Hopkins Schools welcomes Geno Mazzali as assistant director of building and grounds

Hopkins Public Schools is proud to announce that Geno Mazzali is the district’s next assistant director of building and grounds. With a strong background in operations, facilities management, and team leadership, Mazzali brings to Hopkins extensive experience overseeing large-scale maintenance, custodial, grounds, safety, and capital improvement initiatives.

Mazzali most recently served as assistant director of operations for Independent School District 197, where he led custodial, maintenance, and grounds teams while providing guidance to the child nutrition and transportation departments. In this role, he developed and managed capital expenditure plans, oversaw construction projects, ensured compliance with safety regulations, and implemented crisis management planning in collaboration with local police and fire departments.

Mazzali also served as recreation supervisor for the City of South St. Paul, where he managed community events, aquatics operations, youth sports, and facility maintenance. His earlier role as recreation and facilities coordinator for the City of Cottage Grove included overseeing athletic fields, ice arenas, community events, and staff development. Across his career, Mazzali has supervised more than 150 employees, and thrives in creating positive and collaborative team environments.

“Geno brings a combination of technical expertise, operational leadership, and positive energy, which is a tremendous asset to Hopkins Public Schools,” said Nik Lightfoot, assistant superintendent of Hopkins Public Schools. “His track record of managing complex operations with a solutions-focused approach makes him a strong addition to our leadership team.”

Mazzali holds a Bachelor of Science in Recreation and Sport Management from St. Cloud State University. Known for his upbeat personality and collaborative leadership style, he looks forward to bringing fresh ideas and operational excellence to Hopkins Public Schools.

“I’m excited to join Hopkins Schools and contribute to the success and safety of our facilities,” said Mazzali. “I believe in creating a positive, team-oriented environment where staff feel supported and empowered to do their best work.”

Mazzali’s role with the district begins in mid-August.