Press Releases

April 17, 2008

For immediate release

Contact:
Andrea Sanchez
George Deutsch
Laurie Steiner
713-623-4362
communications@ifma.org

CHARLES N. CLAAR SELECTED AS IFMA FOUNDATION DIRECTOR OF ACADEMIC AFFAIRS

HOUSTON — (April 17, 2008) — The IFMA Foundation is pleased to announce the appointment of Charles N. Claar, PE, CFM, CFMJ, as the foundation’s director of academic affairs. In this newly created role, Claar will work to increase the number of colleges and universities offering facility management programs and further develop the foundation’s Recognized Degree Program at academic institutions across the globe.

As director of academic affairs, Claar has updated the RDP standard and will be responsible for ensuring graduate and undergraduate curricula are current and consistent. He will also transition the foundation’s program from offering recognition to offering accreditation and establish a long-term strategy to position facility management education in the mainstream of business operations.

“As the director of academic affairs, it is my goal and challenge to grow our higher education programs globally — a task I’m excited about and have a deep passion for,” said Claar. “I have made two visits to higher education institutions already this month, one in Pennsylvania and one in Texas. As programs are established and recognized, they are sure to elevate the status of the FM profession in the eyes of business, government and industry.”

Claar has nearly 50 years of engineering and facility management experience. He has previously served on the International Facility Management Association’s board of directors and as the association’s director of research and vice president of professional development. Additionally, Claar has worked as an affiliate associate professor of architectural engineering at The Pennsylvania State University and also as an industry consultant.

Claar has conducted research on behalf of the U.S. Department of Energy, the U.S. Army’s Construction Engineering Research Laboratory and the Pennsylvania Governor’s Energy Council. He holds a Master of Science degree in architectural engineering and a Bachelor of Science degree in electrical engineering, both from The Pennsylvania State University.

Developed in 1996, the Recognized Degree Program provides the most comprehensive facility management degrees available through adherence to a broad range of academic standards. Recognized schools provide instruction in the nine core competency areas identified by IFMA that define the professional practice of facility management.

To learn more about the IFMA Foundation’s Recognized Degree Programs or for a complete list of recognized schools, visit www.ifmafoundation.org/scholarships/degree.cfm.

Established in 1990 as a non-profit, 501(c)(3) corporation, and separate entity from the International Facility Management Association (IFMA), the IFMA Foundation works for the public good to promote priority research and educational opportunities for the advancement of facility management. The IFMA Foundation is supported by the generosity of the FM community including IFMA members, chapters, councils, corporate sponsors and private contributors who share the belief that education and research improve the FM profession. To learn more about the good works of the IFMA Foundation, visit www.ifmafoundation.org.