We are proud of our people who live Michels’ Core Values regardless of whether they are on or off the clock. Here are a few examples of employees who have gone above and beyond:
Power to Save a Life
While a crew was pulling wire on a jobsite in Fairfield, CT, Erik Talaski spotted a member of the public on one of the poles. The man had apparently used an extension ladder to gain access to the rungs in a possible attempt to harm himself.
Erik immediately notified General Foreman Billy Lane, and all work was stopped. The two men, along with Mitch Olson and Brian Boris, asked the man to come down. When that failed, Mitch and Brian climbed the pole and belted off the area around the man to protect him. Meanwhile, Billy and Eric used a bucket truck to approach the man, calm him and eventually bring him safely back to the ground, where he was attended by the police and taken to the hospital for treatment.
Tunnel Vision Diverted
General Foreman Matt Kowalski was on his way home from work in Uniontown, OH when he saw an overturned vehicle on the side of the road. While assessing the situation, he noticed other vehicles passing by while the driver seat of the vehicle was still occupied.
Matt pulled over and helped a woman safely exit the vehicle and waited until emergency services arrived.
A Cut Above
For the past 4 years, long locks have been the typical look of Julien Lebas, Equipment Manager at Michels Canada in Nisku, AL. Earlier this year, however, he showed up to work with his hair much shorter—a full foot shorter.
Julien had donated his hair to Wigs for Kids, an organization that serves children facing diseases and treatments that result in hair loss.
Missing Man Brought Home
One cold evening, Edward Dye, Director of HSE, made a routine stop in Rochelle, IL to get gas. While filling up, he noticed a man who seemed lost. When Ed headed to the checkout, the same man was ahead of him in line, searching for his wallet. Ed offered to pay for the man’s fuel but remained concerned as the man needed directions to get home, and his phone was nowhere to be found. Ed suspected dementia was responsible for the erratic behavior, thanks to the Reasonable Suspicion training he had received at Michels.
Ed decided to call the state police and explained the chain of events to them. Once the authorities reunited the man with his loved ones, the family called Ed to thank him for the concern they showed their father.
