Stephanie Patton Named VP of IFMA Central Ohio

Stephanie Patton, facilities planner and associate at NBBJ, has been appointed vice president of the Central Ohio IFMA Chapter.

She succeeds Fred Timm, Timm Facility Management, who became chapter president last November when Ron Black, senior engineer with the Defense Finance and Accounting Service, accepted a position with the Department of Defense in Rota, Spain.

Patton and Timm will serve in their current positions through June when an election of officers for the year will be conducted.

Patton joined IFMA about four years ago and has been particularly active within the chapter. Patton has been a member of the Program Committee since joining the chapter, and has served as a co-chair of the committee for more than two years.

In accepting the position as chapter vice president, Patton relinquished her co-chair of the Program Committee. The committee is now headed by current co-chair Brittany Haptman, interior designer with Fanning/Howey Associates, Inc., and Mike Milenovic, facility engineer with Distribution Fulfillment Services, Inc.

In addition to being involved with IFMA, Patton is a volunteer at the Wexner Center for the Arts at The Ohio State University, serves on the alumni advisory board of Pi Beta Phi social sorority at Ohio State, and is involved with the Roy G. Biv gallery in the Short North area of Columbus.

Patton and her husband, Andy, are the parents of a seven-month-old son, Jack. Her husband is employed by Alterra Real Estate Advisors in Columbus.

John Cleland - Thomas W. Ruff & Co.

As the Central Ohio IFMA Chapter begins its 14th year this month as a professional organization, reflection on its beginning and growth is both significant and appropriate.

John Cleland, senior vice president of marketing for Thomas W. Ruff & Co. and a member of Ruff's management team, is credited with being the organizing force behind the chapter's establishment in January 1989. Cleland remains as one of the chapter's staunchest supporters, and has helped the facility management organization evolve into a first-rate association with a membership approaching 200.

Thomas W. Ruff & Co., 1114 Dublin Rd., is one of the nation's largest total service office furnishing dealerships. Cleland's wide range of responsibilities with the company includes marketing, facility-management services, architecture and design outreach, sales in targeted corporate accounts, and major project management.

It was Cleland's and his company's focus on facility management round-table meetings, seminars, and services that led to the chapter's founding. This occurred after Cleland invited Rick Palmer, then regional vice president of IFMA, to address a round-table group in September 1988. Shortly afterward, those attending the session committed to the development of an IFMA chapter.

Present at that meeting were Roger Bower, Midland Insurance; Dick Hoffmeyer, Ross Laboratories; Pat Kennedy, BancOhio National Bank; Bob McCoy of Cardinal Industries; Bob Pulsfort, Ashland Chemical; Dick Smith, Warner Cable; Ken Tossey Scotts Co.; and Dick Williams, AT&T Technologies.

Cleland said, "From this group an organizing committee was formed that included other interested facility managers. I can't take credit for the chapter's early success because it was like pushing a ball downhill. Many individuals stepped up to the plate and provided leadership and hard work to make the chapter one of IFMA's early bright stars.

"While the chapter has been blessed with strong leadership throughout its existence, a few of the early contributors remain as strong supporters today. These include Mike Kearney, Bill Sopira, Bob Pulsfort, Jack Higgins, Vern Metz, Fred Timm, Craig Thomas, Molly Ranz, Marianne Barnhart, Mark Haberman, Tom Logsdon, and Donna Byrom.

"From the allied or affiliate side we have Vickie Simons, NBBJ, who is now a professional member; Susan Mulgrew and Bill Weiss, Fiber Seal; David Connelly, Central Business Group; John Tucker, Ohio Custodial Maintenance; Jim Yankle, Excel Interiors; Anthony Perry, Perry Contract Services, Inc.; and several representatives from Steelcase, Inc."

After formation of the chapter, Cleland served as chairman of the Membership Committee from 1989-92, associate representative to the chapter's board of directors from 1993-98, and a representative to the National IFMA Conference in 1986, and from 1988-1999 and in 2001. For his hard work, the chapter honored him with a Certificate of Achievement in 1990, and with Certificates of Appreciation in 1991 and 1992.

Cleland, a graduate of The Ohio State University with a bachelor's degree and major in space enclosure design, joined Thomas Ruff in 1968. Prior to being named senior vice president, Cleland served the company as an interior designer, design/sales representative, architect/designer liaison, showroom design and merchandising coordinator, project manager, and coordinator of new facility-service development.

Thomas Ruff is a strong supporter of community groups and has encouraged Cleland's involvement in IFMA and in several other organizations over the years. These include serving as president of the Upper Arlington Civic Association, treasurer of the board of directors of Direction's for Youth, various committee chairs with the Upper Arlington Rotary, member and past board member of the Institute of Interior Designers Association, and the Upper Arlington Leadership program.

Most recently, Cleland has been a member of the steering committee involved in the establishment of the new Upper Arlington Grace Brethren Church that was started last September.

Cleland believes the Central Ohio chapter is unique "because of the accepting atmosphere of the members for learning, networking, and having fun." He says the relationships he has established in the chapter over the years are "irreplaceable, because they're like family."

The W. W. Williams Company is reminiscent of a sturdy oak tree: Its taproot has been firmly anchored in Columbus since 1912 while its numerous lateral roots have spread and sprung up in cities throughout the United States.

The company, founded by W. W. Williams, has become one of the nation's oldest and largest industrial distribution firms with over 750 employees, and continues to extend its operations through wholly-owned subsidiaries. Today, the W. W. Williams family consists of:

• The corporate offices at 835 Goodale Blvd. where Bill Williams, great-grandson of the founder, serves as chief executive officer. He is assisted by Bob Peyton, president; Jean Patrick, executive vice president; and chairman emeritus, David F. Williams, grandson of the founder.
  
  
• Williams Detroit Diesel-Allison, distributor of:
  o The Detroit Diesel family of engines-Detroit Diesel, MTU, V.M. Motori, and Mercedes Industrial.
  o Allison Transmission Division of General Motors-on and off highway automatic transmissions.
  o Volvo Penta Corp.-diesel and gasoline marine engines.
  

The subsidiary also is involved in aftermarket parts sales, and diesel engine and transmission repair in several states, including Arizona, Alabama, Georgia, Michigan, Nevada, Ohio, South Carolina, and Kentucky, and supports a network of over 200 dealers.

• Williams Carrier Transicold, which serves most of Ohio, Kentucky and southern Indiana, providing these areas with emergency and regular repair and maintenance for all brands of truck and trailer refrigeration and bus air conditioning units. This subsidiary markets Carrier refrigeration units.
  
  
• Williams Distribution, an original equipment manufacturer (OEM) distributor for out-of-production powertrain component parts. This subsidiary has the engineering drawings, tooling, fixtures, and all proprietary information to provide the same OEM quality replacement parts for a number of commercial and military engines and transmissions.
  
  
• Williams Marine Power, a full-line marine sales and service organization serving both the commercial and pleasure craft marine markets in the midwest and southeast.
  The company also is a strong supporter of the Central Ohio IFMA Chapter through its corporate sponsorship and the membership of Jean Patrick who sees the association and the chapter's facility management seminars as particularly beneficial for her and the company.
  
  Patrick acknowledges she would like to be more active in the chapter; however, her wide range of responsibilities within the family-owned company-facility planner/manager, marketing, personnel, and benefits-prevent her from doing so. While women serve the company as corporate attorney and secretary, credit manager, and parts manager, Patrick is the only woman on the executive management team in what is considered a male-dominated field.
  
  David Williams hired her when he was "seeking people who had brains and were willing to work. He gave me the opportunity, and I have had an absolute ball working here. I've had a wonderful, wonderful variety of things to do. I've been very lucky, and I mean that sincerely" she said.
  
  Patrick said it took about 20 years to work her way "through the chairs" to her current position. Along the road she picked up all types of company and product information, including how to rebuild transmissions and fuel injectors.

Robert S. Davis, Ltd.

Visitors to the Ohio Expo Center, home of the Ohio State Fair and numerous other events throughout the year, should soon begin to experience a greatly improved venue thanks to a long-range plan developed in part by a Columbus area architectural firm.

If the Ohio Expositions Commission follows the master plan developed by Robert S. Davis, Ltd. of Powell, and fair consultant Bullock Smith & Partners of Knoxville, Tenn., the center will receive a much-needed $102 million face lift over the next 10 years, making it more attractive for fair and non-fair events.

According to Buck Wince, partner in Robert S. Davis, LTD, the plan addresses renovating most of the 30 Ohio Expo buildings, constructing two new multi-purpose buildings, as well as extensive upgrading and replacement of the utility infrastructure. The plan also includes improving pedestrian and vehicle traffic, and enhancing the campus perimeters and gateways.

Wince, project manager in evaluating the center and developing the master plan, is no stranger there. He and Robert S. Davis, LTD have been involved in improvements to the Coliseum and 17 other center buildings for the last four years to help make events safer and more enjoyable for visitors.

Wince also has been extensively involved in other projects with the State of Ohio; the W. W. Williams Co., one of the nation's oldest and largest industrial distribution firms (also featured as an IFMA sponsor this month); and educational institutions, including The Ohio State University, Ohio University, The Columbus Academy.

In all, Wince, whose focus at Robert S. Davis, Ltd., is developing and marketing public and state projects, has more than 12-years experience with ventures ranging from $100,000 to $80 million.

Before he and Robert S. Davis founded their firm in 1995, Wince was associated with Columbus area architectural firms including NBBJ and Patrick & Associates. Wince's major projects at NBBJ included the Limited and M/I Schottenstein Homes Office Complex, Bank One Corporate Center in Polaris, and the North Central Correctional Institution.

Wince said while he has been involved in a number of projects that were gratifying, his most rewarding experience was designing the new J. Ashburn Jr. Youth Center on the city's West Side.

The $2 million building was dedicated last October, bringing to fruition a 20-year dream of J. Ashburn Jr. Youth Center and Hilltop residents for a facility to replace an aging, inadequate facility that was condemned in early 1999.

The old facility is where such basketball standouts as Michael Redd perfected their game and first attracted the attention of high school coaches and college scouts. The new 21,000-square-foot center features a gymnasium with a regulation basketball court, library, computer technology center, arts and crafts rooms, and many other multi-purpose rooms to help meet the needs of young people of the area.

"This was a particularly nice project for me," Wince said. "You know that this new community facility is making a significant difference in the young people's lives. That's what I enjoyed about the project."

Mrs. James O. Saunders, the center's executive director, recognized Wince and the general contractor for "combining our needs, community needs, and their concepts into such a pleasing structure …to aid (our) youth in their developmental years to become responsible productive citizens."

Wince also serves as vice chairman of the Columbus AIA Continuing Education Committee, which develops the continuing education venues for the Columbus AIA chapter.

Wince says the firm has benefited greatly from being an IFMA chapter sponsor.

"This has given us a greater understanding of facility issues from the building managers' point of view. Also the manufacturers and their representatives associated with IFMA help keep us abreast of the latest in products and technology.

"Our philosophy is to design facilities for our clients to enable them achieve their vision. We respond to our clients' needs and problems, and IFMA provides a good forum to know what is going on in the workplace."

Wince and his wife, Kathleen, an architect with NBBJ, reside in Worthington. They are parents of a daughter, Emma, born November 14.