BOMI International's FMA designation program enhances an individual's career by making them a more effective, knowledgeable facilities professional, and thus positioning them as a key strategic professional within your organization. This program teaches a person to manage facilities in a way that best supports staff and fits into the organization's overall objectives. Students develop valuable skills in strategic planning, project management, corporate finance, capital investment, and physical asset management. They'll also learn about new facilities technologies, environmental health and worker safety, and other timely issues. Whether you're a new or experienced facilities manager, or someone in a related profession who will benefit from knowing how to create a quality work environment that maximizes productivity, the FMA program is right for you. To earn the FMA designation, candidates must complete six mandatory courses plus the Ethics Is Good Business course and one elective course. The mandatory courses are Technologies for Facilities Management, Facilities Planning and Project Management, Environmental Health and Safety Issues, Real Estate Investment and Finance, and The Design, Operation and Maintenance of Building Systems, Parts 1 and 2. A candidate can choose one elective among two options: Fundamentals of Facilities Management or Managing the Organization. Courses do not have to be taken in any specific order; however, anyone who is new to BOMI's curriculum, would be recommended to begin with subject matter they are already familiar with and save new material for later study. This will ensure immediate success in their professional development. In addition to requiring Ethics Is Good Business the Institute has developed a Code of Professional Ethics and Conduct to increase the esteem of the designation and to promote honesty as an integral part of an FMA's reputation. As part of the FMA certification, candidates are asked to abide by this code. Locally, our BOMA chapter has several individuals who hold the FMA designation, including James Berner, Manager of Environmental Services for The Visiting Nurse Service of Rochester, and Don Jones, Director of Operations for LeChase Facilities Management. For more information on BOMI education, go to www.bomi.org; or contact Steven Savoca RPA, chairman of the education committee at (585)334-4110.