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EFMABC member profile – Romeo Mihailov
Romeo Mihailov
School District No. 43, Coquitlam
A selfmotivated desire to learn, the joy of supporting others, and a positive attitude.
Romeo Mihailov, Manager of Maintenance, Electrical & Mechanical at the Port Coquitlam School District No. 43., thrives on the challenges that come with working in one of the largest school districts in B.C.
With approximately 32,000 students attending 70 schools throughout the district, SD No. 43 brings many daily challenges, but Mihailov sees it in a different light.
“There are no challenges here. Just excitement,” he says. “But I am motivated by challenges, and I thrive on finding solutions to problems.”
After immigrating to Canada from Romania with his family in 1989, Mihailov completed school, became a Red Seal Certified Electrician, and began his career as an electrician working in the construction industry. He then shifted into the hospitality industry where he spent 20 years managing facilities for hotels and resorts in Vancouver, as well as four years working as a project manager in France.
He went on to become a Red Seal Certified Electrical FSR Class A, 4th Class Power Engineering Technician and a Certified Facility Management Administrator. While working in the hospitality industry, Mihailov learned other trades including plumbing, carpentry, HVAC, and fire alarm systems that would help him better understand and perform in his facility management positions.
Prior to joining SD No. 43 in May 2021, he was the Facilities Manager at the City of New Westminister for three years, and the Trades Manager at UBC for two years.
In his current position as Manager of Maintenance, Electrical & Mechanical, Mihailov’s focus is to manage projects and operational duties, and he administers a team of electricians, HVAC technicians, plumbers, and fire technicians. He also oversees implementation and execution of the Annual Facility Grant projects.
“I have enjoyed every part of every job I have had, I learned so much from each trade, and I am very happy that I choose the path of leading others,” he says. “I love to work with people, I am passionate about making a difference, and I like helping my coworkers.”
He shares one of his favourite quotes from the book, Alive at Work: The Neuroscience of Helping Your People Love What They Do, by Daniel M. Cable: “Humble leadership works not by demanding perfection, but its oppositeby showing that humans are never perfect and must explore, fail, and practice in order to learn and improve.”
Mihailov lives in Vancouver with his wife and two children, aged seven and 14. He enjoys playing tennis and skiing with his family and friends, he speaks three languages fluently – English, French, and Romanian,
Mihailov hiking the Grouse Grind in 2017 with Henrik and Daniel Sedin of the Vancouver Canucks
and he is a fervent hiker and climbs the Grouse Grind in North Vancouver 30 to 40 times per year! In 2017, he had the opportunity to hike the Grind with members of the Vancouver Canucks.
“I always chase experience in my life,” says Mihailov. “I am learning every day and I try to share my skills, knowledge, and experience with others.” n
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