JCPS Names Facilities And Construction Employee Of The Year

SMITHFIELD – Alex Gundler, Coordinator of Custodial Services, was named Johnston County Public Schools (JCPS) Facilities and Construction Employee of the Year. 

Gundler was nominated for the annual award by Brooks Moore, Chief of Facilities and Construction. In his nomination Moore said, “Running a custodial program for a large school district with minimal support staff is a daunting task that demands a leader with a unique skill set. He embodies everything necessary for this, and lives it daily in his role. His service-minded approach on a day-to-day basis trickles down to all of the custodians across the school district, which is truly a position of service so critical to the success of each school.”

For Gundler, every day is a new challenge, and his motto is “We can always do better”. That drive developed at an early age.

Born in San Diego, California, he began working in the construction industry as a teenager. That gave Gundler the opportunity to travel around the United States. During one visit, he determined that he liked North Carolina, and decided to move to Johnston County in 1997. That is when his path took a major turn.

He met a young lady named Tina, began putting some roots down, and got married in 2001. The rest is history. They have two children, Jonathan and Megan, and four grandchildren. Gundler loves spending time with his family and traveling. In his spare time, you can find him growing crops. He and Tina have a small farm where they grow organic food for themselves, and for others to buy.

He came to work at JCPS because of a “persistent employee” who gave his name to the right people, and was hired to work with School Nutrition at Smithfield Middle. That’s when Gundler met custodian Ben Barnes, who asked if he would be interested in becoming a custodian. 

His initial response was, “No, I’m good.” But then he wondered why he had turned down the job. He asked himself if pride was getting in the way, and after some self-reflection he realized the answer was yes.

So, Gundler accepted the position, giving himself 30 days to decide whether or not it was a good fit.  If it didn’t work out, he would walk away and go back to construction, where he could make a lot more money. But Gundler couldn’t walk away. In the span of just one month, he fell in love with the students and staff at Smithfield Middle. The fact that they needed him was a huge factor in him continuing with JCPS. “Everyone needs to be needed,” he said.

Once he was on the team, Gundler realized that custodial services involved a lot more than cleaning up messes. Yes, the custodians maintain the health and safety of staff, students and their families, which is of the utmost importance, but they also serve in other ways. “On our campuses, it’s a community. It’s a home,” Gundler said.

He and Lead Custodian Kenneth Howell are positioned and ready to support the custodial services team through training and providing quality supplies, for example. Sometimes, supporting the team is being a shoulder to lean on or an ear to just listen. Gundler isn’t afraid to be that person because he is passionate about interacting with people. He also has empathy, which is key when working in a service role. 

Gundler would like people to know that JCPS has the best custodial services staff in the industry. “They don’t run from the mess, they run to it,” he commented. He believes that custodial services is one of the most physically demanding jobs on JCPS campuses. “You have to be wired in a special way. You have to have that love language of servitude.”

The award came as a complete surprise to Gundler, literally. He found out about it during a department head meeting. Towards the end of the meeting, the JCPS Prize Patrol burst into the room with a banner, balloons, and tons of excitement. Gundler was speechless, which he will tell you is rare. “I have the gift of gab,” he laughed. It’s that gift along with his servant’s heart that makes Gundler such an asset to the district.