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Gail Fong: Renovating Facilities Information

Behind every facilities operation at SLAC is a multitude of information that communicates what to do, where to do it, and how to do it efficiently. As the lab's facilities operations increase in number and complexity, it has become imperative to reinvent the way the Facilities Department stores and shares this information.

Spearheading this advancement is Gail Fong, the new manager of the "Facilities Information Group," formerly known as the "Maintenance and Information Management Group." Fong, who arrived at SLAC 2 months ago, will manage and coordinate the facilities service desk, facilities computer system support, system administration, preventive maintenance program and facilities maintenance reporting.

One of her major responsibilities will be the implementation and management of SLAC's new computerized maintenance management system, known as FAMIS (Facilities Asset Management Information System). FAMIS will integrate many of the lab's facilities operations into a single software suite, providing a unified database for tracking equipment, work order history, work order costs, and maintenance requests. "This will allow technicians to have the necessary information in the field, and to keep customers informed about their work requests," Fong said.

Fong comes to SLAC with a strong background in facilities management. In over 10 years at Stanford's Facilities Operations Department, she directed the implementation and maintenance of FAMIS, serving as a development partner for previous versions of the software. "A lot of changes [to FAMIS] have occurred in 10 years, and SLAC Facilities is in the perfect position to take advantage of the advances in the software."

Originally, Fong intended to work at SLAC as a consultant, assisting with the implementation of the computerized maintenance system. Lured by the lab's palpable capacity for change, however, she accepted a more intensive position. "When I met with [Facilities Department Head] Liam Robinson, he told me about the exciting time at SLAC with the McCallum-Turner M&O review. I got excited about the potential to contribute to the improvements to the lab," Fong recalled. After four weeks, Fong's lofty expectations have been reassured. "It's evident that all the people at SLAC are dedicated to the further advancement of science, and that everyone at every level contributes to this mission." Welcome, Gail!

—Elizabeth Buchen, October 3, 2007