Atlanta, GA – October 31, 2011 – zumBrunnen, Inc., an independent building consulting firm, is proud to recognize Thomas M. Maher, P.E., LEED® Green Associate, for passing the Certified Energy Manager® (CEM®) exam. Upon approval from the Board, Maher will receive his CEM designation that recognizes individuals who have demonstrated high levels of experience, competence, proficiency and ethical fitness in the energy management profession. The CEM designation is regarded as the most recognized and respected certification available in the field of energy management.

“As a firm, we recognize the importance of energy conservation and smart energy management to maximize resources,” said Maher. “We look forward to developing new energy-related services for our clients to help them operate more efficiently. The CEM designation will also allow us to pursue new clients and opportunities where the credential is a requirement for doing business. The CEM designation provides assurance to our clients we are competent and qualified to assist with their energy management issues.”

Maher joined zumBrunnen in 2005, and he is a Senior Project Manager with the firm. His depth of experience includes over 30 years of professional work in the industry. Maher holds a Bachelor of Technology in Mechanical Engineering from Delaware State University. He is certified as a LEED® Green Associate from the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC), and he is also recognized as a Certified Level I Thermographer.

As a CEM candidate, Maher met the following qualification criteria: a 4-year degree in engineering or architecture or Professional Engineer (P.E.) or Registered Architect (R.A.) and 3+ years of experience in energy engineering or energy management. (The prerequisites to qualify for the certification process take into account a diversity of education and professional experience and are outlined on the application form.)

About the Certified Energy Manager® (CEM®) Credential:

Since its inception in 1981, the Certified Energy Manager (CEM) credential has become widely accepted and used as a measure of professional accomplishment within the energy management field.  It has gained industry-wide use as the standard for qualifying energy professionals both in the United States and abroad. Individuals granted the use of the CEM designation have distinguished themselves as earning the highest level of competency in energy management.

Testing is administered through the Association of Energy Engineers (AEE), a non-profit professional association established in 1977. AEE offers programs, seminars, conferences, books, tradeshows and expositions, job listings, and certification programs. With over 32 years of being a voice and resource for the energy industry, AEE is a growing membership organization serving the commercial, industrial, institutional and government marketplace. For more information about the AEE and the CEM program, please visit http://www.aeecenter.org/certification/cem.

About zumBrunnen, Inc.:

zumBrunnen, Inc. was founded in 1989. The Atlanta-based firm specializes in construction consulting, facility assessments, property condition assessments and long-range capital reserve planning services for a diverse list of national clients. The firm is also recognized for their proprietary FacilityForecast® Software System, a unique facilities condition assessment and budgeting tool designed to forecast and manage long-term capital replacement expenses and to provide custom reserve funding plans designed to their client’s business model.

The firm has completed notable projects in a variety of market sectors including senior living, healthcare, multi-family, educational, institutional, mixed use, retail, office, warehouse, industrial, hospitality and public assembly. The firm is a member of LeadingAge and is active in various state chapters of the association. The firm is also involved with the American Seniors Housing Association (ASHA), Coalition for Leadership in Aging Services (CLAS), Life Services Network (LSN), Association of Professional Reserve Analysts (APRA), Community Associations Institute (CAI) and various state chapters, North Carolina Association of Independent Schools (NCAIS) and the Southern Association of Independent Schools (SAIS). For more information about zumBrunnen, please call 404-601-4050 or e-mail info@zumbrunnen.com.

Atlanta, GA – October 11, 2011 – zumBrunnen, Inc., an independent building consulting firm, is presenting two educational seminars at the LeadingAge Annual Meeting & IAHSA Global Aging Conference being held October 16-19, 2011 at the Washington Convention Center in Washington, DC. In addition to the presentations, representatives from zumBrunnen will also be in booth 2406 in the exposition area.

The 7 Habits of an Effective Facilities Management Department:

John zumBrunnen, Founder and President of the firm, is presenting a session titled “The 7 Habits of an Effective Facilities Management Department” on Sunday, October 16 at 9 am. The presentation is targeted for facility directors, executive officers and board members. The session focuses on the “7 Habits” facilities managers, board members and executives should utilize to ensure that physical assets are properly maintained, physical plant efficiencies are optimized and adequate replacement funds are in place. zumBrunnen will explain how the 7 habits for success are directly linked to an overarching commitment to innovative leadership and adequate funding.

Attendees will learn about (Habit #1) the importance of utilizing a Computer Maintenance Management System (CMMS) and (Habit #2) why having an accurate facility condition assessment to determine the “true condition” of the physical plant is critical. The session will also discuss (Habit #3) budgeting and how to plan for immediate, short-term and long-term needs (20+ years) as well as highlight (Habit #4) how to properly plan for and fund replacement reserves. zumBrunnen will also explain how the best FM departments optimize operations and improve environmental impact by (Habit #5) following LEED for Existing Buildings (EBOM) guidelines. Attendees will also learn about the importance of developing (Habit #6) a system of ongoing goal setting, measuring and reporting to track progress and how (Habit #7) having the right team of leaders, managers and innovators is critical to achieving optimal results.

Ensuring a Physically and Financially Fit Organization:

zumBrunnen will also be co-presenting a session titled “Ensuring a Physically and Financially Fit Organization” on October 17 from 11:00 am – 12:30 pm under the Financial Management track. John zumBrunnen will make the joint presentation with Mario McKenzie, a Principal with LarsonAllen LLP. The session will highlight strategic capital issues that are critical to the short-term and long-term financial and physical health of an organization. Attendees will learn how to assess their capital replacement needs in light of market defend-ability, physical aging of buildings and demand for new communities and services. The session will also illustrate ways to integrate financial analysis and assessment into comprehensive strategic planning efforts.

About LeadingAge:

Celebrating their 50th anniversary this year, LeadingAge is an association of 5,400 not-for-profit organizations dedicated to expanding the world of possibilities for aging. Formerly known as the American Association of Homes and Services for the Aging (or simply AAHSA), the association strives to advance policies, promote practices and conduct research that supports, enables and empowers people to live fully as they age. LeadingAge’s members offer a continuum of aging services including:  adult day services, home health, community services, senior housing, assisted living residences, continuing care retirement communities and nursing homes. For more information, please visit www.LeadingAge.org.

About John zumBrunnen:

John zumBrunnen is President and Founder of zumBrunnen, Inc., an independent construction and building consulting firm founded in 1989 and headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia. zumBrunnen has a BS in mechanical engineering from the University of North Dakota, completed the US Army Corps of Engineers Training Program in 1972, and is a member of the Association of Professional Reserve Analysts (APRA) and numerous other national and state associations.  He has been a faculty member since 2003 for the University of North Texas, Coalition for Leadership in Aging Services (CLAS), a national certification program for aging services professionals (CASP) and authored the “Asset Management” training module. zumBrunnen has 40+ years of experience in construction, property assessment, development, and reserve budgeting.  He is the inventor of the FacilityForecast® software system and a respected author and speaker in the industry.

About zumBrunnen, Inc.:

zumBrunnen, Inc. was founded in 1989. The Atlanta-based firm specializes in construction consulting, facility assessments, property condition assessments and long-range capital reserve planning services for a diverse list of national clients. The firm is also recognized for their proprietary FacilityForecast® Software System, a unique facilities condition assessment and budgeting tool designed to forecast and manage long-term capital replacement expenses and to provide custom reserve funding plans designed to their client’s business model.

The firm has completed notable projects in a variety of market sectors including senior living, healthcare, multi-family, educational, institutional, mixed use, retail, office, warehouse, industrial, hospitality and public assembly. In addition to involvement with LeadingAge, the firm is also active in various state chapters of the association. The firm is also involved with the American Seniors Housing Association (ASHA), Coalition for Leadership in Aging Services (CLAS), Life Services Network (LSN), Association of Professional Reserve Analysts (APRA), Community Associations Institute (CAI) and various state chapters, North Carolina Association of Independent Schools (NCAIS) and the Southern Association of Independent Schools (SAIS).

For more information about zumBrunnen, please call 404-601-4050 or e-mail info@zumBrunnen.com.

Atlanta, GA – October 4, 2011 – zumBrunnen, Inc., an independent building consulting firm, is exhibiting at booth #14 at the South Carolina Chapter of the Community Associations Institute’s (SC-CAI) Annual Conference & Trade Show being held October 13-14, 2011 in Columbia, SC.

zumBrunnen specializes in providing community associations and community management professionals with critical services such as: reserve studies, reserve study updates, transition reports, thermal imaging and moisture detection services. The firm offers clients a satisfaction guarantee for their assessments, studies and funding plans. zumBrunnen’s clients also have access to the firm’s proprietary FacilityForecast® software system as part of their reserve study service. This easy-to-use software package provides the required industry standard funding plans and allows clients the ability to generate their own custom funding model that best serves the home owners and association needs and business plan. The zumBrunnen team of nine senior project managers has over 300 years direct related field experience to ensure all their clients have a highly experienced veteran conducting the most critical field inspection work.

About SC-CAI:

The South Carolina Chapter of the Community Associations Institute (SC-CAI) serves the educational, business, and networking needs of the community association industry in five geographic regions of South Carolina, including: Charleston, Columbia, Greenville, Hilton Head and Myrtle Beach. Members include condominium, cooperative, and homeowner association volunteers, professional association managers, management companies and those who provide services and products to community associations. The SC Chapter is comprised of approximately 500 members. The chapter is one of 58 CAI chapters across the nation. For more information, please visit www.cai-sc.net.

About zumBrunnen:

zumBrunnen, Inc. was founded in 1989. The Atlanta-based firm specializes in construction consulting, facility assessments, property condition assessments and long-range capital reserve planning services for a diverse list of national clients. The firm is also recognized for their proprietary FacilityForecast® Software System, a unique facilities condition assessment and budgeting tool designed to forecast and manage long-term capital replacement expenses and to provide custom reserve funding plans designed to their client’s business model.

The firm has completed notable projects in a variety of market sectors including multi-family, residential, senior living, healthcare, educational, institutional, mixed use, retail, office, warehouse, industrial, hospitality and public assembly. zumBrunnen is a member of the national chapter of the Community Associations Institute (CAI) as well as a member of the Georgia, North Carolina and South Carolina chapters. The firm is also a member of the Association of Professional Reserve Analysts (APRA), LeadingAge (formerly known as the American Association of Homes and Services for the Aging or AAHSA) and various state chapters, American Seniors Housing Association (ASHA), Life Services Network (LSN), Coalition for Leadership in Aging Services (CLAS), North Carolina Association of Independent Schools (NCAIS) and the Southern Association of Independent Schools (SAIS).

For more information about zumBrunnen, please visit call 404-601-4050 or e-mail info@zumbrunnen.com.

by John H. zumBrunnen, Founder and President, zumBrunnen, Inc.

The annual budgeting process is a critical step in managing your facilities. Before you jump into the process, there are many important issues to consider. Does your planning process “prompt” you to consider everything on OUR list?

Please use this as a handy checklist:

1. Are any critical warranties provided by a developer, contractor, or major equipment or systems manufacturer set to expire during the next year?
2. Have any significant environmental or geological events occurred on or near the property that may have a negative impact?
3. Have any new mandated changes been made to the building codes?
4. Have you received any building code citations?
5. Have any significant building system components been added, overhauled, or replaced?
6. Have any major systems or equipment become obsolete?
7. Has there been any extreme wear and tear to major components?
8. Is there any technological change or product development that may result in a change to a major component or system?
9. Has any maintenance been deferred or lifecycles changed?
10. Has local pricing/inflation been significantly impacted?
11. Did reserve funding and expenses occur as planned?
12. Have reserves deviated from the desired percent-funded goal?
13. Has there been any significant change in demographics or competition?
14. Has there been significant change in the board?
15. Has there been any change in senior-level management?
16. Is there a plan to refinance, complete a major renovation or expansion, apply for accreditation, or attempt a sale or merger?
17. Have three or more years passed since an independent consultant updated your assessment and funding plan?

John H. zumBrunnen

Founder and President

zumBrunnen, Inc.

zumBrunnen Preventative Maintenance Tip

by Daniel J. Williams, Senior Project Manager, zumBrunnen, Inc.

Ben Franklin coined the phrase, “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.” As independent building consultants, we subscribe to that theory and advise clients on ways to PREVENT maintenance problems before they occur.  Unfortunately, we are often called in to fix issues after they have happened, which is always more costly.

As fall is approaching, we wanted to remind building owners and facilities managers about the importance of conducting a Perimeter Check twice a year.

It is critical that soil, grass, and soil amendments (such as mulch and pine straw) do not touch the base of exterior finishes (such as brick, stucco, stone, siding) due to potential water/moisture wicking issues. We recommend that exterior finishes terminate at 4” (or higher) above grade over a foundation of cast-in-place concrete or concrete block.

While most facilities are originally built with a 4” or greater clearance around the perimeter, over time,  soil amendments and landscaping practices can build up a higher base (as illustrated in the photos). In cases where the exterior finishes come into contact with the grade, moisture can “wick” into the walls and cause substantial damage before there are visible signs on the interior.

To prevent potential problems, it is imperative to remove excess materials and regrade the soil so that water drains away from the building properly. Be cautious about creating a dam around the building that would channel water back.

We encourage our clients to conduct a perimeter check twice a year with their maintenance person and/or landscape company. If an outside contractor maintains the grounds, we suggest the owner add language into their landscaper services agreement stipulating the provider will maintain a minimum 4” clearance around the perimeter of the building(s) to prevent problems or be liable for correcting the damage.

Daniel J. Williams is a Senior Project Manager with zumBrunnen, Inc. He holds a B.A. Degree in Civil and Environmental Engineering from the University of Wisconsin. He has over 28 years of experience in helping clients prevent and solve construction-related issues.

Atlanta, GA – July 12, 2011 – zumBrunnen, Inc., an independent building consulting firm, is exhibiting at booth #602 at the Florida Association of Homes and Services for the Aging (FAHSA) 48^th Annual Convention & Exposition being held July 24-27, 2011 at the JW Marriott Grande Lakes Resort in Orlando, FL. zumBrunnen specializes in providing building consulting services to clients in the senior living industry.

About FAHSA:

FAHSA was established in 1963 as a nonprofit organization. Its purpose is to provide leadership, advocacy, and education for retirement housing and nursing home communities that serve the needs of Florida’s retirees. The association is comprised of approximately 500 premiere elder care organizations and business associates. For more information, please visit www.fahsa.org.

About zumBrunnen:

zumBrunnen, Inc. was founded in 1989. The Atlanta-based firm specializes in construction consulting, facility assessments, property condition assessments and long-range capital reserve planning services for a diverse list of national clients. The firm is also recognized for their proprietary FacilityForecast® Software System, a unique facilities condition assessment and budgeting tool designed to forecast and manage long-term capital replacement expenses and to provide custom reserve funding plans designed to their client’s business model.

The firm has completed notable projects in a variety of market sectors including senior living, healthcare, multi-family, educational, institutional, mixed use, retail, office, warehouse, industrial, hospitality and public assembly. In addition to involvement with FAHSA, the firm is also active in LeadingAge (formerly known as the American Association of Homes and Services for the Aging or AAHSA) and various other state chapters. The firm is also involved with the American Seniors Housing Association (ASHA), Coalition for Leadership in Aging Services (CLAS), Life Services Network (LSN), National Multi Housing Council (NMHC), Association of Professional Reserve Analysts (APRA), Community Associations Institute (CAI), Gwinnett Chamber of Commerce, North Carolina Association of Independent Schools (NCAIS) and the Southern Association of Independent Schools (SAIS). For more information about zumBrunnen, please call 404-601-4050 or email info@zumbrunnen.com.