Building a Foundation of Dedication, Expertise, and Adaptability

Thomas "Tom" Breglia, a retired Facilities Manager, has had a remarkable career spanning 36 years in the hospital industry. Upon graduating SUNY Maritime College with a Bachelor of Engineering degree Tom sailed on board various merchant vessels as an engineering officer and worked directly for Tampa Shipyards as a ship MEP superintendent.

These “hands-on” experiences were a precursor to his “dive” into facility management and construction. Tom's dedication to his work saw him spend 23 years at Montefiore, where he worked his way up from a maintenance supervisor to Vice President of Design and Construction and played a key role in constructing a multitude of inpatient and outpatient facility renovations and new buildings including the Children's Hospital at Montefiore (CHAM) and infrastructure upgrades including mechanical, electrical, and plumbing services on the campuses as well as a gas turbine co-generation power plant.

He fondly recalls the "cloak of darkness" project, where he and his project team managed the logistics of building a co-generation plant while keeping the hospital operational.

Tom then moved to New York Presbyterian, where he spearheaded a 700M+ infrastructure program to its ten hospital campuses within New York City and Westchester. Those upgrades spanned all facets of the hospitals including fire safety and life safety systems, utility upgrades to the electrical systems, chiller and boiler plants, elevators, and exterior upgrades to the roofs, facades and windows. Known for his practical approach, Tom and his infrastructure project team worked with the operators to emphasize the importance of building facilities that are easy to maintain.

His last six years at New York Presbyterian found him responsible for the operations, construction and infrastructure upgrades to their in-patient and ambulatory facilities in Westchester County NY, During the COVID-19 pandemic, he faced the unprecedented challenge of transforming a 1950s building into an intensive care unit, ensuring sufficient power for ventilators – showcasing adaptability and resourcefulness.

After a demanding career with round-the-clock responsibilities, Tom decided it was time to step off the "carousel." Reflecting on the transition, he recalled colleagues saying, "We can't believe it. We thought you'd be here forever." Despite his departure, Tom's influence remains, as he hopes his knowledge has left a lasting impact on his team. "What would Tom do?" is a question that still echoes among his former colleagues.

Even after retiring 14 months ago, Tom has been busier than expected, enjoying the freedom of his own decision-making.

Tom's advice to others includes not feeling the need to do everything alone and trusting in one's team to make timely decisions.

Today, Tom enjoys a busy and fulfilling retirement. He's helping a friend start a rowing club, socializes with his Navy buddies, plays golf, and participates in a conservation club. Volunteering with the Boy Scouts and maintaining his running routine keeps him active and engaged.

One memorable anecdote from his career involves a late-night call that prompted him to rush to the hospital. His wife, thinking it was a personal emergency, was ready to drive Tom to the local ER. She was surprised to learn that Tom was called by the hospital to respond to a smoking condition outside of the hospital in a building across the street. This story highlights his commitment to his work.

Tom Breglia's career was built on a foundation of dedication, expertise, and ability to adapt to ever-changing challenges. As he enjoys his well-earned retirement, his legacy continues to inspire those who worked with him.

Tom offered inspirational words for the next generation of facilities and construction professionals.

“Facility management is a team sport. You’ve got to be an effective listener and have the courage to make decisions. Others around you accumulated a vast amount of knowledge. I’d rather have someone on my team who has had 20 years of experience than someone who has had 20 one-year experiences.”

Key lessons from Tom's career include:

• Staying educated on control systems and building management technologies
• Being a skeptical but fair leader, challenging ideas constructively
• Balancing day-to-day tasks with long-term planning
• Maximizing budget effectiveness and communicating this to leadership
• Understanding the significance of both the first and last days of a project
• Being thoroughly familiar with every aspect of a building, often through on-site inspections

Explore the experiences of retired facilities professionals in the latest series from ARC Facilities -- Legacy Insights: Wisdom from Retired Facilities Professionals and follow us on LinkedIn.