The California Joint Powers Insurance Authority (California JPIA) welcomes Maintenance Worker Garret Marchese, whose professional background includes working in the private and public sectors and the United States military.
Marchese joined the Authority this February and will support Facilities Specialist Chris Yanonis. He will be responsible for building, grounds, and facilities maintenance.
“Garret is a welcome addition to the Authority family,” said Finance Director Jason McBride. “His enthusiasm, dedication, and desire to make a positive impact, along with his skill set in facilities maintenance, make him a very good fit for his new role.”
Marchese’s professional journey began at age 18 when he joined the United States Marine Corps. He performed military engineering tasks and construction and demolition duties as a combat engineer.
“In the field, combat engineers deal with whatever is thrown at them,” he said, describing the need for a resilient and adaptive mindset. “One minute, I could use a metal detector to locate and destroy improvised explosive devices; the next minute, I could figure out the most effective and efficient way to create a bunker for cover.”
Following his time in the Marine Corps, Marchese returned to school while working as a hood tech and manager at Masterlube Auto Garage. After receiving an associate degree in social and behavioral science, he began service as a custodian with the Norwalk-La Mirada Unified School District.
“In the two short years I worked with the district, I built a name for myself as a hard worker who set high standards and eventually became a grounds person,” he said. “I thought the district would be my last employer, but, fortunately, the Authority needed a new maintenance worker. I have been chasing that title, and holding it high and proud feels good.”
“Garret’s versatile background, dedication, and enthusiasm make him a valuable team member,” said Yanonis.
Marchese looks forward to building a wide variety of skills and expanding his potential at the Authority.
“I am excited to become part of this amazing team and can’t wait to see what the future has to offer,” he said.
Providing innovative risk management solutions for its public agency partners for more than 45 years, the California Joint Powers Insurance Authority (California JPIA) is one of the largest municipal self-insurance pools in the state, with more than 125 member cities and other governmental agencies. Members actively participate in shaping the organization to provide important coverage for their operations. The California JPIA provides innovative risk management solutions through a comprehensive portfolio of programs and services, including liability, workers’ compensation, pollution, property, and earthquake coverage, as well as extensive training and loss control services. For more information, please visit the California JPIA’s website at cjpia.org.
