CAPPA Newsletter

 

A LOCAL PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT AND NETWORKING ASSOCIATION
By Wes Hayes, Director of Facilities at Richland College

DFWAPPA, A Dallas Fort Worth Educational Facilities Association, was organized for the purpose of dialogue and exchange regarding facilities operations in education institutions. The organization also provides opportunity for professional development and networking with other professional groups.

Their Mission is to provide valuable training, innovative support, communications network, shared information and accountability to continuously improve the educational institutions in the Dallas Fort Worth metroplex.

Organization Goals are:

1. To provide the DFW Metroplex with a high quality educational system (facilities) with minimal cost. 

2. Develop an associational criterion that can challenge our staff members to follow, and provide associational annual awards to those who meet the challenge 

3. Learn from one another

4. Encourage our staff members to communicate with one another and seek input when needed

5. Exchange reputable contractor and vendor information

6. Consider consortium possibilities

Share quality employee applicants

Membership is open to any active member, in good standing, with APPA, who agrees to host a meeting every one to two years, and to share information about their campus facilities. Complete the DFWAPPA membership application that is located on the DFWAPPA web site. Current membership institutions include the following: Dallas Theological Seminary, East Dallas Community School, Eastfield College, Harris Methodist, International Linguistics Center, Irving Arts Center, North Lake College, Richland College, Southwest Adventist University, Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, University of Dallas, University of North Texas Health and Science Center.

Once a quarter a meeting is held at one of the member's campus for approximately two to three hours. The host of the meeting is responsible to provide a tour of the campus and dinner in the campus cafeteria, if available or of the host choosing. The meeting environment is very simple and uncomplicated so it will be easy for anyone to host a meeting. This is an excellent time for the host to share successes and struggles with attending facility managers of other institutions.

On 13 April, 2000, the Directors of Facilities and other staff members of the Dallas Fort Worth Metroplex, met at Eastfield College in their quarterly meeting, hosted by Art Sykes, Director. Art conducted a tour of his facilities which included the computerized automotive and air conditioning technology laboratories as well as a recently constructed student intake center accompanied with appropriate demonstrations of each area. Art also had a local carpet vendor present to discuss and demonstrate the various types of carpet and their application in varying conditions. A wonderful learning opportunity and experience exchange provided by Art. Those attending were: Kevin Folsom, Brian Gerberich, Bob Owen Dallas Theological Seminary; Tony Egan, East Dallas Community School; Art Sykes, Michael Washington, Lenny King, Eastfield College; David Robbins, International Linguistics Center; Tommy Gallegos, Irving Arts Center; John Hughling, Northlake College; Wesley Hayes, Richland College; Tim Lietch, Dan Hasse, Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. All these men and their respective institutions are dedicated to providing learning environments that enhance Teaching, Learning and Community Building. They are indeed rapidly becoming Architects of Excellence.

Finally, Kevin Folsom, Director of Physical Plant at Dallas Theological Seminary is to be commended for having the vision to organize such a group with the assistance of others mentioned in this article. Kevin created and maintains the Web site and manages the day to day affairs of the organization. He is the kind of visionary leader that Burt Nanus talks about in his book Visionary Leadership. Thanks to Kevin for his leadership, his vision, and his professionalism.