Caring for History

While deeply meaningful in the U.S. and around the world, the tragic events of September 11, 2001 hold special significance to us at ABM Industries as we remember the 17 team members we lost that day, and the longstanding relationship we had – and still have – with our clients across the World Trade Center complex.

Today, our work includes the operation, care, and preservation of the 9/11 Memorial & Museum . Chief Engineer Anthony LoCasto recently shared some of his experience caring for this hallowed ground as our ABM team prepares for the annual remembrance event.

Can you start by telling us about your background and what ABM does here at the 9/11 Memorial and Museum?

Tony: ABM brought me here in 2011. Before that I was at a data center, also through ABM. I think all considered, I’ve spent close to 25 years with ABM in various locations.

We take care of every aspect of engineering and maintenance here at the 9/11 Memorial and Museum, including the grounds, lighting, HVAC, mechanical and electrical. On the plaza, care of the irrigation system – around 2,700 sprinkler heads – as well as the over 400 trees, the Memorial Pools, the bronze parapets that list the names of each victim, the museum, and everything in between.

This is all man-made and we care for it. We work hand-in-hand with the ABM janitorial team who keep the complex clean, as well as the various clients throughout the site. We all share a "one team" philosophy.

The memorial and museum are unlike anywhere else with truly unique needs – on both a facility and human level. Our team appreciates the responsibility we have here, and as a result, our client gives us projects well beyond the traditional facilities maintenance scope, like caring for the patina of the bronze parapets and ensuring the fountains remain pristine. These features are one-of-a-kind, and they didn't come with a manual. Our ABM teams developed the practices and processes that keep them preserved, protected, and looking like new.

That really encapsulates what we do at ABM – not just being a service provider, but finding solutions. How does that mindset carry over to your team?

Tony: The way I look at it, there are no problems, just requests to work and that's what I'm here to do. This mindset helps keep you calm. If you think everything is a problem, you’re gonna panic all the time. I just think about what needs to get done and how we can do it.

I think this same view is carried by all of us here. We have a wide range of ages and experiences across our team and are fortunate to have many highly experienced folks who are generous in teaching and sharing their knowledge with the younger generation. We figure out any obstacle together.

This is truly the best experience of my career. Understanding what happened here, seeing what has risen around us, and being able to put my name on it – it’s pretty incredible. I have also never worked at a place where I get so much support with different teams across the site all working together harmoniously – client, engineering, janitorial, subcontractors – everyone’s here because they want to be, and they want to deliver the best.

You encounter so many kinds of people here, the tourists, to people who work here, to families of those who were lost. What’s it like to manage all that?

Tony: Number one for me is the families – we want to make them feel proud, comfortable, and able to visit and feel that this place that has such deep meaning to them is being well cared for. We want this place to always look like the first day it opened. Sometimes you meet a younger person who cannot remember, or never had the chance to meet, their parents or family members who were lost, and they approach you and tell you they appreciate what you do. On the other side, we sometimes get folks who know very little about the site, and view it as just another tourist stop. It can be an emotional roller coaster here, but I remind my team to always keep it positive.

What does the preparation look like for this year’s remembrance?

Tony: We aim for the site to look its best every day, but we know the eyes of the world will be on us on September 11 each year. I think the families will be very impressed. We have some detailing to do, but I'm not worried. Even if something unexpected comes up, we always have a "plan B". It will all be immaculate and pristine. We will be ready. It really is more than a job; this is a responsibility and one that we are proud to carry.