by Jeffrey Stanley
“My office is a closet. But it’s not about your office, it’s about your job and the service that you provide to the community.” BFS’ new Physical Plant Director Michel Rimpel is only half joking about his humble workspace on a narrow hallway tucked behind the elevators on the 2nd floor of 375 Pearl Street. The tall, soft-spoken newcomer is keeping a sense of humor about it. “They put me near Psychological Services in case I need help,” he said.
On a hot August day he sat at his desk looking over rough outlines for a proposed location in the neighborhood where the Preschool and Lower School might hopefully relocate in the next few years, clearing the way for the Upper School to move from their current home at nearby 55 Willoughby Street back into 375 Pearl to share it with the Middle School. “The sustainability bit plays a huge role,” he said.“We’re looking at recycled materials and trying to stay in line with the school’s goals and vision.”
What does a physical plant director do? “He has the not-so-sexy job. We get down and dirty,” he said of himself and the ten-person BFS maintenance staff. “We take care of the kids’ buildings. We do everything we can to make the academics run seamlessly. We make sure we’re compliant with building codes and regulations. We make sure the environment is safe.” He leaned back in his chair. “We also take requests. We provide a service to the faculty and we’re proud of that.”
Michel is from Haiti and Immigrated to the United States with his Mother and four siblings at the age of 9. He grew up in Bedford-Stuyvesant, Brooklyn. Early in his career he owned a dry cleaners on DeKalb and Washington. “I’m no Mr. Jefferson, mind you,” he wisecracked, referring to Sherman Hemsley’s character George on 1970s sitcom The Jeffersons. He started at BFS in July and has his work cut out for him. He and the in-house crew have been working closely with outside construction and electrical crews on upgrades throughout the school. “I take a lot of pride in working with them,” he said of his staff.
On a recent tour of 375 Pearl Street he boasted about their handiwork this summer completing projects initiated by Director of Finance Mike Pellechio and former Head of School Michael Nill. The first stop was the big, new duct on the rooftop playground, which will bring much-needed fresh air to the 7th floor. Michel pointed out the new tile flooring in the 7th floor hallway. “The floor is made of sustainable materials, by the way. It’s made of natural products. It’s also being used on the 4th floor and the cafeteria. It’s a healthy choice for the environment and it has anti-static properties that repel dirt and dust particles, making it easy to clean and more free of allergens.” He knows his stuff.
The 7th floor ceilings have also been raised to improve the air flow, give the corridor a sense of spaciousness and to let in more natural light. The bulbs are also more energy efficient. “We used to have 80-watt bulbs. These new ones are 32 watts but they give us the same output.” The 5th floor music room is now soundproofed. I should be able to tap dance in here and they should not be able to hear me next door," he said, adding, “I’d like to take credit for this but I can’t. It was already in the works before I got here.”
Maybe so but he’s hit the ground running and has quickly taken over the completion of the projects. “We’ll also use green cleaning products, green paint with no VOCs [that’s volatile organic compounds] and take tangible steps towards keeping with the school’s greening efforts."
Before coming to BFS Michel headed up maintenance operations, security and capital projects for Convent of the Sacred Heart, and was director of engineering and security for the UN International School. He also headed maintenance and historic restorations at the Apollo Theater, and was director of operations for Radio City Music Hall.
Why leave behind all of the seeming glamor of two of the world’s most historic concert halls for life in independent schools? “I had 150 employees and a good career but I missed the school system and the inherent community that comes with an educational environment. There’s something about the colors of the art, the behaviors. I enjoy the nurturing years and to provide the setting to help kids grow and become adults.”
He speaks from experience. His son Yannik is 13 and big brother Eric is attending the University of Miami. “He’s 20 and happy to get away,” said the proud father. Michel’s wife Birgit, who was born in Germany, is a sales and marketing director for an international hotel chain. They live in New Jersey, where in his free time he enjoys jogging, gardening, tennis, and movies. He has practiced martial arts for 15 years.
Part of his focus this first year will be working closely with Head of School Dr. Larry Weiss and the rest of the BFS community on school security. “I plan on doing a survey to see how we currently function. In our changing world we have to change with it in a way that’ll keep us safe.”
He’s new to Friends education and the philosophies of Quakerism but he’s eager to explore. “I have heard all about the Quakers throughout history, and the wonderful assistance they provided to African Americans, especially the Underground Railroad. I have a great deal of respect for it.”