UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — The Penn State Facilities Engineering Institute (PSFEI) announced today (April 10) its partnership with the Ray & Joan Kroc Corps Community Centers, an extension of The Salvation Army, which provide underserved communities family-friendly options for indoor and outdoor recreation, health and fitness, performing arts, after-school programs and more.
Following a very successful regional pilot program, held late last month in the Kroc Centers’ Southern Territory, PSFEI and Salvation Army leadership are considering opportunities to offer additional training in the near future. Designed for facility maintenance technicians, supervisors and property managers, the three-day pilot course, held outside of Atlanta, focused on facilities management topics including power systems, building envelope, HVAC, plumbing and potable water, fire systems and energy management (procurement and demand reduction/management).
“The PSFEI team is able to provide the programs and personalities that are a really good fit for our facilities operations,” said Ross Wheeler, capital renewal plan manager for The Salvation Army. Identifying key components of the program including electrical hazards, safety and maintenance, Wheeler added, “The benefits of this program are going to be exponential and not only affect the Kroc Centers, but all Salvation Army properties in the Southern Territory including homeless shelters, worship and community centers, family stores, camp facilities and many more.”
PSFEI Director John Hajduk played a pivotal role in negotiating the deal and looks forward to future endeavors with The Salvation Army. “It’s just a really good thing to be part of a story that affects the lives of so many people,” said Hajduk. “The opportunities the Kroc Centers bring to these communities across the country are pretty impressive. And, it is humbling to know our staff here at PSFEI is able to use our expertise to help make such important community centers safer and more efficient.”
For more information about the Ray & Joan Corps Community Centers, visit www.kroccenter.org.
The Penn State Facilities Engineering Institute provides facility engineering services to 11 Pennsylvania state agencies, the federal government and non-profit organizations. The organization aims to advance its customers’ facilities engineering aspirations through applied research, education and innovation.