Benjamin Kuo Email & Phone Number

Washington, D.C., Us

Responsible for all aspects of managing one of the largest civilian facility inventories in the U.S. Leading the department responsible for all Postal Service properties, covering more than 275 million square feet in more than 8,000 federally owned and approximately 23,000 leased facilities. Overseeing the planning, leasing, purchase and sale, design and construction, repair and alteration and redevelopment of facilities that contain postal operations, as well as the day-to-day operating and administrative support for Postal Service Headquarters facilities.

Problem solving complex challenges across safety, health, environmental, and facilities issues. Develop long term sustainable solutions with a foundation in management systems and continual improvement. Provide audit/assessment with strategic plans to address gaps and expand strengths.

Washington, Dc, Us

Led a diverse team in service to Washington's largest private employer and anchor institution for the District of Columbia. Provided overall direction for the delivery of planning and facilities services to the entire campus (6M GSF). Served as a strategic leader for University Services in close partnership with the University's Financial Affairs division. A key steward of the University’s facilities and infrastructure, with responsibility for the leadership of maintenance, custodial, grounds, utilities, transportation, planning, design, construction, sustainability, EHS, and real estate. Fiscal responsibility for operational budget (~$75M/yr) and a capital construction plan for ~$1B of investment over 5 years. Represented the University’s interests with senior administrators, the Board of Trustees, local community and government leaders, faculty, students, staff, union officials (SEIU) and others. (450 employees)

Ithaca, Ny, Us

Led a comprehensive, customer sensitive unit for one of Cornell University’s core functional Facilities areas. Provided overall direction for the delivery of facilities management services to the entire campus (16M GSF). Served as a strategic partner between Campus Zones and the Infrastructure, Properties and Planning division. Advocated for operational needs, work with units to develop annual facility plans, respond to high-level inquiries and facilitate large scale problem solving. A key steward of the University’s facilities, with responsibility for the leadership of planned, corrective, and preventive maintenance, facility assessments, skilled trades, general construction, custodial, landscaping, and waste management. Fiscal responsibility for complex budget models including allocations, rate assessments, and enterprise structures (~$100M). Represented the University’s interests in facility matters with senior administrators, the Board of Trustees, local officials, faculty, students, staff, union officials and others. (800 employees)

Ithaca, Ny, Us

Led organization to develop, maintain, and sustain the transportation infrastructure of the campus community in concert with the sustainability of the surrounding community. Managed staff (60) responsible for Parking and Commuter Services, Fleet Services, Campus to Campus Coach Service, and R5 Waste Management Operations. Responsible for Capital projects annually ~$6M / Operating budget annually ~$17M. Responsible for ensuring the safe and sustainable transportation operations for 30,000 pedestrians, 10,000 cars, and 5,000 cyclists including parking permitting, planning, and enforcement. Led operating and capital improvements to the campus transportation system as well as support local transportation initiatives utilizing transportation demand management as an overall strategy. Insourced Campus to Campus operations with no disruption to services including successful coordination of DOT inspection / re-registration of 5 motor coaches. Represented University in National Labor Relations Board hearing. Supported University support as a partner share with the Tompkins Consolidated Area Transit system. Responsible for University compliance with DOT Driver requirements. Responsible for fleet garage operations to purchase, maintain and service 200 vehicles for University operations. Responsible for Campus to Campus motor coach service to and from Ithaca and New York City 3 times daily, 7 days a week, 51 weeks a year. Responsible for recycling and universal waste operations.

Ithaca, Ny, Us

Led organization to overcome compliance gaps, build positive relationships, improve campus resiliency and optimize development, efficiency and effectiveness of staff. Negotiated major compliance plans to ensure continued operations and zero fines while aggressively getting organization into compliance. State Fire Inspection process has become a model for other Higher Education facilities resulting in 30% annual reductions in minor violations and reduced level of effort for staff and inspectors. Positive collaborative relationships have been forged with external agencies and decentralized internal stakeholders that were formerly negative and combative. Developed consensus and effective lines of communications throughout University between divisions and up through executive leadership. Reorganization and development of staff has resulted in promoting high potential leaders, improved employee morale, and the ability to increase department’s programs and responsibilities in an economically challenging environment. Developed and led incident management teams for effective mitigation of enterprise risks by leading functional Directors and facilitating Executive Leadership campus-wide.

Toyota City, Aichi Prefecture, Jp

Transformed corporate safety team into a leadership role across North American region to develop and implement standardized programs, policies, and systems. Led North American region to reduce OSHA Recordable rate by more than 50%. Developed North American regional “one voice” for negotiating and influencing Global Headquarters. Managed corporate staff responsible for Industrial Hygiene, Health, Wellness, Ergonomics, Training, Assessments, and General Safety across North American Region (14 Facilities across Canada, Mexico, & U.S.A.). Led PeopleSoft development and implementation for comprehensive S&H data management. Manage communications/directives between Global and North American Region. Developed and manage North American Key Performance Indicators. Developed initiatives for strengthening Executive Leadership in Safety. Led standardized Core Policy development. Developed Toyota Safety Management System standard to integrate auditing under internal Global Corporate Audit, ISO 14001 and OHSAS. Led Recordkeeping Audit program. Developed Serious Incident notification and review process. Coordinated Culture Change activities. Developed corporate safety policy. Designed and implemented campaign to promote Safety Culture for all levels of organization. Led North American Manufacturing Safety & Health Forum. Led benchmarking activities (internal & external) to implement best practices. Section responsibility for hiring, performance evaluations, and career development. Supported corporate integration (Design and Manufacturing Headquarters). Managed and support plant startup resources/activities including equipment inspection and construction site audit. Participated on ANSI Z10 Committee for OHSMS.

Toyota City, Aichi Prefecture, Jp

Provided corporate support for various manufacturing plants. Led permitting activities ranging from startup (including Mexico) to major modifications to ensure both compliance and operational flexibility. Provide consistent corporate support that incorporated localized needs, i.e., plant leadership and regulatory agencies. Cross-functional collaboration with other departments to minimize environmental impact from other corporate functions such as Purchasing and Engineering. Led ISO 14001 EMS for NA Region (auditing, auditor management, and training). Participated as member of US TAG for ISO 14001. Led permitting and startup projects at Assembly, Casting, and Powertrain plants. NA Regional expert for dispersion and odor modeling. Negotiated compliance plans for agreed orders for state and federal agencies. Supported external affairs group to promote environmental stewardship and corporate citizenship in the surrounding community. Developed internal controls for environmental activities.

Toyota City, Aichi Prefecture, Jp

Engineering support for manufacturing plant operations. Utilized technical expertise to ensure compliance for fast-paced manufacturing environment. Supported initiatives from plant floor teams to senior leadership needs. Managed waste cost accounting for TMMK plant site, including monthly accounting report. Conducted CAA 112(r) RMP evaluation. Conducted plant floor inspections for internal checking and state compliance agency. Analyzed historical waste cost data and developed site-wide reduction goals. Coordinated environmental affairs for Assembly, Bodyweld, and Plastics shops including Environmental Assessments for new and modification projects, and ISO 14001 implementation and auditing. Managed environmental intranet website. Supported continual improvement “kaizen” teams to reduce waste (muda). Provided emergency response for environmental incidents. Coordinated resource management activities to support production shops. Supported air permitting, monitoring, and recordkeeping compliance.

Provided environmental permitting services to various industrial sector groups and clients. Focus on high quality service in a cost effective and timely manner to ensure client’s success. Developed clear understanding of client’s business to maximize their operational flexibility. Led and supported data management projects for various facilities including military bases, oil refineries, aluminum smelters, and chemical plants for CAA Title V and SARA 313. Developed model CAA Title V electronic emissions inventory and other support activities for distilled spirits industry (KY) and major utilities (MI). Led support and development of CAA Title V activities for various manufacturing/processing facilities (KY/TN). Performed thermodynamic combustion modeling in support of a weapons facility’s air permit. Supported Ozone Non-Attainment status determination for Jefferson County, KY. Led sampling team for BIF certification tests (MI and OH) and EPA treatment effluents guidelines tests. Developed a guidance document on NOx reduction via reburn technologies. Performed BACT analyses for several cogeneration facilities. Managed office computer hardware, software, and network administration.

Provided regulatory development services for US EPA. Utilized federal project guidelines to support government clients in meeting regulatory deadlines. Provided collaboration support for other EPA clients and their consulting services. Led efforts in support of a proposed RCRA Hazardous Soil Rule under LDR for EPA/OSW. Developed options papers for regulatory language. Developed a treatment technology selection guide (CERCLA) for a DOE operable unit. Evaluated performance of various contaminated soil treatment technologies for EPA/TIO. Supported a proposed treatment effluents guideline for metal manufacturers for EPA/EAD. Supported groundwater monitoring activities for major oil refineries. Evaluated methods / calculations for BDAT organic solvents treatment standards. Sampled treatment effluents at RCRA hazardous waste TSD facilities. Developed responses for public comments on proposed rulemaking. Evaluated questionnaires for pesticides production rule for EPA/EAD. Supported efforts for a manufacturing facility’s hazardous waste discharge permit.

B.S., Chemical Engineering & Public Policy

Diploma, High School