The Madison Chapter of the International Facility Management Association is one of the oldest chapters in the organization. It was chartered September 11, 1984, by several local facility managers including: Frank Alfano (Oscar Mayer), Loren "Buzz" Buchanan (American Family Insurance), Dick Statz (Verex), and Jim Govier (Intervarsity). Our original charter included professional membership for the entire state of Wisconsin. A September 18, 1984 letter to the "fellow members of the newly formed Wisconsin Chapter of the International Facility Management Association" states "Our long range goal is to have three individual chapters in Wisconsin. One each in the Madison, Milwaukee, and Fox River Valley areas with joint meetings on a quarterly basis." Within a few years, the Northeast Wisconsin Chapter and the Southwest Wisconsin Chapter were chartered.
More about our Chapter Founder
Frank started his facility journey with an associate degree in Architectural Engineering. The US Air Force brought him from Boston to Madison and a 17 year career with Oscar Mayer followed. He began there as a layout engineer and ended as the Facility Manager, one of the first in the city to have that title.
Frank then experienced Construction Management careers with Contact Realty and the UW planning and development department. He finished his career as a Facility Manager with Dane County, and “retired” in 2002.
How appropriate that our founder could be referred to as: “The Big Organizer”. Here is a sample of Frank’s volunteer work in Madison:
Italian workman’s Club Council
Greenbush Heritage Foundation Treasurer
Madison – Mantova sister City Coordinator
Community work services Board of Directors
Wistalia Board of Directors
Community Service Board of Directors
RSVP Personnel Committee
Coordinator of the following festivals: Celebrate Madison, Fiesta Hispania, & Bay View Triangle Ethnic Fest
And that is just the most current listing; his volunteer-ism goes back 40 years and includes many other fortunate organizations. How appropriate that Frank founded our IFMA Chapter 25 years ago, combining his background in Facilities with his drive to help others and organize, organize, organize!
Presidents have historically held a one year term except when members declined to assume their term or the organization's fiscal year changed mid-term.
Awards
IFMA has for many years offered an awards program for chapters, councils, and individual members. Awards are organized into multiple categories of achievement, often differentiated on chapter/council size. These awards reflect the Madison Chapter’s excellence in pursuit of serving its members. The award application process alone requires commitment and dedication from chapter leaders, with countless hours spent assembling and editing award submission forms. Every award is a tribute to chapter members and leaders, making Madison one of the best chapters in the association.
