When Tom McKievick answered a newspaper advertisement for a temporary security position at Fredericka Manor in 1976, he had no idea he was beginning what would become a half-century career.
Fifty years later, the Chula Vista senior living community honored McKievick, its Director of Security and longest-serving employee, during a June 5 celebration recognizing an achievement attained by only a small percentage of American workers.
According to U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data on employee tenure, spending an entire career with a single employer is increasingly rare in the American workforce, representing roughly 1% of the U.S. workforce.
What started as a fill-in job quickly turned into something much bigger.
“I was hired to fill in for one of the security guards,” McKievick said. “What started as a temporary job turned into a 50-year career.”
At the time, he assumed he was joining a quiet retirement community. That impression didn’t last long.
“It didn’t take long to realize that wasn’t really the case,” he said. “There was always something happening, and the community was full of interesting, active people and activities.”
Over the decades, McKievick has watched Fredericka Manor evolve while his own job changed dramatically. When he started, reports were handwritten, and most communication happened face-to-face. Today, technology plays a major role in security operations.
“Nearly everything involves technology, computer systems, and online reporting,” he said. “Everything was on pen and paper back in the day.”
Even after five decades, he says there is no such thing as a typical day.
“A truly quiet day is an anomaly,” he said. “It can get hectic, but it also keeps me busy and engaged. No two days are ever the same.”
The relationships he has built with residents remain among the most rewarding aspects of his career. Along the way, he has met people whose lives read like history books, including a Holocaust survivor, a U.S. ambassador, former public officials, business leaders, and others with remarkable stories.
“I’ve learned the importance of patience and understanding,” McKievick said. “Something that may seem simple to us can be very difficult for someone else. Taking the time to listen and help people through challenges is an important part of what I do.”
One fact that surprises many people is that McKievick has never called in sick over the course of his 50-year career. He attributes that record not to determination alone, but to a strong sense of responsibility.
“In security, if I didn’t come in, someone else would often have to stay longer or cover the shift,” he said. “I’ve always tried to be dependable and consistent. Fortunately, I’ve also been lucky enough to stay relatively healthy.”
Although he could retire whenever he chooses, McKievick said he still enjoys coming to work.
“I enjoy the people, the challenges, and the sense of purpose that comes with helping residents,” he said. “I never set a goal of working here for 50 years. It just happened one day at a time.”
Looking back, one of the biggest changes he has witnessed was Fredericka Manor becoming part of Front Porch Communities and Services, a nonprofit organization based in Glendale with senior living communities throughout California.
“Since Fredericka Manor joined Front Porch, I’ve enjoyed being a part of creating a welcoming space for staff, residents, and families on campus,” he said.
As for reaching the 50-year mark, McKievick remains characteristically humble.
“I don’t see it as a huge personal accomplishment,” he said. “I’m grateful for the recognition, but I’ve always just focused on doing my job and helping people.”
He also pointed out that he is not the only longtime employee in the community.
“There are two colleagues who have been here for 45 years,” he said. “That kind of dedication says a lot about the community and the people who work here.”
His advice for anyone entering the security profession is simple.
“Be adaptable,” he said. “Security is about much more than preventing crime. In a community like Fredericka Manor, a large part of the job is helping residents with problems, answering questions, and addressing concerns. Every day brings something different, and being willing to adjust and help wherever needed is essential.”
For Fredericka Manor residents and staff, McKievick’s legacy may be best measured not in years, but in decades of dependability, compassion, and service to others.
