A Profile of Beatriz Muñoz

Beatriz Muñoz is a seasoned professional with a rich and diverse background in facility management. Her exploration of the field is marked by a deep-rooted understanding of business operations, cultivated during her early years working in her family's businesses in Juarez, Mexico.

“Working in my family’s business gave me an early exposure to facility management,” said Beatriz.

Juarez, a city that borders El Paso, Texas, is where Beatriz's passion for management and operations began. Her family owned and operated various businesses, including a bakery, clothing stores, a restaurant, and the family ranch. From the age of seven, Beatriz was involved in the day-to-day operations, gaining hands-on experience in inventory management, vendor relations, and client services. Her mother, coming from a humble background, instilled in her a strong work ethic, famously reminding her that “not everyone gets the summers off, we all work no matter the time of the year.” This early exposure to the intricacies of running a business laid a solid foundation for her future career.

In 2005, Beatriz immigrated to the United States, settling in El Paso, Texas. Her first professional role in the U.S. was with a construction company, where she served as the office manager. In this position, she was responsible for a wide range of duties that closely mirrored the responsibilities of a facility manager, and project manager such as overseeing office administration, coordinating with vendors, managing the building teams, and ensuring the smooth operation of the company’s facilities. This role was pivotal in sharpening her skills in facility management.

Her career took a significant leap forward when she moved to Houston, Texas, and joined a law firm, where her responsibilities further expanded to encompass the core elements of facility management.

Eventually, Beatriz was hired by JLL, a global real estate services firm, as the facility manager for the corporate account in union with hospitality industry accounts. At JLL, she took on the role of the facility and project manager for the merger of all three corporate offices, which was a transformative experience. The role allowed her to work with a team that included contractors, designers, engineers and security personnel, giving her the opportunity to enhance her technical knowledge and management skills.

JLL provided her with valuable opportunities for growth, where she completed her CFM certification through the (IFMA-JLL) program enabling her to understand the nuanced needs of facility management at a deeper level.

Beatriz’s expertise and experience at JLL opened doors for her to transition into the oil and gas industry, where she was hired by an oil company in Houston. The company, which specializes in chemical processing of oil and sells by-products of petroleum, tasked her with managing and coordinating a five-story administrative building with 700 employees, as well as a four-story parking garage.

Her team at this company consists of seven members, and her role involves ensuring the smooth operation of the facility, from routine maintenance to emergency preparedness. For instance, in the event of a hurricane, Beatriz is responsible for making sure the generator, UPS and all server rooms are functional and are maintained on a shorter preventive maintenance cycle to protect the company’s IT infrastructure. Her role as an essential worker requires her to be on-call, a responsibility that she balances with the support and understanding of her family.

Beatriz’s upbringing and early experiences in a male-dominated business environment in Mexico have made her adaptable and resilient. She has often had to prove herself in industries where women are underrepresented. She recalls a time when, at a previous job, colleagues would refer to her as the “the girl with heels” because of her preference for wearing dresses and heels. Despite these and many other challenges, Beatriz has consistently demonstrated her competence and leadership, earning the respect of her peers and superiors alike. Her moto is success is in the details.

In addition to her professional responsibilities, Beatriz is an active member of the International Facility Management Association (IFMA) in Houston. She is also deeply committed to giving back to her community, volunteering for the Houston Food Pantry and participating in various charitable initiatives such as Heart Awareness campaigns, Blood Drives, and School Drives. Her involvement in her church community further underscores her commitment to service.

Beatriz’s philosophy on career growth is centered on continuous learning and adaptability. She advises others to be diligent in their work, to ask questions, and to invest time in their personal and professional development. She believes that the accumulation of knowledge over time can lead to exponential growth and open new doors of opportunity, consistency, respect for others and to yourself.

“Invest the time you need to grow as a professional and go beyond merely doing what you’re told to do,” said Beatriz.

This mindset is exemplified in her mentorship of a coworker at JLL, who was a military veteran. Despite lacking a college degree, he became one of the most valuable members of her team through hard work and a commitment to learning, and a willingness to adapt to life in a corporate environment.

Looking forward, Beatriz remains focused on ensuring continuity of service in her current role, integrating her team into her management style, and maintaining the high standards she has set throughout her career by leading by example, and showing respect, kindness and joy in every moment and task. Her story is one of resilience, adaptability, and a relentless pursuit of excellence, qualities that have defined her success in the rewarding field of facility management.