Leaving a Legacy: Veroy "Uncle V" Alston Leads with Heart and Humor

Veroy Alston

Grounds Leader, MPUSD

At Monterey Peninsula Unified School District, leadership doesn’t always come with a title—it often comes with example.

For Grounds Leader Veroy Alston, also known affectionately by his team as “Uncle V,” leading by example has been the foundation of a meaningful career and an evolving legacy.

“The guys that are on my team now all came in right after me,” Alston shared. “They saw me before I was the craft leader. They saw that I came every day, did my job to the best of my expectations. Now, getting them to follow that lead is easy because they saw me do it first—and now they’re doing it.”

For Alston, leadership isn’t about distance—it’s about being present, being involved, and building trust. Just recently, he rolled up his sleeves and spent six hours driving a tractor alongside his crew at Seaside Middle School.

“They never know when I’m gonna stay, and it always surprises them when I do,” he laughed. “I joke with them that I have to do it so they don’t think they’re better than me!”

More than just a manager, Alston brings a sense of camaraderie and warmth to the workplace. His team doesn’t call him “boss”—they call him Uncle V.

“What makes me the most proud is when I pull up and nobody jumps or jitters because they’re not worried. They just see Uncle V coming,” Veroy said.

Though he once dreamed of becoming a professional baseball player, Alston says life had other plans—plans that, in hindsight, turned out just right.

“I prayed to get paid for playing in the dirt,” he laughed. “I didn’t know God had such a great sense of humor. But honestly, MPUSD is a great place to work. Every job has challenges, but I can’t see myself wanting to be anywhere else at this point in my life.”

Now the most senior member of his department, Alston says he doesn’t have a set retirement date.

“I’m still creating this position,” he said. “When someone does replace me, it’s going to be different—better. I’ve still got work to do, and a few more birthdays to celebrate here.”

Reflecting on his career, Alston remains humble and grateful.

“I never thought just being me would lead to something like this. It’s not about what you do when people are watching. It’s what you do when they’re not—because someone always is,” Veroy said.

And with that mindset, Uncle V continues to raise the bar—not just for himself, but for everyone around him.