Michael Ruffin with Facilities

YAY MICHAEL RUFFIN! Michael Ruffin, the custodial zone foreman with Facilities, is today's Yay of the Day honoree! Superintendent Amy Cashwell honored him recently!

YAYWORTHY:

Nominator Tracie Weston said,

"I wish I could remember the first time I met Michael Ruffin. I would guess it was more than 20 years ago. What I do remember is that our first interaction was positive, just like every conversation we’ve had since. Regardless of the question or request, Mike’s answer has always been 'yes,' accompanied by a smile and a follow-up to let us know the request was completed. Mike takes tremendous pride in HCPS, his team, and his work. He has a “roll up your sleeves and jump in to help” approach to every request. I’ve called him early in the morning because staff were locked out of the Annex, late in the day because we unexpectedly had no custodial services, and in the evening when we needed support for a meeting. Every single time, Mike has dropped what he was doing to help or let us know exactly when we could expect him. His communication is positive, prompt, and thorough, and he brings that same approach to his work every day. After more than 20 years, what stands out most is that Mike has never changed the way he treats people. Whether the request is big or small, he makes you feel that helping you matters. That kind of commitment, pride, and genuine care for others makes a difference every single day.  Michael Ruffin is definitely a YAYYYYY of the Day! He is one of the people who makes HCPS a great place to work and is truly one of Henrico’s BEST!"
 
Nominator Cean Gilliland said,

"Michael leads by example ensuring HCPS buildings are clean, fresh and welcoming to all who enter. Whenever and wherever you encounter Michael he is focused on the task at hand, and always with a smile on his face and a moment to exchange a pleasant greeting. Recently I was at a school preparing for a special event the next morning and Michael asked if there was anything else I needed. I told him I really needed more parking cones than I'd expected for our visitors. He said I don't think we have any more, but then his face lit up with that smile and he said let me see what I can do. Somehow I knew he was going to come through. The next morning, the exact number of cones I'd requested reserved the parking spaces for our visitors. Once again Michael's behind-the-scenes herculean efforts helped create a welcoming, hospitable environment from the moment our guests arrived on campus. His willingness to ask 'what else is needed?' and to fill that need was 'my yay of the day!' and he deserves a 'yay!'"

Thank you for all you do, Michael, to make a positive difference and move HCPS forward!

• No. 22 in a series. Nominate a staff member for a "Yay of the Day" on our Yay of the Day page.