Pub2 2021 Issue1

12 Kentucky Trucker continued from page 11 KTA also lobbies in certain areas that make improvements in transportation in the Commonwealth of Kentucky. They have contacts with the DOT and those who are involved in the political process. If you look back at your professional life, what would be three things you have learned and would pass on to a young member who is looking at the crane industry as a career? Always be willing to learn. You are never too young or too old to learn anything. You have to be upfront and honest in what you do. You cannot ignore a problem in the transportation industry. You have to be straight up about what you are doing. You have to build relationships in the crane industry and the transportation industry. We value relationships with distributors, customers, and vendors that provide trucks or make parts. If we work together and develop friendships, it makes it a lot easier to conduct business. One of the lost arts is talking to people. What are some professional moments that make you the proudest? We have a large formed boom press on-site for making telescopic boom shells, and it was going to be down for a few months for some maintenance repairs. In order to not miss a beat with our production schedule, it was decided we would produce enough boom shells that would have otherwise been produced during the downtime of the press. This decision meant storing the boom shells somewhere, on-site. We figured out a method for storing them in our parts distribution center. It was an outside-of-the-box solution, but one I will always be proud of being involved in. I am also proud of my work at CONEXPO-CON/AGG (CONEXPO), North America’s largest construction trade show representing all things construction. CONEXPO is held every three years, and every major crane manufacturer has models on display for the show. I have represented Link-Belt Cranes five times for the show. The first four times I worked the show, I was in Las Vegas for a month. I enjoy the challenge, especially moving multiple machines in and out of the booth for the show while all the other crane manufacturers are doing the same. It’s a lot of coordination, it takes a lot of work and can be very stressful, but it’s also very rewarding, especially when the show begins, and you know how big a part you played. You make relationships along the way, and that’s what makes the work easier. Was there an “aha” moment in your career that defined you? When Mr. Bretz retired 19 years ago in 2002, I had a role as a supervisor. I was selected to take his spot as the transportation manager. That let me know I had arrived here. Sadly, one of our Link-Belt family passed away after a long battle with illness. Bill Curry joined Link-Belt in September 2012 and many of you know him well through his roles in the PDC warehouse and transportation/ logistics departments. Although no memorial services are being held at this time, condolences may be sent to Bill’s family via the Sims Funeral Services website. simsfuneralservices.com/obituary/WilliamBill-CurryII