The Building BITE

Please tune in to this episode of The Building BITE Podcast, as we hear from industry experts about key topics to help you be successful. In this episode, hosts Chris Epps and Mike Diercksen, CRIS, welcome Justin Reginato, PH.D. Associate Vice President Facilities Management at California State University, Sacramento. The show dives into how Justin and Sacramento State are utilizing BIM and construction technology to drive success, leading to new opportunities for the University. He shares nuances to building in Higher Ed such as the importance of setting a budget and guarding it closely until substantial completion. After that, the remaining budget can be used for wish-list items to maximize the impact of the facility for staff and students. Justin explains why It’s also important to be collaborative and work with teams that connect across the board from design, between faculty, project teams and even student bodies. Justin continues by sharing his three takeaways in achieving success working in and around Higher Ed: 1. You must hire great Design Build Teams, with a focus on collaboration 2. Ruthlessly prioritize project Needs and Wants (In that order) 3. Be conservative with protecting the budget, especially the contingency until we know we are in the clear He encourages Facility Managers to talk to end users, custodians and maintenance staff early on in pre-design and share anecdotes to support that action item.