Equipment World Digital Magazine
Issue link: http://read.dmtmag.com/i/692436
EquipmentWorld.com | June 2016 19 W hen Chris "Chippy" Flood was a young man, working alongside his father convinced him to become a diesel mechanic. His dad maintained and re- paired rock drills, trucks and small equipment for a drilling and blasting company. So it was only natural for Chris to sign up for two years of diesel technology in high school and then six months of additional training in a voca- tional school afterwards. "Everything else has been hands-on and learning from other technicians through the years," Flood says. Today, Flood is a heavy equipment field technician working for the Pennsylvania- based construction company Glenn O. Haw- baker. He started working for them at age 19 and has put in 21 years with the company. "Whatever needs fixing, I go fix it," says Flood. "They usually put me on site for the big dirt jobs. I have a service truck and do 99 percent of my work out of the truck. I have a mobile laptop to order my parts, do emails, and take care of work orders and parts re- quests." With the company's multiple locations in Pennsylvania and Ohio, Flood spends a good deal of time on the road, but he wouldn't AEMP Technicians of the Year | by Tom Jackson | TJackson@randallreilly.com Teamwork, can-do attitudes and good communication skills bring top honors to two heavy equipment fleet technicians Chris "Chippy" Flood W hat does it take to win top honors for your equipment technician skills? Meet Chris Flood of Glenn O. Hawbaker, a construction firm based in Pennsylvania, and Michael Naletko with the Sarasota County Fleet Services division in Florida. The two were just recognized by the Association of Equipment Management Pro- fessionals for their skills in their respective areas, Flood for private fleets, and Naletko for public fleets. Here are their stories. T he Association of Equipment Management Professionals' Techni- cian of the Year award is presented annually to the individual who best demonstrates excellence in the heavy equipment mainte- nance and fleet management professions. Nominees must have at least five years of experience, but nominating companies do not need to be members. This year, 13 finalists entered the competition, which is sponsored by John Deere. The grand prize for the winners includes a large John Deere-branded rolling tool box, a custom jacket and a $500 continuing education scholarship. For more information, visit aempfoundation.org. Technician of the Year: Private Fleet Chris Flood, Glenn O. Hawbaker