I started with a job as a heavy truck mechanic with a large truck leasing company. After being there about a year the VP of the company asked all the mechanics (union) if they wanted to go to any mechanical schools. The catch was the company would pay but they still had to work their shift. They all refused except me. I knew I was young and if this was going to become my profession I wanted to be as good at it as I could. I went to several schools to which all the mechanics were asked and they refused them all. After a few more schools the president of the company called me in his office. He told me that he had a plan for me(not telling me what it was at the time) if I was willing. I was game so they sent me to school for almost 2 more years without having to work my shift and getting paid. The other mechanics were upset and wanted the same but they were denied and told they had their chance. I then became a trouble shooter for the company and would be sent all over The East coast for weeks at a time. I was sent to shop after shop to find and solve the different problems and set up preventive maintance program for their specific situations in addition to the company maintance program. The company then had me set up a new maintance program for entire company (worldwide). I worked there almost 5 years. It was challanging but I enjoyed it. The president of the company left to open his own company in New England and asked me to go but I refused, our families were in NJ and PA. Unfortunatily I did not get along with the new President one little bit. It was like oil and water from day one and not worth the aggrivation. So I decided to open my own business. I started as a one man operation. I never advertized and my business phone was unlisted for 31 years. I had a few contacts to get me started and word of mouth took over. I was very selective what companies that I would do work for. I always had as much work as I wanted. All of the mechanics and even the want to be mechanics that I hired, I completely retrained to work my way. They knew from the begining that it was my way or the highway. If they weren't sure of something, just ask me, no problem. I never yelled at an employee just explained what went wrong and how to prevent it in the future. I treated my workers as I would like to be treated. I bought them lunch everyday. I was on the floor working with them side by side all the time. To them I was just one of the guys. I paid them top dollar and they worked hard for me. I also gave them bonuses from time to time for no reason. They knew that I would inspect every job before it left because my name was on it and I did. Most if not all of my workers loved working at my place and many retired from my shops. I only had two mechanics leave (one had personal problems at home, the other mover out of state.) in 31 years. We all became good friends and worked as a well oiled machine. We looked out for each other and cared about each others families. Unfortunatly I closed my business 3 years ago abruptly because of health problems. I found all of my people jobs and paid them until they got a job. I refused to sell my business because I didn't want someone else to ruin my name that I spent a lifetime building. At the risk of sounding egotistical (which I definatly am not) I'm just another blue collar working man, I believe that I was the best person that I ever worked for. I truely believe all that worked for me felt the same way. I keep in touch with most of them. We worked hard but always had time to have fun with each other. I actually really miss the guys, the hard work and deadlines.
