Meet The Hickman’s Facilities Team, the Heart of Our Home.
October 24, 2023
When it comes to making The Hickman the amazing place that our residents are proud to call home, it takes a dedicated Facilities team. Part of that team steadfastly working ‘round the clock—often behind the scenes—to ensure that The Hickman is a clean, safe, and happy place for residents is our Facilities Department. Recently, I was lucky to grab Ian Barnett, Director of Facilities, for a few minutes during a busy morning of fall cleanup. Here’s a peek into the day-to-day adventures of our Facilities team. What they do is important in making The Hickman a home!
The Facilities Department includes three different areas: maintenance, housekeeping, and IT/security/concierge. Since joining The Hickman, Ian described how he has worked to assemble and develop a strong team of Facilities staff, a task he is proud to say has been accomplished. “I recently had to travel abroad for a couple of weeks, but I knew that things would be handled properly here in my absence and that I didn’t need to worry,” he shared. He and his team strive to put smiles on residents’ faces and are driven by the reminder that this is not just where they work—more importantly, it’s the residents’ home. So, who is this dream team, and what do they do? Let’s find out.
Maintenance
Brett, Ken, and Ian handle maintenance duties. One of the best aspects of this job, Ian says, is that it’s never the same from one day to the next. At the time of this interview, for example, Ian and his team were working on clearing fallen leaves on the patio, while the next day’s agenda involved checking that our winter readiness supplies were on hand well before they might be needed. The maintenance team ensures proper upkeep of The Hickman both inside and out, such as:
- Safety inspections
- Emergency drills
- Grounds and landscaping
- Vendor management for maintenance of the building and property, such as HVAC and snow removal
The age of the original Hickman building presents an extra challenge when it comes to maintenance, but that’s why preventative measures are so important. “We aim to be proactive and stay on top of routine maintenance while also being prepared for things that are unpredictable and out of our control, like when a sink overflows,” he explained. It’s a big job for a relatively small team, but they seem to handle it all with ease.
Housekeeping
The housekeeping team is vital in keeping things running smoothly and safely at The Hickman. Besides cleaning and assisting residents with laundry, Ian’s housekeeping staff—Maria, Blanca, Lazon, Khanisha, and supervisor Shawn—are also his eyes and ears on the floor from early morning until late afternoon. They are often among the first to notice and report something needing repair and to listen to resident feedback concerning maintenance issues. This emphasis on the little things is a guiding force in the Facilities Department: take time to care for the residents’ rooms and address their concerns, no matter how small. Residents and their families are always encouraged to contact Ian and his staff with any problems or suggestions.
IT/Security/Concierge
No matter how clean and well-maintained, The Hickman wouldn’t quite feel like home if it weren’t safe like home. Jeff Ransom and his concierge team provide 24/7 security at The Hickman, fielding resident questions and concerns and ensuring that campus communications systems work properly. Stay tuned for a more in-depth blog spotlight on this area of the Facilities Department!
We are grateful for the dedication and hard work of our Facilities team! Your commitment to the residents of The Hickman is reflected in the beautiful, clean, and safe place they call home.