Our third and final Member Spotlight for 2004 is on Paul Collins. Paul is one of the newest members to our Chapter, and one who has many talents in computer system operations, outside his other professional talents. He proved this during our last IFMA Spring Conference, when he saved the event by punching a few keys so the “borrowed” LCD projector could communicate with the presenter’s Lap Top presentations. We would have been in pickle without him! Please read on about Paul and his evolution of becoming the General Services Director for Presbyterian Medical Services.

Paul’s Family moved to New Mexico from Michigan when he was 12, after his father’s military career brought them here. But, Paul considers himself a native New Mexican and says “after you lived here over 20 years and have eaten a ton of green chili you are a definitely a native”. Paul received his B.A. in History/Economics and his M.S. in Sports Facility Management, both from the University of New Mexico. Paul’s first career came when he followed in his father’s footsteps and joined the Air Force, where he excelled in world wide computer operations, supervised and trained personnel in computer systems operations, and flew many hours in the mighty AWACS.
  

After his four year tour in the Air Force, in 1991 he jumped right in to become the Director of Events for the University of New Mexico. While there he was exposed to Facility and Project Planning activities for new construction and renovations (an excellent choice we might add). There he was involved with the UNM Pit and football stadium renovations. At this time, it occurred to him that serving the community through Facility Management was his calling. Paul stayed in this position until 1999.
     

In 1999, off he went to Grand Forks, North Dakota for more fun, where he became the Associate Athletic Director for Facilities and Event Operations for the University of North Dakota. He was in charge of all sports facilities, including the construction of a $100 million 450,000-sq.ft multi-purpose hockey arena. Paul oversaw all aspects of facility operation, such as; project planning, safety operations, security, parking, medical, ticket sales, concessions, custodial staff and so on.
  

But, after three years of cold winters and not having good New Mexico chili, he left North Dakota and returned home to New Mexico where he now works in Santa Fe. Serving as General Services Director for Presbyterian Medical Services, Paul has the opportunity to help provide 37 New Mexico rural communities with quality healthcare services through his various management responsibilities. Presbyterian Medical Services is a nonprofit corporation that provides primary medical, dental, behavioral health, children’s services, and supportive living programs to the poor and underserved of New Mexico. Paul directs all aspects of facility construction and management for over 500,000 square feet at 80 sites across 37 New Mexico communities. “I have always enjoyed the service aspect of facility management,” says Paul, “This position allows me to work in a field I enjoy while serving a multitude of communities in a positive way.” He is one busy guy, and to top it off he holds a Black Belt in Karate. To top everything off he is an avid golfer and an active member of “The Society for Creative Anachronism” (look this up on their web site) and an active guy like him needs to retreat into a more peaceful “time” every once in a while!
  

Members of the IFMA New Mexico Chapter congratulate Paul Collins in his many successful achievements in Facility Management and wish him many more years of success and personal happiness.
  

Current Member Spotlight

Past Member Spotlights:
Tristan Thomas
Mary Gauer
Dave Miller
Paul Collins
Mary Anne Giangola