As Custodial Manager, Martires Germonsen has created a culture of inclusion and exceptional service in Aramark’s Facilities line of business. Whether lending an empathetic ear or nudging his people toward greatness, Marty brings the best out of the people he leads.
Custodial Manager Martires Germonsen
Having joined Aramark as an Assistant Custodial Manager, Martires Germonsen, or Marty for short, has grown his career at Aramark while developing an inclusive leadership style that helps every member of his team pursue the best versions of themselves.
Germonsen says that Aramark’s culture has impacted the way he approaches his own management style, citing an empathetic, empowering approach to jobs that are tough, but full of opportunities for rewards.
“It is very fast-paced here, there’s no doubt about it,” he says. “You have to work hard and Aramark doesn’t give you a free pass, but if you commit to what you’re doing, you will see the results, I promise. This is not a place where they’re going to put you to work and then forget about you. Aramark and all the managers are looking out for you and looking for better opportunities for you if you’re willing to move ahead. One thing that’s special about this place is that if you want to move around and try new things, this is the place to be. There are just so many opportunities.”
To create a more rewarding experience for his team, Marty says he gives his employees the benefit of the doubt as well as the freedom to develop their careers and solve problems how they best see fit. In his view, micromanagement not only makes people unhappy, it keeps better ideas and solutions off the table.
“If you think I’m wrong or if you think you have a great idea, I will listen to you.” He says. Germonsen also says that this approach extends to how he – and Aramark more broadly – pursue more inclusive and diverse workplaces where people from all backgrounds can thrive. No job title is too small at Aramark. People are empowered to be who they are. “It doesn’t matter how you look, how you walk, or how you talk. We respect and love our people.”
As a Custodial Manager working with school systems, Marty also cites his team’s response to the pandemic as particularly inspiring.
“Our goal has always been to provide a safe place and clean environments. Last September, the schools opened again and have been open since. I have 17 buildings that I work with that are elementary, middle, and high schools. It has been a very challenging situation that me and my team have worked hard to overcome. Safety is the number one goal for us. We want all of our people to go home the same way they came in. We help each other work safe and report any incident, no matter how big or small. All things considered, we’ve been doing a really good job at getting through and helping each other along the way.”
Germonsen has become such an impactful leader at Aramark, that he was among 200 people chosen out of 270,000 to travel to Las Vegas and receive special recognition for their excellent work. From keynote speeches and guided tours of cultural sites to wine-and-dine extravaganzas, Marty says that although he doesn’t do his work for the recognition, he felt very proud to be a part of an organization that values its people like that.
At the end of the day, Germonsen’s career with Aramark is less about adding more schools to his portfolio than it is about loving the people he works with and making a difference in their careers.
To learn more about how Marty is creating an inclusive leadership style and building a rewarding career in the process, check out the Q&A!
— Martires Gormenson, Custodial Manager
Hear more from our conversation with Martires in the Q&A section below.
How did you first hear about Aramark and end up working here?
I used to work for a competitor and my manager at the time ended up going to work for Aramark. He tried to recruit me for Aramark but at the time, the company didn’t have any account in Rhode Island where I lived and I didn’t want to travel. He told me “that’s alright, you’ll work for Aramark eventually.” And then Aramark ended up getting a contract with the Providence school district and suddenly the timing was right. I put in my application, did the interview, and went from there. That was November 31, 2000.
How has your career grown since you joined Aramark?
I was an Assistant Manager when I started. I then became a Manager. I recommend Aramark to anyone who wants to pursue a career as a manager. The company creates a big portfolio for a manager, they invest in their team, they encourage you to keep learning and growing. Aramark is a company that has given me a lot of opportunities. I have even traveled to two states to help open new locations. I went to Chicago when it opened up. I went there to help three or four times for a week each time. I also went to Charlotte to do the same thing. That’s another great thing about being a manager at Aramark—it’s a great team environment and they’re always looking for people in different places, so you can move around.
How have you helped grow the people around you?
I love working with people. And I love to help people. In my job, I have the opportunity to help a lot of people. I always recommend Aramark to people because it’s a great company to work for. I know a lot of people in the community, plus, I come from a big family. We are twelve brothers and sisters, so I recommend Aramark to everyone I know. I have brought so many people into the company, including three managers and a lot of other employees. They call me The Agency because when they need somebody, they ask me because everybody that I’ve brought into Aramark is still working here. I love that I have the chance to get people started at a great company and help them along the way.
Do you have any leadership philosophies or approaches you take to helping people develop?
I always give people the benefit of the doubt. I just treat them the same way they want to be treated. I respect them. I tell them, you are an adult. It is insulting for me to be chasing after you and telling you things you did wrong when you know already. I give them the opportunity to develop themselves and not be afraid of making mistakes, because it’s okay to make mistakes. I also really tell them if they need help, I am here for them. They can call me any time. They can also really tell me what they think about how we’re doing certain projects or work. If they think I’m wrong or they think they have a better idea, I will really listen. So, I think that because I give them that platform and that they feel comfortable talking to me about anything, that they try to do their best always
How do you think Aramark is making sure opportunities are available to people from diverse backgrounds and creating an inclusive culture?
Because I have worked here for so long and because I have worked for other companies, I can see the difference. I think it’s excellent. We have people from all backgrounds that work with us. At Aramark, no matter where you come from, the company treats its people like first-class citizens. You’re not treated any differently because of your color, the way you talk, the way you dress, or any of that. Just because we have different job titles, it doesn’t mean that we are different. Treat everyone with respect. Love them. And you will get the best of them. That is what Aramark is like. It’s a wonderful company.
Martires being recognized at Aramark's "Ring of Stars" event.
Carson, CA
Job ID: 306655
Gainesville, FL
Job ID: 320970
Yosemite National Park, CA
Job ID: 323675
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