For the August edition of the Little League® Staff Spotlights, enjoy this first-person letter from John Swisher, Director of Facilities, as he walks you through his journey:
When I reflect on my journey and how I got to where I am today, it is not lost on me how integral the individuals, experiences, and lessons along the way have been in setting the foundation of my career.
Growing up in Bloomsburg, Pennsylvania, I always tried to be as active as I could. When I wasn’t in the classroom, I could be found playing football with my friends and participating in the school band. While I didn’t know it at the time, those two experiences laid the groundwork for the values that I worked towards every single day – teamwork, discipline, and being part of things bigger than myself.
As I tried to find my footing and figure out my passions and career, I realized I enjoyed working with my hands, solving problems, and seeing the results of a hard day’s work. Those interests ultimately led me into skilled trades and facilities management. I didn’t know it at the time, but this interest of mine took me further than I ever could have imagined.
Building My Career
Finding my passion wasn’t a straight line, but that’s the beauty of building your career; you never know the places it may take you.
I began my journey in retail, where I managed a local hardware store in Bloomsburg. As I gained more knowledge about the different trades, I took my talents into construction and building houses. It was during this time that I ultimately decided which trade I wanted to pursue. After many tough conversations with myself and my family, I chose HVAC and plumbing and went to work for a commercial contractor. Over the years, I gained experience working on new commercial construction, maintaining facilities, and operating a wide variety of equipment.
As my career progressed, I realized I wanted to work in a facilities environment where I could continue learning while also mentoring others, sharing the knowledge I have gained over the years, and working on projects that were bigger than myself. When I started looking for jobs in this new environment, I never imagined that I could combine my expertise with sports, but when the opportunity to work at the pinnacle of youth sports came along, I took on the challenge right away and have never looked back.
Working at Little League
The opportunity to work in sports was appealing because it combines facilities management with creating an environment where athletes, families, and fans can have an unforgettable experience.
I enjoy knowing that the work we do helps make every event successful, even if most people never see the full scope of what happens behind the scenes to bring the iconic Little League International complex to life for thousands of visitors throughout the year.
Being able to be part of an organization with such a rich tradition, while using my experience to maintain and improve the facilities, is something that means a tremendous amount to me. One of my favorite parts about working for this organization is that no two days are ever the same. Every day brings new challenges, projects, and opportunities to not only improve the complex, but also my skills. My second favorite part is taking a project from an idea to completion. Whether it’s renovating a building, improving the grounds, or solving a difficult maintenance challenge, it is so rewarding to see the finished product and know it will benefit the organization for years to come.
I can’t say enough about the great team we work with every day. Having a front row seat and seeing the tremendous amount of work, passion, and dedication to make the Little League Baseball® World Series and all of our events across the country look effortless is truly inspiring, and I hope all of the staff know how their hard work does not go unnoticed.
Advice for the Next Generation
Be willing to learn every day and never be afraid to ask questions.
The more versatile you become, the more opportunities you’ll have throughout your career.
Every job contributes to the overall success of the organization. Don’t limit yourself to one skill. Learn as much as you can across different trades and disciplines.
Work hard, stay humble, and take pride in everything you do, no matter how small the task may seem, because one day your passion might just turn into something bigger than yourself.
This feature is part of a series of Little League International Staff Spotlights, highlighting the career journey of the organization’s employees, which began during Little League’s Girls with Game 50 (#GWG50) Celebration (LittleLeague.org/GWG50) in 2024.