» History brochure: 2005 It Takes A Professional

Association Excellence since 1954—

1954 — Frank Gilson and Dr. Foster Brown discussed the need for better maintenance programs in the state's public schools. Mr. Gilson was a professional engineer and Supervising Architect for the NYS Education Department. Dr. Brown was the President of Oswego State College.

Mid 1950s — New York state was building more than 100 million dollars worth of school buildings per year outside of the larger cities. Dr. Foster Brown agreed to host a conference at Oswego College. Dr. Brown thought it would prove worthwhile if 15 school districts participated. Attendance exceeded expectations!

1957 — Art Goodwin served as the First President of the New York State Association for Superintendents of School Buildings and Grounds (SBGA) until 1959.

1959 — The Association's leadership designated a first vice president to automatically become president the following year, as well as serve as conference program chair.

1959-1970 — Oswego College hosted the SBGA Annual Conference.

1964 — SBGA began publication of its newsletter. The newsletter continues to be an important source of information to the membership.

1971 — The executive committee decided to move the conference to various SUNY College sites around the state.

1972 — The Association created the position of executive secretary. The executive secretary's role was to provide a base of communication and operation for the association during the periods of the conference. Victor "Ted" Mauro was the first executive secretary.

1975 — Harry Dickson succeeded Victor "Ted" Mauro as executive secretary and Carl Hutchinson succeeded him in 1977.

1979 — The executive committee recognized the need to grow and expand Association services. SBGA retained the services of the Associations Plus Division of the Valhalla-based company Organized Business Techniques, Inc. The company's co-owners Fred Hack and Marie T. Rossi, CAE, became SBGA's first executive director. Upon Fred Hack's untimely passing, Marie Rossi continued to serve as the Association's executive director.

1980 — The Association established seventeen chapters throughout the state with a state director elected from each chapter to serve on the board of directors.

Mid-1980s — A Job Bank was established to fill vacant positions throughout the state. The Association established a new Affiliate Member category. Several publications were developed and distributed. Training videos were made available through the Association.

Mid-1980s — The Association's leadership gathered annually at a "Leadership Weekend."

1990 — The Certified Director of Facilities (CDF) program was introduced to provide opportunities for professional recognition and growth. CDF Committee Chairman Jack Babcock, CDF, developed the program over a two-year period.

Mid-1990s — SBGA's leadership extended its member benefits to include a scholarship program for children of SBGA members. Six $1,500 scholarships are awarded each year.

Late 1990s — A Peer Review program was developed to use experienced school facilities managers and other professionals to conduct on-site evaluations of school facility departments.

Late 1990s — A Legal Assistance Program was developed to provide on hour of legal consultation to Active members.

Late 1990s — To keep pace with technology and enhance member benefits, SBGA created a web site, e-mail and broadcast systems; and computer labs were offered at conferences.

2001 — Recognizing the need to have a more vocal and visible presence among state lawmakers and policymakers, SBGA retained Carr Public Affairs to represent the interests of school facilities managers.

2001 — Executive Director Marie T. Rossi, CAE, retired. Marie, who is also a nationally recognized public speaker and personnel trainer, represented SBGA for 23 years.

Late 2001 — SBGA moved its headquarters to Albany—just blocks from the New York State Capitol. The Association retained the services of the Association Development Group, Inc. The company's president, Kathleen A. Van De Loo, became SBGA's new executive director.

2002 — SBGA membership exceeds 1,000 members, for the first time.

2003 — The CDF Committee launched the Recertification Program. SBGA formed the School Facilities Management Institute, Inc. (SFMI), a non-profit organization created for the purpose of offering regional training programs on timely school facilities management issues.

2004 — The SBGA, SFMI and the Mohawk Valley Community College (MVCC) unveiled the School Facilities Management Certificate and Associates Degree Programs. The School Facilities Management Certificate program began in the Fall 04. The Associates Degree program expected began January 2005.

2005 — SBGA and SFMI host School Facilities Management Summit in Saratoga Springs, N.Y. with ten education leaders in the field serving on the panel and more than 250 directors of facilities and other key personnel in the audience.

2005 — (It Takes a Professional) PowerPoint Presentation on CD was sent to every member of the SBGA in an effort to promote the Director of Facilities and their responsibilities to the education community at large.