Better known around Marblestone as “Chuy,” Jesus Mendoza has only been with MPG since January 2024. But he’s made a tremendous impact on the structure and operation of the maintenance department as its manager.
In his role, Chuy leads a team of in-house technicians and interacts with outside vendors to complete maintenance work orders on the properties that MPG manages. Through careful vetting, he’s learned how to supplement the capabilities and capacity of MPG team members with qualified expert vendors.
Managing the Maintenance Department
“When I first came on, there was no structure to the maintenance department,” Chuy said. “I came in during winter where pipes were freezing and busting. I worked a lot of long hours at the beginning. We’re organized now, and I feel like the maintenance department’s getting better.”
Chuy joined the MPG team after several conversations with founder Jared Kott. At the time, Jared had just released his three-year Vivid Vision for the company, and he could see himself taking on a larger role in the organization.
As part of that role, Chuy is adamant that each work order is completed with the same high level of quality and respect.
“If I saw someone finish a job but left a mess for the tenant to clean up, I’d send them back,” he said. “I’d ask them, ‘Would you pay me if I left your place like this?’ It’s a cringe for me, and I make them go back and complete the job completely. We have to do stuff the right way.”
Chuy also takes a critical eye on estimates from outside vendors. Through experience, he’s gained a better understanding of whether someone is providing a fair estimate for their services based on their qualifications. He’s not shy about calling someone out for charging higher rates without proper credentials.
However, Chuy’s also not shy about offering his team opportunities to learn more skills and become qualified to complete more complex plumbing or electrical projects. Those are skills that can translate to higher income at MPG and opportunities to make money from outside jobs, too. He said he loves giving people opportunities to learn.
In addition, Chuy also interacts with owners who may not be well-versed in contractor requirements. He’ll hold conference calls with owners and contractors, particularly on larger projects. During calls, he explains to owners how they have to follow certain regulations to pass inspection or break down the line items on an estimate.
Future Plans
One of the things Chuy loves most about MPG is how Jared has encouraged him to continue to grow. Chuy graduated from Chicago State University with a bachelor’s in business management administration with a focus on entrepreneurship.
Unlike many, he actually uses his degree by owning a landscaping business. From the beginning, Jared encouraged him to continue and expand that operation, offering resources on business structure and marketing.
As a new father, Chuy knows he needs to provide for his growing family, so he hopes to obtain his general contractor license in the future. He added that he knows Marblestone will always need permits for projects and that he can help as a licensed general contractor.
Mendoza and his wife Sonia Cortez with their daughter Avi
Marblestone is Family
Chuy said that Jared has always treated him as an expert and frequently asks for his advice on situations. That sentiment is something he’s experienced throughout MPG, noting that he’s been asked his opinion on operational processes outside of the maintenance department. He feels like people value his input because they consider his comments while they make processes or decide on solutions to problems.
“I feel really comfortable at Marblestone,” he said. “We look out for each other like brothers and sisters. If there’s an issue, we work together to find solutions. I’m really glad that I joined the team here.”