Systems Matter with Andrew "AJ" Davis | Custodial Training, Equipment & School Facilities

In this episode of the Facility Focus Podcast, I sit down with Andrew "AJ" Davis, Custodial Specialist for Greater Albany Public Schools in Oregon and founder of AJD Consulting LLC. AJ oversees 24 sites and 46 staff, keeping buildings clean and safe for more than 4,500 students every single day. 

Worth a listen if you run a custodial program. AJ has great perspective on onboarding, training and how to build processes from the ground up.

In this episode, we cover:

01:15 – From a Swing Shift Job to a 15-Year Career
03:36 – What Running 24 Sites Actually Looks Like
04:40 – Training Down to How You Tie a Trash Bag
06:21 – Call-Offs, Subs and the Staffing System
06:56 – "Onboarding Is the Game Changer"
08:32 – The Number One Onboarding Mistake: No System
10:23 – MTSS: A Three-Tier Support Model for Custodians
11:42 – Inventory, Vendors and Negotiating for the Taxpayer
14:17 – Buying Pallets of Gloves Before the Price Jumped
15:58 – Accountability Without Micromanaging
17:26 – "Why Are You Sorry?" Leading With Compassion
18:52 – The Professional Development This Industry Skips
20:11 – Highest ROI Equipment: Square Scrub and the Clark Boost
21:43 – Where the iMOP Wins, and Where It Doesn't
23:03 – From 5 Carpet Machines to 25
24:39 – The Auto Scrubber Maintenance Everyone Neglects
26:46 – Floor Care: Polished Concrete vs. VCT
27:41 – The Dust Mop Trick That Saves Hours
32:01 – Buffing In Between and Summer Scrub and Recoats
33:31 – Getting Budget Approved: Lead With the Why
35:13 – Total Equipment Overhaul: Asset Tags and Annual Resets
36:26 – Keeping a Custodial Team Motivated
37:59 – Advice for New Custodial Leaders: "Breathe"
39:49 – Rapid Fire: Wet Vacs, Milwaukee and Coffee
42:56 – What He Notices Walking Into Any Building

About the Guest: Andrew "AJ" Davis is a Cleaning Industry Operations Advisor and Custodial Specialist with Greater Albany Public Schools in Oregon, where he runs custodial operations and pest management across 24 sites with 46 staff. A veteran, he is also the founder of AJD Consulting LLC, helping school districts, government facilities and janitorial businesses run leaner, cleaner operations through better systems, onboarding and training.

AJD Consulting LLC
AJ's LinkedIn Page

Presented by: New Standard Cleaning
New Standard Cleaning provides commercial janitorial services to the Chicagoland area, specializing in after-hours cleaning programs for facilities across a wide range of industries. Their mission is to safeguard health and elevate the image of every space through customized cleaning programs and consistent service.

Learn more: www.newstandardcleaning.com
Connect with us: Facility Focus Podcast LinkedIn Page