On the Clock/Off the Clock features provide an introduction to the people who spend their days working at Metro Transit and their free time involved in a variety of interesting hobbies. Read more On the Clock/Off the Clock features here.
Lives: Brooklyn Center
Job: Fleet Service Supervisor – Lift/Brakes
Years of Service: 9
How did you come to work at Metro Transit and what do you do?
I was looking for something different and a place where I could develop professionally. I started as a Mechanic Technician and worked on the second shift at Heywood Garage. After that, I worked as a mechanic on the Northstar Commuter Rail Line, then came back to Heywood to be a garage supervisor. Today, I work in the fleet services where we find solutions to common performance issues.
Where are you from originally? Tell us a little bit about your background.
I was raised in Brooklyn Park then went to the North Dakota State College of Science where I got my associates degree in diesel technology. Since then, I’ve always been around big and small rigs. My first job was at a Peterbilt dealer, where I worked on medium- and heavy-duty trucks. I also worked as a car shop supervisor for Canadian National, a freight rail company out of Proctor, Minn.
What are your favorite activities when you’re working or “On the Clock”?
I enjoy being handed problems, rolling up my sleeves and getting to work on a solution. The problems can be small and easily taken care or balloon into something big that involves talking with parts suppliers or vendors about manufacturing defects. We also review how we maintain the vehicles and our procedures.
It’s a nice atmosphere to work in. There a lot of people with different skills, so there’s always someone with a different perspective on how to tackle a problem.
What are your favorite activities when you’re not working or “Off the Clock”?
I like to work on my house, cross-country ski, play with my dog, and, most of all, sail. I’ve been sailing with my family since I was four years old. We sail a 1975 Ericson 35, which is a standard rigged sloop that can comfortably sleep five people. It will go about 7 miles per hour (6 knots) with favorable wind and has a small internal engine we can use when the wind isn’t blowing.
One of my favorite places to sail is the Apostle Islands on Lake Superior. If you haven’t been, I recommend paddling through the sea caves on Devil’s Island and taking a break to walk through the old light houses.
Sometimes we’ll also go out with a smaller crew for more than a week. When we take longer trips, we’ll go to Isle Royale or into the Canadian waters, where a lot of the islands have saunas. There is very little light pollution and we’ll do plenty of night sails with just the moon and stars lighting the way between the islands. The fresh air and tranquility is why I truly enjoy sailing.