MRO Today - To be, or not to be.

To be, or not to be

by Paul V. Arnold

When I grow up, I want to be . . .

A winner like Denise Augustine.
In 1979, Augustine was a 23-year-old single mom with no formal technical skills and a degree in animal science. To support her family, she took a maintenance job at the Pillsbury Company plant in Murfreesboro, Tenn. Today, she is a highly skilled maintenance technician who oversees two high-speed production lines. She also chairs the plant’s Maintenance Training Committee and is deeply involved with all aspects of the maintenance department’s performance.

Selfless like Matel Dawson Jr.
Dawson has worked at Ford Motor Company’s plant in Dearborn, Mich., since 1940. The 81-year-old rigger lives in a one-bedroom apartment, drives a 1985 Ford Escort . . .and provides college scholarships to teens across the country. In the past decade, he has given away more than $1.25 million, including more than $500,000 to nearby Wayne State University and more than $250,000 to the United Negro College Fund.

A jack-of-all-trades like Ginny Webster.
During her 17-year tenure at the Grove Gear/Regal-Beloit plant in Union Grove, Wis., Webster has worked in six departments — machine shop, shipping, inside sales, customer service, production control and purchasing — and excelled in every single one. She is currently an MRO buyer and saving the company big bucks through standardization and supply chain partnership initiatives.

Technically skilled like Gaylord Winterberg.
Co-workers at Elco Textron’s plant in Rockford, Ill., say there is no mechanical problem that can’t be solved by this maintenance team leader. “There is no better troubleshooter than Gaylord Winterberg, period,” says co-worker Mike Volsch.

The best at what I do.
Each of the aforementioned people can lay claim to the title “best in their field” as well as the title of MRO All-Pro. They are among 14 manufacturing workers honored on the first two MRO Today MRO All-Pro teams. In our December 2002/January 2003 issue, eight more people are added to our blue-collar all-star list.

These new All-Pros have many of the same qualities possessed by Augustine, Dawson, Webster and Winterberg. These are qualities I wish to attain in order to grow personally and professionally. How about you?

To be like them? Or, not to be like them? That is your question.