Workforce Excellence in Action: Emily Esley’s Journey from Custodian to Supervisor 

At BAC, workforce excellence is about more than performance metrics and job titles. It is about individuals who embrace opportunity, overcome challenges, support others, and continually strive to grow. 

Emily Esley is one of those individuals. 

In less than seven months, Emily advanced from a part-time evening custodian to a Building Supervisor at Fort Bragg’s Shughart Elementary School. While her career progression is impressive, it is the determination, resilience, and leadership behind that journey that truly exemplify workplace excellence. 

Growth Through Opportunity 

Emily joined BAC in January 2025 as a part-time custodian. From the beginning, her strong work ethic, reliability, and attention to detail distinguished her from her peers. Her commitment to doing the job well earned her a full-time position on the floor crew, where she continued to demonstrate a willingness to learn and take on new responsibilities. 

When an opportunity arose to apply for a supervisory role, Emily stepped outside her comfort zone and embraced the challenge. 

Today, she serves as Building Supervisor at Shughart Elementary School, where she oversees daily operations, trains team members, and helps ensure a safe, clean, and welcoming environment for students and staff. 

Her rapid advancement reflects not only professional capability but also a mindset focused on growth and continuous improvement. 

Resilience in the Face of Adversity 

Emily’s journey to leadership has not been without obstacles. 

A 13-year veteran of the United States Army, Emily lives with service-related disabilities, including PTSD and depression. Like many veterans, she faced challenges transitioning from military service and questioned whether she could successfully return to a workplace environment surrounded by people every day. 

Rather than allowing those challenges to define her future, Emily committed herself to the ongoing work of recovery and personal growth. 

Through determination, self-awareness, and practical strategies, she developed systems that allow her to thrive in a fast-paced environment. Her willingness to confront challenges head-on demonstrates the resilience that has become a hallmark of her leadership style. 

Her story serves as a powerful reminder that success is not determined by the absence of obstacles, but by the courage to continue moving forward despite them. 

Leading with Empathy and Confidence 

Leadership comes in many forms. 

For Emily, leadership is rooted in service, accountability, and compassion. 

Drawing from her military experience, she brings a calm and steady presence to her role. Her team knows they can depend on her for guidance, support, and encouragement. She understands that strong teams are built through trust, communication, and a genuine commitment to helping others succeed. 

Her openness about her own experiences has also helped create a culture where others feel supported and understood. By sharing her journey, she demonstrates that vulnerability and strength can coexist and that leaders can inspire others simply by being authentic. 

Living BAC’s Values Every Day 

Emily’s story reflects the values that guide BAC’s work every day: 

Growth through her willingness to learn and pursue new opportunities. 

Ownership through her commitment to taking responsibility and leading by example. 

Integrity through her honesty, accountability, and dedication to doing what is right. 

Customer Centered through her focus on maintaining a safe, welcoming environment for the students and staff she serves. 

Optimism through her determination to see possibility where others might see limitations. 

These values are not just words. They are demonstrated through employees like Emily who bring them to life every day. 

A Model of Workplace Excellence 

Workplace excellence is often measured by outcomes, but those outcomes are driven by people. 

Emily Esley’s journey from custodian to supervisor is a testament to what can happen when talent, determination, and opportunity come together. Her resilience, leadership, and commitment to continuous growth have made a lasting impact on her team, her workplace, and the customers she serves. 

At BAC, we are proud to recognize Emily as an example of workplace excellence and grateful for the positive influence she continues to have on those around her. 

Her story reminds us that when individuals are given the tools, support, and opportunity to succeed, remarkable things can happen.