Ulises Amaro Echevarría | Janitorial Employee Spotlight August 2025
- Erin Williams
- Aug 29
- 13 min read
Updated: Aug 29
Our Spotlight winner this month joined Accurate a year and a half ago. Born and raised in Puerto Rico, he’s a devoted father and hardworking teammate who lives by the values of dedication, respect, and family. “For me, success is thanking God each day and giving the best of myself.”
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: inspiring personal and professional growth while 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 Janitorial 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're proud to spotlight Ulises Amaro Echevarría. In just a year and a half with Accurate, he's already made a strong mark, beginning on the janitorial crew and now stepping into our warehouse role with the same reliability and drive. Grounded in his beloved Puerto Rican culture and family values, Ulises' dedication and heart are evident in every aspect of his work and personal life. Family means everything to him, carrying both the weight of loss and the gift of love, past and present. He’s a devoted father and grandfather, a fan of salsa music, and a humble teammate who sets the tone with professionalism. Coworkers and leaders alike describe him as someone who always does his part and inspires those around him to give their best.
Ulises brings dedication and warmth to everything he does. His example lifts others up and shows that true success is caring for both people and the job at hand. Keep reading to learn more about Ulises’ story, his perspective on work and life, and the values that guide him every day.
Special thanks and kudos from creator/author Erin Williams (Marketing) to our dedicated Customer Service Manager Dee Perez for her leadership and assistance in carrying out this month's article!
WHAT OTHERS HAD TO SAY ABOUT ULISES
Bonnie Miller, Accurate's Director of Workplace and Employee Experience, nominated Ulises for this month’s spotlight, sharing why his presence makes such a difference at Accurate. “Ulises is always willing to step in and help, no matter the task, and he approaches every responsibility with dedication and enthusiasm. His eagerness to learn and grow is inspiring, and it shows in the way he embraces new challenges with positivity and determination. What truly sets him apart is his ability to connect with others. He communicates with respect and sincerity, building strong relationships with our team and our clients. Our conversations are always meaningful, and he has a gift for making those around him smile and feel valued. He embodies the best of what we strive for: teamwork, dedication, and a positive spirit. His contributions go beyond just completing tasks; he makes the workplace better for everyone around him. Ulises is someone who lifts others up, leads by example, and reminds us what it means to truly care about the work and the people we do it with.” -Bonnie Miller, Accurate Director of Workplace and Employee Experience, Las Vegas
From the operations side, Exterior Services Manager Brandon Alvarez (who was previously a building supervisor at Ulises' first worksite) has seen firsthand how Ulises strengthens the team.
“Ulises has proven to be a tremendous asset to Accurate. He consistently goes above and beyond, always willing to step in and help wherever needed. His eagerness to learn and grow in his role sets a strong example for others, and his dedication to the team has not gone unnoticed. Ulises demonstrates professionalism, reliability, and a positive attitude that make him an integral part of our success. I'm proud to recognize his contributions.” -Brandon Alvarez, Accurate Exterior Services Manager, Las Vegas
That same drive and dependability have also caught the attention of Accurate’s executive Leadership Team.
“Ulises is the kind of guy everyone wants on their team. He’s hardworking, knowledgeable, and a natural leader. He’s honest, respectful, and never gets thrown off by stressful situations. He follows the process, plays by the rules, and customers love him. Our employees are always asking to work with him because they know he gets things done. For me, I don’t have to tell him twice—if Ulises is on it, I know it’ll get done right.” -Alex Finken, Accurate CEO & Visionary, Las Vegas
Area Manager Lily Guardado appreciates Ulises’ dependability and ownership mindset.
“Ulises always come across as a very down-to-earth person who consistently maintains a positive attitude and a smile on his face. Ulises takes pride in his work and has a strong work ethic. He values staying productive and takes ownership of his responsibilities.” -Iliana "Lily" Guardado, Accurate Area Manager, Las Vegas
Accurate's Customer Service Manager, Dee Perez, echoed these themes and her admiration and respect for Ulises as both a coworker and person.
“Ulises brings a rare combination of culture, heart, and faith to the team. His Puerto Rican upbringing, rooted in faith, family, and community, shows in the way he builds trust, encourages collaboration, and treats others with mutual respect. Those values not only shape who he is, they also reflect the mission and spirit of Accurate. And even in difficult moments, his smile reflects the saying "al mal tiempo, buena cara" (in hard times, put on a brave face)—a quiet strength that reminds us resilience often begins with attitude.” –Dee Perez, Accurate Customer Service Manager, Las Vegas
WHAT ULISES HAD TO SAY ABOUT THE JANITORIAL INDUSTRY AND WORKING AT ACCURATE
What's your WHY for being a cleaning industry professional? In other words, what brings you to work each day at this job, besides needing to earn a paycheck? Dedication, respect toward coworkers and bosses, taking pride in doing good work, and building a good career.
Who or what inspired you to pursue this career? First of all, God. My children, of course myself. And I’m always grateful to this company, because they’ve always given me the opportunity to grow.
What do you think makes our team culture unique? The professionalism and respect shown toward the customers. We’re a team of cleaning professionals providing our service to those clients.
What keeps you motivated at work? My biggest motivation is my bosses. They are always thanking you, saying good morning, and being there when you need them most. And of course, you have to respond to that.
What advice would you give to someone who is thinking of applying to the company? I’d tell them it’s a good opportunity to grow, to learn, and to build a career if they don’t already have one in another field. It’s a good way to grow and to take this step into cleaning.
What makes you feel proud to be an Accurate team member? Honestly, I feel proud because of the supervisor I have—my coach, Ms. Dee Perez. She has a big heart, she helps, she understands, and that motivates me to keep contributing to the company.
What is your favorite thing about working at Accurate? In the roles I’ve had so far, I really enjoy the floor work, whether it’s hard floors or carpets. That motivates me, and I like that area of cleaning.
What makes you feel proud or satisfied about your work? I feel proud getting up every day to come and do my job the way it should be done, to give as much as I can of myself to the company and to the clients where we work.
What is one thing you wish people knew about your work? My responsibility to get to wherever I’m sent. For me, it’s very important to arrive early and to do what needs to be done in the work, in the cleaning.
What aspect of your job do you enjoy the most? The respect and professionalism with which Accurate treats their staff. For me, that’s more important than the type of work we have to do, because I expect—just as you expect from us—that each of us does our part. That’s something I really value.
Which of Accurate's core values is most important to you, and why? (We Keep Our Word, Opportunity, Respect, Keep it Fun, and Solutions) Like I said before, it’s the way Accurate treats us. Even when the work is hard, there’s always professionalism, respect, and encouragement that help us keep moving forward. Even if we’re tired or facing something difficult, there’s always someone from your team there to support us. I’d have to say two values resonate most with me: opportunity and solutions. We’re given opportunities here, and when we can’t always find the solution ourselves, we help each other, and you help us too.
WHAT ULISES SHARED ABOUT HIMSELF
How do you define success? Not just concerning money, but in general. Success can be seen in many ways. For me, success is getting up each day, thanking God for another day, and working hard to give the best of myself. That’s how I reach success, by being able to grow toward the future.
What is something unique about you, or that others would be surprised to learn? Sometimes I’m quiet, but I like to talk, have conversations, and have a good time. Sometimes I’m like a kid; I like to have fun, not be bored. One day I’ll “grow up” … but I don’t know when.
What is your greatest wish? To be with my children and see them again. Every day I think about how far away they are and how long it’s been since I’ve been able to hug them. That’s my most personal wish. I had five children, but I have four now (three boys and one girl), and two grandchildren. My first son, Jordan—God took him when he was two years old. But God blessed me with another boy, and with my daughter, and later He blessed me again with grandchildren.
When you were a kid, what job did you want to have? I wanted to be a dolphin trainer! I grew up in the 1980s and remember watching reruns of the TV show Flipper.
What is your favorite place to go on vacation? Puerto Rico—my island, my homeland. I miss it. I haven’t lived there for many years, but I still miss it so much—for its beauty, for the coquí (the little frog that sings at night), for its noise, for the friito navideño (Christmas cool weather), for all those beautiful things our land has to offer.
Tell me about what you do when you’re not working. I like to do car detailing. Washing cars is what I usually do on Sundays. One time my schedule changed and I lost my Sundays off, and I really missed them. But yes, I enjoy detailing cars, sometimes at a coworker’s house or wherever I’m staying.
If you could do another job for just one day, what would it be? Like I said before, I like being on the road and driving vehicles. So it would definitely be a driver. That’s what I enjoy.
What is the last song you listened to or TV show/movie you watched? The last movie I watched, if memory serves, was Rush Hour. As for music, I’m a salsa fan, especially romantic salsa from the 1980s. I listen to Paquito Guzmán a lot.
What advice would you give yourself as a 13-year-old? I would tell myself, “Forgive yourself for not speaking up.” That’s the only advice I’d give myself right now, too. I’d also tell myself, “Speak. Don’t stay silent.”
Tell us about your family and how you grew up.
I was raised in Puerto Rico in a Christian family, religious, with good principles. Not my blood family, my adoptive family, and it was as if they were my own flesh and blood. They adopted me when I was three months old.
My biological mother gave birth at the hospital and then left. My biological father—well, I say “supposed father” because the papers listed both their names, and I carry his last name—came to pick me up at the hospital. But he couldn’t keep me. So he handed me, literally hand-to-hand, to a woman he knew. But she wasn’t fit to raise me because she lived on the streets. That woman then took me to her aunt, who was a religious woman, explained the situation, and left me there. She said the father would be back soon to pick me up, but he never came. Eventually he showed up; I don’t know how long it was, but they told him, “Who do you think you’re going to take? This boy isn’t going anywhere. He’s staying here.” He saw that I was in good hands, and he said, “Well, okay.”
I had a good upbringing. They gave me good values and education. Growing up, we traveled back and forth a lot from New York to Puerto Rico, and from Puerto Rico back to New York. When I was little, sometimes I went to school in New Jersey when we lived there, but then my mom would decide we were going back to Puerto Rico. We’d spend time there, then my sister in New York would say, “Come here,” so we’d go back again. It was back and forth for a while. But in the end, we stayed in Puerto Rico, and that’s where I lived most of the time. Later on, my adoptive parents separated, and I lived with my mother until I came of age, got married, and started my own life. My mom passed away about four years ago, toward the end of the pandemic. Not from COVID, just old age. At that time, I was living in New York and she was in Puerto Rico, so it was very hard for me.
Author's Note: We are so sorry for the loss of your mother, Ulises. Thank you for sharing your story with us. -The Accurate Building Maintenance Family
If you were given the opportunity, who would you like to be for a day? I’d like to be Ron Finken (Accurate's Founder), on the outside. But inside, I’d still be me. I have to be me, because being like someone else doesn’t make me happy. Let others be who they are, and I’ll continue being myself.
What topic could you give a 20-minute talk on without any preparation? Probably something random—about life, about what I’ve lived and seen, so that other people don’t have to go through or see the same things.
If you had to eat one meal every day for the rest of your life, what would it be? I guess it would be arroz con gandules (rice with Caribbean-style peas), lechón asado (rotisserie cooked pig), y ensalada de papas (and potato salad).
Do you collect anything? I used to collect basketball cards, but not anymore. I played basketball as a kid.
Let’s say you have to sing at karaoke. Which song would you choose? There’s a song by the Mexican singer, El Fantasma that has beautiful lyrics and speaks with respect about women. That’s the one I’d sing.
If you could create a holiday, what would it be? I would celebrate my birthday. I’ve never really had a great one. I’d have a birthday party with all of the Bomba.
Interviewer's Note: In Puerto Rico, a Bomba birthday is a rich cultural celebration. It brings together the roots of Puerto Rican culture (African, Taíno, and Spanish) through music, dance, storytelling, and food. It’s a way of honoring heritage and community filled with rhythm and joy, and a reminder that you're part of something deep and beautiful.
What was your first job? I went to vocational school for carpentry, specifically cabinet making (kitchen cabinets), and when I turned 18, I started working in that. I stayed in it for quite a while. My mom and dad had a small shop in the Manuela Pérez housing project in Río Piedras, right across the street from my school, and I helped them there. It wasn’t just candy like some corner stores; it was a bodeguita—a little neighborhood grocery—that sold everything: water, milk, bread, vegetables, for the people in the community.
What is your favorite family tradition? For us in the Caribbean, it’s the Reyes (Three Kings). I really believe they existed, that it was something true. For me, that’s more important: the arrival of the Reyes when the baby Jesus was born. A lot of people don’t understand that in our culture, Three Kings Day is actually bigger than Christmas. On Christmas we celebrate the birth, but on Three Kings Day the kids are taught to go cut grass, put it under the bed, and wait for the Reyes to arrive. That’s what they taught me growing up. I believe the Reyes were really there when Jesus was born, and I lean more toward that than Santa Claus. For me, the greater meaning of why celebrate is the Reyes. Santa Claus, I don’t know—but the Reyes were the ones who welcomed Him and announced His coming.
What do you miss most about Puerto Rico? A lot. You can miss so many things—the food, the traditions, the culture, the people. Even though times have changed and things aren’t the same, there are still always beautiful people back home. The food, like I mentioned before. The sound of the coquí (a tiny tree frog), the cucubano (a glowing firefly beetle) when it rains in the countryside. That’s what I miss the most. I could say more, but sometimes I don’t even have the words.
Accurate's longtime Customer Service Manager, Dee Perez, interviewed Ulises for this Spotlight article. She also hails from Puerto Rico and helped explain the nuances of their shared cultural heritage to me as the author. The rest of her feedback on him is a fitting way to end this glimpse into Ulises as the remarkable colleague and person he is.
“As a fellow Boricua, I see how Ulises' calm, thoughtful voice creates space for others to feel safe, heard, and respected. There’s also a subtle but unmistakable sabor latino (Latin flavor and spirit) in everything he does—an energy that brings warmth, connection, and a touch of joy into our daily work. Ulises, thank you for showing up with integrity, grace, and authenticity. You lead not only with skill, but with soul, and we’re truly lucky to have you on this team.” –Dee Perez, Accurate Customer Service Manager, Las Vegas
Thank you, Ulises, for being a highly valued team member and an inspiration! We are so glad you’re part of The Accurate Family.
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