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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…

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,…

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 marketing…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

In this episode, Matt Allred interviewed Chris Pearce, 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…