Migs Damiani
Distinguished Trainer and AFE Leader
A.S. Migs Damiani, CPE/ FAFE, a 40-year life member of AFE, heads up the training program for EMCOR and also serves on the editorial board of AFE’s Facilities Engineering Journal. Damiani is a Certified Plant Engineer (CPE) and was selected as an AFE Fellow in 1984. He was also selected by AFE as Region One’s Engineer of the Year and National Plant Engineer of the Year. He joined AFE in 1971 and has been active in AFE leadership for many years.
In his distinguished career, Damiani has been president of two facilities management companies: Complete Building Services (CBS) and COM-SITE International, a high-tech facilities integration company. He oversaw the construction of more than 125 buildings, including corporate facilities, and developed the 750-acre South Germantown Recreational Park, featuring the Maryland Soccerplex and dozens of outdoor soccer fields that help to accommodate a large portion of 15,000 players in Montgomery Soccer Inc. and other youth and adult leagues. Damiani has been awarded 30 national awards and has published three books, one of which is being used as a textbook in facilities management by the U.S. Army Medical Command in their advanced facilities management course at Baylor University.
Damiani, who holds a BS in Commerce and Engineering from Drexel University and a Master’s in Engineering Administration from The George Washington University, coordinates the CPMM program for EMCOR and says that it is the best certification available for managers who work in maintenance. “Every manager who works for the government or contractors who work with the government must be certified by 2013, when the new law goes into effect,” he said. “With our agreement with AFE, we expect to have more than 120 managers trained and certified when that time comes. Training is a major reason why EMCOR is a leader in the field of maintenance management. No one does it better than EMCOR.”
AFE Executive Director Dr. Wayne Carley said Damiani’s volunteer efforts have been essential to the organization’s growth. “AFE might never have achieved its current success in education and training programs for facilities engineers without the active, engaged and insightful participation of Migs Damiani in our organization,” he said in a recent interview for Facilities Engineering Journal.
As he nears retirement, Damiani’s goals are to share his knowledge of facilities management with others. One major way he will achieve these goals is facilitating training programs based on the teachings of world-renowned motivational speaker and author Zig Ziglar, whose wisdom has had a profound impact on Damiani over the past several decades.
To learn more about these training programs, contact Migs at Migs_Damiani@emcorgroup.com.
A facilities manager seldom receives management’s attention, unless you do something wrong. And who wants that kind of recognition? Positive attention and proper recognition can best be achieved by demonstrating contributions to the bottom line, and success will come to those who effectively communicate its impact to their superiors through demonstrated proficiency. The following suggestions will go a long way in helping you get the attention of your superiors:
- Know the business of your business.
This is easier said than done; however, it is essential. Your department’s contributions should be measured against the company’s goals and objectives and other strategic planning initiatives. - Improve the image and efficiency of maintenance and other support services.
Maintenance is viewed by some as the most nonproductive and outdated department in a plant – with some techniques dating back 100 years. Take a hard look at the maintenance department and stop accepting mediocrity. Strive for excellence in everything you do. - Educate your boss.
Management is usually ignorant (meaning uninformed) regarding the positive contributions made by facilities managers. We all believe the boss knows a lot about what we do, but they can’t know unless we tell them. It is not only proper but essential that we communicate in terms top management can understand, without being self-serving. - Document your savings, cost containment, cost avoidance, productivity increases.
Every time you make or save money, report it. Compile reports on a weekly, monthly, quarterly and yearly basis, and ensure that they get into the right hands. You’ll be surprised at how much you have accomplished by the end of the year. - Think bottom line.
Every dollar saved in overhead is a dollar added to the bottom line. - Write articles and speak to groups.
Share your expertise and experience. Most companies are highly supportive of outside involvement of employees and publicize these activities in their company newsletters. That’s one way of communicating to, and gaining the attention of, top management. - Participate in professional societies/community organizations.
Most companies are good corporate citizens in that they give back to the community they serve. Companies take pride in those employees who serve their community. Become active in professional societies, company-sponsored functions, community service and in the political process, and you will be recognized in a positive manner. - Take the initiative to speak up.
Be proactive and make your views known in a positive and constructive manner. Accept and positively respond to criticism rather than being negative and defensive about it. - Motivate others.
Learn to lead and be a leader, a manager of others. Lead by example — work early, stay late, make a decision expeditiously, give credit to others and answer phone calls promptly. - Plan, plan, plan.
Plan your department’s work and your work to be in step with your company’s plans. Plan ahead and follow up. Proper planning is the key to accomplishments.
This article was adapted and condensed from Moving Up the Organization in Facilities Management: Proven Strategies to Increase Productivity in Your Workforce, by A.S. Migs Damiani, published by Scitech Publishing.
