Facilities cuts
budget by 35 percent

Mark Kersh

Bernell Michel

PASADENA—Twelve Facilities Department employees were terminated and three were retired in September, reducing the department’s budget by 35 percent, according to Dale Trow, Facilities administrator.

"The Facilities Department played a key role in clearing buildings of surplus items to prepare the headquarters facility for the close of escrow, and they assisted with auctions," Mr. Trow said. "Most of that work is now complete."

Mr. Trow noted that almost one third of Facilities’ expenses are general operational expenses for headquarters and cover such things as telephone, utilities and property tax.

In addition, Facilities must ensure that the property is in compliance with regulatory agencies and remains a safe place for employees and visitors.

"We’re not taking on any new projects," Mr. Trow said, "but with 80 buildings on 50 acres, we must perform minimal maintenance tasks to protect the value of the property."

Facilities also assists Legacy engineers, architects and other consultants with information about the physical plant to facilitate planning. Facilities employees have briefed Legacy on existing infrastructure, conducting behind the scene tours and providing drawings and other documentation necessary for Legacy’s project planning.

"I’m constantly amazed at the talent, dedication and work ethic of the men and women in the department," Mr. Trow said. "You would be hard pressed to find a more versatile group of experts under one roof. The average tenure for Facilities employees is 18 years, so our staff has come to know this property inside out. Everyone has been flexible and helped in whatever ways have been necessary. We’ve accomplished many seemingly impossible tasks by partnering for team days to combine limited resources into an effective work group."

Mr. Trow continued: "Even though we’ve known for six years that the Facilities Department would be phased out, it doesn’t make these mass terminations any easier. We’re a tight-knit group, a family. Departing employees received the news graciously and many expressed their appreciation for the opportunity they’ve had to serve over the years."

The retired employees, their job functions and years of service to the Worldwide Church of God are Bernell Michel, recreation supervisor, 47 years; Mark Kersh, patrol supervisor, 37 years; and Peter Spiroff, equipment mechanic, 16 years.

The following employees were terminated: Eric Alvarez, groundskeeper: Dirk Brewster, custodian; Dale Coker, lead groundskeeper; Michael Coker, groundskeeper; Jeffrey Eisen, plumber; Amelia Flores, custodian; John Lyons, lead painter; Robert Lyons, painter; Socorro Martinez, custodian; Allen Miller, moving crew staff; Nathan Naquin, Maintenance Services dispatcher; and Philip Smith, warehouse coordinator.

Church Administration also announced that David Clark, pastor of the Austin and Waco, Texas, churches, left the full-time ministry to make a career change, and that Delores Schroeder, secretary in Church Administration, left the employ of the church for health reasons.

Copyright © Worldwide Church of God, 2001