TCF Manager Honored for Accomplishments at COVID Alternate Care Facility

April 6, 2021

As manager of engineering services at Detroit’s TCF Center, Al Vasquez is typically responsible for directing and managing the maintenance of the venue’s buildings, grounds, equipment and utilities. He works to keep the facility compliant with local building codes and Occupational Safety and Health Administration regulations while assisting customers with their facilities requirements. But in the spring of last year, when the COVID-19 pandemic was first hitting cities throughout the U.S., his role at the downtown venue took on a whole new level of importance and urgency.

On March 30, 2020, Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer and the FEMA responded to the crisis by designating TCF Center as a temporary alternate care facility, designed to relieve the burden on local hospitals treating patients with COVID-19.

Opened on April 9, 2020, the 1,000-bed TCF Regional Care Center was constructed in the venue’s exhibit halls by facility workforce and union labor in just nine days, under budget and managed by Vasquez. With guidance from FEMA and other officials, the site was designed in the most efficient way possible to allow the convention center to resume normal operations when safe to do so. 

According to TCF officials, Vasquez went above and beyond to improve patient care at the site, designing a central patient oxygen supply system and modifying the building’s HVAC system to provide negative pressure. This helped mimic a hospital system to accelerate healing and give doctors and patients a sense of security.

TCF

Vasquez’s incredible accomplishments at the alternate care facility were recently honored with four national and state awards and medals, including a Challenge Coin awarded by the Michigan National Guard; the Legion of Merit medal awarded by the State of Michigan; a Challenge Coin awarded by Keith Kroupfreiter on behalf of the United States Army Corps of Engineers, and a Challenge Coin awarded from Dr. David Strong, on-site medical lead at the TCF Regional Care Center.  

“We couldn’t be happier that Al’s diligence in supporting the complete physical, mental and social well-being of each employee and visitor has been recognized by these state and federal agencies,” said Greg DeSandy, TCF Center interim general manager. “The TCF Center team has often been heard commending Al’s leadership during the COVID-19 pandemic and the community-based initiatives in the center. 

He continued, “He is passionate about helping the community in every way possible while events are on hold in the venue and people in Detroit struggle in so many ways to maintain their health and survive.”

Prior to his 12 years at TCF Center, Vasquez gained facilities management experience with Johnson Controls, Inc., St. Joseph Mercy Health System and the University of Michigan. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree from Ferris State University and is a Certified Energy Manager.

While the temporary alternate care facility was paused on May 15 and later decommissioned and dismantled on Dec. 30, Vasquez is continuing to help the convention center serve its community during the pandemic. On Jan. 13, TCF Center became a designated vaccination distribution site for the city of Detroit, with drive-through vaccine administration ongoing in the venue’s Atwater Garage, distributing 4,700 doses a day to eligible Detroit residents.

To ensure healthy air quality in the garage, Vasquez designed a fan exhaust system to keep the garage properly ventilated. He and his team monitor CO levels with 48 sensor readings that signal the team to turn on the required sequence of 17 variable-speed exhaust fans. A 12- by 12-foot video monitor with mapped locations of all CO sensors and exhaust fans is located in the engineering control room and watched by team members in real-time. 

While the OSHA rating for acceptable CO levels in a garage is between 25-100 PPM, the TCF Center engineering team makes adjustments in areas reading CO at 4-12 PPM to. Warning texts are sent to all team members for immediate modification if necessary.

According to TCF officials, additional space for second shot distributions is currently being planned at the facility, with the intention to administer an additional 2,000 shots daily, starting the week of March 22. And of course, Vasquez will be right there in the middle of it, helping to design the floor plan and a ventilation system to ensure the health and wellbeing of patients and staff.

“Al exemplifies the best of TCF Center,” said Patrick Bero, CEO and CFO of the Detroit Regional Convention Facility Authority. “His diligence and dedication, all hours of the day and night, exceed customer expectations and inspires all of our staff and management.”

  

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Overview: The award-winning Orange County Convention Center (OCCC) goes the extra mile to make every day extraordinary by offering customer service excellence and industry-leading partnerships. From their dedicated in-house Rigging team to their robust Exhibitor Services, The Center of Hospitality brings your imagination to life by helping you host unforgettable meetings and events. With more than 2 million square feet of exhibit space, world-class services and a dream destination, we are committed to making even the most ambitious conventions a reality. In October 2023, the Orange County Board of County Commissioners voted to approve allocating Tourist Development Tax funding for the $560 million Phase 5A completion of the OCCC. The Convention Way Grand Concourse project will include enhancements to the North-South Building, featuring an additional 60,000 square feet of meeting space, an 80,000- square-foot ballroom and new entry to the North-South Building along Convention Way. “We are thrilled to begin work on completing our North-South Building which will allow us to meet the growing needs of our clients,” said OCCC Executive Director Mark Tester. “As an economic driver for the community, this project will provide the Center with connectivity and meeting space to host more events and continue to infuse the local economy with new money and expanding business opportunities.” Amenities: The Center of Hospitality goes above and beyond by offering world-class customer service and industry-leading partnerships. From the largest convention center Wi-Fi network to custom LAN/WAN design, the Center takes pride in enhancing exhibitor and customer experience.  The OCCC is the exclusive provider of electricity (24-hour power at no additional cost), aerial rigging and lighting, water, natural gas and propane, compressed air, and cable TV services. Convenience The Center is at the epicenter of the destination, with an abundance of hotels, restaurants, and attractions within walking distance. Pedestrian bridges connect both buildings to more than 5,200 rooms and is within a 15-minute drive from the Orlando International Airport. The convenience of the location goes hand-in-hand with top notch service to help meet an event’s every need. Gold Key Members The OCCC’s Gold Key Members represent the best of the best when it comes to exceptional service and exclusive benefits for clients, exhibitors and guests. The Center’s Gold Key memberships with Universal Orlando Resort, SeaWorld Orlando and Walt Disney World greatly enhance meeting planner and attendee experiences offering world-renowned venues, immersive experiences and creative resources for their events. OCCC Events: This fiscal year, the OCCC is projected to host 168 events, 1.7 million attendees, and $2.9 billion in economic impact.  The Center’s top five events during their 2022-2023 fiscal year included:  AAU Jr. National Volleyball Championships 2023 200,000 Attendees $257 Million in Economic Impact MEGACON 2023 160,000 Attendees $205 Million in Economic Impact Open Championship Series 2023 69,500 Attendees $89 Million in Economic Impact Sunshine Classic 2023 42,000 Attendees $54 Million in Economic Impact Premiere Orlando 2023 42,000 Attendees $108 Million in Economic Impact