This profile is part of a series that celebrates the individuals who fuel Hopkins.
Terry Veney loves fixing things—pipes, problems, and sometimes even perspectives.
A plumber and pipe fitter at Johns Hopkins, Terry joined the university more than two decades ago, doing event catering and recycling collection before becoming one of Johns Hopkins' most in demand event DJs with his ear for music and his infectious personality. Along the way, he built deep relationships across the institution, took advantage of Hopkins' housing benefits, and became a mentor to countless younger coworkers, encouraging them to pursue trades, build careers, and believe in themselves.
"I'm just here to make a difference," he says.
Here, Terry reflects on his journey, his superpower, and what it means to be part of the Hopkins family.
Can you tell us about your role here at Hopkins and how it all started?
My name is Terry Veney and I'm a lead plumber here. My job is to make sure Johnny Hopkins stays dry. That's what I do. I make sure everything's running right. I deal with steam, I deal with heat. Try to make the place warm, try to make the place comfortable. I came from a long way—I mean a long way. I've had three jobs since I've been here. They have plenty of opportunities here. It all depends on the individual. That's a good part I like about working here—they've got opportunities. You can do all kinds of stuff.
What were those early jobs like?
I used to do setups, catering events. I used to do a lot of setups—Johns Hopkins liked to party. Then when they came up with recycling, I'm the first person who started recycling, one of the first ones. Recycled computers, trash, all kinds of stuff. Then I brought music to Johns Hopkins. I got an opportunity to hook up with some people that did events and they said, "Can you help us?" So I brought my equipment and I ran with it. I started DJing events for Johns Hopkins, all their Christmas parties—I did a lot of stuff at the board meetings, met a lot of important people. I could have been an audio visual guy, but I didn't go that route. I just loved playing music, doing events here, helping Johns Hopkins, trying to make the people happy. A lot of goodness around here.
You've mentioned mentoring others at Hopkins. Why is that so important to you?
I am a mentor. Matter of fact, I've got a lot of young men that I work with. They're like 30, 35, and I told them, go to school, get a trade. Johns Hopkins sends you to school. Once you get that paperwork, you can do whatever you want. I inspire people. You are a reflection of what you do.
You clearly take a lot of pride in your work. What drives you?
I love to work. I like fixing stuff. I like making a difference. That's why I'm here, to make a difference. You know, Johns Hopkins is a big family. We're all one, we come together as one. We work together as one. When time comes, we really need each other. We come together. They are very family oriented. If you're a part of the family, you get treated like the family. When you've been here for a while, you become a part of the family because you're investing your time and your energy.
Can you share a moment you're most proud of from your time here?
Working for the president—I like working for him. I just did an event with him. His daughter got married and I was here at the wedding. And I love graduation. Once you work here, you get to meet a lot of these kids, and when you see them on that stage and they wave at you and say, "I did it!" ... it's great. You get to meet their parents. It's been really good.
Can you tell us more about how Hopkins has supported you beyond the workplace?
The Live Near Your Work program, that's how I got my house. All brand new, gutted out. If I wanted to go to the hospital, I could walk down there. I can walk outside my house and get a Johns Hopkins bus. That's why I love the Live Near Your Work program. I'm close to everything. It's just great. They've got good benefits. They've got traveling benefits. You go out of town, you can get a hotel, plane, everything. It's just working for me.
What's your superpower?
My work ethic. I'm a working man. You can ask anybody out here. I know the benefits of working. And what I'm doing is not hard, especially when you love what you're doing. I like making a difference. I know at the end of the day I'm going to be rewarded. I like helping people. That's just me.
I'm always ready to work, to perform, to meet good people, share the Hopkins experience. I teach people how to save money. I teach people how to get a house. I teach people how to better their condition. What I've done, you can do. Don't limit yourself. You can do whatever you want if you put your mind to it. I ain't finished yet.
Posted in At Work
