The people Amesha Barnes supervises might be as unique and different as the buildings they oversee.
As a building services manager with the Facilities Management Division, she wants to see all of them succeed.
“You’re going to start where you’re going to start, and it’s up to you whether you’re going to stay or you’re going to progress. And when you progress, you bring people along with you,” she said.
Barnes has felt that same support from the beginning of her time at the University of Georgia. She began working at Joe Frank Harris Dining Commons while she was a student at Cedar Shoals High School. Later, she took a position as a building services worker at Creswell Hall and worked in University Housing for 10 years.
At that point, Barnes wanted a new challenge and took a job as a building services lead at the Veterinary Teaching Hospital. As part of that position, she also served as the building services lead for the Poultry Diagnostic Research Center and other buildings.
In May 2024, Barnes began her current role as a building services manager, overseeing four building services supervisors and more than 20 buildings around Central Campus, including the Tate Student Center and the Miller Learning Center.
“I really enjoy working with people,” she said. “All of the buildings and supervisors have different needs, different requirements, different personalities, and all of that is fun to learn.”
Her roles and responsibilities may vary from day to day, but facilitating her crews’ needs is her top priority. Barnes also handles employee relations and organizes trainings and other development opportunities for her staff. For her, communication is key, and she wants them to feel comfortable coming to her with their needs.
“I have to be a support system for my supervisors and leads and help guide them,” she said. “Our customers are important, but our employees are the key.”
Barnes spends time doing her own training and development so that she has the best and most accurate information to give her employees. That includes opportunities like joining a Finance and Administration committee.
Each day begins with responding to emails. Then, Barnes moves to administrative tasks like approving time and leave. After that, she might be checking in with her crews, handling work orders, visiting her buildings or attending meetings.
Barnes regularly strives to push her supervisors and leads further by sharing leadership tips and offering development opportunities. She’s always there for support but also wants to help them figure out how to handle issues that pop up themselves. By sharing what she knows, she’s fostering growth in others.
“I have to be the best I can be for them,” she said. “You’re only as good as your leadership.”
Barnes not only pushes her employees further, but she also pushes herself.
“It’s not about where you start. It’s about where you’re going,” she said.
