For Falemanu Violetama, the best parts about working for ASI includes the communal atmosphere, the student-focused environment and the quick commute from his home in Huntington Beach.

“The drive is much better than the two-hour commute I was making to LA when I was working for Johnson & Johnson,” said Violetama. “But I also really like how we’re keeping the facility up-to-par so that this is a safe space for students.”

As a maintenance technician for the USU, much of what Violatama’s day-to-day duties revolve around, according to him, fixing what needs fixing. Anything from plumbing problems to electrical work to heat issues and more, if it’s broken, Violetama is there to help.

Violetama cites ASI’s commitment to the wellbeing of the students as a reason why he prefers his work in the USU to the more commercial work of his previous job. He says that because of that common goal, he notices how the rest of the staff are more relaxed and enjoyable to be around.

Violetama, who has been working for ASI as a maintenance technician since July 2018, was shocked when it was announced that he was nominated. However, he thinks he knows why.

During the Belmont Shore Christmas Parade last year, the truck that was going to drive the float kept breaking down and no one could figure out what was wrong -- not even Violetama.

“Somehow, as a team, we managed to get the float out onto the route,” recalled Violetama. “It broke before the float was finished, it broke on the way to the parade route and it broke during the parade, but my team pulled it together. It’s funny because after the parade, it was completely fine.”

Falemanu Violetama was awarded the Essential Piece of the Puzzle during the March ASI employee assembly. As a part of ASI’s commitment to uplifting customer service, each month all full-time staff participates and votes in this monthly employee of the month program.