Ep. 156: “Empower Your People” – Using Artificial Intelligence to Share Knowledge in Facilities Maintenance with Derek Crager, PMP, CLSS, CSM, AWS-CP of Practical AI
Release Date: 07/18/2025
Ep. 164: “Keep It Human” – Advancing Technology and Innovation in Facility Management with Billy Holder, CFM of Project Aidra
Asset Champion Podcast | Physical Asset Management | Facility Management | Facilities Maintenance and Operations
Billy Holder, CFM is Founder & CEO at Project Aidra where he is as a dynamic and tech-savvy facilities professional who is passionate about driving facility management innovation. Mike Petrusky asks Billy about his FM career journey and how it led to the founding of Project Aidra, a company dedicated to building a future where more intelligent, automated, and precise property inspection is possible. They explore the importance of taking a holistic view of the built environment, including the people occupying our facilities. Billy says the challenges facing the FM industry include staffing...
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Ep. 163: “Take a Chance” – A Time of Rapid Change and Innovation in Asset and Facility Management with Colette Temmink of Voxel
Asset Champion Podcast | Physical Asset Management | Facility Management | Facilities Maintenance and Operations
Colette Temmink is a corporate real estate, facilities and operations leader at Voxel committed to making a positive impact championing safe, efficient and sustainable workplace technology. Mike Petrusky asks Colette about how asset and facility management has evolved from a purely tactical focus to a more strategic and technology-oriented profession, influenced by trends such as digital twins, AI, and sustainability. They discuss how FM professionals should not be afraid to embrace new technologies and innovations, but they need to ask what they are solving for and explore technologies that...
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Ep. 162: “Be Curious” – Inspiration for Achieving Collective Success in Facilities and Asset Management with Lalit Agarwal of APPA
Asset Champion Podcast | Physical Asset Management | Facility Management | Facilities Maintenance and Operations
Lalit Agarwal is President and CEO of APPA: Leadership in Educational Facilities, the association supporting educational facilities professionals worldwide. He brings over two decades of experience in facilities management, including leadership roles at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and EnergyCAP, an energy management and sustainability company. Mike Petrusky asks Lalit about his career journey from an engineer to facilities manager to the CEO of APPA, where he is passionate about building business partnerships and professional development opportunities for the FM community. He shares how...
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Ep. 161: “Open Dialog” – Discovering Technology Solutions and AI Tools in the Asset and Facility Management Industry with Joseph Aamidor of Aamidor Consulting
Asset Champion Podcast | Physical Asset Management | Facility Management | Facilities Maintenance and Operations
Joseph Aamidor is Senior Product Management Consultant and Managing Director at Aamidor Consulting where he provides market strategy guidance to building owners and operators, established building management firms, technology providers, investors, and early-stage innovators. Mike Petrusky asks Joe about the state of the facilities management industry and why it is experiencing fragmentation in available technology solutions, making it challenging to choose the right tools. They explore how the industry is in a trial and error phase with AI and discuss ways that asset management leaders can...
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Ep. 160: “The Future is Already Here” – Operations and Maintenance in Facilities Management with Vaughn Halliday, MSc, CFM, SFP, FMP, PMP, ProFM of Central Bank of Trinidad & Tobago
Asset Champion Podcast | Physical Asset Management | Facility Management | Facilities Maintenance and Operations
Vaughn Halliday, MSc, CFM, SFP, FMP, PMP, ProFM is Manager of Support Services and Facilities for the Central Bank of Trinidad & Tobago where he is a seasoned management executive with a specialized focus on facilities and project management, underpinned by a fervent commitment to sustainability. Mike Petrusky asks Vaughn why he believes that FM professionals need to lead with purpose, adapt with precision, and invest in people as much as they do in technology. They discuss the constant tension between short-term operational demands and long-term asset stewardship which often leads to...
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Ep. 159: “Don’t Underestimate” – Evolving Technologies and Change in Asset and Facility Management with Podcast Host Mike Petrusky
Asset Champion Podcast | Physical Asset Management | Facility Management | Facilities Maintenance and Operations
Podcast host Mike Petrusky shares an update on his future plans for the show, industry conferences happening this fall, and the need for continuous learning in our asset and facility management journey. He discusses recent themes that have come up this past year, especially the impact of artificial intelligence and AI agents on the built environment and reminds us that we often overestimate short-term technological changes while underestimating long-term change. Digital Twins and BIM (Building Information Modeling) are key technologies that will enhance data management and provide a more...
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Ep. 158: “Have a Conversation” – Chatbots, AI and the Future of FM and Asset Management with Entrepreneur and Author Ab DeWeese
Asset Champion Podcast | Physical Asset Management | Facility Management | Facilities Maintenance and Operations
Ab DeWeese is a serial entrepreneur, investor, polymath, and AI educator recognized for his ability to distill complex problems into clear, actionable solutions. Mike Petrusky asks AB about his new book, “Essential AI: Your All-in-One QuickStart to Using AI in Business and The Workplace” where he explains the different types of AI systems, including generative AI and custom-built AI for specific business needs. Mike and Ab explore how AI can significantly enhance the efficiency of maintenance and repair tasks by quickly accessing and summarizing technical manuals, but they caution that...
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Ep. 157: “Find a Partner” – Facility Management, Restoration and the Future of the Built Environment with Steve Willis, FMP of Mooring USA
Asset Champion Podcast | Physical Asset Management | Facility Management | Facilities Maintenance and Operations
Steve Willis, FMP is Vice President for Specialty Services at Mooring USA where his is a team builder, networker and educator in the field of disaster restoration and commercial construction. Mike Petrusky asks Steve about the future role of facility managers as the built environment becomes more complex and demanding due to the integration of new technologies and the aging of buildings. They explore how natural disasters, construction defects, HVAC problems, and plumbing failures can pose significant challenges for FM leaders caring for the occupants of their facilities. Steve believes that...
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Ep. 156: “Empower Your People” – Using Artificial Intelligence to Share Knowledge in Facilities Maintenance with Derek Crager, PMP, CLSS, CSM, AWS-CP of Practical AI
Asset Champion Podcast | Physical Asset Management | Facility Management | Facilities Maintenance and Operations
Derek Crager, PMP, CLSS, CSM, AWS-CP is a visionary AI Solutions Architect & founder of Practical AI, which exists to bridge the gap between people and the knowledge they seek. Mike Petrusky asks Derek about empowering employees with the right knowledge and tools for effective asset and facility management. They explore how Voice AI can act as a singularity point in knowledge, providing instant access to standard operating procedures, safety routines, and tribal knowledge in the built environment. Derek believes that AI will not replace human jobs in facilities maintenance, but it will...
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Ep. 155: “Prevention is Your Best Asset Strategy” – Air Quality, Facilities Maintenance and Safety with Norelle Done of Viking Pure Solutions
Asset Champion Podcast | Physical Asset Management | Facility Management | Facilities Maintenance and Operations
Norelle Done is Director of Marketing at Viking Pure Solutions where she is on a mission to elevate the way we think about health, safety, and sustainability in the spaces we live, learn, and work. Mike Petrusky asks Norelle about the importance of addressing invisible threats in facilities, such as airborne viruses and chemical residues, and how nontoxic cleaners and disinfectants might help to reduce health risks. They explore some key challenges facing facility managers today include staffing shortages, cleaning compliance, and shifting from reactive to preventive approaches in facilities...
info_outlineDerek Crager, PMP, CLSS, CSM, AWS-CP is a visionary AI Solutions Architect & founder of Practical AI, which exists to bridge the gap between people and the knowledge they seek. Mike Petrusky asks Derek about empowering employees with the right knowledge and tools for effective asset and facility management. They explore how Voice AI can act as a singularity point in knowledge, providing instant access to standard operating procedures, safety routines, and tribal knowledge in the built environment. Derek believes that AI will not replace human jobs in facilities maintenance, but it will support and enhance them, so we must seek applications that will help FM and asset professionals deliver value for their people. Leading with empathy and curiosity is key to staying ahead in the rapidly evolving tech landscape, so Mike and Derek share their love of music and classic videos games as they offer advice and the encouragement you need to be an Asset Champion in your organization!
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