How long have you worked at Buffalo State University and if applicable what other areas have you worked/positions have you served in at Buffalo State University?
11 years. I started in grounds, 6 weeks later I applied and was awarded a second shift general mech. assistant position. Before going on second shift, I spent 8 months working out of all the trades shops proving my skills and knowledge level. Then I spent 6 months on second shift. After which I was brought back on to days. A short time later (7 years ago), I applied and was awarded second shift supervisor. Since then, we have been keeping up with the workload even though we have been losing personnel and not replacing them. I am the electrician, HVAC, plumber, painter, and supervisor all in one.
What motivates you to provide excellent services for your colleagues, students, and supervisor?
I enjoy the work that I do. It gives me that warm fuzzy feeling when I am able to take care of anyone’s problems, whether it's dealing with the fire alarm system, electrical, HVAC, energy management, painting, plowing, roofing, etc. This campus gives me a place where I feel at home with an extended family and adds purpose to my life.
What personal philosophy about working with others guides your day-to-day work?
I was brought up being taught that if you are going to do something, you do it all the way. I try to instill this in everyone I work with.
What do you do when you are not working?
Unfortunately, all I have been doing is working. Without the pay going up with inflation I have been working every day off I get, just to get by for over 4 years now. I would, one day soon, like to go hiking for a weekend, or at least go see my grandmother in Ohio. If I am not working then I am sleeping, maybe a couple hours of loud music before bed.
He always goes out of his way to help. To give an example, a student dropped their keys down a storm drain and he went over right away to help and got the keys out instantly. He is always responding to work orders like this, and truly cares about all faculty, staff, and students.
He is the best representative for CSEA. As he works second shift, he helps and supports many campus activities. For example, he is here for the fashion show, planetarium, and graduation to respond to any maintenance related issues. During the winter, he was the only one who responded to assist with snow removal. He also actively steered geese away that were attacking the students.
He comes in earlier than expected and checks with all the daytime supervisors for follow up, so he knows what is going on before he starts his shift. He communicates issues to promote a safe campus during the late afternoon/evening time. With working 2nd shift and classes ending, he is dealing with situations that occur after the eyes of the campus are gone and he goes out of his way to ensure a safe environment for students. He is always positive and willing to help others, whether it is faculty, staff, students, or coworkers. He always has a smile and a killer laugh – you can be down the hallway and you will know it is him, just by hearing his laugh. He is always in a good mood, and you never see him having a bad day.
There are two groups that work second shift – one group does painting, and if there is a job that needs additional resources, he will bring in people from the other shift to get the job done to make sure it is done in a timely manner. He will respond to immediate concerns on campus when he is working, whether it is a flood with heavy rains or snow removal. He always works well with others.
He responds to both resident housing and academic issues on second shift. Anything from a clogged toilet to a leaking ceiling. Anything day-to-day life that goes under the radar and he will resolve the issue. He speaks with the students and gets to know them well. He knows where the problem areas are, he already knows what the issue is because he has the campus knowledge.
Randy adapts and overcomes adversity. – With the current state of the budget, he has changed how he does things to reduce cost for the campus.
Randy handles many student issues during the evening hours, especially to help control either the hot or cold temperatures in the residence halls to make sure students are comfortable. He is always positive and happy when he comes in to work his shift. Even though Randy does not work on the HVAC team, he is always asking me what he can do to provide support during his shift. We started with 10 people in our department and are now down to 5, and we manage all the filters in each building on campus, and it takes time to go through the over 40 buildings to get this work done. Randy supports our team and will have some of the staff from second shift take on some work to support the HVAC department, so our campus operates smoothly. He is always willing to collaborate with departments on getting the work done and provides a caring environment for students, faculty, and staff on campus.
