Staff Spotlight: Charles Washington

We are so fortunate Charles has been with us as Timbers Kiawah’s lead houseman since day one. This special team member, an employee of the quarter, keeps things humming behind the scenes. He ensures the residences are stocked with everything our Owners need or request, that their balconies are immaculate and primed for enjoying the oceanfront view, and that our common areas are beautiful and inviting. Timbers Kiawah families have gotten to know Charles over the years and love catching up with him. Here’s your chance to get acquainted…

Tell us a little about your background.

I grew up on nearby Johns Island. After technical college, I worked at Kiawah Island Golf Resort as a housekeeper at The Sanctuary, and at the private Kiawah Island Club’s River Course as a bartender, locker room attendant, and assisting with special events. I was hired here two weeks before we opened (October 2018), and plan on being here for a long time!

What are your chief responsibilities?

Starting with pre-arrival, I make sure the housekeepers have all the tools and supplies they need to get the inside of the residence sparkling clean and stocked with things like cribs and high chairs as needed. I help with the heavy work of stripping beds and trash, but mainly devote my time personally to prepping the outside of the residence, the big balconies. This is a key spot for quality family time, so I make sure its looking fantastic and is ready to enjoy, including the grill.

I manage the inventories, which also involves running the linen service. I’m on call throughout the day via radio if anything is needed. I keep an eye on the common areas and help out at the Beach Club with towels and chair covers, in the summer months especially.

How would your co-workers describe you?

They’ll tell you I’m a hard worker who is always on the go, but also a laid-back guy who likes to make people laugh. And that I’m a good listener. People are comfortable talking to me about anything, and like to bend my ear. We are a tight-knit group here.

What do you like to do in your free time?

My daughter Nyla is my world. She’s one-and-a-half years old. After work, I have thirty minutes of meditation time on the drive home and then I go into dad-mode. We like to go to the local parks, and recently took a day trip up to Myrtle Beach. On my days off, it’s pretty much all about Nyla, and I wouldn’t have it any other way.

Why has Timbers Kiawah been a good fit for you?

I’m an extroverted “people person”. I love that I get to build relationships with Owners from all different places. And because my role encompasses so many areas, I have fun interacting with everyone on staff throughout the day, too — the Beach Club gang, bellmen, maintenance crew, etc. It’s a great place to work, where everyone is treated like family. Because of that, I’ve helped recruit several staff members over the years, including my own grandmother!

Any special memories you have from working here?

One I still think of often was prior to opening when we were still wearing hard hats. Seeing everyone pitching in to get every last detail ready before the official move-in. It was a good way to bond even before we started working in our own departments, coming together to make it all happen.

What is it about Timbers Kiawah that you think the Owners like most?

We provide them with a totally stress-free environment, where they can truly relax and enjoy themselves. Any requests that they have, there’s a 99.9% chance we can accommodate. We relish the opportunity to go above and beyond, incorporating the “Timbers Touch”.

Here are some examples. During Covid we assembled and set up Owners’ favorite exercise equipment (including Peloton bikes) in their residences so they could keep up with their workouts. We have an Owner who is allergic to feathers, so we made over her entire place to remove anything that could be a trigger. Recently one of our Owners pulled in with a flat tire. I noticed it and told the maintenance staff who discovered a nail. A bellman took the tire off and called his son to take it to a professional in town to be patched. The next time the Owner came out to his car, voilá, tire fixed and ready to go.

Our Timbers Owners know that, when they are here, they will spend their days without a care in the world.

What would you say to someone considering a residence here?

It’s a great place to come and create family memories because you can’t go wrong. The view, the property, it’s just the perfect size, not too big or too small. And because it’s a private club, the service is immediate and top-notch.

Anything else you want people to know about you or Timbers Kiawah?

Just to let us know if there’s anything we can do to make your visit here even more comfortable or memorable. Making someone’s day always puts a smile on my face.