Employee Spotlight

November 2025: Samuel Gongon

Electrician
Years of service: 1
Keeping the lights on and maintaining the campus day to day basic electrical needs. 

• Most rewarding experience at UMB: The most rewarding part of what I do is put a smile on peoples face when I bring them lights.
• Hobbies: Rock climbing, Motorcycles, Cars, and Food.
• Favorite sports team: Williams Racing F1
• Random fact: High amounts of sugar can cause dementia.
• If I won the lottery, I would: Pay off my house and help my family and then invest the rest and keep on working.
• If I had a super power, it would be: The power to create food at will and end world hunger.
• My favorite movie: Nacho Libre Staring Jack Black
• My favorite vacation: Tosa De Mar Spain on the coast of Barcelona.

October 2025: Micheal Zagraiek

Building Automation Operator
Years of service: 4
Assist other trades periodically in times of need. Provide daily operations and maintenance of all building automation systems, software, field processors and related equipment. 

• Most rewarding experience at UMB: Feedback from “customers” for providing comfort 
• Hobbies: Staying in shape and Wine Making
• Favorite sports team: Forest Hill LiL Kickers
• Random fact: Humans shed around 200 million skin cells each hour, contributing to indoor dust. 
• If I won the lottery, I would: Financially Help Family and Friends and have a Party.
• If I had a super power, it would be: To make the World a Better Place for All.
• My favorite movie: The Godfather Part 1
• My favorite vacation: Anywhere in the Mountains

September 2025: Scott Walker

HVAC III technician
Years of service: 2
I maintain the HVAC in the buildings. I currently have the Dental & Pharmacy Buildings. 

• Most rewarding experience at UMB: Working with my fellow coworkers
• Hobbies: Golf, Fishing, and Boating with my wife
• Favorite sports team: Orioles
• Random fact: I paid $38,000 in cash for my first car—a Toyota Corolla. 
• If I won the lottery, I would: Disappear
• If I had a super power, it would be: I don’t know. My wife is my superpower.
• My favorite movie: Caddyshack, The Waterfront on Netflix is pretty good too.
• My favorite vacation: Key West, Florida and Horseshoe Bay, Bermuda

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August 2025: Brian Croston

Assistant Director of Electrical Trades
Years of service: 13
Managing the Electrical Shops and Coordinating with D&C for Electrical Projects on Campus. 

• Most rewarding experience at UMB: The Electrical Infrastructure Project
• Hobbies: Classic Cars
• Favorite sports team: Orioles
• Random fact: Maine is the only state that has a one syllable name. 
• If I won the lottery, I would: Move to the mountains and retire.
• If I had a super power, it would be: Ability to fly
• My favorite movie: Predator
• My favorite vacation: Raystown Lake Pennsylvania

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July 2025: Michael Penney

Manager, Facilities Service Center
Years of service: 3
Managing the Service Center, and the Office Manager.

• Most rewarding experience at UMB: Managing the Service Center.
• Hobbies: Soccer and Movies
• Favorite sports team: Chelsea (England Soccer Team)
• Random fact: Fluent in French Language. 
• If I won the lottery, I would: Will invest in the Youth of my community.
• If I had a super power, it would be: Superman.
• My favorite movie: Catch me if you can
• My favorite vacation: Ghana 

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June 2025: Chad Goings

Technical Trades Manager - HVAC
Years of service: 7
My responsibilities include a mix of technical oversight, personnel management and administrative duties to ensure the effective operation of HVAC systems throughout the campus.

• Most rewarding experience at UMB: Developing my skills as a manager.
• Hobbies: Traveling, Working out, Bicycling, Concerts, Dancing.
• Favorite sports team: Baltimore Ravens
• Random fact: I did 25 Ziplines through and above a Tropical Rainforest in Costa Rica. 
• If I won the lottery, I would: Pay off all my bills, donate to charity, and invest.
• If I had a super power, it would be: The ability to heal injuries and diseases.
• My favorite movie: Gladiator
• My favorite vacation: Thailand 

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May 2025: Philip Resch

Electronics Locksmith
Years of service: 7
Safes, doors, life safety, and physical security.

• Most rewarding experience at UMB: Speaking out and having peer support.
• Hobbies: Playing guitar, meditation, local music scene, digital asset and stock investment.
• Favorite sports team: Local birds always
• Random fact: Not your keys, not your crypto. 
• If I won the lottery, I would: Compound my winnings and help those I love.
• If I had a super power, it would be: Understand and speak all languages.
• My favorite movie: Time Machine, Goonies
• My favorite vacation: Anywhere I can find quiet and ground or float a kayak.

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April 2025: Marquis Swann

Storekeeper
Years of service: 13
Delivering EVS supplies, vehicle maintenance (gas & mileage), Ups, FedEx and Amazon check ins and the organization of the Warehouse.

• Most rewarding experience at UMB: Being promoted from EVS to storekeeper.
• Hobbies: Anything car related.
• Favorite sports team: Baltimore Ravens
• Random fact: The most expensive Bugatti ever made is the Bugatti La Voiture Noire estimated around $19 million. 
• If I won the lottery, I would: Buy my immediate family a house and cars and save the rest.
• If I had a super power, it would be: To change the world.
• My favorite movie: Friday
• My favorite vacation: Miami Beach

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March 2025: Edsel Spellman

Elevator Shop Trainee
Years of service: 6
My responsibilities include assisting techs with maintenance, inspections, repairs, and troubleshooting elevator components and systems.

• Most rewarding experience at UMB: Having the opportunity to transfer to the Elevator Shop and enroll into an apprenticeship program where I can work toward becoming a Certified Elevator Technician.
• Hobbies: Waterfowl Hunting, being outdoors & traveling
• Favorite sports team: Baltimore Orioles
• Random fact: Alaska is the only U.S. state that can be typed using one row of the keyboard. 
• If I won the lottery, I would: Pay off mine and family’s bills, donate to my father’s charity and shiners hospital. Also travel the world.
• If I had a super power, it would be: Being able to fly
• My favorite movie: Saving private Ryan
• My favorite vacation: Iceland or Caribbean

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February 2025: Matt Hazel

Senior Manager Building Systems
Years of service: 7
Oversee campus HVAC and Building Automation system.  Implement energy savings initiatives when possible and help field technicians diagnose issues.

• Most rewarding experience at UMB: Doing projects in house that provide energy savings and installing alarm points to improve response time to critical issues.
• Hobbies: Coaching Soccer
• Favorite sports team: Baltimore Ravens
• Random fact: A Navy nuclear aircraft carrier could stay deployed 25 years if needed. Only needing to restock jet fuel, food, and ammunition. 
• If I won the lottery, I would: Buy land and live with friends and family.
• If I had a super power, it would be: Teleportation. I hate traffic and commuting. Teleporting to work and vacation would be awesome!
• My favorite movie: How to train your dragon
• My favorite vacation: Tie between Outer Banks and Smokey Mountains

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January 2025: Scott Versteegh

Facilities Supply Manager
Years of service: 9
I support OM and EVS by ensuring essential supplies are procured and delivered in a timely manner.

• Most rewarding experience at UMB: Knowing that my work contributes to the seamless operation of the University and supports future doctors, researchers, nurses, pharmacists, lawyers, dentists, and social workers in their careers.
• Hobbies: Traveling, enjoying fine dining, fishing.
• Favorite sports team: Baltimore Orioles
• Random fact: Sliced bread was invented in Iowa. 
• If I won the lottery, I would: Invest in the communities I’ve lived in, travel the world, and live abroad
• If I had a super power, it would be: Time Travel  to explore history, see the future, and never run out of time to accomplish everything on my list.
• My favorite movie: Sorcerer
• My favorite vacation: Iceland

December 2024: Brandon Walsh

Electrical Trades Technician
Years of service: 1
Working on estimates and completing projects.

• Most rewarding experience at UMB: Getting to learn from, build relationships with, and work alongside so many different knowledgeable trades people.
• Hobbies: Working on cars, Spending time with family especially my 6-year-old Daughter.
• Favorite sports team: Ravens
• Random fact: Placing a car key fob to your head can greatly increase the range.
• If I won the lottery, I would: Pay off house and any debt, go on vacation frequently, Start a car collection.
• If I had a super power, it would be: Eternal Youth
• My favorite movie: Gladiator
• My favorite vacation: Yellowstone

November 2024: Lucas Noppenberger

Associate Director, Operations and Maintenance
Years of service: 7
My duties include managing the trades of the O&M Department, working on strategic planning, maintaining the good of department, University and safety of patron and public.

• Most rewarding experience at UMB: The time the Presidents office flooded with sewage water. I got to work with other departments to rebuild and reconstruct the President’s office like brand new. It was a nice experience.
• Hobbies: School and Golfing on my free time.
• Favorite sports team: Ravens
• Random fact: Orca’s/Killer Whales are known to be one of the most intelligent species in the world.
• If I won the lottery, I would: Help my friends, buy expensive cars and hire a personal chef and driver.
• If I had a super power, it would be: To fly
• My favorite movie: Goodfellas and Casino
• My favorite vacation: Grand Cayman Island

October 2024: Heather Skogebo

Program Management Specialist
Years of service: 2
Provide excellent customer service to all through the service center.

• Most rewarding experience at UMB: Interacting with everyone.
• Hobbies: SCUBA diving, collecting shells, and cooking
• Favorite sports team: Baltimore Ravens
• Random fact: Did you know that octopus will punch fish for no apparent reason, out of spite, to keep the fish away from their next meal, and/or to control where the fish swims.
• If I won the lottery, I would: Buy a farm and breed mini cows, mini donkeys, and Norwegian dwarf goats.
• If I had a super power, it would be: The ability to talk to all animals.
• My favorite movie: Bad Boys 2
• My favorite vacation: Grand Cayman

September 2024: Stephen Hayes

Elevator Tech III
Years of service: 3+
To service, troubleshoot, and repair the campus elevators.

• Most rewarding experience at UMB: By being able to make our staff, faculty, and student's daily experiences easier by having our vertical transportation equipment working for them.
• Hobbies: Going to the gym and spending time with family.
• Favorite sports team: Washington Commanders/Washington Wizards
• Random fact: The Sun makes a sound but we can't hear it.
• If I won the lottery, I would: Travel the world with my family and friends.
• If I had a super power, it would be: To fly so I wouldn't have to deal with traffic.
• My favorite movie: The Usual Suspects/Coming to America
• My favorite vacation: Anywhere there is a crystal-clear water beach.

August 2024: Bobby Adams

HVAC Mechanic III
Years of service: 6+
Keeping people comfortable with being cool in the summer and warm in the winter.

• Most rewarding experience at UMB: Seeing the smile on an employee’s face once their equipment has been repaired.
• Hobbies: Camping and attending sporting events.
• Favorite sports team: Ravens and Orioles
• Random fact: I have over 30 first cousins on my mother's side of the family.
• If I won the lottery, I would: Help the homeless and reopen recreation centers in Baltimore City.
• If I had a super power, it would be: Time Travel
• My favorite movie: Good Fellas
• My favorite vacation: Jamaica

July 2024: Bernie Humphrey

Multi-Trades Chief III
Years of service: 7+
Zone lead, completing work orders, estimates, schedule work orders, meeting with building managers to solve any issue.

• Most rewarding experience at UMB: Finding out a doctor I was doing a work order for was the man responsible for saving my wife’s life as a child from t-cell leukemia, Dr. Curt Civin, “slayer of dragons” was a plaque given to him by Tom Clancy, Peter Angelos, and Tom Selleck that I was hanging on his office wall. It sparked a conversation that would change my life.
• Hobbies: Camping, Shooting Sports, Hiking.
• Favorite sports team: Overlea falcon’s boy’s lacrosse, my sons’ team.
• Random fact: A soldier in the American revolution made on average $6.67 a month, worth about $240.79 in today’s money.
• If I won the lottery, I would: First pay off all my debts and then help people who genuinely need it.
• If I had a super power, it would be: Power to heal people.
• My favorite movie: The Patriot
• My favorite vacation: Romney, West Virginia

June 2024: Tom Garvey

Multi-Trades Chief II and Chief Morale Officer
Years of service: 10+
My duties include fixing things that break, making things that don’t break better and bringing the UMB family together.

• Most rewarding experience at UMB: Using tuition remission for both my wife and kids.
• Hobbies: Coaching my son’s Soccer team, Cooking, started playing pool, Foster parent.
• Favorite sports team: Orioles and Ravens
• Random fact: If you’re having a mental health emergency's or substance abuse/addiction struggles, CALL 988 for free 24/7. If you need someone to talk to, I am here for you.
• If I won the lottery, I would: Do more to help those that can’t help themselves.
• If I had a super power, it would be: Precognition, because I’m extremely impatient.
• My favorite movie: Anchorman, “60% of the time, it works every time!”
• My favorite vacation: Road trips!

May 2024: James W. Brown

Manager, Building Systems Chief
Years of service: 30+
Supervise off-hours Operations and Maintenance (O&M), manage 3 shifts, and handle emergencies.

• Most rewarding experience at UMB: Receiving the 30-year Appreciation award from President Jay Perman.
• Hobbies: Diecast Model Car Collecting
• Favorite sports team: Baltimore Ravens
• Random fact: I help those that are less fortunate than myself because it makes me feel good.
• If I won the lottery, I would: Start a non-profit to help those that are less fortunate.
• If I had a super power, it would be: To fly
• My favorite movie: SuperStar
• My favorite vacation: Haven’t found it yet.

April 2024: Louis Tagliaferro

Painter
Years of service: 2+
Ensuring a bright and pristine ambiance across the campus, fostering pride among students and employees.

• Most rewarding experience at UMB: Every day is rewarding as I love my job and colleagues!
• Hobbies: Managing "Tagliaferro’s Painting Powerwashing & Deck Staining" business.
• Favorite sports team: Baltimore Ravens
• Random fact: Surrendering is not giving up, it’s overcoming and resolving problems in a different way!
• If I won the lottery, I would: Save money for my three kids, retire my wife, and live life on my own terms.
• If I had a super power, it would be: Superman
• My favorite movie: Rocky II
• My favorite vacation: Myrtle Beach SC

March 2024: Ivan Ivanov

Systems Reliability Supervisor
Years of service: 6+
Maintaining and repairing campus electrical systems.

• Most rewarding experience at UMB: Being part of the electrical infrastructure upgrade on campus.
• Hobbies: Coaching Baseball, Hiking.
• Favorite sports team: The team my kids play for.
• If I won the lottery, I would: Donate most of the money.
• If I had a super power, it would be: To fly.
• My favorite movie: Indiana Jones.
• My favorite vacation: Mountains of Bulgaria.

February 2024: Michael Gaunt

Contracts Manager
Years of service: 9
Work with Shops and Senior Staff to requisition contracted goods and services. Assist with Encumbrance analysis. Process invoices for O&M Operations.

• Most rewarding experience at UMB: Getting the advice and insights from O&M’s world-class technical experts when I was building my house.
• Hobbies: Guitarist and sometime vocalist for local acoustic trio – ask me about my upcoming gigs!
• Favorite sports team: Baltimore Ravens
• Random fact: Army brat, 3rd and 4th grade lived in Taiwan, ROC.
• If I won the lottery, I would: Besides travel, I’d do something to make the world a better place.
• If I had a super power, it would be: Intuitive Aptitude: instant mastery of instruments and technology.
• My favorite movie: Almost Famous
• My favorite vacation: Albuquerque, NM

January 2024: Sasank Kinnera

Business Applications Analyst
Years of service: 6+ Months
I support techs and managers by addressing issues with ReADY and AiM, updating O&M website, and generating customized reports.

• Most rewarding experience at UMB: Networking with skilled professionals.
• Hobbies: Cooking, Badminton
• Favorite sports team: Baltimore Ravens, Indian Cricket Team.
• Random fact: Bananas are berries, but strawberries are not!
• If I won the lottery, I would: Pay off my student loan, invest wisely for financial security.
• If I had a super power, it would be: Teleportation
• My favorite movie: Any Action/Comedy.
• My favorite vacation: Mountains.

December 2023: James Crowe

Electrician
Years of service: 2+
I am responsible for keeping the lights on, one room at a time.

• Most rewarding experience at UMB: Training the new guys at work.
• Hobbies: Softball & Poker
• Favorite sports team: Baltimore Ravens / Orioles Purple / Orange
• Random fact: I have a beautiful wife and a terrific son.
• If I won the lottery, I would: Retire and travel the world.
• If I had a super power, it would be: Immortal, never aging.
• My favorite movie: Training Day
• My favorite vacation: Bermuda

November 2023: John Mehsling

Electronics Tech III
Years of service: 2+
I am responsible for monitoring maintenance and repair of life safety systems.

• Most rewarding experience at UMB: Keeping everyone safe.
• Hobbies: Bowling
• Favorite sports team: Baltimore Ravens
• Random fact: If you close both eyes you see black. If you only close one eye you see nothing out of the closed eye.
• If I won the lottery, I would: Pay off all of my bills and take care of my family.
• If I had a super power, it would be: Flight
• My favorite movie: Caddy Shack
• My favorite vacation: Tucscon, Arizona

October 2023: William E. Nieberlein III

Multi Trades Chief III
Years of service: 1+
I am responsible for estimates and daily work orders in Zone One.

• Most rewarding experience at UMB: Building the ferret wall in MSTF.
• Hobbies: ATV riding and fishing.
• Favorite sports team: Baltimore Ravens
• Random fact: Ketchup used to be sold as medicine.
• If I won the lottery, I would: Pay off some family members’ debt; then buy my wife a Shelby GT500 (Eleanor), Audi R8 for myself, and a Porsche 911 for my mom.
• If I had a super power, it would be: Shooting fireballs
• My favorite movie: Gladiator
• My favorite vacation: Delaware beaches