Employee Spotlight

Officially, how long have you been with MB? Have you worked elsewhere before, MB?

Kenny: I came to MB in the 3rd year of my apprenticeship from Joseph Davis Company in 1982. This year marks 36 years with MB.

Kyle: For me, this July will be 14 years and all with MB.

What made you each choose this profession and why MB?

Kenny: I had relatives in the Sprinkler Fitters’ Union so I knew of the trades professions. I ended up at MB because I was in refrigeration class taught by MB’s own Jim Witter. I took to it, and was head of my class and Jim Witter recommended me to Bob Balsavage, my predecessor, and I have been here ever since.

Kyle: I went to Florida, Miami to be honest, and thought I was going to do something white collar; sell real estate. But I saw the light, sitting next to me (points to Kenny).

Kenny: We talked about it several times and his mother wanted him to get into it for the security aspect of it, job security. And obviously, he was mechanically inclined, and had some natural talents with artistry and creativity. That’s important for the quality of MB’s guys and what separates us.

Kyle: After I got back, I filled out an application and it took me 2 years to get in but here we are.

Kenny: The process is different than when I was coming up. Everyone in my class, their father was a fitter. So, you had “your own interview process” with their fathers. Now the state takes a hold of that process, so it’s much more structured and formalized.

Kyle, working for your dad for your tenure here, what are some of the toughest parts of that dynamic? What are some of the best parts?

Kyle: Toughest were being the boss’ kid. I always felt like I had to work even harder because I was Kenny’s son just to get to status quo.

Kenny: I told him four times as hard.

Kyle: But it was good because he pushed me but in the right direction, with all the certs and everything I would need. That one Shamrock Run, just outside the shop, everyone was out celebrating and I had to come in and weld coupons for my dad before I could meet the guys.

Kenny: Something I’ll say about Kyle and all our successful people that I have worked with and who have worked for me which they, like Kyle, take direction and criticism well. Kyle took it and ran with it to the hilt, to get additional schooling beyond the required classes.

Kyle: Those lessons are what I tell the young guys now- get your schooling in because once you stop, you don’t want to go back, especially how difficult it may be with jobs out of town and travel and family.

Kenny, give us some of your fondest memories. (Funniest, most rewarding, etc.) What are some of the projects you remember most?

Kenny: Projects are the most memorable parts. Working down in Florida was nice, meeting different people and companies and being such large-scale projects with them; Pepsi Center in

Denver and seeing different parts of the country, working on such big projects. I valued meeting other people around the country. It was so tough working in other parts because of such a protective union presence, we were the outside. One of the advancements that the union has made is more of a “work=together” mentality since you’re working WITH local contractors in other states now, whereas it was viewed that you were taking their work, not working alongside them. Now they go out of their way to help. I had always heard, coming up, that working out of town is what separates fitters. It makes sense because the comfort zone of the vendors, the subs, the plant personnel isn’t there like it is in town. Especially, when I was in the field, I was the foreman and the ONLY one to be able to go out of town. Now we can send a couple of guys depending on the job. Just a different animal, sometimes, very different but MB does a great job and has a great reputation that continues on to help with that.

Kyle, what lessons from your dad were most important to you that you’ll take with you as you begin picking up where he left off?

Kyle: Ask questions because EVERYONE knows my dad likes asking questions!!!! Listen to the guys. Listen to management. Be fair. Seeing the jobs with him was that the guys thanked him for being fair; whether with a layoff or whatever, they appreciated him being fair. Lead by example and always have a Plan B and work hard.

Kenny, how has MB and the industry changed since you’ve started? What are you most proud of during your time at MB?

Kenny: Just this morning I was sharing with Kyle how the guys send their timesheets in with self-addressed stamped envelopes. Long ago, the guys would come in and have to physically drop them off. As we continue, I know that they will eventually be transmitted electronically and that’s the goal, even in the field to cut the paperwork down and the time it takes to do it down. The guys are anxious for it. Training, tools, and technology have just evolved SO much. It’s a different job than it was. Even from a legal standpoint and safety standpoint we have to document so much more. Foreman time on paperwork has increased so much.

Kyle, what ways would you like to see MB grow during your term as Superintendent?

Kyle: Technology and continuing education for field and management together. Grow the volume like it has under my dad, helping PMs with jobs on bid day not just manning them. I want to keep the family mentality too while not becoming too commercialized. Enforce safety and work with our sister companies together to help us all be profitable.

Kenny, who were your mentors or major influences while at MB? If you could change anything about it, what would it be?

Kenny: Bob Balsavage was my biggest mentor. I tried to do things as he had done when I first came in, but the job has changed since so I had to change. He had smaller crews and some things and ways of going about and communicating business just can’t be done any longer. So, I had to adapt and still keep the mentality and outlook that Bob had. When I transitioned Bob called me and said I’ll be over, when home and he handed me the keys. That was it. And THAT is why I ask so many questions over these years!!! (Laughs)

What I miss are the days of just having our niche and traveling and us having that niche, like we did in refrigeration. When Jim Witter would come to a job site, he didn’t want you to keep track of job costs, he wanted you to run the job and do your best work- period. “I have money in there for that. I built it in for the extra.” One price covered it all. It kept you wanting to focus on the job of being a fitter, and Jim would handle the paperwork. It was so different but that’s what made that something I would welcome back in a heartbeat. But the world and the industry have changed and we have done a good job adapting with it.

Kyle, what can we expect from Kyle Anderson, Superintendent of Labor at MB?

Kyle: No drastic changes at all, right now. My father did a great job of starting a path for me to follow in. I do need to get accustomed more so to the office. I have ideas and want to work with the team in the office and field to improve teamwork, profitability, and opportunity at MB. I think my father did a great job, and it was echoed this past month visiting the sites with him. The loyalty of the guys stands out. They’re getting called from the bench to go back to work and they’d rather sit home on their own dime because my father told him he’d have something for them and they’d rather work for him and MB. That says a lot about that relationship.

I want to keep that family value because they’re part of a team and more MB guys than just guys from a hall.

Kenny: The guys brag about being a 12 or 13 “hammer,” in other words, they have gotten the annual Christmas ham from MB for 12 or 13 Christmases so far. So, they like the longevity of that and that’s their pride in that.

Kyle: They know it goes both ways: MB is loyal to them, and they are loyal to MB. I want to keep and nurture that.

Kenny, as you begin the “reward chapter” of your career, what advice would you impart on Kyle and also to MB’s labor force? What does post-MB life entail?

Kenny: To the guys in the field and in the office, stay focused and loyal to the results, as you always have and the quality. Never veer from the quality. Even other contractors, they view us, from the field, as a premium contractor.

As far plans, I am taking this summer off, for the first time in 20 years. It’s such a volume increase in the summer, and it’s a fire drill from June to September. So, this year, when people ask me what I have planned, I say nothing- so I can just do what I’d like for a summer without many obligations. Lots of bike trips planned, and day trips with my wife; spending time with the grandkids. No golf, I tried it again and gave up on it again. I hope this chapter lasts as long as the previous one. I’m looking forward to enjoying it. I’m excited!

Finally, what advice do you have for each other as the torch is passed from you, Kenny, to your son, Kyle?

Kenny: Kyle’s said it but I’m already impressed with the loyalty and respect from peers and office alike. It will be a tough transition; it was for me at least. When you’re out there in the field, you’re alone, you make a lot of decisions on your own and you feel like you have a lot of authority. When you come into the office, things are more by committee, but it’s a different mentality. Things are run by people that are part of the group, not just by one.

Kyle: I want to thank my father for the sacrifices he made for us and his family to provide the best for us, like with all the traveling, continuing education even when he was home, and staying goal-oriented himself. I remember him telling me at the airport one time, when he was leaving that he was hoping this was the last time he would be travelling because he was hoping to take over for Bob when the job is over.

Kenny: That was in Connecticut. I remember that. I wasn’t able to come home for 6 or 8 weeks and I told Bob that I wanted to see my kids and my family. So, Bob flew Kyle up to me. He spent the day in the hotel because I was working but he was there.

I want to thank my wife for raising our kids, almost by herself, with me being out of town so much. She worked and still raised our kids, and when I left for work, she was, in essence, a single parent. I want to thank her for the great job she’s done.

I also want to thank Van and the Mollenberg Family for giving me the opportunity to have such a prosperous career and for giving my son that same opportunity.