The DowntownDC Business Improvement District’s (BID) dedicated Safety/Hospitality and Maintenance (SAM) employees entered the abstract world of architecture this July at their employee of the month meeting hosted by the National Building Museum (401 F Street NW). Not only were awards handed out this month, but the SAMs got a surprise trip to the “beach” thanks to the museum’s The BEACH installation running now through Labor Day.
SAMs were introduced to Chase W. Rynd, who serves as president and executive director of the National Building Museum as well as a board member and incoming board treasurer for the DowntownDC BID. BID Maintenance Services Manager Ronald E. Jones, thanked the museum and Rynd for being strong supporters of the BID and the SAM program. Rynd expressed appreciation for the SAMs, saying “I love being on the BID board because of everything you do. You make Downtown so welcome and so safe.” Rynd then highlighted the museum’s unique indoor “beach” with nearly 1 million glimmering plastic balls meant to simulate the ocean.
The BEACH, the latest program in the museum’s “Summer Block Party” series, is open July 4 through Labor Day, Sept. 7. The cost of admission for museum members is $10 per adult and $5 per youth, student or senior. For non-members, admission is $16 per adult and $13 per youth, student or senior. Military adults are $10. Admission is first-come, first-served with no timed entry. Season passes for The BEACH are also available for purchase.
[Read more about The BEACH here.]
As a thank you for the work the SAMs do for Downtown, Rynd offered free passes to each of the SAMs for The BEACH and invited them to take a sneak peek at the exhibit following the employee meeting.
BID Human Resources Manager Parker Roach next introduced the Summer Youth Employment Program (SYEP) interns working at the BID this summer. This is the 12th year the BID has served as a host employer for SYEP, a program through the District Department of Employment Services which employs District youth through subsidized placements in the private and government sectors. This year, the BID will have eight SYEP interns: three in the Operations department and one each in the Public Space Management, Economic Development, Finance and HR/Communications departments as well as at the BID-sponsored National Cherry Blossom Festival.
Roach encouraged the SAMs and BID staff to “help them, guide them, [and] teach them,” while the interns are working with the BID.
Following some fun facts about the museum, birthday announcements and a game of historical trivia, the June SAM of the Month winners were announced. Each month two SAMs are chosen for the awards due to their outstanding service. The awards for June went to: Donna Riley for the Safety and Hospitality team and Julio Mendez for the Maintenance team.
Donna Riley has been employed with the BID for 15 years and witnessed the dramatic transformation of Downtown, she said, including the redevelopment of abandoned buildings into office centers and the welcoming feeling that has accompanied the new people, jobs and nightlife in downtown. Donna stated, “When you help someone, it’s a good feeling.” Donna last won SAM of the Month in 2014. In 2002, the Restaurant Association of Metropolitan Washington (RAMW) and the-then Washington DC Convention and Tourism Corporation selected Donna as one of five citywide finalists for the Hospitality Employee of the Year Award. Donna is a D.C. resident and a Redskins fan. She has one daughter and one grandson with a second grandson on the way.
Julio Mendez has been with the BID for the last 10 years and has won the honor of SAM of the Month many times during his tenure, with his last win in 2012. Julio enjoys his time at the BID, stating that he appreciates the citizens he encounters on the street as well as his colleagues at the organization. Outside of work, he likes spending time with his wife and watching television, especially sports on ESPN and Fox Sports.