#39 Chris Bunch: Facilities Services with a Great Cause

Speaker: Griffin Hamilton  

Welcome to another episode of the modern facilities management podcast, brought to you by strap. I'm your host, Speaker: Griffin Hamilton. This is the show where I interview industry experts who share their stories, strategies and insights into modern day facilities management, from hospitality to commercial real estate and everything in between. We'll learn what it really takes to succeed as a facilities manager. Welcome to another episode of the modern facilities management podcast today, I've got Speaker: Chris Funch. With me and Pride industries, Speaker: Chris, how you doing?

Speaker: Chris  

I’m doing well. How about yourself Griffin? 

Speaker: Griffin Hamilton  

Doing quite well. I really appreciate you coming on. I know we've had a conversation here leading up to hit the record button. I'm really excited to dive into what you guys are doing over at Pride. But before we do jump into that, why don't you give the audience a little bit of a background on who you are and what exactly you do. 

Speaker: Chris  

All right. Well, my name is Speaker: Chris Funch, as said or as Griffin said, I'm the vice president for our commercial facility services line for Pride industries. That's a broad group, but basically anything that exists outside of the federal world in the facilities space, that is the role I fill. Been with pride for a little over 10 years, had familiarity with pride in the organization's for well over 20. That's kind of my background, I grew up in the construction trades, even when I was in the military, that's what I did. 

And actually, that's what first introduced me to pride. When I first got stationed in California, the first meal brought to me was served to me by pride Industries, a person with disabilities went to work at my shop there at Travis Air Force Base and pride was, had a little paint shop right next door, they're mowing the grass. So very early on well over 20 years ago, got quite a bit of familiarity with what pride does, how they try to find solutions, service solutions for all types of customers, and how that impacts people with disabilities.

Speaker: Griffin Hamilton  

Yeah, and we're going to go dive into what pride is. And we're going to get to a lot of detail here, specifically around the facilities component of it. But high level, what is pride industries, what is the mission there?

Speaker: Chris  

Well, pride industry's mission is to create employment for people with disabilities, whether that is in our business lines that we sell and service other customers with, or that's in placing people and helping support other employers, create an inclusive work environment for those individuals, and in some cases, even staffing solutions and helping to train organizations on how to become more effective and create an inclusive work environment for this population of people in the US.

Speaker: Griffin Hamilton  

That's incredible. And that's no small feat. I know every day it's certainly a challenge there as with I mean, just about every other organization, right? You've got a lot of initiatives coming up and it takes a lot of manpower to do so. But you guys are quite a large organization. You mentioned you've been familiar with them for the better part of two decades. And so I'm sure that's been a journey to say the least. And I guess give me a little bit of context there on the history of Pride, how it started, the direction you guys are going?

Speaker: Chris  

Yeah, well, pride started off like any other nonprofit, just a few people that wanted to do good thing. Specifically for us, we started in the basement of the church there, St Luke's Episcopal church there in Auburn, California. Group of parents all with developmentally disabled children got together and like how do we create some kind of meaning for their path and create an opportunity for them, that's not otherwise provided in the market? Fast forward, that's very small quaint operation until really what I would call, the founder of who we are today came along, and that was a gentleman by the name of Mike Ziegler. He came along in the 1980s.

And really transformed pride into what we would probably describe as one of the first true social enterprises in the US. And when I say that, that's meaning that we provide commercially viable solutions, we compete in an open market against people that have no social mission with a full intent to provide a high quality, high business value proposition to any of our customers. And by the way, when you hire us, there's an impact for folks that otherwise you wouldn't get anywhere else.

And so with Mike's vision, we took that out, and from that moment, we grew to about 6000 people that work for us today, we’re the largest employer of people with disabilities in the US. 60% of that 6000 are people that have some kind of disclosed disability and we compete, whether it's in the federal space, whether it's in commercial space, manufacturing, logistics are inclusive talent solutions, where we operate over a wide area of services to make sure that we can make that vision come true. And we're just getting started.

Speaker: Griffin Hamilton  

Yeah. And beyond the services as far as different industries, if I'm listening right now, and you've got my interest here, as everyone is dealing with staffing now in particular, but that's always been an issue. What industries do you guys work with?

Speaker: Chris  

Well, exclusively in this kind of so facilities is divided in two different markets, the federal space and the commercial space. But within that area, we provide landscaping custodial, all of your hardcore OEM services we provide, as well as we provide capital project services as well. And then we're also an emerging line in critical and renewable energies, we’re focusing on generators, UPS systems, battery backup, as well as solar energies, all with the vision of trying to encompass that 80% of those operating expenses that happen in the lifecycle of a building after it's built.

We're trying to be a solution provider for that whole 80%. And really, the intent of that is not just to provide a value proposition to a customer and be that one stop shop. But the more comprehensive that service on the loop can be with the customer, the more opportunity there is to create an impactful environment for those folks that we're trying to create that inclusion for. And so that's our goal. We even in the federal space expand on what I just described there, we even have some areas where we're doing some food services, commentary on operations, those kinds of things, and touching a little bit on space management, a little bit on the real estate side, but not on large scale. And that's something that we would hope potential you'll be emergent line for us in the future.

Speaker: Griffin Hamilton  

Yeah, and I was going ask, I mean, you're covering so much and facilities and we talked about this on the show. It's hard to describe and where it starts, where it begins and where it is, right. Where are you going beyond that laundry list of services that you guys already offer? What's next? What's on the upcoming agenda for you guys?

Speaker: Chris  

Well, right now, I would say if you were trying to really ask me that question, it's to grow our five core lines, the custodial landscaping, project services and critical and renewable. Those five establish lines, we have a big footprint throughout the US, we're currently in 15 states plus Washington DC. Commercially, we are very saturated in California, it's a little slower to grow outside the state, because when you're doing it commercially, obviously, you got to be licensed as a service provider, whereas in federal space, you don't. 

But we're trying to leverage that federal footprint to really grow what it is we're doing to provide a commercially viable solution to all sorts of customers nationwide. And to really be become that trusted partner, not just because we provide a social good, but because we provide a business value that meets and exceeds those of our competitors in the market space.

Speaker: Griffin Hamilton  

And that was going to be my next question there. Because it sounds great. And having that mission and that feels good with working with pride. At the end of the day, we're running businesses, right? Or we want to make sure our facilities are up and running. So talk to me there, what's different about hiring pride? What is really the main thing that you go back to and saying, here's what we're excellent at doing beyond just being a wonderful cause?

Speaker: Chris  

Well, yeah, absolutely. So really what we focus on is on the basics of operational excellence in the building, right? On time performance, on budget performance. But I think also the area where we've become and really began to grow is learning how to be a service provider that can inform the customer to long term investments that will drive their maintenance costs down. And that's really where we've you know, you take the typical KPIs that you would measure, performance of facilities program on that, really learning how to drive that across the value chain, and help customers migrate from a very reactive situation where they have became buildings, became infrastructure, and in many cases, a stagnant maintenance perspective.

That is, how can I keep this 50-year-old boiler running the top condition? But really being a partner in guiding that path to the long-term plan and infrastructure of the building and really to be honest, every service that we offer is a part of that mix. What's the most cost-effective way to build your landscape? How do we take in clean technologies in our cleaning? How does that affect your air quality within the building? And really kind of finding the synergies and touchpoints between those service lines. And that's really where we excel. And that's just on the business side, right? We fully recognize that though, people always want to feel good. At the end of the day to your point, they have a budget, they have a mission for their company, right?

And so as a service provider, your mission is our mission first, right? And to be able to hopefully, add a value beyond what we would call a great business solution. But to add value that you know that you're spending your money with a company that though we don't have shareholders, we have stakeholders, and those stakeholders don't receive dividends in the same way a publicly traded company was. Those stakeholders are people that otherwise wouldn't have the opportunities that we afford. And so it's really about providing a good solution, a great value, high quality service delivery. And then by the way, the dollars you spent went to something greater than just what happens in your building?

Speaker: Griffin Hamilton  

Yeah, that's the cherry on top there.

Speaker: Chris  

Yeah.

Speaker: Griffin Hamilton  

Going back to the quality of service, that was something that we touched on a little bit prior to start this conversation, where there's some interesting statistic and statistics out there and data points that you brought up,  just the difference that it can make working with a pride in working with folks with disabilities.

Speaker: Chris  

Well, one of the key things that I would say is that, there's different groups of people that work in different service lines, but retention is a huge difference for us, right? And retention is really an outcome that springs from employee engagement, right? In a place like pride in playing engagement is everything. And when you have people that otherwise don't have an opportunity to succeed or haven't found that pathway, and you have a company that's willing to help them do that, it creates a bonding between the employer and the company. And that's why we experienced far better retention rates than industry average across our service lines is because that is something they're bonded to us and that helps us provide a more stable service delivery.

We work that continuum from folks that everything from intellectual disabilities, to physical barriers, to even one that's near and dear to me is to service-disabled veterans and veteran community, we work the continuum, but we try to create that same bonding with each of those individuals. And what it does is does stabilize the workforce. So as kind of a slide example of that in many of the custodial line a service is an example, right? Some employers experience as much as 300% turnover in a year. Our worst account, our most demanding account, experience is 67.

Speaker: Griffin Hamilton 

Wow.

Speaker: Chris 

And we work in some extraordinarily demanding environments, Prison Healthcare, airports, some things that really are pretty grueling on from a customer perspective to a performer perspective.

Speaker: Griffin Hamilton  

And I imagine and I guess, let me ask you this, with your employees and your teams going out on site, there their full time, 40 hours a week. It's not just one-off tasks related, correct?

Speaker: Chris  

That's correct. That is one thing that, so to create that successful, inclusive environment, you typically are in a campus environment is a great example of success, where there's a consistent work schedule and predictable and you can set up those planning events. Now, that's not to say that we don't do ad hoc services, but that's most likely with people, less people with disabilities and more people that are from outside of that spectrum. But to your point, it's that stable campus environment that is the most successful for this.

Speaker: Griffin Hamilton  

And I imagined beyond the mission, how that he retention is great. It's obviously something we are aiming for, is to keep our employees, keeping them happy, but the inclusion and really the culture that you guys have at Pride, I'm sure that can be felt on site as well from folks that aren't associated with pride that has a secondary effect there as well.

Speaker: Chris  

It certainly does. And there's a customer experience that happens with, particularly some of our individuals with disabilities. They're so happy to be there. It exudes over into the customer experience. We have a, and I'll bring up his name. But at Sacramento airport, this gentleman, Eric McCullough, he has won so many customer service awards, he's had so many customer comments. I mean, he's literally like a shining light out there, helping passengers travel. And you should see some of the messages that come in to our board about Eric and what he's done for folks. And they're traveling and experiencing. And that's Eric's. Eric's a great example of it, but that's true over so many different places. 

Speaker: Griffin Hamilton  

Yeah, I'm not surprised to hear that at least.

Speaker: Chris  

Yeah. So. But, yeah. Go ahead with your next one, sorry.

Speaker: Griffin Hamilton  

The next beyond the culture that it's creating. And like I mentioned, the secondary effects that can be fell working with pride, I can't wait to look ahead and change gears, switch gears a little bit here and look ahead at the industry, specifically within facilities management and turnover that is about to have over the next, I've seen statistics out there, say within the next five to seven years, over 50% of current FM's are going to be at the age of retirement. So there's a huge talent gap that's looming. How are you guys addressing that as that something that you guys are partnering with organizations in preparation for that? What are your thoughts there?

Speaker: Chris  

Well, one of the things that we do well, and we have many collective partnering, bargaining agreements with multiple unions, but it's trying to create a pathway for an individual that doesn't necessarily start off at that place of, hey, I'm ready to go into an apprenticeship, right? And trying to create as many opportunities as there is possible to get people with disabilities that have the concern to do so, they have the desire to chase for more meaningful employment, getting them exposed to the trades, and then starting to work them into formal apprenticeships, right?

And that's the technical side, right? But the same is true for us. Even in the management side, when you're trying to get into FM management, we have a very aggressive attempt to bring in people out of the service world in particular, out of the armed forces that have been close to those trades and convert them into the FM management side. So for us, it's about filling the pipeline and creating a pathway to those roles, right? And when you look at specifically people with disabilities, one in four people in the United States has a disability. And only 17.8% of those people are employed. That's a huge number, right? That's a huge population of people that potentially have the desire or aptitude to go to work for your organization in some way.

But it's just about learning how to tap into them and tap into their potential and creating that pathway for success. And I think that's if you think about it from that perspective, that's what adds a little shining light, that there's a pool of people that can fit into roles in your organization. In rarely does an accommodation for those type of folks cost more than $500. And when you think about $500 in context of what turnover costs, and all those things, it's so minuscule in the large scheme of things, right? So there's a passionate group of people ready to be tapped into. That's what we've been about our whole life as a company. And we hope to make everybody else about the same thing.

Speaker: Griffin Hamilton  

Yeah. And on that note, So, Speaker: Chris, if I'm listening, and you've you piqued my interest, I see the value there and I love the cause, how does it work? What are next steps? What can I do to get involved work with pride?

Speaker: Chris  

Well, so right now, if you're listening to this, and you're looking for a solution, right? In your facility, we're more than willing to offer you whether it's the full comprehensive service on the lope from the curb top, from the curb to the rooftop, right? Or just one of those service lines, we want to be a part of your service solution. And by doing so, make your culture better, make your social standing better for your investors. But first and foremost and above all, is to be there to support your facility's mission, your organization's mission and do so with quality, excellence and business value. 

Speaker: Griffin Hamilton  

Love that. Yeah. And where can people find you? Where can folks reach out to either yourself or the folks over, at pride?

Speaker: Chris  

Well, so it's real easy, pride industries.com. And the folks in our marketing team have done a great job of making that website so intuitive and pointing you to the right places. Not only that, you get to see some of the other great things that pride does, even beyond what my group does. But you can get in contact with any one of us, get in contact with any one of our folks that can help you find that service solution. And we look forward to hearing from any and all of you for sure.

Speaker: Griffin Hamilton  

Yeah, I'll make it easy on everyone to put the link to the website, as well as LinkedIn information here in the show notes. So I can easily find the folks over at Pride industries. But, Speaker: Chris, before I let you go, this is a question I asked everybody. But who or what has had the biggest impact on your career?

Speaker: Chris  

Wow. That's a....there's a lot of folks, right? That's a hard one to pin down.

Speaker: Griffin Hamilton  

I know and I do a good job. I never prepping anybody. So they always get [inaudible 21:27]

Speaker: Chris  

I would really say that, I'd actually have to throw a shout out to one of my peers. It's actually a gentleman by the name of Don Nelson, he runs the same line of business for the federal facility side. But Don is the one that kind of brought me out of the construction world and brought me over to the pride side of the line and brought me to pride a little over 10 years ago. And in doing so he really set up a pathway that it expanded not only my career, but my personal horizons. And really, I would have to give that shout out to Don. 

Speaker: Griffin Hamilton  

Love that. Yeah, we got to tag him out there and let him know. Speaker: Chris, I certainly appreciate you making the time to come on. Everything you guys are doing over at Pride is amazing. Love hearing the story. Glad we're able to get connected. And once again, thank you for your time coming on the show.

Speaker: Chris  

Yeah. Thanks so much, Griffin.

Speaker: Griffin Hamilton  

Alright, take care. 

Speaker: Chris  

You too. Bye.

Speaker: Griffin Hamilton  

Thanks for listening to another episode of the modern facilities management podcast. Make sure to subscribe for future episodes and visit our website getflowpath.com for more facilities management content.

‍