A Legacy of Learning and Leadership with Victor Vargas

As Victor Vargas prepares to retire after more than two decades with The Service Companies, we sat down with this remarkable leader to capture the story of his extraordinary journey. From his humble beginnings as an overnight kitchen cleaner to rising through the ranks to Senior Vice President of Operations, Victor’s career is a testament to the power of dedication, compassion, and continuous learning.

The Beginning of Victor’s Story

My journey with TSC began in 2001 in Biloxi, Mississippi, as an overnight kitchen cleaner. What motivated me, from the first day, was the opportunity to learn to clean kitchens, polish marble, and strip and wax floors, which allowed me to connect with people from diverse backgrounds who are working towards a common goal.

The Evolution of Hospitality Operations

Over 23 years, I’ve witnessed significant transformations in our industry. One of the most notable changes has been the increasing reliance on specialized third-party partners who bring expertise in cleaning and can dramatically elevate hotel and casino cleanliness standards.

Proud Moments and Milestones

Looking back, I’m proud of several achievements:

• Growing the Shreveport market from a single property to six and from 48 team members to 500, establishing ourselves as the preferred service provider
• Developing managers who continue to drive our operations forward
• Completing five operational bootcamp training sessions, nurturing the next generation of supervisors and managers

But what truly stands out? The people. Working with people, teaching, coaching, and helping individuals become better versions of themselves has always been the heart of my work.

Humble, Compassionate, and Always Learning

My approach to operations has always been people-centered. Building trust and confidence with both clients and employees is paramount. While understanding the financial aspects of business is crucial, I’ve always prioritized service and quality.

A Transformative Leadership Moment

One experience truly encapsulates my leadership philosophy. In 2011-2012 I encountered a struggling team member on the second shift. While supervisors wanted to dismiss him, I saw potential where others saw challenges.

This young man came from a difficult background—growing up in poverty, surrounded by drugs. What he wanted most was to make his mother proud by maintaining a consistent job. Instead of giving up on him, we collaborated on a three-month plan.

I set clear expectations: be collaborative, follow instructions, and always be ready with a “Yes, sir” attitude. We invested in his training, provided mentorship, and created growth opportunities. The result? He transformed from a struggling employee to a lead, then a shift supervisor who could train and retain talent in every position.

His journey didn’t end with us—he eventually became a police officer. This experience reinforced my belief that leadership is about seeing potential in people and providing the support to help them realize it.

Attracting and Retaining Talent

My recruitment philosophy is simple: hire for attitude, not just skills. In our industry, a positive attitude surpasses a perfect resume. Retaining talent is about genuine care—spending time, showing respect, and creating meaningful interactions. People are seeking genuine leaders they can trust, which means:

• Engaging in authentic interactions
• Providing continuous learning opportunities
• Creating environments where team members feel valued

Looking to the Future

The COVID-19 pandemic dramatically reshaped our industry. It challenged us to reimagine service delivery and highlighted the critical importance of adaptable, resilient teams.

As I approach retirement, I’m excited about new projects and exploring what this new chapter might bring. But one thing remains constant: my passion for developing people and driving operational excellence.

My advice to emerging professionals? Be humble, never stop learning, and when you learn something new — find an opportunity to teach others so you can contribute to supporting the next generation of leaders.

— Victor Vargas