Milton Jimenez is well known by many athletes as the laundry custodian. But what they may not know about is the life he experienced between his native land of Columbia and the United States.

He has held his position as laundry custodian in the school’s athletics program for seven years now.  He is 59-years-old and before his job at the school, he was an air traffic controller in Columbia. If he weren’t a laundry custodian, his other career interests would include, woodwork, carpentry and mechanics.

“I was an air traffic controller for 25 years,” Jimenez said.  “I only had to put in 25 years to get a pension to retire.”

Jimenez’s father influenced him as a child which also contributed to his career and future aspirations.

“I became an air traffic controller because my father and cousin were air traffic controllers,” Jimenez said.  “My father influenced me as a young man with a lot of discipline to build on.  [He taught me] support and respect of people and things and learning to value things around you.”

Jimenez said he enjoys the relationships he’s developed.  He also enjoys fulfilling his responsibilities on a daily basis as a laundry custodian for several sports.  All the sports in school depend on Milton to have their attire ready for practices, games or tournaments.

“I enjoy the friendships and relationships I can build on with all personnel,” Jimenez said.  “Also the responsibility with each coach, with each team, because every sport requires a different responsibility.”

Since arriving from Columbia, Jimenez has grown to like American football aside from soccer and cycling.

“I like cycling and soccer and now American football now that I understand the sport,” Jimenez said.  “I support all different sports because I like competition.”

Jimenez admitted that the air traffic controller occupation was superior in the United States compared to Columbia.

“In Columbia, it’s a good profession,” Jimenez said. “But here, it’s a superior profession because of the capacity, how people see it and how it’s used; it’s a lot harder.”