UpKeep's Maintenance Heroes of 2024

Celebrating Excellence: UpKeep's Maintenance Heroes of 2024

At UpKeep, we believe in recognizing the individuals who go above and beyond in the maintenance and reliability industry. This year, we hosted our third annual Maintenance Hero Awards, honoring the unsung heroes who keep operations running smoothly.

From innovating processes to championing safety, these incredible professionals exemplify excellence in their roles. We’re thrilled to announce the winners of the 2024 Maintenance Hero Awards across six prestigious categories, including the ultimate All-Round Maintenance Hero!

Meet the 2024 Winners

All-Round Maintenance Hero: Ron Santelik, Rowell Chemical

Ron transformed Rowell Chemical’s maintenance operations by implementing UpKeep and creating a more efficient, accountable workflow. He trained his team on the platform, moving processes away from outdated methods like email and verbal requests. When the company faced challenges with contractor management, Ron used UpKeep to streamline billing and bring clarity to maintenance expenses, which greatly improved budget transparency.

In addition to his technical expertise, Ron leads multiple large-scale capital projects and serves as a mentor, sharing over 40 years of industry knowledge. His dedication, leadership, and ability to champion a positive maintenance culture have made a lasting impact on his organization.

Innovator of the Year: Griselle Garcia, Capitol Bridge PR

Griselle has redefined facility data management, leveraging CMMS to optimize workflows, expense tracking, and compliance. Her forward-thinking approach has increased efficiency, improved safety, and driven cost savings across multiple facilities.

Rising Star: Casey Nowetner, Celanese 

In just one year as Maintenance Manager at Celanese, Casey has achieved remarkable results, including a 50% reduction in work order cycle times and a groundbreaking maintenance internship program. His leadership and dedication are inspiring the next generation of maintenance professionals.

Safety Champion: Brian Dixon, Good Earth Tools, Inc.

Brian’s commitment to safety at Good Earth Tools has been transformative, driving meaningful changes in his company’s safety program. As a leader in his organization’s safety team, Brian continually identifies areas for improvement and ensures a safer environment for everyone.

Team Leader: Anthony Cohen, Mt. Diablo Resource Recovery

Anthony leads by example, overseeing a team responsible for maintaining a fleet of heavy equipment and trucks at Mt. Diablo Resource Recovery. His technical expertise, problem-solving skills, and dedication to safety inspire his team to achieve excellence every day.

Community Impact Hero: Ben Aldrich, Milestone Senior Services

Ben exemplifies dedication and teamwork, going above and beyond to support his colleagues during office renovations. He collaborated with the staff to ensure changes met accessibility needs, advocated for disability accommodations, and organized team-building events like movie nights. Ben's positivity, budget-conscious approach, and genuine care make a lasting impact on everyone around him here at Milestone Senior Services.

Hear Their Stories on the Pledge Pros Podcast!

We’re excited to share that this season of the Pledge Pros Podcast will feature episodes with our Maintenance Hero winners! You’ll hear their stories, insights, and advice in their own words. Stay tuned for their episodes, and don’t miss an update—check out the podcast here.

Thank You to All Nominees

We were blown away by the incredible nominations we received this year. Each story highlighted the resilience, creativity, and dedication of maintenance professionals around the world.

As we celebrate this year’s winners, we’re reminded of the vital role these individuals play in keeping operations running and making workplaces safer, more efficient, and more reliable.

Keep the Celebration Going

To our winners: Thank you for your contributions and for inspiring us all. To everyone who participated: Keep shining in your roles—you’re making a difference!

Let’s continue to celebrate and honor maintenance professionals every day.

#MaintenanceHeroes #UpKeepHeroes2024