Song, smiles trademarks of UCCS Employee of the Quarter

Friloux

Mike Friloux of facilities services at the University of Colorado at Colorado Springs earned Employee of the Quarter honors this term.

His qualifications include singing while cleaning bathrooms, encountering cantankerous wildlife and taming a flaming vacuum cleaner, according to his nomination form. But while these activities are "above and beyond the call of duty," the custodial crew member does his job in Dwire Hall with a spirit and commitment noticed by personnel in the School of Public Affairs. Mary Lou Kartis, assistant to the dean, and Terry Schwartz, associate dean, submitted his nomination.

"Mike takes the time to share a friendly greeting and smile with everyone he meets," Kartis said. "Regardless of what's on his list of things to do each day, Mike tackles each assignment with efficiency and quality. He has a deep understanding of what quality work means; Mike's simply the best. These ideas and thoughts aren't from one single person here in SPA; the entire School of Public Affairs feels this way about Mike."

Friloux has served as a custodian at UCCS for several years, since retiring from the military. "It's not uncommon to see Mike helping students find classrooms in Dwire Hall or a particular faculty or staff member's office," the tribute says. "He doesn't just point the way; he personally escorts students to our office and makes introductions before he leaves."

Friloux has been chased by raccoons and spotted a growling bear when emptying trash early one morning. He laughed off flames when a defective vacuum cleaner shorted out, repairing it and resuming work the next day.
Photo by UCCS on newsletter