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Happy National Volunteer Week! To celebrate the occasion, CSI would like to give a resounding round of applause to all our current and past volunteers. All week, we are putting the spotlight on CSI members who go the extra mile for their colleagues and the built community at large. Today’s spotlight is on Hillary Frisbie, who volunteers as beta tester for Crosswalk.

How did you get involved in the architecture, engineering, construction, and owner (AECO) industry, and what is your specific area of interest? 
I come from a Facility Management & Operations background, worked in various industries for 15 years, and left FM to work in Construction/Project Management. I currently work in Job Order Contracting. I think it's incredible/exciting how much JOC could help an FM save time on projects.

How did you decide to share your time and expertise to volunteer for the benefit of other AECO professionals to help them reach their goals?
I think it’s essential to have as many perspectives as possible. I work with CSI (MasterFormat) daily in my position now, but I had little experience with estimating before JOC. Coming from FM gives another perspective within the industry. Volunteering allows me to see what’s out there and where my niche experiences relate.

Why is the work you do as a volunteer important to you?
I’ve always been interested in volunteering with the professional organizations I belong to. It’s a great way to learn more about the industry and build my network. I think the more we share our knowledge across the industry, the stronger the industry will become. I am also big on educating the next generation of employees. A lot of what I have been involved in volunteering with is how we can reach the next generation. With CSI, I’ve done technology-related volunteer activities facility management, and construction management lag behind other industries. I think it’s important that we keep advancing, as that is a selling point for the next generation.

What impact have other volunteers had on your career?
Early on in my career, I went to an IFMA (International Facility Management Association) conference. One of the sessions I attended was about O&M (Operations and Maintenance) and its impact on Real Estate pricing (the price is not always a dollar amount). A ton of technical things were discussed, specifically in the real estate realm, that left me with a bunch of questions. After the session, the presenter stayed and let me pick his brain. I ended up incorporating many of his teachings into how I managed my facilities and how to communicate with my C-Suite effectively. Also, we are both interested in how we appeal to younger generations and recruitment and retention. Over a decade later, and he and I still talk about it. He now runs the IFMA “MOSH PIT” with a wide array of topics for the industry.

 
Why do you think other members might want to consider volunteering?  
 Volunteering is a cornerstone to having your voice heard. It shows that a person is actively invested in their community. We can all learn something from each other – what to do or what not to do!

What matters most to you about being a part of this professional community?  
My passion is no doubt Facility Management, but that is because so many other industries are woven into FM. In my current position, I’m not actively in FM. I’m reading and approving price proposals written by estimators, who get their details from A/Es. I coordinate with contractors to complete jobs in a timely (expeditious) manner, all so an FM can deliver to their occupant!

Favorite book or binge-worthy TV?
Besides Ted Lasso? I binge on crime shows –true crime (Dateline, 48hrs, Unsolved Mysteries) or crime dramas (Will Trent, Truth Be Told, Leverage).

Favorite hobbies? 
Working outside or in the garden. I alternate between going to classical music concerts and baseball games.

Are you ready to volunteer? Find out all of the many ways you can contribute to the success of your CSI Community and earn up to two Learning Units in the CSI Volunteer Portal. https://www.csiresources.org/communities/volunteer