Meet the Team

What does it mean to me to be part of United Building Maintenance? Val and I have known each other for over thirty years and have always had a mutual respect for each other. I believe our core values align with each other’s. So when this opportunity presented itself I knew amazing things will come from this partnership.We both value our clients and our employees. I am all about building people up and creating opportunities for them to grow, learn and advance within our company.I believe that Trust, Respect, and Integrity are key core values. Everyone working for us brings value and should be recognized for their contributions. I was pleased to learn that Val has always shared her profits through her profit sharing plan with her employees; this really sealed the deal for me.I look forward to this new opportunity and the pursuit to make this already amazing company and employees the Market Leaders in this industry. By doing this it will create endless opportunities for our employees and world class service for our clients.I’ve been married for 35 years. My wife and I have two daughters and we recently became grandparents; we were blessed with twin boys. My hobbies are traveling, fishing, barbecuing on the weekends and spending as much time with our grandsons as possible.

Janice joined the United team in 2022 where she oversees the financial controls and reporting, policies and procedures as well as daily cash management and treasurer functions. She joined the United team after working with Val for many years in a consultant role because she believes the values that United models was a great fit for her. ​

If you are looking for someone who loves precise details, Alan Clark is your man. A numbers guy as far back as he can remember, Alan honed his appreciation for order and precision as a member of the U.S. Army Reserve. “My time serving in the Army Reserve reinforced the importance of discipline, taking time to manage the process, and getting every detail exactly right. If you are even a little sloppy with the small numbers, you can end up with a major mess down the road.”Alan studied animal science in college, with a business concentration. Later, he worked for startups and major international retailers, across several different industries. Alan finished his Masters in Accounting in January of 2017. Four months later, he met Val Sherman. As CFO, he manages all of United’s financial matters, from invoicing to cash flow to risk management. “As a growing company, it’s a balancing act. We have to measure each new opportunity against the bigger picture, because we are committed to providing the best possible service for all our clients.”Alan says one of the chief attractions for him was the culture of the company. “Val really cares about the company, and, by that, I mean the people on this team and about our clients. This creates a culture where honesty is expected and growth is celebrated. The people here actively support each other, and work together to help each other grow. That kind of culture is fairly rare, and we all benefit from it, especially, our customers.”At home, Alan and his wife, Jennifer, are “official empty nesters,” with four adult children busy building their own lives. “They are becoming good, productive people, and it’s so great to see. Jennifer and I stay busy too. When we’re not working or with our church family, we like to get outdoors. I grew up hunting, fishing, and hiking; so, for me, any day I can be out in a canoe with a fishing line in the water is a good day. I also do my best to maintain a good sense of humor. Yes, I know, I’m an accountant, but I also realize, if you can’t see the humor in life, you’re taking yourself way too seriously.”

Greg joined United Building Maintenance in January 2025, and immediately became an essential contributor to the values that United stands for. With the earlier part of his career spent in tax preparation, his experience is essential to the United team by helping navigate bookkeeping, invoicing, cash-flows and other financial reporting requirements. Greg’s organizational and accounting knowledge play a critical role in the expansion and growth of United, while prioritizing key services for employees and clientele alike.  

Samantha joined the United team in 2024 to support HR and Payroll after working in recruiting in her previous job.​ She chose United because she wanted to explore other areas of HR, new challenges and opportunities for professional growth in a dynamic environment. ​

Rito Gutierrez was hired at United in 2007 as a night supervisor and due to such an array of experience was promoted to an account manager within a short time. He started out as a janitor back in 1990 and then went into carpets, floors and some maintenance work. His knowledge of all aspects of the industry has proved to be a perfect fit for his position as the president of United. United receives many compliments from client’s that, “Rito always has a great attitude and he is very fast to respond to their needs”.Rito has 3 children with his wife of 19 years. He values the time spent with them camping and fishing. Rito enjoys doing anything outdoors

United leadership is always excited to be able to promote from within and it’s been awesome watching Evelyn Rosales grow within our company. Evelyn started off working nights as a janitor, then moved to days as Day Porter. With her work ethic, can-do attitude, technical skills and pleasant demeanor, Evelyn has worked her way up to the position of Vice President, where she plays a key role in insuring our clients are happy.

Bryon joined the United team in 2023 as Chief Strategy Officer.​ He was drawn by the company’s collaborative environment and is committed to driving success and contributing to a positive, growth-oriented environment. ​

To be part of United Building Maintenance is to be part of a family, and that’s exactly how I’ve felt since the day I first walked through the doors. That sense of belonging has only grown stronger since returning to the Sacramento area where my HR career began. I’ve known Brian for many years, and no matter where our careers took us, I always had a feeling I’d come back to Sacramento to work with him again. Joining United feels like the perfect culmination of that journey. I bring nearly a decade of progressive experience in Human Resources to my role as Vice President of Human Resources at United. My career is grounded in fostering organizational change and driving strategic workforce planning, with a passion for creating workplace environments that foster innovation and growth. At United, I am committed to leading impactful change initiatives that empower our employees and enhance organizational effectiveness. I thrive in environments where I can leverage my expertise in communication, workforce planning, and collaboration with management to propel our company forward. I am dedicated to contributing to a company that values innovation and embraces positive change. Working alongside a team of dedicated and passionate professionals, I am eager to achieve both strategic HR objectives and overall company goals at United Building Maintenance. Outside of work I love spending time with my family who share a passion for baseball and camping. My two boy’s play baseball takes to the diamond for softball games, time spent out on the diamond with them is time well spent in my book.

I chose to work for United because as a medium-size company, I felt I could have a higher impact on HR operations and be able to truly make a difference in the employee life cycle. So far, working at United has been a rewarding experience that has allowed me to grow as a professional and on a personal level. I have over 5 years of HR experience in small to mid-size companies and large corporations in industries including hospitality, construction and retail. In 2020, I earned my HR Certification from the Society of Human Resource Management. My area of expertise is leave administration, policy and procedure development and employment best practices. I’m originally from Long Beach, CA and moved to Sacramento after college in 2018. My hobbies include traveling, karaoke, family game night and visiting Disneyland as much as I can.

Adan started with United in 2002 as a Maintenance Technician and has held several leadership positions during his tenure. He now leads our maintenance division. ​He was invited to join United by Val, whom he had known since he was ​16 years old. He saw it as a great opportunity because of her business acumen and the way she treated him like family and extended that same care to all employees.

When you meet DeAna Melgar, you know immediately you are speaking with someone who truly cares. Kindness, as well as a sincere desire to meet your needs, defines everything she does.A licensed cosmetologist, DeAna is definitely a people person, skills that allowed her to make a significant career change, when she joined United Building Maintenance in May of 2018. “It was different, sure, but I love it. Interacting with people, helping them however I can, is very important to me. Every day, I have the opportunity let both our clients and my coworkers know how much the company appreciates them.“Many times, I’m the first point of contact, so I have a great deal of one-on-one interaction with clients and with employees, answering questions, connecting them with the right people. A client may want to know who their account manager is, or they may want to order supplies. An employee may need to correct their time card or have a question about paperwork. When they come to me, I will have the answer or find the answer.”When she’s not hard at work finding answers, DeAna still enjoys using her cosmetology skills to help people feel beautiful, and she loves to travel and spend time with her dog, Rocky.“California has so many wonderful places to visit. The list is endless. Internationally, so far, my favorite trip was Iceland. So much to see: the glaciers, the waterfalls, the black sand beaches… What an amazing place!”

If you’re looking for someone who is proactive and passionate about delivering exceptional customer service, every day, that’s Stephanie Kearns. If a client wants to add services, needs emergency services, has a special request, or has a special event coming up, Stephanie is here to help. Stephanie grew up in Monterey County, California, and she moved to Sacramento in 2008. In 2018, looking for a career change that would allow her to grow in knowledge and experience,(while taking advantage of her customer service background) Stephanie joined United Building Maintenance. “I was looking for a challenge, and this opportunity caught my eye. Joining the United team has been the best career decision of my life.” Stephanie’s responsibilities at United include connecting with clients, making sure they are completely satisfied and that they have everything they need. “I enjoy getting out of the office, touring the properties, and, especially, meeting with clients, because every conversation is another opportunity to make sure they’re happy with their service.” Stephanie is the proud mom of two boys. “They are truly my joy! We love spending time camping and going to theme parks. Sometimes, though, it’s fun to just stay home and cook. I enjoy trying new recipes, and, most of the time, my boys enjoy them too…though, honestly, they’d probably prefer pizza.”

Sonia brings over a decade of experience in the janitorial industry to our team. Sonia has worked her way up the ladder, starting off as a night supervisor then promoting into higher roles, and is now an account manager. Sonia sees a bright future with United and says “As an account manager, I have hopes of growing with the company, and with that, eventually get into a higher position with United.” Sonia’s hobbies include gardening and cooking. A fun fact about Sonia is that she enjoys traveling with her family whenever they are free and collecting elephant antiques.

Erika Higareda says one of the most important secrets to her success is her commitment to being positive. “I try to be happy in all circumstances. To show people a positive attitude and encourage them.” Erika says bringing that positive attitude to work with her every day is easy, because cleaning is her passion. “Even away from work, with my family and friends, someone is always asking me, ‘How do I clean this?’ or ‘How can I organize this to be more efficient?’ It’s just who I am.” Erika moved to Sacramento at the age of 15, and began her career in the janitorial and building maintenance industry in 2013, excited to turn her passion for cleaning into her vocation. She joined United Building Maintenance as a night shift supervisor and has been promoted to Night Operations Manager. “If there’s something I love more than cleaning, it’s working with people. Now, every day, I get to work with great people, building friendships and teaching them the best way to properly, efficiently and effectively care for our client properties.” Away from work, Erika loves spending time with her husband, Javier, and their two children. “I love to cook, especially Mexican food, but we like to try new things as well. I’m always looking for new recipes on YouTube. We also enjoy watching movies, going to the park or out for ice cream… honestly, we’re just happy being together, and that means everything to me.”

I have been blessed with learning opportunities throughout my work life-from experience working in the Los Angeles restaurant industry, to being a volunteer for trail construction in the Los Angeles National Forest. These solid work experiences helped me gain valuable skills in customer service as well as thriving in a team setting. For the last twelve years I was an account manager in software and telecommunications where I focused on client relationships and client satisfaction. I am excited about the opportunity to be part of the team at United Building Maintenance. My years of account management and customer service will help me lean into my new position as an account manager at United. I am a committed team player and a tireless advocate for quality service. My husband and I have been married for sixteen years and I am also a stepmom. My family is my inspiration to continue seeking personal and professional growth. In my spare time I practice yoga and taekwondo, and I co-own a taekwondo school with my husband.

Sandra joined started working for United in 2023 as a Roving Technician. She was recently promoted to Assistant Account Manager to support day operations.

Vianney Alarcon believes the best leadership is constructive and encouraging, because, she says, the goal should always be to help people grow. “You have to take time to listen. Sometimes stopping for a five-minute conversation makes a huge difference in a difficult situation.” Vianney has always worked in the building maintenance and janitorial services industry. She joined United Building Maintenance in 2016 and, having demonstrated her work ethic and leadership, was promoted to supervisor in June of 2017. “Being a part of this team opened up something new in me. I learned to love interacting with people, getting to know their unique perspectives.” As Night Supervisor, Vianney’s role includes ensuring all employees are working safely, and that they have everything they need to deliver exemplary service. “I have about 50 employees depending on me to make sure they are able to do what’s expected of them. It means a lot when my team members come to me with their questions and concerns, because they know I’ve been where they are. They realize their safety and their ability to do their jobs well are my top priorities.” Away from work, Vianney loves traveling, especially with her kids. “I love spontaneous getaways. Just get the kids in the car, and go see what’s out there. Being able to share those experiences means a lot, because it gives us time together. No matter what we see or do, I want them to know I will always be in their corner.”

Jonathan recently joined the United team as an Assistant Operations Manager to support night operations. ​He joined the United team because he was very impressed with the company’s mission and the collaborative team culture and how every employee has input in the company. ​

Caroline started as an ​Assistant Supervisor in ​2022 and was promoted to Operations Supervisor ​a year later. ​She continues to work for United because of its tremendous growth, driven by an amazing team of workers. She’s learned a lot in a short time and is excited to contribute to the company’s continued success in its innovative and collaborative work environment.​

Desi started as an Operations Supervisor in 2024, after many years in the food and beverage industry. He chose to join the team after positive interactions with Val and the operations team in his previous role and enjoys the strong sense of teamwork, where colleagues are always willing to jump in and help.

Ana started working for United in 2020 as an Assistant Supervisor and was recently promoted to Operations Supervisor in 2024. ​ ​

Trinidad is passionate about work and has a diverse set of skills and interests. His skills and expertise lie in the area of janitorial services, such as: carpet cleaning, floor cleaning, strip and wax, and power washing. He has honed these skills over years of hard work and dedication. Trinidad stated that “my most significant professional achievements have been serving as a supervisor for United Building Maintenance. This experience has been fulfilling and rewarding.”Trinidad grew up in a fun and energetic household as one of five children and started working at a young age. He was raised to have a strong work ethic. Trinidad’s hobbies include playing soccer and table games that involve strategy. He enjoys testing his analytical abilities, problem-solving, and adapting to new challenges through these hobbies.Trinidad’s mission statement and values revolve around hard work and compassion. He believes in leaving the Earth a little better than how he found it.

Ernesto has worked in many fields from accounting to human resources to the food industry. Ernesto holds a degree in public accounting and has over 12 years of experience in the janitorial industry. Ernesto is always seeking to grow and learn new skills. With his team management skills, Ernesto hopes to advance his career even further here at United. In his personal life, Ernesto aspires to be a better person for himself and his family. His hobbies include playing soccer, singing, watching movies, walking in nature, and spending time with his family. One fun fact about Ernesto is he can imitate sounds and voices!

Ivon has worked in the cleaning industry since January 2010, and for United since 2019. Ivon’s goals at United are to continue growing and moving up in the ranks by strengthening and empowering her team to consistently deliver quality service to United’s customers. Ivon’s hobbies include spending time with her family, traveling to new places, and cooking and making Christmas items by hand. 

Mario joined the United team in 2009 after working as independent window cleaning contractor. ​He was asked to join the United team by Val, and her genuine approach and respectful manner made him feel welcomed and comfortable, inspiring him to accept the offer enthusiastically.​

Jorge started as a Floor Technician in 2019 and was promoted to Utilities Supervisor in 2024.​ He chooses to work for United because it offers growth opportunities for all employees, regardless of their background. He values how the executive team prioritizes the well-being of their employees and fosters a supportive, caring work environment.​

David started working for United in 2023 to support the Accounting department.​ He joined the team with a strong desire to be a positive impact to the organization and to serve people effectively. ​

Andrew Jones is a seasoned quality control professional with extensive experience in ensuring workplace safety and operational excellence. Over the years, he has built a solid reputation for implementing effective quality systems, conducting thorough inspections, and fostering a culture of safety in every environment he works in. Andrew’s approach combines technical knowledge with a hands-on attitude, making him a valuable asset to any organization focused on continuous improvement and compliance. Beyond his professional achievements, Andrew has a lifelong passion for football. A former player through his college years, he now enjoys the game as an avid supporter, often found cheering from the sidelines and sharing insights from his years on the field. Whether on the job or off, Andrew brings dedication, focus, and a team-oriented mindset to everything he does.

Jim is an administrative professional supporting daily operations at United Building Maintenance. He manages: scheduling, client communications, organizing and maintaining records, and provides behind-the-scenes coordination that helps the United team deliver high-quality service consistently. Jim is detail-oriented and calm under pressure, and enjoys creating systems that help things run more efficiently—whether it’s improving office workflows or tracking project timelines. Jim’s background in administrative support is grounded in strong communication skills, reliability, and a team-first attitude. Outside of work, he is passionate about cycling and travel—”both of which keep me energized and open to new experiences. I take pride in bringing a steady, thoughtful presence to my work, and I’m always eager to support others while continuing to grow professionally”.

Wendy started working for United in 2023 as the Front Desk Administrator.​ Wendy joined the United team to grow as a young professional and has gained valuable insights from everyone around her. These experiences have helped her become a more well-rounded individual and make meaningful contributions to an organization.​