Galen Monti, Boiler/Burner Specialist 2, Office of Building Services

April 21st, 2016

Galen Monti has diligently maintained and repaired boilers and burners for the HCPSS for two decades. He services and monitors all aspects of boiler and burner installation, cleaning, replacement, inspection and tests for 54 boilers and associated equipment in 26 buildings throughout the county. Over the past 10 years, he’s also assisted in the review of new construction and replacement projects in relation to boilers and burners. Monti supports a positive educational environment by “increasing the comfort of the building,” he said, whether that’s with heat or air flow to decrease humidity, depending on the season.

Technology has drastically changed how boiler and burner issues are reported, but what has remained is “Galen’s first concern is always the safety of the children, staff and building,” explained his supervisor Sam Knight, HCPSS HVAC/boiler leadman. Nowadays, the HCPSS uses a building automation monitoring system that sends text message alarms about boiler issues. Monti said, “with the computer, I can pick things up before you even know there’s a problem.” Besides troubleshooting issues, Monti largely focuses on preventive maintenance, striving to visit each of his buildings weekly. “The computer is great for what it does, but it doesn’t pick up everything,” Monti explained.

Monti’s father was a mechanic, so he grew up helping with the cars at home and was used to working with his hands on “anything you can turn a wrench with.” Though Monti has a mechanical background from his family, he laughingly says his getting into boiler work was a “mix up.” Originally he had applied for a truck driver position at a local oil company, but it turned out to be already filled. The company then gave him a shot at the open burner position. “It was 95 percent learned on the job training, and I went from there,” Monti said. He discovered he enjoys the work because “I like troubleshooting, turning wrenches. I like to fix problems.”

Monti and Knight worked together at the oil company, and Monti joined the HCPSS a year after Knight, who had let him know of an opening. Monti has worked his way up, from heating mechanic to boiler/burner specialist to boiler/burner specialist 2, which requires a state license as a second grade engineer. Monti said he’s stayed with the HCPSS all these years because of “the people. There’s a lot of good people around here, friendly, knowledgable.”

Director of School Facilities Olivia Claus recognizes Monti’s strength in working well with others, saying “Galen is one of those individuals who exemplifies teamwork, is extremely conscientious of his responsibilities and always willing to assist others as the senior technician. Galen has been one of those team members who always looks for opportunities to improve and is supportive of others.”

Monti said the Department of School Facilities really began to support each other during the back to back blizzards in 2010. “We’re a support group,” Monti said. “I try to maintain safe and environmentally friendly boilers, but if anything else is asked, I’m there for whatever it takes to get the job done. We’re here for one job–for the kids–if it takes an extra hour or 5 minutes, let’s do it, be done, and let the kids be here. If the kids aren’t here, we wouldn’t be here.” Monti, who describes himself as a “jack of all trades,” has been known to help in all kinds of situations, including when trucks break down, manpower is needed to help rig or move equipment, and even helping dig to get to a generator.

Knight described Monti as a “brother” to him, saying “Galen’s got a personality that draws people to him. He’s very qualified to do anything. We ask a lot of Galen; he’s always willing to do whatever he needs to do to help someone. I don’t think he knows the word ‘no.’ He’s one of those people, when you ask him to do a task, I don’t need to think about it anymore, because I know it’s done and correctly. He’s a tremendous asset to the whole county.” Monti sees his role as “undercover” as long as there’s no interruption of service, but Knight says Monti is known throughout the county for his hard work but is humble, “letting the work speak for itself.”