The National Apartment Association has awarded its inaugural Maintenance Legends grand prize to worker Harry Ruiz, whom the group deemed a hero.
Ruiz, a maintenance director with RangeWater Real Estate in Tampa, Florida, was honored for his actions that directly saved the lives of 17 residents at the Vista Grande apartment complex in Tampa Palms, Florida.
"Harry proved himself to be a literal lifesaver when he awoke early in his apartment on his site in Tampa to a funny smell,” Ruiz’s nominator wrote in a note for the award. “When he realized he had all the classic early signs of [carbon monoxide] inhalation, he sprang into action, calling first responders and quickly evacuating as many residents as he could from the building."
In a statement, NAA President and CEO Bob Pinnegar said, “Throughout communities nationwide, maintenance professionals are the unsung heroes of rental housing. Harry Ruiz’s story is heroic, and we couldn’t be more honored to recognize him with the first-ever grand prize."
Awarded in partnership with wholesale distribution firm HD Supply, the Maintenance Legends prize honors rental housing maintenance professionals who go above and beyond expectations in service to their communities. The NAA announced the winner of the Maintenance Legends prize last month at its Apartmentalize trade show in Philadelphia.
Along with the award, Ruiz received a brand-new Ford F-150 truck and a $10,000 check. He was selected from more than 1,500 maintenance professionals who were nominated throughout the year.
This story was updated July 9 to reflect a correction from NAA on the property’s name and location.