Congratulations to Russell Hills, College of Western Idaho’s (CWI) Staff of the Month for April 2020. Hills, a Facilities Building Specialist, celebrated 10 years of service to the College this year at the beginning of May.
“I have always wanted to be a custodian,” he said. “My friend, who worked for CWI at the time, told me about the job opening. I applied and was accepted for the position. This line of work is appealing to me because I like keeping my building clean and being able to communicate with my coworkers and the employees I have gotten to know here. I hope to never stop working here.”
As a Building Specialist, Hills is essentially the caretaker of the Nampa Campus Aspen Classroom Building, Multipurpose Building, and the Administration Building, of which he takes great pride in.
“Russell is always on top of his game and willing to help CWI look amazing,” commented a coworker. “He never complains about doing his job and is very helpful to employees and students. Not only is he a great employee, he is also a great friend. When I was new at CWI, he made sure I knew all the ins and outs of everything before I was even a full week in.”
“The guy is absolutely incredible,” said Jeff Flynn, Executive Director of Facilities Planning and Management. “He is the go-to person for the entire Aspen center. Whether it’s Security or the President’s Office, it doesn’t matter what it is, he’s the guy. What stands out most about Russell is the pride he takes in his work and how seriously he takes his responsibilities. When the work is done, he finds something else. There is no person in the College more deserving of this type of recognition. Russell goes above and beyond, minute-by-minute, and for that we cannot thank him enough.”
Originally from Coffeyville, Kansas, Hills moved to Idaho in 2002 after meeting his wife, Nicki, online. The couple has been together for 18 years and have two kids together. As a family they enjoy going to Meridian Speedway, riding bikes, and spending time outdoors. In addition to his work at CWI, Hills works for Nampa Parks and Recreation on the weekends between April and October.
