DTLB Alliance Operations Manager Juan Torres, Safety Ambassador Joseph Marshall, Clean Team Member Carmen Carballo, Block By Block Operations Manager Sara Payne, and DTLB Alliance Sr. Vice President & Deputy CEO James Ahumada
Meet Carmen Carballo and Joseph Marshall, the Downtown Long Beach Clean and Safe Team Employees of the Quarter, who were recognized during an awards luncheon at The Carvery last week. “They’ve both been very dedicated and are great to work with,” said Juan Torres, the DTLB Alliance’s Operations Manager.
Carballo and Marshall heard their names announced in front of their Clean and Safe Team colleagues as well as DTLB Alliance staff and representatives from Block by Block, the company contracted by the DTLB Alliance to manage the teams. They were presented with certificates and received an enthusiastic ovation from everyone in attendance.
Carmen Carballo receiving her award at the Clean & Safe Team luncheon
Originally from Guatemala, Clean Team member Carballo has been in the USA for well over 30 years. She commutes to work from her home in Cambodia Town. Known for her commitment to her job, she works six days a week from 7:15 AM to 3 PM. She has a son and a daughter and thinks about them quite a bit while working. “They are my most important inspirations,” she said. She has been on the Clean Team for close to a year.
Marshall, who grew up on the south side of Chicago, lives in mid-town Long Beach and has been a Safety Ambassador for about five months. He spends his work day “communicating, thinking about how to approach people, taking body posture and tone of voice into consideration, being observant, and learning how people tick, from people on the street to business owners,” he said. “The Safety Ambassadors are trying to reach people and making sure we’re there for everyone.”
Both award winners like to visit Downtown on their off days. Carballo loves the food and atmosphere at Kalaveras at the Pike Outlets. Marshall discovered Jean Machine on The Promenade while working and now includes it in his Downtown shopping excursions. He enjoys the shoreline bike path and the great selection of Downtown eateries. “Down here you get a plethora of food choices, which I like to share with my friends,” he said.
Clean & Safe Team members during awards luncheon at The Carvery
Carballo and Marshall are excellent representatives of the Clean and Safe Teams, who work tirelessly to help make Downtown the best it can be. Don’t hesitate to greet the red-shirted team members next time you encounter them on a Downtown street! They are working for your benefit and they appreciate meeting you and getting your positive encouragement.