Meet the Building Operations Director, John Tortorello

by Ann Wilson

Any property owner knows that toilets leak, lawns need mowing and, in our Chicago climate, snow must be cleared.  Misericordia’s campus is no exception to that rule.  

John Tortorello, Misericordia’s Building Operations Director, is there to make things on both the inside and outside of Misericordia run smoothly.  Since 2003, John has been employed as Misericordia’s Building Operations Director, but he worked as a contractor at Misericordia for several years prior to that.  A journeyman carpenter since 1984, John has varied work experience from new construction, reconfiguration and remodeling.  This has provided him with a wealth of knowledge from which he draws almost daily.  John says, “Everyday at Mis is a learning experience, as change across the campus is a constant.  Working at Mis for twelve years prior to my direct employment allowed me to gain additional knowledge of fire and life safety codes, as well as IDPH regulations particular to Misericordia.”  To keep all operations running smoothly, John has a variety of direct reports across a wide variety of trades and sub-contractors.

The crew manages all facilities, both on and off-campus.  I asked John about the challenges of managing off-campus facilities.  He said, “While the off-campus homes are similar to the homes on campus, the challenge is to check and double-check that each crew has the necessary materials to execute a repair in one trip, so accurate and complete communication through their work order system is critical.”

John answered the questions for this article on the eve of a snowstorm, so I asked him what he and his crew do to prepare.  John said that preparation begins in the fall, when they accept several truckloads of road salt.  John states, “Predicted snowstorm preparation may include the pre-application or pretreating with a brine solution to our parking areas and entrances.  We ensure that all snow removal equipment is operating properly and fuel levels have been topped off, then we begin snow removal efforts between 3 and 4 am when the parking lots have the fewest number of cars.”

The pandemic affected every resident, parent and employee at Misericordia.  John’s job was also affected.  He said, “The pandemic has made some things easier and others more difficult.  I was able to take advantage of some of the early pandemic restrictions to accomplish some major reroofing and reflooring projects, without having to disrupt resident programming. However, one wrinkle has been the need to maintain residential cohorts, so we haven’t enjoyed our customary access window, in residential areas, for several hours per day.”

In non-pandemic times, for example, the Christmas season and Family Fest, the campus is reconfigured to accommodate extra cars and people.  John’s crew plays a major role in these events.  I asked John to elaborate on the preparation involved.  “Family Fest entails the procurement of most of the rental items, from tents to food equipment, tables, chairs, golf carts and forklifts.  Additionally, planning the location and compliance requirements for all the temporary infrastructure, including water and electrical hook-ups, taking it all down and storing Mis-owned equipment until the following year is required.”  For the Christmas holidays, “My department coordinates the decoration of the campus through illumination.  We hang the large building wreaths, erect the nativity scenes, take it all down and store all resources until the next year.”

We all enjoy Misericordia’s representation at the city’s St. Patrick’s Day parade.  John’s crew plays a role in that, as well. John and his team are responsible for aspects of the float, plus transporting residents to and from the parade.  They deliver and pick up temporary fencing, portable bars and tablecloths to the venue.

As a homeowner, I often find repairs and maintenance of my ONE home overwhelming.  John is maintaining multiple buildings, both inside and outside, on and off campus.  We are so very grateful to John for creating the serene campus we know and love that is Misericordia.