This month the DowntownDC BID’s Safety/Hospitality and Maintenance employees (SAMs) gathered for the SAM of the Month meeting at the Navy Memorial (Pennsylvania Avenue between 7th and 9th Streets).
The beautiful memorial features an outdoor public plaza, and the Naval Heritage Center indoors. At the plaza, the Lone Sailor statue stands guard over the circular granite space, which is surrounded by fountains and flagpole masts. Inside the Naval Heritage museum, displays include historical information about the sea services, and a gift shop sells unique navy-related items and memorabilia.
The event recognized the two SAMs of the Month, Safety/Hospitality Team Member Alvin Chase and Maintenance Team Member Robinson Reyes.
Alvin Chase joined the SAMs team 14 years ago, and enjoys meeting visitors from all over the world and helping them discover Downtown. The DC native brings a smile and a sense of humor to his work, and his supervisor Dion Simmons added that he represents the brand of the BID perfectly. “Alvin’s approachable and friendly, he’s never late, his uniform is always looking sharp, he gives 110%. He’s a true SAM.”
In his spare time, Alvin enjoys being with his family, including his wife, his four sons and four grandsons, with another on the way. He’s also a former boxer. “I’ve been boxing since the age of 11, but recently stopped,” he says. “So now I go to the gym and help the kids there,” he adds with a smile.
Maintenance Team Member Robinson Reyes has been with the BID since 2009. “It’s not the first time I selected him,” says supervisor Robert Crowe. “He has a great attitude, great attendance, his appearance is always neat, and he takes care of his zones well.” He noted Robinson’s positive attitude and his flexibility. When asked to do something extra or something different, he has no problem making the transition, says Robert. He often helps outside of his zone when extra needs come up in Franklin Park, where problems like erosion and food trash can be challenging.
Robinson, who used to work for a painting company, likes his work as a SAM. “I like my boss, and the people I work with. And I like making people in the street happy with what we do, trying to keep the city clean.” In his free time, he likes to be with his family, including his four-year-old daughter. “She doesn’t like to just be at home. She likes to go out! So I take her to the playground or a game place.”