Running an Elevator Door Manufacturing Business: Treat Your Customers Like Family | JT Peelle
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…
Watch the interview on video70 Years of Elevator World Magazine | CEO T. Bruce MacKinnon on the Elevator Industry’s History
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…
Watch the interview on videoFrom US Navy Weapons Elevator Tech to 23-Year Elevator Mechanic | Bob Sinram’s Career Story
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…
Watch the interview on video92 Years Old and Still Working: A Lifetime in the Elevator Industry | Jim Comley
Jim Comley is the President and Owner of Embree Elevator. Jim started working in the elevator 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…
Watch the interview on videoLearn the Business! Building a Career in the Elevator Industry | Ray Miller
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…
Watch the interview on videoElevator Industry Talent from Outside the Trade | Josh Miller
Josh Miller is the Sales Manager for Services & Solutions for Kone in the San Francisco Bay area. Josh has an MBA from St. Mary’s College of California and spent about 20 years working outside of the elevator industry before joining Kone in 2020. Josh’s prior experience prepared him to hit the ground running in…
Watch the interview on video“It Feels Good Keeping People Safe”: Addressing Elevator Hoistway Safety Issues | Darrin Porch
Darrin Porch is the Founder and CEO of SafeRise, LLC. Darrin founded SafeRise as a solution to safely address elevator installation issues throughout the US, particularly around hoistway safety. Darrin has worked in the elevator and construction industry for over 20 years, including significant time with Otis and Schindler. He is excited to help make…
Watch the interview on videoElevator Industry Growth, Risk, & Relationships: Your Name is All You Have | Matt Jackson
Matt Jackson is the president and founder of Blackstone Elevator Consulting. Matt started in the elevator industry with Kone as an Account Manager, and worked in Denver and Houston before landing in Chicago. When Matt joined VDA and began to see that the business runs best when founded on solid relationships. Matt brought this philosophy…
Watch the interview on videoFrom Warehouse Clerk to Global VP of Sales: 30 Years in the Elevator Industry | Cornelius Walls
Cornelius Walls is the Global Vice President of Elevator Sales with Formula Systems, North America. Cornelius has been in the industry since 1995, when he stared with Adams Elevator as a receiving clerk. Cornelius has served on the board of directors of the EESF for 14 years, including being chairman of the board for three…
Watch the interview on videoFrom Apprentice to Program Manager: 37 Years in the Elevator Industry | Mitch Nici
Mitch Nici is the “Elevator and Escalator Program Manager” for the Washington Metro Area Transit Authority (WMATA) in Washington DC, overseeing all elevators and escalators. Mitch started his career as a helper with Flynn Hill Elevator in 1985 and in 1992, Mitch moved to Washington DC and joined WMATA. Mitch has been in the industry…
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