“I want to make [the residents] feel welcome by making them comfortable—being on top of things and making sure their unit is good,” said Hulberto “Bert” Martinez, Building Operations Manager at Island Family Residence. “I feel like that gives them a little push so they can keep moving forward in their journey. They can worry about other things, and they don’t have to worry that they won’t have any heat, or other small things that make a huge difference.”
Bert joined HFH six years ago, starting in maintenance at Saratoga Family Residence before transferring to Island Family Residence in 2019. He found the position at Saratoga online while looking to make a career shift from working in the restaurant industry—where he frequently took on handyman tasks—to a more dedicated maintenance role. Growing up, Bert learned building repairs from his father, who worked in construction, and he often tackled projects around the house. Drawn to HFH’s mission, Bert saw this opportunity as a way to not only use his skills but also contribute to a cause that resonated with him.
“I like what they do [at HFH]—helping people in need and helping the community,” said Bert. “I feel like I am making a difference in someone’s life. I feel like I have the same mindset as the organization with what they are doing.”
Shortly after joining Island Family Residence, Bert was promoted to Building Operations Manager, a role in which he oversees critical building operations to ensure everything runs smoothly and safely—from plumbing to electrical.
“The residents’ safety is a priority to him. He puts the residents first and makes sure they are safe and comfortable,” said Melissa Halloran, Assistant Administrator at Island Family Residence.
Bert’s prior experience working in maintenance at both Saratoga and Island enables him to be an effective supervisor for his staff.
“It’s all hands-on deck—whatever [my staff] need I am always there with them,” said Bert. “If they have questions, I am always there to help them out.”
“He is always looking to learn new things, and he is not afraid to get his hands dirty—he won’t tell his staff to do something without him doing it, too,” said Lori Bowen, Administrator at Island Family Residence.
Not only is Bert dependable for the residents and a mentor to his staff, but he is also a valued colleague for his contagious positivity and reliability.
“He just builds you up,” said Melissa. “No matter what it is, he is always right there and supports [the staff] no matter what. When things are crazy, he brings calmness to everything.”
“He is always smiling and has a good attitude. He is very level-headed, loyal, and takes pride in his job,” Lori added.
Bert spends most of his free time with his family, with whom he is very close. He loves walking on the boardwalk at the beach with his youngest daughter and playing and watching sports, especially football—he is a big Jets fan.
