager of HomeLight, a real estate tech startup that connects home buyers and sellers to top real estate agents. At HomeLight, Tina works directly with the CEO and Founder to leverage his knowledge of business functions and management across 32 states. 

Tina has a history of working in tech-based firms, and she specializes in facility management, asset management, and project management. In 2017, Tina was a finalist for the San Francisco Bay Area Office Manager Award. She is also a member of the International Facility Management Association.

In this episode…

How do you create a strong team that works across multiple states — or even countries? How can you build a great company culture that will benefit all employees? 

Tina Vitali is here to share how you can promote a collaborative workplace while operating remotely, in person, or a combination of the two. As someone who works with a business spanning across 32 states, Tina knows how to adapt and create systems that will meet employees’ needs while helping the company grow significantly.  

In this episode of Watching Paint Dry, Greg Owens talks with Tina Vitali, Facilities and Administration Manager at HomeLight, about the post-COVID future of the workplace. Tina discusses the different processes from state to state, how to hire a great team — even when working remotely, and the value of asking questions and growing your network to get the job you want. Stay tuned!