John Garossino: Still having fun after 24 years in operations By Gloria Taylor
After 24 years in operations at British Columbia schools, John Garossino has learned a lot about taking care of the physical needs of the schools under his jurisdiction. But looking back on a satisfying career, he’s also developed a keen appreciation for how valuable it is for individuals to find the career path that is right for them. And that includes enjoying your work. “You’ve got to enjoy your work. If you don’t have fun doing what you do then you shouldn’t be doing it,” emphasizes John.* John’s career in public education started as a custodial shift supervisor in 1990 in Delta, B.C., with School District No. 37. He attributes his success in advancing to the assistant manager’s position in that district, and his ability to advance to the position in Kamloops, later in his career, to the mentorship that he received from his manager, John Vantol. Both are members of the Educational Facility Managers Association of British Columbia (EFMA B.C.), formerly the School Plant Officials Association of British Columbia (SPOA B.C.). 12
Ops Talk • Fall 2014
John moved in March of 1999 to School District No. 73, as manager of custodial services/occupational health and safety in Kamloops. In 2004, he moved into the operations manager’s position in the same district, where he was mentored under the leadership of another SPOA/ EFMA member, Art McDonald. In September of 2007, John became director of facility services with the Coast Mountains Board of Education in Terrace, B.C. After a rich and full career, where he obtained the kind of experience that makes him an asset in any operations position, John considered retirement last year – but not for long. When a job opportunity became available last December, he applied, and happily accepted, a position as manager of maintenance services for School District No. 22 in Vernon, where he started a new career this past March. John and his wife Lisa had plans to retire in their home in the Kamloops area. Since Lisa had an opportunity to transfer from her work in September, she moved to Kamloops, where John was going to
join her upon retirement. He says he is very fortunate that Lisa has a great sense of humour and adventure. “After 32 years, we both can still go with the flow and find the positive things in any situation,” he smiles. Today, he puts his wide experience to work running the trades crews, from carpenters and groundskeepers to electricians and plumbers, among many other duties. Once again, he says he was prepared to make a five-year commitment to his new job – “as long as they’ll have me and as long as I’m having fun” – despite having to delay his ambition to someday teach scuba-diving, a sport he and his wife both love. He chuckles at the thought, but there is another reason; a personal reason, he confides, that his current job is just perfect at this time. “I work with a great maintenance team here, with lots of support from the district; but the real benefit is Lisa and I are close to our children and grandchildren. It really is a blessing being able to visit the grandkids and be a part of their lives!”
