Downtown’s Clean and Safe Teams gathered for a luncheon in late March to honor their Employees of the Quarter, Kevyn Brooks and Ricardo Montes. The Teams also received a collective pat on the back for their efforts getting DTLB ready for the International Downtown Association (IDA) + California Downtown Association (CDA) Place Matters Conference, which took place two weeks earlier.
“We put a lot of pressure on the teams because we wanted to show off Downtown Long Beach to the hundreds who came to CDA from all over the state,” said Sara Payne, Operations Manager for Block by Block, the company contracted by the DTLB Alliance to manage the Clean and Safe Teams. “Everyone did a great job, but Kevyn and Ricardo really shined with their attitudes and attention to detail.”
The festivities took place at EggBred, the breakfast and lunch spot on the ground floor of Shoreline Gateway (Downtown’s tallest skyscraper) at the corner of Ocean Boulevard and Alamitos Avenue. The Teams, their supervisors, and DTLB Alliance staff heard congratulatory words from CEO Austin Metoyer.
Names of awardees are kept under wraps until the day of the luncheon, but it was no surprise when Brooks and Montes were announced as the winners. “In the days leading up to CDA, these two definitely stood out,” said Payne.
After the awards were presented, Economic Development & Policy Manager Stephanie El Tawil divided the attendees into teams for a lively, movie-themed game of Charades. Clue givers were masked up so they couldn’t mouth the answers to their highly competitive teammates!
Kristopher Feo leading the movie-themed game of charades
When the luncheon ended, it was time for Brooks to clock in for his shift as a Safe Team Ambassador. He works five, sometimes six evenings a week. “I want to excel,” he said. “Anything I do, I take it personally and want to be number one.”
Brooks, who was born in Chicago and raised in Los Angeles, lives in Wilmington with his wife and three young children. Fellow award winner Montes, originally from Torrance, lives in San Pedro with his wife, son, and stepson.
Montes is a Clean Team member who got the opportunity to put his skills to work on Downtown planters and flower beds after Block by Block leadership heard about his extensive landscaping experience. “I love the nature and greenery, keeping it nice,” he said. “I get spiritual enrichment from it.”
On days off, Montes spends lots of time worshipping and serving at his church. “If I’m not busy at work, I’m busy there,” he explained. Like Montes, Brooks cherishes family time on his off days. He also loves to reward himself by relaxing and competing in online video games.
Both winners expressed heartfelt gratitude for their jobs and teammates. Montes mentioned how his colleagues are quick to support and cheer each other up. Brooks agreed. “I’m going to keep it 100,” he declared. “It’s like a family.”
For more info about the Clean & Safe Team, click here.