Nominate and Apply

Awards

Recognizing the outstanding achievements of our members and partners.

The Diamond Awards Program

For more than 40 years, the Denver Chapter of IFMA has taken great pleasure in recognizing the outstanding achievements of individual members and our partners. Our Holiday Gala is a time our chapter comes together to celebrate the prior year’s achievements and successes and support a local nonprofit in the process with our silent auction. Our Gala ensures award-winners are recognized in front of their peers for their extraordinary accomplishments. 

The Diamond Awards Program recognizes the finest advancements and contributions in facility management within the Denver A/E/C community. Be among the elite who recognize excellence in an individual, a project, a service, or an improved process or syste

New Award Category in 2025: Sustainability Project Award

This award discussed a Facility Management achievement through an outstanding project completed in 2025. This award is presented to the individual or team whose facility management new construction or renovation project has had a substantial, positive effect on the success of their organization. They will demonstrate how their project impacted business objectives and contributed to improved success by going “above and beyond” the normal project scope.

Other Awards to Apply for in 2025:

New Member of the Year Award

This award may be presented to a Denver Chapter member who has been a member for less than two years, is an active emerging leader within the chapter and shows initiative in both their work and professional settings. They consistently go above and beyond in their efforts, with skilled execution, follow-through, and motivation to encourage others to participate. 

Facility Management Achievement Award

Pillar Award

This person has gone above and beyond for the chapter and the FM community worldwide for many years. They are pillars in our Denver Chapter of IFMA due to their experience, participation, and contributions to the facility management profession. The Pillar Award is the highest honor a member can receive and is not given out lightly. The nominee must demonstrate that businesses go beyond the world of commerce and are truly invested in our FM community, as neighbors helping neighbors, they are creating ties that bind us together. They help make FM a part of their mission, vision or culture.

Associate Member of the Year Award

This person & company has demonstrated exceptional participation and contributions to the facility management profession.

Lou Doyle Outstanding Achievement Award

Lou Doyle Distinguished Member Award is for exceptional service as a Denver Chapter of IFMA member while providing sustainable, outstanding leadership to the Denver Chapter of IFMA, an IFMA council, or community, in Denver. This individual is highly valued by his or her company, IFMA and the facility management profession. Who keeps current on changes in the facility management profession and educates other IFMA members and peers. Recipients demonstrate the best in leadership and ethics.

Industry Impact Award

The Industry Impact Award is presented to a company that has made a positive impact through its community service support in the FM industry. The company is an active leader within the chapter and shows initiative in both their work and professional settings. They go above and beyond in their efforts with skilled execution, follow through, and motivate others to participate. This company helps serve as the resource and representative for facility management in the greater Denver Metropolitan area and beyond.

Facility Management Project of the Year  Award

This award discussed a Facility Management achievement through an outstanding project completed in 2025. This award is presented to the individual or team whose facility management new construction or renovation project has had a substantial, positive effect on the success of their organization. They will demonstrate how their project impacted business objectives and contributed to improved success by going “above and beyond” the normal project scope. This year’s categories include:

Facility Manager of the Year

2024 AWARDS

Recipients at the 2024 Diamond Awards holiday party, posed with presenters, holding trophies.

2024 Facility Manager of the Year Award

Newman Forrester, FMP, SFP, LEED Green Associate

This award was presented to Newman Forrester, FMP, SFP, LEED Green Associate. He has been a senior facilities manager at the University of Colorado-Denver | Anschutz Medical Campus for 20 years. Served on the Denver Education Committee for the past two years. Newman is a Denver Chapter member who has been an active leader and shows initiative in their work and professional settings. They go above and beyond in their efforts with skilled execution, follow through, and motivate others to participate in facility management. 

2024 Facility Management Large Project of the Year Award

Credit Union of Colorado, Darin Rose

This award is presented to one company that has demonstrated excellence in Facility Management for the entire project. The New Headquarters at the Credit Union of Colorado. After 56 years, the Credit Union of Colorado recognized the need for a new headquarters that could support its growing workforce and attract future generations. Their new 122,000-sq-foot space, completed on December 18, 2023, is designed for a modern, collaborative environment and future expansion.



Facing challenges like supply chain disruptions, steel price hikes, and custom door delays, the team managed to finish the project in just 17 months. Notable features include electrochromic glass for optimized energy efficiency and stunning Colorado views, as well as bi-polar ionization on the HVAC system for healthier air. The building is LEED silver certified and incorporates advanced systems such as BIM for real-time issue resolution, 3D cameras for tracking installations, and a Building Automation System to monitor operations. This project reflects the Credit Union’s commitment to sustainable growth and employee well-being for decades to come.

2024 Presidents Award

Todd Henry, Palace Restoration

The President’s Award was presented to Todd Henry with Palace Restoration. It is a special honor, not only because it’s the highest recognition from the Executive Board but because it celebrates someone who embodies consistent, extraordinary contributions to the FM community.



This award isn’t given for a single accomplishment; it’s reserved for those whose work spans many achievements, creating lasting, positive impacts in our field and beyond. It goes to an individual who has shown unwavering commitment and proven leadership and has consistently inspired others by going above and beyond in every endeavor. 

2024 Pillar Award

This award is presented to someone who has gone above and beyond for the chapter and the FM community worldwide for many years. They are a Pillar in our Denver Chapter of IFMA chapter because of their experience, participation, and contributions to the facility management profession. The Pillar Award is a member's highest honor and is not given out lightly. The nominee must demonstrate that businesses go beyond the world of commerce and are genuinely invested in our FM community, neighbors helping neighbors create ties that bind us. They help make FM a part of their mission, vision, or culture.



Byron Edwards, SFP, FMP: Byron has been a quiet force within the chapter for years, managing backend website tasks and form logistics. As a past president, he consistently supports the chapter and has significantly contributed to engaging the military community both locally and internationally. His extensive contributions to the FM community are invaluable, and he is welcoming to all new members, actively encouraging them to take advantage of what IFMA offers.

2024 Associate Member of the Year Award

Jennifer Esgro

This individual we honor tonight has demonstrated exceptional participation and contributions to the facility management profession tonight. The nominee must be part of the FM community and make FM part of their mission, vision, or culture.



Jennifer Esgro, Palace Construction. Palace has been a longtime Gold Partner and supporter. Jennifer is engaged as the chair of our partnership committee, serves in community service, and constantly gives back to the industry and the chapter.

Lou Doyle Outstanding Achievement Award

Penny Johnson

The Lou Doyle Distinguished Member Award is a prestigious recognition for an individual who has provided exceptional service to the Denver Chapter of IFMA. This member provided sustainable, outstanding leadership to the Denver Chapter of IFMA and the broader FM community in Denver. This individual is highly valued by their company, IFMA International, and the facility management profession. Who keeps current on changes in the facility management profession and educates other IFMA members and peers. Recipients demonstrate the best in leadership and ethics.



Penny Johnson- With nearly a decade of involvement in IFMA, Penny has spent a significant portion of that time on the board and currently serves as president of the Rocky Mountain chapter. Her commitment to the industry is evident in her efforts to grow our membership.

Industry Impact Award

Darin Rose, IFMA Fellow, CFM, SFP, GGP, CRFP

The Industry Impact Award is a significant honor, recognizing individuals and companies whose community service support, green or sustainable, energy-related, and overall impact has positively changed the FM industry. The recipient is an active leader within the chapter and shows initiative in their work and professional settings. They go above and beyond in their efforts with skilled execution, follow through, and motivate others to participate. This individual helps serve as the resource and representative for facility management in the greater Denver Metropolitan area and beyond. Receiving the Industry Impact Award signifies that the company has excelled in its core business and made a meaningful and lasting contribution to the broader community of facility management professionals.



Darin has been involved in IFMA for many years, serving on the board and serving the IFMA community. He is a beacon of hope and inspires other FMs to earn credentials, get involved, and make a difference. Darrin is an IFMA Fellow, which is a huge deal. And our chapter past president from 2018-2018.

New Member of the Year

Justin Gallo, CFM, FMP; Daniels Fund

This award is presented to a new Denver Chapter member who has been a chapter member for less than three years, is an active emerging leader within the chapter, and shows initiative in their work and professional settings. They go above and beyond in their efforts with skilled execution, follow through, and motivate others to participate. Justin Gallo exemplifies the spirit of engagement as an IFMA member. He actively participates on the Membership Committee, consistently volunteers for additional responsibilities, and has hosted numerous successful events at his office. His positivity and can-do attitude make him a standout contributor to our community. 

Congratulations to all our award winners! We look forward to the next awards ceremony in 2025.

2023 AWARDS

IFMA Denver Chapter awards announcement with winners' names and photos.

2023 New Member of the Year: Josh McIlwain

2023 Member of the Year: Byron Edwards, SFP, FMP

2023 Pillar Award: Lorie Libby

2023 Organization of the Year: Denver Commercial Property Services

2023 Lou Doyle Outstanding Achievement Award: Lisa VanderHeyden, FMP, CFM, SFP

2023 Industry Impact Award: Vimol Mitchell, CEFP, CFM, FMP, SFP, LEED Green Associate

Nomination Process

STEP ONE - PREPARE YOUR NOMINATION(S)

  1. Collect contact information for the nominator (the company/individual submitting the nomination) and the nominee (the company/individual where the project was completed). The company that is nominating, must have at least one IFMA Denver member in good standing.
  2. Prepare your written material. Each project category (Best Practices, Operational Innovation and Individual) have 2-5 specific questions to answer with a 300 word maximum per answer.
  3. Gather up to 5 photos of the project that help tell your story if applicable. Professional photography is not required.
  4. Gather up to 2 supporting documents (optional) that illustrate the accomplishments on the project, i.e. benchmark data, schedules, cost savings details, etc. Do not submit marketing materials.
  5. Gather hi-res jpg logos for both the nominating company as well as the nominated company.

STEP TWO - DETERMINE WHAT OR WHOM TO NOMINATE

Do you have a new construction project that was completed in the previous calendar year? Or did you implement a new operational innovation within your facility over the past two years (Operational Innovation)? And do they tell a Facility Management story like a fast-track schedule, complex restacking, integrated project delivery, cost reductions, energy conservation, improved productivity, data mining, smart building implementation, etc.? And/or do you have an IFMA member colleague that deserves recognition for their leadership and involvement in IFMA and/ or the Facility Management industry?

STEP THREE - UPLOAD YOUR NOMINATION(S)

  1. Visit IFMAdenver.org site to register yourself as a nominator.
  2. Select the nomination type for your first nomination and then fill in all of the fields associated with that nomination.
  3. When complete, press save. You can continue to update your nomination until the November deadline. You can press save and submit when you are complete.
  4. Once you have saved your first nomination, you will have an opportunity to add a new nomination and can repeat the process.