Facilities

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Febuary 2026 F&CO Employee of the Month – Wilson Tolentino

Celebrating Wilson Tolentino as the February 2026 Employee of the Month!

Congratulations to Wilson Tolentino, Structural Trades Tech II, for being recognized as the February 2026 Facilities & Campus Operations (F&CO) Employee of the Month! Tolentino was nominated by Jerry Lang, Structural Trades Tech III, with additional support from Christine Powell, Project Manager.

Tolentino’s ability to adapt and precise attention to detail have been invaluable to his team. Always putting in extra effort and striving for 100% satisfaction, his outstanding work ethic often led to projects being completed before the deadline.

One example of Tolentino’s notable work was the removal and infill of an interior window in Enterprise Hall. The project was completed without additional assistance from other carpentry staff, demonstrating his exceptional skill and precision. His meticulous work and initiative to well-document each critical inspection stage with detailed photographs streamlined the process of the project significantly, and allowed them to forgo certain in-person steps before final touches. “Due to Wilson’s attention to detail, commitment to quality, and initiative in exceeding project requirements, the work was completed on time, without inspection-related delays, and under budget.” Said Powell. 

In addition, Tolentino is always eager to lend a helping hand, though often working solo. His dedication not only to his role but also to his team has been a key factor in what makes George Mason University thrive, and his efforts have not gone unnoticed.

Interested in submitting a George Mason Facilities & Campus Operations Employee of the Month nomination? Check out the new process here!

January 2026 F&CO Employee of the Month – Brian Barfield

Celebrating Brian Barfield as the January 2026 Employee of the Month!

Congratulations to Brian Barfield, Building Engineer, for being recognized as the January 2026 Facilities & Campus Operations (F&CO) Employee of the Month! Barfield was nominated by fellow Freedom Aquatic & Fitness Center colleagues, Karla Balk, Fitness/Operations Supervisor; Robert Hinzman, Operations Manager; and Olga O’Brien, General Manager.

Often coming in early in the morning and leaving in the evening, Barfield's efforts have not gone unnoticed, and he has consistently been a reliable member of his team. “When problems arise, Brian acts quickly—either fixing the issue himself or making sure the right contractor addresses it efficiently.” Said Balk, “His reliability, initiative, and commitment make him an invaluable part of our team, and the Freedom Center benefits greatly from his hard work and positive attitude.”

One specific example has been during the Freedom Aquatic & Fitness Center’s annual week-long maintenance & repair routine, Down Week. Despite this being Barfield's first time as the lead Building Engineer, his incredible leadership, early planning, and ability to effectively coordinate with contractors resulted in it being a huge success. “Brian’s leadership during our recent annual Down Week was exceptional. He planned in advance, coordinated contractors, provided staff with detailed schedules, and ensured all projects were completed smoothly and on time.” Said O’Brien.

Outside of major projects, Barfield's work ethic has also made notable impacts among his colleagues. “The results spoke for themselves: a facility restored and improved, and a team that felt both motivated and proud of the outcome.” Said Hinzman, “Working alongside Brian is not a chore, but a privilege.”

While only being a team member at the Freedom Center for 5 years and less than one year in his new leadership position as Building Engineer, Barfield has demonstrated his incredible leadership skills and has consistently gone above and beyond in his role to support the George Mason community and visitors.

Interested in submitting a George Mason Facilities & Campus Operations Employee of the Month nomination? Check out the new process here!

January 2026 George Mason Employee of the Month: Oscar Ferrufino

 

Celebrating Oscar  Ferrufino as the January 2026 Employee of the Month

Congratulations to Oscar Ferrufino, Heavy Equipment Operator, for being recognized as the George Mason University January 2026 Employee of the Month! For 20 years, Ferrufino has been an integral part of Facilities & Campus operations as a member of George Mason's Essential Employees group.

"Oscar has a wealth of grounds knowledge and professionally completes any assigned task. It is a pleasure to work alongside him, no matter what type of task we’ve been assigned," said Archie Nesbit, senior grounds supervisor.

As highlighted by many colleagues, Ferrufino’s exceptional work ethic and teamworking skills have made an incredible impact on the university. 

Read the full story here!

Introducing Lara Spader

Lara Spader, Senior Director, Energy & Sustainability

George Mason Facilities & Campus Operations (F&CO) would like to extend a warm welcome to our new Senior Director of Energy and Sustainability, Lara Spader. Joining us in late 2025, Lara has begun her role in overseeing our Energy, Sustainability, and Central Heating & Cooling (CHCP) teams, bringing them together for the first time at George Mason University. Click here for the updated 2026 F&CO Organizational Chart. 

For her new team, she aims to support the continued integration and alignment of energy and sustainability priorities with university goals, while pursuing opportunities to optimize energy use and modernize utility infrastructure. In addition to bringing the Energy, Sustainability, and CHCP teams together, she plans to build an additional strong coalition of partnerships that will work together to make George Mason University operate as efficiently, reliably, and sustainably as possible for today and in the future. With an extensive professional background in sustainable efforts for energy and infrastructure, we are eager to see her continued progress at George Mason.  

"I am thrilled to be joining the George Mason community, and contributing to the exciting work ahead," said Spader. "With the new integrated team, I am looking forward to learning, collaborating, and achieving great things together!"

Before joining George Mason, Lara Spader served as a Program Manager in the U.S. Department of Energy’s Office of Clean Energy Demonstrations. In this role, she co-led the Industrial Demonstrations Program responsible for managing the execution of $6.3 billion from the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act and the Inflation Reduction Act to support large-scale emissions reduction demonstration projects.  

Previously, Lara worked at the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) as the Director of the Energy, Environment and Fleet Program Service. Within that role, she oversaw VA’s Department-wide policy and programs for energy and water management, energy performance contracting, fleet management, environmental management, sustainable buildings, and climate change adaptation.  

Prior to that, she was the Program Manager for VA’s nationwide Energy Performance Contracting Program with oversight of over $1 billion of energy efficiency projects at VA medical centers. Lara joined the Federal government as a Presidential Management Fellow, served a detail at the White House Council on Environmental Quality, and was a 2020 VA Congressional Fellow at the U.S. House of Representatives. She is a Certified Energy Manager with a Master of Business Administration from the George Washington University and a Bachelor of Science in Management from Boston University.  

December 2025 F&CO Employee of the Month – Mirwais Safi

Celebrating Mirwais Safi as the December 2025 Employee of the Month!

Congratulations to Mirwais Safi, Construction Field Representative, for being recognized as the December 2025 Facilities & Campus Operations (F&CO) Employee of the Month! Safi was nominated by Cathy Pinskey, Capital Program Director. In addition to this nomination, Safi has received multiple nominations and letters of support for one of George Mason’s 2025 Outstanding Achievement Awards from members of F&CO leadership and university partners. 

As a careful steward of our physical facilities and sole inspector of the Fuse building, Safi has played an invaluable role in ensuring its safe construction and opening. Located at the Mason Square campus, Fuse has become George Mason's largest and most innovative facility to date, housing STEM-related research & design labs, innovation centers, state-of-the-art smart and green building technologies, and more.  

“Mirwais is a dedicated worker who goes ‘the extra mile’ and then some, ” said Christy Hogan, Sr. Director of University Asset Management.  “His dedication to George Mason University and knowledge as the subject matter expert on codes and construction compliance has helped to ensure that we are receiving a high-quality, high-performing building.” 

Since joining the Fuse project in 2022, Safi’s commitment to safety and close attention to detail has resulted in over 2,200 contract compliance inspections, working tirelessly to ensure quality assurance. Consistently going above and beyond, in addition to his typical duties during the project, Safi had also taken the role of overseeing, reviewing, and scheduling on-site work for 3rd-party inspectors. He’s also further utilized his excellent leadership skills to mentor contract field engineers and engineering interns.  

“His knowledge and expertise of code requirements and construction practices have been instrumental in keeping this project on budget and on schedule while ensuring we receive a quality building,” said Frank Strike, VP, F&CO.  “Mirwais is an exceptionally talented professional, a person of great integrity who always accepts and excels at his work each and every day.” 

His strong values in education also led him to seek additional certifications and training, recently passing the Fundamentals of Engineering exam, and he is a step closer to obtaining his Professional Engineering (PE) license. For these reasons, “It is without hesitation that I nominate Mirwais for this Employee of the Month Award,” said Pinskey, “Mirwais is an invaluable employee in the Facilities Organization at George Mason University.”  

Interested in submitting a George Mason Facilities & Campus Operations Employee of the Month nomination? Check out the new process here!

Winners! 2025 Facilities & Campus Operations Team Member Awards

Facilities & Campus Operations (F&CO) is launching annual awards to celebrate many of our exceptional team members within this division.

F&CO leadership and the Culture Champion Committee have partnered on this initiative and are excited to present the annual awards listed below.  All F&CO team members, and those outside the division, are encouraged to nominate their peers for future awards. Congratulations to the following award winners:

Team Member Awards:

  • Facilities Management Operations
    • Frank Pierpoint, Plumber, Zone 2
    • Epifanio Escamilla, General Maintenance Tech II, Zone 2
    • Jose Vargas, General Maintenance Tech II, Zone 4
    • Gordon Maginness, HVAC Tech I
  • Facilities Services
    • Keith ”Wally” Wallace, General Services Supervisor
  • Regional Campuses
    • Amanda Parnell, Mason Square Operations Manager
  • Business Services and Facilities Administration
    • Colleen Regan, Zero Waste Mason Program Manager
  • Planning, Design, and Construction
    • Jennifer Gantt, Project & Relocation Coordinator
  • Janitorial Services
    • Martha Rodriguez, Housekeeper
  • Rookie of the Year
    • Danielle Busch, Scheduling and Event Manager
  • Wage Employee
    • Audrey Kwakye, Communications & Marketing Administrator
    • Robert Kupczak, Gardens Coordinator
    • Demin Zhu, Patriot Green Fund Coordinator
    • Matt Gaines, Scheduling and Event Coordinator

Supervisor of the Year

  • Juma Handon, Zone 4 Supervisor

Culture Champion of the Year

  • Jason Reed, Electrician II, Zone 4

Innovation 

  • Tan Nguyen, Waste/Recycling Worker

University Community Partnership 

  • Donielle “Doni” Nolan, Greenhouse & Gardens Program Manager 

Safety Champion of the Year 

  • Kevin Brim, Recycling & Waste Management Supervisor

Special Initiative / Project Team

  • Better Bins Preview
    • Ben Auger, Engagement Coordinator
    • Kevin Brim, Recycling & Waste Management Supervisor
    • Colleen Regan, Zero Waste Mason Program Manager
    • Amber Saxton, Campus Efficiency Program Manager
    • Maggie Accardo, Lead Sign Maker
    • Charlie Bobosh, Senior Sign Maker
    • John Forgy, Environmental Graphic Design Manager
    • Mike Lay, Assistant Director, Facilities Services
    • Chris Williams, Associate Director, Housekeeping
    • John Rogers, Associate Director of Housekeeping, Housing & Residence Life

Employee of the Year

  • Kevin Brim, Recycling & Waste Management Supervisor

This year, F&CO had over 180 nominations for awards. Check out some of the kudos from the nominations below:

 

F&CO Geotab Tracking Pilot Program

George Mason Facilities & Campus Operations (F&CO) is implementing a new Geotab GPS Tracking pilot program across all F&CO fleet vehicles. This pilot began December 2025. For the next six months, F&CO’s Asset Manager, Automotive teams, and Facilities IT will work with George Mason Parking and Transportation to assess the system to ensure an optimal rollout for the Mason vehicle fleet. Our goal is to launch results of the pilot and next steps Summer 2026.  

Equipping our fleet with a state-of-the-art management system transforms our campus operations, enhancing safety, efficiency, and accountability. With the integration of GPS tracking and telematics, we can gain invaluable real-time insights into vehicle locations, usage, maintenance needs, and performance. This empowers us to manage our fleet more effectively, streamlining our operations.   

With this pilot, we can make informed decisions, extend the life of our vehicles, and deliver consistent, reliable service to the George Mason community. Embracing this technology offers a brighter, more efficient future for the university.   

FAQs:

New Patio Unveiled at the Fairfax Campus Rappahannock Neighborhood

Before Photos

After Photos

The area between Piedmont and Sandbridge Hall has received a refresh! The new improvements, on the Fairfax campus of George Mason, consist of both landscape and hardscape changes in the Rappahannock neighborhood. The changes will provide additional space for student gatherings. A key feature of the new update is the new outdoor patio area, which includes: 

  • A shaded walkway  
  • Improved railing  
  • New seating 
  • Bicycle racks 
  • Lighting 

“These small projects can be easy, or difficult if they run into complications. No matter what, at the end of the day, what matters is how happy the users are with the results.” Said Brenda Claudio, Project Manager. “It is great to know from the Housing team how important it is for them that this project is completed and that it can now be enjoyed by students. The patio is for them, and it looks beautiful.”  

With support from the Facilities & Campus Operations (F&CO) Facilities Management Grounds team, additional landscaping was also done on the walkway between Sandbridge and Dominion Hall to further improve aesthetics and deter foot traffic from bypassing the use of nearby stairs. 

“I am thankful for our partnership with Facilities to create this beautiful outdoor space for our residents.” Said Shannon Jordan, Associate Dean and Chief Housing Officer. “It is projects like this that help our students feel a stronger sense of community and connection to where they live.” Since completion, students have already been spotted enjoying the new space to study and socialize. 

November 2025 F&CO Employee of the Month – Zhongyan Xu

Celebrating Zhongyan Xu as the November 2025 Employee of the Month! 

Congratulations to Zhongyan (Jane) Xu, Land Development Manager, for being recognized as the November 2025 Facilities & Campus Operations (F&CO) Employee of the Month! Xu was nominated by Brenda Claudio, Project Manager. 

Xu’s passion and over 10 years of expertise in her position have played an instrumental role in the recent successful audit of the Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4) Program held by the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ). The extensive permit program is designed to address the unique challenges associated with urban and suburban areas, where stormwater can pick up pollutants from various sources and eventually discharge into local water bodies.  

Despite the critical staffing shortages on her team until recently, Xu has successfully managed the program to support and improve the waterways on the Fairfax campus.  

“Her passion for stormwater management is evident, and she is always working hard to ensure the University is in compliance with the Virginia Stormwater program,” said Claudio. “We should recognize her hard work and efforts.” 

Click here to learn more about the recent MS4 Program Audit! 

Interested in submitting a George Mason Facilities & Campus Operations Employee of the Month nomination? Check out the new process here! 

George Mason University Published in Guide to Green Colleges for 16th Consecutive Year

For the 16th consecutive year, George Mason University has been featured in the Princeton Review's guide to green colleges list! This list highlights universities nationwide based on their sustainable programs, policies, and practices. The criteria for inclusion are based on several factors, including community feedback; however, a university's comprehensive reporting through the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education’s (AASHE) STARS framework remains key to making the list. George Mason University, a member of AASHE, was the first university in Virginia to receive a Gold rating from AASHE STARS. Since achieving this distinction in 2014, the university has maintained four consecutive Gold ratings.

The Princeton Review recognized George Mason University for having a dedicated University Sustainability office, under Facilities and Campus Operations, and for having several sustainable initiatives, such as transportation programs including Commuter Choice, Car/Vanpool, free Mason Shuttles, telecommuting, and additional bike-friendly initiatives. George Mason also received high marks for improvements in waste reduction and diversion rates since 2020. This includes doubling its composting tonnage from Dining partners to over 125 tons per year, reducing single-use plastics purchasing by 50%, adding glass recycling initiatives, and recycling/donating over 90% of its construction and demolition waste during that period. 

Other points were received for constructing all buildings on George Mason’s campuses to LEED Silver or higher levels, including Fuse, a LEED Platinum building at Mason Square with state-of-the-art smart and green building technologies. Finally, George Mason received credit for not only having an environmental studies major and sustainability-focused coursework, but also sustainability learning outcomes – building a culture of sustainability by placing a high value on experiential learning at campus sustainability sites like the President’s Park Greenhouse, sustainability-aligned research in classrooms, labs, and George Mason Living Lab sites.