Unbeknownst to him and not knowing where it would lead him, Bill Blau began his career in Facilities Management by acquiring his AA in Interior Design. He was then hired by Robert W. Baird in Milwaukee, WI as their Assistant Facilities Manager. This is where Bill first learned of IFMA, which would turn out to play a contributing role in his career growth.
After a few years in the workplace, Bill made the decision to return to school; this time in Visual Communications/Computer raphics. “I wanted to integrate my design skills with technology”, recalls Bill.
After graduating 1994, he acted as Multimedia Producer at a Milwaukee marketing firm for two years before relocating to Asheville, North Carolina. Not finding many technology opportunities in NC, Bill took a position with a marketing research start-up. As that company grew to nearly 100 employees, the need for someone to handle the growing pains became evident. As their VP of Operations, he played key roles in real estate negotiations, relocations, tenant improvements and other “Facilities” related projects.
In 1998, Bill’s wife was transferred and it was again time to relocate – this time to Seattle – and Bill remembered IFMA from his time at Baird. While performing his job search/networking from NC, he contacted the IFMA Seattle Chapter president at the time (Bill Bucey). Bill expressed his interests in FM and after two months of interviews, was informed of an open Planner position at Adobe Systems. “It was an unreal opportunity as I was very familiar with Adobe’s products from my education and work in the multimedia field.”
A year later, Bill was promoted to Adobe’s Seattle Facilities Manager post. Bill has been a long time IFMA member, holds the CFM designation and joined the IFMA committee as our newsletter co-editor.
Member Recognition by:
Matt Gibson - Getty Images
If you would like to be recognized in an IFMA newsletter, or know a FM who should be,
please email Matt Gibson at matt.gibson@gettyimages.com with your profile.
