Building Manager Reaches for the Top

Derrick Komorowski achieves his career goal of running a building By John Friia For a quarter century, Derrick Komorowski has been employed by TF Cornerstone Inc., holding numerous positions with the development and management company, including his most recent as the building manager of 2 Gold Street. Originally hailing from Poland, Komorowski moved to New York after living in Canada and Austria in 1986. He started working with TF Cornerstone on Nov. 2,1987, as a concierge with a goal of becoming a building manager one day. Setting that goal for himself, he knew he needed to take classes that would make him prepared for the job. While working, he enrolled in classes that would give him the needed skills, including lessons on boilers, pollution, carpentry, electricity, plumbing and many more. He needed to take these classes to become certified by the National Association of Homebuilders to be considered for the position of building manager. He took those skills that he learned and used them hands-on at some of the buildings he worked in. "TFC definitely recognized my potential, and they gave me an opportunity to prove myself and reach my goal," Komorowski said. After he finally was hired as a building manager, the first location his managed was 45 Wall St. in the Financial District. After two years, he was transferred to 99 John St. and then he came to manage 2 Gold Street, the fairly new 51-story luxury building erected between Platt Street and Maiden Lane in the Financial District. "It was very fulfilling for me to be entrusted with the responsibility of these buildings-these transfers showed me that I am being recognized for all my hard work," Komorowski said. As a residential building manager, Komorowski resides in the building and oversees everything to ensure that things are functioning properly, from technical issues to resident problems. "One of things that I enjoy most about being a building manager are the many tasks that are given to me. I help with customer service, attending to residents' needs, and to the building's needs too," he said. Like many building throughout downtown, 2 Gold Street. was impacted by Hurricane Sandy and is currently uninhabitable due to severe flooding in the basement that damaged its systems; tenants have been told that they can expect to move back in March 2013. Komorowski explained that everyone is working hard to get the building safe for the residents, which includes reconstruction of all plumbing and heating systems, and to ensure that the building will function safely. Working for TF Cornerstone for 25 years, he likes that everyone, even the executives, is easy to contact. "I can reach out to anyone at any level, and they will listen, and give me their personal attention" Komorowski noted. "It is our pleasure to join Downtown Manhattan in honoring Derrick as an invaluable member of the community-as a helping hand and welcoming face," said Kevin P. Singleton, executive vice president of TF Cornerstone Inc. "TF Cornerstone celebrates Derrick's spirit and achievement." Since starting with the company, Komorowski said that the most exciting part is the opening of new buildings; as of today he has been a part of opening seven buildings. "I enjoy the process of converting commercial buildings into residential buildings, training the staff and meeting the new tenants," he said. A resident of downtown Manhattan for nearly 15 years, Komorowski has witnessed the transformation of the neighborhood firsthand. First living in the Financial District and currently living in the Gold Street building, Komorowski, a self-described "foodie," noted that there has been an emergence of great restaurants and shopping in the area. He and his wife enjoy walking throughout the South Street Seaport and the many historical sites and flavors of downtown. When he is not working at 2 Gold Street, Komorowski enjoys the outdoors while staying at his weekend house in the Catskill Mountains. "I love nature," he said. While upstate he enjoys the tranquility and peacefulness that might be hard to find in Manhattan, and "recharges his batteries." "It is [far from] a boring job and I am very happy-right now I would not change a thing," he said.