NYCHA Essential Employees Join ‘Hometown Heroes’ Parade

Throughout New York City’s battle with the COVID-19 pandemic, NYCHA has relied upon nearly 9,000 essential employees to help ensure the seamless delivery of services to hundreds of thousands of public housing residents across the city.   

They were among NYCHA’s dedicated staff who continued to show up to their job sites at the height of the pandemic, while others transitioned to working remotely, to carry out their duties in person in service to the NYCHA community and its residents.  

In celebration of their efforts and those of other essential workers who helped bring New York City through the worst of the pandemic, the city held a “Hometown Heroes” ticker tape parade on July 7. Beginning at Manhattan’s Battery Park and featuring 14 different floats, the parade was considered one of the largest ticker tape events in the city’s history.  

These are the 15 employees who were selected to represent NYCHA’s essential workers in the parade and distinguished themselves as “Hometown Heroes:”  

Ian Morris 

Mr. Morris, a caretaker at NYCHA’s Central Office in Manhattan, was recently recognized with the John DeCarlo Memorial Award, which is presented annually to outstanding caretakers with a minimum of five years of service. He has served his entire six-year career at NYCHA in the Department of Real Estate Services (DRES), where he supports Central Office staff and operations. John Rettagliata, Deputy Director of DRES, credited Mr. Morris’ work behind the scenes to maintain the facilities, saying he helps “keep the lights on in Central Office.”  

Rosa Cummings 

A caretaker at Brooklyn’s Ocean Hill Houses for 18 years, Ms. Cummings was the runner-up winner of this year’s John DeCarlo Memorial Award. As a veteran caretaker who started her NYCHA career as a seasonal aide in 1998, Ms. Cummings is respected by her colleagues and sets an example for a job well done. “She teaches the incoming caretakers to put their all into their work and how to do the job properly,” said Lisa Shuman, Assistant Resident Buildings Superintendent at Ocean Hill Houses.   

Patrick Peters  

Mr. Peters was nominated for this year’s John DeCarlo Award for his exemplary service as a caretaker at Brooklyn’s Linden Houses. According to Supervisor of Housing Caretakers Ana Cortes, Mr. Peters is reliable and respectful, and he is determined to get all his tasks done daily. “He goes above and beyond to ensure that residents have a clean place and environment to live in,” she said. 

Eligah Govan 

Mr. Govan, who works as a caretaker at Staten Island’s Stapleton Houses, also received a nomination this year for the John DeCarlo Award. In addition to helping keep his assigned area clean and safe, Mr. Govan reports resident concerns to his supervisor and assists residents with package deliveries. “The residents appreciate his hard work and have much respect for him,” said Housing Manager Philip John.   

Fia Cook 

Ms. Cook, Property Maintenance Supervisor at Brooklyn’s Cooper Park Houses, has been a NYCHA employee for 25 years. “What I like most about working for NYCHA is that by doing my job to the best of my knowledge and ability, I have made a positive difference for someone,” she said. According to Property Manager Shakia Smith, Ms. Cook’s attention to detail and passion for helping residents make her a stand-out employee for the Authority.  

Jannine Johnson Mastria 

During her four years at NYCHA, Ms. Johnson Mastria, a quality assurance specialist at Central Office in Manhattan, has enjoyed working with the residents most of all, and learning how the various improvements have made a difference in their lives. Despite the challenges of the pandemic, Ms. Johnson Mastria insisted on coming into work to continue her obligations. “Jannine is one of Quality Assurance’s most dedicated and reliable inspectors,” said Jay Flaherty, Director of Quality and Cost Control.  

John Pender III 

Mr. Pender is an elevator mechanic helper for the Elevator Services and Repair Department in Long Island City. According to Richard Solivan, Director of the Elevator Services and Repair Department, Mr. Pender demonstrates good work performance and excellent time management and attendance. “He maintained a positive attitude throughout the pandemic, exercising good judgment towards residents, safety, and NYCHA protocols,” Mr. Solivan said. 

Ilebor Lucky 

A caretaker for the Pest Control Department in Long Island City, Mr. Lucky works on the department’s exclusion team, which is charged with finding and sealing holes in walls that rats may use to get into basements. “Lucky is an enthusiastic worker and an essential part of our Pest Control Department,” said Josephine Bartlett, Pest Control Senior Administrator.  

Dennis Marshall 

Mr. Marshall, Supervisor of Caretakers at Berry Houses in Staten Island, recently entered his 31st year with the Authority. What he enjoys most about his role at NYCHA is “having the satisfaction of helping improve the quality of life for people.” Property Manager Kim Hires noted that while Mr. Marshall “wears many hats at the development,” he is always willing to assist caretaker staff and provide encouragement.  

Ramon Brea 

Mr. Brea is a maintenance worker for the Emergency Services Department in Long Island City who has been a NYCHA employee for the past eight years. “What I like about working at NYCHA is feeling like I’m going to a new job every day, because every day is different and you can’t predict what’s next,” he said. 

Patrick Cimino 

Mr. Cimino, who has served as a maintenance worker for nearly 30 years at Manhattan’s Isaacs Houses, says his most fulfilling role is helping his coworkers and supervisors “get the job done.” “I live in the same community where I work, so my residents are also my neighbors, and I strive to make all of their lives a little better. In the end, we are all here to help and care for each other,” he remarked.  

Shontelle Sampeur 

A supervisor painter in the Paint Administration Department who has worked at NYCHA for nine years, Ms. Sampeur says she likes seeing changes coming about at NYCHA and the progress of getting things done the right way. “I am really excited to be a part of a team of dedicated directors, deputies, supervisors, painters, laborers, carpenters, plasterers, plumbers, and a host of others that all help bring all of this to life,” she said. According to Director of Paint Administration Bane Bermudez, Ms. Sampeur’s “dedicated work ethic and team spirit has supported the formation of the Paint Administration Department.” 

Ebenezer Twasam 

A maintenance worker at Butler Houses in the Bronx, Mr. Twasam was recently promoted to assistant superintendent at the development. His supervisors commend his pleasant nature, loyalty, and commitment to the job. “Ebenezer is the most reliable, dedicated, and most efficient maintenance worker that I have had the pleasure of knowing,” said Angela Gadson, Bronx Vice President of Operations.  

Christian Grullon 

Mr. Grullon, a heating supervisor in the Heating Management Services Department in Long Island City, has worked at NYCHA for 14 years. He enjoys the mechanical aspects of his job, in which he can use his skills to help coworkers and provide residents with heating and hot water services. “I enjoy working with people and the connections I have made during my time working for NYCHA,” he said.  

Carlos Romero 

Mr. Romero has been a NYCHA employee for 34 years, including 27 years as the supervising housing groundskeeper at Drew-Hamilton Houses in Manhattan. “NYCHA has been very good to me and my family,” he said, noting how he worked his way up from being a caretaker to a supervisor. According to Neighborhood Administrator Albert Suggs, “Carlos has been one of the pillars for the agency; he was there through the pandemic and continues to be an important essential worker for the Authority.”