Annapolis, Maryland, April 10, 2012—BOMI (Building Owners and Managers Institute) International and the Northwest Energy Efficiency Council (NEEC) are pleased to announce a new partnership. This new partnership will enable both organizations to further benefit building engineers and maintenance technicians by awarding competency credit between NEEC’s Building Operator Certification (BOC®) and BOMI International’s Systems Maintenance Technician (SMT®) designation.

Both nationally recognized, the NEEC BOC and the BOMI International SMT designation deliver the skill-enhancing education that facility professionals need. Comprised of Level I: Building Systems Maintenance and Level II: Equipment Troubleshooting and Maintenance, the BOC offers 13 classes that provide energy-efficient management strategies proven to transform workplaces by saving an estimated $.03/sf on electric utility costs per year. Similarly, the five courses that constitute the SMT designation program provide instruction in technologies and trends within the industry to ensure professionals understand how to properly operate buildings at peak efficiency in a cost-effective manner.

BOMI International has given BOC graduates the eligibility to receive competency credit for two of the five SMT designation courses. In return, NEEC has awarded competency for four of the 13 classes needed to earn a BOC certification. “By presenting BOC and SMT designation graduates with the option to apply for competency credit between the two programs, we are encouraging them to further enhance their education and obtain the required knowledge to perform their job well, add value to their company, and accelerate their career.” said Jeffrey A. Horn, President and CEO of BOMI International.

In addition to providing competency credit for SMT designation and BOC courses, the NEEC and BOMI International partnership will offer continuing education opportunities to graduates for maintenance of their credentials. “We are confident this partnership between BOMI International and NEEC will contribute to better building performance and to job preservation by providing technicians with a means of distinguishing themselves to employers through improved job skills and a commitment to the profession,” said Stan Price, Executive Director of NEEC.

About BOMI International

BOMI International is the premier international provider of educational products and services to the property and facility management industries. As the Independent Institute for Property and Facility Management Education, BOMI International is a not-for-profit educational institute dedicated to improving the skills of professionals with property, facility, and systems responsibilities. BOMI International is known for industry-standard designations—the Real Property Administrator (RPA®), the Facilities Management Administrator (FMA®), the Systems Maintenance Administrator (SMA®), and the Systems Maintenance Technician (SMT®). More than 26,000 building professionals hold one or more BOMI International designations, and over 84,000 students have turned to BOMI International for premier education and training. For more information, or to register with BOMI International, e-mail service@bomi.org, visit www.bomi.org, or call 1.800.235.BOMI (2664).

About NEEC

The Northwest Energy Efficiency Council (NEEC) is a non-profit trade association of the energy efficiency industry advocating for an affordable, energy-efficient future for commercial, industrial, and residential building owners and operators. NEEC administers the national Building Operator Certification (BOC®) program, which has been educating, training, and certifying building operators to perform energy-efficient operations and maintenance since 1996. National partners with NEEC in the BOC program include the Midwest Energy Efficiency Alliance, New York State Energy Research & Development Authority, City University of New York, Northwest Energy Education Institute, Gwinnett Technical College, North Carolina Community College System, Sacramento Municipal Utility District, South Carolina Technical College System, Santa Fe Community College, University of Hawaii, and Wisconsin Focus on Energy. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) named NEEC as a winner of the 2012 ENERGY STAR Award for Excellence for its contributions through the BOC.

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CONTACTS

BOMI International
Christina Helton
Marketing and Communications Coordinator
410.974.1410 ext. 1257 | chelton@bomi.org

NEEC
Melanie L. Danuser, M.P.A., LEED Green Associate
BOC Project Director
206-582-4258 | melanie.danuser@neec.net