Spider Spotlight
A Q&A with Paul Lozo
Maintenance Supervisor, Carpentry
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As maintenance supervisor for carpentry, Paul Lozo overseas upkeep of University buildings. |
By Phillip Gravely
Writer/Editor, University Communications
When did you start at the University?
December 1997.
What were you doing before you came?
I was chief engineer for Interstate Hotels.
What brought you to the University?
I was working in Williamsburg for Interstate but looking for something local after a couple of years of driving back and forth every day. I happened to see an ad in the paper for this job, and that’s what started the whole thing. I had a nephew who went here, so I was familiar with the campus from coming here to pick him up, and I always thought it was such a cool, beautiful place.
How long have you lived in Richmond?
I moved here in 1988 from Raleigh, but I’m originally from upstate New York. I was born in Ogdensburg and raised in Potsdam.
What does your job entail?
I’m primarily responsible for the maintenance and upkeep of the buildings on campus—carpentry, roofing, painting, locks and general maintenance (ceiling and floor tiles, cove base, hanging pictures in offices, etc.).
How many folks are on your staff?
I have 16—three carpenters, five building technicians, one roofer, four painters, two locksmiths and one team leader. We definitely have the resources to get the job done. It’s a great place to work, and I feel we’re taken care of. They want us to do a good job, and they stress quality, but they give us the resources to get it done.
What’s your favorite part of your job?
People. I enjoy the people I work with. I wake up, and I don’t mind coming to work. I love the whole atmosphere created by the people and the campus.
What’s the toughest part of your job?
Making sure the outside contractors doing work for us on campus have the same sense of urgency and attentiveness that we do.
What are your peak busy times?
We have three: summer, winter break and the spring, just before the students leave.
When you’re not here, what are you likely to be doing?
Home projects. Unfortunately, my wife knows I do this for a living, so the “honey-do” list is always long. March through June, I’m also very involved in helping coach my son’s baseball team, and that usually consumes four nights a week.
Tell me something unique about you that your colleagues may not know?
When I was younger, I really wanted a career in law enforcement. My dream job, back then, would have been with the FBI or the CIA. That was always fascinating to me, and I always thought that was the path I was going to take. It’s still fascinating to me, but now that I’m married (to Monica for 16 years) with two kids (Collin, 10, and Alexis, 7). I’m not going to go do anything like that. I’ve got a career here, and I’m happy.
Any other hobbies?
I play golf. I’m an avid racing fan—Nextel Cup all the way down to the local circuit.
Do you think we’ll get the NASCAR Hall of Fame here in Richmond?
I’m feeling better about it. I think it’s a long shot but maybe a legitimate one.
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