A generational partnership blends expertise and dedication to keep UGA’s water features flowing
David Padgett (left) and Carlos Ramirez in front of the renovated Herty Fountain
Carlos Ramirez and David Padgett are the duo behind UGA’s fountain and irrigation team in the Facilities Management Division (FMD). Together, they maintain the water infrastructure that supports fountains and landscaping across the Athens campus, from the Arch to College Station Road. Their work is both expansive and essential.
“The most important thing is teamwork,” Ramirez said. “But we also have a wonderful friendship.”
Despite their generational gap, Ramirez, 26, and Padgett, 67, share a unique bond. Both are Athens-Clarke County (ACC) natives and graduates of Cedar Shoals High School, exactly 40 years apart.
Padgett, a member of the class of 1977, has had a varied career spanning decades. He began his professional journey at the Atlanta Gas Light Company in 1985. He later managed athletic facilities at Cedar Shoals and Clarke Central High Schools, installed water meters for ACC, and even provided game-day security for UGA football for 19 years. In 2015, he joined FMD, transitioning through roles in the grounds and landscape departments before moving to the fountains and irrigation team three years ago.
Ramirez, a 2017 Cedar Shoals graduate, gained his expertise working for Laserturf, a Watkinsville-based company specializing in athletic field construction and renovation. For eight years, he worked in stadiums across the Southeast, including Sanford Stadium.
Their paths first crossed when Ramirez was contracted for one of Padgett’s projects at UGA’s Intramural Fields. They developed a strong rapport during that time, and when Ramirez joined UGA as an irrigation specialist in 2023, the transition was seamless.
The two have shared mutual respect and a willingness to learn from each other from the beginning.
“Knowledge is power,” Ramirez said. “If you come together and talk about what you need to achieve, then you can achieve it quicker.”
The pair oversees UGA’s expansive irrigation systems and nine water features, with Herty Fountain being the largest. Their work is fast-paced and constantly evolving, requiring flexibility, creative problem-solving, and a deep understanding of campus infrastructure. From seasonal shifts—like restarting fountains in the spring after winter shutdowns—to surprise issues like damaged lines or aging parts, no two days are the same.
David Padgett (left) and Carlos Ramirez complete maintenance on the Hubert Bond Owens Memorial Fountain in front of Old College
“We could be working on North Campus one minute and heading down the road 20 minutes later,” Ramirez said. “You just never know what’s going to happen.”
No matter the job at hand, Ramirez and Padgett remain positive and approachable. They consider their interactions with others to be just as important as the technical aspects of their work. When someone comes up to them with a question, they’re more than willing to explain what they’re doing.
“There’s nothing like southern hospitality and greeting people with kindness,” Padgett said. “It means a lot when people feel like they can talk to you and ask questions.”
Though their roles are largely behind the scenes, Padgett and Ramirez take immense pride in their work, including educating the campus community about fountain safety. They emphasize that fountains—like Herty Fountain—contain chemicals, mechanical components, and debris that can pose hazards.
“We should enjoy the fountain from afar and not get in it,” Padgett said. “You can really hurt yourself. It’s a beautiful backdrop for a picture, but it’s not a swimming pool.”
Their message is reinforced by recent renovations and updated signage at Herty Fountain. Completed in spring 2025, the improvements include new lighting, a redesigned floor, improved water jets, and easier maintenance access. The signage highlights that the fountain was built in 1999 and reminds visitors to treat the area with care.
“I want people to enjoy what we put so much effort into because we do it with tremendous pride,” Ramirez said. “At the same time, we want everyone to stay safe.”
Padgett and Ramirez share a dedication to UGA and Athens that they hope will have a lasting impact, not only on the campus landscape but also on the people they work with and serve.
“It means a great deal to be a part of something like this,” Padgett said. “I’m proud to say I work for the University of Georgia. This is something I’ll remember for the rest of my life.”
