By Kevin Greer
Lakeside Communications Manager
Angelo Frias is a state champion long jumper and an Air Force veteran. Now, he’s Lakeside’s new Safety Services Supervisor.
Frias joined the Safety Services Team in October 2024 and was promoted to Safety Services Supervisor in January. He’s a 2018 graduate of Margaretta High School in Castalia, about 15 miles from Lakeside. He excelled in football, basketball and track during his time competing for the Polar Bears.
While he grew up a short drive away, Frias’ only visits to Lakeside were work-related. He delivered ice to Lakeside businesses while working for what was Polar Pier before changing to Home City Ice.
“I never really experienced Lakeside,” Frias said. “I was passing through and saw people walking all over the place. I’m remember saying, ‘This is nice little community.’ I didn’t really understand it until I started working here.”
After a semester of college, Frias joined the Air Force. Part of his four-year deployment was in Africa. He also did security during his service. His primary duties were to ensure the safety of all weapons, property and personnel on the base where he was stationed. Secondary duties were similar to civilian law enforcement duties, where he enforced laws from federal to state levels.
“It was a little weird because of COVID, but the Air Force was a good experience,” Frias said.
Frias took a few college courses when he returned home from the Air Force and had a stint working at a GNC. He’s back working in security, this time at Lakeside. He has several responsibilities, including keeping everyone safe, opening and locking doors, teaching the staff and community about the safety and security procedures and making sure fire extinguishers and fire detectors are placed. He will be leading the Safety Services Team with year-round and seasonal employees.
“Safety is the primary job,” Frias said. “I want everyone in Lakeside to feel safe.”
Frias said he plans to spend plenty of time in Lakeside this summer, even when he’s not on duty. He likes being active and still plays a lot of basketball. Lakesiders might see him playing a few pickup games in Bettinger Park.
“Basketball has been part of my life since I was a kid,” Frias said. “I still find ways to go and play at a recreation center or YMCA.”
Other than safety, Frias’ main goal is pretty simple — getting to know Lakesiders.
“I want everyone to get to know who I am and I want to get to know the Lakeside community,” Frias said.
