Message from Greg Clayton, ERAPPA President
Dear ERAPPA Friends and Colleagues
Where did the past year go?! Over the past year, the Board has convened monthly, including inperson meetings in March and June, with another planned for September preceding the Annual Meeting. As I look back on the progress made this past year, I’d like to highlight three key initiatives that have advanced our shared goals, while focusing on our mission.
Annual Meeting Schedule
The A nnual Meeting schedule has been reviewed, resulting in the decision to reschedule the ERAPPA Committee meetings from Saturday to Sunday. This change is intended to reduce time away from home and the office, as well as reduce expenses for committee and board members and their institutions. Additionally, the Tuesday award banquet schedule has been revisited and streamlined to ensure that the ceremony focuses on celebrating our members and the award winners, with the goal of completing the awards celebration within one hour.
Strategic Plan
The ERAPPA Board has been focusing on initiating a strategic planning process that considers and complements APPA’s new strategic plan, while fostering collaboration and enhancing regional member engagement Guided by a consultant, and a Strategic Planning Steering Committee formed during our Mid-Year Meeting, the goal is to complete the updated strategic plan by March 2026.
ERAPPA Board Position Election Process
The Board is pursuing an update of the election process to provide more transparency, the inclusion of electronic ballots, and absentee voting by institutional representatives who are unable to attend the A nnual Business Meeting. To achieve these goals, the Board
developed a new election procedure which would require amendments to the Bylaws. Proposed updates to the By-laws were circulated for feedback, requested to be received by August 8th. Voting on the changes to the By-laws closed on August 18th and was unanimously approved.
Through our shared commitment and collaboration, we’ve continued to strengthen both our region and its chapters. Over the past year, the board has reached several important milestones. In addition to the highlights mentioned above, I look forward to sharing more exciting updates in the Annual Report, which will be distributed at our upcoming annual meeting.
In closing, I would like to thank the host committee for all their hard work over the last number of years and now as they are making final preparations for ERAPPA 2025 in Atlantic City, September 28th to October 1st at the amazing Hard Rock Hotel! I look forward to seeing you there!
Greg Clayton ERAPPA President
ERAPPA CEFP Credentialing Program Subsidy
What is the CEFP?
APPA’s Certified Educational Facilities Professional (CEFP) credential is an advanced level of certification that represents a mastery of professional expertise and is a mark of superior proficiency in the core competencies for education facilities professionals. This designation demonstrates superior proficiency, professional strength, and unfailing dedication in the field of educational facilities. The CEFP represents the foundational knowledge, talent, and skills of facilities professionals by highlighting accountability and emphasizing the importance of the profession as a whole and at the institutional level.
APPA- certified professionals who have earned this respected credential distinguish themselves among their peers. CEFP recipients tell us that while they gained skills that were immediately applicable to their job, the personal validation that comes from this achievement stands out to them this kind of recognition cannot be measured simply by a job description.
ERAPPA is committed to investing in your professional development by offering access to APPA’s CEFP Credentialing Program at a reduced cost of $550. This opportunity is available to all ERAPPA institutional members in good standing.
Program Details
• Each coupon covers the cost of the CEFP prep course and exam.
• New this year, the $550 fee must be paid upfront by the applicant and will be reimbursed upon successful completion of the testing process within the specified timeframes, regardless of exam outcome.
• Coupons will be available from September through February.
• Coupons are non-transferable
Ready to take the next step in your facilities management career? Learn more about this great opportunity at APPA’s CEFP Credentialing Program - Erappa
Celebrating the 2025 APPA Award Winners from ERAPPA
Jessica Pepoy ERAPPA Regional Director
At their Spring Conference in New Orleans, APPA proudly recognized the 2025 APPA Award recipients during the Awards and Business Meeting. We are thrilled to share and celebrate the ERAPPA members and institution who were honored for the outstanding achievements.
Meritorious Service Award – Patty Smith
APPA’s highest individual honor, the Meritorious Service Award, recognizes members who have made significant, lifelong contributions to the profession of educational facilities management. This year, two outstanding individuals received this prestigious award, including our own beloved Patty Smith:
A dedicated member for 36 years, Patty is from Villanova University’s Cabrini Campus. She has served in a wide range of roles within APPA, ERAPPA, and NJAPPA, including her recent tenure as President of ERAPPA in 2024.
Pacesetter Award – Mary Grube
The APPA Pacesetter Award encourages ongoing engagement by recognizing individuals who have already made substantial contributions in a short time. ERAPPA President Elect Mary Grube was one of the two individuals to receive this award.
An eight-year member from St. Mary’s College of Maryland, Mary has held leadership roles on the MD/DC APPA Chapter Board, ERAPPA Board, and the APPA Professional Development Committee. She currently serves as President-Elect for ERAPPA.
Effective and Innovative Practices Award = Princeton University
Princeton University was awarded the APPA Effective and Innovative Practices Award for its Sanitation Data Collection and Analysis Program - a data- driven solution that enhances sanitation services using ArcGIS QuickCapture, an ESRI mobile app.
Princeton streamlined operations through real-time analysis by capturing key data points like pickup times, bin types, and service issues. This initiative informed bin placements, optimized staffing and scheduling, and significantly improved campus cleanliness. The program has not only reduced waste overflow and saved time for staff but also provided a scalable and adaptable model for other institutions.
Congratulations to our outstanding ERAPPA award recipients, as well as the deserving honorees from APPA’s other regions. We celebrate your achievements and dedication to excellence!
���� Get Ready for ERAPPA 2025! ����
Article by Amy Baker
Pack your bags, grab your shades, We’re headed to the Jersey waves! Atlantic City’s callin’ loud— Let’s gather up the ERAPPA crowd!
From seagull songs to ocean breezes, Networking moments and Boardwalk cheeses, Sessions that spark, ideas that ignite, We’ll learn by day and laugh by night!
Lighthouse views and salt in the air, Powerhouse speakers? Oh yeah they’ll be there.
From facilities pros to our business crews, This is the place to share your news.
Whether you're a newbie or seasoned pro, This is the event you’ve gotta show.
Think: soft-serve cones and cocktail chatter, Innovation talks that truly matter.
So, bring your best, your curious mind, Your ERAPPA family is one of a kind. It’s more than a conference it’s a vibe, Where learning and fun beautifully collide.
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� � Atlantic City, 2025 be there or be square. Because when ERAPPA rolls into town… there’s magic in the air.
ERAPPA 2025 Sponsors
Are you a fan of trivia?
Fun Facts: Atlantic City Edition
Are you attending the annual conference in Atlantic City? You might want to review these facts before the trip.
1. America’s First Boardwalk
Atlantic City built the first- ever boardwalk in the U.S. in 1870 — originally intended to keep sand out of hotel lobbies! It’s now over 5 miles long and built with sustainable tropical hardwoods designed for durability against the salty sea air.
2. A Green Convention Center
The Atlantic City Convention Center is home to the largest single rooftop solar array on any structure in New Jersey. With over 13,000 solar panels, it produces approximately 28% of the building's annual energy needs.
3. Living Shorelines and Dune Restoration
In response to climate change and rising tides, Atlantic City has invested in living shoreline projects, dune grass plantings, and beach replenishment to stabilize coastal erosion — blending natural landscape design with urban resiliency.
4. Stormwater Solutions
AC’s “Green Streets” initiative includes permeable pavement and rain gardens to manage runoff and reduce flooding — key elements of sustainable urban infrastructure along the coast.
5. Historic Architecture with a Twist
From the Beaux-Arts Boardwalk Hall, home to the world’s largest pipe organ, to the art deco façades of casinos and hotels, AC showcases historic preservation woven into adaptive reuse and modern hospitality infrastructure.
6. Waste Not, Want Not
The city supports food waste reduction through commercial composting partnerships and is exploring municipal compost pilot programs for greater sustainability in the hospitality sector.
7. Smart City Elements
Atlantic City has integrated smart lighting systems, Wi-Fi- enabled public infrastructure, and building automation in several facilities to enhance energy efficiency and public safety.
8. Parks, Public Space, and Placemaking
Ongoing redevelopment projects like the Atlantic City Walk and Orange Loop focus on creating walkable, mixed-use spaces — promoting community engagement and revitalizing underused land.
Unlocking Growth: How Volunteering in Facilities Management
Organizations for Education Elevates and Enhances your Profession, Performance and Personality
Tawanda Thomas Director of Membership and Community Engagement NJAPPA
Business
Manager
at Rutgers University.
Facilities Management (FM) teams play a crucial role in shaping environments where students, faculty, and staff can thrive and succeed. They oversee a broad range of essential services including building maintenance, cleaning and environmental services, space planning and management, and emergency preparedness. As the backbone of any physical workplace, especially in academic settings, FM teams are the unsung heroes who ensure academic environments are safe, functional, healthy, comfortable, and welcoming.
In navigating the complex and multifaceted responsibilities of facilities operations, facilities management teams often benefit greatly from the support of professional organizations. Organizations like APPA, ERAPPA, and local regional chapters offer a myriad of support, resources, technology, and wealth of specialized knowledge in creating optimal environments for students, faculty, and staff.
Facilities Management teams are responsible for maintaining campus buildings and grounds, while organizations like APPA, ERAPPA, and local chapters provide essential support and resources across the U.S. and Canada. But who drives these organizations? They are volunteers - dedicated facilities management professionals from academic institutions; they are the “Go To(s)” and the “Call Who(s)” of educational operations. By day, they ensure campuses run smoothly; by night (or in their spare time), they volunteer their expertise, time, and resources to provide colleagues with the latest information, training, and certifications needed to tackle everyday operational challenges.
Why volunteer for FM organizations? Isn’t it time- consuming, stressful, or physically and mentally demanding? Not at all. In fact, it’s fulfilling. No, it’s more than fulfilling, it’s truly rewarding! Volunteering in Facilities Management organizations, especially those focused
on education, elevates your profession, enhances your performance, and shapes your personal growth. After speaking with several top FM professionals serving the New Jersey chapter of APPA (NJAPPA), the hosts of the 2025 ERAPPA Annual Conference, you will see how volunteering has enriched and, in some cases, transformed their careers and personal development
Amy Baker, a distinguished professional with the Facilities Management team at the New Jersey Institute of Technology (NJIT) has dedicated over 20 years to volunteering at NJAPPA. She began her journey as a Business Partner, later serving as Chair of the ERAPPA Business Partner Committee and then advancing to the role of Business Partner Liaison on the ERAPPA Board. Amy ’s leadership within NJAPPA also included positions of Communications Chair, Vice President, and President-Elect, before ultimately assuming the role of Chapter President. Most recently Amy became Co -Chair of the Host Committee for the upcoming 2025 ERAPPA Annual Conference.
Amy attributes her extensive volunteering with APPA, ERAPPA, and NJAPPA to a significant boost in her professional performance and growth. Over the years, her involvement has grown to encompass high-level strategic coordination, communications, event planning, and fostering institutional partnerships. Since joining the staff at NJIT in 2021, Amy served as the Executive Assistant to the Senior Vice President for Real Estate Development and Capital Operations for three years. Amy was recently promoted into he r current role of Executive Assistant to the President of NJIT!
Volunteering for FM organizations has enhanced Amy’s personal growth She states, “My membership and active participation in APPA, ERAPPA, and NJAPPA have been transformative, as it has provided such personal fulfillment. What began as a connection in the private sector over two decades ago evolved into a deeply rooted passion for educational facilities and the people who keep our institutions thriving. Volunteering for the facilities management organization has become part of who I am — not just what I do.”
Rajendrah Shah, Director of Mechanical Services at Montclair University has, since 2021, volunteered at NJAPPA on the Board of Directors. Rajendrah has a rich background in facilities management with almost 40 years in healthcare, maintaining the campuses of research and teaching hospitals as well as higher education.
Rajendrah shares that his involvement with NJAPPA and ERAPPA conferences has significantly improved his performance. It has provided him with new strategies to tackle technical challenges, expand his network to a large group of professional colleagues, and help him stay current with the latest products through trade shows, peer connections, and more.
He believes volunteering with facilities management organizations has been instrumental in advancing his career. It has kept him up to date in the ever- evolving industry of academia, enhanced his ability to manage large operational budgets, and developed new skills, particularly in HR-related areas.
Ivy League, Princeton University’s very own John Agento, Operations Manager in Building Services, oversees all custodial operations in dorms and residential housing. John has been with Princeton for seven years, and immediately prior, he was a General Manager, managing grounds and custodial operations for a contracting company, but not before he was a General Manager in two different school districts. So, John knows a few things about facilities management within the academic sector. John also generously volunteers his time with NJAPPA.
John serves as Director of Professional Development at NJAPPA and also believes his volunteer work with the organization has enhanced his professional career. Through interactions at conferences with peers facing similar challenges at their institutions, John has gained valuable new perspectives on campus-related issues.
He also credits volunteering with helping to shape his personality. John had a terrible fear of public speaking until one day he was presented with the daunting chance to be a guest speaker. John victoriously met the challenge and conquered it! John notes that while it has certainly contributed to his professional growth, it has been a transformative experience for his personal development as well.
Gen Z’s have benefitted tremendously as well from volunteering in facilities management organizations. Christopher Andreozzi, a recent graduate of Temple University and Tyler School of Art and Architecture, was a member of the Delaware Valley chapter of APPA (DVAPPA) Board for several years. Christopher says volunteering with the facilities management organization enhanced his professional development after “being exposed to a wide array of colleges and universities where I could see how their operations were run, learn more about how they managed their assets, and most importantly network for my very first job outside of college”
Volunteering at DVAPPA has played a pivotal role in Christopher’s professional development. Through networking within the organization, he was introduced to a key contact who advocated for his candidacy for a Plant Maintenance Engineer position at Thomas Jefferson Health Christopher believes that, had he not volunteered, he would have never had the opportunity to learn so much more about facilities management and ultimately secure what he says is his dream job at Jefferson Health.
Volunteering with facilities management organizations like APPA, ERAPPA, and NJAPPA goes beyond mere service. It is a powerful strategy for personal and professional growth. It elevates and propels the trajectory of one’s profession. It enhances job performance. It helps shapes individual into well-rounded, well informed, competent, confident leaders. Those who actively engage in volunteering in facilities management organizations will find themselves better equipped to meet challenges, enhance effectiveness, elevate them to drive positive change, unlock growth in becoming the leader they were meant to be…and of course, save the day as well.
Although we’re not ‘faster than a speeding bullet’, ‘more powerful than a locomotive,’ or even able to leap tall buildings in a single bound for that matter, but we are Facilities Management and supporting teams throughout the nation. We have a wide range of expertise, and we do it without a cape.
Written by Tawanda Thomas