In “Key Players” we sit down with members of the team for a brief conversation about their work and their passions. Through these conversations, we hope that readers can learn a little more about the fun, hardworking employees that make Key so special.
Lonnie Mayorga has been a member of the Las Palmas team in Brownsville, Tx. for five years. With more than 20 years of multifamily maintenance experience, Lonnie has seen – and fixed – just about everything. We recently sat down with Lonnie to ask him about his Key experience, his life outside of work, and more.
What is your role at Las Palmas?
I am the Maintenance Supervisor for Las Palmas Apartments in Brownsville, Tx.
What does a day in your shoes look like?
Every morning I come into work, catch up with my coworkers and have a quick morning meeting with Sonia and the team. Once we plan the day and walk the property, I get to work right away. Some days we’re busy with make readies, somedays we’re fixing plumbing or electrical issues. This time of year, we’re always working on air conditioners! Keeping our residents cool is #1 during the summer in Texas.
What do you like to do outside of work?
I love spending time with my family! I have 4 children and 4 grandchildren. We do lots of fishing, staying at the island, and barbequing. We’ll catch redfish or trout and blacken them or deep fry them. It’s a lot of fun.
What is one thing your coworkers may not know about you?
Well Sonia, Pauline, and Javier know everything about me – I’m an open book! But people that aren’t at Las Palmas might not know that I really enjoy volunteering in the community. I love to help with charity events by cooking for the crowd. Just a couple weeks ago, we cooked for a fundraiser at the VFW for a local man who’s battling cancer. There were a lot of people there to support, we cooked 900 leg quarters! I’m helping with another fundraiser June 7 for my niece who is also battling cancer and recently had a brain tumor removed.
I’m also the president of the Brownsville Nite Lions – the local chapter of the Lions Club International. We also do a lot of community service and fundraising. I’m in charge of our BBQ fundraiser that raises $11,000-$12,000 to help families cover their medical expenses at MD Anderson Hospital. I just really like helping out.
What motivates you?
I love hearing our property manager Sonia Munoz say “Lonnie, you’re doing a great job.” It makes you feel so good knowing that you’re helping your coworkers and your residents. That’s what I work for.
What was your most meaningful experience with Key?
A couple of years ago, I had a mild stroke. It was a difficult time but when Sonia shared the news with my coworkers and the rest of Key, the company was really there for me. Everyone supported me and helped me get healthy again. It was really touching. I can’t even put it in words but this company really cares about its people. It was awesome. It really made me feel better.
What is your favorite thing about your job?
I wake up every morning to work. As soon as I wake up, I’m ready. We like to keep little fixed so we don’t have big emergencies. But we have a great, happy team that’s always smiling and ready to help. Every day is a good day.
If you could sing a karaoke a duet with any musician, who would it be?
Oh Elvis Presley! I could sing all his songs but if I had to choose one it would be “My way.”
