Florida State University Search
Building Excellence: Randy Wright
09/16/2024
FSU’s large campus makes it essential to have a robust waste management system in place to provide excellent customer service and support the University’s sustainability goals. As the superintendent of Waste Management and Recycling, Randy Wright has devoted years to providing the entire campus with efficient and effective services.
Wright originally began working at FSU fifteen and a half years ago, where he started as a supervisor in Building Services. From there, he moved to Waste Management as a commercial driver and continued up the ladder to be an assistant supervisor, supervisor, and finally superintendent. Wright entered his current role in 2018 and then retired in 2021, before returning to his current position in 2023.
Prior to working at FSU, Wright worked at the City of Tallahassee airport, served in the army, and worked at multiple rental car locations. He is also a high school graduate, took college courses at TCC, completed supervisor training with the City of Tallahassee and leadership training with FSU, and attended the Truck Driver Institute in Milton, Florida.
In his role, Wright is responsible for eighteen employees, three front loader trucks, two rear lift trucks, a forklift, two rail dump bed trucks, a tractor, and more! His team oversees the day-to-day operation of collecting all the residence halls’ trash and recycling dumpsters, the black trash cans along walkways, collecting office paper, and collecting confidential material that needs to be shredded. Wright also oversees the filling of work orders for roll-off dumpsters for the school’s opening and closing, placing roll-off dumpsters in areas when needed such as during move-out, and disposing of the material in them. His role also includes ensuring that Waste Management stays as effective as possible through hiring new employees, ordering supplies, repairing equipment, and having meetings to improve operations and update equipment.
When asked about what an average day of work looks like, Wright responded that “every day is a good one making sure this department is doing its part to help FSU in its day-to-day functions and doing my part to lend a hand when another department may need help.”
Wright’s favorite part about working in Facilities is knowing that his department is doing the best it can when there are changes, finding a way to take care of any problems, and giving his employees what they need to get the job done and be safe doing it. He is also thankful for his supervisors who help him keep the department running smoothly.
“Randy is a really important part of our Operations group,” said Daniel Sheets, Director of Facilities Operations and Wright’s supervisor. “He has extensive knowledge of campus and its history, and when you combine that with his leadership of his Waste Management and Recycling team, it makes him a reliable, go-to staff member! He always has a smile on his face and is a positive part of our Facilities culture. I’d like to thank him for his care and investment in our campus, community, and staff.”
Outside of the office, Wright enjoys spending time with family and friends, riding his motorcycle, and enjoying every day.