Creating a comfortable environment

Environmental services director Shawn Bretton’s work reaches across just about every part of the Salina Presbyterian Manor community.

Yet whether it’s repairing a faulty heating or cooling system, fixing a broken pipe, or installing a custom shower head, Bretton said his team understands that their work is all about the residents.

“I like knowing that what we do makes a difference in the residents’ lives,” Shawn said. “We make sure their home is everything they want it to be. I’d want someone to do that for my parents, grandparents, or me, later on in life. We try to do everything we can to make sure they can be as happy here as they were at the home they were in for 40-50 years.”

For individual residents that can be mounting a television at just the right height, or making sure furniture is put in the right place. But behind the scenes, it also includes making sure systems are working well for staff and residents.

“In addition to our main big building, we also have 34 duplexes and are building new townhomes,” Shawn said. “We’re always expanding and adding on. Amongst all that, we manage the heating and cooling for 200 residents. We’re always making sure everything is working right - and that the water runs, the drains drain, and the lights turn on.”

His staff works hand-in-hand with other staff members to ensure an environment that is comfortable and as close to home as possible.

“We do everything we can to make sure everyone can do their jobs to serve the residents,” Shawn said. “We can’t do what we do without the staff doing what they do.”

When he’s not at work, Shawn enjoys travel, music, and movies - particularly scary movies.

“My favorite movie of all time is John Carpenter’s Halloween,” Shawn said. “I loved the mystery behind it, and I was probably the right age when I saw it and have been a fan ever since. Halloween is my favorite time of year. In fact, my wife and I got married - we had a Hallowedding - and we met each other working in a Haunted House.”

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