As positions change and new members join the Facilities Information and Technology Services (FITS) team, we hear from three staff members about their new roles and what to know about them.
David Martin was promoted to manager of data services for FITS after working as a data analyst for FITS since 2019.
- What are you most excited about in this new role?
One of my primary responsibilities in my new role will be to assist all Administration and Planning (A&P) units with their data needs. I am passionate about the task of organizing and compiling data systems that make everyone’s job easier. I hope to translate this passion into being a valuable resource for the department as we mature many of our practices around data management and governance.
- What is something you want the Ohio State community to know about the role of FITS at Ohio State?
FITS primary goal is to help our A&P customers make better decisions, more quickly. We do this by providing tools that enable our customers to access and maintain their facilities and spatially related data in a safe, secure and reliable environment, while also making the data as easily accessible by their users as possible. We are always striving to improve our systems and to assist our customers to make their own systems and processes more efficient. I would encourage anyone at the university that has a need for maintaining facilities and spatially related data to reach out to us via our Contact Us page to see how FITS can assist them.
- What do you enjoy most about working at Ohio State?
The People! It’s very rare to meet someone at the university that is not outstanding to work with and there are always new people to meet!
Stephen O’Daniel joins the FITS Data Services team as the newest facilities data analyst after previously working on the A&P finance team as an accountant since 2019.
- What does your new role entail?
My new role entails being a resource for the space data community to assist with any space data needs, primarily by helping manage the university’s Space Information and Management System (SIMS).
- How has your experience in A&P Finance prepared you for this role?
Getting familiar with the A&P’s org structure has been helpful to know who does what, helped me become familiar with general processes and workflows and understand how the overall mission of A&P flows down to each unit. Specifically with A&P Finance, further developing analytical and communication skills while navigating the fast-paced environment I believe will serve as tremendous preparation.
- What are you most looking forward to?
I’m most looking forward to getting to know the FITS team more and getting out around campus to see campus spaces and meet new people during our audits.
- Is there anything specific you’d like your new team to know about you?
I’m just excited to be here!
Heather Shade was promoted to senior facilities data analyst after working on the FITS Data Services team for the last 18 months.
- As you’ve already worked with the FITS Data Services team for over a year, how do you feel your experience has shaped you for this new role?
Becoming more familiar with The Ohio State University environment and how it works has been crucial to integrating into the team. Gaining experience with different reporting formats has been indispensable to my professional growth while in this position.
- What does the future of the university’s Space Information and Management System (SIMS) look like to you in regard to improvements? Any new projects you can share?
I am biased, but SIMS is a quality and reliable system that I hope more university employees will discover and utilize. Our team hopes to continue driving value of SIMS data for our users by providing enhanced reporting, verifying more space and refining data fields and definitions.
- What is something you want the Ohio State community to know about the role of FITS at Ohio State?
We’re eager to help customers get the facility and spatially related information they need, and, if we can’t help, we try to connect users with the people who can.