Charter Association Creates History
Published in APPA Facilities Manager Magazine
Volume 17 Number 5; September/October 2001

On May 23, 2001, the Dallas Fort Worth Educational Facilities Association (DFWAPPA) officially became the newest association to be affiliated with the Association of Higher Education Facilities Officers (APPA).

John Harrod, 2000-2001 President of APPA was in attendance to install the Executive Committee and charter members. Harrod also presented APPA's goals and strategic plan, and explained the role that the DFWAPPA membership plays as APPA associates.

Kevin Folsom, President of DFWAPPA and Director of Facilities and Plant Operations at Dallas Theological Seminary, gave a presentation on how the membership represents educational institutions and business partners working together to contribute to a better future for our children.

His message stated that all educational institutions have three things in common: students, faculty, and facilities; and that staff support is critical to each area. Facilities management is not only nuts and bolts, or bricks and mortar, but also customer service. The high visibility of the facilities staff at each institution enables them to set the tone on their campus by taking ownership of their work and exhibiting the professional attitude of someone well trained in their discipline.

 

Folsom has set a goal to develop a method for DFWAPPA to recognize facilities staff members; from management to entry-level; for their contribution to educational facilities management.

Art Sykes, Vice President of DFWAPPA (Director of Facilities at Eastfield College, Dallas) presented each charter member with a framed personalized certificate. Other officers installed were Tim Leitch, Secretary-Treasurer (Director of Physical Plant at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, Fort Worth) and Wesley Hayes, Ad Hoc Chair (Director of Facilities Services at Richland College, Dallas).

 

DFWAPPA first met on May 27, 1999, with three people in attendance. Two years later, the May 23rd charter meeting had 31 attendees. Membership consists of facility staff from 19 educational institutions and 30 business partner companies. The association is financially stable and has initiated good strategic initiatives.

DFWAPPA will provide three primary opportunities to its members: a unique association to APPA, motivation for entry-level through management-level staff, and resources that are not easily attained by one institution and are unique to the Dallas Fort Worth area.

 

From the conception of DFWAPPA, it was desired for the association to be a professional organization in every aspect. Chartering was just the next step to its bright future for a professional association that enthusiastically supports its membership and APPA.