Rocky Mountain Views – Current Features
RMA 2011 Conference Report
By Viron Lynch, RMA President - Weber State University
This year, RMA’s Annual Conference was held in Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada, from September 11th to the 14th. Over 240 RMA and WCUPPA (Western Canadian University Physical Plant Administrators) members joined together for a terrific conference. The host committee from the University of Regina did a fantastic job hosting a conference focused on “Harvesting Opportunities”.
The conference participants were engaged in educational, recreational, and social activities. Holding true to the RMA tradition, a golf tournament kicked off the conference; the team headed by Dave Button (University of Regina) won the informal international “RMA Cup”. For the non-golfers, there was a Fish-n-Fry at Last Mountain Lake and day-trip Moose Jaw. All of the networking activities were a huge success and enjoyed by all.
Keynote speakers started each day with a moving message. On Tuesday, Andrew Brash shared his story of climbing Mount Everest, detailing the events of the trip ultimately to be stopped 200 meters short of the summit to help save the life of another climber. Then on Wednesday, Darci Lang motivated everyone with her message to focus on the 90% that is positive in your life.
Education continues to be an emphasis of the RMA conference. Presenters discussed relevant topics and needs for today’s facilities professionals in 20 breakout sessions. Many presentations joined Educational Facilities professionals with Business Partners, enhancing the opportunity to form partnerships and increase collaboration.
RMA continues to promote member involvement by building on our unique mentoring program, known as the 14ers. This year, the 14ers welcomed a considerable change by adding RMA Business Partner members as climbers. Several new climbers were welcomed into the group as they achieved their 14 peaks in the preceding year; they were awarded their 14ers pins at the banquet. John Morris (University of Colorado, Boulder) was once again nominated as the lead climber; John’s contributions to the 14ers are extraordinary.
At the closing banquet, President Dave Button recognized Lander Medlin (APPA), Polly Pinney (Arizona State University), and Nancy Hurt (Colorado State University) with the RMA President’s Award for their service and enormous contributions to RMA and APPA. Joe Metzger (Arizona State University) received the Val Peterson Award for his efforts enhance and contribute to the RMA Newsletter and Jim Knutson (Trane) was awarded the Lee Newman Award for Business Partners.
RMA was honored to have APPA’s President, David Gray (Middle Tennessee State University) presiding over the installation of the new RMA Officers for 2011-2012.
2011-2012 RMA Officers
- President: Viron Lynch, Weber State University
- President-Elect: Chris Kopach, University of Arizona
- Treasurer: Erik van de Boogaard, Adams State College
- Secretary: Glen Haubold, New Mexico State University
- Communications Coordinator: Joseph Metzger, Arizona State University
- APPA Senior Representative: John Morris, University of Colorado at Boulder
- APPA Junior Representative: Dave Button, University of Regina
- Awards and Recognition Committee Chair: Luis Rocha, University of Arizona
- Membership Committee Chair: Kyle Williams, Brigham Young University - Idaho
- Information and Research Committee Chair: Lindsay Eva Wagner, Northern Arizona University
- Professional Affairs Committee Chair: Jeff Butler, Montana State University – Bozeman
- Professional Development Committee Chair: Joseph Han, Idaho State University
- Annual Meeting Coordinator: Shawna Rowley, Weber State University
- Historian: Eakle Barfield, Montana State University – Billings
- Business Partner Representative: Cloriza Lomeli, GLHN Architects and Engineers Inc.
- 2012 Host Committee Chair:Mike Sawyer, Casper College
- 2013 Host Committee Chair: Shari Philpott, University of Colorado at Boulder
- APPA Liaison: Lander Medlin, APPA