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The Simon Institute has appointed Alan Bigger executive director, effective April 1, 2016. Bigger replaces Paul Condie, who will work in a consultative capacity to facilitate a smooth transition.
Under Condie’s 10 years of leadership the Simon Institute became the leading organization in establishing standards for the janitorial, custodial and housekeeping industry. Condie leaves the organization in a position of strong leadership for future development in industry professionalism. In 2006 the Simon Institute became a not for profit organization by transitioning from a benchmarking group to a nonprofit organization focused on establishing national cleaning and safety standards.
The groups participating in the benchmarking and standards development in the Simon Institute have grown from 1,500 facilities to over 38,000 facilities worldwide. The highlight of Condie’s administration was the ANSI accreditation in 2015 for the Simon Institute as an ANSI standard developer.
In 2015 Condie instigated a search for a new Executive Director. After an extensive search the board of directors selected Alan Bigger to replace Condie. “Alan Bigger is a well-qualified and motivated industry leader with over 35 years experience in the cleaning industry” says Condie. “Bigger’s influence in the industry is nothing short of legendary.”
Bigger’s experience includes leadership positions at such well-known organizations as The University of Notre Dame (Director of Building Services), Earlham College (Director of Facilities), The University of Texas Health Sciences Center, University of Missouri, the South Texas Hospital and the Ohio State University, and the U.S. Air Force.
Bigger has been involved with ACUBSS, IEHA and APPA. He is a past-president of the Midwest Association of Higher Education Facilities Officers (MAPPA); a seven state regional organization affiliated with APPA, and has served two terms as the Vice President of Professional Affairs for APPA. He served as President-Elect, President of and APPA 2007-2008.
A prolific writer Alan authored over 400 articles in industry trade publications including 200 articles for the “The Frugal Housekeeper” series in Executive Housekeeping Today. He also contributed to Executive Housekeeping Today, Maintenance Executive, Facilities Manager, Contracting Profits, Facility Cleaning Decisions, Sanitary Maintenance, Maintenance Solutions, Total Quality Maintenance, College Planning and Management, NAILM News, ISSA Today, Commercial Floor Care, Textile Rental and Cleaning & Maintenance Management, APPA’s Hazardous Materials and Solid Waste Management (1992) and Custodial Staffing Guidelines (1992, 1998, and 2011). He was the editor-in-chief of APPA’s trilogy of Operational Guidelines for Education Facilities: Custodial, Maintenance and Grounds. In addition, he helped compile the Frontline Program Training Program (1998) for the International Executive Housekeepers’ Association.
In 2008 Jeffery Campbell, Ph.D., Chair, Brigham Young University Facility Management School of Technology and Bigger co-authored a research paper titled “Cleanliness and Learning in Higher Education” jointly published by ISSA and APPA.
In 2002 Bigger received the President’s Award from the President of the University of Notre Dame. In 2003 he was awarded the Meritorious Service Award (M.S.A) by the Association of Higher Education Facilities Officers (APPA), APPA’s highest individual honor. In November 2004 he was selected by Cleaning Maintenance and Management as 2004 Person of the Year. In addition he was awarded the William D. Joyner Special Achievement Award by the International Executive Housekeepers’ Association (2004) and MAPPA’s President’s Award for 2004 and 2008. In 2009 he received APPA’s highest individual award based upon research, the APPA Fellow Award. In 2011 and 2012 he received APPA’s President’s Awards for his part in editing the revision of APPA’s trilogy for custodial, maintenance and grounds.
Alan received his B.S. in Liberal Arts with concentrations in business, history, English, and minority studies from the State University of New York (SUNY) in 1978. He earned his Master of Arts in Communications and Human Relations from the University of Northern Colorado, Greeley, Colorado in 1980. He participated in post-graduate work in organizational communication (1981-1982). Bigger completed the Association of Higher Education Facilities Officers’ CAPPA) - Institute for Facilities Management CAPPA), September, 2000 and APPA’s Leadership Academy in 2002. He is a 2011 Janitor University graduate and earned his (OSl) Certified Coach in 2012. Since 2015 worked with the Simon Institute as the Director of Knowledge Management.
Bigger, a native of Dublin, Ireland and has lived in Ireland, England, West Germany, and 8 of the 50 States. He currently resides in South Bend, IN with his wife Linda.
“We are incredibly fortunate to have found a leader and visionary such as Alan Bigger,” says Condie. “The board is convinced that Alan will lead the Simon Institute into the future. Alan is dedicated to establishing ANSI standards to lay the foundation for professionalism in the cleaning industry.”