We continue our departmental features this month with Buildings and Grounds, which is a section of the Finance Department.

Keeping our facilities safe and in top shape is a huge job that requires a lot of responsibilities many of us don't often think about (see pullout). The Building and Grounds section includes seven employees who are responsible for all the maintenance and repair of the buildings and surrounding grounds at the Operations Center, Main Office, GUC Express, and Red Banks. These locations include 14 facilities and a total of 193,000 square feet.

The work involved is often complex and performed by a combination of internal resources and contract services that are managed by Buildings and Grounds personnel.

Project Management

Superintendent of Buildings and Grounds Greg Roberson and Facilities Engineer I Vincent Malvarosa currently share project management duties. As Superintendent, Greg plans, directs, inspects, and documents the work of the section, including contractors performing work for Greenville Utilities as it relates to maintaining our buildings and grounds. Outside contractors provide services such as custodial, pest management, facility access control, elevator maintenance, and HVAC, along with general contractors. Greg also manages the custodial and lawn care contracts for all GUC facilities including the Water and Wastewater Treatment Plants as well as the Liquefied Natural Gas Plant (approximately 183 acres). He is also responsible for GUC's recycling program and corporate signage.

In addition, Greg functions as the project manager on new construction and renovation projects as needed.  For example, Greg recently served as project manager for the GUC's parking lot located in Uptown Greenville, on the corner of Fifth and Pitt Streets.

Vincent will play a key role in the design of our new Operations Center and will be GUC's "boots on the ground lead" when construction begins. In this role, he'll partner with the architect, construction manager, and internal GUC project team to help make the plan a success. Once ground is broken and construction begins, Vincent will spend the majority of his time on site so he can ensure that this huge capital project remains on track and within budget.

Maintenance, Repairs, Service

Mark Nash is the Facilities Maintenance Crew Leader.  Mark plans and executes the work for the section based on established maintenance requirements, as well as requested work. Employees submit Fix-It tickets that are entered into the work order system, and Mark schedules the work needed for the job. Mark is also responsible for stocking supplies and materials for this section. Additionally, Mark coordinates with contractors to perform complex maintenance tasks and is also responsible for dedicating resources for large meeting setups (tables, chairs, staging, and PA system).

Assisting Mark is Facilities Maintenance Technician James Thronburg. James primarily carries out the schedule for preventive maintenance, trouble shooting, and item repairs.  Duties include, but are not limited to, minor carpentry, painting, plumbing, electrical, HVAC, office furniture repair and reconfiguration, and ceiling tile work.

Also assisting Mark is Facilities Maintenance Worker Charles Becton. Charles primarily performs the section's services work.  His duties include setting up for small meetings, keeping parking lots and grounds cleaned, stocking first aid kits, recycling batteries, changing out fire extinguishers, moving items to storage, ordering and stocking break room supplies and beverages, etc. He performs additional maintenance tasks such as changing out ceiling tiles and fluorescent lamps.

In addition to the full-time employees, the Buildings and Grounds section also supports GUC's mission of supporting Pitt County's educational youth career development programs by employing two part-time students, Pitt County Community College Co-Op Gustavo Smith and Pitt County Schools Pre-Apprentice Juan Herrera. The part-time positions enable students to hone their skill-sets and prepare them for future career opportunities.

Storm Support

From storm preparations all the way to recovery, Buildings and Grounds' main goal with storm support is to provide a safe working environment for employees and customers.  This section was heavily involved, for example, in the evacuation of the Operations Center during Hurricane Mathew, and setting up and maintaining the old Lowes Grocery store as the temporary Operations Center. Most recently during the two January storms, Buildings and Grounds staff worked tirelessly to clear snow and ice (with the assistance of outside contractors and other GUC operational staff) from sidewalks and parking lots so that employees and customers could safely conduct business. 

Other Facts About GUC's Buildings and Grounds Section

They utilize five trucks (two are CNG-fueled), one XUV, and one tractor

They help with behind-the-scenes duties like:

• Parking passes and parking lot security
• Badge access to facilities
• Key Control
• Siemens Building Automation System at Main Office
• Backflow Prevention Devices Inspection and Testing
• Perimeter Fencing
• Office storage (like Christmas décor, old files, etc.)
• Office ergonomics when requested by Safety Office

They oversee contractor quality assurance with:

• Security cameras
• Fire alarm systems
• Painting
• HVAC
• Concrete and asphalt repair
• Lawn Care and Landscaping
• Flooring
• Custodial work
• Building exterior cleaning

 Next month, we'll focus on Fleet Management.