NFPA would like to thank the volunteer committee that helped develop the Certified Life Safety Specialist (CLSS-HC) for Health Care Facility Managers. In the course of their work, committee members performed a job task analysis, determined the exam weighted criteria, and created the exam content. The following individuals’ hard work and dedication made the development of this credential possible.
Robert Appleby, CHFM, CHSP, CLSS-HC
Director of Engineering
Chippenham Hospital
Robert (Bob) Appleby is currently the Director of Engineering at Chippenham Hospital, a 466-bed Level II Trauma Center in Richmond, VA. He has been working in Healthcare Plant Operations for over 30 years and has spent time in various hospitals and health systems across the country, including oversight for 25 hospitals while working with Community Health Services. He is a certified expert in facility Environment of Care and Life Safety codes and has an extensive background in facility construction, fire suppression system maintenance, HVAC, and building automation. Bob also has decades of experience in contracting, medical office space management, grounds management and fiduciary oversight of multi-million dollar projects. Bob is a native of Pennsylvania. Bob is married with 3 children. He enjoys hockey and working on his BMW’s.
Edward M. Browne, CLSS-HC, CHFM, CHC
Vice President Support Services
Cambridge Health Alliance
Edward M. Browne has been an active member of the healthcare and facility engineering profession since 1986. His career has encompassed numerous healthcare renovation and construction projects at facilities ranging from small, specialty hospitals to multi-campus healthcare institutions. "How we do our job has changed radically over the last 30+ years," said Browne. "Healthcare Engineers interface with and impact more internal departments than ever before. Ever-changing technologies have to be seamlessly integrated. Government, community members, hospital staff and patients rely on us as to interpret and implement regulations designed to make our healthcare facilities safer for all. Hospital administrators depend on us to not only meet current facility requirements but also plan future needs."
"Regardless of how the job changes, one thing remains the same: Healthcare Engineers make sure that the medical staff and patients have clinically excellent facilities and a clean, safe environment of care."
Steve Chiavelli, CLSS-HC
Facilities Director
Massachusetts Eye & Ear Infirmary
Steve has been the Facilities Manager at Massachusetts Eye & Ear Infirmary for the past ten years. In this role he oversees the maintenance department, biomed, and environmental services. During his tenure at Mass Eye & Ear, he has overseen three very successful Joint Commission surveys for Life Safety and Environmental care. He has also overseen many infrastructure projects requiring extensive knowledge of working within a hospital environment. Previous to the Mass Eye & Ear Infirmary, Steve was a private contractor working in the Healthcare sector for over fifteen years.
Devin J Hugie, SASHE, CHFM, CHC, CLSS-HC, CHSP-FSM, CHEP
Director of Facilities Management
Children's Hospital of Orange County (CHOC)
Devin has over twenty years of experience in facilities operations and construction. He has served as the California Society of Healthcare Engineers (CSHE) Los Angeles Chapter Vice President, and the Orange County Chapter President. Devin is currently serving as CSHE Educational Committee Chapter Chairman, and CSHE Executive Board member as State Treasurer. He is also serving as the ASHE Region 9 Director, and Vice Chair of the Advocacy Committee.
Devin holds the following credentials: Certified Healthcare Facility Manager (CHFM), Certified Healthcare Constructor (CHC), Certified Healthcare Safety Professional (CHSP) with the Fire Safety Management endorsement (FSM), Certified Healthcare Emergency professional (CHEP), and he is recognized by the National Fire Protection Association as a Certified Life Safety Specialist-Healthcare Facility Manager (CLSS).
Devin also is a Senior Certified Healthcare Mechanic and he has numerous professional licenses such as Universal 608, Unlimited L.A Steam License, and is BOC Level I and II certified.
Valerie Laktash, CLSS-HC
Facility Director
Placentia-Linda Hospital
Valerie started her career in healthcare 15 years ago. She is currently the Facility Director for Placentia-Linda Hospital in Placentia, California, which is part of the greater Tenet Healthcare organization. In this role, she oversees the engineering, EVS, biomedical and security departments. Valerie is the Environment of Care Chairman and Safety Officer for Placentia-Linda Hospital and she helps to ensure compliance in all areas as well as overseeing all construction projects on the campus. She also received her MBA in Healthcare Management in 2012.
Jason Lea, CPE, CHFM, CEM, CLSS-HC
Director of Facilities
Sodexo On-Site Service Solutions
Wadley Regional Medical Center
Jason is currently the Director of Facilities at Wadley Regional Medical Center in Texarkana, Texas. In 2004 he was hired as the University Engineer at The Mississippi University for Women. He transferred to several locations including OU Medical Center, Heart Hospital of Austin, and the Sharp System. Prior to 2004 Jason was working through a family heating and air business.
Jason is a firm believer that education and certification are important parts of any career. He graduated from Mississippi State University in 2003 and he is currently enrolled at Texas A&M - Texarkana, working towards his MBA in Energy Leadership. Jason holds various certifications including Certified Plant Engineer, Certified Healthcare Facility Manager, Certified Energy Manager, Certified Demand-Side Manager, and most recently Certified Life Safety Specialist – Health Care Facility Manager. The ability to support your individual competencies against industry standards aids the impact within your organization. Jason currently resides in Nash, TX, with his wife and daughter.
David J. Major, PE, CHC, CHFM, CLSS-HC
Director, Facilities and Construction Management
Reading Health System
David J. Major is the Director of Facilities and Construction Management at Reading Health System located in Berks County, Pennsylvania. Major is responsible for the management, oversight, and execution of Facilities and Capital Planning, Design, and Construction. Major has been a member of the hospital staff for more than ten years, serving in multiple positions. He currently oversees +$23M Operations Budget managing 3.6M SF of facilities with a staff of 106 managers and technicians and a current capital project portfolio of over $445M with 3 managers.
Before joining the hospital, he held positions with several construction, engineering, and consulting firms after leaving the U.S. Navy Civil Engineer Corps. Major earned his undergraduate degree in Marine Engineering from the United States Naval Academy and his graduate degree in Civil Engineering from the University of Florida. He is a registered Professional Engineer, Certified Healthcare Facilities Manager, and Certified Healthcare Constructor.
Ben Scimeca, CHFM, CLSS-HC
Senior Director Corporate Facilities
UHS of Delaware, Inc.
Ben Scimeca has been in the facilities maintenance and engineering field for over 30 years, and has experience in all building trades. He began his career as an HVAC mechanic in the hospitality industry. From there he became an assistant director for 3 years, and then acquired a director level position which he held for the next 19 years. For the last ten years Ben has been a national/regional facility manager for Universal Health Services, Inc. Ben’s professional career in the hospitality sector, life care communities, and hospitals has given him a vast amount of experience. This experience includes managing multiple buildings in multiple states, developing and managing multi-million dollar budgets, opening new facilities, managing construction activities, managing diverse workforces, and handling multiple priorities.
Rakesh Seth, CLSS-HC
Corporate Director of Plant Operations
Prime Healthcare
Rakesh Seth is the Corporate Director of Plant Operations for Prime Healthcare, a national healthcare system headquartered in Ontario, California, comprising 42 hospitals in 14 states. In his role as corporate director, Rakesh collaborates to provide training and consultation for hospital facility managers within the system spread across the country for compliance with standards and codes of Accreditation & Regulatory agencies related to Life Safety, Physical Environment and Emergency Management for all Prime Healthcare facilities.
Rakesh has more than 11 years of progressive experience in Healthcare Facilities Management, seven years in the leadership role and more than 20 years of experience in Operations & Maintenance of Industrial, Marine and Power Plant Equipment.
Rakesh has a BS degree in Mechanical Engineering and a post graduate diploma in Marine Engineering.
He is also recognized by the American Hospital Association as a Certified Healthcare Facilities Manager (CHFM) and a Certified Healthcare Constructor (CHC).
Charles Workman, CLSS-HC
Director of Facility Regulatory Solutions
Hospital Corporation of America (HCA)
As the Director of Facility Regulatory Solutions, Charles is responsible for the assessment, planning, coordination, and development of regulatory programs that help Hospital Corporation of America (HCA) prepare for regulatory surveys and manage ongoing compliance.
He has more than 17 years of experience in healthcare facility management. He is knowledgeable in the appropriate application of the healthcare-related regulatory codes of the major authorities having jurisdiction, including the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services, The Joint Commission, Occupational Safety & Health Administration, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, and National Fire Protection Association.
Charles holds a Bachelor’s degree in Industrial Technology from Roger Williams University and completed his Master’s degree in Business Administration from Walden University. He is a Certified Healthcare Facilities Manager (CHFM), Certified Healthcare Safety Professional (CHSP), Certified Healthcare Emergency Professional (CHEP), and a Certified Life Safety Specialist-Healthcare Facility Manager (CLSS-HCFM).
He is currently adjunct faculty with Owensboro Community and Technical College in the Healthcare Facility Leadership program.