Any custodial worker knows they are more than "just" a janitor— and we agree!
At Accurate Building Maintenance, our team members are the backbone of our team and the heartbeat of our purpose: creating clean, healthy, safe communities. They take care of our customers, so we take care of them like family—the best kind! We are so grateful for all they do each day and love to see them grow and succeed.
Our monthly Employee Spotlight series features one of our amazing team members, showcasing what it’s like to work in the cleaning industry at Accurate, where we #keepitfun.
This month, we are thrilled to shine the spotlight on Eric "Buddy" Anderson! He's been an essential member of the Accurate Family in Ely, Nevada, for the past three years. Eric was nominated for his unwavering commitment to excellence, quiet dedication, and positive influence.
I had the privilege of getting to know more about Eric during a recent Question & Answer session. Our conversation was really enjoyable thanks to his distinctive perspective, intelligence, and varied interests, from mastering video games to embracing the great outdoors. In fact, BASE jumping holds the top spot on his bucket list!
Eric's journey is a compelling testament to resilience, humility, and personal growth. He veered off course in his earlier teen years but ultimately found his way back. His introspective nature and commitment to excellence highlight the transformative power of determination and self reflection. Eric is another example of what makes our monthly Employee Spotlight series a celebration of genuine character, inspiration, and FUN!
Special thanks and kudos from creator/author Erin Williams (Marketing) to Xavier "Bubba" Anderson, our Area Manager in Ely, for his assistance in carrying out this month's article!
WHAT OTHERS HAD TO SAY ABOUT ERIC
Xavier "Bubba" Anderson nominated Eric for this month's Employee Spotlight. Author's Note: Eric and Xavier have the same last name but are not related to each other.
"Eric has consistently improved and excelled! He is one off my top cleaners. He makes a positive difference at any location he is assigned. When tasked with any decisions, Eric always makes them with ease. He can figure out how to get the job done!" -Xavier "Bubba" Anderson, Accurate Area Supervisor, Ely, Nevada
Eric's decision-making skills and ease in handling responsibilities have been invaluable to the team, and he consistently delivers exceptional results. Bubba acknowledges Eric's shy demeanor but highlights his ability to make fellow employees feel comfortable. His teammates agree with their supervisor on Eric's professionalism, skill, and helpful nature.
"Eric is a great coworker. If I need anything, he's always willing to help with a smile. I don't know him very well, but I believe Eric is going to be very successful in life." - Kristie Horrocks, Accurate Team Member, Ely, Nevada
Jeremy Jackson, another fellow Accurate Team Member in Ely, agrees. "Eric is a great employee to work with," Jeremy said. "He really does his job well!"
"I am so proud of you, Eric! Thank you for always being eager to learn and respectful to everyone around you. Your commitment to what you do is appreciated!" - Alex Finken, Accurate CEO/Visionary, Las Vegas
White Pine County School District is Accurate's customer in Ely. Eric attended school there himself, and middle school principal Susan J. remembers him as a student. "I've always known Eric to be hardworking," Susan said. She and her staff value his work on the evening shift.
"When I've interacted with Eric, he is always polite and eager to help. Our staff is grateful for the work that he does in their classrooms! I especially appreciated his help in getting chairs and tables cleaned up following our staff Christmas party." -Susan J., Principal, White Pine Middle School (Accurate Customer), Ely, Nevada
WHAT ERIC HAD TO SAY ABOUT THE JANITORIAL INDUSTRY, ACCURATE, AND HIS WORK JOURNEY
What's your WHY on being a cleaning industry professional? In other words, what brings you to work at this job each day besides needing to earn a paycheck? My mom has Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD). So when I was growing up, us kids were always cleaning the house. I was able to gain a positive perspective on cleaning before I ever started this job. It’s very satisfying to complete things. It's also somewhat of a relief to have task-oriented work that is measurably successful. I know for sure if I have done a good job, and I can work independently quite a bit, too.
What is one thing you wish people knew about your job as a janitor? I wish people had more patience for small things. Sometimes the stress level can get out of hand over all the "little" things, and that can add up. Don't get me wrong; details are important, and we are providing a service where those little things matter. If our customers can try to keep in mind that it takes time to do this job with excellence and remember that we are working hard at it, that helps us as workers.
What aspect of your job do you enjoy the most?
Having the opportunity to learn different things in the work environment of the janitorial industry—not just cleaning, but landscaping, some maintenance-type things, and handyman work. There’s more to it than most people realize.
What drew you to Accurate originally? It actually goes back to when I was in high school. I was a bit of a troubled youth and found myself doing community service at the high school (cleaning and maintenance night work). I ended up enjoying it more than my school work. It was a good fit for me.
What makes you proud of being an Accurate team member? The understanding environment. It's a "level playing field." It's really easy to understand where an attitude or a delay may be causing an issue, and to address it and just work it out. In janitorial work, we all have similar job duties. So it shows up if anyone is having an "off" day for whatever reason, but we we are supported by the company, and we are understanding of each other.
Which of Accurate’s core values resonates most with you and why? (Keep It Fun, Opportunity, Respect, Solutions, and We Keep Our Word) RESPECT— because I grew up in a very rowdy house, and manners were low priority a lot of the time. I try to be patient, calm, and respectful; so to be able to apply those habits and characteristics at work is a good thing for me.
What would you do for a career if you weren't doing this job? I would be a lumberjack and work with my dad. I grew up cutting wood, and I always enjoyed that.
What's your favorite thing about working at Accurate? There is opportunity for overtime. There aren't a lot of jobs here in Ely that offer extra work. To have the option of working extra and be rewarded for that hard work and extra effort be available is a positive for me.
WHAT ERIC SHARED ABOUT HIMSELF
What is your favorite quote, motto, or catch phrase you say often? "Improvise, Adapt, Overcome." - Bear Grylls, Man vs. Wild. It's both inspiring and a challenge to rise to the occasion in whatever situation you find yourself.
What are you most proud of so far in your life? Just recently, I started renting my own place. I also got my driver’s license.
What is something unique about you?
I grew up in a historic mining "ghost" town with a very small population (about 20 permanent residents)– Cherry Creek, Nevada. My family moved there when I was 4 years old, and we lived there through my 2020 high school graduation.
Cherry Creek was a bustling boomtown 130+ years ago thanks to silver and gold mines with 7,800 residents, 20 saloons, and a luxury hotel. Many current homes stand next to the town's original structures.
Sources: Nevada State Historical Preservation Office and Travel Nevada
When you were a kid, was there a particular job you wanted to have as an adult?
I remember when I was about 5 or 6 years old, I really wanted to be a police officer. But I kind of flew down the opposite path in my youth. 🙄
What piece of advice would you give to your 13-year-old self? "Keep your head up! The future is always brighter. Doubt is never the best solution." It would have helped me as a younger person to hear confirmation that it can get better, and it does get better.
If you could have any superpower, what would it be?
100% certainty. You would never have to doubt or second guess yourself.
If you could have witnessed any historical event, what would it be?
I’m a huge World War II nerd. Being 20 years old, I wouldn’t have wanted to be alive and soldiering at that time, but the tools they developed and the general lifestyle, culture, and mindset at that time were impressive.
What do you want to try and never have? Either BASE jumping or paragliding. I've just always wanted to jump off a cliff. It seems fun! I'm not sure where yet, although there are probably some iconic spots.
BASE jumping gives daring seconds of thrill at lower altitudes, while paragliding offers a more leisurely altitude, allowing pilots to maximize flight time and make decisions at ease. Source: Dream Adventures India
You're happiest when ______ (fill in the blank). I'm outdoors. I really love being outside and breathing in the fresh air.
What topic could you give a 20-minute presentation on without any preparation? Video games. That's one thing I really know. I was a video game nerd growing up.
What's your current favorite video game?
Fallout.
If your house was on fire, what would you grab before you got out of there? (Your loved ones and pets are already safe). My gaming system.
What is your #1 pet peeve?
Wet socks.
If Hollywood made a movie about your life, who would you like to see cast as you?
Ryan Gosling
Do you have a nickname?
“Buddy” is the name I’ve gone by all my life. My parents used to dress me up as a famous toy back in the 1980s, the My Buddy character.
Dressed up as the 'rough and tough, yet soft and cuddly' childhood companion, Eric's nickname stuck. My Buddy is perhaps best known for likely inspiring the role of Chucky in the popular horror film franchise Child's Play. Source: Overall Charm: Remembering Hasbro's My Buddy Doll by Jake Rossen, Oct 17, 2019
Thank you, Eric, for being a Committed, Inspiring, and positive Team Player! We are so glad you’re part of The Accurate Family.
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