Meet Metropolis . . . Cesar Compres, Versatile Team Player

This article continues our series on the men and women who make magic happen here at Metropolis Group. If you would like to recommend someone for a future employee spotlight, please email us with your nomination and let us know why you love working with this team member.

Cesar Compres
Assistant Compliance Manager

Metropolis Team Member Since . . . November 2019

Industry Experience
Cesar Compres joined the construction industry upon graduating from Manhattan College with a dual degree in finance and economics. As a senior administrative assistant for a construction firm, he handled project management, proposals, and pricing, in addition to day-to-day office management.

A year later, he accepted the role of assistance compliance manager at a property management firm. “I was intrigued and interested in learning about property management,” he recalls. Cesar dove into the position, managing the annual maintenance of more than 200 properties. He learned the ins and outs of keeping mechanical systems like boilers and elevators in compliance, working with the Department of Buildings (DOB) and other city agencies.

A former colleague approached Cesar two years later about accepting a position with Metropolis Group.

Role at Metropolis
As an assistant compliance manager, Cesar helps clients resolve violations to bring their properties into compliance. “Whenever a client has violations or lingering issues that are causing financial problems, we help them put together a remediation strategy that includes everything from elevator issues to boilers to sprinklers, standpipes, and fire alarms,” he says.

He enjoys the puzzle-solving aspect of the job, as well as the end goal of ensuring the property is in top shape, which benefits owners and tenants alike.

“Cesar is a true team player, always willing to go above and beyond as the jack-of-all-trades for the clients,” says Tynesha Goode, Senior Manager of Building Compliance and Violations. “There’s not a challenge he’s not willing to take on, from on-site inspections, Housing Preservation Department, and violations. His versatility defines the complexity of the Compliance Division.”

Favorite Project
One of Cesar’s most challenging projects has also proven to be his favorite. Shortly after joining Metropolis Group, he was assigned to a plaza mall in Brooklyn that had dozens of violations. “The client was unsure about what needed to be cleared,” he recalls, “so I had the opportunity to visit the building site and meet with vendors and inspectors. We had a lot of direct involvement, and I learned a lot through that experience.”

Best Part of the Job
Cesar enjoys the collegial atmosphere at Metropolis Group. “Every week, we discuss what we’re seeing in the field, which is helpful since the industry is always changing. We always walk away with new information, having learned something new.” He appreciates his colleagues’ willingness to share their experiences as they teach one another what to do—and what not to do.

Little-Known Facts
A native New Yorker, Cesar supports local teams in all the major sports—football, basketball, hockey—but baseball and the New York Yankees have a special meaning for him. He grew up near Yankee Stadium, where he attended baseball games throughout his childhood. As a participant, Cesar favors bowling, which pairs friendly competition with social interaction. He played in a league pre-pandemic, racking up a high score of 254.