Meet the November Facilities Management Employees of the Month

Ohio University Facilities Management and Safety (FMS) has announced the November 2019 awardees of its Employee of the Month program, which recognizes exceptional performance by its employees.

All OHIO employees are invited to nominate FMS employees for this award using the nomination form on the FMS website. Nominations will be accepted at any time during the year. 

This month’s winners are Danny Counts and Barry Douglas.

Counts, a project manager in Design and Construction, was nominated by Adam Dannaher. Here is sampling of what he wrote:

“Danny is a high performing project manager with the ability to balance many projects at once. He is an effective communicator, which enables him to develop successful strategies to complete all phases of construction. His organization skills make project tasks flow easily. His knowledge of construction gives him the ability to make quick decisions and solve difficult problems. He works well with designers and construction staff, which minimizes additional costs or change orders and also works well with user groups and Facilities Management and keeps everyone informed. His attitude always remains positive.” 

A closer look at Danny Counts:

What is your family like? I have four children. My three boys are 10-year-old twins and a 6-year-old. My daughter is 11 months old.

What do you like most about your job? Seeing the direct impact and benefit that improved facilities provides students.

What do you do in your spare time? I hunt, fish, hike and enjoy other outdoor activities.

What is on your bucket list? Sky diving.

What advice do you have for prospective OHIO candidates? Once you get hired, vow to do your best and have a positive, always be kind outlook.

What other job would you like at Ohio University? Grounds crew. I like mowing grass.

What advice do you have for prospective OHIO job candidates? Ohio University is a great place to spend your career, so enjoy the ride and the opportunities.

What is great about working at Ohio University? We help our future generation succeed.

Douglas, a residential custodian on West Green, was nominated by West Green Custodial staff, who wrote:    

“A part of what makes Barry a great employee is his attitude. He not only does his job well; he also builds positive relationships. He is liked and respected by his coworkers, the housing staff and the residents. This kind of work ethic and attitude is a key factor that we can often lose sight of when thinking about what it takes to be a good employee.”

A closer look at Barry Douglas:

What is your family like? Close, fun and outgoing.

What do you like most about your job? Working with my co-workers and interacting with students.

What do you do in your spare time? I hunt and fish and ride four-wheelers and my motorcycle.

What is on your bucket list? Riding my motorcycle out west to see Mount Rushmore and the Black Hills.

How has OHIO helped your career development? It has taught me to be diverse.

Where do you see yourself in five years? Still employed at the University, maybe in maintenance.

What advice do you have for prospective OHIO candidates? Good luck on anything and everything you choose to do at the University.

What is your favorite part about working at OHIO? Meeting new students and learning more about them – where they are from, etc.

Tell us something about you we may not know? I worked on a chicken farm in Pennsylvania for Campbell’s Chicken Noodle Soup.