We put our veteran technical team head to head with rookies in our three application areas of cleaning, finishing and treating by asking them questions about themselves as well as their time in the industry. Don’t forget to take our poll after reading the questions!
Q: How many years have you been in the industry?
A: 8 years.
Q: What is your favorite part of your job?
A: Working with new customers.
Q: What moment in your career are you most proud of?
A: When I got my first issued patent.
Q: What is something you dislike?
A: Georgia Tech and eggs, they both stink!
Q: What is your favorite food?
A: My mom’s Chicken Cacciatore.
Q: What is a funny story from your career?
A: I was working for another company, I was sent to Europe for two weeks to find the best location for a new manufacturing site. I visited many places and came back to present the recommendation to the owner. Back then we used printed transparencies, no Power Point. I must have had 50 slides prepared. I put the final recommendation on the first slide, because he always wanted to see the conclusion(s) first, and then listen to the justification why. He looked at the first slide, and said, yes, I agree that is obviously the best option, and told me to sit down. Meeting over. $5,000 trip, a week of producing slides, and he already knew the answer.
Q: How many years have you been in the industry?
A. 13 years in the chemical industry.
Q: What is your favorite part of your job?
A: Interacting with customers and helping them solve their issues.
Q: What moment in your career are you most proud of?
A: I worked for a chemist, Jong Guo, who was very demanding. At first I was glad I did not work under him until I was chosen to be on his team. I think I cried because it was either an honor or death sentence. After working with him he said he was proud of my work and thought we made a good team, which led to me getting my own projects.
Q: What is something you dislike?
A. Lazy people on the ball field that give excuses about everything (I don’t need your excuse, show me your solution)
Q: What is your favorite food?
A. I love chicken wings (fried hard on the outside and juicy in the middle) and pizza.
Q: What is a funny story from your career?
A: After graduating in 2009, I remained at TJ Maxx until I was able to find a job in my field. Working in customer service is a challenge since consumers are told “The customer is always right.” On my last day I wanted to disprove that statement. It was the best day ever and I definitely stepped on some toes.
Q: How many years have you been in the industry?
A: 28 years.
Q: What is your favorite part of your job?
A: The satisfaction I get from solving a problem for a customer in need.
Q: What moment in your career are you most proud of?
A: The smile on Mr. Kellogg’s face when he saw the new lab in Inman after the renovation.
Q: What is something you dislike?
A: University of South Carolina, and boiled eggs.
Q: What is your favorite food?
A: Fresh seafood and a good steak.
Q: What is a funny story from your career?
A: Jerry Wingo the former plant manager at Inman was going to play a trick on me by asking me to hold the new sight-glass and dropping it before I could catch it. I was unaware that Jerry had purchased a new sight-glass and that he planned to drop the old one and blame me for dropping it. However, Jerry messed up and dropped the new sight-glass. The joke was on him.
Q: How many years have you been in the industry?
A: 3 years.
Q: What is your favorite part of your job?
A: When I’m able to work with customers in making their operation more effective, efficient, and sustainable.
Q: What moment in your career are you most proud of?
A: One of my first projects at HH was helping an engine manufacturer. At first we were only helping with changes to increase efficiency and productivity. I formed a good relationship with the engineer and have worked on more projects since then.
Q: What is something you dislike?
A: Furman Athletics and pork chops – in no particular order…
Q: What is your favorite food?
A: *Good* lamb chops or snapper (Tastes even better when I catch it!)
Q: What is a funny story from your career?
A: I almost certainly hold the record for quickest workers comp claim for a new employee. About 1 month after working at HH, a beaker shattered in my hand while cleaning and sliced my pinky to the bone. After a moment of shock, Larry drove me to the hospital to get stitches, leaving me with a gnarly scar.
Q: How many years have you been in the industry?
A: I have been in wastewater treatment 11 years. At Hubbard-Hall 8.5 years.
Q: What is your favorite part of your job?
A: Getting wastewater system running perfectly after a customer has been told that their wastewater is untreatable.
Q: What moment in your career are you most proud of?
A: I appreciate every time I speak at an event and have people approach me after to tell me how great I did and what they learned. Keeping customers running when they are close to having to stop production because they struggle with wastewater is another good moment.
Q: What is something you dislike?
A: As a huge music fan, it may surprise people to hear me say I cannot stand the Red Hot Chili Peppers.
Q: What is your favorite food?
A: One dish I have never been able to turn down is Tom Yum soup.
Q: What is a funny story from your career?
A: I once spent 3 days helping a customer find a hexavalent chrome leak they had for 3 years. I had been watching the operator one day and saw him put powder in the nickel strip rinse tanks. He had put in a cup of hex-chrome to make the parts look shiny. I learned to never trust what you know because someone will always change the game.
Q: How many years have you been in the industry?
A: 23 years.
Q: What is your favorite part of your job?
A: The current and future positive environmental impact.
Q: What moment in your career are you most proud of?
A: When my old bosses call me for technical advice.
Q: What is something you dislike?
A: A strong dislike for everything New York but specifically the Yankees.
Q: What is your favorite food?
A: Chicken Alfredo.
Q: What is a funny story from your career?
A: When I was training and traveling with Bob McDobald in PA, and no one informed me that he does not drive on any major roads or highways. I spent 17 hours driving 35 mph as a passenger on small backroads to his house in CT as he smoked three packs of unfiltered cigarettes with the windows rolled up because of his allergies. Only to have to drive three hours from his house. David Joyce might still be laughing over the lack of information he provided me and the 20 hour commute as a result.
