Faces of the Frontline Honors Roxana Escobar

Roxana Escobar is a cornerstone of the team at the Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Lab, demonstrating strong commitment and maintaining exceptional performance from her first day on the job. One of her most valuable skills is versatility; as she is required to seamlessly transition between a variety of diverse tasks, from the meticulous execution of cleaning duties to training fellow team members and overseeing multi-person projects. 

One of Escobar’s standout qualities is her ability to work well within a collaborative and creative work environment. By helping her teams maintain focus, she helps inspire innovation from the top-down and drives the collective success of the department. Her exceptional interpersonal skills are evident in her interactions with both clients and colleagues, where she consistently demonstrates a genuine interest in her surroundings and a dedication to building strong relationships. 

The Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Lab (APL) is a leading research facility, and their work addresses important nationwide challenges via science and technology. The work performed there spans a wide range of topics, including national security, space exploration, and engineering.  

A high-performance custodial team is essential to maintaining the operations of such a high-stakes environment. Maintaining clean and sanitized facilities is crucial for occupant health and productivity —, especially in laboratories that are handling sensitive materials, where a misplaced chemical could spell ruin for an experiment. 

Escobar's meticulous attention to detail ensures that the end results always meet the highest quality standards — a trait that is absolutely critical in a high-pressure research setting. Her proactive approach to problem-solving and her willingness to take on additional responsibilities has been instrumental in the successful completion of numerous tasks. Perhaps more importantly, Roxana is an invaluable mentor and trainer, generously sharing her knowledge and expertise with new hires. 

Complementary to her sense of dedication and perseverance is her determination to complete tasks in a timely fashion. She consistently demonstrates a willingness to go the extra mile, often arriving early, staying late, or working on weekends to ensure that the jobs are completed on time and with minimal disruption to building occupants. Her flexibility and adaptability are commendable, and she sets an excellent example for colleagues. 

In sum, Escobar is a real example of what it means to be a dedicated and exceptional employee. Her contributions to the team are almost immeasurable, and her positive impact is felt throughout the building by peers and associates alike. Her section supervisor, Rosa Lopez, is convinced that the best days remain ahead, and she expresses her gratitude for Escobar’s positive influence on the department.  

“We are fortunate to have her as part of our team and look forward to her continued growth and success,” she remarks.