If you have spent some time in The Zone, you may have seen him around. But for those who have not met him yet, allow us to introduce Joeri Simmerman, Technical Manager at property management company Whitewood. Whitewood is the company responsible for maintaining The Zone, as well as many other office buildings. A perfect moment to get to know Joeri a little better.
From construction to technical management
Joeri started his career with a background in construction, which naturally led him into the world of real estate. After working directly for property owners, he made a conscious decision last year to focus more on the technical side of the business. “I wanted to take on larger projects, with more complexity and technical challenges,” he explains.
That opportunity came with Whitewood. Today, Joeri is the person behind everything related to technical systems, maintenance and projects in The Zone. “I manage the maintenance contracts, technical installations and projects that are too complex or large for the service desk. Think of renovations or adjustments to the climate systems.”
What does Whitewood do for The Zone
Whitewood is responsible for the daily and technical management of The Zone. This means making sure everything continues to run smoothly, from fixing small defects to coordinating major upgrades. “The service desk handles everyday issues like a broken door handle or a light that needs replacing,” says Joeri. “For anything more complex, I step in.”.
Present but in the background
Joeri regularly visits the building, although he prefers to stay behind the scenes. “If I do my job well, you probably will not notice me” he says with a smile. He only meets tenants when necessary. Most minor reports go through the service desk so that he can focus on more complex matters.
What does Joeri mean for tenants of The Zone
Whitewood makes sure that tenants can do their work without having to worry about the building. “We make sure everything functions as it should, from the climate to safety systems. And if something breaks, we fix it as quickly and quietly as possible.”
Joeri sums it up in a down-to-earth way: “As long as everything runs smoothly, I’m happy. No news is good news.”