Great Job!
FM staff doing a Great Job! Read their stories below and prepare to be inspired by the outstanding impact our employees make on a daily basis.
Say Thank You or commend an FM staff member for a Great Job!
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FM Readies New Chem Building for Its Dedication Day
April 15, 2024
To Robert Pils and Andrew Espeseth: Thank you so much for your hard work in getting the Chemistry Building ready for today's event [Its dedication on Thursday, April 11]. You orchestrated a miracle with the level and area of cleaning required in such a short time frame. Working directly with me and my team, you delivered above and beyond and I am grateful.
Thanks so much, job well done.
Ruth Heffes, Executive Director of Facilities, College of Computer, Mathematical and Natural Sciences
Note from Robert and Andrew: Building Services and Special Services both contributed to this effort. The Building Services team was led by Rachael Jordan and Quintent Davis. The Special Services team was led by Nelson Riley.
An FM Analyst Stays on Track to Solve a Problem for the Laboratory for Physical Sciences (LPS)
April 4, 2024
Thank you to Li Ping Hong in FM's Business Office for resolving a frustrating situation involving lease payments.
"I love Li – she does a great job for LPS."
"Thanks for staying on top of this."
Jonas Wood, Engineer, Electrical & Computer Engineering
Tracey Skinner, Sr. Associate General Counsel & Real Estate Practice Lead
Service Excellence on Display by Special Services
February 7, 2024
Thank you, Nelson Riley and your team, for the excellent work moving over 30 pallets for the libraries in 2023/24. Their prompt and tireless work made big move easy for the library staff. Campus movers' teamwork and can-do attitude was a pleasure to work with. We appreciate you, FM!
Leah Haworth, Library Services Specialist
And that's not all:
Nelson and his team were excellent partners on a long-term collections transfer project between Hornbake and Severn Libraries. Over a period of seven months they consistently ensured we were on their monthly schedule, got the work done quickly and efficiently, and were absolutely fantastic to work with. We are grateful for their assistance to us and for what they do for the broader university.
Catherine Mayfield, Librarian II
Ken Riebert: "A Breath of Fresh Air"
March 25, 2024
I just wanted to let you know that Kenneth Riebert has been very helpful in helping our department get vehicles that two new faculty desperately need to do their job. He has been great!
In a time when we get bounce-back emails and a lack of responsiveness, Ken has been a breath of fresh air. Great employee.
Thank you!
John Erwin, Professor and Chair, Department of Plant Science and Landscape Architecture
A "Perfect" Response to Flood in an Animal Research Facility
March 11, 2024
Incidentally, this all took place at the end of a session that Dr. Stutler and I were presenting to the National Capital Area Branch of the American Association of Laboratory Animal Sciences about facility maintenance operations for animal care and use facilities. We were able to use this a real-time example of the progress we’ve made. Well done and please pass along my thanks to your team..
Two Kevins & the Landscape Team Impress SPH
February 8, 2024
"I just wanted to take a minute to let you know about the excellent experience I had with Kevin Brown, Kevin Epps and the rest of their landscape services team. We have just completed construction of a beautiful new outdoor multipurpose space/classroom here at School of Public Health (SPH), in the covered east entrance “overhang” patio area. Kevin Brown worked with me to come up with a plan for installation of our custom benches and site furnishings, taking on the responsibility of receiving shipments from vendors; inventorying the almost 100-piece array of seats, tables and benches; placing everything EXACTLY to my specifications; and installing with such care and attention to detail that there is not a scratch nor a lopsided table anywhere on site. His group finished well ahead of schedule despite some miserable weather.
This project took almost a year and a half for me to complete, and the custom benches were obviously not inexpensive. I truly appreciate how much care Kevin and crew took to make sure things look perfect, and the pride they obviously take in their work. I will work with Kevin to come up with a care plan for the space, and make sure that SPH budgets for maintenance service going forward to ensure that the space looks great for years to come. Thank you so much for providing their services!"
Jennifer Reed, Assistant Project Director, Capital Projects, Facilities & Special Events
Sounds Great in the Physics Building
January 19, 2024
"As we approach the start of the spring semester, I wanted to take a moment to thank you and your teams for the tremendous effort to improve the sound quality in the physics lecture halls and classrooms 0405 and 1402. I have visited all of the spaces and experienced the vast improvements which will make teaching and learning in these heavily used classrooms a much better experience. We are grateful to you all for the hard work and thoughtful solutions implemented here."
Hilary Gossett, Director Academic Facilities
Quiet & Non-intrusive Competence from Area Maintenance
July 29, 2023
Thank you to Josue Lorenzana, the North Zone Staff and Brandon Naylor!
Mr. Lorenzana was instrumental in getting the High Bay Lights changed at the C. D. Mote Building in the High Bay Area. He along with the rest of the Area Maintenance North Zone Staff worked diligently and safely in cramped quarters in a safe and organized manner. Brandon Naylor (Electric 5) assisted Area Maintenance with replacing ballasts in light fixtures. They worked with customers to get the job done without causing disturbances and to allow the customers to safely complete their tasks also.
- Mark Farrell, Assistant Manager, OM&U Area Maintenance
CRC & OM&U Electrical Group Team Up to Support LPS
June 26, 2023
Thank you to James Dumas, Gus Rodriquez, Erick Molina, Kendra Goodson and Tim Reardon.
I wanted to drop a quick note and say how thankful I was for your folks last night and this morning with our electrical issues. I can’t say enough good about the exceptional work and support your teams continue to provide to the Laboratory for Physical Sciences (LPS) Electric Shop.
Big Thanks to James Dumas who got out of bed and returned to help me at 3 a.m. – he left his shift at 1130 p.m. last night. Eric and Gus are both always exceptional. They arrived onsite and stayed with me until the issue was stable this morning, even dealing with the other campus issues in between getting the LPS back on track.
Work Control: They're an exceptional department. KC & Tim and several others who started to call me at 11 p.m. last night. I’m sure they dread waking folks up,. All the work control staff are always upbeat, professional and pleasant. They watch my back 24/7 and we appreciate their effort. Thank you!
- Jonas Wood, Manager Electrical & Computer Engineering, LPS
DOTS Appreciates FM's Work
June 21, 2023
"To Kristy Long's team, OM&U, the Sign Shop - you guys were all amazing partners in getting all these signs and road markings updated and installed in a timely fashion [for the micromobility safety program]. I just want to give my thanks to you guys."
- Marta Woldu, Assistant Director, Department of Transportation Services (DOTS)
Rachel Zhao Makes a Difference
June 9, 2023
"You are a true TREASURE! Thank you so much for stopping by to walk me through my payroll and budget questions. Your patience and pointers are deeply appreciated."
- Ava-Lisa Macon, Director FM Human Resources
Thank you to the Solid Waste Team
June 7, 2023
To Jay Smith and the Solid Waste Team - "I want to compliment you and your team on the terrific job that was performed for move out trash collection. I know that you are experiencing staff challenges and we here in Residential Facilities really appreciated the great work of what your team did as this is a monumental challenge. Please pass this on to your staff as we wanted to make sure you and your team are recognized. thanks so much."
- Keith Smith, Assistant to Associate Director Building Services Department of Residential Facilities
IRU, Renovation Services
February 28, 2023
"About six weeks ago our suite of offices in 2110 H. J. Patterson Hall, the Office of International Affairs, was essentially destroyed by a flood that occurred over the weekend and kept pouring water into the offices... I went in today and am absolutely amazed at what an outstanding job these gentlemen and their crews have done. There is no mold at all, and what furniture could be salvaged is back in the correct offices. It looks as if nothing happened. I have been in this job for 25 years and would really like to commend them on having done such an excellent job. We are lucky to have them at the university."
- Lucie Covey, Executive Assistant to the Associate Vice President for International Affairs
Kris Phillips
October 27, 2022
"I'm writing just to say how appreciative I am to be working with Kris Phillips. He is so focused on taking an unbiased, honest, and campus-wide perspective in his thinking, planning, and communicating. He is an excellent partner in our academic facilities efforts and we are lucky to have him on our team."
- Professor Elizabeth Beise, Associate Provost, Academic Planning and Programs
E&E Team
July 8, 2022
"We can't thank you enough for all your careful, detailed inspections that continue to help us. You are very rare, my brother, and we are so lucky to have family like you and Don who allow the teamwork that makes the dream work. You guys have definitely made this a better dining hall as a result of your expertise and I want to let you know it means the world to us!"
- Greg Thompson, Assistant Director, UMD Dining Services Maintenance
Li Ping Hong
July 7, 2022
"I am so appreciative of your abilities and your consistent, positive engagement. From feeling somewhat overwhelmed, I am again reminded that I have many colleagues in FM who are genuinely kind and supportive."
- David Shaughnessy, FM/Engineering & Energy Assistant Director; Utilities