Briana Reyes of The Barlow wins Facilities Manager Award
“My main role is to support our team, The Barlow. To build relationships with our Makers in an effort to foster a sustainable Barlow community, build tenancy, and maintain the campus as a safe and enjoyable place to be.”
Professional background: Real estate professional: licensed real estate agent; HOA property manager (eight years). floral designer.
Education: Associate's degree in business management and marketing
Staff: Five
Describe the facilities you oversee: The Barlow is a 12.5-acre outdoor market district in Sebastopol featuring food, wine, beer, spirits and crafts made onsite by talented Sonoma County artisans. Home of Blue Rose Music, California Sister Floral, Circle of Hands, Community Market, Crooked Goat and Woodfour Brewing companies, FEED Sonoma, Indigenous Designs, Inspired Fitness, Guayaki, Kosta Browne Winery, Littlefour Clothing, Macphail Wines, Mad Mod Shop, Marimar Wines, Reframe Hair Gallery, Sebastopol Kitchen and Table, Shayne USA, Spiritworks Distillery, Sub Zero Ice Cream, Tamarind, Taylor Maid Farms, Tibetan Gallery, The Nectary, The Passdoor, The Soap Cauldron, Ultra Crepes, Vanguard Real Estate, Village Bakery, Vignette Pizzeria, Wind Gap Winery, WM Cofield Cheese, and Zazu Kitchen & Farms.
Tell us a little bit about yourself: Life is an adventure and a total leap of faith. I revel in the exploration of self-discovery. Every season unfolds a new journey and facet of myself. I take each day as it comes, and I apply my utmost best. I consider myself to be kind, gregarious, and sincere. I navigate life with my heart, and I surrender to challenge as it's the deepest, truest form of growth
What do you see as the role of facilities managers within your organization?
My main role is to support our team, The Barlow. To build relationships with our Makers in an effort to foster a sustainable Barlow community, build tenancy, and maintain the campus as a safe and enjoyable place to be.
Community involvement: I currently serve on the board of directors for the Child Parent Institute, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. CPI is a parent education and children's mental health agency, serving families throughout Sonoma County since 1978. Its continuum of care includes child therapy, family resource assistance, parent education, facilitated supervised visitation, therapeutic and recreational creative arts programming, and a non-public school New Directions. ND provides adolescent special education/mental health services. CPI advocates for policies that support families, and protect children.
What is the achievement you are most proud of?
Strengthening the relationships with our Makers has been the most rewarding aspect of my position. In addition to this, in April, The Barlow hosted Sonoma County's first inaugural IPA 10K. It was an honor to work with our dynamic team, Makers, and Destination Races to organize a spectacular public race event that brought about 1,500 people to The Barlow. Join us in 2018, its only going to get better!
What is your biggest challenge today?
Managing the physical components of a 12.5-acre marketplace, with ongoing capital improvements, all the while nurturing relationships with its Makers naturally brings about challenge. Balance is the greatest challenge, and yet the ultimate key. Our team is diverse and strong, and together we can tackle any challenge ahead.
What is the next major project either underway or on the horizon?
We have several large projects on the horizon, from capital improvements and an outdoor audio system, to a comprehensive campus wide branded sign program. Visit The Barlow to see what's coming next. Currently, The Barlow is hosting Third Thursday Festivals, every third Thursday of the month from May through October. We close down McKinley Street for an evening of family and fun! Enjoy live music, great food, adult libations, and kids crafts and games too. Join us this summer!
What product or service would, or is helping you do to do your job more effectively?
Google Calendar and Docs - can't function without!
How do you think your profession will change in the next five years?
Connection. Our society is shifting away from the idea of individuality back to the circle of community. Being a part of Sebastopol, a very close weave of people, it is apparent to me that we're moving back to the heart of what makes a community thrive- connection. Building relationships with our surrounding community to garner support is paramount to sustain a successful Sonoma County marketplace. And this takes time, patience, and perseverance.
Most admired businessperson outside your organization?
I admire two.
Alicia Esterkamp Allbin, principal and partner of Pacific Waterfront Partners. Recently, she managed the $60M historic renovation project of Piers 11/2, 3 and 5. Alicia is dynamic, intelligent, generous and one extraordinary businesswoman.
Rodney Fong, president Fong Real Estate; third generation owner/operator of the Wax Museum at the Fisherman's Wharf; and serves on the San Francisco Planning Commission. I worked with Alicia and Rodney for a short, yet phenomenal, period this year, and I was inspired by their steadfast leadership, keen business sense, and amazing capacity to manage a multitude of relationships. I wouldn't be the professional I am if it wasn't for their guidance, fierce support, and unyielding encouragement.
Current reading: “Frequency,: by Penney Peirce, “The Beauty Detox Power,” by Kimberly Snyder C.N., and “The Genius of Flexibility,” by Bob Cooley.
Most want to meet: Susan B. Anthony, Eleanor Roosevelt, Amelia Earhart, and Gloria Steinem to name a few.
Stress-relievers: An early morning hike up Hood Mountain to Gunsight Rock for a view that feeds my soul.
Favorite hobbies: Adventures anywhere and everywhere! Gardening, floral design, hiking, travel, and yoga!
Words that best describe you: Adventurous, kind, light, sincere, and spontaneous.
Is there something to add?
Be kind, give love, spread joy.
