The Detroit Regional Convention Facility Authority announced that Al Vasquez, manager of engineering services at TCF Center, is the recipient of four national and state awards honoring his work on the temporary alternate care facility, the TCF Regional Care Center, at TCF Center in Detroit.
Vasquez’s awards and medals include a Challenge Coin awarded by the Michigan National Guard, another Challenge Coin awarded by Keith Kroupfreiter on behalf of the United States Army Corp of Engineers, and a third awarded by Dr. David Strong, medical lead onsite at the TCF Regional Care Center. He was also awarded the Legion of Merit medal by the State of Michigan.
“His diligence and dedication, all hours of the day and night, exceeds customer expectations and inspires all of our staff and management,” says Patrick Bero, CEO and CFO of the Detroit Regional Convention Facility Authority. “We are happy for this professional recognition of his talent.”
In his role as manager of engineering services at TCF Center, Vasquez is responsible for directing and managing the maintenance of the buildings, grounds, equipment, and utilities within the center. He keeps the facility compliant with local building codes and OSHA regulations and assists customers with their facilities requirements.
Vasquez has been with TCF Center since 2009. He has facilities management experience with Johnson Controls, St. Joseph Mercy Health System, and the University of Michigan. Vasquez received a Bachelor of Science from Ferris State University and is a certified energy manager.
In response to the COVID-19 crisis, the TCF Center was designated by Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, State of Michigan, and the Federal Emergency Management Agency as a temporary alternate care facility on March 30, 2020. The center was for COVID-19 patients, relieving the burden on local hospitals treating patients with the virus.
With guidance from FEMA and other officials, the site is designed in the most efficient way
possible in order to allow the convention center to resume normal operations. Currently, the field hospital is decommissioned and is now a designated vaccine distribution site for the City of Detroit.
TCF Center, formerly Cobo Center, boasts one of the largest contiguous exhibit floor spaces in North America.
Operational control of TCF Center transferred to the Detroit Regional Convention Facility Authority under a collaborative agreement by the Michigan State Legislature, the City of Detroit, and Wayne, Oakland, and Macomb counties in 2009.
