November 2007

Spotlight on Staff: Jai Balkissoon

By Jill Lindstrom

Family-oriented, dedicated, and trouble-free are words that describe Jai Balkissoon, parking operations supervisor. According to his boss, Larry Cohen, Balkissoon has reported to work on time every day for the last 40 years and cares about GW as if it were his own business.

Born in Trinidad and Tobago in the West Indies, Balkissoon came to the United States in 1965 for an education. After arriving here, he first finished high school and then received a bachelor’s degree in sociology and psychology from the University of the District of Columbia, which, he says, often comes in handy in his daily operations. He’s been married for 26 years and has three children, all of whom graduated from GW.

Q: What is a normal work day for you?
A: I start at 5 a.m. but usually get in around 4:30 a.m. I make sure the staff schedule is in order and that everyone is on location when the garages open at 6 a.m. Shortly thereafter, cars begin rolling in, and our busiest time is around 9 a.m. I work until 2 p.m. and do my best to ensure that operations run smoothly during the day. Sometimes I need to provide the parking attendants with extra change, and if the “spitter”—the ticket machine—gets jammed, I get called immediately.

Q: What are the biggest challenges in your job?
A: Occasionally we have customers who don’t want to pay the parking fee. When that happens I keep my cool and let them do the talking. When they’re done, I politely explain to them how our service works and after that they often agree to pay. If they don’t, I say I’ll call UPD, and then they pay immediately! People play all kind of games trying to get away with not paying.

Q: What are the perks of the job?
A: Sometimes you get to meet famous people. I met Mayor Marion Barry once. He parked in Lot 13, at 23rd and I streets, and I ticketed his car. He said, “You don’t know me? I’m Marion Barry—the mayor!”

Q: What’s your most vivid memory from your working at GW?
A: In my first year, the lot I was working in was held up. The robber had a gun and he hit me with it. We never leave money in the booths so he didn’t get anything, but I got a black eye.

Q: If you found $100 on the street, how would you spend it?
A: I would share it with somebody. I enjoy helping people. My friends tell me I’m too nice, but I say, “I have one life to live. I came with nothing, and I will die with nothing.” I believe in living a simple life. My hero is Mahatma Gandhi; his philosophies make a lot of sense to me.

Q: If you could change anything about your life, what would it be?
A: I’ve always wanted to go back to Trinidad and Tobago to teach. My wife is a teacher, and I’m very much into academics.

Q: You just got a free plane ticket to anywhere and have to depart right now. Where do you go?
A: Trinidad and Tobago! There’s no place like home. Last time I visited was in 2001, and that was the first time I had been back since I left in 1965. People were shocked and laughed when they saw my gray hair.

Q: Are you looking forward to Thanksgiving?
A: Oh, yes, I love turkey! I have a brother here in Washington and other relatives in Florida and Toronto. We take turns hosting Thanksgiving, and this year it’s our turn. It will be great; family means everything to me.

Send feedback to: bygeorge@gwu.edu