Behind the Scenes: Facilities Director Mike Zulla Starting a new job can be nerve-wracking.
management system to handle facilities
But starting a new job in the middle of
requests, and overhauled the entire
a global health crisis brings a new level
cleaning process for the campus
of uncertainty. That’s what Mike Zulla
and classrooms
encountered in May 2020 when he
And he made it look easy.
joined Peck as Director of Facilities.
“The thing about facilities work is it’s
Zulla, charged with the safety and
mostly behind the scenes,” said Director
sanitation of the entire 247 South
of Finance and Operations Andrew
Street campus, knew he had a tall order
Schneider. “Mike and the facilities team
to fill if Peck was to resume in-person
have worked efficiently and expertly to
learning for the 2020-21 school year.
keep our campus up and running.”
A key member of the school’s Covid
Schneider attributes Zulla’s success
Task Force, Zulla not only helped
to his technical skills, emotional
develop the campus reopening plan,
intelligence, and a personal approach
but he also oversaw the installation
to leadership during this unique
of hundreds of feet of plexiglass,
year. Zulla says the community at
more than 100 hand sanitizer
Peck has also helped make the
units, and dozens of mini-campus
transition smooth.
signs. He also upgraded the HVAC
“The culture at Peck promotes
systems, implemented a new project
psychological safety, collaboration, teamwork, and open dialogue,” he said. “It really made me feel comfortable.” Zulla said leading a department through a pandemic has helped him become more resilient and flexible. He stays up-to-date on best practices in facilities management and sanitation through his memberships in multiple professional organizations. He emphasized that leadership is often shown in ways that people may not even notice. Part of successfully managing the operations of a 14-acre campus means being proactive and anticipating needs before they are realized. “If we don’t hear anything, that’s good news!” he laughed. In the next three to five years, Zulla plans to focus on process improvement, data-driven planning, and professional development and training for his staff. Peck News
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