The International Facility Management Association is proud to present the results of the election for the 2014-2015 executive committee. Consistent with IFMA bylaws, this election was for offices beginning July 1, 2014, the start of the association’s fiscal year. Office of Chair James P. Whittaker, CFM, P.E., CEFP, FRICS President/CEO Facility Engineering Associates (FEA)
Effective July 1, 2014, Jim Whittaker, President/CEO of Facility Engineering Associates, has been elected as Office of Chair of the Executive Board of IFMA (International Facility Management Association). IFMA is an international organization whose purpose is to further the knowledge and advancement of the facilities management (FM) industry. Jim is excited about new ideas and innovations within the industry and IFMA’s participation in promoting these ideas to the global FM community.
“I am delighted to take on the responsibilities and to work closely with the IFMA Board and staff next year to continue to build on a truly exciting IFMA strategy. We have a number of positive initiatives to promote FM public policy, research, standards, and education around the world – all aligned with providing exceptional value to more than 23,000 IFMA members and elevating the FM profession.” Jim Whittaker, CFM, P.E., CEFP, FRICS
Jim has served successfully with the IFMA Board for the past four years and brings a significant, diverse background in Facilities Management to his role as Office of Chair. His many talents and strengths have been recognized by IFMA in multiple positions and include a background in international consulting; facilities asset management; FM technologies research; and education and training. Jim has managed FM implementation and organization projects for a wide range of clients, including universities, government agencies, and commercial facilities, while continually promoting best practices for the industry on both a national and international level.
James P. Whittaker, P.E., CFM, CEFP, FRICS, is president and CEO of Facility Engineering Associates and has more than 26 years of experience in the facilities and built environment industry. Whittaker earned his Bachelor of Science and his Master of Science degrees in civil engineering. He has managed hundreds of facility-related projects for government, institutional, health care and corporate clients in the United Kingdom, Central and South America, and throughout the United States. Whittaker’s areas of expertise include evaluation and optimization of FM organizations, facilities asset management, operations and maintenance process optimization, facility performance measurement and facility management technologies. Throughout his consulting career he has been passionate about the improvement of the effectiveness of facility management organizations.
Whittaker serves on the board of directors for the National Research Council of the National Academies of Sciences Board on Infrastructure and the Constructed Environment. He also sits on the industry advisory board of Brigham Young University’s Facility and Property Management degree program. Whittaker is a fellow of the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors and instructor in the facility management program at George Mason University. He recently completed his term as secretary/treasurer of the APPA Educational Facilities Professionals board of directors. Whittaker routinely presents at facility management and engineering conferences across the United States, Europe and Middle East.
Whittaker is co-chair of the IFMA international government relations committee. Additional activities/committees in 2012-2013 include: chair of IFMA’s finance committee, member of the IFMA audit committee, member of the IFMA Foundation board of trustees and chair of the ANSI US/TAG for ISO TC/267 FM Standards. In 2011 he was appointed as the IFMA representative on the U.S. Department of State Overseas Buildings Office Industry Advisory Panel. In this capacity he advises OBO senior leadership on best practices in facility management and high-performance buildings.
Whittaker is a certified IFMA instructor and has taught nearly 100 IFMA and GMU competency courses over the past decade. He has been a subject matter expert in the development of a number of IFMA educational courses including: the Facility Management Professional learning system, Sustainability Facility Professional® courses, FM core competency courses, the Certified Facility Manager® exam review course, the Business of FM course and the new Facility Management: A Practical Introduction course.
