In this episode of Facility Voices, David Trask sits down with Stephen F. James, founder and principal of Digital Facilities Corporation, to explore the often-overlooked world of roof management and why it plays such a critical role in an organization’s long-term success. Stephen traces his journey from leading a thermoplastic roofing division to launching Digital Facilities in 2002, where he began shaping a more data-driven approach to roofing programs. He and David dig into the hidden risks institutions face when organizational knowledge isn’t preserved, the measurable value of a well-designed roof management strategy, and how documentation—everything from as-builts to defect histories—can make or break operational efficiency. Stephen also sheds light on the complexities of green roofs, solar installations, and age-related failures, emphasizing proactive planning and the importance of owning your data.

Tune in to hear Stephen James’s story and insights from the front lines of facilities management.

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Steven F. James is the founder and managing director of Digital Facilities Corporation (DFC), established in 2002. DFC provides technology and services for managing building enclosures, paving, and vertical transportation. Its roofing customers oversee 20,000+ buildings and 600 million s/f of installations, including major universities and public institutions. Previously, Steven was VP of Commercial Roofing Operations at JPS Elastomerics and held leadership roles at W.R. Grace Construction Products in fire protection, roofing, waterproofing, and insulation. With nationwide and Canadian business experience, he also serves on ASTM committees for building performance, roofing/waterproofing, and drone assessment standards.

Thanks for listening. Follow David Trask on LinkedIn to share feedback. Visit the ARC Facilities LinkedIn page

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The views and opinions expressed by third-party guests on this podcast are their own and do not necessarily reflect the views or opinions of ARC Facilities and ARC Document Solutions. We provide a platform for diverse perspectives and discussions and ARC Facilities/ARC Document Solutions assumes no responsibility or liability for the accuracy or completeness of the content provided by our third-party guests.

In this episode of Facility Voices, David Trask sits down with Charlie Thiel, Chief Revenue Officer at IOTACOM, for a candid conversation about how sensor technology is reshaping the daily reality of facilities teams. Charlie shares his wide-ranging career journey—from years in security technology to consulting across North America—and explains how those experiences led him to IOTACOM’s mission of connecting, collecting, and analyzing data to help people make smarter decisions. Together, David and Charlie explore why digitization in facilities continues to lag behind personal technology adoption, how emerging connectivity standards like LoRaWAN are lowering barriers, and why real-time insights are becoming essential for predictive maintenance, safety, and energy management. Charlie also offers practical advice for organizations starting their sensor journey, emphasizing that small pilot projects often unlock the biggest breakthroughs.

Tune in to hear Charlie Thiel’s story and insights from the front lines of facilities management.

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Charlie Thiel is the Chief Revenue Officer at IotaComm, Inc., bringing over three decades of leadership across technology, consulting, and public service, including founding Thiel Strategic, leading business development at CSi, and completing executive education at Wharton. A strong advocate for educational equity, he helped drive Pennsylvania’s first comprehensive equity policy and contributed to the state’s landmark Basic Education Funding Formula while serving on the Allentown School District Board. He now applies his strategic and civic experience to advance IotaComm’s mission of building smarter, safer, more sustainable communities.

Thanks for listening. Follow David Trask on LinkedIn to share feedback. Visit the ARC Facilities LinkedIn page

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The views and opinions expressed by third-party guests on this podcast are their own and do not necessarily reflect the views or opinions of ARC Facilities and ARC Document Solutions. We provide a platform for diverse perspectives and discussions and ARC Facilities/ARC Document Solutions assumes no responsibility or liability for the accuracy or completeness of the content provided by our third-party guests.

In this episode of Facility Voices, David Trask sits down with John D’Angelo, Vice President of Capital Planning and Facilities at Indiana University, to explore the real challenges and opportunities behind an effective preventive maintenance program. John reflects on his career journey—from two decades as a U.S. Naval officer to leading facilities at Cleveland Clinic, NewYork-Presbyterian, Northwestern, and now IU, a portfolio spanning nearly 900 buildings and millions of square feet .

John breaks down why mislabeled routine work can create costly blind spots, how life safety and critical equipment must guide priorities, and the risks organizations face when they lack accurate asset data. He also shares practical strategies, including asset tagging and using modern tools to capture institutional knowledge and streamline maintenance workflows.

Tune in to hear John D’Angelo’s story and insights from the front lines of facilities management.

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John D’Angelo, MS, PE, CHFM, CHEP, CMVP, is the Vice President of Capital Planning and Facilities at Indiana University, leading a team of 1,700 overseeing nearly 900 buildings across a multibillion-dollar portfolio. He previously held senior facilities leadership roles at the University of Chicago, Northwestern University, NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital, and the Cleveland Clinic, following two decades as a U.S. Naval officer. A licensed Professional Engineer with degrees from Purdue and the University of Maryland, John has published and taught extensively, contributed to national codes and standards, and is a 14-time ENERGY STAR Partner of the Year award recipient.

Thanks for listening. Follow David Trask on LinkedIn to share feedback. Visit the ARC Facilities LinkedIn page

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The views and opinions expressed by third-party guests on this podcast are their own and do not necessarily reflect the views or opinions of ARC Facilities and ARC Document Solutions. We provide a platform for diverse perspectives and discussions and ARC Facilities/ARC Document Solutions assumes no responsibility or liability for the accuracy or completeness of the content provided by our third-party guests.