APPA Board Elections 2026
Voting is now open for the 2026 APPA Board of Directors election. Members will elect candidates for two positions this cycle: Business Partner Director and Treasurer-Elect. Each candidate has prepared a written statement and video introduction so you can learn about their background, vision, and priorities for APPA before casting your ballot.
Business Partner Director Candidates
Four candidates are on the ballot for a three-year term representing Business Partner Members on the APPA Board of Directors. Business Partner Member representatives are eligible to vote for this position.
Bill Roth
Bill Roth, President, and CEO of Roth IAMS and Co-Founder of SLAM Technologies is a visionary leader at the forefront of Integrated Asset Management (IAM). Through three decades of collaborating with public and private sector clients across North America, and millions of square feet of facilities assessed, Bill’s expertise gives him unique insight into the field of facility and infrastructure asset management.
Bill’s experience working with a variety of clients led him to understand the importance of having consistent and defensible data, and the critical role it plays in telling his client’s asset management story.
A successful entrepreneur, Bill founded Roth IAMS in 2014 and leads its ongoing growth and success. In 2018, he co-founded SLAM Technologies, to support both Roth IAMS and its end user clients in leveraging facility data through technology. Committed to solving the world’s Deferred Renewal and Capital Maintenance (DCRM) backlog crisis, he made it the vision for Roth IAMS.
A proud member of many industry organizations such as APPA, ERAPPA, SRAPPA, and RMA, you'll often find him sharing his insights at key industry conferences and events as a guest speaker and presenter. As a thought leader, Bill’s e-book, articles, and blog series as well as his monthly webinars resonate with audiences as he shares invaluable insights into their ever-evolving landscape of asset management.
James Rosner
With over 22 years of experience, James partners with clients to achieve their energy, infrastructure, and sustainability goals as the Principal Advisor, Higher Education (NA) at Johnson Controls. He can advise, design, develop, and implement sustainability, renewable energy, energy storage, energy conservation, district energy, microgrid, building automation, and energy partnership solutions. He also oversaw the development of the OpenBlue Net Zero Advisor GHG emissions tracking and reporting application.
Prior to joining Johnson Controls, James led facilities management organizations as the Associate Vice Chancellor of Facilities Management and Planning (University of Denver) and as the Director of Utilities and Energy Management (Oklahoma State University) as well as global experience while serving as an Air Force Civil Engineer Officer. Additionally, James is active in the International District Energy Association (IDEA) and serves on the APPA Business Partner Advisory Council. James calls Colorado home and is an avid skier and supporter of his daughters' marching band and music programs.
Jessie Fleming
I am a self‑driven professional committed to making the built environment more sustainable, efficient, and supportive of the people who work, study, and thrive within it. With a background as a licensed mechanical engineer, I have spent more than 20 years as an energy engineer designing, managing, and improving operations across higher education, industrial, research, aerospace, and laboratory environments. My work has consistently focused on creating healthier, safer, sustainable, and more efficient facilities.
My involvement with RMA began in 2008 while living in Colorado, and deepened significantly after relocating to Arizona in 2017. Alongside my teammates from the University of Arizona, Arizona State University, and Northern Arizona University, I helped to establish the inaugural AZAPPA chapter and served on its Board as the Business Partner Liaison from 2018 through 2025. In 2024, I began my first term as the Business Partner Liaison for RMA, a role I continue to hold. In 2025, I joined the APPA Business Partner Advisory Council (BPAC). APPA is one of both my personal and professional passions, and I am committed to contributing meaningfully to the organization’s continued growth and impact.
For the past eight years, I have supported Chris Kopach (University of Arizona) in planning and coordinating the bi‑annual Tri‑U event in Arizona, where the three state universities come together for two days of collaboration with selected business partners. In this role, I assist in coordinating an environment for unbiased knowledge sharing, facilitating panels and discussions on relevant topics and guiding the group toward shared solutions that benefit the universities.
Beyond APPA, I have served on numerous nonprofit and professional boards throughout my career. Early on, I was deeply involved with ASHRAE, launching the inaugural Sustainable Engineering Committee (SEC) for the Rocky Mountain Chapter in 2007. That committee later expanded to the national level, where it continues to make a broad impact. I also co‑founded the Rocky Mountain Energy Modeling Engineers (“Sim‑Club”), bringing together energy modeling professionals from across Colorado to collaborate, train, and improve modeling accuracy and tools. Over an eight‑year period, I served on the Rocky Mountain ASHRAE Board in multiple roles, including Secretary, Treasurer, Education Chair, President‑Elect, President, and Research Promotion Chair. Additionally, I served two years as Education Chair for USGBC Colorado.
My commitment to education extends into my personal life as well. I spent five years on the PTO at my children’s elementary school—two years as Hospitality Chair and three years as PTO President—while also supporting initiatives at the District level. Supporting education and ensuring access to enriching opportunities is not just part of my career; it is part of my lifestyle.
Education, knowledge sharing, and outreach have always been central to my work. As a business partner, I prioritize unbiased collaboration and the open exchange of ideas, regardless of company affiliation. Those who know me well would describe me as fair, balanced, and deeply committed to the responsibilities of a Business Partner Liaison in every capacity I serve.
Sam Turk
Sam Turk played a pivotal role in kickstarting FMX’s strategic focus on the Higher Education vertical, leveraging his background in Business Analytics and Marketing from Ohio University to solve complex operational challenges. Now seeking the role of National Business Partner Director, Sam brings a "boots on the ground" work ethic, traveling to 30 tradeshows and conferences annually to engage directly with the APPA community.
In his spare time, Sam loves to golf. He feels as though this hobby puts him in a mindset of continuous improvement—something he applies extensively to his professional development along with his golf game. This patience is further evidenced by a unique personal milestone: Sam has grown out and donated his hair six times to Locks of Love. It is a testament to his generosity, patience, and dedication (especially during the awkward stages).
While on the topic of dedication to things that may not always look great, Sam also loves watching the Cleveland Browns. When he isn’t helping partners optimize their operations or brainstorming new ideas with his long-time mentor and father, the Cleveland native is likely cheering on his team or preparing for his next mile on the road to support APPA members.
Treasurer-Elect Candidate
The Treasurer-Elect serves a two-year term before succeeding to the office of Treasurer. Institutional Member representatives are eligible to vote for this position.
Louis Hengesbach
As the Major Administrative Unit Financial Officer for Infrastructure Planning and Facilities (IPF) at Michigan State University, I provide strategic financial leadership and oversight for budgeting, financial planning, accounting, and business analytics within a complex, multi‑funded organization. I oversee IPF’s annual budget process, managing $59 million in general funds, over $200 million in plant funds, and more than $150 million across additional funding sources, and lead a team of five professionals responsible for all budgeting, finances, and analytics for the department.
With more than 16 years of experience in higher education, including 14 years in facilities, I have advanced through progressively more responsible roles and regularly contribute to policy development, funding governance, rate development, long‑range financial planning, and process improvement initiatives that strengthen financial transparency, data governance, and decision‑making. I also oversee internal controls, support audit and compliance activities, and provide data‑driven analysis to inform capital planning and investment decisions.
A registered Certified Public Accountant and MSU alumnus, I hold both bachelor’s and master’s degrees in accounting. I spent two years in MSU’s Controller’s Office, supporting year‑end financial reporting and GAAP compliance. In addition to my university responsibilities, I am actively engaged in professional leadership, serving as Treasurer of MiAPPA, presenting on facilities accounting topics, and participating in APPA through conferences, the CEFP program, and the Leadership Academy.
Watch Louis Hengesbach's Video
How to Vote
Voting is open from Thursday, April 23 through Thursday, May 7. Each member organization is entitled to one vote for their respective positions, cast by an authorized representative.
- Business Partner Members vote for the Business Partner Director
- Institutional Members vote for the Treasurer-Elect
Authorized representatives will receive an e-mail with voting instructions. Alternatively, they may click the button below to cast their ballot. Election results will be announced in May, and new Board members will begin their terms at the Annual Meeting in July 2026.
Questions about the election process? Contact membership@appa.org.