Men To Watch 2025 honoree Rashiek Barber

Rashiek Barber is a distinguished engineer and professional in engineering and facility operations whose career embodies perseverance, excellence, and an unwavering commitment to growth. With over two decades of hands on experience, Rashiek has held pivotal leadership roles, including Chief Engineer and Interim Property Manager, overseeing complex building systems and operational teams. Bridging a balance between multifaceted roles in engineering, consulting, and facility operations, he has been able to save millions through performance matrix, maximized ROI, compliance and structure implementation. Rashiek expertise spans critical infrastructure, sustainability, sustainable operations, energy efficiency, smart technology, life cycles, high performance facility management and smarter CapEx assessments in line with any organizational KPI'S. Having collaborated on several recognized projects in NYC, such as Highline in Chelsea peers, Green committee for Highgate and local law 97 for various organizations. Rashiek experience expands through various sectors including commercial, governmental, residential, and hospitality while holding TS/SCI for over 2 decades through sub-contracted positions by The United States Government. 

Rashiek professional journey has not been without significant trials and tribulations. Navigating systemic barriers, economic challenges, racism, nepotism, and workplace adversity, he has consistently transformed obstacles into opportunities for growth. His resilience is matched by his dedication to advancing both his technical and academic credentials. Currently pursuing a Bachelor’s in Facilities Management at New York City College of Technology after obtaining a AAS in Environmental Control Technology; Rashiek remains on track to graduate in June 2026 with a perfect 4.0 GPA Summa Cum Laude. Alongside his academic studies with NYCCT, Rashiek has completed over 1,580 continued learning courses through various institutions like GSA online university, Red vector solutions, Local 94, LinkedIn, Google, MIT, Yale, Museum of Natural History, IFMA, EPA, FDNY and other platforms studying a vast amount of subjects in engineering, leadership, Capm, lean, Crisis  resolution, Counterterrorism, life safety, HVAC, six sigma (Black belt), BMS, human resource, DEI, CMMS, on boarding, MEP, property management, agile product management, Ai, retrofitting, benchmarking, sustainability, critical systems, and management, underscoring my commitment to lifelong learning.

Rashiek academic career is marked by groundbreaking undergraduate research at NYCCT in sustainability, global warming, bio diversity, and building efficiency. With his evolving and consistent leadership as a BMI (Black Male Initiative) mentor, and election to Student President as well as Mentorship outreach chair of the National Society of Leadership and Success (NSLS) he defines the term lead by example. In addition to such a impressive back ground he still excels as a proud member of three honor societies (NSCS, NSLS, Honor Society) actively involved in several clubs such as ASHRAE, NSBE (National Society Black Engineers), BMI (Black Male Initiative), IFMA (International Facility Management Association), ASME (American Society of Mechanical Engineering), ASCE (American  Society of Civil Engineering) further cementing his reputation for academic and professional distinction. Having completed 3 trade schools such as Turner Institute, Local 94 and GSA on line university his expertise is diversified, ranging from operations to administrative roles. 

Several distinguished achievements have been recognized nationally through prestigious scholarships, including the SSTEM Scholarship, the Union Plus Engineering Scholarship awarded to just one winner out of 8,000 applicants and the International Facility Management Association (IFMA) Scholarship awarded out a very competitive pool of candidates globally, which includes a feature in an IFMA Global News article and an invitation to the IFMA World Workplace conference. Prior to winning such a high achievement, IFMA has featured Rashiek with a 2 page article as one of the futures promising prospect to facility management! 

With a career and academic record that exemplifies excellence, Rashiek stands as a role model for perseverance, leadership, and the transformative power of education. His vision is to continue elevating the facilities management profession while inspiring the next generation of leaders to achieve beyond perceived limits. This trailblazer has mastered saving partnerships time and money; while teaching and training facilities teams to meet and sustain set goals.