Longtime employee says farewell to TPA

(September 30, 2015) Even on her last day of work, Maria Travieso-Rodriguez was buzzing around the Tampa International Airport, tending to an overflowed toilet in one of the terminals and worrying about whether all of the next day’s uniforms were cleaned and pressed correctly. It’s that kind of devotion – plus 38 years of longevity – that made Maria one of the most valuable and memorable janitorial services employees to ever work at TPA. 

Airport staff held a retirement party for Maria on Tuesday as co-workers gathered for cake and farewell speeches. CEO Joe Lopano, VP of Facilities and Administration Al Illustrato and Director of Maintenance Paul Ridgeway all spoke to Maria and took photos after Maria gave a teary goodbye to her TPA family.

Maria moved from Cuba to Tampa in the 1960s when she was 15 years old and has a large family, including a twin son and daughter and four grandchildren. She graduated from high school and later began working for ABM janitorial services at TPA, which soon brought on Triangle Services, which she worked for until Triangle’s contract ended Sept. 30. Maria said she looks forward to spending more time with her grandchildren, her husband Carlos and family. She also has been traveling lately, recently going to Jamaica, Mexico and the Dominican Republic, and hopes to do more during her retirement. Tampa International Airport would like to thank Maria for keeping the terminals clean all these years, and wishes her the very best in the next chapter of her life.