Longevity
As we celebrate our 70th Anniversary, we recognize two of our longest tenured employees. John and Mark demonstrate the knowledge, resourcefulness and reliability that has allowed Yale to truly make buildings work better for seven decades.
John Deblon
President
What was your first role at Yale?
I started with Yale in 1973. Back then, I didn’t have a specific title, but I was hired to handle the financial aspects of the company.
What was your most memorable Yale moment?
Quite honestly, the past 35 years have flown by. Each project we’ve worked on and all the great customers we’ve worked with are special to me.
Why have you stayed at Yale so long? What makes it a special place to work?
It may sound cliché, but I’ve never thought of this as a job. We really work hard to create an environment where people think of Yale as a place to have a career, not just a job.
What are the biggest changes you have seen with Yale over the years? What are the biggest changes to the industry?
The addition of the Millwright division was a major addition to our business. It allows us to offer customers a wider range of services. I’m also proud of the growth of our service operations. We currently have one of the largest and most experienced teams around.
The industry has changed quite a bit. There is more competition than ever – and it seems half the trucks on the road say “mechanical contractor” on them. But that’s where we have an advantage. You simply can’t overstate the value of having 70 years of experience and stability.
The equipment we work on has gotten much more technical too. The equipment and systems we work on have advanced technically quite a bit. So to stay the best, we need to make sure our technicians receive continuous training.
What is the biggest challenge Yale has solved for a customer?
The main one that comes to mind was our first data center project. Due to the sensitive nature and sophisticated requirements of a data center it was a major project that I’m really proud of.
What do you want Yale’s legacy to be?
I come from the old school, and I truly believe that if we continue to focus on making Yale a place where people are happy and enjoy coming to work, everything else will fall into place. You can’t fake it. Customers can sense that commitment, and they see we have the knowledge to solve their problems. If we stay focused on that our future will take care of itself.
Mark Then
Service Technician
What year did you join Yale?
I joined Yale’s service department in May of 1976 and have enjoyed my time there ever since.
What was your original role and what customers did you work on?
My first position was as a service technician. I’ve worked with some very recognizable customers and a number of buildings for companies in the defense industries, including Honeywell and Alliant Techsystems. Control Data, Unisys and KMART are other memorable customers.
What is the biggest problem you’ve worked on? How did you solve it?
One of the biggest challenges I’ve worked on during my years at Yale was when all of the underground piping at a major hotel rotted away during the winter. All of the people in the hotel had to be evacuated, and it took an entire crew armed with jack hammers and new piping to fix the problem.
How has your work changed over the years? How has it changed at Yale?
The industry has moved from servicing large, central systems that were virtually homemade to smaller, more compact units. Steam boilers are becoming a thing of the past and today everything is digital. The earlier systems could fill entire rooms. Now we see packaged rooftop systems that are much smaller but also a lot more complex. The technology within the industry is constantly changing and has definitely become more advanced over the years. Technology has also made our work at Yale more efficient. Cell phones allow us to communicate with clients and the home office much faster and easier. The Internet allows us to be more prepared by looking up equipment information before heading to the job site.
Why have you stayed at Yale so long, what makes it a special place to work?
I have been at Yale for more than 30 years because it has always been a comfortable place to work. Yale has always made every employee feel like they are a part of the team. Everyday I see so much camaraderie among everyone who works at Yale.
What is your favorite tool?
My favorite tool is the Ford Wrench. I take it with me wherever I go. It is a general purpose adjustable wrench that works in just about every situation. Almost everyone at Yale either has one in their tool belt or in their truck. |
