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: Rock Creek, Minn.
Job: Mechanic Technician, Heywood Garage
Years of Service: 25
Where are you from originally? Tell us a little bit about your background.
I grew up in Coon Rapids and attended North Hennepin Technical College to become a diesel mechanic. I worked for Medicine Lake Lines as a driver and mechanic for ten years. While I grew up in the north suburbs, I’ve always been a farm boy at heart. Since 1996, my wife, son and I have lived in Rock Creek, Minn. It’s a long commute (approximately an hour) but worth it to have a chunk of farmland.
How did you come to work at Metro Transit and what do you do?
Twenty-five years ago, a friend of mine mentioned a job opening for a skilled helper at Heywood Garage. I got that job and, six months later, moved into a mechanic position. You’ve been able to find me at Heywood Garage doing general repairs and maintenance on the hoist ever since.
What is your favorite part about working for Metro Transit?
I work with great people who are dedicated to sharing their knowledge and cross training so we’re able to keep our buses ready for the street. And as a mechanic there’s no shortage of projects that make work more challenging and interesting. From diesel to hybrid, and now to electric, technology is always changing. Today, most of my days are spent on the electric bus team. It’s a welcome challenge to be a part of the team ensuring the electric bus fleet is prepared for the opening of the METRO C Line.
What are your favorite activities when you’re not working or are “Off the Clock”
I’m a mechanic on and off the clock. Except off the clock I work on vintage tractors, like my 1929 McCormick Deering tractor or 1951 Farmall. I find understanding these old machines interesting and so do a lot of other people. We get together at old time tractor and thresher shows in Almelund, Rock Creek and other places throughout Minnesota. It’s a great community of people who not only share their love of tractors but the stories around the machines. My son shares a love of vintage tractors, too. Between the two of us, we have eleven vintage tractors!