AHA Facilities Manager Bob Shanney to Retire; Luis Mendoza Will Be Successor

Facilities Manager Robert Shanney, who has been keeping the Academy of the Holy Angels campus safe and clean since 1973, will be retiring at the end of the 2022-23 academic year. This month, following an extensive search and interview process, current AHA Maintenance Department Supervisor Luis Mendoza-Milian was officially named Shanney’s successor. In early November, Shanney and Mendoza began working side-by-side to ensure all of Shanney’s institutional knowledge is passed on to Mendoza.

“I am pleased to share with all of you the news that Luis Mendoza has accepted the role as AHA’s next facilities manager,” AHA President Melinda Hanlon wrote to the Holy Angels community. “Over the next several months, Luis will be working with Bob Shanney as he prepares to transition to his new role on July 1, 2023. Please join me in congratulating Luis and wishing him well.”

Shanney began working at Holy Angels part time back in 1973, after hearing about the post from a friend. By 1980, he had become a full time AHA employee.

The facilities manager received his bachelor’s degree in business administration from William Paterson College (now William Paterson University) in Wayne. He holds a schools building and grounds facility manager certificate, and Integrated Pest Management Coordinator Certification. He oversees six staff members.

Asked about his plans for next year, Shanney said, “I will be moving to Pennsylvania and enjoying the outdoors.” He particularly enjoys fishing and riding his motorcycle.

His favorite AHA memory is receiving the STAR Award from the Archdiocese of Newark nearly two decades ago. STAR is an acronym for staff, teacher, administration recognition.

Mendoza, who has been working at AHA since April of 2014, will take the reins from Shanney next July.
“I have always enjoyed learning how things work, and maintenance allows me to keep on top of current technology while working with my hands,” Mendoza said. “I find it fulfilling to know that keeping our beautiful campus clean, safe, and comfortable aids our students in the best possible environment to learn in. Most importantly, I truly love the community of people I get to spend my days with.”

Mendoza received certification in refrigeration and air conditioning from Instituto Technico Vocational in Guatemala City, Guatemala, and successfully completed the New Jersey educational facilities management program at Rutgers University. He holds certificates in various disciplines, including basic pesticide training, energy management, financial management and purchasing, environmental stewardship code compliance and sustainability, public employee occupational safety and health program, structural and mechanical systems, management supervision and human resources, information systems, school safety and cooperative purchasing, and preventative maintenance. He is a New Jersey licensed low pressure boiler operator and an Environmental Protection Agency certified heating, ventilation, and air conditioning technician.

The new facilities manager said he continually reads up on equipment, tools, and supplies.

“I am always ready to learn and take more classes, and will sign up for them as needed,” he added.

Asked about his future goals, Mendoza said, “I look forward to helping our campus improve performance and energy efficiency throughout the campus and digitizing our departments files and operations. Most importantly, I have big shoes to fill and I want to make sure that Holy Angels continues to receive the same quality care as it has become accustomed to. My goals are all to make Holy Angels the best it can be for our students, their families, and our staff.”

Founded by the School Sisters of Notre Dame in 1879, the Academy of the Holy Angels is the oldest private girls’ school in Bergen County. While AHA is steeped in Catholic tradition, this prestigious school serves young women from many backgrounds. The Academy’s current leaders continue to further the SSND mission to provide each student with the tools she needs to reach the fullness of her potential—spiritually, intellectually, socially, and physically, by offering a first-rate education in a nurturing environment where equal importance is placed on academic excellence, character development, moral integrity, and service to others.