Ward Komorowski, Director, Facilities and Building Services, at Johnson Controls
Company address: 5757 N. Green Bay Ave. in Glendale
Website: www.johnsoncontrols.com
Industry: Multi-industrial
Number of employees: 170,000
What does your job as global director, facilities and building services entail?
“It simply entails creating a safe, sustainable, productive and economical work environment for our Johnson Controls employees. I help develop a strategic roadmap that demonstrates our value proposition to our employees and shareholder by creating facilities that allow Johnson Controls to become the “employer of choice” for talent and retaining employees, while reducing our sustainable footprint on the world.”
What’s the smartest thing your department has done at Johnson Controls in the past year?
“Leveraging technology, from building systems integration to workplace design to advanced diagnostics to dashboards. Technology and the data it provides give us the privilege to focus on solutions and the ability to become proactive instead of reactive.”
What will be your main challenges in the next year at Johnson Controls?
“To take what we have learned from our past experience leveraging technology and creating a platform that is enterprise driven and focused as we as a company become more globally connected.”
What has kept you at Johnson Controls for the past 32 years?
“I am extremely passionate about architecture and technology. So, think about this–I work for a company that is a leader in building technology and I have responsibilities for facilities services within our Corporate Properties Team at Johnson Controls. Thus, both of these passions are satisfied and create growth opportunities.”
You also teach at your alma mater, MSOE, correct? What courses do you teach, and why do you make time to teach?
“Yes, I am a graduate at MSOE with a Bachelor of Science degree in Architectural Engineering. I have the privilege of teaching two undergraduate courses, Energy Management and Building Control Systems. But the most important part is to mentor and inspire future engineers.”
Do you have a business mantra?
“‘Be a leader, mentor and a coach, but most importantly be passionate and seek enjoyment in what you do!’
“It is really about effective leadership and coaching.”
From a business standpoint, who do you look up to?
“I have been exposed to many great leaders within and outside Johnson Controls, but one person really believed in me and gave me the courage, opportunity and training to succeed and that Peter Hauser (former Supervisor and head of Facilities for Johnson Controls).”
What was the best advice you ever received?
“Focus on the opportunities you can control.”
What’s the funniest thing that ever happened to you in your career?
“When I had to tell my wife that she was going to Phoenix with my soccer team, comprised of nearly 20 15-year-old boys for a soccer tournament. I could not tell her the real reason was I was asked to help coordinate a visit by President Bush to one of our facilities. I worked with Secret Service and White House staff and was told I could not communicate this to anyone. In the end, my wife understood. I was lucky because I had the chance to show the president our building technology and energy efficient systems.”
What do you like to do in your free time?
“In the past, I was heavily involved in coaching youth sports, both baseball and soccer. My coaching career ended, and now I focus on running and exercising. In fact, I just completed my first marathon and soon will be running with a six-person relay team from Madison to Chicago.”
