Elevator Careers

In this episode, I interviewed Corinne Nawrocki, CEO and Founder of Abel Elevator Consulting, Inc. Corinne entered the vertical transportation arena in 2015, leading new sales strategies for TKE.  She later moved into project management and on-site development with Schindler Elevator, where she learned the key factors contributing to the operational side of the elevator trade.  With her boots-on-t...

In this episode, I interviewed Ed Rivera, a Regional Modernization Trainer with TK elevator. Ed is also known as "Your Elevator Pal" and has been in the industry many years. He has a passion for continuously improving the elevator industry and those in it. In the near future, Ed wants to start a live, in-person elevator industry networking group to continue to build each other. Message E...

In this episode, I interviewed Chris Gutkes, President of Island Elevator. Chris shared his path of developing as a business owner in the elevator industry.  Having been on this journey for a while, Chris has learned many lessons along the way; some harder than others.  Though it's not always easy to develop self awareness and empathy, Chris shared that these are two of the critical skills fo...

Interview Part 2: Elevator Consulting In this episode, I interviewed Michael Caputa, Regional Vice President with Blackstone Elevator Consulting in Florida. Michael started his career with Thyssenkrupp elevator as an Account Manager in Atlanta and has grown in several different roles and companies. Michael is an endurance athlete and has proven over and over the power of the mind over matter. Mich...

Interview Part 1: Elevator Career Journey In this episode, I interviewed Michael Caputa, Regional Vice President with Blackstone Elevator Consulting in Florida. Michael started his career with Thyssenkrupp elevator as an Account Manager in Atlanta and has grown in several different roles and companies. Michael is an endurance athlete and has proven over and over the power of the mind over matter....

In this episode, I interviewed Mike Balsamo, Senior Vice President with VDA in New York City. Mike started his career with PS Marcato working summers as a helper and he credits his early time in the trade to being foundational to the work he does does today.  Mike says responsiveness to customers is critical because that is how you build trust. Mike is also a champion of continuing education, know...

Interview part 2: Discussing the challenges and lessons of starting a new business. In this episode, I interviewed Ed Stachowiak, the Chief Operating Officer at Axxiom Elevator. Ed started his career as a sales rep with Otis Elevator in Syracuse, New York where he learned and grew rapidly. In 2023, Ed became one of the founders of Axxiom Elevator with a vision to become the "Elevator Service...

Interview Part 1: Ed's career journey with Otis In this episode, I interviewed Ed Stachowiak, the Chief Operating Officer at Axxiom Elevator. Ed started his career as a sales rep with Otis Elevator in Syracuse, New York where he learned and grew rapidly.  In 2023, Ed became one of the founders of Axxiom Elevator with a vision to become the "Elevator Service Provider of Choice." Ed b...

In this episode, I interviewed Kendra Glenn, Managing Partner of BTS Elevator Packages. Kendra grew up in the industry, but wasn't sure she wanted to be part of the family business. After Graduating from college and working in hospitality for a few years, Kendra realized she wasn't being challenged or feeling fulfilled.  Kendra decided to join the family business, G-Tech Elevator and aft...

In this episode, I interviewed Michael Frangias, CEO of New York/New Jersey Elevator Company. Mike grew up in the elevator industry, with his father taking him on the job at an early age. He didn’t like school, but he learned quickly while in the trade and came to love elevators. Mike has worked for several different companies, both large and small, and has gained many valuable insights over the y...

In this episode, I interviewed Tom McMahan, the Business Development Manager with Delaware Elevator. Tom started his career at Miami Elevator right after graduating from Florida State University in 1990, and after two years, Tom left the industry for a time to experience international business. After returning to the elevator industry, Tom was able to apply his international experience, opening Le...

In this episode, Matt Allred interviews Scott Akin, owner of Elevator Sill Solutions by Archi-Tread, a manufacturer and installer of elevator cab and hoistway sills. Scott has been in the elevator industry over 30 years, starting at the bottom and working his way up in manufacturing.  Scott first worked for a family-owned elevator manufacturing business, and after selling, he started his own compa...

In this episode, Matt Allred interviews Sammy Kolker, who represents the fifth generation working at Matot Corporation, her family's dumbwaiter manufacturing business. She discusses growing up in the industry and how she became involved after graduating college. Sammy talks about common family dynamics challenges in multi-generational family businesses. She shares the creativity involved in m...

In this episode, Matt Allred interviews Sean Madden, Innovation Manager at Southern Elevator, former founder of Madden Elevator, and current President of the National Association of Elevator Contractors. Sean shares his journey growing up in the elevator industry, studying engineering, and eventually building his own elevator company. After starting Madden Elevator from his basement in 2010 with h...

Matt Allred interviews Chris Strawn about his career in the elevator industry. Chris is the owner of Elevator Safety Training Services (ESTS). He started in the industry as an apprentice, after serving two tours in the US Navy. After 10 years in the field, Chris joined his brother and another partner, building a firm which included inspection, consulting, and education. Chris loves to teach and is...

In this episode, Matt Allred interviews Amber Catlin-Kolodziej, the Executive Director of the Elevator escalator Safety Foundation. The EESF’s mission is to educate the general public on the proper and safe use of elevators and escalators. Amber’s goal is to further enable the EESF to keep our friends and family safe when they are using vertical transportation.  Amber has a background working with...

In this episode, Matt Allred interviews Scott Drummond, president and founder of Emi's Elevator and founder of Nokes Mountain Benefit Corporation. Scott has has over 20 years in the trade as an elevator mechanic and has seen the disparity of dilapidated elevators through the country. He decided to tackle this problem head-on by creating a public-private partnership. Scott has the vision and v...

Matt Allred and Bill Appelbaum sit down to discuss Bill's elevator industry career over the past 30+ years. They discussed his beginnings as a truck driver and his subsequent journey through various roles such as sales, management, and vice president. Bill expressed his passion for modernization in his current role of sales and project management with LCD elevator. Bill emphasized his satisfa...

In this episode, Matt Allred interviews Rena Cozart to discuss her experience of becoming the Executive Director of the National Association of Elevator Contractors (NAEC). Although Rena was surprised to have been sought out for this opportunity, she was quickly impressed with the honesty and authenticity of those who she would be working with, and decided she wanted to learn more. Rena brings to...

Chris Pearce is a co-owner of Skytec Elevator in Austin, Texas. Chris started his career as a union apprentice with Omni Elevator at age 19, but after a few years he left to finish his degree and also work as a technician in the high tech industry.  After returning to the elevator industry, Chris realized he loved working on elevators and wanted to stay.  Chris is passionate about using technology...

In this episode, Matt Allred interviews JT Peelle, President and CEO of Peelle Company, about his career path from truck driving to sales, accounting, and management in the elevator industry. Peelle Company is a 5th generation family business that manufactures elevator doors. JT discusses how he got involved in the business, the importance of treating customers like family, and advice for those st...

T. Bruce MacKinnon is the CEO of Elevator World Magazine. T has been with Elevator World for 27 years; 3 years as CEO. Elevator World is a family business that was started by T’s Grandpa, Bill Sturgeon in 1953; this year being the 70th anniversary. Although he was initially hesitant to join the business, T fell in love with the elevator industry. He loves the people who make it all happen and find...

Bob Sinram has been working in the elevator industry for 23 years on his second time around. Bob’s first exposure to elevators was from 1980-1984 as a weapons elevator technician on an aircraft carrier for the US Navy. After the military, Bob chose to work in industrial maintenance, which he did for 16 years. Eventually Bob made his way back to the elevator industry, and has been here ever since....

Jim Comley is the President and Owner of Embree Elevator. Jim Started in the industry when he was 19 years old in 1950. After a few years in the Navy, Jim returned and worked for Payne Elevator for many years. In 1973, Jim bought Embree Elevator and to his day, he continues to work because he wants to. Jim is now 92, and he has been in the elevator business for 70 years. Jim loves what he does and...

Ray Miller is the Business Development Manager for Elevators with Schmersal, USA & Canada. Ray started his career with Southern Elevator & Electric Supply (SEES) in Fort Lauderdale, Florida in 2008. In 2009, Ray moved to Los Angeles, California, to take a promotion with SEES, and shortly thereafter, he took on the role of Sales and Operations Manager with Draka Elevator. Ray has been in th...