President

Edward Kacal, CFM, FMP, SFP

Servus Limited

With more than 35 years of experience in engineering, project execution, and business management, Edward Kacal has led major transformation initiatives across industries. His work spans mergers and acquisitions, business transformation projects, plant & equipment, and IT projects.

He is an IFMA-Qualified Instructor for the full suite of IFMA courses and previously spent seven years lecturing in Project Management and Strategic Planning at the post graduate level at the University of the West Indies.

Within IFMA, Edward has served in multiple leadership roles, including Immediate Past President and current Chair of Professional Development for the IFMA Business Community (BIZ), Past Chair of the Audit Committee and Secretary of the Manufacturing, Industrial and Logistics Council. 

Beyond IFMA, he has chaired the Facility Development & Management Committee of the Trinidad & Tobago Chamber of Industry and Commerce for the past eight years. His leadership in national facility management has included appointments as Chair of the National Mirror Committee to ISO 41000/TC 267, a member of the Cabinet-appointed committee for the national FM policy, contributor to the NTA FM competency standards, and participant in the National Council for Sustainable Development (Working Group #3 – Improving the Local Environment).

Since 2013, Edward has served as CEO of Servus Limited, a company specializing in integrated facility and project management.

Vice President

Richard Gunpat, FMP, CFM, SFP

Airports Authority of Trinidad and Tobago

Richard Gunpat is a highly experienced executive leader and consultant with over twenty (20) years of experience locally and regionally in facility management, engineering, project management, energy management, and aviation. Highly proficient and technical strategist with a strong work ethic who can work well with high-performing work teams who plan and achieve top results.

Mr. Gunpat holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering from the University of the West Indies. He also holds prestigious credentials from global organizations as follows:

• International Facility Management Association (IFMA) – FMP, CFM, and SFP (under IFMA Foundation/ Eric Teicholz Scholarship)

• Professional Facility Management Institute (ProFMI) – ProFM under full scholarship

• International Finance Corporation (IFC) – EDGE Expert

• Project Management Institute (PMI) - PMP

• Green Business Certification Inc. (GBCI) - LEED AP Building Design and Construction designation under full Scholarship)

• ASHRAE – Building Commissioning Professional (BCxP)

Richard currently serves on the Trinidad and Tobago Chapter of IFMA (TTIFMA) board, as Chapter Vice President to provide needful assistance to realize the Chapter’s Mission and Vision. He is recognized by IFMA as a thought leader having provided leadership and invaluable contributions for the CFM exam, SFP 2022 program, and a member of the global advisory group for the IFMA CFM Competency Model. In addition, he has been selected to serve on IFMA’s SFP Scholarship Committee for 2023 and is now with IFMA ESUS Community as a board member. Additionally, he volunteers regularly with GBCI for LEED exam maintenance activities and ASHRAE as a member of Standard Standing Project Committee (SSPC) 300 – Commissioning.

As a creative and forward thinker, Mr. Gunpat is highly able to inspire others and drive strategic action. He has a unique ability to see the big picture and identify opportunities, which has resulted in tangible success for his clients and organizations. He currently provides strategic and technical oversight inclusive of LEED consulting for airport-related buildings and systems at the Airports Authority of Trinidad and Tobago.

Secretary

Jackie Gittens, CFM

Bryden pi Limited

Jackie Gittens has over fifteen (15) years of experience in operations, ten (10) of which cover the expansive portfolios of Health, Safety, Security, Environment (HSSE), and Facility Management (FM). To support her pursuit of a career in HSE, Jackie obtained her BSc in Occupational Health, Safety, and Environment from the University of Greenwich in 2010 and gained experience through her work at a major local Beverage manufacturer and continuing presently in her current

position at a major regional distributor.

​Her passion to adopt an influential role in the positive change needed to support future generations, lead Jackie to expand her studies into the fields of Environmental Sustainability and Energy Management, where she holds an MBA in Sustainable Energy Management from the University of the West Indies, together with the credential of Certified Energy Manager from the Association of Energy Engineers- Houston Texas, USA.

​Jackie has taken the lead on energy monitoring, reduction, and efficiency initiatives in her current post, by conducting Level two (2) energy audits and enforcing the implementation of no-low cost measures recommended at one facility. Cost savings were realized following implementation. In 2023, prompted by the intended electricity rate increase, Jackie initiated the same to be done for other facilities within the Group of Companies and influenced the establishment of a cross-company team to drive energy reduction and efficiency.

Through her introduction to IFMA and by extension TTIFMA in early 2017, Jackie pursued and was successful in obtaining the Certified Facility Manager credential in 2019. IFMA provides a wealth of easily accessible knowledge and engagement platforms to Jackie and she believes the exposure and networking through TTIFMA are without question exceptional and supports the values she holds dearly, of helping others and creating a sustainable future.

Her exposure through HSSE provided a great appreciation and understanding of the needs across the supply chain and the importance of effective FM to achieve a safe and healthy working environment, along with supporting operational efficiency.

Treasurer

Cindy Guevara

UDeCOTT

Cindy Guevara is a resourceful, versatile, and committed facility professional who has a great passion for advancing the FM profession. Her career in Facility and Corporate Services Management spans over 25 years as she worked through the ranks, gaining a wealth of knowledge and experience in operations and maintenance management.

Cindy's versatility has seen her undertake many different roles at locally and internationally based organizations, spanning areas such as accounting, administration, purchasing, security services, project management, and health and safety.  As the Facilities Coordinator at the Office of the Parliament of Trinidad and Tobago, Cindy holds a BSc in Management from the University of the West Indies, an MBA with specialization in Supply Chain Management from Anglia Ruskin University, and is a Certified Facility Manager (CFM) with The International Facility Management Association (IFMA).

A consummate professional, a strong believer in continuous improvement, and possessing an internal drive to deliver, Cindy’s vision is to see the FM profession and professionals grow within the local and regional industries and be more recognized as a strategic and necessary component in an organization’s strategic planning and objectives. This internal drive has led her to become a part of the TTIFMA Executive where she can contribute further to the development of the profession.

Immediate Past President

Cindy Guevara

UDeCOTT

Cindy Guevara is a resourceful, versatile, and committed facility professional who has a great passion for advancing the FM profession. Her career in Facility and Corporate Services Management spans over 25 years as she worked through the ranks, gaining a wealth of knowledge and experience in operations and maintenance management.

Cindy's versatility has seen her undertake many different roles at locally and internationally based organizations, spanning areas such as accounting, administration, purchasing, security services, project management, and health and safety.  As the Facilities Coordinator at the Office of the Parliament of Trinidad and Tobago, Cindy holds a BSc in Management from the University of the West Indies, an MBA with specialization in Supply Chain Management from Anglia Ruskin University, and is a Certified Facility Manager (CFM) with The International Facility Management Association (IFMA).

A consummate professional, a strong believer in continuous improvement, and possessing an internal drive to deliver, Cindy’s vision is to see the FM profession and professionals grow within the local and regional industries and be more recognized as a strategic and necessary component in an organization’s strategic planning and objectives. This internal drive has led her to become a part of the TTIFMA Executive where she can contribute further to the development of the profession.