Spring 2013 Commencement Speaker

Eric S. Francis

Eric S. Francis ’71 is president and chief executive officer of CBMC Capital Building Maintenance Corporation, a full-service janitorial, custodial, concierge, patrol and allied services corporation that has been in operation for over 100 years. CBMC is a direct successor of the window cleaning company founded by Francis’ grandfather in downtown Newark, NJ, in 1898.

Francis graduated from the University of Maryland in 1971. After obtaining his law degree from Villanova University School of Law, he served as an attorney with the United States Environmental Protection Agency in Washington, D.C. Later he returned to his family's business, Atlantic Building Maintenance Corporation, and as its president, was instrumental in its growth until the company’s sale in 1984. In 1982, Francis established what would become CBMC Capital Building Maintenance Corporation and later added WHC White House Concierge. As CEO, he has been a driving force behind the companies' growth and success ever since.

He is a member of the bars of New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, the District of Columbia, The Supreme Court of the United States and other Federal Courts.

Francis has a distinguished history of philanthropy in the community. He is a trustee of the University of Maryland; a founding trustee of the Jeffrey Model Foundation; holds numerous board positions with Jewish nonprofit organizations, including serving as emeritus trustee and former president of the Jewish Community Housing Corporation; and is a supporter of numerous national and local nonprofit organizations.