Executive Director for Building Services

Philip Berman is the Executive Director of Building Services of the Charlotte-Mecklenburg School System. He has over thirty-five years experience in Facility Management, Engineering, Capital Project Management, Environmental Health and Safety Leadership at two Fortune 100 companies (Atlantic Richfield, Co., and W.R. Grace & Co.) and Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools (over 21 million) square feet, 180 + sites). Phil drives organizational excellence through implementation of, ISO 9001/14001, technology, key performance indicators, benchmarks, and six sigma methodologies to improve organization performance. He has effectively consolidated these strategies into a business improvement plan focused on world class service, promoting sustainability, and employing cultural change strategies including behavioral modification.

Prior to joining Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools in 1998, Phil was Corporate Director of Facilites and Engineering for the W.R. Grace Corporation. He served on Grace’s Global Engineering Management Group and Environmental Task Force, both of which were commissioned to develop standards for excellence and implement best practices throughout the Corporation. He also served as member of W.R. Grace’s Human Resource Advisory Council.

Phil’s education and training: Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Troy, New York, B.S. Chemical Engineering – School for Creative Leadership, Greensboro, NC, Grace Corporation Leadership Graduate. Phil has been involved with the following professional organizations: IFMA (16 years), IFMA Public Sector Councils, A.E.C.H.E., NFPA, ASHRAE, Baldrige, ASBO (American School Business Officials) and AASA (American Association of School Administrators).

Director of Maintenance, Engineering and Energy Management

Chip Irby has over 26 years of experience in accounting, construction and facilities management and maintenance. During the beginning of Mr. Irby’s professional career, he served as a cost accountant and auditor. Mr. Irby spent five years as a classroom teacher and coach in the State of North Carolina. After leaving the educational environment, Mr. Irby began his facilities management career as a Director of Maintenance at a private school in Charlotte, NC. Over the years, Mr. Irby served in many related capacities such as a Field Construction Manager for Centex Crosland and Maintenance Operations Manager for the Charlotte Housing Authority. Mr. Irby has served the past nine years at CMS. He is a licensed General Contractor and Home Inspector in North Carolina. He earned a Masters Degrees in Business Administration and Industrial Technology from Pfeiffer University and North Carolina A&T State University respectively. His undergraduate studies are in Accounting; Business Administration, Economics, and Education from Catawba College and Industrial Technology from North Carolina A&T State University.

Director of Property Management, Quality Assurance and Community Use of Schools

Phil Goodman has 30 years experience in property management. He began his career in property management with Barclays Bank PLC., rising to the position of Assistant Director and Manager of Corporate Facilities in Charlotte, NC. He served three years in third party management with the Binswanger Corporation, as Vice-president of Property Management Division for the Southeast. Mr. Goodman has been serving CMS the past twelve years. He is a BOMA Certified Facilities Manager and Real Property Administrator. Mr. Goodman earned his Bachelor of Arts from the University of South Carolina. He manages a team of 3 BOMA Certified Facilities Managers.

Director of Custodial Services

Rusty Fuller has 22 years experience in management. Highlights of his career include being an assistant manager with Aaron Rents Furniture, Owner/Operator of a moving company and Operations Manager of a moving and storage company. The past 17 years have been serving CMS. Mr. Fuller is a Registered Executive Housekeeper, certified in floor and carpet care and germ hygiene. Mr. Fuller earned a B.S. in Business Administration from Appalachian State University.

Manager of Environmental Health and Safety (EHS)

Brian Kasher has 22 years education and management experience, 18 in the area of EHS. He began his career as the Vice President for Instructional Services for a Midwest EHS training company. Most recently, he owned an EHS training and service consultancy, which served federal agency and military headquarters in Washington, DC. He is in his third year serving CMS. Mr. Kasher earned an M.A. in Public Advocacy, Graduate Certificate in Public Management Practices, and B.A. in Organizational Communication at the University of Illinois. He is certified in adult education techniques by the USDA Graduate School, is OSHA 502 Instructor certified and is a third term Certified Environmental Trainer (CET). Mr. Kasher is certified an all facets of hazardous materials; is N.C. Asbestos Management Planner, Inspector and Project Designer Licensed; Registered Indoor Air Quality Manager. Mr. Kasher served on his Community College Board of Trustees and as the Secretary-Treasure of the Illinois Student Association, Inc., an education advocacy group. Mr. Kasher served as a leading member of the American Conference of Government Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH) Occupational and Environmental Health delegation to China.

Manager of Support Services

Shawn Turner has 20 years of financial and business administration experience. She began her career as an Employee Benefit Analyst with the Capital Management Group at First Union National Bank. She served as Procurement Manager for seven years at the Charlotte Housing Authority. Mrs. Turner has been serving CMS for the past eight years and recently received a certificate of completion from North Carolina State University for Six Sigma Green Belt Training and Examination. Additionally, Mrs. Turner is a 2004 graduate from the Leadership Charlotte Class of XXV. Mrs. Turner earned a B.A. in Mathematical Sciences from the University of North Carolina in Chapel Hill.

Process Improvement Manager

Tonya Miller has 18 years experience in customer service and inventory control. She started with ValueJet as a Parts Specialist. She served as Stockroom Supervisor with Tetrix which involved managing $2.5 million in inventory control. Ms. Miller has been serving CMS for the last nine years. She has received the following certifications: Indoor Air Quality Manager; Mold Specialist; Level I Fire Safety; ISO 9001:2000 RABOSA-Certified Lead Auditor; and Universal Certification for Refrigerants. Additionally, she recently received a certificate of completion from North Carolina State University for Six Sigma Green Belt Training and Examination. Ms. Miller earned her B.A. in Business Administration from Montreat College.