Staff news February 2024

February 7, 2024

New hires

Group photo of new employees that joined Facilities Management since January 2024 — New employees participating in the Jan. 29 onboarding session included, from left, Oleksii (Alex) Gavrylenko, James Grady, Trequan Trent-Michie and Quianie Moore.

Duha Aykan, student worker, Office for Sustainability
Arthur Brower II, HVAC senior assistant, Housing Facilities
Oleksii Gavrylenko, elevator assistant mechanic, Elevators
James Grady, custodian, E&G Custodial Services
Phillip Guzman, custodian, E&G Custodial Services
John Harley, electrician, Construction & Renovation Services
Alexandra Kawecki, controls engineering technician, Automation Services
Darrell Major, painter, Housing Facilities
Quianie Moore, heat plant supervisor, Heat Plants
Donald Morris, carpenter, Newcomb Zone Maintenance
Rick Morris, custodian, E&G Custodial Services
Dakota Peregoy, utilities supervisor, Utilities
Luis Ramirez, custodial supervisor, E&G Custodial Services
Bridgit Roberts, custodian, E&G Custodial Services
Trequan Trent-Michie, trades utility worker, Utilities
Sindy Velasquez, custodian, E&G Custodial Services
Scott Watson, carpenter, Construction & Renovation Services

Transfers & Promotions

Travis Castellanos, HVAC mechanic, Newcomb Zone Maintenance
Ronnie Herring, recycling worker, Recycling
Ryan McCarthy, plumber, Newcomb Zone Maintenance

Organizational Announcements

A standing sign points toward the temporary Customer Support Center

Starting Feb. 1, the Academic Customer Support Center has relocated to a temporary area to allow for a renovation of their space in the lower level of the Leake Building. To obtain a visitor parking pass, service vehicle keys or other in-person assistance, follow signage directing to the Construction & Renovation Services area near Bree Knick's office in lower-level Leake. Office supplies and the printer have been relocated to the Operations and Energy & Utilities management area near Kim Breeden's office.

Educational & Professional Accomplishments

Occupational Programs recently received a $102,000 grant from the Jefferson Trust to support a new Community Connections program. In partnership with the Charlottesville communities and surrounding counties, Facilities Management will use the grant funds to expand a workforce development pipeline program for middle- and high-schoolers to work towards pre-apprenticeship certification in skilled trades.

Spreading Smiles

Katie Steele and Fiona Hogan smile at the camera, while Fiona is donating blood

Thank you to all who participated in the Facilities Management Blood Drive on Jan. 25. Thirty-two donors signed up and 25 units were collected. Forty one percent of participants were first time donors. The Red Cross has reserved June 27, for the next FM Blood Drive, the location is TBD. Check out more photos of the Jan. 25 FM Blood Drive.

Best Wishes to FM Retirees

Barry Napier, Chiller Plant supervisor, retired Jan. 28 after 26 years of service. Napier first joined the University in 1998 and served for many years with what was then-known as the HVAC Maintenance Services team (cost center 84), before joining the Chiller Plants team in 2009. “Your patience and steadfast demeanor to support the University are both hallmarks of your personality that we all enjoyed and benefited from regularly,” according to his retirement letter. Napier served for many years as an on-the-job trainer for the UVA Apprenticeship Program and was known for his dependability, responding to emergencies at all hours and even on holidays, and his willingness to take on any task.