Aage Hoffman of Kaiser Permanente Santa Rosa Medical Center wins Facilities Manager Award
“As the chief engineer, I oversee a 173-bed hospital, four medical office buildings, including a surgery center, and multiple leased spaces, all totaling approximately 1 million square feet.”
Professional background: I have been a stationary engineer for the past 29 years. I worked five years as a stationary engineer at Children's Hospital in San Francisco before being recruited to Kaiser Oakland Hospital in 1993. There I began as an assistant chief engineer for the next nine years until 2001. I then became the chief engineer there until 2008, when I transferred to the Santa Rosa campus, where I have been ever since. It has been great working for Kaiser for the past 24 years, and I look forward to working for Kaiser until I retire.
Education: High school graduate
Staff: 18 who report to me, comprised of 13 stationary engineers, two apprentice engineers, one utility engineer and two assistant chief engineers
Tell us a little bit about yourself: I was born and raised in Sonoma County. I grew up in Graton. I have a wife, daughter, two dogs and two cats. My favorite hobbies are to hunt and fish. I also belong to a local off road club, Wine Country Rock Crawlers. Some of our club runs have taken us as far as Colorado and Utah and throughout California. I have a very close family, and we get together frequently. I love to take on projects around the house and with my vehicles.
What do you see as the role of the facilities managers within your organization?
We are here to make sure that our patients, members and staff have a safe, clean, and functional environment to ensure that their experiences at Kaiser are exceptional.
Community involvement: I help at the Redwood Empire Food Bank with my wife and daughter. The off-road club also does a big toy drive during Christmas that we enjoy contributing to and being involved with.
What is the achievement you are most proud of?
I am most proud of this recognition and award. I never thought that something like this would happen to me, and it has been a humbling experience. I love what I do and look forward to continuing my carrier as chief engineer for Kaiser Permanente for many years to come.
What is your biggest challenge today?
The biggest challenge today is the ever increasing regulatory requirements that we must follow in the hospital and medical office buildings that we maintain. Our engineering department has a lot of documentation requirements that go along with the preventative maintenance we perform. It is a daunting task to stay in line with the continuing changes and regulations.
What is the next major project either underway or on the horizon?
Kaiser Permanente is currently building another medical office building in Southwest Santa Rosa.
What product or service would, or is helping you do to do your job more effectively?
Kaiser has a great internal learning program that has allowed me to attend seminars and trainings. I have also been able to attend some skill building seminars outside Kaiser to further my knowledge as a department leader.
How do you think your profession will change in the next five years?
The engineering profession is constantly changing along with new technology and regulatory requirements. As new buildings and systems are being built or remodeled there are also a lot of new technologies that go along with them. We receive training in order to operate the new buildings and systems to save energy and improve the environments for our staff, members and patients. Regulatory requirements are forever changing and we are constantly adapting and changing with them to ensure that a safe environment is maintained.
Most admired businessperson outside your organization?
My father. He was the hardest-working person I know up until he retired. He worked a very strenuous, very physical job as a tree climber for 45 years. I learned everything about hard work from him. My father is where I sought my inspiration. He was my first employer, and his guidance gave me the tools I needed to move forward in the world, to seek out my career and always give it 110%. I owe everything to my father.
Current reading: I am not an avid reader. I find hands-on learning suits my personality.
Most want to meet: I would most like to meet Hank Williams Jr. I grew up listening to his music and have always liked his contribution to country music
Stress-relievers: Listening to music every chance I get, working on my hobbies and spending time with my family
Favorite hobbies: Big-game hunting, fishing, off-road trails and rock crawling, remodeling my home and working on my vehicles.
Words that best describe you: Driven, organized, passionate, methodical, family-oriented
