IFMA Appoints New President & CEO

The International Facility Management Association (IFMA), based in Houston, Texas, recently announced its appointment of Michael Geary, CAE, as its new President & CEO, according to a news release. Geary’s previous role was as CEO of the Society for Marketing Professional Services (SMPS) and the SMPS Foundation. In his new role, effective Feb. 10, Geary will bring 30 years of leadership experience and a large network within the industry to build IFMA’s international presence.

Previous work experience also includes roles AmericanHort, the American Institute of Architecture Students, and the National Association of Home Builders. His CAE designation comes from the American Society of Association Executives; he also has a certificate in Diversity & Inclusion from Cornell University.

“Mike's proven leadership skills and his ability to connect with members and stakeholders globally will be beneficial as we work to extend IFMA’s reach and influence in the built environment worldwide," said IFMA Chair Lynn Baez. "His strong association management experience and commitment to fostering an inclusive environment align well with IFMA's values and our strategic goals."

About the Author

Matt Jones is senior editor of Spaces4Learning. He can be reached at [email protected].

Featured

  • Hawaii Elementary School Reopens Following $25M Campus Modernization

    Haʻaheo Elementary School in Hilo, Hawaii, has reopened to students following a three-year, $25-million campus modernization and expansion project that significantly increases the school's instructional space while preserving one of the island's oldest educational institutions, according to local news.

  • GeoCam and UCLA: Modernizing Campus Accessibility Mapping

    In early 2025, UCLA partnered with GeoCam to capture and modernize its pedestrian infrastructure data. The goal was ambitious but clear: to produce a high-accuracy, imagery-backed digital map of every sidewalk, pathway, ramp, and ADA-related feature on UCLA’s 419-acre campus.

  • University of Pennsylvania Releases Design of Future Physical Sciences Building

    The University of Pennsylvania (Penn) in Philadelphia, Penn., recently released renderings of an upcoming 350,000-square-foot Physical Sciences Building, according to news release. The facility was designed by CO Architects and will unite the university’s departments of Physics and Astronomy, Mathematics, and Earth and Environmental Science.

  • Can AI Help Build Stronger Communities in Student Housing?

    Student housing success is shifting from operational performance to student experience, with belonging now at the center. A recent 2025 report underscores a growing emphasis on student well-being, community, and engagement, signaling that expectations now extend beyond logistics to ensure students feel supported in their living environments. AI is enabling that shift by reducing administrative workload and giving teams more time to focus on meaningful student engagement.