FACILITY OPERATORS AND SERVICE PROVIDERS ASSOCIATION
A History of FOSPA on its 25th Anniversary (2024)

 

A special thanks to Robert Creech his extensive historical recollections he shares in this article along with input from Walt Boncek and Keith Pulcher.

 

From its humble beginning, FOSPA has been a true group effort, and everyone’s contribution has been as historically relevant as any.

 

The idea of FOSPA came to fruition at a Terre du Lac golf outing with a conversation between Robert Creech (“Creech”) and Frank Kastl talking over a beer about topics related to high-rise office buildings – what they do at the buildings, best ways to do it, how to select the right contractors, etc., at which time they agreed it would be beneficial to have a way for building engineers and contractors in that field to help one another out.

 

The group joined the local branch of an international organization, which had promised to help with education, new members, organization, etc. But after a year, it was decided to form their own organization. The group formalized and applied for related tax status ID.

 

Frank and Creech spoke with contractors and workers they knew had similar occupations and soon had a meeting with them, several of whom are still members today. The contractors told their customers about the group and many end-users joined.

 

With the goal of establishing a professional local network of like-minded individuals that sought to freely exchange knowledge and expertise in a fun and relaxed environment that was low key, accepting of all from the maintenance technician to the facilities director, to sales and service reps, with no sales pressure at meetings, the group set forth.

 

Researching, brainstorming, drafting and even dreaming, a special meeting to recognize the newly chartered “Facility Operators and Service Providers Association” (FOSPA) finally culminated in the spring of 2003 at the Old Courthouse in downtown St. Louis.

 

The first several meetings were held at the Met Building and at the Engineers’ Club when they had speakers.

 

The group had many interesting field trips – the Calloway Nuclear Plant, Tom Sauk Mountain just when they were starting it back up after the top of the mountain washed away, Ameren’s “Trash to Energy” plant, Metropolitan Sewer Company’s plants, Marlo Coil, Missouri Water Company’s plant, The Missouri Botanical Garden, the St. Louis Zoo, and the Caterpillar plant factory in Illinois, to name a few.

 

Frank Kastl was the first president of the organization and was joined by Chuck Mueller, chief engineer - The Missouri Athletic Club, as treasurer and Terry Bremer who oversaw membership. Bylaws were put together by George Corey.

 

FOSPA Presidents:  (Typically a three-year term running January through December)

2021 - present	Bill Weaver
2018 - 2020	Don Harman
2012 - 2017	Walt Boncek
2009 - 2011	Chuck Mueller
2003 - 2008	Frank Kastl

 

Other early members included:

Terry Bremer	Guarantee Electric
George Corey	C&R Construction
Robert Creech	Laclede Gas building (FOSPA treasurer since 2009)
Dan Evans	Washington University
Mike Jaby	Fabick Equipment; City Lighting; Air Masters
Jim Lepper	Murphy Mechanical
Dean Mallinckrodt	Water Cooling Equipment Co.
Amy Polluck	Chemtron
Keith Pulcher	HVAC Solutions
Bob Stortz	Chief engineer at the Boatmen’s Plaza
Chuck Weber	Chief engineer with MEMC

 

Since 2003, FOSPA has continually evolved, and remains committed to the fundamentals of the group’s original goal. FOSPA is not just your professional network for information, but many consider it a network of friends as well.

 

Each year FOSPA sponsors a golf tournament and has played at Sunset Lakes Golf Course, Quail Ridge, Paradise Valley and most recently, The Falls Golf Club.

 

Christmas parties are held each year for the membership. These have been held at Kemoll’s in the Met building, The Missouri Athletic Club, the Laclede Gas Building, Pietro’s, Sunset Hills Country Club, Westwood Country Club, and most recently, Royale Orleans.

 

Recreational outings have been held at the Gateway Grizzlie’s games, Fairmont Racetrack, The Pointe at Ballwin Commons and various other entertainment venues.

 

FOSPA began and continues to fund scholarships at educational trade schools to assist students in funding their education.

 

Some of the scholarship recipients have been students of:

The American Trade School
Ranken Technical College
State Technical College of Missouri

 

Long-time board member, Peg Johnston of CK Power, recommended FOSPA begin supporting their community by outreach to local charities. Hence, FOSPA CARES was introduced as the charitable arm of FOSPA in 2021. 50/50 raffles and canned food drives support these efforts.

 

1. Charities FOSPA CARES has supported include:
   Circle of Concern
   The Buddy Fund
   Feed My People

 

Also in 2021, FOSPA joined the social media age with Facebook and LinkedIn sites to reach out to current and prospective members, post event happenings and display event photos.

 

The history of FOSPA has quite simply been made day by day for 25 years “by the efforts of members and friends like Frank, Terry, Chuck, Peg, Deb, Keith, Creech, Nick, Steve, Ed, Matt, Aaron, Don, Bill, Walt, Danielle, Don, John and yes – even you!” Throughout FOSPA’s past, so many more have freely given their time, effort, and knowledge to keep FOSPA prospering and relevant.

 

Tomorrow’s FOSPA history is yet to be written and you can become part of the future history of FOSPA’s “visionaries” by simply volunteering to lend your ideas and talents to keep moving FOSPA forward for the future members we may also call friends.

 

We could use your help in bringing more end users to FOSPA. Please refer them to our Facebook page or our FOSPA website for more information. FOSPA leadership would like to have an opportunity to meet and show them the benefits of .FOSPA