TEAM CFC

Wayne Whitzell, CFM, FMP, SFP, LEED®AP, BEP, GBO, IFMA Fellow

 

Wayne Whitzell is an IFMA Fellow and Second Vice Chair of IFMA’s Global Board. He has been an active member in IFMA since 2000 and is IFMA’s 2018 International Distinguished Member of the Year.  In 2015, he was selected as IFMA’s International Associate of the Year and was selected as IFMA’s Distinguished Author of the Year in 2016 and 2021.  He is the Immediate Past President of IFMA’s Corporate Facilities Council and the Past President of IFMA East Bay.  

 

Over the years, he has held various chapter positions such as Sustainability Committee Chair, Website Chair, and Sacramento Valley Chapter Vice President.  He has presented eighteen sessions at IFMA’s World Workplace international conferences and has presented at countless IFMA chapter and council events and Facility Fusion.

 

Wayne is the President for DFS Green, a company which specializes in workplace health diagnostics and verification, and maintaining carpet, fabrics, tile & grout, and natural stone across the United States.

Linda Besetzny, CFM

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Linda is the Director of Global Facilities at R.J. O’Brien & Associates, with over 25 year’s experience in Facilities Management.  She is responsible for firm-wide management of office space and real estate leases, including office moves and interior design.  She has built out offices around the world including London, Paris, Dubai, Singapore and Toronto.

 

Linda is an active member in IFMA and is the Past President of the Chicago chapter.  Linda has won numerous chapter awards including, Outstanding Achievement, Distinguished Leader and Facility of the Year. She continues to pay it forward by mentoring others through IFMA. 

Josh McIlwain, SFP, LEED GREEN ASSOCIATE 

 

Josh McIlwain has a professional career spanning two decades working for clients in government, healthcare, higher education, K-12, retail, distribution, property management, tech, and commercial properties. His background includes Sales, Marketing, Human Resources, Operations, Safety, Training, Policy, and Strategy. His passions are rooted in giving back to the community through charity, fundraising, volunteering, coaching and acts of kindness.

 

He currently serves as chair of the Sustainability Committee for the Denver Chapter of IFMA, serves as Editor of the FM Professional Magazine, and is a board member for BOAC (Building Operators Association of Colorado) and member of the IFMA ISC Sustainability Community.

Richard Peterson, CFM, FMP, SFP

 

Richard is an accomplished facility management professional with over 15 years of experience in corporate real estate services and integrated facility management. Holding a Bachelor’s Degree in Business and currently pursuing an MBA, Richard serves as Director of Integrated Facility Management at ABM Industries, supporting Waymo. He possesses all IFMA credentials (CFM, FMP, SFP) and has demonstrated leadership through various committee, Board, and Executive Board roles at IFMA over the past decade. In 2024, Richard was honored with IFMA’s Associate Member of the Year award, recognizing his significant contributions to the industry.

Christian Pellecchia

 

Christian is a Senior Client Solutions Manager at JE Dunn Construction, one of the nation’s top general contractors. A longtime member, sponsor, and leader within IFMA, Christian has served as President of both the Silicon Valley and East Bay Chapters. He is a recipient of multiple honors, including IFMA’s Associate of the Year Award, Educator of the Year Award, and Government Affairs Award.

 

Christian currently serves as an instructor for IFMA’s Essentials of Facility Management (EoFM) program, Treasurer of the Corporate Facilities Council, and Chair of IFMA’s Government Affairs Committee for the State of California, where he leads advocacy efforts impacting the built environment, workforce development, and sustainability.

Kyle Ingoe

 

Kyle is a Components Liaison at the International Facility Management Association (IFMA), where she supports and connects component leaders across the association's global network. A proud graduate of Texas A&M University, Kylie began her career as an elementary school educator before transitioning into the association world. She brings a passion for helping others achieve their goals through positivity, clear communication, and a strong commitment to excellence.

William Simon

 

While earning my Master’s in Sport Management at the University of San Francisco, I developed a mission that continues to guide my career: to create opportunities for others to succeed. This purpose drives my work in Facility Management, where success isn’t just about managing HVAC systems, plumbing, or emergency planning, but about setting the stage for people to thrive.

 

With experience across event management, Division I athletics, the tech industry, and the non-profit sector, I’m passionate about creating environments where unforgettable moments can happen. Every detail matters because when we do our job well, we empower others to do theirs even better.

Craig Cotton

 

Craig is a seasoned facilities and workplace operations professional with 20 years of experience managing complex real estate portfolios and leading high-performing teams across North America. He has supported top-tier organizations like Mercedes-Benz USA, Porsche Cars North America, ThyssenKrupp Elevator, and The Coca-Cola Company, overseeing over 2.5 million square feet and multimillion-dollar budgets. Craig’s expertise includes strategic planning, vendor management, sustainability, and delivering exceptional workplace experiences.

 

He has led major initiatives such as relocating 500+ employees, expanding operations across 200+ sites, and enhancing customer-facing environments. A Certified RPA, IFMA board member, and former Georgia-licensed real estate professional, Craig combines strategic insight with a creative, people-first leadership style.

Dexter N. Barrow

 

Dexter has over 20 years of management experience in facility operations and construction, working in academic and corporate settings. Dexter currently serves as the Senior Director of Facilities for the American Speech Hearing Association (ASHA), where he is responsible for the vision, performance, and leadership of the Facilities department.  Dexter takes great pride in the positive impact his work has had on transforming his local community.

 

Dexter holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Washington Adventist University and a Master of Science in Homeland Security and Risk Management from the University of Maryland. He has been an active member of the International Facilities Management Association (IFMA) since 2003 and serves as an IFMA certified instructor.

Jose Diaz

 

Jose holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Electrical and Mechanical Engineering. He is a seasoned executive leader with over 22 years of experience and currently serves as the Associate Workplace Director and co-founder of PWT, a facilities services and strategic project management advisory firm based in León, Mexico.

 

The firm caters to both international and regional clients across the country.  Jose is also a member of the Board of Directors of IFMA CFC, where he serves as Chair of the International Outreach Committee. In this capacity, he connects professionals worldwide for collaboration on articles and webinars. He also acts as the LATAM Lighthouse, focusing on enhancing the local experience for IFMA members and launched the first CFC LATAM webinar series in collaboration with IFMA LATAM SYNC.