New Eastside doorperson of the month, Gail Rogers

By Jesse Wright, Staff Writer

Gail Rogers is the doorperson at the Park Millennium building at 222 N. Columbus Drive in the New Eastside.

But she’s more than a doorperson.

When she is not helping residents, Rogers said she enjoys bowling. “I’m a bowler and I’ve been doing it for years,” she said.

Rogers said on a good night she can get to 150 or 165, but no matter what her score, she said just being on the lanes is stress free. “I started bowling when I was 17,” Rogers said. “I liked it because I was able to do it. I could actually bowl. I had never did it before and my family said, ‘well, come on try it.’”

She’s also an avid pool player.

“I love it,” she said. “My two favorite sports are bowling and shooting pool.”

When she’s not bowling or shooting pool though, Rogers is at work. She has been at her current residency since 2005. The Park Millennium building is a high-traffic area, so much so that Rogers said it’s probably one of the busiest condos in the downtown area.

Besides liking people, Rogers said a good door person has to be patient because all those people have individual personalities and needs. “You definitely have got to be patient, and you got to like what you do,” she said. Rogers said doorpeople who don’t love the job typically leave the work because dealing with people can be tough. “You got to love people and constant interaction,” she said. “You really do. And then everyone is happy and they smile a lot.”

Not every interaction begins with a smile. Rogers said sometimes people can be in a bad mood or they can be frustrated, and those moods aren’t overcome with a smile. For that, she said, a good doorperson should use their ear. “I listen a lot. I am a very good listener,” Rogers said. “A lot of people come at you and they’re very angry and a lot of times you just have to listen. If they vent, you’re able to help them even more, but just be patient with them. Let them vent.”

Rogers is a born-and-raised Chicagoan and, while she currently lives in the suburbs, she said she has an affinity for working in the downtown area.

“This area here is so convenient,” she said. “I take the Metra (to work). And we have a pedway system, so I can go to the pedway system and get on the Metra and I don’t have to go outside. I think that’s great this time of year.”

To nominate your favorite doorperson, email info@neweastsidecommunity.com with the door person’s name and why you think they should be the doorperson of the month. Each winner will receive a $25 gift card to Mariano’s.