After a long cool wet winter, we are in full swing preparing our community for what many consider the highlight of living in our little corner of the world . . . the summer season with trips to the beach, pool parties, bluff picnics and all the other activities we enjoy here at Niguel Shores.
At the bluff all the old portable tables, which had definitely reached a rusty end to their useful life, have been replaced with brand new ones ready for your next dinner or birthday party. At the pool, maintenance has been completed, the new cover has been installed, and a host of other updates are in the works.
This month, our Maintenance Staff Spotlight falls on Facilities Manager
George Cooley. If you happen to see a tanned gentleman in a ball cap, with a
Bluetooth earpiece on, running from one meeting to the latest urgent repair call, that is most likely George. As our Facilities Manager, George is responsible for . . . well. . . EVERYTHING. He is the MacGyver of maintenance at Niguel Shores, helping us avoid major expenditures by
adapting or often making parts to keep things running.
Born in Los Angeles but raised on his father’s grape and then almond farm in Fresno County, George learned to fix things on the fly, and to look for available parts or make parts when needed, rather than drive hours to purchase them.
While growing up with his two sisters, both of whom are now nurses living in Orange County, George worked with his father on the farm. He attended Fresno State and graduated from the Palmer College of Chiropractors in the Bay Area. He worked for several chiropractors before starting his own practice, all the while continuing to help run the farm. When his father passed away in 1989, George found himself running his new business and helping his mother run the farm, both full time jobs. He had to decide between the two, and chose to assist his mother with the farm until they decided to sell some years later.
George transitioned into facilities management at the Newport Beach Tennis Club before Niguel Shores was lucky enough to hire him. George enjoys his extended family of 12 here in Orange County and he likes to surprise them with awesome food. He says, “I love to cook for them. Eating with family needs to be an experience, not just a meal. So that is always my goal.”
The Maintenance Committee and all our Niguel Shores personnel rely heavily on George Cooley and his staff so please say a word of thanks when you see them. And be sure to ask George about his Mississippi Pot Roast. It is ahit with the family!
—Geoff Dunlevie
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