March 2025 Winners

David Leston

Carpenter
Buildings and Grounds

David Leston remembers the blizzard of 2010.

“I will never forget it. The snow was falling at an incredible rate, and we had to work fast through the night to keep the pavement and sidewalks clear. Our priority was to keep the campus safe and accessible.”

Winter storms often come with frigid temperatures, and this year was no exception.

“A few weeks ago, we encountered a major issue when one of our buildings lost heat,” said Vivi Tsarouhas, Administrative Superintendent, Buildings and Grounds, who nominated David for the C.A.R.E.S. Award. “To address the problem, we had to dig outside the administration building to locate the source of the leak. David worked tirelessly during this time with his colleague, Roberto, putting in long hours for several days. He even came in on weekends, braving rain, and freezing temperatures, to ensure the issue was resolved.”

David has been with Queensborough for 17 years. “My job gives me a strong sense of satisfaction. It brings me joy to see a project successfully finished.”

“He ensures the campus is maintained to the highest standards. He does not just do his job, but he exceeds expectations daily, ensuring our campus remains safe, functional, and welcoming for everyone,” said Vivi.

“I am so fortunate to have worked with a supportive supervisor like Vivi and to have known people like Joe Cartolano, who was so kind to everyone.”

Before David came to Queensborough, he worked for a private home renovation contractor. He was hired straight out of high school and for the next 12 years-built houses on the south shore of Long Island.

“I learned and mastered carpentry at that job, a skill that translated into my passion for building and renovating.” At 31, David built his own home in Baldwin, Long Island. “I knew what I wanted and worked with an architect and my father. I worked at the site every day after work for 14 months. Seeing my beautiful modern Victorian house for the first time was an indescribable feeling.” Over time, as his family grew the need for a bigger home grew too. Now they reside in his in-law's former (renovated!) home in Rockville Center, Long Island.

“The stability I want to provide my family reflects the warmth and stability here at the College,” said David. The projects he and the team have completed through the years are too numerous to name, ranging from constructing the Pergola in 2008 to ongoing projects like installing drop ceilings in the Administration and Medical Arts building, putting up retaining walls and renovating classrooms and pickleball courts. The list goes on.

“David’s commitment to his work is unwavering. He prioritizes the safety and well-being of our students and staff, ensuring they have a secure and comfortable environment.”

Roberto Cuevas

Labor
Buildings and Grounds

There is nothing like meeting someone at Queensborough who has loved his job so much that he has stayed for 36 years.

That someone is Roberto Cuevas, and he has assisted with about every Buildings and Grounds task you can imagine. “I am part of a great crew—four guys who have the same title as me. We are all over the campus doing different jobs, some routine, some minor and some major.”

Vivi Tsarouhas, Administrative Supervisor, Buildings and Grounds, who nominated Roberto for the C.A.R.E.S. Award, praised his work on one of those major jobs. “Recently, when one of the buildings lost heat, Roberto, alongside David Leston, worked tirelessly in freezing cold and rainy weather to locate the source of the leak. He devoted countless hours over multiple days, showing up whenever needed and never once complaining about the difficult conditions. His priority was making sure the issue was resolved so the building could be warm and comfortable for everyone. His perseverance and dedication during this time were truly commendable.”

When there is not an emergency, Roberto assists with myriad projects such as office moves, construction, daily maintenance of the campus and helping the gardener maintain the College’s beautiful, 37-acre lawns.

“We keep it green and pristine,” he said with a smile, “especially for annual events like Commencement.”

Vivi said, “Roberto exemplifies dedication, reliability, and professionalism in everything he does. His commitment to ensuring that the campus remains safe, clean, and fully operable is truly remarkable. Thanks to his hard work, students, faculty, and staff can enjoy a welcoming and well-maintained environment every day.” And his daily commute, from Bridgeport, Connecticut, is not for the faint-hearted, especially if one’s shift begins at 5:00am.

Over the decades, Roberto has seen a lot of changes at the College, but he says what is consistent is his friendly interactions with students who often say hello and express interest in learning about what he does. “I genuinely enjoy meeting them. Students bring a fresh perspective to life at Queensborough—just another reason I like to call Queensborough home.”