2026 WSSHE Fall Conference Speakers

ST-108 for SPD

Speaker Bios

Nick Kleven: Nick Kleven is a healthcare facilities leader with more than 10 years of experience in healthcare engineering and operations. Currently serving as the Eastern Washington Chapter President of WSSHE, Nick began his career in manufacturing before transitioning to healthcare to make a meaningful impact in his community. He is passionate about supporting hospital compliance, operational excellence, and the safe, reliable performance of healthcare facilities. As a champion for continuous improvement, Nick is dedicated to helping healthcare organizations navigate the ever-changing challenges of facility management while ensuring environments that support exceptional patient care.

Allex McDaniel: I received my BS in Chemistry from Fort Lewis College in Durango, Colorado and went on to complete my MS in Biological Engineering from Oregon State University. I've spent nearly a decade in the water treatment industry, with the past 2 years in a management role where I have had the opportunity to help overcome some of the largest challenges that our customers face, such as remediation for legionella outbreaks and helping build ST108 compliant programs for sterile processing.

Session Abstract

ANSI/AAMI ST-108: Water for Medical Device Processing: From Standard to Practice Who, what, when, where, why and how of implementing ST108 in a hospital. This session is designed to be a practical guide that aims to bridge the gap between ST-108 best practices and how that can be implemented on the ground with clear and concise action items.

Learning Objectives

• This session is designed to be a practical guide that aims to bridge the gap between ST-108 best practices and how that can be implemented on the ground with clear and concise action items.
• Understand the intent of ST108 and why it is an important guideline
• Walk away with a mental map of how get to an ST108 compliant SPD.

Using Analytics to Extend Asset Life - Predictive Maintenance

Speaker Bios

Josh Doerr: Josh Doerr, PE, CEM, CBCP, is a Senior Smart Buildings Analyst at MacDonald-Miller Facility Solutions, where he pairs building analytics with hands-on controls engineering to improve energy performance across the Puget Sound region's healthcare campuses, including facilities within the Providence/Swedish, Kaiser Permanente, and UW Health systems. His recent work includes cutting natural gas use 30% and site EUI by 20 kBtu/sf at a 377,000-square-foot hospital by re-sequencing heat recovery chiller operation, and a 17% site energy reduction at a 652,000-square-foot high-rise through similar heat recovery and ventilation optimization.

His healthcare and mission-critical facilities background runs deep. As an Energy Program Manager with the U.S. General Services Administration, Josh managed advanced metering and continuous commissioning across 8.7 million square feet of federal properties. Earlier in his career, as an application and energy engineer, he led chilled water and BTU-metering improvement projects at City of Hope Medical Center, Memorial Sloan Kettering, and Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital, along with energy audits at Mason General Hospital.

A licensed Professional Engineer, Certified Energy Manager, and Certified Building Commissioning Professional, Josh holds an M.S. in Civil Engineering from Washington State University and a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering from Oregon State University. He's known for turning building operating data into control sequences that hold up in real hospital operations — not just on paper.

Miles Gordon: I am an accomplished HVAC and Test, Adjust, and Balance (TAB) professional with more than 18 years of experience in HVAC system testing, balancing, operation, troubleshooting, and performance optimization. Throughout my career, I have developed extensive expertise as a Field TAB Foreman, delivering high-quality results while maintaining a strong focus on safety, efficiency, and customer satisfaction.

My background includes diagnosing and resolving complex HVAC system issues, performing equipment vibration and alignment analysis, and ensuring systems operate at peak performance. I am detail-oriented and highly skilled at identifying problems quickly, developing effective solutions, and clearly communicating technical information to customers, vendors, and team members.

I take pride in my strong organizational abilities and my capacity to successfully manage multiple time-sensitive projects simultaneously. Known for my collaborative approach and exceptional customer service skills, I work effectively with diverse teams to achieve project goals and build lasting professional relationships.

Committed to continuous improvement, I actively pursue continuing education and industry research to stay current with evolving HVAC technologies and best practices. My dedication to learning and professional growth enables me to provide innovative solutions and deliver lasting value on every project.

Brad Shaw: Brad has 27+ years of experience in Hospital Facility Management with last 15+ years in BAE and Energy management.

Session Abstract

Across three Providence/Swedish campuses, building analytics has been used not just to track energy performance, but to catch the mechanical problems — short-cycling equipment, restricted condenser flow, undersized controls sequences — that quietly shorten asset life and drive up repair costs long before a failure shows up on a work order. This session walks through four real findings and implementations where trend data pointed to the root cause, and where fixing it delivered both an immediate energy result and a longer-term asset life benefit.

Key findings:

Providence Swedish Issaquah

Linnacc Expansion: Removed a stand-alone chiller and added the infrastructure to run the expansion off the 24/7 central utility plant instead. Favoring added piping capacity over new electrical infrastructure kept the first cost of adding a second pony chiller nearly a wash against the original design, while unlocking an ongoing waste-heat benefit that keeps campus EUI low.

Heat Recovery Chiller Improvement: Hydronic troubleshooting on condenser flow uncovered boiler short-cycling tied to a condenser flow limitation. Correcting it is delivering a PSE-confirmed 5% weather-normalized reduction in natural gas use going forward, with site EUI at 99.8 kBtu/sf as of June 2026.

Providence Swedish Edmonds

Diagnosed and corrected short-cycling modular chillers through piping and controls changes, extending chiller life cycle and lowering annual repair costs while also unlocking a process CHW supply temperature that wasn't previously available. Site EUI dropped from 238.6 kBtu/sf (January 2022) to 187.6 kBtu/sf (July 2026); as a CBPS early adopter, the site captured over $1M in incentive alongside the lower EUI and carbon at the campus level.

Providence Swedish Ballard

Chiller sequencing changes and expanded night setbacks — while holding OR pressures and other critical-space requirements — delivered over $95,000 in operating cost avoidance from January–July 2026 versus the same period in 2025, despite electric and gas rates both rising more than 10%. EUI fell from 215 to 189 kBtu/sf over six months of measured savings through July 2026.

Learning Objectives

• Identify how trend data reveals mechanical problems — restricted condenser flow, short-cycling chillers and boilers, undersized sequencing — before they cause premature equipment failure or elevated repair costs.
• Apply controls and sequencing changes — chiller staging, night setbacks, heat recovery optimization — to reduce EUI and operating cost while still holding critical space requirements like OR pressurization.
• Evaluate financing and incentive paths — including utility rebates covering up to 70% of project cost at sites like Swedish Ballard, and CBPS early-adopter incentives at Swedish Edmonds — that help offset the cost of asset-life-extending improvements.

Best Practices Round Table

Speaker Bios

Michael Nafzgar: Michael Nafzgar, CHFM, is the Facility Director for Providence Hospitals in Spokane, WA, and the current WSSHE President-Elect—soon to be President. Michael has been with Providence for 10 years: two years as manager at St. Luke’s Rehabilitation Medical Center, five years as manager at Sacred Heart Medical Center, and three years as Director of Facilities for St. Luke’s, Holy Family, and Sacred Heart. Before joining Providence, he spent 10 years in mechanical engineering, designing hospital systems—including some in the very hospitals he now oversees. In other words, he now gets to maintain, troubleshoot, and occasionally question the optimism of his younger engineering self. When Michael is not at work, he is keeping himself busy this year with co-chair Ham on Regal (Only the greatest high school parent show on earth.), towing his kids high school band around to where they need to go, and running after his sons to watch him run his cross-country race.

Brad Shaw: Brad has 27+ years of experience in Hospital Facility Management with last 15+ years in BAE and Energy management.

Clay Ciolek has had three Healthcare jerseys in over 35 years in Facilities. Harborview Medical Center, Providence Health and Services and MultiCare Health System. Increasing responsibilities in facility operations, project management, and property management both at site and system levels have defined the healthcare journey.

Session Abstract

I will be speaking on the Best Practice of working with multiple partners (Vendors, Utility Companies, and Facility engineers) when you look for energy savings in your buildings.

Learning Objectives

• Why it is important to have a divers team when searching for energy savings.
• How to find the hidden energy savings.
• What regulatory concerns you need to look for when your building become more energy efficient.

Beyond Project Turnover

Speaker Bio

Nick Kleven: Nick Kleven is a healthcare facilities leader with more than 10 years of experience in healthcare engineering and operations. Currently serving as the Eastern Washington Chapter President of WSSHE, Nick began his career in manufacturing before transitioning to healthcare to make a meaningful impact in his community. He is passionate about supporting hospital compliance, operational excellence, and the safe, reliable performance of healthcare facilities. As a champion for continuous improvement, Nick is dedicated to helping healthcare organizations navigate the ever-changing challenges of facility management while ensuring environments that support exceptional patient care.

Session Abstract

How can Hospital Facility Managers become more ingrained into the PDC process? This presentation will cover the details on how project turnover can be smooth and transparent deliverable for all stakeholders and have success into the months after completion.

Learning Objectives

• Understand "the why" of what makes PDC so complicated.
• Help facility Managers and Staff find their voice in the process.
• Help Facility managers and staff successfully leverage their design partners and vendors

Clearing the Pathway: Installing Weapons Detection Systems in Means of Egress

Speaker Bios

Nick Kleven: Nick Kleven is a healthcare facilities leader with more than 10 years of experience in healthcare engineering and operations. Currently serving as the Eastern Washington Chapter President of WSSHE, Nick began his career in manufacturing before transitioning to healthcare to make a meaningful impact in his community. He is passionate about supporting hospital compliance, operational excellence, and the safe, reliable performance of healthcare facilities. As a champion for continuous improvement, Nick is dedicated to helping healthcare organizations navigate the ever-changing challenges of facility management while ensuring environments that support exceptional patient care.

Jacob Johnson: Jacob Johnson is a seasoned security professional with over 20 years of experience, including 15 years in healthcare security. He has held various leadership roles, such as Director of Public Safety and Emergency Management at two hospitals, and has served as a consultant for multiple healthcare organizations. Jacob is a subject matter expert in workplace violence prevention and has been involved in national discussions on this topic. He has also contributed to the development of security standards and guidelines for healthcare facilities. Jacob holds a Master’s degree in Criminal Justice and is a Certified Protection Professional (CPP) and Physical Security Professional (PSP).

Session Abstract

This session will cover the basics of weapons detection systems to be installed in healthcare settings. Things to be aware of regarding life safety code, compliance, design, and implementation.

Learning Objectives

• WHY IT MATTERS- Protecting patients, staff and visitors while maintaining a clear path of egress. SAFE LAYOUT OPTIONS- Multiple configuration examples for emergency department and Hospital entrances
• DESIGN OBJECTIVES- Safety, Security, compliance and operational efficiency.
• Best Practices- Operational guidance, staffing and ongoing evaluation.

Recovering from Deferred Maintenance

Speaker Bios

Geoff Glass: Geoff is the sole proprietor of Octet Works, a health care sustainability consultancy firm. He has dedicated 40 years of his career to developing high – performance health care facilities, having substantially improved environmental performance at four major medical facilities in the Puget Sound region of Washington state. Most recently, and for the past 26 years, he has served as both Health System Energy and Sustainability Manager as well as Regional Facilities Director for Providence. Geoff has been a professional engineer licensed in the state of Washington and has received certifications in energy management and health care facility management. Geoff received his Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering from the University of Michigan and his Master of Science in Systems Management from the University of Southern California.

Josh Hamllik: Josh Hamllik is the Facilities Manager at Klickitat Valley Health (KVH), bringing more than 18 years of experience in healthcare facilities operations and maintenance. Beginning his career as a Facilities Technician, Josh advanced through the organization to his current leadership role, which he has held for the past three years. He oversees facility operations, preventive maintenance, and security, with a strong commitment to patient safety, regulatory compliance, and operational excellence.

Josh is dedicated to advancing a systematic, ISO-based approach to facilities management, integrating continuous improvement, risk assessment, and preventive maintenance practices through KVH's DNV accreditation framework.

His connection to KVH spans generations. Born at Klickitat Valley Hospital, Josh is a fourth-generation employee, giving him a unique personal perspective on the hospital's history and its importance to the community.

Josh is an active member of the Washington State Society for Healthcare Engineering (WSSHE) and serves as co-chair of the Rural Health Collaborative Facilities Committee, a position he has held for the past year. He is passionate about strengthening rural healthcare infrastructure through collaboration, shared expertise, and practical innovation.

Session Abstract

Every healthcare facility manager inherits or accumulates a backlog of deferred maintenance, but letting aging infrastructure dictate your capital budget is a recipe for operational crisis. This session provides a practical roadmap for breaking the cycle of reactive, run-to-failure maintenance and transitioning to a proactive, risk-mitigated facility strategy. Drawing on real-world lessons from a complex critical access hospital overhaul, we will explore how to accurately audit a legacy facility, prioritize compliance and safety-critical upgrades, and effectively communicate infrastructure risks to executive leadership. Attendees will learn how to turn overwhelming maintenance backlogs into structured, multi-phased capital projects that align with organizational goals.

Learning Objectives

• A framework to score and prioritize deferred maintenance projects based on risk, compliance, and clinical impact.
• Communication tools to translate mechanical failures into the financial language of risk mitigation for hospital leadership.

NFPA 101: Code Compliance Through the Life Cycle of a Healthcare Building

Speaker Bios

Elizabeth (Ellie) Graves is a Team Leader and Fire Protection Engineer at Jensen Hughes with over 10 years of experience in the fire protection industry. She specializes in life safety, building and fire code consulting, fire alarm and fire sprinkler system design, and firestopping applications.

Ellie holds a Master of Science in Fire Protection Engineering and a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering, both from Worcester Polytechnic Institute. She is a licensed Professional Engineer in Washington State and an active member of the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) and the Society of Fire Protection Engineers (SFPE).

Throughout her career, Ellie has applied her expertise across diverse project types, focusing on healthcare facilities, while also staying involved with government facilities, mixed-use developments, commercial and residential buildings, K-12 and higher education institutions, correctional facilities, and transportation occupancies. Based in the Pacific Northwest, she leads the regional Fire Building Safety group for Jensen Hughes and works closely with technical staff to facilitate collaboration, mentor early-career professionals, and ensure projects are completed on time and within budget.

Walker Donuji brings over two decades of specialized experience in fire protection and life safety engineering, with particular expertise in healthcare facility compliance and safety systems. As Market Leader for Fire + Building Safety at Jensen Hughes, he has developed comprehensive fire life safety strategies for hospitals and healthcare facilities, ensuring compliance with stringent regulatory requirements while balancing operational needs. Their healthcare-focused expertise encompasses the full spectrum of fire and life safety considerations critical to medical environments, including integrated approaches that combine passive fire protection, active suppression systems, and specialized features tailored to the unique challenges of healthcare occupancies.

Licensed as a Professional Engineer in California, Washington, Idaho, Utah, and Oregon, Walker has served notable healthcare clients and worked extensively on projects requiring deep knowledge of NFPA 101 Life Safety Code requirements for healthcare occupancies. As an Associate member of the Design-Build Institute of America (DBIA) and active member of both the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) and Society of Fire Protection Engineers (SFPE), they remain at the forefront of evolving healthcare fire safety standards and best practices. Walker's leadership extends beyond technical excellence to include mentoring engineering teams, managing complex project portfolios, and fostering strong client relationships that ensure healthcare facilities achieve both regulatory compliance and operational resilience.

Session Abstract

This course discusses code application through the life cycle of healthcare facilities, from project design through occupancy, from facility maintenance through renovation for continued service. Code applications discussed focus on both NFPA 101 and International Code Council (IBC/IFC) compliance over the facility life cycle, and NFPA 241 to address construction activities during hospital operations. Life safety code references are to the 2012 Edition of NFPA 101 (based on current adoption by CMS), unless otherwise noted.

Learning Objectives

• Identify healthcare project stakeholders, applicable codes, and major building and life safety requirements for healthcare facilities.
• Recognize significant design elements related to fire / life safety.Navigate and document code application and compliance of healthcare facilities during their full lifecycle.
• Understand how to address compliance during construction activities in an operating healthcare environment.

Infrastructure Financing Considerations: Energy as a Service (EaaS)

Speaker Bios

Ben Myers is the former "actor" who portrayed Doc Brown in the 2024 version of Back to the Future released exclusively in Chelan, Washington. A two-time past-president for WSSHE, Ben has dedicated his 29-year career to healthcare operations including time with PeaceHealth, Samaritan (Moses Lake), Deaconess Hospital (Spokane), and Providence. When he's not stealing plutonium, he leads real estate strategy and operations efforts for Providence's Central Division.

Scott Lewis is a Business Development Manager and has been with Apollo Solutions Group since October, 2016. Scott is responsible for all facets of business development and account management throughout Washington and Idaho in the K-12, Higher Education, Cities, Counties, Healthcare, and Ports vertical markets. Scott’s area of expertise is in the sales and marketing of Apollo Solutions Group’s ESCO Services.

Session Abstract

This portion of the presentation will provide an overview of EaaS, its opportunities, and pitfalls. Executive leaders are hearing this phrase in their circles as a means and method for financing the infrastructure needs while keeping it off the balance sheet. We'll review the structure of the deal, key concepts, the process to implement, and critical items to consider with your internal finance team.

Learning Objectives

• EaaS definition, the EaaS process, and current industry adoption
• EaaS opportunities & challenges related to financial implications and infrastructure replacement
• Key metrics to consider for a successful program.

Women in Facilities

Speaker Bios

Marnie Boomer: Marnie is the managing principal of the HDR Seattle architecture studio and brings 35 years of experience in healthcare design and operations. She champions the collaboration among a multidisciplinary team of architects, planners, interior designers and landscape architects to deliver and maintain inspired healthcare spaces in Seattle and throughout the Pacific Northwest. Her responsibilities as a leader within the healthcare system involved implementing system-wide best practices, managing complex real estate and construction initiatives, maintaining operational excellence within a living hospital system and elevating and inspiring teams. She was WSSHE president in 2023 and part of WSSHE U – topic statement of conditions drawings and site survey benefit.

Anne O'Herron: Anne O’Herron is a construction and facility engineering leader with more than 25 years of experience delivering complex capital projects across healthcare, life sciences, biotech, and pharmaceutical environments. She’s led programs with budgets of up to $500 million and is known for her collaborative approach, passion for mentoring, and ability to tackle tough challenges with both expertise and practicality. Outside of work, Anne enjoys skiing, outdoor adventures, wildlife photography, and travel. She’s always curious, loves learning new things, and firmly believes that life is more interesting when you keep exploring. And while she doesn’t take herself too seriously, she definitely takes her chocolate seriously.

Novy Ochoa: is a healthcare facilities professional with more than two decades of experience in healthcare management, operations, and leadership. Prior to moving into facilities, Novy spent six years as Senior Services Director for the City of Des Moines. Earlier in her career, she held hospital operations and management roles with Stanford Medical and Prime HealthCare in California. She currently serves as a Facilities Support Rep and has spent the past two years working in healthcare facilities, bringing a broad operational perspective to the built environment and teams who support it. As a women who has built her career across healthcare operations and facilities, she is passionate about sharing her experiences, learning from fellow industry professionals, and creating greater visibility and opportunity for women in a field where their leadership and perspectives are increasingly important. Away from work, Novy enjoys golf, traveling, gardening, exploring cuisines and cultures and spending quality time with her family. She resides in Tacoma WA with her two teenagers.

DOE Ramp

Speaker Bio

Sean Chisholm is the Southwest Regional Team Lead for Washington State Department of Ecology’s Refrigerant Management Program. He oversees and works with regulated entities in the following counties: Pierce, Thurston, Lewis, Skamania, Clark, Cowlitz, Wahkiakum, Pacific, Grays Harbor, Mason, Jefferson, and Clallam. Sean has worked for the State of Washington for over 10 years now. He has work for Ecology for over five of those years, and the other five has been working with different agencies, such as WSDOT, State Parks, Fish and Wildlife and Utility and Transportation Commission. All of these jobs were in some form dealing with of work in the environmental field, such as an environmental inspector or regulatory work.

Session Abstract

An overview of Washington’s HFC rule and its reporting platform. You will first get an understanding of who the best points of contact are for facilities by region. Will cover product prohibitions for new equipment and the Refrigerant Management Program (RMP) for existing equipment. The presentation will mainly focus on the RMP, and how to properly meet the requirements using Ecology’s reporting platform, the Refrigeration and Air-Conditioning Management Platform (RAMP). This session is aimed at helping facility owners/operators and technicians understand the requirements to properly comply with the law.

Learning Objectives

• Regional Contacts and Product Prohibitions of the HFC Rule: Getting to know the primary points of contact for your region and an overview of the prohibitions on the use of certain hydrofluorocarbons.
• Understanding the Refrigerant Management Program (RMP): Identify core requirements of Part II of the HFC rule.
• Navigating the Refrigeration and Air-Conditioning Management Platform (RAMP): Understand how to meet core requirements of the RMP by properly recording information in Ecology’s reporting platform.

Breaking the Binder Habit: How to Simplify Documentation & Impress Surveyors

Speaker Bio

Jim Inzeo, CHFM, CHOP-B, HACP-PE, CDT, serves as Vice President & General Manager of the Facilities Information Services Division at Lellyett & Rogers Co., a Nashville-based company founded in 1933. Since joining L&R in 2009, Jim has dedicated his career to improving the healthcare built environment and supporting the people who depend on it every day.

With a unique background spanning both construction and regulatory compliance, Jim brings a practical and strategic perspective to healthcare facilities management. His passion lies in helping organizations manage complex technical and compliance information and transforming it into accessible, actionable knowledge within seconds.

Jim leads a highly skilled, service-driven team, many of whom are Certified Construction Document Technologists. Together, they support more than 700 healthcare facilities by managing critical physical environment, technical, and compliance information that helps keep patients, staff, and caregivers safe.

Outside of work, Jim enjoys spending time on the water fishing whenever possible. He resides in Mount Juliet, TN with his wife, Kelly.

Session Abstract

Maintaining documentation for inspection, testing, and maintenance (ITM) activities in the physical environment can feel overwhelming—especially with requirements ranging from daily to multi-year intervals. Traditional paper binders have long been the norm, but they're no longer the most efficient or effective method. In this session, discover how Monroe Surgical Hospital successfully transitioned from paper to electronic documentation, closing compliance gaps, easing administrative burdens, and improving efficiency. You’ll also learn how digitized documentation helped streamline approval processes for plant repairs and upgrades. Join us for practical insights and a real-world case study that demonstrates how going digital can transform your facility’s documentation strategy and elevate its compliance posture.

Learning Objectives

• Compare the benefits and drawbacks of paper versus electronic documentation.
• Understand key steps to prepare your organization for a digital transition.
• Use documentation to raise administrative awareness of modern facilities management needs.

DOH - Submission Process Updates and New Project Portal

Speaker Bio

Nancy Brown is a Plan Reviewer for Construction Review Services at the Department of Health. She has 14 years’ experience in healthcare design, construction, facilities operations and regulation. She strongly believes that patient care cannot be effective without first ensuring patient safety and she is proud to be part of the often-unseen army of professionals that make patient safety a reality every day. She loves working in healthcare, because it is a team effort and there is never a shortage of learning opportunities. She has served in several WSSHE board positions as both a Business Partner and a Professional member. In her spare time, she coaches youth soccer and enjoys spending time with her family.

Session Abstract

DOH has launched an online portal for interacting with CRS throughout the project lifecycle. This session will introduce the new portal, walk attendees through how to use it, describe benefits and provide resources for future reference. Session will also review overall process and update attendees on what's changing at DOH.

Learning Objectives

• Review CRS submission process and understand what’s changing and what stays the same.
• Become familiar with new DOH project portal and understand benefits of using project portal for interacting with CRS.
• Understand how to use the portal to submit applications, submit documents for review, requesting TAs, looking up project status, completing Notification of Completion and accessing documents.