February 2018
Every day is different in the field, and that’s what fuels Sal, a Technician for OCE’s Technical Services Division. His continuing dedication to develop as a professional helped him become TEGG’s 2017 Technician of The Year.
Sal grew up in Hamlin, NY, where he still lives today with his wife and four children. He has been working for OCE for eighteen years, and as a Testing Technician for eight years.
In an interview he completed for the TEGG Franchise Network, Sal described his background and what makes him successful in his career.
Q1: How long have you been with the company?
I have been with O’Connell Electric for 18 years.
Q2: How long have you been in your current position?
I have been with the testing division for about eight years.
Q3: What did you do before you moved to the testing division?
I worked as a Foreman for O’Connell’s Construction Services Division
Q4: Where did you grow up?
I grew up in Brockport, specifically Hamlin.
Q5: Where are you living now?
I still live in Hamlin New York with my wife and four children.
Q 6: Fun facts or hobbies?
I enjoy coaching youth soccer and spend as much time as I can with my family when I’m not working.
Q7: What made you interested in working in the field as a Technician?
“I always wanted to be more than just an electrician. Being a Technical Services Technician challenges me every day beyond my comfort zone. It is more than just running pipe and pulling wires, I am required to trouble shoot and understand how the entire system works from the substation all the way to our end users.”
Q8: Technology is always changing and evolving. As a Technician, how do you stay ahead of the technological curve?
“To stay ahead of the rapid evolution of technology, I devote a lot time reading about new products and advancements throughout the industry. O’Connell supplies employees with regular updates on new technology in the field. I am the geeky guy that actually reads all of the email updates. If I want to learn about new stuff, I will take the time to do it.”
Q9: What is the most challenging part of your job and how do you overcome it?
“Technicians are faced with a variety of different tasks every day and every electrical system is different. The most challenging part of the job is how unpredictable each situation is. Every project or job site is different, making the job exciting and scary at the same time. Many times, I am required to enter a situation I’ve never laid eyes on before. To overcome the unknown, I use the resources around me. Utilizing O’Connell’s education and training, and maintaining a strong emphasis on situational awareness, I am able to help solve many problems, and in the end, help the customer”.
Q10: What is the most rewarding part of your job?
“The most rewarding aspect of being a technician is making a customer happy. Many times I walk into situations where there is an unresolved issue or problem on site. Being able to step up to the plate and resolve any loose ends is critical. Leaving a project knowing that you met or exceeded the customers’ expectations or needs is very rewarding”.
Q10: What advice would you offer other technicians to also be successful in their companies?
“I would advise everyone to learn something new every day because there is always something to be learned. This piece of advice is something that I would offer to everyone, not just technicians.”