Service with a Smile

Release Date: Thursday, July 3rd 2008

Cynthia Ruth is the Safety SAM of the Month for May. The mother of eight—seven sons and a daughter—has been a SAM since 2000, starting out on the Maintenance Team and switching over to the Safety Team a year later. SAM life is a family affair for Cynthia, who is also the grandmother of five. Her sister, a member of the Safety/Hospitality Team, first told Cynthia about the SAMs. Four years later, Cynthia’s daughter became a SAM. The most pleasurable and encouraging reward Cynthia receives from work is when patrons seek her out to personally thank her for getting them to their destination or for recommending a place they especially liked. At home, Cynthia enjoys taking her grandchildren on outings, such as shopping or dining at seafood restaurants.

The May Maintenance SAM of the Month is Carlos Acevedo, a SAM for the past two and a half years. Carlos is a team player who has proven to be a real asset to his SAM team and the Downtown BID overall. A native of the Dominican Republic, he has been in the US for five years. Carlos, an avid sports fan, is dedicated to both his family and his job.

Welcome to Charlie Stevenson, recently hired as a SAM Safety/Hospitality supervisor. Formerly a maintenance crew supervisor with the Golden Triangle BID, where he started seven years ago as a zone cleaner, Charlie is definitely a people person. When not at work, he serves as a mentor to troubled and abused children. Charlie also works at the U.S. Navy Memorial (701 Pennsylvania Avenue) to assist with equipment setups for Army and Navy Band concerts. In his new position with the Downtown BID, he wants to orchestrate more structure within the SAMs program to “take it to another level.” Says he: “I believe in T-E-A-M: Together Everyone Achieves More. There are no ‘big I’s and little you’s.’” Sounds as if Charlie will make out swimmingly.