FMJ Facilities Management magazine providing industry-specific intelligence to FM and property professionals
The International Facility Management Association (IFMA) has appointed Michael Geary as its new President & CEO, effective 10 February 2025.
With over 30 years of distinguished leadership in the association and nonprofit sectors, the association says Geary is “poised to propel IFMA into a future where it not only meets the global challenges of today but leads the innovations of tomorrow”.
Most recently, Geary served as the CEO of the Society for Marketing Professional Services (SMPS) and the SMPS Foundation, where he supported over 7,400 professionals in the architecture, engineering, and construction industries. His career also includes pivotal roles at AmericanHort, the American Institute of Architecture Students, and the National Association of Home Builders, where he enhanced global engagement and cultivated inclusive, professional networks across continents.
In his new role, Geary will leverage his extensive network within the association community and his profound expertise in strategic planning to enhance IFMA’s presence on the international stage.
Lynn Baez, Chair of IFMA said of the appointment: “Mike’s proven leadership skills and his ability to connect with members and stakeholders globally will be beneficial as we work to extend IFMA’s reach and influence in the built environment worldwide. His strong association management experience and commitment to fostering an inclusive environment align well with IFMA’s values and our strategic goals.”
Geary holds a CAE designation from the American Society of Association Executives and a Certificate in Diversity & Inclusion from Cornell University. An active volunteer, he has served on multiple boards, including the Delta Chi Fraternity and America in Bloom.
FMJ has partnered with Watco to deliver a webinar on Thursday 30th January where we will be grilling a panel of experts on how facilities managers can maintain a safe workplace while balancing shrinking budgets.
The webinar follows the Lifting the Lid report series that the industrial paint and repair products specialist has been developing over the past few years based on research conducted with FMs across the UK. The research explored core responsibilities of the FM role, including how they have evolved in the past decade, and the associated challenges to manage.
Watco’s Sales Director and key contributor to the reports, Chris Budd, will be joined by a panel of experts including Phil Pinnington, Head of Audit & Consultancy at the British Safety Council, Nick Bray, Head of HSEQ, ISS UK and Ireland and Jenni Gallop, Director of Estates and Facilities at Provide Community.
With decades of combined experience in the introduction and management of health and safety in complex, demanding environments, the panel will provide the audience with recommendations broken down into steps that can be introduced immediately.
The panel will discuss the research data from FMs across the UK, the evidence they have seen of those experiences across industries and their first-hand recommendations on how to manage those challenges and ease the pressure.
Click here to sign up for the webinar.
