Employee Spotlight, Alfonso Escalera

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Employee Spotlight - Alfonso Escalera
Read below to hear from Alfonso Escalera, General Maintenance Supervisor for Homecoming at the Preserve, on what skills he values as a team leader, how he helps his team thrive, and how he builds relationships inside and outside the office.

What's your favorite part of your job?

Alfonso: My favorite part of my job is interacting with residents and engaging with people from diverse backgrounds. I enjoy tackling different challenges and finding solutions that positively impact their lives. Knowing that I/we can repair or improve things in their home and help create a sense of comfort and belonging is incredibly rewarding. It’s fulfilling to contribute to making their space feel less like just a unit and more like their home.

What’s one professional skill you’ve nailed?

Alfonso: Effective communication is one of the key skills I have mastered. I consider myself an intentional and thorough communicator, always ensuring clarity and alignment. Communication plays a crucial role in my position, and I prioritize it to ensure success in all aspects of my work.

What's your proudest work achievement?

Alfonso: My proudest work achievement has been fostering a positive and collaborative work environment among our teams, especially considering the size of the team at The Preserve. Creating a space where employees feel supported and valued has led to strong retention and opportunities for internal promotions, which I take great pride in. Seeing team members grow and thrive within the organization has been incredibly rewarding and reinforces the importance of cultivating a healthy workplace culture.

What's your proudest work achievement?

Alfonso: My proudest work achievement has been fostering a positive and collaborative work environment among our teams, especially considering the size of the team at The Preserve. Creating a space where employees feel supported and valued has led to strong retention and opportunities for internal promotions, which I take great pride in. Seeing team members grow and thrive within the organization has been incredibly rewarding and reinforces the importance of cultivating a healthy workplace culture.

How do you define success in your role, and what drives you to achieve that success?

Alfonso: I define success in my role by earning the trust and confidence of my supervisor. When my supervisor believes in my abilities, it not only validates my work but also empowers me to perform at my best. This trust allows me to make decisions confidently, knowing that my choices will be supported. Building this confidence and fostering a strong working relationship drives me to excel and continuously improve in my role.

What drew you to working at Lewis?

Alfonso: What drew me to working at Lewis is the fact that it’s a privately-owned company, which inspires me to work even harder to contribute to its growth and create bigger opportunities for all of us to advance in our careers. I also admire how ownership and upper management truly value and listen to associate input, fostering a culture that prioritizes employee retention and growth. Additionally, the curb appeal across all properties is impressive and consistent—it reflects the pride and dedication that goes into everything we build. It’s an honor to be part of a team that takes such pride in its work!

How do you stay motivated?

Alfonso: I stay motivated by working alongside a team of associates who share the same mission of success and excellence. Knowing that each team member brings unique talents and skills to their role inspires me to contribute my best. Additionally, seeing my colleagues eager to grow and succeed in their roles energizes me. It’s incredibly rewarding to witness their potential and accomplishments, as it reinforces the value of teamwork and collective success.

How do you stay motivated?

Alfonso: I stay motivated by working alongside a team of associates who share the same mission of success and excellence. Knowing that each team member brings unique talents and skills to their role inspires me to contribute my best. Additionally, seeing my colleagues eager to grow and succeed in their roles energizes me. It’s incredibly rewarding to witness their potential and accomplishments, as it reinforces the value of teamwork and collective success.

Email Alfonso directly at alfonso.escalera@lewismc.com if you’d like to learn more.