Peter Trolle has been the director of facilities management at CSX Transportation for almost six years.
WHAT DO YOU DO?
“Manage every aspect of the building from maintenance to construction to moving personnel. We spend a lot of time moving people around and maintaining the structure, janitorial, landscaping as well as replacing signs as needed.”
ARE YOU A PROPERTY MANAGER?
No.
WHAT’S THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A PROPERTY MANAGER AND A FACILITIES MANAGER?
“The distinction between property and facilities management is that a property manager will manage a property for an owner who does not occupy their building. A facility manager manages the building for the owner, who also occupies the building and is not interested in leasing it and making a profit.”
MOVED TO JACKSONVILLE
“In 1994, I left California, where I was a facilities manager, and I decided to move where housing is cheap. I worked at Blue Cross Blue Shield as supervisor of engineering when I moved here. I was responsible for the maintenance and operation of that high rise in Riverside.”
COLLEGE
He has a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering from New England College.
WHAT MADE HIM GET INTO FACILITIES MANAGEMENT?
After college, Trolle went into construction of commercial buildings. “I’ve always been involved in buildings. In 1981, I had an opportunity to make the move to facilities management and it seemed to be the right move. I’ve always had buildings in my blood. Now, I’ve been in facilities management for 21 years.”
WHAT IS THE BIGGEST HURDLE YOU FACE MANAGING SUCH A LARGE BUILDING?
“I suppose the largest hurdle is trying to keep pace with the changes of the organization and making sure people’s departments are in the proper location. As groups grow and shrink, we have to move departments. We are in the process of moving an entire 30-person department to the BellSouth tower and to allow the sprinkling process [CSX is working with the Fire Department to install a sprinkler system in the building] to continue.”
HOW DO YOU PREVENT PROBLEMS?
“The key to that is good maintenance. The key to keeping any structure operating is good preventative maintenance — not just repairing things when they break — it is maintaining them throughout. I think we do a good job of that so there is less breakdown.”
WHAT IS YOUR LEAST FAVORITE THING ABOUT FACILITIES MANAGEMENT?
“There are some people that can never be satisfied. Some people, no matter what size office you give them or what kind of furniture you give them, they are never satisfied. But I accept that.”
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE THING ABOUT YOUR JOB?
“Managing and making sure the building operates smoothly and efficiently. I enjoy dealing with structures. I guess I’m technically oriented.”
WHAT ADVICE YOU WOULD GIVE TO OTHERS INTERESTED IN FACILITIES MANAGEMENT?
“There are some good programs to attend. Facilities management is a field that is not real recognized. If you go to a job search and look for facilities management, you may not find it. It is becoming more and more recognized, so I would suggest starting out with a good technical background or attend a facilities management program.”
BIRTHPLACE
New York City.
PROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATION
Trolle is a member of the International Facilities Management Association and a certified facilities manager.
FAMILY
He has been married to Jayme for 16 years. They have three children, Justin, 19, Maximillian, 14, and Kurt, 12.
RESIDES
Mandarin.
HOBBIES
Tennis, working on his house and spending time with his family.
FAVORITES
His favorite movie is “The Last of the Mohicans.” A motivational book he read recently and would recommend is “Build to Last,” by James Collins and Jerry Porras. When dining out he enjoys The Chart House. His favorite vacation spot is Hawaii, but when he’s on the couch, he enjoys watching the “Mystery” series on PBS and reruns of “Star Trek: Next Generation.”
— by Michele Newbern Gillis