Penn State Facilities Engineering Institute (PSFEI), as part of the Department of Architectural Engineering, plays a major role in Penn State’s service to the Commonwealth.  In addition to its regular engineering advising services, PSFEI has continued to play a leadership role in helping to nurture and direct the Pennsylvania Facilities Managers Association (PFMA), a professional organization whose membership consists primarily of Commonwealth facility managers and engineers.

PFMA held its 48th Annual Conference at The Resort at Split Rock, Lake Harmony, Pennsylvania, October 31 through November 3, 2000.  More than 200 conferees and 180 vendor representatives participated in the four-day opportunity for the managers, engineers, and operations personnel to learn of new technologies and opportunities for physical plants.  Approximately 60 Commonwealth facilities were represented.  This was the third year for the new conference format that included vendor/manufacturer exhibitors (66 booths) as well as formal seminar presentations (17 sessions).  

Dave Thompson and Jason Szotak, PSFEI engineers, manned a booth for BIG-NA (BACnet Interest Group - North America) – one of the many highlights of the exhibitors’ displays. Carl Peretti, PSFEI engineer, anchored a session on Using Infra-red Surveys to Reduce Electrical Faults/Outages.  PSFEI Director Jim Myers was team leader for a multifaceted presentation on Master Planning Energy Use & Facility Management that included PSFEI engineers Laura Miller, Larry Myers, and Paul Moser.  Jim Tomlinson, PSFEI engineer, wore dual hats serving as Conference Program Chair as well as Exhibitor Program Chair for PFMA 2000. 

The Honorable Robert A. Bittenbender, Secretary, Office of the Budget was the conference banquet speaker.  Larry Buchanan, Office of Executive Assistant to the Secretary for Institutional Initiatives, Department of Public Welfare, served as PFMA president for 2000.  PFMA Conference 2001 is scheduled for October 28-31 at Valley Forge.