NEST Invests $200,000 in Saint Joseph's University for Innovative Facilities Management Program

NEST's Commitment to Future Skills at Saint Joseph's University

In a significant step toward innovation in the field of Integrated Facilities Management (IFM), NEST has pledged a generous $200,000 to Saint Joseph's University. This funding is earmarked for the establishment of The Hawk’s NEST, a collaborative initiative designed to harness artificial intelligence (AI) and data analytics in addressing real-world challenges faced by the facilities management sector.

The Initiative's Goals

The Hawk's NEST aims to engage students, faculty, and industry professionals in a joint effort to develop AI-driven solutions that focus on operational efficiency, route optimization, and trade-specific estimating for facilities management. This collaboration will facilitate hands-on projects that tackle challenges relevant to clients within NEST’s extensive North American network, which encompasses over 60,000 properties and more than 6,000 active service providers.

The initiative builds upon a multi-year partnership between the two entities, having already witnessed successful outcomes through previous AI and machine learning projects. Rob Almond Jr., CEO of NEST, expressed optimism about the potential impact of this initiative, stating, “The Hawk's NEST will allow students and researchers to collaborate with our team to develop better tools, stronger insights, and informed solutions for our clients and service providers.”

Anticipated Outcomes

One of the primary expectations from The Hawk's NEST is that it will analyze over 1 billion data points during its inaugural year. This monumental effort is projected to yield practical insights and advanced tools, enabling NEST's personnel and its clients to enhance their operational performance drastically. Fast, reliable service estimates generated through sophisticated data modeling will be a significant focus, promoting efficiencies that span geographical and trade-specific areas.

Joseph A. DiAngelo Jr., Dean of the Erivan K. Haub School of Business at Saint Joseph's University, remarked on the importance of this partnership, emphasizing that it exemplifies the collaboration between academia and industry in addressing emerging challenges. By harnessing AI and advanced analytics, The Hawk's NEST stands to offer invaluable opportunities for learning and innovation, ultimately shaping the future landscape of both facilities management and skilled trades.

Uniting Education and Industry

This initiative will not only revolutionize how facilities management challenges are addressed but also align perfectly with Saint Joseph's University's core value of experiential learning. Earlier this year, NEST also partnered in hosting the 2026 Saint Joseph's University High School Analytics Competition, awarding young talent in AI and analytics. Such efforts underscore NEST’s commitment to fostering educational excellence and collaboration within the industry.

Founded in 1994, NEST is recognized as a leader in the IFM sector across the United States and Canada. The organization specializes in tactical facility management, financial consulting, and operational project management for multi-site brands throughout North America. This investment in education reflects NEST's strategy to develop a skilled workforce that can meet the challenges of tomorrow while delivering exceptional client service and operational supports.

As NEST continues to grow, its commitment to technological advancements and innovative problem-solving will only serve to enhance its capabilities and influence across the IFM landscape, benefitting both clients and employees alike. This initiative marks a pivotal step in ensuring that future professionals in facilities management are prepared to tackle the complexities of a rapidly evolving market.

"The Hawk will never die," resonates not just as a motto but as a pledge to continual evolution and excellence in both education and industry, bringing together the best and the brightest into a future of advanced opportunities in facilities management and beyond.