James Hernandez: Cleaning Up with a Commitment to Care at HHS

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One of the worst moments in his life put James Hernandez on an entirely new career path. The year was 1989. Hernandez had finished a long workday at Hyatt Hotels, where he had risen through the ranks to reach the executive level at a young age. He was in a Los Angeles parking lot when he saw two figures emerge from the shadows. As one offender attempted to rob him of his wallet and car keys, the other suggested that they kill Hernandez on the spot.

Hernandez knew his options were limited. “I could either die in a California parking lot, or I could fight back,” he recalls. Hernandez chose to fight and wrestled his two assailants long enough for a car to approach. Luckily for the leader, the bright headlights spooked the would-be killers, who escaped into the night.

As he recovered from the incident and processed the resulting trauma, Hernandez decided to make a change. He would leave his high-stress job in the big city and return home to Galveston, Texas, where he was welcomed by his loving family and a strong support system. 

There was just one problem with moving back to the Lone Star State: Hernandez didn’t have a job there. He bought a roll of stamps, printed out a stack of résumés, and sent his information to several local companies. Soon after, he won the opportunity to interview for a position with an outsourced hospital housekeeping business and wound up securing a job in his hometown. However, a change of industry and geography would force him to start at the bottom and climb the career ladder all over again.

“Many people switch industries or experience career changes like I have in my life. I can’t think of anything more important for any organization than investing in people.”

James Hernandez

Almost thirty-five years later, Hernandez is still with the same company. Now, he serves as vice president of talent, training, and development for HHS. Since his arrival as assistant director of environmental services in 1989, the company that started with a single customer in 1975 has grown to serve more than 850 customers in healthcare, aviation, education, government, hospitality, and senior living.

In addition to custodial support, HHS now provides services related to food service and facilities management, too. In 2015, the organization expanded to Chile. Japan and South Korea followed thereafter.     

Hernandez, who says family plays a big part in his life, was glad to be restarting his career in his hometown. Despite the memory of his mother being diagnosed with breast cancer when he was thirteen years old—and passing away when he was fourteen—Galveston reminded Hernandez of the importance of returning to one’s roots.

His memory of his mother and her desire to train, develop, and educate others continue to inspire Hernandez in his life and career. He’s been training employees at HHS since his arrival more than three decades ago. First, he did so informally. Before long, though, he was developing and operating regional training and development programs.

Eventually, Hernandez moved to a full-time management development role in 2004. “Many people switch industries or experience career changes like I have in my life,” he says. “I can’t think of anything more important for any organization than investing in people.”

Hernandez’s goal is to help those in the HHS workforce uncover their potential and discover traditional and nontraditional career paths. The veteran leader who left college early to join Hyatt speaks with the credibility only life experience can provide.

“You don’t need a degree to move up in this company. We do all we can to create a lot of growth opportunities for everyone,” he says. 

HHS has partnered with Southwest University at El Paso to help make a variety of degree programs (associate, bachelor’s, master’s) available for all HHS employees and for employees of HHS partners at a special scholarship rate.

For many employees, a job at HHS represents a lifeline. Hernandez can relate. He was broke and living off of his 401(k) when HHS founder Jim Spry offered him a job. Spry, Hernandez recalls, actually offered more than a job. “This company gave me a career, and that’s what I teach people today,” he says. “We give people the incredible chance to change their lives, discover a career, and make a positive impact on others.”

Hernandez spent most of his time at HHS training those working in environmental services (EVS), the company division responsible for cleaning and disinfecting medical facilities. It’s a job Hernandez takes seriously because he knows everyone in EVS is doing something to protect patients and ensure people are in a clean, safe, and peaceful environment where they can heal.

“We give people the incredible chance to change their lives, discover a career, and make a positive impact on others.”

James Hernandez

It’s hard to know exactly how many lives Hernandez has touched and how many people he’s trained. He started delivering content with slides and a projector before switching to VHS tapes, DVDs, PowerPoint presentations, and online presentation systems. In 2017, his team transformed its content into online video segments that cover every aspect of cleaning operating rooms, MRIs, patient floors, and other spaces.

Although Hernandez is not ready to retire, he plans to further expand and develop the training program before his long tenure at HHS comes to a close. An effective training program has been a core pillar of HHS’ philosophy and has helped take HHS to new heights.

Hernandez, whose grandparents came to the US from Mexico, encourages young Latinos to maintain a growth mindset and remember their culture’s strong work ethic.

“Always strive to do better tomorrow and be sure you develop and know your own personal mission statement,” Hernandez says. “You can overcome a lot of adversity and achieve your goals if you stay connected to your ‘why.’”

It’s been nearly fifty years since Hernandez lost his mother, but her memory and legacy still motivate him today. He rebelled after her death, as many teenagers might. Years later, he visited her grave to apologize. “I told her that I knew I wasn’t reflecting the values she raised me with, and I promised to change my ways,” he says.

Today, Hernandez can rest with the knowledge that his mother would be proud of the man he’s become and the way he honors her legacy by bringing out the best in others.

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