Road maintenance crew honored with staff-appreciation award
The road maintenance crew, which received an annual customer service award, includes (L-R) Felipe Esparza, Matias Castrejon, Michael Peterson, Ray Cervantes, Russell Gonzales, Ed Gutierrez, David Perkins and Edgar Chavez.
BY EMMANUEL ROMERO
When visitors stroll through campus, they often admire the gardens or marvel at the architecture. However, there is a lot they may take for granted.
A smooth walkway unbroken by overgrown tree roots is one example. The last thing anyone wants is for a parent on campus for Commencement to trip and break a leg, said David Perkins, the lead for Stanford's road maintenance crew.
On April 1, colleagues in the Department of Buildings and Grounds Maintenance presented the entire team with the 2009 Grounds Annual Customer Service Award.
The award, in memory of Grounds Services Supervisor Steve Kaupas, recognizes employees who bring the utmost professionalism, pride and dedication to their work. "When they first announced the criteria of the award, I thought, 'I'll never win that,'" Perkins said with a laugh.
"We were all surprised," said Team Supervisor Edward Gutierrez. He and Perkins noted that neither one of them would have a job were it not for the hard work of the dozen technicians with whom they share this year's award.
Since many road maintenance projects require technicians to work in teams, the award's selection committee decided to recognize the entire crew, said Grounds Supervisor Mary Nolan, who won the award in 2007.
"They're just a great bunch of guys," Nolan said. "If I want them to do anything, I don't have to ask twice. It's done."
Nolan, who served on the selection committee, pointed out that customer feedback for the crew was notably positive, with technicians receiving many compliments for their courtesy and cleanliness. Jobs sometimes required technicians to work overtime at night or on weekends, such as when the crew distributed sandbags throughout campus during the winter storms of 2008.
"It's miserable work," she said. "But they're willing to come in and do it, and there's no complaints."
The road crew is at its busiest before two major university events: New Student Orientation and Commencement. The crewmembers' most common tasks have them repairing concrete roads and pathways, sometimes in hot weather. The crew, also sensitive to the concerns of faculty and students, tries to schedule jobs that require the use of loud power tools when classes are not in session.
Over the last year, the road crew has repaired the campus post office's wheelchair ramp and replaced the estimated 500 bollards that designate areas as off-limits to cars. (People sometimes tripped on the slots of the old bollards, which made them safety hazards.) The crew also takes on projects in faculty and student housing areas.
Gutierrez, who has worked at Stanford for 28 years, and Perkins, here for 15 years, both feel a strong personal tie to the Stanford community.
"You get to know everybody," Gutierrez said. His name and an acknowledgement that applies to his crew will be added to a special plaque that is set in stone in the Grounds Service yard at Bonair Siding.
Steve Kaupas, in whose memory the Customer Service Award was created, died of a heart attack in 2004. His former colleagues remember him as a detail-oriented and supportive team player with a positive attitude. Both Perkins and Gutierrez knew Kaupas personally and say they are humbled to receive this honor along with their crew.
"Hopefully, we can continue to do Steve justice," Perkins said.
Emmanuel Romero is an intern at the Stanford News Service.
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