• President: Peter Girard – Director of Facilities Engineering, Winchester Hospital
• President-Elect: Charles “CJ” Brown – Director of Engineering, Women & Infants Hospital
• Treasurer: Paul DeViller – Director of Plant Operations, Engineering & Maintenance, Lahey Hospital
• Secretary: Karri May – Director of Facilities, Connecticut Children’s Medical Center
• Past President: Dann Boyer – Director of Facilities Operations, Sturdy Memorial Hospital

Peter Girard
2023 NEHES President

Happy New Year Members!

Soon the holidays will be behind us, and a new year will begin for the NEHES Executive Officers, Board Members and Committee Chairs. Strategic Planning and Goals for 2023 were set during the November Board Retreat, so we will hit the ground running.

Upcoming events to mark your calendar for are as follows. You won’t want to miss these:

• Feb. 10: NHSHFM 5th Annual Winter Outing – Waterville Valley ME
• April 14: Spring Seminar – Newton MA
• Aug. 7-9: ASHE Annual Conference – San Antonio TX
• Sept. 24-27: Fall Conference – Manchester NH

As we continue into 2023, I look forward to seeing you at an upcoming NEHES or Chapter event. I encourage you to let us know how we’re doing as a Board, and we welcome your ideas and suggestions. NEHES is a vibrant, engaging organization because of our members, and we appreciate all you do for your profession and NEHES.

Thank you for your participation, and I’ll see you soon!

Erik Lahr
University of Vermont Medical Center
erik.lahr@uvmhealth.org

Certifications:
I am CHC certified as of Feb. 28, 2018. Currently enrolled in Project Management Professional (PMP) certification program, with completion anticipated July 2023.

How has NEHES/ASHE contributed to your career?
I have found the education opportunities of NEHES critical to my success as a Healthcare facility professional. I have been kept up to date on technology, code, and processes through the fall, spring, and twin state conferences.

What is your background in the healthcare facilities field?
I got out of the Navy in late 2007 and thought that I wanted to be in the healthcare field. I got a job in the environmental services department at UVMMC and quickly learned that I was more interested in the facilities operations side of the business than I was healthcare. Through education and mentorship, I am now a project manager for the hospital, executing all kinds of interesting projects from boiler replacements to new inpatient building construction. I have been at the hospital for 14 years and plan to stay in the healthcare facilities field until I retire.

Do you have a personal tidbit to share?
I enjoy the outdoors, and that is why I love living in Vermont. Whether it's canoeing, fishing, or hiking... If it means being active outdoors, I love it.

What do you enjoy most about your job?
I enjoy the variety and complexity that comes with working at a hospital. Every day is different, and I get to work on all kinds of utilities and systems. There is never a dull moment.

What are your plans for future growth?
I would like to continue to grow as a healthcare facility professional.

Debbie Hunter
Life Safety Coordinator
Spaulding Hospital Cambridge

Matthew Callahan
Account Manager
Trane Technologies

Robert Riendeau
Construction Coordinator
Concord Hospital

John Atwater
Project Manager
Baystate Health

Robert Connick
Senior Consultant
Acentech