I started here as a 20-year-old college dropout looking to make a good living on my own, trying to prove to my mother that dropping out of college was a good decision for me. I was working at Ingersoll Rand doing assembly work when I heard about the opportunities at the Hagerstown plant from a family friend who ultimately got me the application. That was 17 years ago. I then spent 13 years of my career in engine assembly and eventually felt very complacent and wanted to try new things within the organization. I found a great opportunity to experience all aspects of the plant as a Training Coordinator. When my manager at the time moved onto other opportunities, my wife encouraged me to apply for the Training Center manager position. I was very thankful that there were individuals in the organization willing to give me a shot to manage, grow, and learn from the challenges I ran into. After almost 3 years in the Training Center, I took on a new role as a manager within supply chain. I recently decided to go back to school to get my degree in management as well.
There are generations of employees that have kept this place running through years of challenges, change, improvement, and restructure. We now have a brand-new generation of employees who are starting their careers and supporting their families. I’m proud to be a part of that and to work at a place that could be considered the heart of our community.
Starting here at 20 years old, this place has given me everything that I could ever call my own. I’ve made a great living here and I am able to provide my family with a great quality of life. I’ve made lifelong friends and created many relationships and memories. I want every new employee to be able to look back and laugh about great times they’ve had with their colleagues like I have over the years. Looking back at my 17 years and how great they were, I hope the next 25 are just as great and I want to do my part to make that happen. I’m glad that I took advantage of the opportunities that I’ve had here and hope that others can see the value of networking and opening doors for themselves.
The coolest part of my job is learning about supply chain and how everything is connected. Solving internal problems that are in some way caused by external factors and forces, such as a natural disaster somewhere else on the globe, is exciting.
The most difficult part is somewhat in line with the coolest part. There is no cookie cutter pattern to logistics. There is always change, there is always a hiccup in the system. Right around the time you think that you have it figured out, there is another challenge waiting. It’s up to me to be there for the team to help remove road blocks that might pop up along the way.
Outside of work, I spend a lot of time with my 2 kids (Audrey and Nash) and my wife Lauren. I’ve been in the Air Force Reserves for the past 11 years and also play music in a local country band.
