Portrait of a Cleaner - Mary Saenz

Cooking and cleaning are two of life’s fundamental everyday tasks.

Mary Saenz has done them both throughout her decades-long work career. And cleaning is her preference.

“I love to clean and to keep things clean,” says the modest grandmother of 14, who leads a janitorial crew at Caterpillar’s vast small-engine plant in Seguin, Texas.

She lists the job’s “must-do” requirements: “No fingerprints on conference room tables. Spotless executive restrooms. Trash cans empty. Mirrors and carpets clean. It’s all very important.”

Important, and appreciated. Mary has recently been honored as Team Member of the Year for 4M Building Solutions, a 3,000-employee firm that handles the cleaning and janitorial services for the Caterpillar plant and hundreds of other clients. She has also been named Employee of the Year from Building Service Contractors Association International (BSCAI).

While Mary may shrug off the accolades, Tim Murch – president and owner of 4M – sees Mary as a role model for her team members (two of whom are her grandchildren).

“Mary knows how important it is to get the job done right, every day,” observes Murch. “She has an excellent service attitude, and inspires others to do the same. You can tell that she takes pride in her work.”

Starting out in 2011 as a bathroom cleaner in the Seguin plant, Mary quickly worked her way up to a leadership position due to her dedication, strong work ethic and high-quality performance. Now, she not only supervises the work of others but also trains new crew members on the finer points of their job.

Her advice for newcomers is pretty simple and direct: “Show up every day, do a good job and be willing to help one another.”

When not working, Mary enjoys volunteering for community fundraisers and spending time with her family. While she leaves the cooking to her husband, she – naturally – does all the cleaning at home.

On the job – as in her life – Mary leads by example. “I love this job. And I love all my team members. I wouldn’t trade what I do for anything.”

Celebrate the hard work of Mary and the millions of dedicated cleaning professionals around the world who make our workplaces safe, clean and hygienic. www.thankyourcleanerday.com