NEST Commits $200,000 to Saint Joseph’s University to Launch The Hawk’s NEST: Building the Future of IFM and Skilled Trades Intelligence

NEST, a national leader in integrated facilities management (IFM), has committed $200,000 to Saint Joseph’s University to launch The Hawk’s NEST: Building the Future of IFM and Skilled Trades Intelligence. This collaborative initiative is focused on applying artificial intelligence, machine learning and advanced analytics to real-world challenges in facilities management and the skilled trades across all 50 states.

Under The Hawk’s NEST, Saint Joseph’s faculty, students and researchers will work alongside NEST leaders on projects focused on geographic- and trade-specific estimating, route optimization and operational efficiencies for NEST clients. The collaboration will develop AI-driven solutions that support client facilities operations, NEST employees, and skilled trades professionals across more than 20 trades within NEST’s North American network. This includes more than 60,000 properties and more than 6,000 active service providers.

The investment expands a multi-year partnership between NEST and Saint Joseph’s that has included a hands-on artificial intelligence and machine learning initiative involving faculty and students.

“The first phase of our partnership with Saint Joseph’s over the last year has demonstrated the tremendous potential of bringing together talented students faculty, and industry leaders to solve real-world challenges,” says Rob Almond Jr., CEO of NEST and a 2024 inductee into the Erivan K. Haub School of Business Hall of Fame. “The Hawk’s NEST will allow students and researchers to work alongside our team to develop better tools, stronger insights, and more informed solutions for our clients, employees and service providers.”

The Hawk’s NEST is expected to analyze more than 1 billion data points in the first year and generate practical insights and tools that help NEST clients, employees and service providers improve operational performance, increase efficiency, and make better-informed decisions. For example, the work is expected to produce faster, more consistent service estimates based on geography, trade and historical data.

The initiative reflects NEST’s broader commitment to innovation, client service and workforce development in a 24/7 environment. As NEST continues to expand its workforce and capabilities across North America, the company is investing in technologies that help clients improve facilities operations while enabling employees and skilled trades partners to work more efficiently and deliver greater value.

“This initiative exemplifies the power of collaboration between higher education and industry,” says Joseph A. DiAngelo Jr., BS'70, EdD, dean of the Erivan K. Haub School of Business. “By bringing together students, faculty and business leaders to address emerging challenges through artificial intelligence and analytics, The Hawk’s NEST will create valuable opportunities for learning, innovation and workforce development while helping shape the future of facilities management and the skilled trades.”

The Hawk’s NEST builds upon Saint Joseph’s commitment to experiential learning and industry engagement. Earlier this year, NEST served as the title partner of the 2026 Saint Joseph’s University High School Analytics Competition and introduced the inaugural NEST AI Award, recognizing excellence in AI-related analysis and innovation among participating students.