Erik Swindle, Vice President of Facilities Operations and Capital Projects at Space Center Houston, joins us to talk about managing one of the most iconic and complex nonprofit destinations in the country. With a 25-year career spanning global nonprofits, sustainable construction, museums, and hospitals, Erik shares how his diverse background helps him oversee infrastructure at a site housing NASA artifacts, massive HVAC systems, special events, and millions of international visitors.

He discusses the transition to in-house maintenance, lessons from past projects (like a LEED Platinum headquarters and a dairy farm in Kenya), and what it takes to protect priceless pieces like Apollo capsules and JFK’s Rice University podium.

From engineering insights to leadership philosophy, Erik offers a fresh perspective on what it means to future-proof a legacy facility.

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Erik J. Swindle is an accomplished facilities and operations executive with over two decades of experience leading large-scale capital projects, sustainable building initiatives, and integrated facilities management in nonprofit, cultural, and public sectors. Currently serving as Vice President of Facilities Operations & Capital Projects at Space Center Houston, Erik previously held leadership roles at the Arkansas Museum of Fine Arts, Heifer International, and other mission-driven organizations, overseeing LEED-certified construction projects, complex relocations, and cross-functional operations teams. A certified LEED AP, IFMA CFM, and SCFM professional, Erik is a recognized industry leader and advocate for sustainability, energy efficiency, and cultural property protection, actively participating in national and global professional associations.

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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.