Faces – Paul Taylor
Keeping PACE epitomizes Paul Taylor’s philosophy on work and life – for him, Positive Attitude Changes Everything.
“No matter what happens, my goal is to have a positive outlook all the time – it makes pretty much any situation easier to handle,” said Taylor, who is the zone maintenance manager.
In this role, Taylor oversees all the facilities operations zones. There are seven actual zones, including Zone 3 at UNC Charlotte Center City and Zone 7 at the N.C. Research Campus in Kannapolis, as well as shops devoted to high voltage and fire systems. Supervisors and technicians within the zones are responsible for the overall maintenance of campus facilities, including mechanical, electrical and plumbing and building trades. In total, about 100 full-time employees comprise Taylor’s area of responsibility; together they work to maintain a campus that for most of the year has a population of a small city.
“Communication is key for the zones working as a team,” said Taylor, who meets with zone supervisors together to assess personnel needs and the status of maintenance issues. “We’re managing people and budgets, and we’re implementing processes to ensure the work we do is accomplished efficiently and effectively. For example, if a piece of equipment fails in a building, the zone supervisor and technicians will research replacements to make the best purchase from an operations and economic standpoint. Our priority is to keep the buildings functioning properly for students, faculty and staff.”
A native of Ohio, Taylor joined the University in 2008. He grew up in the New Albany area and owned an electrical contracting/commercial remodeling business. A mutual friend introduced him to his wife, Jennie, who was living in Martinsville, Va., but had relatives in Stallings, N.C. Eight years into their marriage, Taylor said he and wife decided to relocate to be closer to family. Before the move, he started applying for jobs at UNC Charlotte, and shortly after arriving, he went on a job interview and was hired, initially as a maintenance mechanic in Zone 1. He moved up to lead electrician, then he was promoted to supervisor of Zone 4. Eventually, after some reorganization and a position opening, he assumed his current role.
Taylor said the move was providential. “I believe God opened the doors, and everything happened quickly. It’s as if we were meant to be here.”
Earlier this year, Taylor was honored as one of the 2016 Employees of the Year. Trust, communication, confidence, follow through and teamwork are all traits reflected in his everyday work and interactions with others, wrote a nominator.
Taylor said being singled out was humbling. “I believe you lead by example, and I work hard every day to try to make a difference. And while I don’t like the individual recognition, I value that my boss sees and values what I do.”
Beyond the University, Taylor is an avid golfer with an eight handicap. He and his wife, a second-grade teacher in Union County, live in Indian Trail with their daughter Olivia, 10, and their three mixed-breed dogs or “their other children.” They attend Hickory Grove Baptist Church.