Leadership, Values and Teamwork at the Core of Sodexo Facilities Management
During the month of May, two important celebrations collide, and we couldn’t think of a better way to recognize World FM Day and Military Appreciation Month than by interviewing four of our facilities management (FM) leaders who have also served our country.
Their military experience has provided them valuable skills to reach great heights at Sodexo!
Meet Our FM Heroes
David Walker, Vice President, Construction at Sodexo
How did your military experience translate into your FM career at Sodexo?
DW: I spent 25 years in the US Navy. Over the course of those years, I had been to more technical schools than I could remember. I had applied my training in some of the harshest environments imaginable. As I progressed and advanced in rank, the challenges steadily evolved from technical problem solving to tactical deployment of people and resources, the constant improvement of systems and then finally, the creation of a strategy to meet changing conditions and environments.
Looking back now, over the last 16 years spent in FM and construction, I can see where my military training and values influenced my every step. I can’t think of one skill I was taught in the military that I have not put into practical use in my current career. Even the 14 years that I lived abroad prepared me to work in a culturally diverse environment.
The constant from beginning to end was that we never accepted defeat. We never even contemplated defeat – and I don’t today either. We have temporary setbacks but that’s it. You must test yourself and stretch yourself daily in some way.
Everything - and I mean everything - that I learned in my military career, is applied daily in my career at Sodexo.
Above all, I carry the same principles with me today that I did when I served. We live to serve others. A career in FM gives us the opportunity to make life better every day.
Can you tell me more about your experience with Sodexo?
DW: I have met some truly wonderful people in Sodexo, people who are passionate about FM and passionate about the value and importance of service.
When I left the military, I knew that I wanted more than just a second career to make money. I wanted to know that I was making a difference. I have found that at Sodexo.
We have a company that cares about people, our environment and our society. I am both proud and grateful to work here.
Justin R. Marcoux, CHFM, Senior Director of Solutions Development at Sodexo
How did your military experience translate into your FM career at Sodexo?
JM: In my 11 years serving in the US Navy I was fortunate enough to have obtained a broad range of experiences, from formal education in a classroom setting to combat operations.
I was taught early on that teamwork, attention to detail and leadership are all critical to success. These attributes apply directly to my career in facilities management.
As an FM leader, I'm responsible for outcomes and it takes a team of dedicated professionals to ensure those outcomes are achieved. In FM, the smallest failures can become the biggest problems resulting in incredible loss, so it is vital that we pay attention to detail, the small things.
Can you tell me more about your experience with Sodexo Healthcare?
JM: Facilities management in healthcare is a core, critical function served in any hospital setting. It is the foundational service in support of patient care and directly affects the environment in which care is provided.
Additionally, FM plays a direct role in all functions within the organization, from infection prevention to food production to the very bed in which the patient receives care.
I have been fortunate enough to grow and expand my career within Sodexo to a level at which I and my team can impact the success of our FM service line at every stage, from development to deployment to day-to-day operations.
Katie Gauvin, Director Health, Safety & Environment in Universities at Sodexo
How did your military experience translate into your FM career at Sodexo?
KG: My overall work experience with Sodexo and the military has helped both careers. My career with Sodexo has had beneficial effects on my military career and vice versa.
I enlisted in the military back in 1988 and am still serving in the MA Air National Guard today. From Airmen Leadership School to Air Command and Staff College and everything in between, there has been a focus on leading and managing airmen with a large focus on critical thinking.
In the military, you must make quick decisions that affect both the airmen and the mission. To do that, you must be able to conduct mental risk assessments on the fly and the assessment of risk is a huge part of what I do every day at Sodexo.
The safety of our employees starts with a thorough risk assessment of our operations and daily individual/mental risk assessments prior to completing tasks – Three Checks for Safety.
Is there anything else you’d like to share about your career path at Sodexo?
KG: I have been very fortunate to have a long career with both the military, 33 years, and Sodexo, 29 years.
As you can imagine, there have been times when I’ve had to take military leave from Sodexo and times where I’ve had to pass over military opportunities due to obligations and needs within Sodexo.
Both organizations have been more than 100% supportive of me furthering my careers in the other organization - especially Sodexo because Sodexo has had to flex the most for extended periods of time.
Thom Sellars, CFM, Senior Vice President and Global Account Director of Energy and Resources at Sodexo
How did your military experience translate into your FM career at Sodexo?
TS: This is a simple question to answer. In our world, FM equals skilled trades. I don’t differentiate between handyman work or HVAC work when talking about skilled trades because there is a skill to doing both that not everyone has.
I started in the USAF as an apprentice boilermaker, a skilled trade. I ended that part of my career managing multiple trades including electricians, carpenters, heavy equipment operators, plumbers and HVAC technicians to name a few. The last few years of my career developed my leadership abilities and management skills. This was a direct correlation to my current role with Sodexo.
The great thing is that no matter when I would have decided to leave the military, I would have had an opportunity to continue my path with Sodexo using the skills obtained.
Is there anything else you’d like to share about your career at Sodexo?
TS: My career at Sodexo has changed the person I am.
The diversity of the company and its journey to inclusiveness have opened my eyes to realize everyone can and does contribute to the success of the operation.
In my role, being able to travel and experience multiple cultures has advanced my appreciation of all people.
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While each of these leaders have very different backgrounds, skills and job responsibilities, it’s clear that their time in the military has greatly impacted the trajectory of their career path and their success with Sodexo.
Read more stories from our Sodexo military community on the blog or learn more about taking the next step in your career at Sodexo now.