What inspired you to become a service technician?

CRAIG: As a kid, I knew I wanted to fix stuff. I knew wrench sizes before I could ride. My dad worked all the time. If I wanted to spend time with him, I worked in his machine shop. That’s where I fell in love with heavy equipment.

Dad said if I went to Salina Tech, I’d have one of the better jobs when I graduated, so that’s where I went and where I met Rodney. As partners, we learned how to rebuild engines together.

 

CRAIG:  I started work at Foley in 1979, where I learned from an older guy who was very close to me. I think he saw something in me, and I saw something in him. That no doubt helped me along the way. Now, as I meet techs who are up and coming, we respect each other. I share part of me, and they share part of them. That’s a rewarding feeling.

What was the best part about being a service technician?

RODNEY: For me, it was about building relationships. When I started with Martin Tractor, several great mechanics mentored me, first on undercarriages and tracks, and later on equipment.

In 1983, I got my first truck as field tech in southeast Kansas. That’s one of the best jobs in the company. I spent of lot of time in coal mines and cement plants, working on everything from dozers and scrapers to haul trucks.

Why is safety important to you?

CRAIG: Safety is one of the biggest issues. Equipment can be dangerous, so I have always tried to keep safety at the forefront. All incidents and injuries can be prevented and workplace risks can be managed and reduced. Our safety programs drive employees and customers, to keep safety in focus every day.

What do product support reps do, and why is that role important for customers?

RODNEY: As Product Support Reps, we advise customers on many parts and service issues, like repair quotes, inspecting equipment, and helping create annual repair budgets. To do that, we have to know customers’ business as well as our own. For example, we have to know how long their engine and transmission should run before they need a rebuild, and the average life cycle of parts.

What do you like most about your job?

CRAIG: I like to help people. Customers can take care of equipment without me, but if it’s a little easier with me involved, that’s where I need to be!

What's motivated you to build your entire career around this line of work?

CRAIG: We will go wherever our customers need us. I've taken some long trips to look at a piece of equipment. I go great distances because I love what I do.

Rodney and I don’t like Caterpillar to make a living; we’ve made a living because we like Caterpillar.

 

What's motivated you to build your entire career around this line of work?

RODNEY: Caterpillar is in our blood. If you cut our wrists, we bleed yellow. The pay and benefits are good, but I do this job because I love it. I love seeing how equipment is made, used and serviced. There’s so much to learn, it’s just fascinating to me.

Plus, the atmosphere at Foley is tremendous. It’s fun because we have a lot of mutual interests and get along with each other. It’s also been a great place to build character.

 

RODNEY: When I look back on my career, I want people to remember that I was good on my word. If I said I’d do something, I followed through. I’m blessed to have a job at a company I truly enjoy. That’s why I’ve never had a day in 42 years that I haven’t got up and wanted to come to work. It’s a win-win all around.

Want to know more about Foley career opportunities?

We are always looking for the skills and talent of knowledgeable technicians. We want to make an immediate, measurable impact on the customers we serve, and we look for those with drive and passion to meet their growing demands. This career pathway leads to great earning potential all while working expertly on dozers, generators, oil and gas engines and more.  

Click here to view current opportunities at Foley.