Facility Voices
The Facility Voices podcast is brought to you by ARC Facilities – Providing Instant Mobile Access to Building Information for on-the-go Facilities teams. To learn more about our Smart Building Technology for the Built Space, visit arcfacilities.com.
Your host is David Trask, National Director and Industry Speaker at ARC Facilities.
David brings you stories from the front lines of Facilities via conversations with Facilities Management leaders from across the nation. You'll hear real-world stories about leadership, coaching, mentorship, a day in the life of, and so much more!
Facility Voices
From Coast Guard to Campus: A Facilities Management Journey
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In this episode of Facility Voices, David Trask sits down with Skip Vaughn, Assistant Vice President of Facilities Management at American University, to explore a career that spans construction, military service, federal facilities, and higher education. From starting on construction sites alongside his father to serving as a Coast Guard civil engineer and leading facilities operations for organizations including the U.S. General Services Administration, the Architect of the Capitol, and the National Institute of Standards and Technology, Skip shares how each chapter shaped his approach to leadership and problem-solving.
The conversation examines how military experience translates naturally into facilities management, the importance of standardized processes and succession planning, and the growing role of technology in driving operational efficiency. Skip also discusses the financial challenges facing higher education, American University’s sustainability initiatives, and the long-term vision behind designing high-performance, net-zero-ready facilities that support both students and institutional resilience.
Tune in to hear Skip Vaughn’s story and insights from the front lines of facilities management.
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Each episode of Facility Voices includes supplementary content that expands on key themes and insights from the conversation. You can find that additional material at: https://www.arcfacilities.com/facilityvoices
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Skip Vaughn has more than 30 years of experience in the built environment, including leadership roles in design, construction, facilities management, the U.S. Coast Guard, the private sector, and three federal agencies. He currently serves as Assistant Vice President for Facilities Management at American University. Previously, as Chief Facilities Management Officer at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), he contributed to national research infrastructure initiatives and is widely recognized as a subject matter expert in facilities management, design, and construction.
Thanks for listening. Follow David Trask on LinkedIn to share feedback. Visit the ARC Facilities LinkedIn page
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The views and opinions expressed by third-party guests on this podcast are their own and do not necessarily reflect the views or opinions of ARC Facilities and ARC Document Solutions. We provide a platform for diverse perspectives and discussions and ARC Facilities/ARC Document Solutions assumes no responsibility or liability for the accuracy or completeness of the content provided by our third-party guests.
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