Technician of the Year Finalist Spotlight—Rafael Rivera

Facilities management professionals are often the unsung heroes of their organizations.

To honor their contributions to keeping operations running smoothly, FMX is recognizing those who’ve gone above and beyond during the past year.

Each of these finalists was nominated by a peer for their outstanding work in the field. In the leadup to the unveiling of the winner at our 2025 National Conference, we’re highlighting two finalists per week.

Next, we’re spotlighting Rafael Rivera a Maintenance Tech with the Toronto Blue Jays.

Q&A with TOY Finalist Rafael Rivera

How long have you held your current position?

Two years

How did you get to where you are today?

My career started in 2017. I was living in Puerto Rico at the time and we were directly hit by Hurricane Maria. We went without power and water for several months. During this time I was working at a Medical Facility and we were unable to remain open. I had a friend that reached out about work in construction and remodeling houses and apartments and that was where I started my Maintenance Tech career.

During the seven months I was with this company, I learned to work with drywall, painting, roofing, pressure washing, gypsum board, and more. After this I transitioned into doing the same work for Hacienda San Jose, a subdivision community in Caguas, Puerto Rico.

After three months, I was promoted to supervisor and I continued my work with them for the next two years. In September of 2021, I decided to make the jump to the United States. I started working as a housekeeper at a Marriott during the day and then working with D&A Building Solutions at night.

My role with them was as a night cleaner at the Toronto Blue Jays Player Development Complex. After roughly two weeks at the Marriott, I was able to find a job as a Maintenance Tech at the Opal Sands hotel in Clearwater Beach, FL. In January, the Blue Jays changed Cleaning Companies but asked me to stay on with the incoming company, 4M Building Solutions.

Later in January, I was promoted within 4M to take over as the Supervisor for the Nightly Cleaning at the Blue Jays Facility. In August of 2022, I was once again promoted within 4M to Account Manager at the Toronto Blue Jays Facility. At this point I was able to financially support myself off of my Account manager position and left the Opal Sands, solely focusing on my new role with 4M and the Blue Jays.

In February 2023, I was offered the opportunity to join the Toronto Blue Jays as a Maintenance Tech, and I accepted the offer. Working in baseball has always been a dream of mine.

What does a typical day look like in your role?

A typical day for me starts at 7 a.m. I log into my computer and go through my emails and work orders. This is how I prioritize my day/week. I then go to our Hydrotherapy Room where I check the water levels of all our tubs and our pool. We have two hot tubs and two cold tubs as well as a pool. I also check chemical levels to ensure everything is safe for our players and staff.

After this, I typically grab some breakfast and start in on my work orders for the day. Each day at 2:15 p.m. we hold a team meeting to discuss items we have worked on throughout the day. Obstacles we might have run into, parts we might need to order, and we discuss the plan for the next day.

At 2:30-3:15 p.m. I start to clean up my work location and my tools.  I will also get my shop cart ready for the next day. At 3:30 p.m., I end my shift.

One of the best parts about working with the Blue Jays is that each day is different.  I get to work on everything in the building. One day might be painting and drywall, the next day could be plumbing, and the day after could be pressure washing or routine breaks/fixes.

It’s incredibly hard to describe a “typical” day because the landscape is always changing. You have to be flexible and ready for anything. 

Are there any mentors or key figures who have influenced your career?

This one is hard to answer; I have so many people I am grateful for along the way, and they have taught me so many things. I feel that the biggest influence could be myself, the dedication and the passion I have for what I do drives me each day.

I have self-taught so many of the things I do on a daily basis. Ultimately, I feel like I have encountered so many amazing people on my journey that it is hard to pick out just one to highlight. Each person I have had the pleasure of working with has taught me something new along the way.

Can you share a specific project or accomplishment you’re particularly proud of?

To me, every project I work on no matter how big or small. Difficult or easy. Are all important and I am proud of each item I cross off of my to due list. However if I have one moment I can call back to it would be the work I did in Puerto Rico after Hurricane Maria. 

My island was devastated by the storm. The mindset is to help, help your neighbor, help your city, and help your homeland. The work I was able to do to get families back into their homes and live as normally as possible will always be something I am proud of and extremely grateful to be a part of. 

What challenges do you face in your work, and how do you overcome them?

As maintenance techs, we always have challenges. We never know what we are going to encounter or what obstacles might be in our way when trying to complete a project. To overcome these types of issues, the key for me is to ask questions, be passionate about your work, and keep an open mind. Sometimes, the easy solution is not the best solution. Sometimes, you have to think outside the box and come up with new ideas to complete a task.

What’s one piece of advice you would give to those starting in the field?

One piece of advice I always give is that this work is gratifying but not easy.  You have to practice patience at all times. Don’t get ahead of yourself, take your time. The quality of your work is more important than the quantity of your work. Ask questions, never be afraid to ask questions. We are learning new things every day, and that’s the beauty of what we do.

Stay up to date with nomination timelines

This year’s nomination deadline has passed, but you can be notified about future facilities management awards from FMX. Just sign up below: