Greg Erpenbach was looking for “something different” when the catering business for which he worked was sold in 2007. He had heard good things about Viterbo University from some relatives who had attended the school over the years, so he accepted a job as a custodian in the Fine Arts Center.

Three years later, Erpenbach was promoted to his current position of custodial services supervisor in the physical plant department. His duties include supervising the custodians and filling in where needed, ordering cleaning supplies and equipment, and dealing with contractors for projects such as resurfacing gymnasium floors, window washing, and servicing the clothes washers and dryers in the residence halls.

“The job keeps me busy, and every day is different,” he said. “I like it a lot, and I have made life-long friends here.”

Custodians have a challenging job, from dealing with the snow and salt tracked into the buildings in winter, to the various shift changes that take place, he said. The vast majority of custodians work second or third shift most weeks during the school year, but are moved to first shift for the summer months and certain weeks at the beginning and end of semesters. Summers are predominately spent cleaning the campus residence halls and getting them ready for students coming in the fall. This is done as the staff works around guests who may be staying on campus for an athletics camp or other event. The university will host the Association of Franciscan Colleges and Universities annual conference for a week this summer, and Erpenbach and his staff will have campus facilities ready.

“I receive a lot of compliments about our custodians and the work they do,” Erpenbach said. “That’s very rewarding.”

Outside of work, Erpenbach enjoys watching sports, campfires, grilling out, and traveling to Las Vegas twice a year.

“I really enjoy working at Viterbo, and I hope this is my last job before retirement down the road,” he said.