David Schoen Wins Statewide Facilities Management Award

David Schoen, electrical utilities operations manager in physical plant utilities at UMass Amherst, has been named the Massachusetts Facilities Management Association (MAFMA) Member of the Year by the state’s Division of Capital Assets Management and Maintenance (DCAMM).

Image

The Member of the Year program was established to recognize outstanding performance and special achievements of MAFMA members. The Office of Facilities Management and Maintenance (OFMM) looks for specific examples of special achievement or consistent outstanding performance that, according to each member’s professional judgment, clearly demonstrates what is expected of the maintainers of the commonwealth’s facilities.

DCAMM Commissioner Carol Gladstone announced that Schoen was selected as the winner in the most recent MAFA Zoom meeting. He was honored with the presentation of the award, by Chancellor Kumble Subbaswamy and his nominating supervisor, Thomas Fydenkevez, on Tuesday, Nov. 16 at the Central Heating Plant.

In his nomination form, Fydenkevez described Schoen’s many contributions to the campus, including overseeing the purchase and installation of money-saving, safety-enhancing LED streetlights and light fixtures. Fydenkevez described this as a project which “can and should be replicated by other state facilities.”

Of his work, Fydenkevez wrote, “David Schoen consistently exhibits extraordinary commitment to maintaining the University facilities in an exceedingly functional manner. He is extremely innovative and a very talented Master Electrician.”

Schoen has also been a key member in planning electrical vehicle charging stations, solar-powered parking lights and bike stations on campus, enhancing sustainability. He was also involved in a project to identify and install push-button crosswalk signs, increasing lighting, and decreasing the number of pedestrian-involved accidents in crosswalks. 

“It was a pleasure to help David celebrate this outstanding recognition,” said Chancellor Subbaswamy. “He not only works tirelessly to ensure the necessary flow of electricity on campus but is also helping UMass Amherst become more efficient, safe and sustainable.”