If you happen to work weekends, he needs no introduction. If you are strictly a Monday to Friday kind of person, we are thrilled to introduce you to John Prescott.
John Prescott has been a weekend lobby security guard at 555 Madison for fifteen years, but this July he took on a full time Monday to Friday position. He is enjoying the change of pace.
“The weekends are slower, of course, compared to the weekdays. I am getting to know a lot more of the tenants and more of the building crew. Everyone is very nice and happy to say hello in the mornings. One of the reasons I’ve stayed at 555 Madison for 15 years is just that. It’s a nice group of people,” says John.
John’s journey to 555 Madison is an interesting one. He is originally from Trinidad and Tobago, where he grew up playing soccer. “Soccer is my life,” says John. Right before moving to the U.S., John served as a secret service agent protecting the Prime Minister, Doctor Eric Williams from 1967-1969.
A few years after moving to the U.S., he joined the army and trained to be a combat medic prepared to go to Vietnam. Instead, he ended up serving at Martin Army Hospital in Fort Bennington, Georgia, and playing soccer for the army team.
When he returned home to Brooklyn, he started the Brooklyn Juniors, the first all-Black soccer team in the German-American League. His victories led to the team’s promotion from second division to first division. Today, he only watches soccer and his team is Manchester United. If you’re a soccer fan too, stop by to talk about the beautiful game.
