Peter Fenerlis holds the keys to Northeastern —literally

Locked out of your dorm room? Keypad to your office acting up? Fenerlis, who has served as locksmith for the Boston campus since 1993, is the guy to call.

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Locksmith Peter Fenerlis checks a lock in his office at the facilities building on Northeastern’s Boston campus, where he has worked since 1993 Photo by Matthew Modoono/Northeastern University

Northeastern University’s Planning, Real Estate and Facilities division has its fair share of highly visible jobs — staffers who renovate office spaces, paint, put up signs and build eye-catching new structures around the Boston campus.  

Peter Fenerlis’ job isn’t as noticeable, but it’s crucial — for three decades, he’s ensured that members of the Northeastern community can access the places they need to go.

Fenerlis became a locksmith via correspondence course, after answering an ad on a matchbox. He joined Northeastern in 1993. Since then, the campus has transitioned from a wholly analog, lock-and-key setup to one where electronic keypads are everywhere.

Northeastern Global News spoke with Fenerlis about his career breaking into buildings (legally), putting his two children through college at Northeastern, and how he relaxes in his spare time. This interview has been edited for length and clarity.

Hands working with a machine and a key in a close-up view.
Person working in a workshop filled with various tools and shelves.
A set of metal stamps with letters arranged in a wooden holder.
Person standing in a workshop surrounded by shelves and equipment.
Close-up of a small metal object being engraved by a machine.
Based in the facilities office, Fenerlis makes keys, changes locks and repairs electronic keypads around the Boston campus. Photos by Matthew Modoono/Northeastern University

How did you end up working for Northeastern?

I was working for Apahouser Lock & Security for 10 years as a vendor locksmith for the university, and an opening came up and I applied. Free tuition for my children was a great motivator, and as a vendor I connected with it personally. It was always a pleasure.

How has your job changed in the years you’ve been working here? 

We still work with just keys, standard locks and door handles: People will order keys, lose keys and we change the locks. People get locked out all the time, forget their keys at home, leave their keys in the car, stuff like that. But now we work with electronic locks too. We get a lot of [repair requests for] those. Sometimes the board fails on them so you have to replace the exterior of the lock, or the batteries die, or leak acid and damage the units. 

What’s your favorite part of the workday?

It’s a joy to work here: great teammates and leadership. All the facilities people get along together pretty well. We keep it happy.

What’s one thing about your job that would surprise most people?

The way we open locks without keys. We pick the lock, sometimes we drill it. People say, “Wow, what else can you break into?”  

What’s your proudest career moment?

Making a positive impact on my children. My son graduated in 2009. My daughter-in-law went here, too; they met at Northeastern.

What’s your favorite lunch spot on the Boston campus?

I go to Symphony Sushi and Kigo in the Curry Center. I get the spicy peanut sauce or the curry. 

If you had to choose a different profession, what would you do?

I wouldn’t change my profession. I was always interested in locks and security as a kid. 

How do you relax?

Walking through the forest and taking it all in. I go to the Berkshires and the New Hampshire woods, and Caryl Park in Dover.

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