Economy Matters

Robby Raposo expects to breathe a sigh of relief the first time the doors lock shut at the new storage facility being built at the Atlanta Fed's Miami Branch. That contented sigh will join many made during the two-plus years he's been part of this major construction project.

"There are plenty of opportunities to breathe a sigh of relief with a project this large and complex," Raposo, the Branch's facilities building manager who's overseeing the expansion project, said. "It's always gratifying to achieve project milestones, such as moving into the new automated storage facility. But celebrating smaller achievements along the way keeps the MCCM team motivated and focused."

The "MCCM" Raposo referred to is less of a mouthful than "Miami Campus and Cash Modernization," the project that has dominated his work in recent times. Keeping teammates on the project at the center of his attention is one of Raposo's stand-out traits, according to several who work with him. They also cited his commitment to excellence, reliability. and positive outlook. But above all, colleagues noted his compassion for coworkers.

Some views of Miami Branch's storage facility construction. Photos by Stephen Nowland

"Everyone thinks very highly of Robby and it's because of his actions, positive intentions, and his willingness to extend a helping hand regardless how busy he may be or what is happening in his world," said Eric Ngai, cash services director at the Miami Branch. "It is this positive attitude and genuine interest of how he can assist that makes Robby a special person."

Raposo described his outlook: "I think that for most facilities or building managers, it's always a battle as to who comes first: the facilities/building or the people. I like to think I always choose the people."

Rosbaldo "Robby" Raposo serves as the project manager of the modernization of the Miami Branch's cash-handling facilities―work that includes construction of the storage facility. In this role, Raposo said he spends a lot of time coordinating construction activities with the contractor, subcontractors, and Bank stakeholders. He has lived and breathed a project that's a watershed in the history of the Miami Branch, which was established in 1970―the newest branch among all Reserve Banks, incidentally―and which moved to its current facility in 1980.

The new storage facility is larger than the current one and is critical to helping the Branch, and System overall, carry out its burgeoning work of processing foreign and domestic cash. Half the dollar value of 2024 currency deposits to the Miami Branch originated abroad, coming in from foreign central and correspondent banks that serve end users in Central and South America and the Caribbean Basin. On the domestic side, the Bank processes currency from 13 counties in South Florida, including the densely populated coastal areas and the nation's ninth-largest metropolitan statistical area, Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach.

The project is sure to be the capstone of a career already honored in 2008 with the Atlanta Fed's President's Award for Excellence, the Bank's top recognition of outstanding staff performance. It will culminate a career trajectory that began with Raposo working as an electrician in his family's electrical contracting business.

"My father said, 'When you're the owner's son, you start at the bottom and learn the business from the ground up,' " Raposo said, adding that his exposure to construction sites started when his dad brought him along during summer breaks from school. "I have always been fascinated by how things work and how buildings and homes seem to sprout out of the ground from one day to the next," he said.

Raposo left the family's company to join the facilities management team at the Miami Branch almost 26 years ago. Raposo has worked on projects that may not be visible but did improve operating systems, thereby enhancing the comfort of people in the facilities and controlling costs of maintenance and operations. He cited the automation of the HVAC system; a computer software system that improves maintenance activities to increase the reliability and lifespan of equipment; FedTrac, a work order system; and new electrical systems that bring power into the facilities and distribute it.

This track record is part of the reason Michael Young, director of the Facilities Management Function Office at the Miami Branch, said he was happy to hear that Raposo had agreed to accept the role of project manager.

"Honestly, I was elated when they told me I would be working with Robby on this project," Young said. "He is a consistent resource who takes on every task with a positive attitude. He treats people fairly. He always does what is right over what is convenient."

Raposo's attention to detail includes planning for crisis management. Such planning includes anticipating the effects from hurricanes that land in South Florida or pass close enough to have an impact on the Bank, its staff, or its customers.

He described the importance of crisis planning and commended coworkers who have always taken planning seriously. The branch's formalized storm plan contains a provision that enabled some staffers to shelter at the Bank under generator power as the staff distributed high volumes of cash—the only form of currency usable in a devastated region.

As Raposo looks toward retirement in a few years, he's come to realize that he's not the one to ask for advice on striking a work/life balance. "I can't help anyone there," he said. "I'm still figuring it out myself." But when Raposo does take time for himself, he enjoys the region's natural and cultural offerings. He recommended visitors make sure to see Calle Ocho, the center of Cuban life in Little Havana; Coconut Grove, one of the older neighborhoods in Miami; the Keys, all the way to Key West; and take an airboat ride in the Everglades National Park. Despite his work that called for careful planning for the facility, Raposo said he hasn't spent much time planning for his days after a fulltime career.

"I keep telling myself that I would like to buy a small sailboat, similar to what I had in my youth, and sail in Biscayne Bay," Raposo wrote. "But I catch myself and think, 'that ship may have sailed.' Playing more tennis, traveling, and spending time with the grandkids is probably my best bet."

Before those days arrive, Raposo has a big construction project to help bring across the finish line. As of the latest update, the work is to be completed on schedule in late 2026.

David Pendered

Staff writer for Economy Matters