Facilities Management recognizes outstanding team members at a special awards ceremony each quarter. Honoring individuals and teams in a number of categories, these awards recognize excellence in safety, customer service and more.
Here we showcase the 2025 award winners ‒ just some of the hardworking staff who keep CU Anschutz running smoothly.
“One of the best parts of my job, and something I feel separates us from the rest of the pack, is the importance we place on recognizing the outstanding contributions of our cherished team members," said Associate Vice Chancellor for Facilities Management and Planning Jay Campbell. "Celebrating our valued employees with these awards is a longstanding tradition we all look forward to each quarter. I cannot thank the award winners enough for the commitment they show every day to safety, customer service and going the extra mile for our campus community.”
Photo at top: The Zone 9 Team
2025 Award Recipients
Customer Service Award: Conferred to those who exemplify top-tier customer service, consistently going above and beyond to support both internal and external stakeholders. Awardees are recognized for positive interactions and problem-solving skills, strengthening trust and collaboration across campus.
Q1:
- Sam Avila, Lead Preventative Maintenance Technician II
- Ernest Ford, Engineering Physical Sciences Technician I
Q2:
- Tristan Dean, Design Customer Service Representative
- Rebeca Orejel, Events General Labor
Q3:
- Steve Becker, Lead Preventative Maintenance Technician II
- John Hyland, Structural Trades II
Q4:
- Corey Hall, Electrical Trades II
- Manuel Orellana, Preventative Maintenance Technician I
Extra Mile Award: Honors those who consistently exceed expectations and step up in critical moments to provide excellent service. Awardees are recognized for willingness to take initiative and solve problems, tackling unexpected challenges and providing seamless support to colleagues and the broader campus community.
Q1:
- Stephen Rohlena, Facilities Support Services Manager
- Dave Thorson, Assistant Manager of Engineering
Q2:
- Tom Power, Lead Electronics Specialist II
- Jese Tovar, Preventative Maintenance Technician I
Q3:
- Iain Baker, Engineering/Arch Program Manager
- Adam Wilkie, Engineering Specialist
Q4:
- Mike Anselmo, Electrical Trades II
- Stephanie Menke, Senior Project Manager
Manager of the Year Award: Celebrates a leader who goes above and beyond to support their team and drive success through integrity, vision and collaboration. Presented annually in Q4.
2025: Heath Dejager, Facilities Manager
Safety Champion Award: Recognizes staff for their commitment to workplace safety, ensuring that protocols are followed and risks are minimized. Awardees are recognized for taking a proactive approach to creating a safer environment for both Facilities Management staff and the broader campus community.
Q1: Cayleb Woods, Lead Preventative Maintenance Technician II
Q2: Will Ross, Zone 9 and 11 Supervisor – CU Denver
Q3: John Hyland, Structural Trades II
Q4: Chris Stelmach, Supervisor, Structural Trades, Project Planner II
Super Star Award: Recognizes an honoree who goes above and beyond consistently throughout the year, delivering exemplary customer service and serving as a positive role model for others. Presented annually in Q4.
2025:
- David Perkins, Engineering/Arch Manager
- Iain Baker, Engineering/Arch Program Manager
Team Customer Service Award: Celebrates teamwork in action. Awardees are honored for demonstrating outstanding collaboration, dedication and service excellence in every interaction.
- Brett Overby, IT Manager
- Tyler Dunlap, IT Senior Professional
- Bryn Poth, IT Professional
- William Ross, Zone Supervisor
- Martin Middlestadt, Lead Preventative Maintenance Technician II
- Felix Martinez, Preventative Maintenance Technician I
- Herbert Vigil, Preventative Maintenance Technician I
- Nicholas Hall, Electrical Trades II
- Manuel Orellana, Preventative Maintenance Technician I
- Paul Thornwall, Preventative Maintenance Technician II
- Marco Narvaez, Lead Preventative Maintenance Technician II
- Jon Spears, Electrician Supervisor
- Mark Cubbage, Lead Electrical Trades II
- Corey Hall, Electrical Trades II
- William Rafferty, Electrical Trades II
- Jorge Franco, Electrical Trades II
- Tsengel (Kevin) Erdenechimeg, Apprentice Electrical Trades I
- Joshua Martinez, Apprentice Electrical Trades I
- Nathan Trujillo, Apprentice Electrical Trades I
- Karl Soderstrom, Apprentice Electrical Trades I
- Tom Power, Lead Electrical Specialist II
- Christopher Genereux, Electrical Trades II
- Vincente Chavez, Electrical Trades II
- Robert Ratliff, Chief Stationary Engineer
- Kenny Castaneda, Operations Supervisor
- George Butler, Utility Plant Operator I
- David Freeman, Utility Plant Operator I
- Steven O’Loughlin, Utility Plant Operator I
- Carlos Jurado, PMT I Utility Plant Tech
- Matthew Carrier, Utility Plant Operator I
- Kameran Harris-Carter, Utility Plant Operator I
- Byron Wood, Utility Plant Operator I
- Brian Moran, Maintenance Supervisor
- Francisco Alvarez, PMT I Utility Plant Tech
- Christopher Gran, Utility Plant Operator I
- Brian Wickowski, PMT I Utility Plant Tech
- Michael Duan, Utility Plant Operator I
- Frank Johnson, Utility Plant Operator
- Neal Seipp, Utility Plant Operator I
- Moises Lopez, Sanchez Utility Plant Operator I
.jpeg "Dave Thorson winning the Extra Mile Award - Greg Gibson (Executive Director of Facilities), Dave Thorson (Assistant Manager of Engineering)")
.jpeg "Iain Baker winning the Extra Mile Award - Lacey Klindt Carter (Assistant Director of Infrastructure, Safety and Compliance), Iain Baker (Regulatory Compliance Program Manager), Duxton Milam (Fire Marshal)")
.jpeg "Adam Wilkie winning the Extra Mile Award - Greg Gibson (Executive Director of Facilities), Adam Wilkie (Engineering Specialist)")
.jpeg "John Hyland winning the Customer Service Award - Greg Gibson, John Hyland (Structural Trades II)")
.jpeg "Stephanie Menke winning the Extra Mile Award - Jay Campbell (Associate Vice Chancellor), Stephanie Menke (Senior Project Manager)")
.jpeg "Mike Anselmo winning the Extra Mile Award - Mike Anselmo (Electrical Trades II), Greg Gibson (Executive Director)")
.jpeg "David Perkins winning the Superstar Award - David Perkins (Engineering/Arch Manager), Jay Campbell (Associate Vice Chancellor)")
.jpeg "Chris Stelmach winning the Safety Champion Award - Chris Stelmach (Supervisor, Structural Trades), Lacey Klindt Carter (Assistant Director, Infrastructure, Safety and Compliance)")
