I’m a custodian at the North Metro Processing and Distribution Center in Duluth, GA. I clean carpets and floors, empty trash cans, recycle cardboard, move furniture, replace light bulbs and support our building equipment team, among other duties.
My shift is 6 a.m.-2:30 p.m., also known as “tour 2.” When I arrive each day, I punch the time clock and check my route sheet, which shows what needs to be done. This is a big building, so there’s always lots to do.
I joined the Postal Service in 1988. My uncle worked for USPS and encouraged me to apply. I began my postal career as a custodian and did that for a few years, then became a painter, then went back to being a custodian.
I’ve accumulated a lot of sick leave during that time — about 2,100 hours. I was on our facility’s “wall of fame” for perfect attendance this year. I believe in coming to work.
Before I joined USPS, I served in the Army as a medical specialist, then transferred to the Marines. I also served in the Marine Reserve, including a stint during the Gulf War from 1990-1991.
When we’re not working, my wife Eleria and I like to travel. We visit a lot of museums. We also enjoy spending time with our children; I have two sons and she has two daughters and a son. Together, we have 12 grandkids. When you work like we do, you have to make sure you have a lot of quality time.
I joined the Postal Service to be a mail handler. I didn’t want to be a custodian. But I ended up liking the job a lot. This organization is like family. There’s a lot of unity.
“On the job,” a series on individual employees and their contributions to the Postal Service, appears regularly in Link.